hat I mean. Do
you suppose that your behaviour could have remained a secret to me, to
Anna Zaharovna, to the whole household in fact? However, I must say you
are not over-particular about secrecy. You simply acted in bravado. Only
Boris Andraevitch does not know what you have done... But he is occupied
with far more serious and important matters. Apart from him, everybody
else knows, everybody!"

Mariana's pallor increased.

"I must ask you to express yourself more clearly, Valentina Mihailovna.
What is it you are displeased about?"

"L'insolente!" Madame Sipiagina thought, but contained herself.

"Do you want to know why I am displeased with you, Mariana? Then I must
tell you that I disapprove of your prolonged interviews with a young man
who is very much beneath you in birth, breeding, and social position.
I am displeased... no! this word is far too mild--I am shocked at your
late... your night visits to this young man! And where does it happen?
Under my own roof! Perhaps you see nothing wrong in it and think that
it has nothing to do with me, that I should be silent and thereby screen
your disgraceful conduct. As an honourable woman... oui, mademoiselle,
je l'ai ete, je le suis, et je le serai tu'jours! I can't help being
horrified at such proceedings!"

Valentina Mihailovna threw herself into an armchair as if overcome by
her indignation. Mariana smiled for the first time.

"I do not doubt your honour--past, present, and to come," she began;
"and I mean this quite sincerely. Your indignation is needless. I have
brought no shame on your house. The young man whom you alluded to...
yes, I have certainly... fallen in love with him."

"You love Mr. Nejdanov?"

"Yes, I love him."

Valentina Mihailovna sat up straight in her chair.

"But, Mariana! he's only a student, of no birth, no family, and he
is younger than you are!" (These words were pronounced not without a
certain spiteful pleasure.) "What earthly good can come of it? What do
you see in him? He is only an empty-headed boy."

"That was not always your opinion of him, Valentina Mihailovna."

"For heaven's sake leave me out of the question, my dear!... Pas tant
d'esprit que ca, je vous prie. The thing concerns you and your future.
Just consider for a moment. What sort of a match is this for you?"

"I must confess, Valentina Mihailovna, that I did not look at it in that
light."

"What? What did you say? What am I to think? Let us assume that you
fol