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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

‘ Would you like to go to the theatre ? ’ he suggested. ‘ I think we’d better go to a cinema,’ said Liza ; ‘ it’s cheaper.’ ‘ What’s money got to do with it ? Such an evening, and here you are thinking of money ! ’ The demon of extravagance had taken possession of him. Without bargaining with the driver, he bundled Liza into a cab and told the driver to take them to the best cinema. Hippolyte was generous and Liza had to follow him into the most expensive seats. But they did not wait for the end of the programme, for Liza, who was accustomed to sit in the cheap seats close to the screen, was not able to see anything from the expensive thirty-fourth row. Half the money that had been collected from the Stargorod conspirators was lying in Hippolyte’s pockets It was unusual for him to have so much money, he had forgotten long ago what it felt like to be rich. But now he was longing to impress Liza and dazzle her by his lavishness. He remembered with pride how he had conquered the heart of the beautiful Elena Bauer, for he used to spend his money freely in those days and had become famous in Stargorod for his ability to converse with women. Bender had told him that ‘ The Prague ’ was the best restaurant in Moscow, so he took Liza there and she was immensely impressed by the number of mirrors, electric lights, and flower-pots, for she had never been in an expensive restaurant before. The mirror hall made a curious impression on Hippolyte. He had lost the habit of going to good restaurants, and as he looked at his own reflection, he was ashamed of his square-toed boots, pre-war trousers and silver-grey waistcoat. They were both embarrassed, and stood still at the sight of so many people. Let us go over there to that comer table,’