tanding before you."

"I am convinced of that," Solomin said seriously.

He had risen from his chair as soon as Mariana had appeared. "I had
already noticed you at table and was struck by the frank expression of
your eyes. Nejdanov told me about your intentions. But may I ask why you
want to run away."

"What a question! The cause with which I am fully in sympathy... don't
be surprised. Nejdanov has kept nothing from me... The great work is
about to begin... and am I to remain in this house, where everything is
deceit and falsehood? People I love will be exposed to danger, and I--"

Solomin stopped her by a wave of the hand.

"Calm yourself. Sit down, please, and you sit down too, Nejdanov. Let us
all sit down. Listen to me! If you have no other reason than the one
you have mentioned, then there's no need for you to run away as yet.
The work will not begin so soon as you seem to anticipate. A little more
prudent consideration is needed in this matter. It's no good plunging in
too soon, believe me."

Mariana sat down and wrapped herself up in a large plaid, which she had
thrown over her shoulders.

"But I can't stay here any longer! I am being insulted by everybody.
Only today that idiot Anna Zaharovna said before Kolia, alluding to my
father, that a bad tree does not bring forth good fruit! Kolia was
even surprised, and asked what it meant. Not to speak of Valentina
Mihailovna!"

Solomin stopped her again, this time with a smile.

Mariana felt that he was laughing at her a little, but this smile could
not have offended any one.

"But, my dear lady, I don't know who Anna Zaharovna is, nor what tree
you are talking about. A foolish woman says some foolish things to you
and you can't endure it! How will you live in that case? The whole
world is composed of fools. Your reason is not good enough. Have you any
other?"

"I am convinced," Nejdanov interposed in a hollow voice, "that Mr.
Sipiagin will turn me out of the house tomorrow of his own accord.
Someone must have told him. He treats me... in the most contemptuous
manner."

Solomin turned to Nejdanov.

"If that's the case, then why run away?"

Nejdanov did not know what to say.

"But I've already told you--," he began.

"He said that," Mariana put in, "because I am going with him."

Solomin looked at her and shook his head good-naturedly.

"In that case, my dear lady, I say again, that if you want to leave here
because you think the revolution is a