And Stamm pronounced these words with a visible sneer.
"How is it that he leaves the Guards? Is he ruined?" asked Cornet Naletoff.
"I have been informed," replied Stamm, "that he has just inherited from an old aunt about twenty thousand rubles. No, poor devil! he is consumptive."
"Come, gentlemen," said the Aide-de-Camp, rising, "let us pass to the saloon and have a game of cards. Koloff will serve dinner while we play."
We had been seated some time, and Stamm, who was far from rich, was in the act of losing sixty roubles, when Koloff announced:
"Captain Zodomirsky."
"Here you are, at last!" cried Michaelovitch, jumping from his chair. "You are welcome."
Then, turning to us, he continued: "These are your new comrades, Captain Zodomirsky; all good fellows and brave soldiers."
"Gentlemen," said Zodomirsky, "I am proud and happy to have joined your regiment. To do so has been my greatest desire for some time, and if I am welcome, as you courteously say, I shall be the happiest man in the world."
"Ah! good day, Captain," he continued, turning to me and holding out his hand. "We meet again. You have not forgotten an old friend, I hope?"