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talk about you. They will describe you. I’m not sure that you shouldn’t dye your hair.’
    â€˜Never! Oh, don’t you see, one can dispel the curiosity of people by mixing with them?’
    â€˜Madness,’ said Dr Kandor. ‘Am I to let you cast yourself into revelation and destruction?’
    â€˜One friend only, then,’ she begged. ‘The girl. She’s so sweet, she has eyes so like—’
    â€˜I know her, I’ve seen her. As you say, her mother owns the hotel.’
    â€˜They are our closest neighbours,’ she said, ‘our only neighbours.’
    â€˜How did she get in?’
    â€˜The wall gate was open. I stepped outside for a moment, to look down at the beach. People are sometimes on the beach, and my eyes are hungry for any kind of people. I’m frequently of the feeling that people have disappeared from the world.’
    â€˜You should not show yourself. If you’re recognized, who knows what would follow?’
    â€˜Boris Sergeyovich, you speak as if the whole world would recognize me. But who would recognize me here, in the South of France? It’s a place my family never visited.’
    â€˜That’s why we thought this villa very suitable,’ said Dr Kandor.
    â€˜Boris Sergeyovich?’ She was wheedling, beguiling, and casting her magic over a man who she knew held her in stern but affectionate guardianship, a man who would give his life to protect her. ‘One friend, please? To reject all people will invite curiosity as dangerous as accepting them all. I’ve been here two years and have met no one, no one.’
    Dr Kandor sighed.
    â€˜One friend, then. The girl. No more. And remember, you are Bulgarian, you are Countess Katerina Pyotrovna of Varna.’
    â€˜That’s what my passport says, yes. I don’t find Katerina unacceptable, though my own name is very dear to me. But I will remember. And I’ve already told Celeste I live quietly because of my weak heart.’
    â€˜Yes, that is what I tell people myself when I can’t avoid questions. Looking at you, I wonder, however. A weak heart?’ He took her wrist and felt her pulse. ‘Katerina Pyotrovna, you are an abundance of health.’
    â€˜My incurable affliction is loneliness,’ she said.
    â€˜The girl may visit every two weeks.’
    â€˜Every week,’ she said.
    â€˜Every two weeks.’
    â€˜Am I to decide nothing for myself?’
    â€˜It’s my responsibility to decide what is best for you,’ he said, ‘as other men must decide what is best for the scattered ones. You are precious to us, all of you. It’s the only way, this way, to keep you separated and therefore safe. I must obey orders and so must you, for your own sake and the sake of those you love. Discovery of one will provoke a search for all.’
    â€˜It’s safe, Boris Sergeyovich, but it isn’t quite the same as being alive. However, you’ve made a concession and I’m grateful. I’ll tell Celeste she may visit once a week.’
    â€˜Katerina Pyotrovna—’
    â€˜I’m not Katerina Pyotrovna,’ she said with a flash of imperiousness.
    â€˜You are to all who have ears. It’s the only name I must ever call you, whether we are alone or not alone. Your young friend, then, tell her she may visit.’
    â€˜Once every two weeks,’ she conceded.
    â€˜Yes.’ He smiled. ‘To prevent you turning into a cabbage.’
    She went outside to tell Celeste.
    Celeste, having finished her account of her first meeting with Madame, who had declared herself to be Countess Katerina Pyotrovna of Bulgaria, waited for Edward to comment. She had told him, the previous year, of the mysterious lady who had come to live at the Villa d’Azur, but never appeared, never went to the village and never entertained.
    â€˜One thing is certain, my angel,’ said Edward. ‘You’ve described her