'You shall have them, you shall have them. . . . You are going, M'sieu—Litvinov?'

'Yes, I am going, as you see.'

Ratmirov again bent his body.

'Till we meet again!'

'Good-bye, Grigory Mihalitch,' said Irina. 'I will keep my promise.'

'What is that? May I be inquisitive?' her husband queried.

Irina smiled.

'No, it was only . . . something we 've been talking of. C'est à propos du voyage . . où il vous plaira. You know—Stael's book?'

'Ah ! ah ! to be sure, I know. Charming illustrations.'

Ratmirov seemed on the best of terms with his wife; he called her by her pet name in addressing her.