They dined together, and had first one bottle, then a second.

“Let’s be off. Let’s drive somewhere; there’s nothing else to do.”

They drove to the Hermitage, which had only just been opened. As they approached the theatre they met Anna. Anna did not know; but even if she had known he was going to be married, she would not have altered her manner, and would have smiled and shown her dimples with even more delight.

“Oh, there, how dull you are; come along!” She took his hand.

“Take care,” said Souschov behind them. “Directly, directly.”

Lutkovsky walked as far as the theatre with her, and then handed her over to Basil, whom he happened to meet there.

“No, it is wrong. I will go home. Why did I come?”