What if the Count had died ?" "I would like to know what I am accused of," said Akulina, "and what all this is about." "I suppose you know your own handwriting," observed the Cossack, taking the letter from the tobacconist's hands and holding it before her eyes.
"And if that is not enough to drive the poor man to the madhouse I do not know what is.

Perhaps you have forgotten all about it?
Perhaps you are mad, too ?" Akulina read the writing in her turn.

Then she grew very angry.
"It is an abominable lie!" she exclaimed.

"I never had anything to do with it.

I do not know whence this letter comes, and I do not care.