Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume X).djvu/96

Rh for having quite forgotten his aunt and himself, listened to fresh praises of that heart of gold, the princess, who had just sent Kupfer from Yaroslav a smoking-cap embroidered with fish-scales. . . and all at once, sitting just opposite Kupfer and looking him straight in the face, he announced that he had been a journey to Kazan. 'You have been to Kazan; what for?' 'Oh, I wanted to collect some facts about that. . . Clara Militch.' 'The one that poisoned herself?' 'Yes.' Kupfer shook his head. 'Well, you are a chap! And so quiet about it! Toiled a thousand miles out there and back. . . for what? Eh? If there 'd been some woman in the case now! Then I can understand anything ! anything ! any madness!' Kupfer ruffled up his hair. 'But simply to collect materials, as it 's called among you learned people. . . . I 'd rather be excused! There are statistical writers to do that job! Well, and did you make friends with the old lady and the sister? Isn't she a delightful girl?' 'Delightful,' answered Aratov, 'she gave me a great deal of interesting information.' 'Did she tell you exactly how Clara took poison?'