groundless. So terrible to him was what he knew that now he was ready to believe anything. But the expression of her face, scared and gloomy, did not now promise even deception.

`Possibly I was mistaken,' said he. `If so, I beg your pardon.'

`No, you were not mistaken,' she said slowly, looking desperately into his frigid face. `You were not mistaken. I was in despair, nor could I help being in despair. I am listening to you, but I am thinking of him. I love him, I am his mistress; I can't bear you; I'm afraid of you, and I hate you... You can do what you like to me.'

And dropping back into the corner of the carriage, she broke into sobs, hiding her face in her hands. Alexei Alexandrovich did not stir, and kept looking straight before him. But his whole face suddenly bore the solemn rigidity of the dead, and his expression did not change during the whole time of the drive home. On reaching the house he turned his head to her, still with the same expression.

`Very well! But I expect a strict observance of the external forms of propriety till such time' - his voice shook - `as I may take measures to secure my honor, and communicate them to you.'

He got out first and helped her to get out. Before the servants he pressed her hand, took his seat in the carriage, and drove back to Peterburg.

Immediately afterward a footman came from Princess Betsy and brought Anna a note.

`I sent to Alexei to find out how he is, and he writes me he is quite well and unhurt, but in despair.'

`So he will be here,' she thought. `What a good thing I told him all.'

She glanced at her watch. She had still three hours to wait, and the memories of their last meeting set her blood in flame.

`My God, how light it is! It's dreadful, but I do love to see his face, and I do love this fantastic light.... My husband! Oh! yes... Well, thank God! everything's at an end with him.'