eleven o'clock
broke in Steinmetz , who had approached somewhat quietly . `` But he will not talk , princess -- he is so shy . '' Paul was approaching also . It was eleven o'clock , he said , and travellers who had to make an early start would do well to get home to bed . When the tall doors had been closed behind the departing guests , Vassili walked slowly to the fire-place . He posted himself on the bear-skin hearthrug , his perfectly shod feet well apart -- a fine dignified figure of a man , of erect and military carriage ; a very mask of a face -- soulless , colorless , emotionless ever . He stood biting at his thumb-nail , looking at the door through which Etta Alexis had just passed in all the glory of her beauty , wealth , and position .