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 "I am coming to see you to-morrow!" cried Stepan Arkadyevitch.

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch shut himself up in his carriage, and crouched down in one corner so as not to see and not to be seen.

"What a strange fellow!" said Stepan Arkadyevitch to his wife; and looking at his watch he made an affectionate sign of farewell to his wife and children, and started off down the sidewalk at a brisk pace.

"Stiva, Stiva!" cried Dolly, blushing. He came back.

"I must have some money for the children's cloaks. Give me some."

"No matter about that. Tell them that I will settle the bill."

And he disappeared, gayly nodding to some acquaintance as he went. CHAPTER VII

next day was Sunday, and Stepan Arkadyevitch went to the Bolshoï or Great Theater, to attend the rehearsal of the ballet, and gave the coral necklace to Masha Chibisovaya, the pretty dancing-girl who was making her début under his protection, as he had promised the day before, and behind the scenes in the dim twilight of the theater he seized his opportunity and kissed her pretty little face glowing with pleasure at his gift. Besides fulfilling his promise as to the coral necklace, he wanted to arrange with her for an assignation after the ballet. Having explained to her that he could not possibly manage to be present at the beginning of the ballet, he promised to come for the next act and take her out for supper.

From the theater Stepan Arkadyevitch went to the Okhotnui Ryad, himself selected a fish and asparagus for the dinner; and at noon he went to Dusseaux's, where three travelers, friends of his, by happy chance were stopping,—Levin, just returned from his journey