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During the whole time dinner lasted Vaninka and the general hardly exchanged a word, but although this silence was so expressive, Vaninka controlled her face with her usual power, and the general alone appeared sad and dejected. That evening, just when Vaninka was going downstairs, tea was brought to her room, with the message that the general was fatigued and had retired.
Foedor rose, his heart filled with inexplicable joy, and without being able to say what had caused this feeling, he only knew that it had made him absolutely happy, so that, although he was just about to leave Vaninka, he had never felt greater happiness in his life. The young man left dreaming golden dreams; for his future, be it gloomy or bright, was to be envied.
"You are a fool," said Vaninka, with a mixed smile of triumph and contempt; for from that moment she felt her superiority over Foedor, and saw that she would rule him like a queen for the rest of her life. "Then order me am I not your slave?" cried the young soldier. "You must stay here," said Vaninka. "Stay here?"
Seeing the young man, she uttered a cry, and, turning to the general, said, "Father, it is Foedor;" and the expression of her voice left no doubt of the sentiment which inspired it. "Foedor!" cried the general, springing forward and holding out his arms. Foedor did not know whether to throw himself at the feet of Vaninka or into the arms of her father.
For her part, Vaninka, although she was so proud, at the bottom of her heart took a keen interest in Foedor. He had left her with the certainty that he loved her, and during his absence her woman's pride had been gratified by the glory he had acquired, in the hope of bridging the distance which separated them.
"Foedor loves you," said the general, looking steadily at Vaninka. "I know that," said Vaninka, with as little emotion as if the question did not concern her. "You know that!" cried the general. "Yes; he has told me so." "When?" "Yesterday." "And you replied ?" "That he must leave here at once." "And he consented?" "Yes, father." "When does he go?" "He has gone."
A health to my lady Vaninka!" And Ivan held out his glass again, and Gregory filled it to the brim. "But does money," said Gregory, pressing Ivan more and more, "does money make up for scorn?" "Scorn!" said Ivan, "scorn! Who scorns me? Do you, because you are free? Fine freedom! I would rather be a well-fed slave than a free man dying of hunger."
"Let us stay until the house falls in on them, so that we may be certain that not one of them escapes." "Oh, my God!" cried Annouschka, falling on her knees, "have mercy upon my poor brother, for death will hurry him unprepared into Thy presence." "Yes, yes, pray; that is right," said Vaninka. "I wish to destroy their bodies, not their souls."
Then, through a strange reaction, Foedor felt his knees failing him, and he was obliged to lean against a wall to prevent himself from falling. At this moment, when he was about to see Vaninka again, this soul of his soul, for whom alone he had done so much, he dreaded lest he should not find her the same as when he had left her. Suddenly the dining-room door opened, and Vaninka appeared.
To-morrow your slaves, and the day after all St. Petersburg, will know that a man died of suffocation while concealed in your chamber. Reflect, my lady: your honour is the honour of your father, the honour of your family." "You are right," said Vaninka, shaking her head, as if to disperse the gloomy thoughts that burdened her brain, "you are right, but what must we do?"
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