n disappear so suddenly, and why didn't he come back again?"

She began pacing up and down the room. A curious sensation of fear,
annoyance, and amazement took possession of her. Why did she not go with
Nejdanov? Solomin had persuaded her not to... but where is Solomin? And
what is going on around here? Of course Mashurina did not give her the
letter because of her love for Nejdanov. But how could she decide to
disregard orders? Did she want to appear magnanimous? What right had
she? And why was she, Mariana, so touched by her act? An unattractive
woman interests herself in a young man... What is there extraordinary
about it? And why should Mashurina assume that Mariana's attachment to
Nejdanov is stronger than the feelings of duty? And did Mariana ask for
such a sacrifice? And what could the letter have contained? A call for
speedy action? Well, and what then?

And Markelov? He is in danger... and what are we doing? Markelov spares
us both, gives us the opportunity of being happy, does not part us...
What makes him do it? Is it also magnaminity... or contempt?

And did we run away from that hateful house merely to live like turtle
doves?

Thus Mariana pondered, while the feeling of agitation and annoyance grew
stronger and stronger within her. Her pride was hurt. Why had everyone
forsaken her? EVERYONE. This stout woman had called her a bird, a
beauty... why not quite plainly, a doll? And why did Nejdanov not go
alone, but with Pavel? It's just as if he needed someone to look after
him! And what are really Solomin's convictions? It's quite clear that
he's not a revolutionist! And could any one really think that he does
not treat the whole thing seriously?

These were the thoughts that whirled round, chasing one another and
becoming entangled in Mariana's feverish brain. Pressing her lips
closely together and folding her arms like a man, she sat down by the
window at last and remained immovable, straight up in her chair, all
alertness and intensity, ready to spring up at any moment. She had no
desire to go to Tatiana and work; she wanted to wait alone. And she sat
waiting obstinately, almost angrily. From time to time her mood seemed
strange and incomprehensible even to herself... Never mind. "Am I
jealous?" flashed across her mind, but remembering poor Mashurina's
figure she shrugged her shoulders and dismissed the idea.

Mariana had been waiting for a long time when suddenly she heard the
sound of two persons' f