we did not present
ourselves humbly, like your flatterers and parasites, but holding up our
heads as befits independent men. We present no petition, but a proud and
free demand (note it well, we do not beseech, we demand!). We ask you
fairly and squarely in a dignified manner. Do you believe that in this
affair of Burdovsky you have right on your side? Do you admit that
Pavlicheff overwhelmed you with benefits, and perhaps saved your life?
If you admit it (which we take for granted), do you intend, now that you
are a millionaire, and do you not think it in conformity with justice,
to indemnify Burdovsky? Yes or no? If it is yes, or, in other words, if
you possess what you call honour and conscience, and we more justly call
common-sense, then accede to our demand, and the matter is at an end.
Give us satisfaction, without entreaties or thanks from us; do not
expect thanks from us, for what you do will be done not for our sake,
but for the sake of justice. If you refuse to satisfy us, that is, if
your answer is no, we will go away at once, and there will be an end of
the matter. But we will tell you to your face before the present company
that you are a man of vulgar and undeveloped mind; we will openly deny
you the right to speak in future of your honour and conscience, for you
have not paid the fair price of such a right. I have no more to say--I
have put the question before you. Now turn us out if you dare. You can
do it; force is on your side. But remember that we do not beseech, we
demand! We do not beseech, we demand!"

With these last excited words, Lebedeff's nephew was silent.

"We demand, we demand, we demand, we do not beseech," spluttered
Burdovsky, red as a lobster.

The speech of Lebedeff's nephew caused a certain stir among the company;
murmurs arose, though with the exception of Lebedeff, who was still
very much excited, everyone was careful not to interfere in the matter.
Strangely enough, Lebedeff, although on the prince's side, seemed quite
proud of his nephew's eloquence. Gratified vanity was visible in the
glances he cast upon the assembled company.

"In my opinion, Mr. Doktorenko," said the prince, in rather a low
voice, "you are quite right in at least half of what you say. I would
go further and say that you are altogether right, and that I quite agree
with you, if there were not something lacking in your speech. I cannot
undertake to say precisely what it is, but you have certainly omitted
so