picture as he's madly vain, just like everyone round here. But even I'm vain and that makes me very unhappy that you don't like me.” K. replied to that last comment merely by embracing Leni and drawing her towards him, she lay her head quietly on his shoulder.

To the rest of it, though, he said, “What rank is he?” “He's an examining judge,” she said, taking hold of the hand with which K. held her and playing with his fingers. “Just an examining judge once again,” said K. in disappointment, “the senior officials keep themselves hidden. But here he is sitting on a throne.” “That's all just made up,” said Leni with her face bent over K.'s hand, “really he's sitting on a kitchen chair with an old horse blanket folded over it. But do you have to be always