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 "Yes, you've told me that before," said Mashenka, "but I want to know who you are and what is your occupation."

The thought suddenly came to her that by so speaking she was giving the young man some hope of getting to know her. She felt vexed with herself. But her companion answered:

"Pardon me, Marya Constantìnovna, why is it necessary for you to know that?"

"Ah, that's quite true," said Mashenka, "it's nothing at all to do with me. I hope you'll go away now."

But his answer had really made her angry, and this added to her former vexation. She suddenly wished to make him see that she had a right to question him, and not being able to master this imprudent desire, she continued:

"Well, you say that you want me to introduce you to my mother; how can I do that without knowing? Shall I say to her, 'Mother, this is a man who has fallen in love with me!

"Yes, just that," said he.

"What foolishness!" said Mashenka. "How is that possible?"

"Why is it not possible if it's the truth," said Lohengrin.