The past, the future, his whole life was poisoned.

He went back at last to Paris, stopped at an hotel and sent M.Ernest's note to Varvara Pavlovna with the following letter:-- "The enclosed scrap of paper will explain everything to you.

Let me tell you by the way, that I was surprised at you; you, who are always so careful, to leave such valuable papers lying about." (Poor Lavretsky had spent hours preparing and gloating over this phrase.) "I cannot see you again; I imagine that you, too, would hardly desire an interview with me.

I am assigning you 15,000 francs a year; I cannot give more.

Send your address to the office of the estate.