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Updated: June 25, 2025
Rogatchov had once taken lessons in fencing, but now he was scarcely capable of drawing a sword properly. The blades crossed. Vassily was obviously playing with Rogatchov's sword. Pavel Afanasievitch was breathless and pale, and gazed in consternation into Lutchinov's face. Meanwhile, screams were heard in the garden; a crowd of people were running to the summerhouse.
On their way home, Pavel Afanasievitch whispered to his parent, 'Well, father? Afanasey Lukitch responded angrily also in a whisper, 'Don't speak of it! The Rogatchovs began to be less frequent visitors at Lutchinovka.
Poor Pavel Afanasievitch fell dead: Lutchinov's sword stabbed him to the heart... The door gave way; old Rogatchov burst into the summerhouse, but Vassily had already jumped out of window... Two hours later he went into Olga Ivanovna's room... She rushed in terror to meet him... He bowed to her in silence; took out his sword and pierced Pavel Afanasievitch's portrait in the place of the heart.
Eroshka came in, and trembling, gave Rogatchov a wretched old sword in a torn leather scabbard. In those days all noblemen wore swords with powder, but in the steppes they only put on powder twice a year. Eroshka moved away to the door and burst out crying. Pavel Afanasievitch pushed him out of the room.
Alas! on this occasion he did not sustain his reputation; he was even more disconcerted than his son, Pavel Afanasievitch; he mumbled something quite inarticulate, and though he had never been used to taking vodka, he at once drained a glass 'to carry things off' he found Vassily at lunch, tried at least to clear his throat with some dignity, and did not succeed in making the slightest sound.
What'll Afanasey Lukitch say? Why, he'll drive us all out of the light of day.... Why are you fellows standing still? Take the uninvited guest in hand and show him out of the house, so that not a trace be left of him. 'Rogatchov! Vassily Ivanovitch shouted menacingly. 'You are crazy, Efimovna, you are shaming me, come, come... said Pavel Afanasievitch.
Vassily once almost annihilated him altogether by making him a bet, that he, Rogatchov, was not able to stop smiling. Poor Pavel Afanasievitch almost cried with, embarrassment, but actually! a smile, a stupid, nervous smile refused to leave his perspiring face! Vassily toyed deliberately with the ends of his neckerchief, and looked at him with supreme contempt.
'Good God!... You'll send me out of my mind.... What do you mean, explain, for God's sake! Vassily bent down and whispered something in his ear. Rogatchov cried out, 'What!...!? Vassily stamped. 'Olga Ivanovna? Olga?... 'Yes... your betrothed... 'My betrothed... Vassily Ivanovitch... she... she... Why, I never wish to see her again, cried Pavel Afanasievitch. 'Good-bye to her for ever!
'Excuse me... I will... but... 'Very good. Remember then... She has confessed everything. 'Who has confessed? 'Olga Ivanovna. 'Why, what has she confessed? 'Why, what are you pretending to me for, Pavel Afanasievitch? I'm not a stranger to you. 'What am I pretending? I don't understand you, I don't, I positively don't understand a word. What could Olga Ivanovna confess? 'What?
'Get me the sword there you know, in the loft... make haste.... Eroshka went out. Pavel Afanasievitch suddenly became exceedingly pale, hurriedly took off his dressing-gown, put on a reddish coat with big paste buttons... twisted a cravat round his neck... Vassily looked at him, and twiddled the fingers of his right hand. 'Well, are we to fight then, Pavel Afanasievitch?
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