In desperation he was driven at last to consult Davidina, who had remained silently aware of what was going on, amused but saying nothing.
Davidina asked how many crossed letters she had had from him. Only one, he assured her. ‘One may be enough,’ was her comment, which he did not deny.
Davidina thought awhile, then said:
‘Have you forbidden her the house?’
‘She has never come.’
‘If you forbade it, she would.’
‘Then I won’t.’
‘You had much better. Tell her that you are in to-morrow between four and five, and that you will not see her.’
‘And what if she comes?’
‘You have only got to be out; I’ll see to her myself. It’s a pathological case, and the sooner you get married the better.’