convict,
the robber who escaped from prison. But that's not the point. What do
you suppose I did! I gave him all I had, everything in my purse, and now
he's sure I've given him that on account!"

"You met him at night, and he made such a suggestion? Surely you must
see that you're being caught in their nets on every side!"

"Well, let them be. But you've got some question at the tip of your
tongue, you know. I see it by your eyes," he added with a resentful and
irritable smile.

Dasha was frightened.

"I've no question at all, and no doubt whatever; you'd better be quiet!"
she cried in dismay, as though waving off his question.

"Then you're convinced that I won't go to Fedka's little shop?"

"Oh, God!" she cried, clasping her hands. "Why do you torture me like
this?"

"Oh, forgive me my stupid joke. I must be picking up bad manners from
them. Do you know, ever since last night I feel awfully inclined to
laugh, to go on laughing continually for ever so long. It's as though
I must explode with laughter. It's like an illness.... Oh! my mother's
coming in. I always know by the rumble when her carriage has stopped at
the entrance."

Dasha seized his hand.

"God save you from your demon, and... call me, call me quickly!"

"Oh! a fine demon! It's simply a little nasty, scrofulous imp, with a
cold in his head, one of the unsuccessful ones. But you have something
you don't dare to say again, Dasha?"

She looked at him with pain and reproach, and turned towards the door.

"Listen," he called after her, with a malignant and distorted smile.
"If... Yes, if, in one word, if... you understand, even if I did go to
that little shop, and if I called you after that--would you come then?"

She went out, hiding her face in her hands, and neither turning nor
answering.

"She will come even after the shop," he whispered, thinking a moment,
and an expression of scornful disdain came into his face. "A nurse!
H'm!... but perhaps that's what I want."

CHAPTER IV. ALL IN EXPECTATION

The impression made on the whole neighbourhood by the story of the duel,
which was rapidly noised abroad, was particularly remarkable from the
unanimity with which every one hastened to take up the cudgels for
Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch. Many of his former enemies declared themselves
his friends. The chief reason for this change of front in public opinion
was chiefly due to one person, who had hitherto not expressed her
opinion, but who now v