Anthony thought for a moment, and then said:
“Yes, I have.”
“By chance, of course. Why did you speak to him?”
“I thought I would.”
Sergius was obviously disturbed and surprised. The deeply emotional, yet rigid calm in which he had been enveloped all the evening was broken at last. A slight excitement, a distinct surface irritation, woke in him. Anthony felt an odd sense of relief as he observed it. For the constraint of Sergius had begun to weigh upon him like a heavy burden and to move him to an indefinable dread.
“I wonder you didn't cut him,” Sergius said. “You're my friend. And he's—he's—”
“He's done you a deadly injury. I know that. I am your friend, Serge; I would do anything for you.”
“Yet you speak to that—devil.”
“I spoke to him because I'm your friend.”