Again Dick felt the awful eyes of the Count piercing him; it was as though all his power of judgment, all his volition were ebbing away. At that moment he felt incapable of resistance.
"And if I consent?" he asked weakly.
"Of course you will, you will, you will," and the words were repeated with peculiar intensity, while the eyes of the two met. "I only make one stipulation, and I must make it because you need a friend. I must make it binding for your sake."
He took a piece of paper from a desk and scribbled a few words.
"There, read," he said.
Dick read:
"I promise to put myself completely under the guidance of Count Romanoff with regard to the future of my life."
"There, sign that, Faversham," and the Count placed the pen in his hand.
Without will, and almost without knowledge, Dick took the pen.
"What do you want me to do?" asked Dick dully.