bed in reflection. From time to time he raised his eyes,
and examined everyone present; one might have imagined that he was
expecting something very important to himself, and that he had decided
to wait for it. The prince had taken two or three glasses of champagne,
and seemed cheerful. As he rose he noticed Evgenie Pavlovitch, and,
remembering the appointment he had made with him, smiled pleasantly.
Evgenie Pavlovitch made a sign with his head towards Hippolyte, whom he
was attentively watching. The invalid was fast asleep, stretched out on
the sofa.

"Tell me, prince, why on earth did this boy intrude himself upon you?"
he asked, with such annoyance and irritation in his voice that the
prince was quite surprised. "I wouldn't mind laying odds that he is up
to some mischief."

"I have observed," said the prince, "that he seems to be an object of
very singular interest to you, Evgenie Pavlovitch. Why is it?"

"You may add that I have surely enough to think of, on my own account,
without him; and therefore it is all the more surprising that I cannot
tear my eyes and thoughts away from his detestable physiognomy."

"Oh, come! He has a handsome face."

"Why, look at him--look at him now!"

The prince glanced again at Evgenie Pavlovitch with considerable
surprise.

V.

HIPPOLYTE, who had fallen asleep during Lebedeff's discourse, now
suddenly woke up, just as though someone had jogged him in the side. He
shuddered, raised himself on his arm, gazed around, and grew very pale.
A look almost of terror crossed his face as he recollected.

"What! are they all off? Is it all over? Is the sun up?" He trembled,
and caught at the prince's hand. "What time is it? Tell me, quick, for
goodness' sake! How long have I slept?" he added, almost in despair,
just as though he had overslept something upon which his whole fate
depended.

"You have slept seven or perhaps eight minutes," said Evgenie
Pavlovitch.

Hippolyte gazed eagerly at the latter, and mused for a few moments.

"Oh, is that all?" he said at last. "Then I--"

He drew a long, deep breath of relief, as it seemed. He realized that
all was not over as yet, that the sun had not risen, and that the guests
had merely gone to supper. He smiled, and two hectic spots appeared on
his cheeks.

"So you counted the minutes while I slept, did you, Evgenie Pavlovitch?"
he said, ironically. "You have not taken your eyes off me all the
evening--I have noticed that much, you se