Ah, here he is," and as he spoke the venerable
Potkin himself entered the shop.
He shook hands warmly with Lermontoff, who had always been a favorite
pupil of his, and learned with interest that he had lately been to
England and America.
"Cannot you dine with me this evening at half-past five?" asked the
old man. "There are three or four friends coming, to whom I shall be
glad to introduce you."
"Truth to tell, Professor," demurred the Prince, "I have a friend
staying with me, and I don't just like to leave him alone."
"Bring him with you, bring him with you," said the Professor, "but in
any case be sure you come yourself. I shall be expecting you. Make
your excuses to your friend if he does not wish to endure what he
might think dry discussion, because we shall talk nothing but
chemistry and politics."
The Prince promised to be there whether his friend came or no. The
chemist here interrupted them, and told the Professor he might expect
his materials within two hours.
"And your package," he said to the Prince, "I shall send about the
same time. I have been very busy, and can trust no one to unpack this
box but myself."
"You need not trouble to send it, and in any case I don't wish to run
the risk of having it delivered at a wrong address by your messenger.
I cannot afford to wait so long as would be necessary to duplicate the
order. I am dining with the Professor to-night, so will drive this
way, and take the parcel myself.
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