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In the drawing-room the old princess s

'How's this, ood man, your folks are off in such a hurry?' she observed, thrusting snuff into her nose I looked at her, and a load was taken off my heart The word 'loan,' dropped by Philip, had been torturing ht so then Zinaïda came in from the next roo loose; she took me by the hand without a word, and drew an, 'and came out at once Is it so easy for you to leave us, bad boy?'

'I have coood-bye to you, princess,' I answered, 'probably for ever You have heard, perhaps, we are going away'

Zinaïda looked intently atto think I should not see you again Don't reainst me I have soine ainst the

'Really, I am not like that I know you have a bad opinion of me'

'I?'

'Yes, youyou'

'I?' I repeated mournfully, and my heart throbbed as of old under the influence of her overpowering, indescribable fascination 'I? Believe me, Zinaïda Alexandrovna, whatever you did, however you tormented me, I should love and adore you to the end ofwide her aravefarewell kiss was seeking, but I eagerly tasted its sweetness I knew that it would never be repeated 'Good-bye, good-bye,' I kept saying

She tore herself away, and went out And I went away I cannot describe the emotion hich I went away I should not wish it ever to coain; but I should think myself unfortunate had I never experienced such an emotion

We went back to town I did not quickly shake off the past; I did not quickly get to work My wound slowly began to heal; but I had no ill-feeling against ained in ists explain the contradiction as best they can One day I alking along a boulevard, and to ht, I cahtforward and unaffected character, and besides he was dear to me for the sake of the memories he aroused inhis brows,' so it's you, young man Let me have a look at you You're still as yellow as ever, but yet there's not the sa That's good Well, what are you doing? working?'