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'Gentlemen! he added, turning to the seconds, 'everything, I hope, will be kept secret? 'Of course! cried Koloberdyaev; 'but, prince, allow me ... And he himself bound up his head. The prince, as he went away, bowed to me once more. But Bizmyonkov did not even glance at me. Shattered morally shattered went homewards with Koloberdyaev.
May God give him a wife after his own heart' and her eyes filled with tears 'if only he does not forget me, if only he will sometimes think of his Liza! Let us go, she added, after a brief silence. Bizmyonkov raised her hand to his lips. 'I know, she began again hotly, 'every one is blaming me now, every one is throwing stones at me. Let them!
But the prince had not blabbed of it; on the contrary, when, with his head bandaged and an explanation ready, he made his appearance before Liza, she had already heard everything.... Whether Bizmyonkov had betrayed me, or the news had reached her by other channels, I cannot say. Though, indeed, can anything ever be concealed in a little town?
He calmly pulled a cambric handkerchief out of his pocket, and put it to his blood-stained curls. I stared at him, as though I were turned to stone, and did not stir. 'Go up to the barrier, if you please! Koloberdyaev observed severely. I obeyed. 'Is the duel to go on? he added, addressing Bizmyonkov. Bizmyonkov made him no answer.
The consultation of the worthy seconds did not last long. A quarter of an hour later, they both came into my bedroom. Koloberdyaev announced to me that 'we're going to fight to-day at three o'clock with pistols. In silence I bent my head, in token of my agreement. Bizmyonkov at once took leave of us, and departed.
Neither Bizmyonkov nor I was any obstacle to the prince and Liza; but he did not shun them as I did, nor look savage nor injured and readily joined them when they desired it. It is true that on such occasions he was not conspicuous for any special mirthfulness; but his good-humour had always been somewhat subdued in character. In this fashion about a fortnight passed by.
I don't know how long I went on standing there, without stirring from my place, plunged in a sort of senseless amazement, when suddenly I heard steps again. I started, and peeped cautiously out from my hiding-place. Bizmyonkov and Liza were coming back along the same path. Both were greatly agitated, especially Bizmyonkov. I fancied he was crying.
Bizmyonkov made her no answer. 'What do you think, she went on: 'will he write to me once more? 'I don't think so, Lizaveta Kirillovna! She was silent. 'And after all, why should he write? He told me everything in his first letter. I could not be his wife; but I have been happy ... not for long ... I have been happy ... Bizmyonkov looked down. 'Tchulkaturin loves you, observed Bizmyonkov.
This acquaintance afforded me some slight relief, and my man soon guessed, from my hints and little presents, what he was to talk about to his master when he pulled his boots off every evening. Sometimes I chanced to meet some one of the Ozhogins' family, Bizmyonkov, or the prince in the street.... To the prince and to Bizmyonkov I bowed, but I did not enter into conversation with them.
The prince smiled tranquilly, almost condescendingly, pressed my arm, whispered, 'I understand you; but this is not the place; we will have a word later, turned away from me, went up to Bizmyonkov, and led him up to Liza. The pale little official turned out to be the chosen partner. Liza got up to meet him. Sitting beside my partner with the dejected beetle on her head, I felt almost a hero.
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