This revolting story excited nothing but mirth all over the town, and though the poor wife did not belong to Yulia Mihailovna's circle, one of the ladies of the "cavalcade," an eccentric and adventurous character who happened to know her, drove round, and simply carried her off to her own house.

Here she was at once taken up by our madcaps, made much of, loaded with presents, and kept for four days without being sent back to her husband.

She stayed at the adventurous lady's all day long, drove about with her and all the sportive company in expeditions about the town, and took part in dances and merry-making.

They kept egging her on to haul her husband before the court and to make a scandal.

They declared that they would all support her and would come and bear witness.