‘I’ll give you a hundred roubles.’

I answered the hussar with such an indignant look, that Zina�da clapped her hands, while Lushin cried, ‘He’s a fine fellow!’

‘But, as master of the ceremonies,’ he went on, ‘it’s my duty to see that all the rules are kept. M’sieu Voldemar, go down on one knee. That is our regulation.’

Zina�da stood in front of me, her head a little on one side as though to get a better look at me; she held out her hand to me with dignity. A mist passed before my eyes; I meant to drop on one knee, sank on both, and pressed my lips to Zina�da’s fingers so awkwardly that I scratched myself a little with the tip of her nail.

‘Well done!’