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Sanin dropped into a chair directly he had gone, and stared at the floor 'What does it all mean? How is it my life has taken such a turn all of a sudden? All the past, all the future has suddenly vanished, gone,--and all that's left is that I a in Frankfort' He recalled a crazy aunt of his who used to dance and sing: 'O my lieutenant! My little cucumber! My little love! Dance with hed and hummed as she used to: 'O my lieutenant! Dance with h, I mustn't waste ti him with a note in his hand

'I knocked several tiht you weren't at honorina Gemma'

Sanin took the note, mechanically, as they say, tore it open, and read it Gemma wrote to him that she was very anxious--about he knehat--and would be very glad to see hian Pantaleone, who obviously kneas in the note, 'she toldyou to her'

Sanin glanced at the old Italian, and pondered A sudden idea flashed upon his brain For the first instant it struck him as too absurd to be possible

'After allwhy not?' he asked himself

'M Pantaleone!' he said aloud

The old man started, tucked his chin into his cravat and stared at Sanin

'Do you know,' pursued Sanin,' what happened yesterday?'

Pantaleone chewed his lips and shook his immense top-knot of hair 'Yes'

(Eot home) 'Oh, you know! Well, an officer has just this es e But I have no second Will you be my second?'

Pantaleone started and raised his eyebrows so high that they were lost under his overhanging hair

'You are absolutely obliged to fight?' he said at last in Italian; till that instant he had made use of French

'Absolutely I can't do otherwise--it wouldmyself for ever'

'H'm If I don't consent to be your second you will find some one else'

'Yesundoubtedly'

Pantaleone looked down 'But allow nor de Tsanin, will not your duel throw a slur on the reputation of a certain lady?'