After Romashov had answered a few questions of minor importance the examination was declared closed. Nevertheless, he had on two occasions to give the court supplementary information, first in the evening of the same day, and then again on the day following, viz., Thursday morning. However careless and inexperienced Romashov might be in all the practical circumstances of life, he nevertheless saw soon enough that the court was performing its functions in the most negligent and indiscreet way, and had therefore been guilty, not only of a revolting lack of tact, but also of utter illegality. In defiance of Section 149 of the "Statute concerning Discipline," by which every communication to unauthorized persons of what takes place at such examinations is in plain language strictly forbidden, the members of the "Court of Honour" did not scruple to relate everything straight off to their wives and relations. The latter spread the scandal still further among the other ladies of "Society," who in their turn discussed the matter with their maidservants, charwomen, etc. Before twenty-four hours had elapsed Romashov was the talk of the entire town and "hero of the day." When he passed along the street he was gazed at from windows and doors, between the hedge-posts of backyards, and from the vantage of garden-bushes and arbours. Women from a good distance off pointed at him with their finger, and he often heard his name whispered behind his back. Nobody in the town doubted that a duel between him and Nikoläiev was inevitable--nay, they even began to bet about the upshot of it. As Romashov was passing Lykatschev's house on Thursday morning he suddenly heard his name shouted. "Yuri Alexievich, Yuri Alexievich, come here." Romashov stopped, and soon discovered Katya Lykatschev standing on a bench inside the fence. She was still in morning dress, which chiefly consisted of a _kimono_, the triangular arrangement of which in front left the delicate virginal neck wholly exposed. And she was altogether so fresh and rosy that for an instant Romashov even felt light at heart. Katya leant over the fence to enable Romashov to reach her hand, which was still cool and moist from the morning bath. She began at once to chatter and lisp at her usual pace: "Where have you been all this time? You ought to be ashamed of yourself, forgetting your friends in that way! _Zoi, zoi, zoi_--hush! I have long known everything, everything." She stared at Romashov with great terror-stricken eyes. "Take this and hang it round your throat. Hear and obey at once. Look, if you please." From the fold of her _kimono_, straight from her bosom, she drew out an amulet that hung by a silk cord, and shyly put it into Romashov's hand. The amulet still felt balmy from its nest against the young woman's warm body. "Will it help?" asked Romashov, in a jesting tone. "What is it?" "That's a secret, and don't you dare to laugh, you ungodly creature. _Zoi, zoi!_"