nown, of the
existence of exceptional hereditary characteristics, peculiar to them
alone; we have more than once heard discussions 'among ourselves' of the
Podsalaskinsky 'noses,' and the 'Perepreyevsky' necks. Zoya came in and
sat down facing Nikolai Artemyevitch. He grunted, sank into an armchair,
asked for coffee, and only then took off his hat. Coffee was brought
him; he drank a cup, and looking at everybody in turn, he growled
between his teeth, '_Sortes, s'il vous plait_,' and turning to his wife
he added, '_et vous, madame, restez, je vous prie_.'

They all left the room, except Anna Vassilyevna. Her head was trembling
with agitation. The solemnity of Nikolai Artemyevitch's preparations
impressed her. She was expecting something extraordinary.

'What is it?' she cried, directly the door was closed.

Nikolai Artemyevitch flung an indifferent glance at Anna Vassilyevna.

'Nothing special; what a way you have of assuming the air of a victim at
once!' he began, quite needlessly dropping the corners of his mouth at
every word. 'I only want to forewarn you that we shall have a new guest
dining here to-day.'

'Who is it?'

'Kurnatovsky, Yegor Andreyevitch. You don't know him. The head secretary
in the senate.'

'He is to dine with us to-day?'

'Yes.'

'And was it only to tell me this that you made every one go away?'

Nikolai Artemyevitch again flung a glance--this time one of irony--at
Anna Vassilyevna.

'Does that surprise you? Defer your surprise a little.'

He ceased speaking. Anna Vassilyevna too was silent for a little time.

'I could have wished----' she was beginning.

'I know you have always looked on me as an "immoral" man,' began Nikolai
Artemyevitch suddenly.

'I!' muttered Anna Vassilyevna, astounded.

'And very likely you are right. I don't wish to deny that I have in
fact sometimes given you just grounds for dissatisfaction' ("my greys!"
flashed through Anna Vassilyevna's head), 'though you must
yourself allow, that in the condition, as you are aware, of your
constitution----'

'And I make no complaint against you, Nikolai Artemyevitch.'

'_C'est possible_. In any case, I have no intention of justifying
myself. Time will justify me. But I regard it as my duty to prove to you
that I understand my duties, and know how to care for--for the welfare
of the family entrusted--entrusted to me.'

'What's the meaning of all this?' Anna Vassilyevna was thinking.
(She could not guess that the