tzky clenched his fists and stamped his foot.

"Be not angry; forgive me!"--ejaculated Liza, hastily.

At that moment, Marya Dmitrievna entered. Liza rose, and started to
leave the room.

"Stop!"--Lavretzky unexpectedly called after her. "I have a great favour
to ask of your mother and of you: make me a visit to celebrate my new
home. You know, I have set up a piano; Lemm is staying with me; the
lilacs are now in bloom; you will get a breath of the country air, and
can return the same day,--do you accept?"

Liza glanced at her mother, and Marya Dmitrievna assumed an air of
suffering, but Lavretzky, without giving her a chance to open her mouth,
instantly kissed both her hands. Marya Dmitrievna, who was always
susceptible to endearments, and had not expected such amiability from
"the dolt," was touched to the soul, and consented. While she was
considering what day to appoint, Lavretzky approached Liza, and, still
greatly agitated, furtively whispered to her: "Thank you, you are a good
girl, I am to blame."... And her pale face flushed crimson with a
cheerful--bashful smile; her eyes also smiled,--up to that moment, she
had been afraid that she had offended him.

"May Vladimir Nikolaitch go with us?"--asked Marya Dmitrievna.

"Certainly,"--responded Lavretzky:--"but would it not be better if we
confined ourselves to our own family circle?"

"Yes, certainly, but you see...." Marya Dmitrievna began. "However, as
you like," she added.

It was decided to take Lyenotchka and Schurotchka. Marfa Timofeevna
declined to make the journey.

"It is too hard for me, my dear,"--she said,--"my old bones ache: and I
am sure there is no place at your house where I can spend the night; and
I cannot sleep in a strange bed. Let these young people do the
gallivanting."

Lavretzky did not succeed in being alone again with Liza; but he looked
at her in such a way, that she felt at ease, and rather ashamed, and
sorry for him. On taking leave of her, he pressed her hand warmly; when
she was left alone, she fell into thought.

XXV

When Lavretzky reached home, he was met on the threshold of the
drawing-room by a tall, thin man, in a threadbare blue coat, with frowzy
grey side-whiskers, a long, straight nose, and small, inflamed eyes. This
was Mikhalevitch, his former comrade at the university. Lavretzky did
not recognise him at first, but embraced him warmly as soon as he
mentioned his name