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 less wonderful and mysterious than was the life of Lohengrin and Elsa when he came down the stream to her, borne by the silver-winged swan."

"Ah, Lohengrin!" exclaimed Mashenka, mockingly, yet perhaps a little touched.

The young man looked at her and waited for her to say more. But Mashenka was silent and said no more until she reached her home. Then she stood still for a moment and looked in the young man's eyes.

"What am I to do with you, Mr. Lohengrin? You must go home or about your mysterious business. It's not convenient for you to come in just now."

His answering gaze was one of happiness and confusion, and so much hope that Mashenka felt obliged to say:

"Well, come to-morrow evening at eight o'clock. I will tell mother. I don't know what she'll say to me, but I daresay she will receive you."

So Mashenka went indoors to tell her mother what had happened and to prepare her for the young man's visit on the morrow. The mother grumbled a little.

"What's all this, Mashenka," said she.