Pagina 261 de 490

When his servant entered, he looked at him steadfastly and

wondered if he had thought of peering behind the screen. The man

was quite impassive and waited for his orders. Dorian lit a

cigarette and walked over to the glass and glanced into it. He

could see the reflection of Victor's face perfectly. It was like

a placid mask of servility. There was nothing to be afraid of,

there. Yet he thought it best to be on his guard.

Speaking very slowly, he told him to tell the house-keeper that

he wanted to see her, and then to go to the frame-maker and ask

him to send two of his men round at once. It seemed to him that

as the man left the room his eyes wandered in the direction of

the screen. Or was that merely his own fancy?

After a few moments, in her black silk dress, with old-fashioned

thread mittens on her wrinkled hands, Mrs. Leaf bustled into the

library. He asked her for the key of the schoolroom.