They are sure to make you one of the family. I think you and I will either be great friends or enemies. Look here now, supposing I had kissed your hand just now, as I offered to do in all sincerity, should I have hated you for it afterwards?”

“Certainly, but not always. You would not have been able to keep it up, and would have ended by forgiving me,” said the prince, after a pause for reflection, and with a pleasant smile.

“Oho, how careful one has to be with you, prince! Haven’t you put a drop of poison in that remark now, eh? By the way⁠—ha, ha, ha!⁠—I forgot to ask, was I right in believing that you were a good deal struck yourself with Nastasia Philipovna.”

“Ye⁠—yes.”

“Are you in love with her?”

“N⁠—no.”