I was as closely, even more closely, guarded than
ever; and I found, when too late, that I had bartered myself,
soul and body, for an empty promise. The only difference was,
that I saw more new faces; for the dwarf began to bring his
confederates and subordinates to the house, and would have me
dressed up and displayed to them, with a demoniac pride that
revolted me beyond everything else, if I were a painted puppet or
an overgrown wax doll. Most of the precious crew of scoundrels
had wives of their own and these began to be brought with them of
an evening; and then, what with dancing, and music, and cards,
and feasting, we had quite a carnival of it till morning.
"I liked this part of the business excessively well at first, and
I was flattered and fooled to the top of my bent, and made from
the first, the reigning belle and queen. There was more policy
in that than admiration, I fancy; for the dwarf was all-powerful
among them and dreaded accordingly, and I was the dwarf's pet and
plaything, and all-powerful with him. The hideous creature had a
most hideous passion for me then, and I could wind him round my
finger as easily as Delilah and Samson; and by his command and
their universal consent, the mimicry of royalty was begun, and I
was made mistress and sovereign head, even over the dwarf
himself.
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