es' hoofs were heard
clattering briskly, and Olenin, riding bareback on a handsome dark-grey
horse which was still wet and shining, rode up to the gate. Maryanka's
handsome head, tied round with a red kerchief, appeared from the shed
and again disappeared. Olenin was wearing a red silk shirt, a white
Circassian coat girdled with a strap which carried a dagger, and a tall
cap. He sat his well-fed wet horse with a slightly conscious elegance
and, holding his gun at his back, stooped to open the gate.

His hair was still wet, and his face shone with youth and health. He
thought himself handsome, agile, and like a brave; but he was mistaken.
To any experienced Caucasian he was still only a soldier.

When he noticed that the girl had put out her head he stooped with
particular

[Updater's note: a page, possibly two, appears to be missing at this
point.]

rested on the ground without altering their shape; how her strong arms
with the sleeves rolled up, exerting the muscles, used the spade almost
as if in anger, and how her deep dark eyes sometimes glanced at him.
Though the delicate brows frowned, yet her eyes expressed pleasure and
a knowledge of her own beauty.

'I say, Olenin, have you been up long?' said Beletski as he entered the
yard dressed in the coat of a Caucasian officer.

'Ah, Beletski,' replied Olenin, holding out his hand. 'How is it you
are out so early?'

'I had to. I was driven out; we are having a ball tonight. Maryanka, of
course you'll come to Ustenka's?' he added, turning to the girl.

Olenin felt surprised that Beletski could address this woman so easily.
But Maryanka, as though she had not heard him, bent her head, and
throwing the spade across her shoulder went with her firm masculine
tread towards the outhouse.

'She's shy, the wench is shy,' Beletski called after her. 'Shy of you,'
he added as, smiling gaily, he ran up the steps of the porch.

'How is it you are having a ball and have been driven out?'

'It's at Ustenka's, at my landlady's, that the ball is, and you two are
invited. A ball consists of a pie and a gathering of girls.'

'What should we do there?'

Beletski smiled knowingly and winked, jerking his head in the direction
of the outhouse into which Maryanka had disappeared.

Olenin shrugged his shoulders and blushed.

'Well, really you are a strange fellow!' said he.

'Come now, don't pretend'

Olenin frowned, and Beletski noticing this smiled insinuatingly. 'Oh,
come