"Nevertheless the incident was as I say," I replied. "A very respected
ex-captain told me the story, and I myself could see the scar left on
his cheek."

The Frenchman then began chattering volubly, and the General
supported him; but I recommended the former to read, for
example, extracts from the memoirs of General Perovski, who, in
1812, was a prisoner in the hands of the French. Finally Maria
Philipovna said something to interrupt the conversation. The
General was furious with me for having started the altercation
with the Frenchman. On the other hand, Mr. Astley seemed to take
great pleasure in my brush with Monsieur, and, rising from the
table, proposed that we should go and have a drink together. The
same afternoon, at four o'clock, I went to have my customary
talk with Polina Alexandrovna; and, the talk soon extended to a
stroll. We entered the Park, and approached the Casino, where
Polina seated herself upon a bench near the fountain, and sent
Nadia away to a little distance to play with some other
children. Mischa also I dispatched to play by the fountain, and
in this fashion we--that is to say, Polina and myself--contrived
to find ourselves alone.

Of course, we began by talking on business matters. Polina
seemed furious when I handed her only 700 gulden, for she had
thought to receive from Paris, as the proceeds of the pledging
of her diamonds, at least 2000 gulden, or even more.

"Come what may, I MUST have money," she said. "And get it somehow
I will--otherwise I shall be ruined."