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It makes people suppose that I am an egotist." Panshine made a brief pause. From whatever point he started a conversation, he generally ended by speaking about himself, and then his words seemed almost to escape from him involuntarily, so softly and pleasantly did he speak, and with such an air of sincerity. "It is so, even in your house," he continued. "Your mamma, it is true, is most kind to me.
Take it, take it please; it is I who wish to have the service performed for her. I didn't love her while she lived, but it must be confessed that she was a girl of character. She was clever. And then she didn't hurt you. And now go, and God be with you else I shall tire you." And Marfa Timofeevna embraced her nephew. "And Liza shall not marry Panshine; don't make yourself uneasy about that.
Lavretsky did not lose his temper, nor did he raise his voice; he remembered that Mikhalevich also had called him a retrograde, and, at the same time a disciple of Voltaire; but he calmly beat Panshine on every point.
He knew how to invest trifles with a half-ironical importance, and to behave with the air of one who treats all serious matters as trifles. He danced admirably; he dressed like an Englishman. In a short time he had gained the reputation of being one of the pleasantest and most adroit young men in St. Petersburg. Panshine really was very adroit not less so than his father had been.
Take care! you've a bite I hear," continued Lavretsky, after a short pause, "That M. Panshine has written a very charming romance." "Yes," replied Liza, "it is a small matter; but it isn't bad." "But what is your opinion about him himself?" asked Lavretsky. "Is he a good musician?" "I think he has considerable musical faculty. But as yet he has not cultivated it as he ought." "Just so.
Panshine was there, talking a great deal about his journey, and very amusingly mimicking the various proprietors he had met, and parodying their conversation. Lavretsky laughed, but Lemm refused to come out of his corner, where he remained in silence, noiselessly working his limbs like a spider, and wearing a dull and sulky look.
After writing several letters, and making a hasty dinner, he went to the Kalitines'. There he found no one in the drawing-room but Panshine, who told him that Maria Dmitrievna would come directly, and immediately entered into conversation with him in the kindest and most affable manner.
"Very good," said Lavretsky between his teeth. "Suppose I do this in this I shall be fulfilling my duty; well, but you in what does your duty consist?" "That I know perfectly well." Lavretsky suddenly shuddered. "Surely you have not made up your mind to many Panshine?" he asked. "Oh, no!" replied Liza, with an almost imperceptible smile. "Ah!
About the middle of the next day Lavretsky went to the Kalitines'. On his way there he met Panshine, who galloped past on horseback, his hat pulled low over his eyes. At the Kalitines', Lavretsky was not admitted, for the first time since he had made acquaintance with the family.
Liza looked over his shoulder at his work. "In drawing, as also in life in general," said Panshine, turning his head now to the right, now to the left, "lightness and daring those are the first requisites." At this moment Lemm entered the room, and after bowing gravely, was about to retire; but Panshine flung the album and pencil aside, and prevented him from leaving the room.
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