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'She has gone through the fire, was said of her; to which a noted provincial wit usually added: 'And through all the other elements? All this talk reached her; but she turned a deaf ear to it; there was much independence and a good deal of determination in her character. Madame Odintsov sat leaning back in her easy-chair, and listened with folded hands to Bazarov.
Madame Odintsov treated him as though he were a younger brother; she seemed to appreciate his good-nature and youthful simplicity and that was all. For over three hours, a lively conversation was kept up, ranging freely over various subjects. The friends at last got up and began to take leave.
Madame Odintsov is very sweet, no doubt, but she behaves so coldly and severely, that.... 'Still waters ... you know! put in Bazarov. 'That's just what gives it piquancy. You like ices, I expect? 'Perhaps, muttered Arkady. 'I can't give an opinion about that. She wishes to make your acquaintance, and has asked me to bring you to see her. 'I can imagine how you've described me!
'Oho! Arkady thought to himself, and then in a flash all the fathomless depths of Bazarov's conceit dawned upon him. 'Are you and I gods then? at least, you're a god; am not I a dolt then? 'Yes, repeated Bazarov; 'you're still a fool. Madame Odintsov expressed no special surprise when Arkady told her the next day that he was going with Bazarov; she seemed tired and absorbed.
Madame Odintsov was a little older than Arkady she was twenty-nine but in her presence he felt himself a schoolboy, a little student, so that the difference in age between them seemed of more consequence. Matvy Ilyitch approached her with a majestic air and ingratiating speeches. Arkady moved away, but he still watched her; he could not take his eyes off her even during the quadrille.
Madame Odintsov bent forward from the back of her chair. 'You speak, she began, 'as though you had experienced all that. 'It happened to come up, Anna Sergyevna; all that, as you know, is not in my line. 'But you could devote yourself? 'I don't know. I shouldn't like to boast. Madame Odintsov said nothing, and Bazarov was mute. The sounds of the piano floated up to them from the drawing-room.
What for? Surely you can't attach any importance to idle gossip? Madame Odintsov frowned. It annoyed her that he had given such a meaning to her words. 'Such gossip does not affect me, Yevgeny Vassilyitch, and I am too proud to allow it to disturb me. I am unhappy because ... I have no desires, no passion for life.
People like them are not to be found in your great world.... I was needed by Russia.... No, it's clear I wasn't needed. And who is needed?" Bazaroff put his hand to his brow. Madame Odintsov bent down to him. "Yevgeny Vassilyvitch, I am here...." He at once took his hand away and raised himself. "Good-bye," he said, with a sudden force, and his eyes gleamed with their last light.
He was not bored with her; she offered of herself to repeat the sonata of the day before; but when Madame Odintsov came back at last, when he caught sight of her, he felt an instantaneous pang at his heart. She came through the garden with a rather tired step; her cheeks were glowing and her eyes shining more brightly than usual under her round straw hat.
He took a few tiny steps, doubled back like a hunted hare at the edge of a copse, and abruptly, almost with dismay, almost with a wail, announced that he proposed going too. Madame Odintsov did not attempt to detain him.
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