console you? O. . .O. . .O. . . Mr. Pugnacity!' she said at last, as though she could find no other word. 'And you, M'sieu' Voldemar, would you come with us?'
'I don't care to . . . in a large party,' I muttered, not raising my eyes.
'You prefer a tête-à-tête? . . . Well, freedom to the free, and heaven to the saints,' she commented with a sigh. 'Go along, Byelovzorov, and bestir yourself. I must have a horse for to-morrow.'
'Oh, and where's the money to come from?' put in the old princess.
Zinaïda scowled.
'I won't ask you for it; Byelovzorov will trust me.'
'He'll trust you, will he?' . . . grumbled the old princess, and all of a sudden she screeched at the top of her voice, 'Duniashka!'
'Maman, I have given you a bell to ring,' observed Zinaïda.
'Duniashka!' repeated the old lady.
Byelovzorov took leave; I went away with him. Zinaïda did not try to detain me.
XIV
The next day I got up early, cut myself a stick, and set off beyond the town-gates. I
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