I could to serve you" (this she said
with great earnestness). "Only, without the little ones I CANNOT come."

"Do not make a fuss" (as a matter of fact Polina never at any time
either fussed or wept). "The Great Foster--Father [Translated
literally--The Great Poulterer] can find for all his chicks a place.
You are not coming without the children? But see here, Prascovia. I
wish you well, and nothing but well: yet I have divined the reason why
you will not come. Yes, I know all, Prascovia. That Frenchman will
never bring you good of any sort."

Polina coloured hotly, and even I started. "For," thought I to myself,
"every one seems to know about that affair. Or perhaps I am the only
one who does not know about it?"

"Now, now! Do not frown," continued the Grandmother. "But I do not
intend to slur things over. You will take care that no harm befalls
you, will you not? For you are a girl of sense, and I am sorry for
you--I regard you in a different light to the rest of them. And now,
please, leave me. Good-bye."

"But let me stay with you a little longer," said Polina.

"No," replied the other; "you need not. Do not bother me, for you and
all of them have tired me out."

Yet when Polina tried to kiss the Grandmother's hand, the old lady
withdrew it, and herself kissed the girl on the cheek. As she passed
me, Polina gave me a momentary glance, and then as swiftly averted her
eyes.

"And good-bye to you, also, Alexis Ivanovitch. The train starts in an
hour's time, and I think that you must be weary of me. Take these five
hundred gulden for yourself."

"I thank you humbly, Madame, but I am ashamed to--"

"Come, come!" cried the Grandmother so energetically, and with such an
air of menace, that I did not dare refuse the money further.

"If, when in Moscow, you have no place where you can lay your head,"
she added, "come and see me, and I will give you a recommendation. Now,
Potapitch, get things ready."

I ascended to my room, and lay down upon the bed. A whole hour I must
have lain thus, with my head resting upon my hand. So the crisis had
come! I needed time for its consideration. To-morrow I would have a
talk with Polina. Ah! The Frenchman! So, it was true? But how could it
be so? Polina and De Griers! What a combination!

No, it was too improbable. Suddenly I leapt up with the idea of seeking
Astley and forcing him to speak. There could be no doubt that he knew
more than I did. Astley? Well, he was another p