I had masters and professors without end, and studied astronomy
and astrology, and the mystic lore of the old Egyptians, and
became noted as a prodigy and a wonder, and a miracle of
learning, far and near.
"The arts used to discover the mystery and make me unmask were
innumerable and almost incredible; but I baffled them all, and
began, after a time, rather to enjoy the sensation I created than
otherwise.
"There was one, in particular, possessed of even more devouring
curiosity than the rest, a certain young countess of miraculous
beauty, whom I need not describe, since you have her very image
in Leoline. The Marquis de Montmorenci, of a somewhat
inflammable nature, loved her almost as much as he had done my
mother, and she accepted him, and they were married. She may
have loved him (I see no reason why she should not), but still to
this day I think it was more to discover the secret of La Masque
than from any other cause. I loved my beautiful new mother too
well to let her find it out; although from the day she entered
our house as a bride, until that on which she lay on her
deathbed, her whole aim, day and night, was its discovery.
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