asking who you were; consequently, it would be useless not to make signs which would be natural at asking such a question. When will you be at home, so that I may call on you?"
I did not like new acquaintances at that time, and this imposition did not please me at all.
"I am only at home when I am asleep; I am out all day," I said.
"But you sleep at home? What time do you go to bed?"
"Very late."
"For example?"
"Two or three o'clock."
"That makes no difference to me; name your time."
"If it's absolutely necessary, I will set to-morrow, at half-past four in the morning."
"Of course I might take your words to be insulting and ridiculous; but maybe it is true that you have your own reasons, which, very likely, deserve approval. At all events, I shall call upon you to-morrow morning at half-past four."
"No; if you are so bent upon it, you may come a little later. I will be home all the morning till twelve o'clock."
"All right; I'll be there at ten o'clock. Will you be alone?"
"Yes."
"Very good."
He came; and without any beating around the bush, went straight at the matter, on account of which he felt it necessary to get acquainted with me. We talked for half an hour. What the subject was, makes no difference; suffice it to say, that he declared that such and such a thing must be done. I said, "No"; he said, "You must do it"; I said, "Not at all." In half an hour he said:—
"It is evidently useless to talk about this matter longer. Are you convinced that I am a man who deserves full trust?"
"Yes; I was told so by all, and now I see for myself."
"And after all, do you still stick to your decision?"
"I do."
"Do you know what conclusion one can draw from this?—that you are either a liar or a villain."
What do you think of that? What would have been necessary to do to anybody else who said such words? Challenge him to a duel? But he speaks in such a tone, without
