noisy and meaningless, while I still watched Zina�da and tried to take in the import of her last words.

‘Perchance some unknown rival Has surprised and mastered thee?’

Meidanov bawled suddenly through his nose – and my eyes and Zina�da’s met. She looked down and faintly blushed. I saw her blush, and grew cold with terror. I had been jealous before, but only at that instant the idea of her being in love flashed upon my mind. ‘Good God! she is in love!’