air revived me a little, and, a couple of minutes later, my
brain had sufficiently cleared to enable two ideas in particular
to stand out in it. Firstly, I asked myself, which of the
absurd, boyish, and extravagant threats which I had uttered at
random last night had made everybody so alarmed? Secondly, what
was the influence which this Frenchman appeared to exercise over
Polina? He had but to give the word, and at once she did as he
desired--at once she wrote me a note to beg of me to forbear! Of
course, the relations between the pair had, from the first, been
a riddle to me--they had been so ever since I had first made
their acquaintance. But of late I had remarked in her a strong
aversion for, even a contempt for--him, while, for his part, he
had scarcely even looked at her, but had behaved towards her
always in the most churlish fashion. Yes, I had noted that.
Also, Polina herself had mentioned to me her dislike for him,
and delivered herself of some remarkable confessions on the
subject. Hence, he must have got her into his power
somehow--somehow he must be holding her as in a vice.

VIII

All at once, on the Promenade, as it was called--that is to say,
in the Chestnut Avenue--I came face to face with my Englishman.

"I was just coming to see you," he said; "and you appear to be
out on a similar errand. So you have parted with your employers?"

"How do you know that?" I asked in astonishment. "Is EVERY ONE
aware of the fact? "