ght off today about its being humiliating
for her. Besides, the word 'leavings' is not my invention. At all
events, they all used it at Gania's, and she used it herself. So why am
I a scandal-monger? I see--I see you are tremendously amused, at this
moment! Probably you are laughing at me and fitting those silly lines to
my case--

"'Maybe sad Love upon his setting smiles, And with vain hopes his
farewell hour beguiles.

"Ha, ha, ha!"

Hippolyte suddenly burst into a fit of hysterical laughter, which turned
into a choking cough.

"Observe," he gasped, through his coughing, "what a fellow Gania is!
He talks about Nastasia's 'leavings,' but what does he want to take
himself?"

The prince sat silent for a long while. His mind was filled with dread
and horror.

"You spoke of a meeting with Nastasia Philipovna," he said at last, in a
low voice.

"Oh--come! Surely you must know that there is to be a meeting today
between Nastasia and Aglaya Ivanovna, and that Nastasia has been sent
for on purpose, through Rogojin, from St. Petersburg? It has been
brought about by invitation of Aglaya Ivanovna and my own efforts, and
Nastasia is at this moment with Rogojin, not far from here--at Dana
Alexeyevna's--that curious friend of hers; and to this questionable
house Aglaya Ivanovna is to proceed for a friendly chat with Nastasia
Philipovna, and for the settlement of several problems. They are going
to play at arithmetic--didn't you know about it? Word of honour?"

"It's a most improbable story."

"Oh, very well! if it's improbable--it is--that's all! And yet--where
should you have heard it? Though I must say, if a fly crosses the room
it's known all over the place here. However, I've warned you, and you
may be grateful to me. Well--au revoir--probably in the next world! One
more thing--don't think that I am telling you all this for your sake.
Oh, dear, no! Do you know that I dedicated my confession to Aglaya
Ivanovna? I did though, and how she took it, ha, ha! Oh, no! I am not
acting from any high, exalted motives. But though I may have behaved
like a cad to you, I have not done HER any harm. I don't apologize for
my words about 'leavings' and all that. I am atoning for that, you
see, by telling you the place and time of the meeting. Goodbye! You
had better take your measures, if you are worthy the name of a man! The
meeting is fixed for this evening--that's certain."

Hippolyte walked towards the door, but the prince call