Having answered the Count's salutation, I turned to the glass again to see
how I had been mistaken. This time there could be no error, for the man was
close to me, and I could see him over my shoulder. But there was no reflection
of him in the mirror! The whole room behind me was displayed, but there was no
sign of a man in it, except myself.
This was startling, and coming on the top of so many strange things, was
beginning to increase that vague feeling of uneasiness which I always have when
the Count is near. But at the instant I saw the the cut had bled a little, and
the blood was trickling over my chin. I laid down the razor, turning as I did
so half round to look for some sticking plaster. When the Count saw my face,
his eyes blazed with a sort of demoniac fury, and he suddenly made a grab at my
throat. I drew away and his hand touched the string of beads which held the
crucifix. It made an instant change in him, for the fury passed so quickly that
I could hardly believe that it was ever there.
"Take care," he said, "take care how you cut yourself. It is
more dangerous that you think in this country." Then seizing the shaving
glass, he went on, "And this is the wretched thing that has done the
mischief. It is a foul bauble of man's vanity. Away with it!" And opening
the window with one wrench of his terrible hand, he flung out the glass, which was
shattered into a thousand pieces on the stones of the courtyard far below. Then
he withdrew without a word. It is very annoying, for I do not see how I am to
shave, unless in my watch-case or the bottom of the shaving pot, which is
fortunately of metal.
When I went into the dining room, breakfast was prepared, but I could not
find the Count anywhere. So I breakfasted alone. It is strange that as yet I
have not seen the Count eat or drink. He must be a very peculiar man! After
breakfast I did a little exploring in the castle. I went out on the stairs, and
found a room looking towards the South.
The view was magnificent, and from where I stood there was every opportunity
of seeing it. The castle is on the very edge of a terrific precipice. A stone
falling from the window would fall a thousand feet without touching anything!
As far as the eye can reach is a sea of green tree tops, with occasionally a
deep rift where there is a chasm. Here and there are silver threads where the
rivers wind in deep gorges through the forests.
But I am not in heart to describe beauty, for when I had seen the view I
explored further. Doors, doors, doors everywhere, and all locked and bolted. In
no place save from the windows in the castle walls is there an available exit.
The castle is a veritable prison, and I am a prisoner!