It was the better part of an hour when the Count returned.
"Aha!" he said. "Still at your books? Good! But you must not work
always. Come! I am informed that your supper is ready." He took my
arm, and we went into the next room, where I found an excellent
supper ready on the table. The Count again excused himself, as he
had dined out on his being away from home. But he sat as on the
previous night, and chatted whilst I ate. After supper I smoked, as
on the last evening, and the Count stayed with me, chatting and
asking questions on every conceivable subject, hour after hour. I
felt that it was getting very late indeed, but I did not say
anything, for I felt under obligation to meet my host's wishes in
every way. I was not sleepy, as the long sleep yesterday had
fortified me, bu
