l a living spot here... I
must clean it!' He's nice enough to me, because I'm necessary to him.
I just looked in to say that I may not get a chance of seeing you
again today. Dinner will be brought to you here, and please don't show
yourselves in the yard. Do you think the Sipiagins will make a search
for you, Mariana? Will they make a hunt?"

"I don't think so," Mariana replied.

"And I think they will," Nejdanov remarked.

"It doesn't matter either way," Solomin continued. "You must be a little
careful at first, but in a short time you can do as you like."

"Yes; only there's one thing," Nejdanov observed, "Markelov must know
where I am; he must be informed."

"But why?"

"I am afraid it must be done--for the cause. He must always know my
whereabouts. I've given my word. But he's quite safe, you know!"

"Very well. We can send Pavel."

"And will my clothes be ready for me?"

"Your special costume you mean? Why, of course... the same masquerade.
It's not expensive at any rate. Goodbye. You must be tired. Come,
Tatiana."

Mariana and Nejdanov were left alone again.

XXVIII

FIRST they clasped each other's hands, then Mariana offered to help him
tidy his room. She immediately began unpacking his portmanteau and bag,
declining his offer of help on the ground that she must get used to work
and wished to do it all herself. She hung his clothes on nails which she
discovered in the table drawer and knocked into the wall with the back
of a hairbrush for want of a hammer. Then she arranged his linen in a
little old chest of drawers standing in between the two windows.

"What is this?" she asked suddenly. "Why, it's a revolver. Is it loaded?
What do you want it for?"

"It is not loaded... but you had better give it to me. You want to know
why I have it? How can one get on without a revolver in our calling?"

She laughed and went on with her work, shaking each thing out separately
and beating it with her hand; she even stood two pairs of boots under
the sofa; the few books, packet of papers, and tiny copy-book of verses
she placed triumphantly upon a three-cornered table, calling it a
writing and work table, while the other, a round one, she called a
dining and tea table. Then she took up the copy-book of verses in both
hands and, raising it on a level with her face, looked over the edge at
Nejdanov and said with a smile:

"We will read this together when we have some time to spare, won't we?

"Give