o that she gave in; but she
wished us to tell you nothing about it until the day."

The general watched Gania's confusion intently, and clearly did not like
it.

"Remember, Ivan Fedorovitch," said Gania, in great agitation, "that I
was to be free too, until her decision; and that even then I was to have
my 'yes or no' free."

"Why, don't you, aren't you--" began the general, in alarm.

"Oh, don't misunderstand--"

"But, my dear fellow, what are you doing, what do you mean?"

"Oh, I'm not rejecting her. I may have expressed myself badly, but I
didn't mean that."

"Reject her! I should think not!" said the general with annoyance, and
apparently not in the least anxious to conceal it. "Why, my dear
fellow, it's not a question of your rejecting her, it is whether you are
prepared to receive her consent joyfully, and with proper satisfaction.
How are things going on at home?"

"At home? Oh, I can do as I like there, of course; only my father will
make a fool of himself, as usual. He is rapidly becoming a general
nuisance. I don't ever talk to him now, but I hold him in cheek, safe
enough. I swear if it had not been for my mother, I should have shown
him the way out, long ago. My mother is always crying, of course, and my
sister sulks. I had to tell them at last that I intended to be master of
my own destiny, and that I expect to be obeyed at home. At least, I gave
my sister to understand as much, and my mother was present."

"Well, I must say, I cannot understand it!" said the general, shrugging
his shoulders and dropping his hands. "You remember your mother, Nina
Alexandrovna, that day she came and sat here and groaned-and when I
asked her what was the matter, she says, 'Oh, it's such a DISHONOUR
to us!' dishonour! Stuff and nonsense! I should like to know who can
reproach Nastasia Philipovna, or who can say a word of any kind against
her. Did she mean because Nastasia had been living with Totski? What
nonsense it is! You would not let her come near your daughters, says
Nina Alexandrovna. What next, I wonder? I don't see how she can fail
to--to understand--"

"Her own position?" prompted Gania. "She does understand. Don't be
annoyed with her. I have warned her not to meddle in other people's
affairs. However, although there's comparative peace at home at present,
the storm will break if anything is finally settled tonight."

The prince heard the whole of the foregoing conversation, as he sat at
the table, writ