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Konstantin Diomiditch approached the girl as warily as a cat, and began to speak to her. She said nothing at first, only blushed and laughed, but at last she hid her face in her sleeve, turned away, and muttered: 'Go away, sir; upon my word... Konstantin Diomiditch shook his finger at her and told her to bring him some cornflowers.
Besides, I am doubtful, I must confess, whether my visit could afford you any pleasure. 'Oh, no! why? Pandalevsky sighed and dropped his eyes expressively. 'Good-bye, Alexandra Pavlovna! he said after a slight pause; then he bowed and turned back. Alexandra Pavlovna turned round and went home. Konstantin Diomiditch, too, walked homewards.
He had been smiling for a long time at Alexandra Pavlovna, even though he saw that she was absorbed in thought and noticing nothing, and when she stopped he went up to her and in a tone of delight, almost of emotion, cried: 'Good-morning, Alexandra Pavlovna, good-morning! 'Ah! Konstantin Diomiditch! good-morning! she replied. 'You have come from Darya Mihailovna?
Constantin, said Darya Mihailovna, when Pandalevsky came into the drawing-room, 'is Alexandrine coming? 'Alexandra Pavlovna asked me to thank you, and they will be extremely delighted, replied Konstantin Diomiditch, bowing affably in all directions, and running his plump white hand with its triangular cut nails through his faultlessly arranged hair. 'And is Volintsev coming too? 'Yes.
She took it and they both turned along the path to her house. Walking with Alexandra Pavlovna on his arm seemed to afford Konstantin Diomiditch great delight; he moved with little steps, smiling, and his Oriental eyes were even be-dimmed by a slight moisture, though this indeed was no rare occurrence with them; it did not mean much for Konstantin Diomiditch to be moved and dissolve into tears.
Lezhnyov? inquired Pandalevsky, as though he were surprised. 'Yes, Mihailo Mihailitch Lezhnyov, replied Volintsev. 'Well, good-bye; it's time I was off to the field; they are sowing your buckwheat. Mr. Pandalevsky will escort you home. And Volintsev rode off at a trot. 'With the greatest of pleasure! cried Konstantin Diomiditch, offering Alexandra Pavlovna his arm.
Darya Mihailovna's children worshipped Bassistoff, and yet were not in the least afraid of him; he was on a friendly footing with all the rest of the household, a fact which was not altogether pleasing to its mistress, though she was fond of declaring that for her social prejudices did not exist. 'Good-morning, my dears, began Konstantin Diomiditch, 'how early you have come for your walk to-day!
And looking with satisfaction at his own neat and elegant figure, Konstantin Diomiditch struck his coat-sleeve twice with his open hand, pulled up his collar, and went on his way. When he had reached his own room, he put on an old dressing-gown and sat down with an anxious face to the piano. Darya Mihailovna's house was regarded as almost the first in the whole province.
Another widow had obtained a government post for him. Middle-aged ladies were generally ready to befriend Konstantin Diomiditch; he knew well how to court them and was successful in coming across them. He was at this very time living with a rich lady, a landowner, Darya Mihailovna Lasunsky, in a position between that of a guest and of a dependant.
Meanwhile Rudin had approached Natalya. She got up; her face expressed her confusion. Volintsev, who was sitting near her, got up too. 'I see a piano, began Rudin, with the gentle courtesy of a travelling prince; 'don't you play on it? 'Yes, I play, replied Natalya, 'but not very well. Here is Konstantin Diomiditch plays much better than I do. Pandalevsky put himself forward with a simper.
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