later on,--sometime, a year hence. But
now, do this for me; comply with my request, for God's sake."
"I am ready to obey you in all things, Lizaveta Mikhailovna; but is it
possible that we are to part thus? will you not say a single word to me?"
"Feodor Ivanitch, here you are now, walking by my side. But you are
already far away from me. And not you alone, but also...."
"Finish, I entreat you!"--exclaimed Lavretzky:--"what is it that you
mean to say?"
"You will hear, perhaps ... but whatever happens, forget ... no, do not
forget me,--remember me."
"I forget you!..."
"Enough; farewell. Do not follow me."
"Liza ..."--Lavretzky was beginning.
"Farewell, farewell!"--she repeated, dropped her veil still lower, and
advanced almost at a run.
Lavretzky gazed after her, and dropping his head, went back down the
street. He hit upon Lemm, who was also walking along, with his hat pulled
down on his nose, and staring at the ground under his feet.
They stared at each other in silence.
"Well, what have you to say?"--said Lavretzky at last.
"What have I to say?"--returned Lemm surlily:--"I have nothing to say.
Everything is dead, and we are dead. (Alles ist todt und wir sind todt.)
You are going to the right, I think?"
"Yes."
"Then I go to the left. Good-bye."
On the following morning, Feodor Ivanitch and his wife set out for
Lavriki. She drove in front, in the carriage, with Ada and Justine; he
came behind, in his tarantas. The pretty little girl never quitted the
carriage-window during the whole journey; she was surprised at
everything: at the peasants, the peasant women, the wells, the
shaft-arches, the carriage-bells, at the multitude of jackdaws; Justine
shared her surprise. Varvara Pavlovna laughed at their comments and
exclamations.... She was in high spirits; before their departure from the
town of O * * * she had had an explanation with her husband.
"I understand your position,"--she had said to him,--and he, from the
expression of her clever eyes, was able to conclude that she did fully
understand his position,--"but you must do me the justice, at least, to
say that I am easy to live with; I shall not obtrude myself upon you,
embarrass you; I wanted to assure Ada's future. I need nothing further."
"Yes, and you have attained your object,"--said Feodor Ivanitch.
"My sole idea now is to shut myself up in the wilds; I shall forever
remember your good deed in my prayers...."
"Faugh!... e
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