“Then, my friends, at night I saw her come to my bedside and gaze a long time into my face. She hated me passionately, and could not exist away from me. The contemplation of my hated pug of a face had become a necessity to her. I remember a lovely summer evening⁠ ⁠… with the scent of hay, perfect stillness, and so on. The moon was shining. I was walking up and down the avenue, thinking of cherry jam. Suddenly Zinotchka, looking pale and lovely, came up to me, she caught hold of my hand, and breathlessly began expressing herself:

“ ‘Oh, how I hate you! I wish no one harm as I do you! Let me tell you that! I want you to understand that!’

“You understand, moonlight, her pale face, breathless with passion, the stillness⁠ ⁠… little pig as I was I actually enjoyed it. I listened to her, looked at her eyes.⁠ ⁠… At first I liked it, and enjoyed the novelty. Then I was suddenly seized with terror, I gave a scream, and ran into the house at breakneck speed.

“I made up my mind that the best thing to do was to complain to maman . And I did complain, mentioning incidentally how Sasha had kissed Zinotchka. I was stupid, and did not know what would follow, or I should have kept the secret to myself.⁠ ⁠… After hearing my story maman flushed with indignation and said:

“ ‘It is not your business to speak about that, you are still very young.⁠ ⁠… But, what an example for children.’

“My maman was not only virtuous but diplomatic. To avoid a scandal she did not get rid of Zinotchka at once, but set to work gradually, systematically, to pave the way for her departure, as one does with well-bred but intolerable people. I remember that when Zinotchka did leave us the last glance she cast at the house was directed at the window at which I was sitting, and I assure you, I remember that glance to this day.