t doubtfulness and with
unfinished phrases, as though he knew that which must be said, but
concealed it. The queer fate of the girl, however, had seemingly
engrossed, interested them all; and each one, in expressing his
opinion, for some reason inevitably turned to Simanovsky. But he kept
his counsel for the most part, and looked at each one from under the
glasses of his pince-nez, raising his head high to do so.

"So, so, so," he said at last, drumming with his fingers upon the
table. "What Lichonin has done is splendid and brave. And that the
prince and Soloviev are going to meet him half-way is also very good.
I, for my part, am ready to co-operate with your beginnings with
whatever lies in my power. But will it not be better, if we lead our
friend along the path of her natural inclinations and abilities, so to
speak? Tell me, my dear," he turned to Liubka, "what do you know, what
can you do? Well, now, some kind of work, or something. Sewing,
knitting, embroidering or something."

"I don't know anything," said Liubka in a whisper, letting her eyes
drop low, all red, squeezing her fingers under the table. "I don't
understand anything of this.''

"And really, now," interposed Lichonin; "why, we haven't begun the
business from the right end. By talking about her in her presence we
merely place her in an awkward position. Just see--even her tongue
doesn't move from confusion. Let's go, Liubka, I'll escort you home for
just a little while, and return in ten minutes. And in the meanwhile
we'll think over ways and means here, without you. All right?"

"As for me, I don't mind," almost inaudibly answered Liubka. "I'll do
just as you like, Vassil Vassilich. Only I wouldn't like to go home."

"Why so?"

"It's awkward for me there alone. I'd best wait for you on the
boulevard, at the very entrance, on a bench."

"Ah, yes!" Lichonin recollected: "It's Alexandra who has inspired her
with such a terror. My, but I'll make it hot for this old lizard! Well,
let's go, Liubochka."

She timidly, in some sidelong way, put out her hand to each one,
folding it like a little spade; and walked out under the escort of
Lichonin.

After several minutes he returned and sat down at his place. He felt
that something had been said about him during his absence, and he ran
his eyes uneasily over his comrades. Then, putting his hands on the
table, he began:

"Gentlemen, I know that you're all good, close friends," he gave a
quick and si