ontrary, that a woman would be
sooner repelled by an egoist.... All young men--the youth you speak
of--all are egoists, they are all occupied only with themselves,
even when they love. Believe me, a woman is not only able to value
self-sacrifice; she can sacrifice herself.'

Natalya's cheeks were slightly flushed and her eyes shining. Before her
friendship with Rudin she would never have succeeded in uttering such a
long and ardent speech.

'You have heard my views on woman's mission more than once,' replied
Rudin with a condescending smile. 'You know that I consider that Joan of
Arc alone could have saved France.... but that's not the point. I wanted
to speak of you. You are standing on the threshold of life.... To dwell
on your future is both pleasant and not unprofitable.... Listen: you
know I am your friend; I take almost a brother's interest in you. And so
I hope you will not think my question indiscreet; tell me, is your heart
so far quite untouched?'

Natalya grew hot all over and said nothing, Rudin stopped, and she
stopped too.

'You are not angry with me?' he asked.

'No,' she answered, 'but I did not expect----'

'However,' he went on, 'you need not answer me. I know your secret.'

Natalya looked at him almost with dismay.

'Yes, yes, I know who has won your heart. And I must say that you could
not have made a better choice. He is a splendid man; he knows how
to value you; he has not been crushed by life--he is simple and
pure-hearted in soul... he will make your happiness.'

'Of whom are you speaking, Dmitri Niklaitch?'

'Is it possible you don't understand? Of Volintsev, of course. What?
isn't it true?'

Natalya turned a little away from Rudin. She was completely overwhelmed.

'Do you imagine he doesn't love you? Nonsense! he does not take his eyes
off you, and follows every movement of yours; indeed, can love ever be
concealed? And do not you yourself look on him with favour? So far as I
can observe, your mother, too, likes him.... Your choice----'

'Dmitri Nikolaitch,' Natalya broke in, stretching out her hand in her
confusion towards a bush near her, 'it is so difficult, really, for me
to speak of this; but I assure you... you are mistaken.'

'I am mistaken!' repeated Rudin. 'I think not. I have not known you very
long, but I already know you well. What is the meaning of the change I
see in you? I see it clearly. Are you just the same as when I met you
first, six weeks ago? No, Natalya A