Zeneida stands by the door to receive the new-comers, until the room fills up. Conversation is not loud; each seems to be conferring with the spirit which has led him hither. The rolling of the roulette ball is heard yet again. "Who can still be coming?" asks Zeneida. Pushkin appears on the threshold. Zeneida's countenance involuntarily assumes an expression of alarm. "Why do you come here?" she whispers, excitedly, to him. "Is it not permitted?" "Did I not commission you to watch Galban, that he might not take us by surprise?" "I found a better guardian for him. Diabolka has got him in the mouse-trap." "But your responsibility remains." "I will go back as soon as I can do so without exciting attention. At present, I stay here. Introduce me!" "What a child you are! Are you not consumed with curiosity to know what we are about here?" "I wish to take my part in it." "What wilfulness! Of course you imagine lives are going to be risked, and must needs stake yours for sake of the glory. Well, stay here. You shall see. Herr Pushkin!" And she turned her back upon him, as if in anger, while making the introduction. Zeneida was the accredited agent of the whole union. Whom she invited to her palace was received as a "Brother"; to whom she confided any work was ranked among the "Men"; but to take part in secret conferences and to be promoted to be a "Bojar" required a further recommendation. "Who else stands security for him?" asked Prince Ghedimin. "I," answered Ryleieff. Upon which room was at once made for Pushkin at the table. His was a fine head. The curly hair and form of the nose recalled the African blood which ran in his veins, one of his forefathers having taken to wife a daughter of Hannibal, the negro slave promoted by Peter the Great to be a general. His eyes were dark and deep-set, yet, despite the irregular features, one could trace in the expression a resemblance to Byron. Pushkin was in love with Zeneida--that is, he raved about her. Zeneida was deeply in love with Pushkin, therefore she did not want him really to love her.