VII Footprints in the SnowTo Prince Serge Rénine, Boulevard Haussmann, Paris
LA RONCIÈRE NEAR BASSICOURT, 14 NOVEMBER.
"MY DEAR FRIEND,—
"You must be thinking me very ungrateful. I have been here three weeks; and you have had not one letter from me! Not a word of thanks! And yet I ended by realizing from what terrible death you saved me and understanding the secret of that terrible business! But indeed, indeed I couldn't help it! I was in such a state of prostration after it all! I needed rest and solitude so badly! Was I to stay in Paris? Was I to continue my expeditions with you? No, no, no! I had had enough adventures! Other people's are very interesting, I admit. But when one is one's self the victim and barely escapes with one's life?…Oh, my dear friend, how horrible it was! Shall
