“Yes⁠—not a physical one! I don’t suppose anyone⁠—even a woman⁠—would raise a hand against me now. Even Gania would hesitate! I did think at one time yesterday, that he would fly at me, though. I bet anything that I know what you are thinking of now! You are thinking: ‘Of course one can’t strike the little wretch, but one could suffocate him with a pillow, or a wet towel, when he is asleep! One ought to get rid of him somehow.’ I can see in your face that you are thinking that at this very second.”

“I never thought of such a thing for a moment,” said the prince, with disgust.

“I don’t know⁠—I dreamed last night that I was being suffocated with a wet cloth by⁠—somebody. I’ll tell you who it was⁠—Rogojin! What do you think, can a man be suffocated with a wet cloth?”

“I don’t know.”