increase of the governor's power. We're talking _tête-à-tête_. You know I've already laid before the government in Petersburg the necessity of a special sentinel before the governor's house. I'm awaiting an answer." "You ought to have two," Pyotr Stepanovitch commented. "Why two?" said Von Lembke, stopping short before him. "One's not enough to create respect for you. You certainly ought to have two." Andrey Antonovitch made a wry face. "You... there's no limit to the liberties you take, Pyotr Stepanovitch. You take advantage of my good-nature, you say cutting things, and play the part of a _bourru bienfaisant_...." "Well, that's as you please," muttered Pyotr Stepanovitch; "anyway you pave the way for us and prepare for our success." "Now, who are 'we,' and what success?" said Von Lembke, staring at him in surprise. But he got no answer. Yulia Mihailovna, receiving a report of the conversation, was greatly displeased. "But I can't exercise my official authority upon your favourite," Andrey Antonovitch protested in self-defence, "especially when we're _tête-à-tête_.... I may say too much... in the goodness of my heart." "From too much goodness of heart. I didn't know you'd got a collection of manifestoes. Be so good as to show them to me." "But... he asked to have them for one day." "And you've let him have them, again!" cried Yulia Mihailovna getting angry. "How tactless!" "I'll send someone to him at once to get them." "He won't give them up." "I'll insist on it," cried Von Lembke, boiling over, and he jumped up from his seat. "Who's he that we should be so afraid of him, and who am I that I shouldn't dare to do any thing?" "Sit down and calm yourself," said Yulia Mihailovna, checking him. "I will answer your first question. He came to me with the highest recommendations. He's talented, and sometimes says extremely clever things. Karmazinov tells me that he has connections almost everywhere, and extraordinary influence over the younger generation in Petersburg and Moscow. And if through him I can attract them all and group them round myself, I shall be saving them from perdition by guiding them into a new outlet for their ambitions. He's devoted to me with his whole heart and is guided by me in everything." "But while they're being petted... the devil knows what they may not do. Of course, it's an idea..." said Von Lembke, vaguely defending himself, "but... but here I've heard that manifestoes of some sort have been found in X district." "But there was a rumour of that in the summer--manifestoes, false bank-notes, and all the rest of it, but they haven't found one of them so far. Who told you?" "I heard it from Von Blum." "Ah, don't talk to me of your Blum. Don't ever dare mention him again!" Yulia Mihailovna flew into a rage, and for a moment could not speak. Von Blum was a clerk in the governor's office whom she particularly hated. Of that later.