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RUDIN ‘Confess you did not expect me,’ began Rudin, and he laid his hat down by the window His lips were slightly twitching. He was ill at ease, but tried to conceal his embarrassment.

‘I did not expect you, certainly,’ replied Volintsev, ‘after yesterday. I should have more readily expected some one with a special message from you.’

‘I understand what you mean,’ said Rudin, taking a seat, ‘and am very grateful for your frankness. It is far better so. I have come myself to you, as to a man of honour.’

‘Cannot we dispense with compliments?’ observed Volintsev.

‘I want to explain to you why I have come.’

‘We are acquainted; why should you not come? Besides, this is not the first time you have honoured me with a visit.’

‘I came to you as one man of honour to another,’ repeated Rudin, ‘and I want now to appeal to your sense of justice. I have complete confidence in you.’

‘What is the matter?’ said Volintsev, who all this time was still standing in his original 151