“You did! You hinted it yourself; you talked to me of poison.⁠ ⁠… I know you went to get it⁠ ⁠… you had it in readiness.⁠ ⁠… It was your doing.⁠ ⁠… It must have been your doing.⁠ ⁠… Scoundrel!”

“Even if that were true, it would have been for your sake⁠ ⁠… you would have been the cause.”

“You are lying! I hated you always, always.⁠ ⁠…”

“Oho, Avdotya Romanovna! You seem to have forgotten how you softened to me in the heat of propaganda. I saw it in your eyes. Do you remember that moonlight night, when the nightingale was singing?”

“That’s a lie,” there was a flash of fury in Dounia’s eyes, “that’s a lie and a libel!”

“A lie? Well, if you like, it’s a lie. I made it up. Women ought not to be reminded of such things,” he smiled. “I know you will shoot, you pretty wild creature. Well, shoot away!”