The Precipice Part 24

"And why?"

"I was unsuitably dressed."

"You came to me one Sunday after Ma.s.s. I was glad to see you, but instead of appearing in a dress coat, you came in a short jacket."

At this point Paulina Karpovna rustled in, wearing a muslin dress with wide sleeves so that her white arms were visible almost to the shoulder.

She was followed by a cadet.

"What heat! _Bonjour, Bonjour_," she cried, nodding in all directions, and then sat down on the divan beside Raisky.

"There is not room here," he said, and sat down on a chair beside her.

"Ah, Dalila Karpovna," remarked Niel Andreevich. "Good-day. How are you?"

"Good-day," she answered drily, turning away.

"Why don't you bestow a kind glance on me, and let me admire your swanlike neck!"

The young officials in the corner giggled, the ladies smiled, and Paulina Karpovna whispered to Raisky: "The rude creature. The first word he speaks is folly."

"Ah, you despise an old man. But if I were to seek for your hand? Do I look like a bridegroom, or am I too old for you?"

"I decline the honour. _Bonjour_, Natalie Ivanovna, where did you buy that pretty hat, at Madame Pichet's?"

"My husband ordered it from Moscow, as a surprise for me."

"Very pretty."

"But listen seriously," cried Niel Andreevich insistently. "I am going to woo you in earnest. I need a housekeeper, a modest woman, who is no coquette, and has no taste for finery, who never glances at another man, and you are an example."

Paulina Karpovna pretended not to hear, but fanned herself and attempted to draw Raisky into a conversation.

"In our esteem," went on Niel Andreevich, pitilessly, "you are a model for our mothers and daughters. At church your eyes remain fixed on the sacred picture without a moment's diversion, and never even perceive the presence of young men...."

The giggling in the corner increased, the ladies made faces in their efforts to restrain their laughter, and Tatiana Markovna tried to divert Niel Andreevich's attention from her guest, by herself addressing her, but he returned to the attack.

"You are as retiring as a nun," he went on, "never display your arms and shoulders, but bear yourself in accordance with your years."

"Why don't you leave me alone?" returned Paulina Karpovna, and turning to Raisky she added: "_Est-il bete, grossier_."

"Because I wish to marry you, we are a suitable pair."

"It will be difficult to find a wife for you."

"We are well matched. I was still an a.s.sessor when you married the late Ivan Egorovich. And that must be--"

"How hot it is! Stifling! Let us go into the garden. Please give me my mantilla, Michel," she said turning to the cadet who had come with her.

At this moment Vera appeared, and the company rose and crowded round her, so that the conversation took another turn. Raisky was bored by the guests, and by the exhibition he had just witnessed. He would have left the room, but that Vera's presence provided a strong incentive to remain.

Vera looked quickly round at the guests, said a few words here and there, shook hands with the young girls, smiled at the ladies, and sat down on a chair by the stove. The young officials smoothed their coats, Niel Andreevich kissed her hand with evident pleasure, and the girls fixed their eyes on her. Meanwhile Marfinka was busily employed in pouring out time, handing dishes and particularly in entertaining her friends.

"Vera Va.s.silievna, my dear, do take my part," cried Niel Andreevich.

"Is any one offending you?"

"Indeed there is. There is Dalila, no, Pelageia Karpovna--"

"Impertinent creature," said that lady aloud, as she rose and went quickly towards the door.

Tatiana Markovna also rose. "Where are you going, Paulina Karpovna?" she cried. "Marfinka, do not let her go."

"No, no, Tatiana Markovna," came Paulina Karpovna's voice from the hall, "I am always grateful to you, but I do not wish to meet such a loon. If my husband were alive, no man would dare...."

"Do not be vexed; he means nothing by it, but is in reality a decent old gentleman."

"Please let me go. I will come again and see you when he is not here,"

she said as she left the house in tears.

In the room she had left everyone was in gay humour, and Niel Andreevich condescended to share the general laughter, in which however, neither Raisky nor Vera joined. Paulina Karpovna might be eccentric, but that did not excuse either the loonish amus.e.m.e.nt of the people a.s.sembled or the old man's attacks. Raisky remained gloomily silent, and s.h.i.+fted his feet ominously.

"She is offended and has departed," remarked Niel Andreevich, as Tatiana Markovna, visibly agitated returned, and resumed her seat in silence.

"It won't do her any harm, but will be good for her health. She shouldn't appear naked in society. This is not a bathing establishment."

At this point the ladies lowered their eyes, and the young girls grew crimson, and pressed their hands nervously together.

"Neither should she stare about her in church and have young men following her footsteps. Come, Ivan Ivanovich, you were once her indefatigable cavalier. Do you still visit her?" he asked a young man severely.

"Not for a long time, your Excellency. I got tired of forever exchanging compliments."

"It's a good thing you have given it up. What an example she sets to women and young girls, going about dressed in pink with ribbons and frills, when she is over forty. How can anybody help reading her a lecture? You see," he added turning to Raisky, "that I am only a terror to evildoers. Who has made you fear me?"

"Mark," answered Raisky, to the excitement of all present.

"What Mark?" asked Niel Andreevich, frowning.

"Mark Volokov, who is in exile here."

"Ah! that thief. Do you know him?"

"We are friends."

"Friends!" hissed the old man. "Tatiana Markovna, what do I hear?"

"Don't believe him, Niel Andreevich. He does not know what he is talking about. What sort of a friend of yours is he?"

"Why, Grandmother, did he not sup here with me and spend the night?

Didn't you yourself give orders to have a soft bed made up for him?"