Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/255

 THE VIEW ON TO THE MALACHITE POOL 243

Brahms, and Grieg, and a gay, chattering crowd walked up and down past the former marshal of nobility. ' Help a former member of the State Duma,’ Hippolyte mumbled. ‘ Do tell me, were you really a member of the State Duma ? ’ a voice whispered into his ear. ‘ And were you really present at sittings ? Oh, how won­ derful ! ’ Hippolyte looked up and turned pale, for hopping about in front of him like a sparrow was none other than Absalom Vladimirovich Iznurenkov. He was dressed in a white coat and grey trousers. He was amazingly lively and every now and then seemed to leap as much as five inches from the ground. Iznuren­ kov had not recognized Hippolyte, and continued to plague him with questions. ‘ Tell me,’ he said, ‘ have you actually seen Rodzianko? And is it true that Purishkevich was bald ? Oh, how wonderful! ’ And continuing to twist and twirl, he managed to thrust a three-rouble note into Hippolyte’s hand and then darted into the crowd again. Hippolyte remained standing under the acacia-tree, his eyes glued to the ground. It was a pity he stood like that, for he might have seen much that was beautiful around him. At last, the band packed up their music-stands and Hippolyte moved towards the springs. Gradually the holiday crowd dispersed and left some loving couples sitting on benches in the gardens. ■ How much did you get ? ’ asked Bender as he came up to Hippolyte. ‘ Seven roubles and twenty-nine copecks. One three-rouble note, some silver, and the rest in coppers.’ ‘ Not at aU bad for a first appearance,’ said Bender. ‘ You’ve earned your money well. Really, Pussy, I’m touched to the quick. But who was the fool who gave you three roubles ? Or did you have to give him change ? ’