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 Marya Constantìnovna, that in the present day one needs to be very particular in making new acquaintances," said he. "One can't make friends with everybody one meets; one ought to know beforehand something of the person one is dealing with."

"Yes, indeed," said Mashenka with a laugh. "Please be particular and don't try to get acquainted with me."

"Pardon me, Marya Constantìnovna," replied the young man seriously, "but that would be quite impossible."

"What would be impossible?" asked the young girl in astonishment.

"It is impossible for me not to get to know you," answered the young man quietly, "because at our first meeting at the opera when Lohengrin was being played—if you will allow me to remind you of that night—you made such an indelible impression on me that I felt at once that I loved you with a great and wonderful love. And so I couldn't help following you and getting to know all I could about you from the dvornik at your door."

Mashenka smiled and said:

"But it's no use your taking the trouble to find out about me. I have quite enough