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Updated: June 19, 2025
Lutchkov for the first moment gazed at her in perplexity, then he carelessly took off his sword, threw his hat on the floor, picked his way awkwardly among the arm-chairs, took Masha by the hand, and went round the circle, with no capering up and down nor stamping, as it were unwillingly performing an unpleasant duty.... Masha's heart beat violently. 'Why don't you dance? she asked him at last.
Avdey Ivanovitch was standing in a corner, looking indifferently at the dancers. 'How old is Mr. Lutchkov? she asked suddenly. 'Oh... thirty-five, I fancy, answered Kister. 'They say he's a dangerous man... hot-tempered, Masha added hurriedly. 'He is a little hasty... but still, he's a very fine man. 'They say every one's afraid of him. Kister laughed. 'And you? 'I'm a friend of his.
Of course, it's really more in your line; but the wench has no eyes, you see. I should have thought I wasn't worth looking at beside you. Lutchkov talked on a long while. But Kister did not hear him. His head was going round. He turned pale and passed his hand over his face.
Masha waited for the conclusion of his sentence. 'I don't know, though, what I'm telling you all this for.... There's no changing one's destiny... 'How can one know?... 'I know! responded Avdey gloomily. 'I am used to facing its blows! It struck Masha that this was not exactly the befitting moment for Lutchkov to rail against destiny.
'Yes, he said at last, almost aloud; 'she loves him: I will bring them together; I will justify her confidence in me. Though there was as yet nothing to prove a definite passion for Lutchkov on Masha's part, though, according to her own account, he only excited her curiosity, Kister had by this time made up a complete romance, and worked out his own duty in the matter.
Perekatov, with his characteristic politeness, conducted Lutchkov to the hall, pressed his hand feelingly, and begged him 'not to forget them'; then, having let out his guest, he observed with dignity to the footman that it would be as well for him to shave, and without awaiting a reply, returned with a careworn air to his own room, with the same careworn air sat down on the sofa, and guilelessly dropped asleep on the spot.
Whatever had been said by such an extraordinary though eccentric man, as she imagined Lutchkov, she would have understood everything, have excused anything, have believed anything.... But this burdensome, stupid silence! Tears of vexation were standing in her eyes. 'If he doesn't want to be open, if I am really not worthy of his confidence, why does he go on coming to see us?
Masha felt an inclination to defend Lutchkov, but she held her tongue. 'Yes, of course, she said rather carelessly; 'he is a queer fish, but still he's a nice man! 'Oh, yes!... Why didn't Fyodor Fedoritch come? 'He was unwell, I suppose. Ah! by the way, Fyodor Fedoritch wanted to make me a present of a puppy.... Will you let me? 'What? Accept his present? 'Yes. 'Of course.
Her soul was gently wandering in dreams. On the little table by her bedside the flower Lutchkov had picked lay in water in a clean glass. Masha, already in bed, sat up cautiously, leaned on her elbow, and her maiden lips softly touched the fresh white petals.... 'Well, Kister questioned his friend next day, 'do you like the Perekatovs? Was I right? eh? Tell me. Lutchkov did not answer.
The idea of the duel with Lutchkov was almost pleasant to him.... Once get free from the past, leap over this rock in his path, and then to float on an untroubled tide... 'Good, he thought, 'I shall be fighting to win my happiness. Masha's image seemed to smile to him, to promise him success. 'I'm not going to be killed! not I! he repeated with a serene smile.
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