Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume VI).djvu/68

Rh 'He questioned Prince G. about me', Nezhdanov muttered thickly, taking up his position again at the window: he probably knows my whole story now.'

'Not probably, but certainly! What of it? I'll bet you it was just that that gave him the idea of taking you as a tutor! Say what you like, you 're an aristocrat yourself by blood, you know. And, of course, that means you're one of themselves! But I've stayed too long with you; it's time I was at the office, at the exploiter's! Good-bye for the present, my dear boy!'

Paklin was going towards the door, but he stopped and turned round.

'Listen, Alyosha,' he said in an ingratiating tone: 'you refused me just now; you will have money now, I know, but still allow me to make some sacrifice, however trifling, for the common cause! There's no other way I can help, so let me at least with my purse! Look; I put a ten-rouble bill on the table! Is it accepted?'

Nezhdanov made no answer, and did not stir.

'Silence gives consent! Thanks!' cried Paklin joyfully, and he disappeared.

Nezhdanov was left alone. He went oo staring through the window-pane into the dark narrow court, into which no ray of sunshine fell even in summer, and dark too was his face.