His own friends seemed to elude him, and the coquetries of the village damsels had merely a fleeting charm.

He was standing apart to watch the glimmering crowd when he was startled by a smothered cry.

Turning to investigate, he discovered a little red domino, unmistakably frightened, and trying to release herself from a too ardent Punchinello.

Monty's arrival prevented him from tearing off the girl's mask and gave him an entirely new conception of the strenuous life.

He arose fuming and sputtering, but he was taken in hand by the crowd and whirled from one to another in whimsical mockery.
Meanwhile Monty, unconscious that his mask had dropped during the encounter, was astonished to feel the little hand of the red domino on his arm and to hear a voice not at all unfamiliar in his ear: "Monty, you are a dear.