Page:Chernyshevsky.whatistobedone.djvu/151

Rh Viérotchka blushed.

"To the Nevsky Prospekt, mámenka."

"Then I am going with you, Viérotchka; I have an errand at the Gostinui Dvor. What did you put on such a dress as that for, Viérotchka, when you say you are going to the Nevsky. You ought to put on a better one when you are going to the Nevsky; folks'll see you."

"I like this dress. Just wait one second, mámenka; I want to get just one thing out of my room."

They start; they go. They reached the Gostinui Dvor. They were going along the block that runs parallel with Sadovaïa Street; they are not far from the Nevsky corner, and here is Ruzanof's shop.

"Mámenka, I have two words to tell you."

"What is the matter with you, Viérotchka?"

"Good by, mámenka. I don't know whether we shall meet again soon. If you don't get angry, it'll be to-morrow."

"What is it, Viérotchka? I cannot understand it, somehow?"

"Good by, mámenka; I am going to my husband. Dmitri Sergéitch and I were married three days ago. Drive to Karavannaïa Street, Izvoshchik."

"A quarter, lady."

"All right; only be quick about it. He will call upon you this evening, mámenka; and don't get angry with me, mámenka."

These words hardly reached Marya Alekséyevna's ears.

"Don't drive to Karavannaïa Street; I only said so as to get away from that lady as quickly as I could. Go to the left down Nevsky. I must go much further than Karavannaïa Street, to the Vasilyevsky Island, the fifth block behind the Middle Prospekt. Drive fast; I will give you a good fee."

"Akh! lady, you were pleased to fool me. You'll have to give me half a ruble."

"If you drive fast."

wedding had been managed in simple, and yet far from common fashion.

Two days after the conversation which resulted in their engagement, Viérotchka was delighted at her approaching