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 and gravelled walks. The old Beréstoff was mentally lamenting the labour and time lost on such unprofitable fancies, but considerately kept his thoughts to himself. His son did not participate either in the disapprobation of the practical landowner, or in the enthusiasm of the vain Anglomane; he was impatiently awaiting the appearance of his host's daughter, of whom he had heard much, and though his heart was, as we know, already full, youth and beauty still influenced his imagination.

Upon their return to the drawing-room, the three seated themselves; and while the old gentlemen revived reminiscences of the past days, and recapitulated anecdotes having reference to their services, Aleksèy was musing upon what part he had best enact in the presence of Lisa. He decided that cold indifference was under all circumstances the best suited. The door was opened; he turned his head with so much nonchalance, such cold carelessness, that the heart of the most inveterate coquette would have been set beating. But ill luck would have it that instead of Lisa there entered old Miss Jackson, who, painted and laced in, made a slight curtsey with lowered eyes, and Aleksèy's manly military bow was lost upon her. He had no time to prepare for a new effort, for the door was again opened^ and this time Lisa walked in. All rose; her father was about to introduce his guests, when he suddenly checked himself, and bit his lip. Lisa, his dark Lisa, was painted to her eyebrows, and rouged to an extent which outdid Miss Jackson herself: false curls, much lighter than her own hair, were arranged after the model of a Louis XIV. wig; sleeves, à l'imbecile