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PDFstiffened; the eyelids are drooped and the eyes appear as
though they saw nothing. Her dress comes down to her feet
and clings to the body in perpendicular folds. Over her head,
neck, breast, shoulders and arms she wears a large shawl of
white crape. She keeps her arms crossed upon her breast.
She carries her body immovably, and her steps are stiff and
measured. The SISTER’s bearing is also measured, and she has
the air of a servant. She keeps her brown piercing eyes
incessantly fixed upon the lady. WAITERS, with napkins on
their arms, come forward in the hotel doorway, and cast
curious glances at the strangers, who take no notice of
anything, and, without looking round, enter the pavilion.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Has risen slowly and involuntarily, and stands staring at the closed door of the pavilion.] Who was that lady?
THE INSPECTOR.
She is a stranger who has rented the little pavilion there.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
A foreigner?
THE INSPECTOR.
Presumably. At any rate they both came from abroad—about a week ago. They have never been here before.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Decidedly; looking at him.] It was she I saw in the park last night.
THE INSPECTOR.
No doubt it must have been. I thought so from the first.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
What is this lady’s name, Inspector?
THE INSPECTOR.
She has registered herself as “Madame de Satow, with companion.” We know nothing more.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Reflecting.] Satow? Satow—–?
MAIA.
[Laughing mockingly.] Do you know any one of that
name, Rubek? Eh?
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Shaking his head.] No, no one.—Satow? It sounds Russian—or in all events Slavonic. [To the INSPECTOR.] What language does she speak?
THE INSPECTOR.
When the two ladies talk to each other, it is in a language I cannot make out at all. But at other times she speaks Norwegian like a native.
PROFESSOR RUBEK.
[Exclaims with a start.] Norwegian? You are sure you are not mistaken?
