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But why, he was always asking himself, why had such an important,

such a decisive and at the same time such an absolutely chance

meeting happened in the Hay Market (where he had moreover no

reason to go) at the very hour, the very minute of his life when

he was just in the very mood and in the very circumstances in

which that meeting was able to exert the gravest and most

decisive influence on his whole destiny? As though it had been

lying in wait for him on purpose!