Instantly, as it were, a living wall rose up between the rivals, amid

much shouting, waving of arms, and expressions of amusement or of

surprise. Sarudine was held back by Malinowsky and Von Deitz, while

Ivanoff and the other officers kept Novikoff in check. Ivanoff filled

up the glasses, and shouted out something, addressing no one in

particular. The gaiety was now forced and insincere, and Novikoff felt

suddenly that he must get away.

He could bear it no longer. Smiling foolishly, he turned to Ivanoff and

the officers who were trying to engage his attention.

"What is the matter with me?" he thought, half-dazed. "I suppose I

ought to strike him ... rush at him, and give him one in the eye!

Otherwise, I shall look such a fool, for they must all have guessed

that I wanted to pick a quarrel...."

But, instead of doing this, he pretended to be interested in what

Ivanoff and Von Deitz were saying.

"As regards women, I don't altogether agree with Tolstoi," said the

officer complacently.

"A woman's just a female," replied Ivanoff, "In every thousand men you

might find one worthy to be called a man. But women, bah! They're all

alike--just little naked, plump, rosy apes without tails!"

"Rather smart, that!" said Von Deitz, approvingly.

"And true, too," thought Novikoff, bitterly.

"My dear fellow," continued Ivanoff, waving his hands close to the

other's nose, "I'll tell you what, if you were to go to people and say,

'Whatsoever woman looketh on a man to lust after him hath committed

adultery with him already in her heart,' most of them would probably

think that you had made a most original remark."

Von Deitz burst into a fit of hoarse laughter that sounded like the

barking of a dog. He had not understood Ivanoff's joke, but felt sorry

not to have made it himself.

Suddenly Novikoff held out his hand to him.

"What? Are you off?" asked Von Deitz in surprise.

Novikoff made no reply.

"Where are you going?" asked Sanine.

Still Novikoff was silent. He felt that in another moment the grief

pent up within his bosom must break forth in a flood of tears.

"I know what's wrong with you," said Sanine. "Spit on it all!"

Novikoff glanced piteously at him. His lips trembled and with a

deprecating gesture, he silently went out, feeling utterly overcome at

his own helplessness. To soothe himself, he thought: "Of what good would it have been to hit that blackguard in the face? It

would have only led to a stupid fight. Better not soil my hands!"




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