CHAPTER 28My guide had no sooner finished speaking than we caught sight ofthe chateau. It was a superb and vast building isolated in themiddle of the forest, but this great edifice which could haveaccommodated hundreds of persons, seemed to be inhabited hardly atall. I only noticed a few signs of life coming from kitchenssituated in the vaults below the central part of the structure; allthe rest was as deserted as the chateau's site was lonely. No onewas there to greet us when we entered; one of my guides went off inthe direction of the kitchens, the other presented me to the Count.He was at the far end of a spacious and superb apartment, his bodyenveloped in an oriental satin dressing gown, reclining upon anottoman, and having hard by him two young men so indecently, orrather so ridiculou
