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The servants were most disappointed, for their mistress had taken precautions against their drinking to excess, which made the whole affair seem dull to them. Marfinka's trousseau and her contributions to the household had already been taken across the Volga, the process having occupied a full week.
What is the use of reproaching her? She is ridiculous, and no one cares what she says. But the old chatterbox Tychkov has established that on Marfinka's birthday, Vera and Tushin had a long conversation in the avenue, that the day before she stayed out far into the night, and was subsequently ill, and he has put his own construction on Paulina Karpovna's tale.
In Tatiana Markovna's house, servants, cooks and coachmen were all astir, and at a very early hour in the morning were already drunk. The mistress of the house herself was unusually silent and sad when she let Marfinka go with her future mother-in-law. She had no instructions or advice to give, and hardly listened to Marfinka's questions about what she ought to take with her.
The wedding being fixed for the autumn, preparations for Marfinka's house-furnishing and trousseau were being gradually pushed forward.
But she was terrified when she saw Marfinka's face. "Sit down in the armchair," she said, but Marfinka clung to her. "Lie down, Grandmother, and I will sit on the bed beside you. I will tell you everything, but please put out the light." Then Marfinka began to relate how she had gone with Vikentev into the park to hear the nightingales sing, how she had first objected because it was so dark.
She was maid to the grandchildren, Veroshka and Marfinka. Close at her heels the twelve-year-old assistant, and together they brought the children to breakfast. Never knowing which of the two to kiss first, Tatiana Markovna would begin: "Well, my birdies, how are you? Veroshka, darling, you have brushed your hair?" "And me, Granny, me," Marfinka would cry. "Why are Marfinka's eyes red?
The household was thoughtful, silent, and cold; smiles, laughter, and joy had vanished like the falling leaves, and even though the worst crisis was passed, it had left behind it an atmosphere of gloom. Tatiana Markovna ruled her little kingdom once more. Vera was busily engaged in the house, and devoted much care and taste to the choice of Marfinka's trousseau.
You should make haste to inform Tychkov that you were not in the town on the day before Marfinka's fete-day, and consequently could not have been at the precipice." "It ought to be done differently." "Do just as you like, Ivan Ivanovich. But what else can you say?" "I would rather not meet Tychkov.
On the next day, Marfinka's birthday, he appeared again to hear her last word. From the precipice he went through the park, and she accompanied him. It seems that next day his hopes revived. Mine are for ever gone." "And that is all? People have been spreading God knows what tales about your cousin and you. They have not even spared that saint Tatiana Markovna with their poisonous tongues.
The town expected two great events, Marfinka's marriage with Vikentev which was about to take place, and, in no distant future, Tushin's marriage with Vera. Then suddenly there were these incomprehensible, unexpected happenings.
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