Chapter 4

           Theypassedthroughthesameroomswhichtheprincehadtraversedonhisarrival.Inthelargesttherewerepicturesonthewalls,portraitsandlandscapesoflittleinterest.Overthedoor,however,therewasoneofstrangeandratherstrikingshape;itwassixorsevenfeetinlength,andnotmorethanafootinheight.ItrepresentedtheSaviourjusttakenfromthecross.

           Theprinceglancedatit,buttooknofurthernotice.Hemovedonhastily,asthoughanxioustogetoutofthehouse.ButRogojinsuddenlystoppedunderneaththepicture.

           “Myfatherpickedupallthesepicturesverycheapatauctions,andsoon,”hesaid;“theyareallrubbish,excepttheoneoverthedoor,andthatisvaluable.Amanofferedfivehundredroublesforitlastweek.”

           “Yes—that’sacopyofaHolbein,”saidtheprince,lookingatitagain,“andagoodcopy,too,sofarasIamabletojudge.Isawthepictureabroad,andcouldnotforgetit—what’sthematter?”

           Rogojinhaddroppedthesubjectofthepictureandwalkedon.Ofcoursehisstrangeframeofmindwassufficienttoaccountforhisconduct;but,still,itseemedqueertotheprincethatheshouldsoabruptlydropaconversationcommencedbyhimself.Rogojindidnottakeanynoticeofhisquestion.

           “LefNicolaievitch,”saidRogojin,afterapause,duringwhichthetwowalkedalongalittlefurther,“Ihavelongwishedtoaskyou,doyoubelieveinGod?”

           “Howstrangelyyouspeak,andhowoddyoulook!”saidtheother,involuntarily.