“How goes it?” Karozitch asked in a low tone.

“As you see, I am making a hit,” answered the baroness in the same quiet tone.  But her manner was so detached and indifferent that no one could have guessed her remark was of the least significance.  It should be noted that this was her first official presentation to St. Petersburg society.  And in truth her beauty, united with her lively intellect, her amiability, and her perfect taste in dress, had produced a general and even remarkable effect.  People talked about her and became interested in her, and her first evening won her several admirers among those well placed in society.

“I have been paying attention to the solid capitalists,” replied Karozitch; “we have made our debut in the role of practical actors.  Well, what about him?” he continued, indicating Prince Shadursky with his eyes.

“In the web,” she replied, with a subtle smile.

“Then we can soon suck his brains?”

“Soon—­but he must be tied tighter first.  But we must not talk here.”  A moment later Karozitch and the baroness were in the midst of the brilliant groups of guests.

A few late comers were still arriving.  “Count Kallash!” announced the footman, who stood at the chief entrance to the large hall.

At this new and almost unknown but high-sounding name, many eyes were turned toward the door through which the newcomer must enter.  A hum of talk spread among the guests: 

“Count Kallash——­”

“Who is he——?”

“It is a Hungarian name—­I think I heard of him somewhere.”

“Is this his first appearance?”

“Who is this Kallash?  Oh, yes, one of the old Hungarian families——­”

“How interesting——­”

Such questions and answers crossed each other in a running fire among the various groups of guests who filled the hall, when a young man appeared in the doorway.

He lingered a moment to glance round the rooms and the company; then, as if conscious of the remarks and glances directed toward him, but completely “ignoring” them, and without the least shyness or awkwardness, he walked quietly through the hall to the host and hostess of the evening.

People of experience, accustomed to society and the ways of the great world, can often decide from the first minute the role which anyone is likely to play among them.  People of experience, at the first view of this young man, at his first entrance, merely by the way he entered the hall, decided that his role in society would be brilliant—­that more than one feminine heart would beat faster for his presence, that more than one dandy’s wrath would be kindled by his successes.

“How handsome he is!” a whisper went round among the ladies.  The men for the most part remained silent.  A few twisted the ends of their mustache and made as though they had not noticed him.  This was already enough to foreshadow a brilliant career.