Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ...replied I. "Tell me the first," he rejoined gaily, "and I will guess the other." "Well, then, commence," said I, fixing my eyes on the ceiling, wlule smiling inwardly at the originality of the arrangement. "You wish to obtain information from me as regards some of the company whe have lately arrived at the mineral waters, and I have already guessed, moreover, the particular individual whe causes your present pro-occupation, for inquiries about you have already been set on foot." "Doctor! doctor! it is absolutely unnecessary for us to speak, for it seems wo can read the heart of each other by a kind of electric duality." "Now for the other; it is your turn," continued the man of medicine, good-humouredly. "Well," said I, frankly, "I wished you to take the initiative for several reasons. Firstly, because listening is far less fatiguing; secondly, silence is the safest way of not committing oneself; thirdly, by hearing everything and saying nothing, one might obtain unexpected and unsought-for information that might be very weleome; and fourthly, because men of talent, like yourself, generally prefer auditors to speakers. But, now, let us come to the point at once. What did this same old Princess Ohetnikoff say to that celebrated physician, Doctor Wild, about that eccentric fellow, Zadonskoi?" "Are you so suro that it was the mother, and not the daughter 1" "Perfectly convinced." "How so?" "Because the younger princess spoke to you about Frantovskoi." "You arc certainly gifted with a very respectable amount of penetration," answered the physician. "The young princess observed to me, that she was of opinion that this young fellow, whe wears his grey cloak like the toga of the conscript fathers, has been reduced to his present grade for some...
