"There was no dragging your wife into my business. The package of laces she took to Madame van der Hüchts is not a crime. Besides everything is over; so, as if nothing had happened."
"Yes, it probably is nothing. Misha would be of a different opinion, I am sure."
"No, he would not."
There was a silence for a while, and then she said, sighing: (line illegible…) "For instance, we wanted to give you the whole outline inviting you to do something for your country—and you refused to help."
"Baroness," I said, "honestly and truly I don't understand these speculations. Just as honestly and just as truly I don't care for them, no matter what they are for. I hate this manner of operation. The manner! I hate plots. I hate underground work, and the only thing I care for—is my own comfort and my own affairs."
"You don't know what you are talking about," she said, "or the atmosphere has made you so clever, that I don't know whether you are trying to get something out of me or not. Very well, I am conspiring. I am now with these people, with whom I would not have thought of being—only three months ago. As soon as I succeed—I shall leave all and become free and independent…."
Then she corrected herself; "I don't mean to say, of course, I am not independent now, but…. What time is it?"
I told her.
"Thank you. So you see…. What were we talking about?… Ah, yes, indeed,—how silly of me! Well so I am in a big game. It may seem that I am in the wrong. But think of the time when there will be a moment, when just a few persons, maybe only one person, will be able to appear again on the stage and become the nucleus of regeneration? And if I am wrong—and such moment will never come—it is so easy to get rid of those whom many persons are trying to preserve…."
"Yes," I said, smiling at her enthusiasm and innocent cynicism.