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"I know your heart," repeated the prince. "I value your

friendship and wish you to have as good an opinion of me. Don't

upset yourself, and let us talk sensibly while there is still

time, be it a day or be it but an hour.... Tell me all you know

about the will, and above all where it is. You must know. We will

take it at once and show it to the count. He has, no doubt,

forgotten it and will wish to destroy it. You understand that my

sole desire is conscientiously to carry out his wishes; that is

my only reason for being here. I came simply to help him and

you."

"Now I see it all! I know who has been intriguing-I know!" cried

the princess.

"That's not the point, my dear."

"It's that protege of yours, that sweet Princess Drubetskaya,

that Anna Mikhaylovna whom I would not take for a housemaid...

the infamous, vile woman!"

"Do not let us lose any time..."