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Chapter 18

           WhilestillintheanteroomPrinceAndrewheardloudvoicesandaringingstaccatolaugh—alaughsuchasonehearsonthestage.Someone—itsoundedlikeSperánski—wasdistinctlyejaculatingha-ha-ha.PrinceAndrewhadneverbeforeheardSperánski’sfamouslaugh,andthisringing,high-pitchedlaughterfromastatesmanmadeastrangeimpressiononhim.

           Heenteredthediningroom.Thewholecompanywerestandingbetweentwowindowsatasmalltablelaidwithhors-d’oeuvres.Speránski,wearingagrayswallow-tailcoatwithastaronthebreast,andevidentlystillthesamewaistcoatandhighwhitestockhehadwornatthemeetingoftheCouncilofState,stoodatthetablewithabeamingcountenance.Hisguestssurroundedhim.Magnítski,addressinghimselftoSperánski,wasrelatingananecdote,andSperánskiwaslaughinginadvanceatwhatMagnítskiwasgoingtosay.WhenPrinceAndrewenteredtheroomMagnítski’swordswereagaincrownedbylaughter.Stolýpingaveadeepbassguffawashemunchedapieceofbreadandcheese.Gervaislaughedsoftlywithahissingchuckle,andSperánskiinahigh-pitchedstaccatomanner.

           Stilllaughing,SperánskiheldouthissoftwhitehandtoPrinceAndrew.

           “Verypleasedtoseeyou,Prince,”hesaid.“Onemoment...”hewenton,turningtoMagnítskiandinterruptinghisstory.“Wehaveagreedthatthisisadinnerforrecreation,withnotawordaboutbusiness!”andturningagaintothenarratorhebegantolaughafresh.

           PrinceAndrewlookedatthelaughingSperánskiwithastonishment,regret,anddisillusionment.

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