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Rh than usual. His eyes were screwed up, his wide lips were drawn tight, his whole face looked as it were sharper, and wore a dry, hard, almost surly expression.

'My friends,' he began, 'I've come to tell you that delay's out of the question. Get ready. It's time for you to go. You must be ready within an hour. You must go to your wedding. There's no news whatever from Paklin; his horses were first kept at Arzhano and then sent back. He remained there. Probably they took him to the town. He wouldn't tell tales, of course, but there's no knowing, he might let something out, perhaps. Besides, they might find out from the horses. My cousin has been told to expect you. Pavel will go with you. He will be the witness.'

'And you, Solomin Vassily?' asked Nezhdanov. 'Aren't you coming? I see you're dressed for a journey,' he added, glancing at the high boots Solomin was wearing.

'Oh, I put them on it's muddy out of doors.'

'But aren't you going to answer for us, Vassily?'

'I don't suppose any way, that's my affair. So in an hour's time. Marianna, Tatyana wants to see you. She has been preparing something out there.'