ving Paklin
time to repeat his request, he proved in the most unmistakable manner
that he had heard every word, and had merely asked his questions for the
sake of dignity, by offering him his cigar-case.

Paklin took a cigar gratefully and lighted it with care.

"Here's a good opportunity," he thought, but Sipiagin had anticipated
him.

"I remember your saying..." he began carelessly, stopping to look at his
cigar and pulling his hat lower over his forehead, "you spoke... of...
of that friend of yours, who married my ... niece. Do you ever see them?
They've settled not far from here, eh?"

("Take care! be on your guard, Sila!" Paklin thought.)

"I have only seen them once, your excellency. They are living.. .
certainly... not very far from here."

"You quite understand, I hope," Sipiagin continued in the same tone,
"that I can take no further serious interest--as I explained to
you--either in that frivolous girl or in your friend. Heaven knows that
I have no prejudices, but really, you will agree with me, this is too
much! So foolish, you know. However, I suppose they were more drawn
together by politics.. ." ("politics!" he repeated, shrugging his
shoulders) "than by any other feeling!"

"I think so too, your excellency!"

"Yes, Mr. Nejdanov was certainly revolutionary. To do him justice he
made no secret of his opinions."

"Nejdanov," Paklin ventured, "may have been carried away, but his
heart--"

"Is good," Sipiagin put in; "I know, like Markelov's. They all have good
hearts. He has no doubt also been mixed up in this affair... and will be
implicated.... I suppose I shall have to intercede for him too!"

Paklin clasped his hands to his breast.

"Oh, your excellency! Extend your protection to him! He fully...
deserves... your sympathy."

Sipiagin snorted.

"You think so?"

"At any rate if not for him... for your niece's sake; for his wife!"
("Heavens! What lies I'm telling," Paklin thought.)

Sipiagin half-closed his eyes.

"I see that you're a very devoted friend. That's a very good quality,
very praiseworthy, young man. And so you said they lived in this
neighbourhood?"

"Yes, your excellency; in a large establishment--" Here Paklin bit his
tongue.

"Why, of course, at Solomin's! that's where they are! However, I knew it
all along. I've been told so; I've already been informed." (Mr.
Sipiagin did not know this in the least, and no one had told him, but
recollecting Solomin's visit and thei