German-Russian-Scandinavian
Mystery Stories
Gustav Meyrink
The Man on the Bottle
Melanchthon was dancing with the Bat, whose costume represented her in an inverted position. The wings were folded close to the body, and in the claws she held a large gold hoop upright, which gave the impression that she was hanging, suspended from some imaginary point. The effect was grotesque, and it amused Melanchthon very much, for he had to peep through this gold hoop, which was exactly on a level with his face, while dancing with the Bat.
She was one of the most original masks—and at the same time one of the most repelling ones—at the fête of the Persian prince. She had even impressed his highness, Mohammed Darasche-Koh, the host.
"I know you, pretty one," he had nodded to her, much to the amusement of the bystanders.
"It is certainly the little marquise, the intimate friend of the princess," declared a Dutch councilor in a Rembrandt costume. He surmised this because she knew every turn and corner of the palace, to judge by her conversation. And but a few moments ago, when some cavalier had ordered felt boots and torches so that they might go down into the courtyard and indulge in snowballing, the Bat joined them and participated wildly in the game. It was
then—and the Dutchman was quite ready to back it with
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