ve you and trust you."

"No--I asked you this--answer this! Do you intend to ask for my band, or
not?"

"Yes--I do ask for it!" said the prince, more dead than alive now.

There was a general stir in the room.

"No--no--my dear girl," began the general. "You cannot proceed like
this, Aglaya, if that's how the matter stands. It's impossible. Prince,
forgive it, my dear fellow, but--Lizabetha Prokofievna!"--he appealed to
his spouse for help--"you must really--"

"Not I--not I! I retire from all responsibility," said Lizabetha
Prokofievna, with a wave of the hand.

"Allow me to speak, please, mamma," said Aglaya. "I think I ought to
have something to say in the matter. An important moment of my destiny
is about to be decided"--(this is how Aglaya expressed herself)--"and
I wish to find out how the matter stands, for my own sake, though I am
glad you are all here. Allow me to ask you, prince, since you cherish
those intentions, how you consider that you will provide for my
happiness?"

"I--I don't quite know how to answer your question, Aglaya Ivanovna.
What is there to say to such a question? And--and must I answer?"

"I think you are rather overwhelmed and out of breath. Have a little
rest, and try to recover yourself. Take a glass of water, or--but
they'll give you some tea directly."

"I love you, Aglaya Ivanovna,--I love you very much. I love only
you--and--please don't jest about it, for I do love you very much."

"Well, this matter is important. We are not children--we must look into
it thoroughly. Now then, kindly tell me--what does your fortune consist
of?"

"No--Aglaya--come, enough of this, you mustn't behave like this," said
her father, in dismay.

"It's disgraceful," said Lizabetha Prokofievna in a loud whisper.

"She's mad--quite!" said Alexandra.

"Fortune--money--do you mean?" asked the prince in some surprise.

"Just so."

"I have now--let's see--I have a hundred and thirty-five thousand
roubles," said the prince, blushing violently.

"Is that all, really?" said Aglaya, candidly, without the slightest
show of confusion. "However, it's not so bad, especially if managed with
economy. Do you intend to serve?"

"I--I intended to try for a certificate as private tutor."

"Very good. That would increase our income nicely. Have you any
intention of being a Kammer-junker?"

"A Kammer-junker? I had not thought of it, but--"

But here the two sisters could restrain themselves no longer, an