ook into the matter without delay, and that I
would let you know, Mr. Burdovsky. Gentlemen, I have no hesitation in
telling you that it was the fact of Tchebaroff's intervention that made
me suspect a fraud. Oh! do not take offence at my words, gentlemen,
for Heaven's sake do not be so touchy!" cried the prince, seeing that
Burdovsky was getting excited again, and that the rest were preparing
to protest. "If I say I suspected a fraud, there is nothing personal in
that. I had never seen any of you then; I did not even know your names;
I only judged by Tchebaroff; I am speaking quite generally--if you only
knew how I have been 'done' since I came into my fortune!"

"You are shockingly naive, prince," said Lebedeff's nephew in mocking
tones.

"Besides, though you are a prince and a millionaire, and even though
you may really be simple and good-hearted, you can hardly be outside the
general law," Hippolyte declared loudly.

"Perhaps not; it is very possible," the prince agreed hastily, "though I
do not know what general law you allude to. I will go on--only please
do not take offence without good cause. I assure you I do not mean to
offend you in the least. Really, it is impossible to speak three words
sincerely without your flying into a rage! At first I was amazed when
Tchebaroff told me that Pavlicheff had a son, and that he was in such
a miserable position. Pavlicheff was my benefactor, and my father's
friend. Oh, Mr. Keller, why does your article impute things to my father
without the slightest foundation? He never squandered the funds of his
company nor ill-treated his subordinates, I am absolutely certain of it;
I cannot imagine how you could bring yourself to write such a calumny!
But your assertions concerning Pavlicheff are absolutely intolerable!
You do not scruple to make a libertine of that noble man; you call him a
sensualist as coolly as if you were speaking the truth, and yet it would
not be possible to find a chaster man. He was even a scholar of note,
and in correspondence with several celebrated scientists, and spent
large sums in the interests of science. As to his kind heart and his
good actions, you were right indeed when you said that I was almost an
idiot at that time, and could hardly understand anything--(I could
speak and understand Russian, though),--but now I can appreciate what I
remember--"

"Excuse me," interrupted Hippolyte, "is not this rather sentimental? You
said you wished to come to