She had
hesitated as long as she did not understand herself; but after that
meeting--she could hesitate no longer; she knew that she loved,--and had
fallen in love honourably, not jestingly, she had become strongly
attached, for her whole life; she felt that force could not break that
bond.

XXXIX

Marya Dmitrievna was greatly perturbed when the arrival of Varvara
Pavlovna was announced to her; she did not even know whether to receive
her; she was afraid of offending Feodor Ivanitch. At last, curiosity
carried the day. "What of it?"--she said to herself,--"why, she is a
relative also,"--and seating herself in her arm-chair, she said to the
lackey: "Ask her in!" Several minutes elapsed; the door opened, Varvara
Pavlovna approached Marya Dmitrievna swiftly, with barely audible
footsteps, and, without giving her a chance to rise from her chair,
almost went down on her knees before her.

"Thank you, aunty,"--she began in a touched and gentle voice, in Russian:
"thank you! I had not hoped for such condescension on your part; you are
as kind as an angel."

As she uttered these words, Varvara Pavlovna unexpectedly took
possession of one of Marya Dmitrievna's hands, and pressing it lightly
in her pale-lilac gloves, obsequiously raised it to her full, rosy lips.
Marya Dmitrievna completely lost her head, on beholding such a
beautiful, charmingly-dressed woman, almost on her knees at her feet; she
did not know what to do: she did not wish to withdraw her hand, she
wished to give her a seat, and to say something amiable to her; she ended
by rising, and kissing Varvara Pavlovna on her smooth, fragrant brow.
Varvara Pavlovna was perfectly dumfounded by this kiss.

"Good morning,--_bon jour_,"--said Marya Dmitrievna:--"of course, I had
no idea, ... however, of course, I am delighted to see you. You
understand, my dear,--it is not for me to sit in judgment between wife
and husband."

"My husband is wholly in the right,"--Varvara Pavlovna interrupted
her:--"I alone am to blame."

"That is a very praiseworthy sentiment,"--returned Marya
Dmitrievna:--"very. Have you been here long? Have you seen him? But sit
down, pray."

"I arrived yesterday,"--replied Varvara Pavlovna, meekly seating
herself on a chair; "I have seen Feodor Ivanitch, I have talked with
him."

"Ah! Well, and how does he take it?"

"I was afraid that my sudden arrival would arouse his wrath,"--went on
Varvara Pavlo