“The Count’s position before the mirror was such that, supposing his eye had been a flame, the reflected rays would strike the forehead of one of the company fairly in the centre. The person upon whom it struck had not the least suspicion of what was being done. He did not make the discovery until it was too late, for no sooner did the operator get him fairly in focus, then he clenched his hands, looked with ten-fold earnestness at the mirror, muttered to himself a few unintelligible words, and the gentleman fell to the floor as if his heart had been perforated by a bullet, or as if he had been struck down with a club. In an instant all was confusion, everybody thinking it a fit of apoplexy, except the Emperor, the operator, myself and the Russian. “Several went to raise him, but before they could do so he sprung to his feet, began to sing and dance--the truth, at the same time, flashed upon the company, that the phenomenon was mesmeric--and in another minute to plead for his life, as if before his judges, with the prison and the axe before him. The scene was solemn to the last degree. “Suddenly, and without a word from the Count, the pleading changed to a musical scena; and although, at other times totally incapable of singing or playing in the least degree, he performed several difficult pieces in magnificent style, on the harp and piano, accompanying the performances vocally, and in a manner that drew involuntary plaudits from every person present. “This part of the performance was suddenly terminated; for the sleeping subject placed himself in the exact spot in which the Italian had stood, and, like him, gazed steadily at the mirror, and in twenty seconds the man who stood in the line of reflection fell to the floor, and a lady who, in going to his assistance, chanced to strike that line, instantly seized, raised him as easily as if he had been a doll, and with him commenced a dance unique, wild and perfectly indescribable. It was infectious, for in less than half a minute seventeen persons, high lords and stately dames, were wheeling, whirling, leaping, flying about the room in wilder measures than were ever performed by mad Bachantes. They had all been magnetized by proxy. “Astonished beyond measure at this extraordinary display, I retired, the better to watch the progress of the strange scene, to the opposite side of the saloon, and leaned carelessly against one of two colossal Japanese josses that stood there. No person was anywhere near me, and in my surprise I murmured below my breath: ‘What astonishing power!’ and am certain that a person standing close at my side could not have discerned what I said, yet nevertheless the thought was scarcely framed before the Count turned square upon his heel, advanced straight toward me, smiled sweetly, strangely, as he did so, and said: ‘All this power is yours--and much that is still more mysterious--if you but say the word!’