"I consider that I have a perfect right to put these questions
to you," was my calm retort; "for the reason that I am ready to
pay for them, and also care little what becomes of me."

Polina giggled.

"Last time you told me--when on the Shlangenberg--that at a
word from me you would be ready to jump down a thousand feet
into the abyss. Some day I may remind you of that saying, in
order to see if you will be as good as your word. Yes, you may
depend upon it that I shall do so. I hate you because I have
allowed you to go to such lengths, and I also hate you and still
more--because you are so necessary to me. For the time being I
want you, so I must keep you."

Then she made a movement to rise. Her tone had sounded very
angry. Indeed, of late her talks with me had invariably ended on
a note of temper and irritation--yes, of real temper.

"May I ask you who is this Mlle. Blanche?" I inquired (since I
did not wish Polina to depart without an explanation).

"You KNOW who she is--just Mlle. Blanche. Nothing further has
transpired. Probably she will soon be Madame General--that is to
say, if the rumours that Grandmamma is nearing her end should
prove true. Mlle. Blanche, with her mother and her cousin, the
Marquis, know very well that, as things now stand, we are
ruined."

"And is the General at last in love?"