look like you could be won over in one stroke, either.” “That's not it,” said Leni, laying one arm on the armrest and looking at K., “you didn't like me, and I don't suppose you like me now, either.” “Liking wouldn't be very much,” said K., evasively.

“Oh!” she exclaimed with a smile, thus making use of K.'s comment to gain an advantage over him. So K. remained silent for a while. By now, he had become used to the darkness in the room and was able to make out various fixtures and fittings. He was especially impressed by a large picture hanging to the right of the door, he leant forward in order to see it better. It depicted a man wearing a judge's robes; he was sitting on a lofty throne gilded in a way that shone forth from the picture. The odd thing about the picture