CHAPTER XVIII--THE MASQUERADE
The picture they made as they filed down the oak staircase two by twoand all attired in their antique costumes was one long remembered by theservants of Ten Eyck Hall, who had gathered below to see themasqueraders. Miss Stuart and the major, standing together at the doorof the red drawing room, were amazed and delighted.
"Is this a company of ghosts," cried the major, "ghosts of my deardeparted ancestors returned to the halls of their youth?"
"Look at the dears!" exclaimed Miss Sallie. "How pretty they are intheir ancient finery! Ruth, my child, you are the very image of theportrait of your great-grandmother at home. And here is Bab, who mighthave stepped out of an old miniature."
"So she has," replied Ruth. "In that pink dress she is a perfectlikeness of the miniature the hermit had."
"Jose," said the major kindly, for he could not insult a guest bybelieving evil of him until it had been actually proved, "you do notbelong to this company of belles and beaux. You look more like a Spanishgallant of an earlier day, in that velvet coat and cavalier hat. As foryou two slips of girls," he continued, smiling at Mollie and Grace, "youmight be my two colonial great-aunts stepped down from their frames. Butcome along, now. We must have a little fun, after all this trouble youhave taken to amuse us. Strike up, my poor bruised Jimmie, and we'llhave a dance."
Jimmie had volunteered to furnish the music. His face, in its presentstate, needed no further disguise, he said. The furniture was movedback, the rugs rolled up, and in a few minutes the dancers were whirlingin a waltz. There was a change of partners at the second dance, and Babfound herself dancing with Jose. He was not familiar with the Americantwo-step, so, after a few rounds, they stepped out upon the piazza for abreath of the cool evening air.
"Aren't you afraid to stay out here, Jose, after your experience of theother night?" Bab asked.
"Are you afraid, Barbara?" he replied.
"Why should I be?" she answered. "It was evidently you the assassin wasafter."
He winced at the word "assassin," and did not reply. The two stoodgazing silently out onto the stretch of lawn in front of the house.Presently Jose sighed deeply.
"I am afraid you are unhappy," said Bab sympathetically.
"Madamoiselle Barbara," he replied, "I am in great trouble. I tell youbecause you have already been more observing than the others, andbecause I see you keep your counsel."
"Why don't you ask Major Ten Eyck's advice, Jose?" asked Barbara, "he isso kind and gentle. I know he would love to help you."
"In this case," replied the Spaniard, with a frightened look in hiseyes, "he might not be so kind. I am afraid to tell him. To-night Ishall decide what to do. It may be that it would be better to go away. Icannot tell, now."
"Tell me, Jose, have your troubles any connection with the Gypsies?"
"Yes," he assented.
A shadowy figure moved up the lawn and approached the house. Josestirred uneasily.
"Who is that?" he whispered. "Don't you think you had better go in?"
"No," replied Barbara. "I am not afraid, if you are not."
It was Zerlina, and, seeing the two people on the porch, she pausedirresolutely.
"What is it, Zerlina?" called Barbara. "Do you want to see anyone?"
"My grandmother is over there," replied the girl, pointing to theshrubbery. "She has come to tell fortunes, if it pleases the ladies."
Zerlina did not look at Bab, as she spoke. She was looking at Jose, longand curiously. And he returned the gaze with interest.
"You have not seen Mr. Martinez, Zerlina?" asked Bab, recalling how hehad stolen away in the woods when the Gypsy danced for them.
Zerlina bowed coldly, and Jose took off his cavalier hat; but neithersaid a word, and Bab felt somewhat embarrassed at the silence.
"Wait a moment, Zerlina, and I will ask the major about the fortunes,"she said, stepping through the French window. Just as she parted thecurtain, she turned to say something to Jose, and saw Zerlina quicklyhand him a note. Bab's face flushed angrily.
"This business ought to be stopped," she said to herself. "We'll all beslain in our beds some fine night. Why can't Jose be frank? The entireband of Gypsies might be a lot of robbers, for all we know."
The revelers inside were all interested to know that Granny Ann had comeat last to tell fortunes, and Zerlina was dispatched at once to bringher grandmother back. When the old woman passed through the room on herway to the library, where the fortunes were to be told, she took a rapidsurvey of everybody there. She examined the girls and boys in theirmasquerade costumes, looked curiously at Jimmie's bandaged countenance,and finally her eyes rested on Jose leaning on a balcony rail outside.
While the fortunes were being told, there was a concert in the drawingroom. Grace sang in her high, sweet soprano voice, followed by anotherof Zerlina's Gypsy songs. Then Jose was induced to sing a beautifulSpanish love song, and finally Jimmie gave a comic version of "The OldHomestead" in which he himself acted every part.
After the fortunes were told Granny Ann sent word that there was oneperson she had not seen, and go she would not until she had seen him.
"Who has not yet been in?" demanded the major.
There was no reply.
"Jose, you have not seen her, have you?" asked Mollie.
"No," replied Jose; "I do not wish to go."
Word was sent in to Granny Ann, who sent a message back that sheinsisted on seeing the young man.
"Oh, go ahead, Jose," urged Stephen. "It's only for a few minutes, andwe want to have another dance before bedtime."
Jose bowed and disappeared from the room. Soon after Mollie touched Babon the arm.
"Bab," she whispered, "come out on the porch. I have something to tellyou."
The two girls stole out onto the moonlit piazza, while Mollie continuedin a low voice: "I know I should not have done it, but I followed Joseinto the library, by the dining-room door, and hid behind a curtain. Iwas curious to see what Granny Ann would do. He had hardly got into theroom before she commenced talking in a loud voice. She spoke in aforeign language, but she seemed terribly angry, and shook her fist inhis face. He was quite gentle with her, and just stood there, pale andquiet. I felt so sorry for him. Once I thought she would strike him, buthe never flinched or dodged. What do you suppose it means, Bab, dear?"
"I don't know, Mollie," replied Barbara, "There is some mystery aboutJose. Something happened to-day that put him in a very unfortunatelight, but I'd rather not tell you until to-morrow. Don't dance with himany more to-night, but be kind to him, little sister," Bab added, "for Ido feel sorry for him."