She left the room without another word, while Romanoff returned to his chair, and sat for some time immovable. His face was like a mask. His deep impenetrable eyes were fixed on vacancy.
"Yes, Polonius, you can come in. I can see that you are almost tired of watching me. But my face tells you nothing, my little man."
Polonius Slyme slinked into the room like a whipped cur.
"Look here, little man," went on the Count, "I pay you to watch others, not me. The moment you begin to spy on me, that moment you cease to be my servant. Do you understand?"
"But, indeed, your lordship——"
"Do not try to deny. I know everything. I forgive you for this once; but never again. Obey me blindly, unquestioningly, and all will be well with you, but try to spy upon me, to discover anything about me, and the lost souls in hell may pity you. Ah, I see yow understand."
"Forgive me, my lord. I will obey you like a slave."
"She is magnificent, glorious! She can turn any man's brain. She is a Circe, a Sybil, a Venus—no man with blood in his veins can resist her!"
"That is your opinion, eh?"