expected. (Pause.) Egórich, go and ask him into the hall. (Exit Servant.) What the I’m in my dressing-gown.—Here’s a surprise!
Companion: Whoever is it? (Looks at card.) Oh, it’s the man who was exiled?
Master: Yes, who’d have thought of him? (To Witch.) My dear, go to the kitchen for a little while!
Companion: Interesting to know what he wants? Why ever has he come all this way? Why, isn’t he a famous writer now? (Exeunt Witch, Arab boy, and Maid.)
Master: And a famous man of learning.
Companion: Well, he’s not got such a wonderful mind, so I heard.
Master: But he’s got something. He preferred martyrdom for an idea to any kind of jobbery, and consequently
Companion: And you’ll receive this adventurer?
Master: I want to be polite, and besides, he’s better than the others.
Companion: But how are we to behave with him?
Master: To change would be obviously too great an honour for such a gentleman. The year 1808 will continue; guests have come—and I’ll put
