t.

"In that case... everything that you have just told me--"

"You may laugh at me if you like," she said. "If I am unhappy--it is not
as a result of my own sorrows. It sometimes seems to me that I suffer
for the miserable, poor and oppressed in the whole of Russia... No, it's
not exactly that. I suffer--I am indignant for them, I rebel for them...
I am ready to go to the stake for them. I am unhappy because I am a
'young lady,' a parasite, that I am completely unable to do anything...
anything! When my father was sent to Siberia and I remained with my
mother in Moscow, how I longed to go to him! It was not that I loved or
respected him very much, but I wanted to know, to see with my own eyes,
how the exiled and banished live... How I loathed myself and all these
placid, rich, well-fed people! And afterwards, when he returned home,
broken in body and soul, and began humbly busying himself, trying to
work... oh... how terrible it was! It was a good thing that he died...
and my poor mother too. But, unfortunately, I was left behind.... What
for? Only to feel that I have a bad nature, that I am ungrateful, that
there is no peace for me, that I can do nothing--nothing for anything or
anybody!"

Mariana turned away--her hand slid on to the seat. Nejdanov felt sorry
for her; he touched the drooping hand. Mariana pulled it away quickly;
not that Nejdanov's action seemed unsuitable to her, but that he should
on no account think that she was asking for sympathy.

Through the branches of the pines a glimpse of a woman's dress could be
seen. Mariana drew herself up.

"Look, your Madonna has sent her spy. That maid has to keep a watch on
me and inform her mistress where I am and with whom. My aunt very likely
guessed that I was with you, and thought it improper, especially after
the sentimental scene she acted before you this afternoon. Anyhow, it's
time we were back. Let us go."

Mariana got up. Nejdanov rose also. She glanced at him over her
shoulder, and suddenly there passed over her face an almost childish
expression, making her embarrassment seem charming.

"You are not angry with me, are you? You don't think I have been trying
to win your sympathy, do you? No, I'm sure you don't," she went on
before Nejdanov had time to make any reply; "you are like me, just as
unhappy, and your nature... is bad, like mine. We can go to the school
together tomorrow. We are excellent friends now, aren't we?"

When Mariana and Nejdan