are a cave being; but you, Simanovsky ... I esteemed
you ... however, I still esteem you a decent man. But I know, that
passion is at times stronger than the arguments of reason. Right here
are fifty roubles--I am leaving them for Liuba; you, of course, will
return them to me later, I have no doubt of that. Arrange her destiny
... You are a wise, kind, honest man, while I am ... ("A skunk!"
somebody's distinct voice flashed through his head.) I am going away,
because I will not be able to bear this torture any more. Be happy."

He snatched out of his pocket and with effect threw his wallet on the
table; then seized his hair and ran out of the room.

Still, this was the best way out for him. And the scene had been played
out precisely as he had dreamt of it.

PART THREE

CHAPTER I.

All this Liubka told at length and disjointedly, sobbing on Jennka's
shoulder. Of course, in her personal elucidation this tragi-comical
history proved altogether unlike what it had been in reality.

Lichonin, according to her words, had taken her to him only to entice,
to tempt her; to have as much use as possible out of her foolishness,
and then to abandon her. But she, the fool, had in truth fallen in
love--with him, and since she was very jealous about him and all these
tousled girls in leather belts, he had done a low-down thing: had sent
up his comrade on purpose, had framed it up with him, and the other had
begun to hug Liubka, and Vasska came in, saw it, and kicked up a great
row, and chased Liubka out into the street.

Of course, in her version there were two almost equal parts of truth
and untruth; but so, at least, all this had appeared to her.

She also told with great details how, having found herself without
masculine support or without anybody's powerful extraneous influence,
she had hired a room In a rather bad little hotel, on a retired street;
how even from the first day the boots, a tough bird, a hard-boiled egg,
had attempted to trade in her, without even having and Vasska came in,
saw it, and kicked up a great row, the hotel to a private room, but
even there had been overtaken by an experienced old woman go-between,
with whose like the houses inhabited by poverty swarm.

Therefore, even with quiet living, there was in the face, in the
conversation, and in the entire manner of Liubka something peculiar,
specific to the casual eye; perhaps even entirely imperceptible, but
for the business scent as