"The third catastrophe is my own invention, just to heighten the
effect; but as regards the other two, the news is correct. Sarudine
shot himself last night, and I have just heard that Soloveitchik has
committed suicide by hanging."
"Impossible!" cried Lialia, jumping up. Her eyes expressed horror and
intense curiosity.
Yourii hurriedly laid aside his palette, and approached Ivanoff.
"You're not joking?"
"No, indeed."
As usual, he put on an air of philosophic indifference, yet evidently
he was much shocked at what had happened.
"Why did he shoot himself? Because Sanine struck him?"
"Does Sanine know?" asked Lialia anxiously.
"Yes. Sanine heard about it last night," replied Ivanoff.
"And what does he say?" exclaimed Yourii.
Ivanoff shrugged his shoulders. He was in no mood to discuss Sanine
with Yourii, and he answered, not without irritation.
"Nothing. What has it to do with him?"
"Anyhow, he was the cause of it," said Lialia.
"Yes, but what business had that fool to attack him? It is not Sanine's
fault. The whole affair is deplorable, but it is entirely due to
Sarudine's stupidity.
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