"This is awful!" said Stepan Arkadyevitch. "I would do one

thing, Alexey Alexandrovitch. I beseech you, do it!" he said.

"No action has yet been taken, if I understand rightly. Before

you take advice, see my wife, talk to her. She loves Anna like a

sister, she loves you, and she's a wonderful woman. For God's

sake, talk to her! Do me that favor, I beseech you!"

Alexey Alexandrovitch pondered, and Stepan Arkadyevitch looked at

him sympathetically, without interrupting his silence.

"You will go to see her?"

"I don't know. That was just why I have not been to see you. I

imagine our relations must change."

"Why so? I don't see that. Allow me to believe that apart from

our connection you have for me, at least in part, the same

friendly feeling I have always had for you...and sincere esteem,"

said Stepan Arkadyevitch, pressing his hand. "Even if your worst

suppositions were correct, I don't--and never would--take on

myself to judge either side, and I see no reason why our

relations should be affected. But now, do this, come and see my

wife."

"Well, we look at the matter differently," said Alexey

Alexandrovitch coldly. "However, we won't discuss it."

"No; why shouldn't you come today to dine, anyway? My wife's

expecting you. Please, do come. And, above all, talk it over

with her. She's a wonderful woman. For God's sake, on my knees,

I implore you!"

"If you so much wish it, I will come," said Alexey

Alexandrovitch, sighing.

And, anxious to change the conversation, he inquired about what

interested them both--the new head of Stepan Arkadyevitch's

department, a man not yet old, who had suddenly been promoted to

so high a position.

Alexey Alexandrovitch had previously felt no liking for Count

Anitchkin, and had always differed from him in his opinions. But

now, from a feeling readily comprehensible to officials--that

hatred felt by one who has suffered a defeat in the service for

one who has received a promotion, he could not endure him.

"Well, have you seen him?" said Alexey Alexandrovitch with a

malignant smile.

"Of course; he was at our sitting yesterday. He seems to know

his work capitally, and to be very energetic."

"Yes, but what is his energy directed to?" said Alexey

Alexandrovitch. "Is he aiming at doing anything, or simply

undoing what's been done? It's the great misfortune of our

government--this paper administration, of which he's a worthy

representative."

"Really, I don't know what fault one could find with him. His

policy I don't know, but one thing--he's a very nice fellow,"

answered Stepan Arkadyevitch. "I've just been seeing him, and

he's really a capital fellow. We lunched together, and I taught

him how to make, you know that drink, wine and oranges. It's so

cooling. And it's a wonder he didn't know it. He liked it

awfully. No, really he's a capital fellow."




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