I
suppose it was agreed beforehand that, once the business over, each of
you would go his own way?"
Razumov preserved the seriousness of his expression and the deliberate,
if cautious, manner of speaking.
"Was not that the best thing to do?" he asked, in a dispassionate tone.
"And anyway," he added, after waiting a moment, "we did not give much
thought to what would come after. We never discussed formally any line
of conduct. It was understood, I think."
She approved his statement with slight nods.
"You, of course, wished to remain in Russia?"
"In St. Petersburg itself," emphasized Razumov. "It was the only safe
course for me. And, moreover, I had nowhere else to go."
"Yes! Yes! I know. Clearly. And the other--this wonderful Haldin
appearing only to be regretted--you don't know what he intended?"
Razumov had foreseen that such a question would certainly come to meet
him sooner or later. He raised his hands a little and let them fall
helplessly by his side--nothing more.
It was the white-haired woman conspirator who was the first to break the
silence.
"Very curious," she pronounced slowly. "And you did not think, Kirylo
Sidorovitch, that he might perhaps wish to get in touch with you again?"
Razumov discovered that he could not suppress the trembling of his lips.
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