ve two words to say to you, something pleasant, very
pleasant. You'll be glad to hear it."

The little _pan_ was taken aback and looked apprehensively at Mitya. He
agreed at once, however, on condition that Pan Vrublevsky went with them.

"The bodyguard? Let him come, and I want him, too. I must have him!" cried
Mitya. "March, _panovie_!"

"Where are you going?" asked Grushenka, anxiously.

"We'll be back in one moment," answered Mitya.

There was a sort of boldness, a sudden confidence shining in his eyes. His
face had looked very different when he entered the room an hour before.

He led the Poles, not into the large room where the chorus of girls was
assembling and the table was being laid, but into the bedroom on the
right, where the trunks and packages were kept, and there were two large
beds, with pyramids of cotton pillows on each. There was a lighted candle
on a small deal table in the corner. The small man and Mitya sat down to
this table, facing each other, while the huge Vrublevsky stood beside
them, his hands behind his back. The Poles looked severe but were
evidently inquisitive.

"What can I do for you, _panie_?" lisped the little Pole.

"Well, look here, _panie_, I won't keep you long. There's money for you,"
he pulled out his notes. "Would you like three thousand? Take it and go
your way."

The Pole gazed open-eyed at Mitya, with a searching look.

"Three thousand, _panie_?" He exchanged glances with Vrublevsky.

"Three, _panovie_, three! Listen, _panie_, I see you're a sensible man.
Take three thousand and go to the devil, and Vrublevsky with you--d'you
hear? But, at once, this very minute, and for ever. You understand that,
_panie_, for ever. Here's the door, you go out of it. What have you got
there, a great-coat, a fur coat? I'll bring it out to you. They'll get the
horses out directly, and then--good-by, _panie_!"

Mitya awaited an answer with assurance. He had no doubts. An expression of
extraordinary resolution passed over the Pole's face.

"And the money, _panie_?"

"The money, _panie_? Five hundred roubles I'll give you this moment for
the journey, and as a first installment, and two thousand five hundred
to-morrow, in the town--I swear on my honor, I'll get it, I'll get it at
any cost!" cried Mitya.

The Poles exchanged glances again. The short man's face looked more
forbidding.

"Seven hundred, seven hundred, not five hundred, at once, this minute,
cash down!" Mitya added, f