‘Yes.’

‘And is she here, in the theatre?’

‘No: but she’s in Petersburg. She came here a few days ago. She’s going abroad.’

‘What sort of fellow is her husband?’ I asked.

‘A splendid fellow, with property. He’s a colleague of mine in Moscow. You can well understand – after the scandal � you must know all about it � ’ (Meidanov smiled significantly) ‘it was no easy task for her to make a good marriage; there were consequences � but with her cleverness, everything is possible. Go and see her; she’ll be delighted to see you. She’s prettier than ever.’

Meidanov gave me Zina�da’s address. She was staying at the Hotel Demut. Old memories were astir within me� . I determined next day to go to see my former