but you must confess that your article--"

"Is a bit thick, you mean? Well, in a way that is in the public
interest; you will admit that yourself, and after all one cannot
overlook a blatant fact. So much the worse for the guilty parties,
but the public welfare must come before everything. As to certain
inaccuracies and figures of speech, so to speak, you will also admit
that the motive, aim, and intention, are the chief thing. It is a
question, above all, of making a wholesome example; the individual case
can be examined afterwards; and as to the style--well, the thing was
meant to be humorous, so to speak, and, after all, everybody writes like
that; you must admit it yourself! Ha, ha!"

"But, gentlemen, I assure you that you are quite astray," exclaimed the
prince. "You have published this article upon the supposition that I
would never consent to satisfy Mr. Burdovsky. Acting on that conviction,
you have tried to intimidate me by this publication and to be revenged
for my supposed refusal. But what did you know of my intentions? It may
be that I have resolved to satisfy Mr. Burdovsky's claim. I now declare
openly, in the presence of these witnesses, that I will do so."

"The noble and intelligent word of an intelligent and most noble man, at
last!" exclaimed the boxer.

"Good God!" exclaimed Lizabetha Prokofievna involuntarily.

"This is intolerable," growled the general.

"Allow me, gentlemen, allow me," urged the prince.

"I will explain matters to you. Five weeks ago I received a visit from
Tchebaroff, your agent, Mr. Burdovsky. You have given a very flattering
description of him in your article, Mr. Keller," he continued, turning
to the boxer with a smile, "but he did not please me at all. I saw at
once that Tchebaroff was the moving spirit in the matter, and, to speak
frankly, I thought he might have induced you, Mr. Burdovsky, to make
this claim, by taking advantage of your simplicity."

"You have no right.... I am not simple," stammered Burdovsky, much
agitated.

"You have no sort of right to suppose such things," said Lebedeff's
nephew in a tone of authority.

"It is most offensive!" shrieked Hippolyte; "it is an insulting
suggestion, false, and most ill-timed."

"I beg your pardon, gentlemen; please excuse me," said the prince. "I
thought absolute frankness on both sides would be best, but have it your
own way. I told Tchebaroff that, as I was not in Petersburg, I would
commission a friend to l