Page:Pushkin - Russian Romance (King, 1875).djvu/255

 here?" asked he. "Yes," answered the young servant. "What dost thou want her for?" The station-master, without saying a word, entered the ante-room. "You cannot come in, you cannot come in," shouted the girl after him—"Avdotia Samsónovna has visitors." But the station-master walked on without heeding her. The first two rooms were dark, there were lights in the third. He approached the open door and stopped; Minsky was seated thoughtfully in this richly furnished apartment.  Dounia, dressed in all the luxury of fashion, was sitting on the arm of his easy-chair, like a horsewoman in her English saddle, looking tenderly down upon Minsky, and twisting his dark curls with her jewelled fingers. Poor station-master! Never had he seen his daughter looking so beautiful! He could not help admiring her. "Who is there?" asked she, without raising her head. He remained silent. Not receiving any reply, Dounia looked up—and uttering a cry, fell to the floor. The alarmed Minsky rushed to raise her, but on becoming aware of the old station-master's presence, he left Dounia and approached him, quivering with rage: "What dost thou want?" said he, clenching his teeth. "Why dost thou track me, as if I were a brigand? Dost thou want to murder me? Be off!" And seizing the old man by the collar, with a strong arm he pushed him down the stairs.

The old man returned to his rooms. His friend advised him to lodge a complaint; but the station-master having reflected awhile, waved his hand, and decided upon giving it up. Two days later he left St. Petersburg, and returned direct to his station, where he resumed his