Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume VII).djvu/109

Rh my dear!' she said 'We are beginning a new life. At last! at last! You wouldn't believe how charming and delightful this poor little lodging where we are only to spend a few days seems to me compared with that loathsome mansion! Tell me are you glad, dear?'

Nezhdanov took her hands and pressed them to his heart.

'I am happy, Marianna, that I am beginning this new life with you! You will be my guiding star, dear, my support, my strength.'

'Dearest Alyosha! But stay. I want to wash a little and make myself tidy. I'll go to my own room and you, stay here. One minute.'

Marianna went off into the other room, shut herself in, and a minute later half-opened the door, put her head in, and said, 'And oh! isn't Solomin nice!' Then she shut the door again, and the key clicked in the lock.

Nezhdanov went up to the window, and looked out into the little garden one old, very old apple-tree for some reason riveted his attention especially. He shook himself, stretched, began opening his trunk, and took nothing out of it; he fell to musing.

In a quarter of an hour Marianna returned with a beaming, freshly washed face, all gaiety