‘You love luxury?’ Lushin interposed. ‘Luxury is beautiful,’ she retorted; ‘I love everything beautiful.’

‘More than what is noble?’ he asked.

‘That’s something clever, I don’t understand it. Don’t interrupt me. So the ball is magnificent. There are crowds of guests, all of them are young, handsome, and brave, all are frantically in love with the queen.’

‘Are there no women among the guests?’ queried Malevsky.

‘No – or wait a minute – yes, there are some.’

‘Are they all ugly?’

‘No, charming. But the men are all in love with the queen. She is tall and graceful; she has a little gold diadem on her black hair.’