CHAPTER II Kreisler’s afternoon encounter with Anastasya and Soltyk had resembled Tarr’s meeting with him and Bertha. Kreisler had seen Anastasya and his new café friend one day from his window. His reference to possible nose-pulling was accounted for by this. The next day he had felt rather like seeing Anastasya again somewhere. With this object, he had patrolled the neighbourhood. About four o’clock, having just bought some cigarettes at the “Berne,” he was standing outside considering a walk in the Luxemburg, when Fräulein Vasek appeared in this unshunnable circus of the Quartier du Paradis. Soltyk was with her. He went over at once. With urbane timidity, as though they had been alone, he offered his hand. She looked at Soltyk, smiling. But she showed no particular signs of wanting to escape. They began strolling along the Boulevard, Soltyk showing every sign of impatience. She then stopped. “Mr. Soltyk and I were just going to have the ‘five o’clock’ somewhere,” she said. Soltyk looked pointedly down the Boulevard, as though that had been an improper piece of information to communicate to Kreisler. “If you consent to my accompanying you, Fräulein, it would give me the greatest pleasure to remain in your company a little longer.” She laughed. “Where were we going, Louis? Didn’t you say there was a place near here?” “There is one over there. But I’m afraid, Fräulein Vasek, I must leave you.—I have⸺” “Oh, must you? I’m sorry.” Soltyk was astonished and mortified. He did not go, looking at her doubtfully. At this point Kreisler had addressed him. “I said nothing, sir, when a moment ago, you failed to return my salute. I understand you were going to have tea with Fräulein Vasek. Now you deprive her suddenly of the pleasure of your company. So there is no further doubt on a certain point. Will you tell me at once and clearly what objection you have to me?” “I don’t wish to discuss things of that sort before this lady.” “Will you then name a place where they may be discussed? I will then take my leave?” “I see no necessity to discuss anything with you.” “Ah, you see none. I do. And perhaps it is as well that Fräulein Vasek should hear. Will you explain to me, sir, how it is that you have been putting stories about having reference to me, and to my discredit, calculated to prejudice people against me? Since this lady no doubt has heard some of your lies, it would be of advantage that you take them back at once, or else explain yourself.” Before Kreisler had finished, Soltyk said to Anastasya, “I had better go at once, to save you this—” Then he turned to Kreisler, “I should have thought you would have had sufficient decency left⸺” “Decency, liar? Decency, _lying swine_? Decency—? What do you mean?” said Kreisler, loudly, in crescendo. Then he crossed quickly over in front of Anastasya and smacked Soltyk first smartly on one cheek and then on the other.