ON the third day after the scene in the club, Foma found himself about seven versts from the town, on the timber-wharf of the merchant Zvantzev, in the company of the merchant's son of Ookhtishchev--a sedate, bald-headed and red-nosed gentleman with side whiskers--and four ladies.

The young Zvantzev wore eyeglasses, was thin and pale, and when he stood, the calves of his legs were forever trembling as though they were disgusted at supporting the feeble body, clad in a long, checked top-coat with a cape, in whose folds a small head in a jockey cap was comically shaking.

The gentleman with the side whiskers called him Jean and pronounced this name as though he was suffering from an inveterate cold.

Jean's lady was a tall, stout woman with a showy bust.

Her head was compressed on the sides, her low forehead receded, her long, sharp-pointed nose gave her face an expression somewhat bird-like.