“Ye—yes; charming—charming! Do you know, I had a mother too,—a princess, and imagine! a re—markably, a re—markably fat woman she was; but that is not what I was going to say,——I—I feel a little weak, and——Au revoir, my charming child—to-morrow—to-day—I will—I—I—Au revoir, au revoir!” Here the poor old fellow tried to kiss his hand, but slipped, and nearly fell over the threshold of the door.
“Take care, dear Prince—take care! lean on my arm!” cried Maria Alexandrovna.
“Charming, ch—arming!” he muttered, as he left the room. “I am only now le—learning to live!”
Zina was left alone.
A terrible oppression weighed down her heart. She felt a sensation of loathing which nearly suffocated her. She despised herself—her cheeks burned. With folded hands, and teeth biting hard into her lips, she stood in one spot, motionless. The tears of shame streamed from her eyes,——and at this moment the door opened, and Paul Mosgliakoff entered the room!
CHAPTER IX.
He had heard all—all.
He did not actually enter the room, but stood at the door, pale with excitement and fury. Zina looked at him in amazement.