Stranica 206 [206]
LABOULAYE 5 FAIRY BOOK
Yet Prince Charming was not amused. Concealed under
a blue domino, with his face entirely masked, he had
addressed himself to the most elegant and sprightly women,
and had lavishly displayed his wit and grace, yet he had
met with nothing but indifference and coldness. They
scarcely listened to him, answered with a yawn, and hast¬
ened to quit him. All eyes were fixed on a black domino
with pink rosettes that moved carelessly among the dancers,
recelving with the air of a sultan the compliments and
smiles that every one lavished on him. This domino was
the Lord Wieduwillst, a great friend of the prince, but still
more the friend of his own pleasure. In an unguarded
moment the doctor had said that morning by chance,
under the seal of secrecy, and to two ladies only, that the
prince would wear pink rosettes in his black domino. Was
it his fault if the ladies had been indiscreet or the prince
had changed his mind?
While the doctor was enjoying, despite himself, indeed,
his unexpected triumph, Charming seated himself in a
corner of the hall and buried his face in his hands. Alone
in the midst of the crowd, he abandoned himself to reflec¬
tion, and the image of Pazza rose before him. He had no
reproaches to make himself; his vengeance was just, yet
he felt an indescribable remorse. Poor Pazza! no doubt
she had been guilty; but at least she loved him, she under¬
stood him, she listened to him, her eyes sparkling with joy.
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