But the guests
themselves had not been asked to keep to any period of history or
fashion, and, therefore, it was the most incongruous crowd that had ever
gathered within the walls of Barminster Castle. Never were dresses more
regal or more magnificent, alike in materials, colour and decoration.
Cavaliers in silks and satins, with plumed hats and jewelled swords;
Crusaders in glittering mail and silver armour. Alsace peasant girls
mingled with Carmelite monks and Sicilian nuns. Shakespeare's characters
were legion--Portias, Cymbelines, Katherines and Shylocks, all laughed
and jested together, their identity concealed beneath their black velvet
masks. It seemed as if every character and fable had risen to throng the
halls of Barminster Castle that night.
Up in the gallery above the great ball-room a famous orchestra poured
forth melody, and the guests were awaiting the entrance of their host as
a signal to start dancing.
The last visitor had arrived, when Lord Barminster and his sister came
from the entrance hall, where they had stood so long. The old man had
merely donned a domino over his evening dress and carried his mask in
his hand; but Miss Penelope had had her elaborate dress copied from a
picture of Lord Antony's wife, which hung in the Picture Gallery.
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