"And his private life?" the Count questioned.
"As far as I could find out, blameless."
"Have the wealthier classes taken up with him at all?"
"No, not actively. But they are far less bitter towards him. They are saying that he's an honest man. I do not say that for myself. I'm only quoting," added the little man.
Romanoff asked many questions on this head, which the little man answered apologetically, as if with a desire to know his employer's views before making direct statements.
"There are generally a lot of scandals at a political election," went on the Count. "I suppose that of Eastroyd was no exception?" He said this meaningly, as though there were an understanding between them.
Little Polonius Slyme laughed in a sniggering way. "Polonius" was the name by which he was known among his friends, and more than once the Count used it when addressing him.
"I made many inquiries in that direction," he replied; "I even went so far as to insinuate certain things," he added with a covert look towards the Count. "I had some success, but not much."
But the Count's face was like a mask. Polonius Slyme could tell nothing of his thoughts.
"I did not think your lordship would be offended?" he queried with a cunning look in his eyes.