Chapter 21

BeforeBetsyhadtimetowalkoutofthedrawing-room,shewasmetinthedoorwaybyStepanArkadyevitch,whohadjustcomefromYeliseev’s,whereaconsignmentoffreshoystershadbeenreceived.

“Ah!princess!whatadelightfulmeeting!”hebegan.“I’vebeentoseeyou.”

“Ameetingforoneminute,forI’mgoing,”saidBetsy,smilingandputtingonherglove.

“Don’tputonyourgloveyet,princess;letmekissyourhand.There’snothingI’msothankfultotherevivaloftheoldfashionsforasthekissingthehand.”HekissedBetsy’shand.“Whenshallweseeeachother?”

“Youdon’tdeserveit,”answeredBetsy,smiling.

“Oh,yes,Ideserveagreatdeal,forI’vebecomeamostseriousperson.Idon’tonlymanagemyownaffairs,butotherpeople’stoo,”hesaid,withasignificantexpression.

“Oh,I’msoglad!”answeredBetsy,atonceunderstandingthathewasspeakingofAnna.Andgoingbackintothedrawing-room,theystoodinacorner.“He’skillingher,”saidBetsyinawhisperfullofmeaning.“It’simpossible,impossible....”

“I’msogladyouthinkso,”saidStepanArkadyevitch,shakinghisheadwithaseriousandsympatheticallydistressedexpression,“that’swhatI’vecometoPetersburgfor.”

“Thewholetown’stalkingofit,”shesaid.“It’sanimpossibleposition.Shepinesandpinesaway.Hedoesn’tunderstandthatshe’soneofthosewomenwhocan’ttriflewiththeirfeelings.Oneoftwothings:eitherlethimtakeheraway,actwithenergy,orgiveheradivorce.Thisisstiflingher.”