"No, you don't hate me! No, you don't hate me! I know it! I knew it!..." "Lucie," I said, "before we proceed, please let me put some of these papers in my pockets." "Alex! Don't remind me of that! How _did_ you dare to write such stories about me? You can't blame me, can you?" "Perhaps I don't--for some pages you destroyed. How about the chart, and about the?..." She covered my mouth with her hands. "If we recollect everything it will be endless. And besides I don't think I took anything from you. Let's forget! I'll forgive you, if you promise me not to write nasty stories about your Lucie." I promised, and consented, of course. How can I do otherwise? No use! I put her near me, poured her some tea and offered her the cookies. For a time we looked at each other. She certainly looked like a peasant girl! "How do you like this costume?" she said. "Next bal masqué I certainly will wear this kind, you may be sure. Of course all of this, and that must be chiffon, and silk, and...." A woman cannot get on without these chats. On the other hand--woman speaks to the man about it with a concealed contempt: what does _a man_ understand? She does not get angry when she sees that the man does not listen; he only _looks_. "Now,"--she said, gazing around with a dear grimace,--"again in your element, in dirt? What shall I do with you, Alex? I can't stand it!" "Dirt is my protection, dear. Why did you leave? Don't run away any more." "We will see about it. But first--what are you doing here? Are you following me? Don't you think I saw you here? Why do you risk your life? How did you think of leaving Tumen? How is your cook?" "Do _your_ questions give _me_ the same right of investigation? I'll answer you, anyhow. I've decided to lay down my cards, Lucie. I came here on business. I broke all ties. Nobody wants me. I am investigating at my own expense, at my own risk, out of curiosity only. But I am free. Don't you need me? Don't you need a friend? Can't we live without deceiving each other, without robbing,--eh? I came here, Lucie,--and behind all of my intentions was one thing only: I hoped to find you, and tell you how much I love you. I knew you had to be near the center, and the center is, at least now--here. Don't lie to me, bad girl, I know what I am talking about. Now--when I think we again will part--I have chills; especially when I think of your manner of going away: pinning a "good-by" to the cushion. Please, let us be together!" "You should not tempt me, Alex. I feel just as you do, only--I don't think I can even dream of our being together--right now, I mean. What will be after--we'll see." "Cannot you arrange something for me so that I could be with you in your business? Did not you ask me before to do so? Now--I come to you."