is it?'

Volintsev folded his arms on his chest, as though he were trying to hold
himself in.

'Sergei Pavlitch!' Rudin continued, 'I have given you pain, I feel
it--but understand us--understand that we had no other means of proving
our respect to you, of proving that we know how to value your honour and
uprightness. Openness, complete openness with any other man would have
been misplaced; but with you it took the form of duty. We are happy to
think our secret is in your hands.'

Volintsev gave vent to a forced laugh.

'Many thanks for your confidence in me!' he exclaimed, 'though, pray
observe, I neither wished to know your secret, nor to tell you mine,
though you treat it as if it were your property. But excuse me, you
speak as though for two. Does it follow I am to suppose that Natalya
Alexyevna knows of your visit, and the object of it?'

Rudin was a little taken aback.

'No, I did not communicate my intention to Natalya Alexyevna; but I know
she would share my views.'

'That's all very fine indeed,' Volintsev began after a short pause,
drumming on the window pane with his fingers, 'though I must confess it
would have been far better if you had had rather less respect for me. I
don't care a hang for your respect, to tell you the truth; but what do
you want of me now?'

'I want nothing--or--no! I want one thing; I want you not to regard me
as treacherous or hypocritical, to understand me... I hope that now you
cannot doubt of my sincerity... I want us, Sergei Pavlitch, to part as
friends... you to give me your hand as you once did.'

And Rudin went up to Volintsev.

'Excuse me, my good sir,' said Volintsev, turning round and stepping
back a few paces, 'I am ready to do full justice to your intentions, all
that's very fine, I admit, very exalted, but we are simple people, we do
not gild our gingerbread, we are not capable of following the flight
of great minds like yours.... What you think sincere, we regard as
impertinent and disingenuous and indiscreet.... What is clear and
simple to you, is involved and obscure to us.... You boast of what
we conceal.... How are we to understand you! Excuse me, I can neither
regard you as a friend, nor will I give you my hand.... That is petty,
perhaps, but I am only a petty person.'

Rudin took his hat from the window seat.

'Sergei Pavlitch!' he said sorrowfully, 'goodbye; I was mistaken in my
expectations. My visit certainly was rather a strange one... but I had