“Heaven forbid!” he answered, with a forced smile. “But I am more than ever struck by your eccentricity, Lizabetha Prokofievna. I admit that I told you of Lebedeff’s duplicity, on purpose. I knew the effect it would have on you⁠—on you alone, for the prince will forgive him. He has probably forgiven him already, and is racking his brains to find some excuse for him⁠—is not that the truth, prince?”

He gasped as he spoke, and his strange agitation seemed to increase.

“Well?” said Mrs. Epanchin angrily, surprised at his tone; “well, what more?”

“I have heard many things of the kind about you⁠ ⁠… they delighted me⁠ ⁠… I have learned to hold you in the highest esteem,” continued Hippolyte.