nia glanced inquiringly at the speaker.

"It's better so, you know, Gania--especially as, from one point of view,
the matter may be considered as settled," said Ptitsin; and sitting
down a little way from the table he began to study a paper covered with
pencil writing.

Gania stood and frowned, he expected a family scene. He never thought of
apologizing to the prince, however.

"If it's all settled, Gania, then of course Mr. Ptitsin is right," said
Nina Alexandrovna. "Don't frown. You need not worry yourself, Gania;
I shall ask you no questions. You need not tell me anything you don't
like. I assure you I have quite submitted to your will." She said all
this, knitting away the while as though perfectly calm and composed.

Gania was surprised, but cautiously kept silence and looked at his
mother, hoping that she would express herself more clearly. Nina
Alexandrovna observed his cautiousness and added, with a bitter smile:

"You are still suspicious, I see, and do not believe me; but you may
be quite at your ease. There shall be no more tears, nor questions--not
from my side, at all events. All I wish is that you may be happy, you
know that. I have submitted to my fate; but my heart will always be
with you, whether we remain united, or whether we part. Of course I only
answer for myself--you can hardly expect your sister--"

"My sister again," cried Gania, looking at her with contempt and almost
hate. "Look here, mother, I have already given you my word that I shall
always respect you fully and absolutely, and so shall everyone else in
this house, be it who it may, who shall cross this threshold."

Gania was so much relieved that he gazed at his mother almost
affectionately.

"I was not at all afraid for myself, Gania, as you know well. It was not
for my own sake that I have been so anxious and worried all this time!
They say it is all to be settled to-day. What is to be settled?"

"She has promised to tell me tonight at her own house whether she
consents or not," replied Gania.

"We have been silent on this subject for three weeks," said his mother,
"and it was better so; and now I will only ask you one question. How can
she give her consent and make you a present of her portrait when you do
not love her? How can such a--such a--"

"Practised hand--eh?"

"I was not going to express myself so. But how could you so blind her?"

Nina Alexandrovna's question betrayed intense annoyance. Gania waited a
moment an