He did not actually enter the room, but stood at the door, pale with excitement and fury. Zina looked at him in amazement. “So that’s the sort of person you are!” he cried panting. “At last I have found you out, have I?” “Found me out?” repeated Zina, looking at him as though he were a madman. Suddenly her eyes flashed with rage. “How dare you address me like that?” she cried, advancing towards him. “I have heard all!” said Mosgliakoff solemnly, but involuntarily taking a step backwards. “You heard? I see—you have been eavesdropping!” cried Zina, looking at him with disdain. “Yes, I have been eavesdropping! Yes—I consented to do a mean action, and my reward is that I have found out that you, too, are——I don’t know how to express to you what I think you!” he replied, looking more and more timid under Zina’s eyes. “And supposing that you _have_ heard all: what right have you to blame me? What right have you to speak to me so insolently, in any case?” “_I!_—_I?_ what right have _I_? and _you_ can ask me this? You are going to marry this prince, and I have no right to say a word! Why, you gave me your promise—is that nothing?” “When?” “How, when?” “Did not I tell you that morning, when you came to me with your sentimental nonsense—did I not tell you that I could give you no decided answer?” “But you did not reject me; you did not send me away. I see—you kept me hanging in reserve, in case of need! You lured me into your net! I see, I see it all!” An expression of pain flitted over Zina’s careworn face, as though someone had suddenly stabbed her to the heart; but she mastered her feelings.