You are in for it like a rabbit in a trap, and it is no use your doubling and twisting. I am not so bad as I appear; I can make myself look much better sometimes. I intend to show you some great things, and use you as you deserve. I have long had my watchful eye upon you, and you will suit me very well. I want a new private secretary, and you are the coming man. Salary one million sterling pounds per annum, and as many fine castles to live in as you like, and a thousand pleasures besides from year's end to year's end. You shall have power to give pleasure to, or to torture, whom you please. I have had many private secretaries, but was obliged to send them about their business on account of their idleness; but you are a hard worker, and will suit me very well.'
'And what has become of your secretaries, sir?' I ventured to ask.
'Gone to glory,' he replied laconically.
'But, sir,' I managed to say, 'I am growing old. I am unfitted for the office; and if I accepted it, what would my friends, what would the world, say?'
'Your friends!' said he, in a tone of the greatest contempt; 'it is fine news to me that you have any; and what have you to do with the world, or the world with you? Does the world care a farthing about you? No more words, I say. I am the world, and the prince of it.'
'What an extraordinary being!' I said to myself; 'he flies into a passion with me for not speaking, and when I do speak he commands me to hold my tongue.'
He now called out in a loud voice some words which I could not understand. Then he lifted his caduceus into the air over his head, and waved it to and fro three times. Suddenly a black shadow, deep, and appalling, and portentous of some great impending misfortune, spread itself over the face of the waters.
