g the world, or anything of that sort,
I'll--well, of course I shall laugh and seem very pleased, but I warn
you beforehand, don't look me in the face again! I'm serious now,
mind, this time I AM REALLY serious." She certainly did say this very
seriously, so much so, that she looked quite different from what she
usually was, and the prince could not help noticing the fact. She did
not seem to be joking in the slightest degree.

"Well, you've put me into such a fright that I shall certainly make
a fool of myself, and very likely break something too. I wasn't a bit
alarmed before, but now I'm as nervous as can be."

"Then don't speak at all. Sit still and don't talk."

"Oh, I can't do that, you know! I shall say something foolish out of
pure 'funk,' and break something for the same excellent reason; I know
I shall. Perhaps I shall slip and fall on the slippery floor; I've done
that before now, you know. I shall dream of it all night now. Why did
you say anything about it?"

Aglaya looked blackly at him.

"Do you know what, I had better not come at all tomorrow! I'll plead
sick-list and stay away," said the prince, with decision.

Aglaya stamped her foot, and grew quite pale with anger.

"Oh, my goodness! Just listen to that! 'Better not come,' when the party
is on purpose for him! Good Lord! What a delightful thing it is to have
to do with such a--such a stupid as you are!"

"Well, I'll come, I'll come," interrupted the prince, hastily, "and I'll
give you my word of honour that I will sit the whole evening and not say
a word."

"I believe that's the best thing you can do. You said you'd 'plead
sick-list' just now; where in the world do you get hold of such
expressions? Why do you talk to me like this? Are you trying to irritate
me, or what?"

"Forgive me, it's a schoolboy expression. I won't do it again. I know
quite well, I see it, that you are anxious on my account (now, don't be
angry), and it makes me very happy to see it. You wouldn't believe
how frightened I am of misbehaving somehow, and how glad I am of your
instructions. But all this panic is simply nonsense, you know, Aglaya! I
give you my word it is; I am so pleased that you are such a child, such
a dear good child. How CHARMING you can be if you like, Aglaya."

Aglaya wanted to be angry, of course, but suddenly some quite unexpected
feeling seized upon her heart, all in a moment.

"And you won't reproach me for all these rude words of mine--some