The fellow, instead of approaching, merely stood and stared;
"I hope you left her cherishing that pleasant delusion" . . .
"A plot!" I exclaimed in rapture. "We will make it our business to see to the denouement of this little comedy. It is obvious that fate is taking care that I shall not be bored!"
"I have a presentiment," said the doctor, "that poor Grushnitski will be your victim."
"Princess Ligovski said that your face was familiar to her. I observed that she had probably met you in Petersburg -- somewhere in society. . . I told her your name. She knew it well. It appears that your history created a great stir there. . . She began to tell us of your adventures, most likely supplementing the gossip of society with observations of her own. . . Her daughter listened with curiosity. In her imagination you have be- come the hero of a novel in a new style. . . I did not contradict Princess Ligovski, although I knew that she was talking nonsense."
"Worthy friend!" I said, extending my hand to him.
The doctor pressed it feelingly and continued:
"If you like I will present you" . . .
"Good heavens!" I said, clapping my hands. "Are heroes ever presented? In no other way do they make the acquaintance of their beloved than by saving her from certain death!" . . .