“No, I am simpler and more daring than you. What are you afraid of? Do you _really_ think that I should cease to love you?” “With you by my side I fear nothing,” he replied. “With you by my side nothing terrible can fall to my lot.” PART III I Oblomov’s face beamed as he walked home. His blood was boiling, and a light was shining in his eyes. He entered his room--and at once, the radiance disappeared as his eyes, full of disgusted astonishment, became glued to one particular spot. That particular spot was the arm-chair, wherein was snugly ensconced Tarantiev. “Why is it I _never_ find you here?” the visitor asked sternly. “Why are you _always_ gadding about? That old fool Zakhar has quite got out of hand. I asked him for a morsel of food and a glass of _vodka_, and he refused me both!” “I have been for a walk in the park,” replied Oblomov coldly. For the moment he had forgotten the murky atmosphere wherein he had spent so much of his life. And now, in a twinkling, Tarantiev had brought him tumbling from the clouds! His immediate, thought was that the visitor might insist on remaining to dinner, and so prevent him from paying his visit to Olga and her aunt. “Why not come and take a look at that flat?” went on Tarantiev. “Because there is no need,” replied Oblomov, avoiding his interlocutor’s eye. “I have decided not to move.” “Not to move?” exclaimed Tarantiev threateningly. “Not when I have hired the place for you, and you have signed the lease?” This led Oblomov to remember that, on the very day of his removal from town to the country villa, he had signed, without previously perusing it, a document which his present visitor had submitted to him. “Nevertheless,” he remarked, “I shall not want the flat. I am going abroad.” “I am sure you are _not_,” retorted Tarantiev coolly. “What is more, the sooner you hand over to me a half-year’s rent, the better. Your new landlady does not care for such tricks to be played upon her. I have paid the money on your behalf, and I require to be repaid.” “Where did you contrive to get the money from?” “That has nothing to do with you. As a matter of fact, I had an old debt repaid me.” “A better flat you could not find in all the city.” “Nevertheless I do not want it. It lies too far from--from----” “From where? From the centre of the city?” Oblomov forbore to specify what he meant, but merely remarked that he should not be dining at home that evening. “Then hand me over the rent, and the devil take you!” exclaimed Tarantiev. “I possess no money at all. As it is, I shall have to borrow some.” “Well, repay me at least my cab fare,” insisted the visitor. “It was only three roubles.” “Where is the cabman? Why has he charged you so much?” “I dismissed him long ago. I may add that the fare home is another three roubles.” “By the coach you could travel for half a rouble.” However, Oblomov tendered Tarantiev four roubles, which the man at once pocketed.