Page:Pushkin - Russian Romance (King, 1875).djvu/187

 stuck out like Madame de Pompadour's hoops; her waist was contracted into the shape of the letter X, and those of her mother's diamonds which had escaped being pawned sparkled on her fingers, her neck, and in her ears. Aleksèy could not possibly have recognized his Akulina under this ridiculous and gorgeous disguise. His father kissed her hand, and he, though vexed, followed his example; he fancied that the small white fingers trembled as he touched them, and he at the same time noticed her small foot, which was coquettishly shoe-strung and designedly thrust out. This somewhat reconciled him to the rest of her attire. As to the white and rouge we must avow that in the innocency of his heart he at first did not notice, and never afterwards suspected such a thing. Grigory Ivánovitch recollected his promise, and endeavoured not to show even a symptom of astonishment; but his daughter's joke appeared so ludicrous, that he could scarcely refrain from laughing. It did not, however, excite the risible faculties of the prime English-woman. She conjectured that the paints were produced from her drawers, and a deep blush of vexation was visible through the artificial whiteness of her face. She cast angry glances at the young offender, who, putting off all explanations to a more suitable occasion, did as if she saw them not.

They sat down to dinner. Aleksèy continued absent and thoughtful. Lisa looked prim, spoke through her teeth in a drawling voice, and only in French. Her father was watching her incessantly, not comprehending her object, but finding it all very amusing. The English-