eference to the latter as he counted
himself of their numbers. He spoke highly of the people, but drew
attention to some of their weaknesses; expressed his full confidence
in the government, but asked himself whether all its officials were
faithfully fulfilling its benevolent designs. He acknowledged the
importance of literature, but declared that without the utmost caution
it was dangerous. He turned to the West with hope, then became doubtful;
he turned to the East, first sighed, then became enthusiastic. Finally
he proposed a toast in honour of the trinity: Religion, Agriculture, and
Industry!

"Under the wing of authority!" Kollomietzev added sternly.

"Under the wing of wise and benevolent authority," Sipiagin corrected
him.

The toast was drunk in silence. The empty space on Sipiagin's left, in
the form of Nejdanov, did certainly make several sounds of disapproval;
but arousing not the least attention became quiet again, and the dinner,
without any further controversy, reached a happy conclusion.

Valentina Mihailovna, with a most charming smile, handed Solomin a cup
of coffee; he drank it and was already looking round for his hat when
Sipiagin took him gently by the arm and led him into his study. There he
first gave him an excellent cigar and then made him a proposal to enter
his factory on the most advantageous terms. "You will be absolute master
there, Vassily Fedotitch, I assure you!" Solomin accepted the cigar and
declined the offer about the factory. He stuck to his refusal, however
much Sipiagin insisted.

"Please don't say 'no' at once, my dear Vassily Fedotitch! Say, at
least, that you'll think it over until tomorrow!"

"It would make no difference. I wouldn't accept your proposal."

"Do think it over till tomorrow, Vassily Fedotitch! It won't cost you
anything."

Solomin agreed, came out of the study, and began looking for his hat
again. But Nejdanov, who until that moment had had no opportunity of
exchanging a word with him, came up to him and whispered hurriedly:

"For heaven's sake don't go yet, or else we won't be able to have a
talk!"

Solomin left his hat alone, the more readily as Sipiagin, who had
observed his irresoluteness, exclaimed:

"Won't you stay the night with us?"

"As you wish."

The grateful glance Mariana fixed on him as she stood at the
drawing-room window set him thinking.

XXV

UNTIL his visit Mariana had pictured Solomin to herself as quite
different.