"Well," thought I, "she at least has not recognized me." "And yet, Senhora," said I, half jestingly, "I _have_ seen you join a bolero before now." "You evidently mistake me," was the reply, but in a voice so well feigned as almost to convince me she was right.
"Nay, more," said I, "under your own fair auspices did I myself first adventure one." "Still in error, believe me; I am not known to you." "And yet I have a talisman to refresh your memory, should you dare me further." At this instant my hand was grasped warmly by a passing mask.

I turned round rapidly, and Power whispered in my ear,-- "Yours forever, Charley; you've made my fortune." As he hurried on I could perceive that he supported a lady on his arm, and that she wore a loose white domino with a deep blue cape.

In a second all thought of Inez was forgotten, and anxious only to conceal my emotion, I turned away and mingled in the crowd.

Lost to all around me, I wandered carelessly, heedlessly on, neither noticing the glittering throng around, nor feeling a thought in common with the gay and joyous spirits that flitted by.

The night wore on, my melancholy and depression growing ever deeper, yet so spell-bound was I that I could not leave the place.