This beginning gave promise of a stormy discussion. The prince was much discouraged, but at last he managed to make himself heard amid the vociferations of his excited visitors.

“If you,” he said, addressing Burdovsky⁠—“if you prefer not to speak here, I offer again to go into another room with you⁠ ⁠… and as to your waiting to see me, I repeat that I only this instant heard⁠ ⁠…”

“Well, you have no right, you have no right, no right at all!⁠ ⁠… Your friends indeed!”⁠ ⁠… gabbled Burdovsky, defiantly examining the faces round him, and becoming more and more excited. “You have no right!⁠ ⁠…” As he ended thus abruptly, he leant forward, staring at the prince with his shortsighted, bloodshot eyes. The latter was so astonished, that he did not reply, but looked steadily at him in return.

“Lef Nicolaievitch!” interposed Madame Epanchin, suddenly, “read this at once, this very moment! It is about this business.”