“But why, why ? Devil take it, what did you do in there? Why did they fancy you? Look here, can’t you remember exactly what you said to them, from the very beginning? Can’t you remember?”

“Oh, we talked of a great many things. When first I went in we began to speak of Switzerland.”

“Oh, the devil take Switzerland!”

“Then about executions.”

“Executions?”

“Yes⁠—at least about one. Then I told the whole three years’ story of my life, and the history of a poor peasant girl⁠—”

“Oh, damn the peasant girl! go on, go on!” said Gania, impatiently.