brother-in-law. What do you think of her?'
'I think she's a very agreeable and amiable lady . . . and, moreover, she 's very beautiful.'
'H'm! With what delicate precision you gentlemen from Petersburg express yourselves! . . . I can only admire it! Well . . . and as regards . . .' he began, but suddenly he scowled, his face darkened, and he did not complete his sentence. 'I see we must talk things over thoroughly', he began again. 'We can't do it here. Who the devil can tell? They 're listening at the door, I dare say. Do you know what I would suggest? To-day's Saturday; to-morrow, I suppose, you won't give my nephew any lessons? Will you?'
'I have a rehearsal of the week's work with him at three to-morrow.'
'A rehearsal! As if you were on the stage! It must be my sister who invents those expressions. Well, it's all the same. Would you care to come to me at once? My place is only eight miles from here. I have good horses: they fly like the wind─you shall stay the night, and spend the morning─and I'll bring you back to-morrow by three o'clock. Do you agree?'
'By all means,' said Nezhdanov. Ever since Markelov's entrance he had been in a state of excitement and embarrassment. His sudden
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