Page:Sologub Sweet Scented Name.djvu/46

 Turandina is a very dear girl, beautiful, intelligent, very good and capable, and well brought up. In short, she is everything that one could wish. But you ought to remember that you have no money, and neither has she.

"It will be difficult for two people to live in Petersburg on the money your father allows you.

"Especially with a princess.

"You must remember that in spite of her sweet ways she's probably accustomed to live in good style.

"She has very small soft hands. True, she has been very modest here, and you say she was barefoot when you met her first and had very little clothing. But we don't know what kind of garments she will want to wear in a town."

Peter Antònovitch himself was rather pessimistic at first. But by and by he remembered how he had found a dress for Turandina in the little bag. A bold thought came into his mind, and he smiled and said:

"I found a house-frock for Turandina in her little bag. Perhaps if I were to rummage in it again I might find a ball-dress for her."

But the teacher's wife, a kind young