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see, Elena Nikolaevna,' he began, coming closer to her in a confidential way, 'there is a little family of our people here; among us there are men of little culture; but all are warmly devoted to the common cause. Unluckily, one can never get on without dissensions, and they all know me, and trust me; so they sent for me to settle a dispute. I went.' 'Was it far from here?' 'I went about fifty miles, to the Troitsky district. There, near the monastery, there are some of our people. At any rate, my trouble was not thrown away; I settled the matter.' 'And had you much difficulty?' 'Yes. One was obstinate through everything. He did not want to give back the money.' 'What? Was the dispute over money?' 'Yes; and a small sum of money too. What did you suppose?' 'And you travelled over fifty miles for such trifling matters? Wasted three days?' 'They are not trifling matters, Elena Nikolaevna, when my countrymen are involved. It would be wicked to refuse in such cases. I see here that you don't refuse help even to puppies, and I think well of you for it. And as for the time I have lost, that's no great harm; I will make it up later. Our time does not belong to us.' 'To whom does it belong then?' 'Why, to all who need us. I have told you all this on the spur of the moment, because I value your good opinion. I can fancy how Andrei Petrovitch must have made you wonder!' 'You value my good opinion,' said Elena, in an undertone, 'why?' Insarov smiled again. 'Because you are a good young lady, not an aristocrat... that's all.' A short silence followed. 'Dmitri Nikanorovitch,' said Elena, 'do you know that this is the first time you have been so unreserved with me?' 'How's that? I think I have always said everything I thought to you.' 'No, this is the first time, and I am very glad, and I too want to be open with you. May I?' Insarov began to laugh and said: 'You may.' 'I warn you I am very inquisitive.' 'Never mind, tell me.' 'Andrei Petrovitch has told me a great deal of your life, of your youth. I know of one event, one awful event.... I know you travelled afterwards in your own country.... Don't answer me for goodness sake, if you think my question indiscreet, but I am fretted by one idea.... Tell me, did you meet that man?' Elena caught her breath. She felt both shame and dismay at her own audacity. Insarov looked at her intently, slightly knitting his brows, and stroking his ch
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