My words affected Saveliitch so much that he clasped his hands and
stood bowed down mute and motionless.

"What are you doing there like a post?" I cried out, angrily.

Saveliitch was in tears.

"Oh! my dear master Peter," stammered he, with trembling voice, "do
not kill me with grief. Oh my light, listen to me, an old man; write
to that brigand that you were jesting, that we never had so much
money. A hundred roubles! God of goodness! Tell him thy parents
strictly forbade thee to play for any thing but nuts."

"Silence," said I, with severity, "give the money or I'll chase you
out of the room."

Saveliitch looked at me with agony, and went for the money. I pitied
the good old man, but I wanted to emancipate myself, and prove that I
was no longer a child. Saveliitch sent the money to Zourine, and then
hastened our departure from that cursed inn.

I left Simbirsk with a troubled conscience; a secret remorse oppressed
me. I took no leave of my teacher, not dreaming that I should ever
meet him again.




II. THE GUIDE.