. He has one room, I
another. Will you take the third? We'll share the parlor."

"Oh--oh Nicholas Ivanovitch, stop! You misunderstand!--The pay is double
what I live on now.--I mean, only, that--for me--there are memories in
Moscow: bitter ones.--I'm used to ostracism here; but in Moscow--where
my mother's family has always been--Oh! I don't see my way to it!"

"Then I'll see it for you. Look here: this offer is going to help you up
the ladder. It will prepare the way for your new place in the
world:--the one you want to gain for yourself, which is far better than
anything inherited. You've more promise in you than any of these other
lumbering creatures--even Serov himself. And now--you refuse your great
chance because you'll be living in a city where your father is!--Bah,
Ivan! I never thought you a school-girl before!--Must it be Laroche,
then?"

"By Heavens--no!" The words leaped from him involuntarily; but Ivan let
them stay.

Two minutes afterwards the pipe was once more going, placidly; and by
the time the room was hazy with smoke, Nicholas had explained the
details of his plan, and had departed, leaving Ivan alone, dizzy with
the prospects of his new life. Within a fortnight, he could turn his
back on Petersburg, the hated city.--Small time now for the long-delayed
placing of his symphony: for the completion of the concert overture and
the tone-poem already forming in his active brain! Better to wait, and
take his chances in the musical world of Moscow.--His work! His
profession!--Did this unexpected offer leave him free enough to develop
the future of his dreams? Ah well! No use pondering that. The affair
was settled; and circumstance must take care of the rest. Destiny is
probably foreordained. What reason, then, in struggling over and
doubting one's actions? Meantime, a new theme was taking possession of
his mind. Moscow, and the idea of seeing it again, had brought old
memories down on him; and he wondered if he might not gratify his sudden
longing, and let his father know at least that he was alive, and well?
The second wish was graver; touching his hidden self more nearly. Could
he, should he--would it be humbling his pride too much, if he went to
see his aunt--who had just returned to town for the winter?--Would she
let him come to say good-bye to her, give him some faint echo of the
by-gone friendliness?--Time certainly had drawn the poison from Ivan's
wound, since he could debate this question, which