"You are anxious for information about some of the new-comers here,and I can guess who it is,because they,for their part,have already been inquiring about you.""Doctor!Decidedly it is impossible for us to hold a conversation!We read into each other's soul.""Now the other idea?"...
"Here it is:I wanted to make you relate something,for the following reasons:firstly,listening is less fatiguing than talking;secondly,the listener cannot commit himself;thirdly,he can learn another's secret;fourthly,sensible people,such as you,prefer listeners to speakers.
Now to business;what did Princess Ligovski tell you about me?""You are quite sure that it was Princess Ligovski ...and not Princess Mary?"...
"Quite sure."
"Why?"
"Because Princess Mary inquired about Grush-nitski."
"You are gifted with a fine imagination!
Princess Mary said that she was convinced that the young man in the soldier's cloak had been reduced to the ranks on account of a duel"...
"I hope you left her cherishing that pleasant delusion"...
"Of course"...
"A plot!"I exclaimed in rapture."We will make it our business to see to the denouement of this little comedy.It is obvious that fate is taking care that I shall not be bored!""I have a presentiment,"said the doctor,"that poor Grushnitski will be your victim.""Proceed,doctor."
"Princess Ligovski said that your face was familiar to her.I observed that she had probably met you in Petersburg --somewhere in society...
I told her your name.She knew it well.It appears that your history created a great stir there...
She began to tell us of your adventures,most likely supplementing the gossip of society with observations of her own...Her daughter listened with curiosity.In her imagination you have be-come the hero of a novel in a new style...Idid not contradict Princess Ligovski,although I knew that she was talking nonsense.""Worthy friend!"I said,extending my hand to him.
The doctor pressed it feelingly and continued:
"If you like I will present you"...
"Good heavens!"I said,clapping my hands.
"Are heroes ever presented?In no other way do they make the acquaintance of their beloved than by saving her from certain death!"...
"And you really wish to court Princess Mary?""Not at all,far from it!...Doctor,I triumph at last!You do not understand me!...
It vexes me,however,"I continued after a moment's silence."I never reveal my secrets myself,but I am exceedingly fond of their being guessed,because in that way I can always disavow them upon occasion.However,you must describe both mother and daughter to me.What sort of people are they?""In the first place,Princess Ligovski is a woman of forty-five,"answered Werner."She has a splendid digestion,but her blood is out of order --there are red spots on her cheeks.She has spent the latter half of her life in Moscow,and has grown stout from leading an inactive life there.She loves spicy stories,and sometimes says improper things herself when her daughter is out of the room.She has declared to me that her daughter is as innocent as a dove.What does that matter to me?...I was going to answer that she might be at her ease,because I would never tell anyone.Princess Ligovski is taking the cure for her rheumatism,and the daughter,for goodness knows what.I have ordered each of them to drink two tumblers a day of sulphurous water,and to bathe twice a week in the diluted bath.Princess Ligovski is apparently unac-customed to giving orders.She cherishes respect for the intelligence and attainments of her daughter,who has read Byron in English and knows algebra:in Moscow,evidently,the ladies have entered upon the paths of erudition --and a good thing,too!The men here are generally so unamiable,that,for a clever woman,it must be intolerable to flirt with them.Princess Ligovski is very fond of young people;Princess Mary looks on them with a certain contempt --a Moscow habit!In Moscow they cherish only wits of not less than forty.""You have been in Moscow,doctor?"
"Yes,I had a practice there."
"Continue."
"But I think I have told everything...
No,there is something else:Princess Mary,it seems,loves to discuss emotions,passions,etcetera.
She was in Petersburg for one winter,and disliked it --especially the society:no doubt she was coldly received.""You have not seen anyone with them to-day?"
"On the contrary,there was an aide-de-camp,a stiff guardsman,and a lady --one of the latest arrivals,a relation of Princess Ligovski on the husband's side --very pretty,but apparently very ill...Have you not met her at the well?
She is of medium height,fair,with regular features;she has the complexion of a con-sumptive,and there is a little black mole on her right cheek.I was struck by the expressiveness of her face.""A mole!"I muttered through my teeth.
"Is it possible?"
The doctor looked at me,and,laying his hand on my heart,said triumphantly:
"You know her!"
My heart was,in fact,beating more violently than usual.
"It is your turn,now,to triumph,"I said.
"But I rely on you:you will not betray me.
I have not seen her yet,but I am convinced that I recognise from your portrait a woman whom Iloved in the old days...Do not speak a word to her about me;if she asks any questions,give a bad report of me.""Be it so!"said Werner,shrugging his shoulders.
When he had departed,my heart was com-pressed with terrible grief.Has destiny brought us together again in the Caucasus,or has she come hither on purpose,knowing that she would meet me?...And how shall we meet?...And then,is it she?...My presentiments have never deceived me.There is not a man in the world over whom the past has acquired such a power as over me.Every recollection of bygone grief or joy strikes my soul with morbid effect,and draws forth ever the same sounds...Iam stupidly constituted:I forget nothing --no-thing!
