Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume VII).djvu/246

Rh Oh, yes! And I was meaning to go to her.

Marianna was moving to the door.

Something strange, something akin to terror, misery, came out on Nezhdanov's face.

'Marianna, are you going away, dear?' he said suddenly in a failing voice.

She stopped.

'I'll be back in half an hour. It won't take me long to pack.'

'Yes; but come to me.'

'Certainly, what for?'

'I wanted to have one more look at you.' He took a long, slow look at her. 'Good-bye, good-bye, Marianna!'

She was bewildered. 'Why what on earth am I talking about? I'm talking rubbish. Why, you'll be back in half an hour, won't you? Eh?'

'Of course.'

'To be sure, Forgive me. My head's reeling from want of sleep. I too will pack up directly.'

Marianna went out of the room. Solomin was about to follow her.

Nezhdanov stopped him.

'Vassily!'

'Well?'

'Give me your hand. I have to thank you, dear friend, for your hospitality.'