CHAPTER XII
On Sunday Tatiana Markovna had guests for the second breakfast. Thecovers had been removed from the purple damask-covered chairs in thereception room. Yakob had rubbed the eyes of the family portraits with adamp rag, and they appeared to look forth more sharply than on ordinarydays. The freshly waxed floors shone. Yakob himself paraded in a dresscoat and a white necktie, while Egorka, Petrushka and Stepka, the latterof whom had been fetched from the village and had not yet found his legs,had been put into old liveries which did not fit them and smelt of moth.The dining-room and the reception room had been fumigated just beforethe meal.
Tatiana Markovna herself, in a silk dress and shawl, with her cap on theback of her head, sat on the divan. Near her the guests had taken theirplaces in accordance with their rank and dignity. The place of honourwas occupied by Niel Andreevich Tychkov, in a dress coat with an order,an important old gentleman whose eyebrows met in his great fat face,while his chin was lost in his cravat. The consciousness of his dignityappeared in every gesture and in his condescending speech. Next him satthe invariably modest Tiet Nikonich, also in a dress coat, with a glanceof devotion for Tatiana Markovna, and a smile for all. Then followed thepriest in a silk gown with a broad embroidered girdle, the councillorsof the local court, the colonel of the garrison, ladies from the town;young officials who stood talking in undertones in a corner; young girls,friends of Marfinka, who timidly clasped their damp hands andcontinually changed colour; finally a proprietor from the neighbourhoodwith three half-grown sons.
When the company had already been assembled for some little time at thebreakfast-table, Raisky entered. He felt that he was playing the role ofan actor, fresh to the place, making his first appearance on theprovincial stage after the most varying reports had been spread abouthim.
Tatiana Markovna introduced him as "My nephew, the son of my late nieceSfonichka," though everybody knew who he was. Several people stood up togreet him. Niel Andreevich, who expected that he would come and speak tohim, gave him a friendly smile; the ladies pulled their dresses straightand glanced at the mirror; the young officials who were standing eatingoff their plates in the corner shifted from one foot to the other; andthe young girls blushed still more and pressed their hands as if dangerthreatened.
Raisky bowed to the assembled guests, and sat down beside his aunt onthe divan.
"Look how he throws himself down," whispered a young official to hisneighbour. "His Excellency is looking at him."
"Niel Andreevich has been wanting to see you for a long time," saidTatiana Markovna aloud, adding under her breath, "His Excellency, don'tforget." In the same low tone Raisky asked who the little lady was withthe fine teeth and the well-developed figure.
"Shame, Boris Pavlovich," and aloud, "Niel Andreevich, Borushka has beendesiring to present himself to you for a long time."
Raisky was about to reply when Tatiana Markovna pressed his hand,enjoining silence.
"Why have you not given me the pleasure of a visit from you before,"said Niel Andreevich with a kindly air. "Good men are always welcome.But it is not amusing to visit us old people, and the new generation donot care for us, do they? And you hold with the young people. Answerfrankly."
"I do not divide mankind into the old and the new generation," saidRaisky, helping himself to a slice of cake.
"Don't hurry about eating; talk to him," whispered Tatiana Markovna.
"I will eat and talk at the same time," he returned aloud.
Tatiana Markovna looked confused, and turned her back on him.
"Don't disturb him," continued Niel Andreevich. "Young people are likethat. I am curious to know how you judge men, Boris Pavlovich."
"By the impression they produce on me."
"Admirable. I like you for your candour. Let us take an example. What isyour opinion of me?"
"I am afraid of you."
Niel Andreevich laughed complacently.
"Tell me why. You may speak quite plainly."
"Why I am afraid of you? They say you find fault with everybody," hewent on, heedless of Tatiana Markovna's efforts to interrupt. "MyGrandmother tells me that you lectured one man for not having attendedMass."
Tatiana Markovna went hot all over, and taking off her cap, put it downbehind her.
"I am glad she told you that. I like to have my doings correctlyreported. Yes, I do lecture people sometimes. Do you remember?" heappealed to the young men at the door.
"At your service, your Excellency," answered one of them quickly,putting one foot forward and his hands behind his back. "I once receivedone."
"And why?"
"I was unsuitably dressed."
"You came to me one Sunday after Mass. I was glad to see you, butinstead of appearing in a dress coat, you came in a short jacket."
At this point Paulina Karpovna rustled in, wearing a muslin dress withwide sleeves so that her white arms were visible almost to the shoulder.She was followed by a cadet.
"What heat! _Bonjour, Bonjour_," she cried, nodding in alldirections, and then sat down on the divan beside Raisky.
"There is not room here," he said, and sat down on a chair beside her.
"Ah, Dalila Karpovna," remarked Niel Andreevich. "Good-day. How areyou?"
"Good-day," she answered drily, turning away.
"Why don't you bestow a kind glance on me, and let me admire yourswanlike neck!"
The young officials in the corner giggled, the ladies smiled, andPaulina Karpovna whispered to Raisky: "The rude creature. The first wordhe speaks is folly."
"Ah, you despise an old man. But if I were to seek for your hand? Do Ilook like a bridegroom, or am I too old for you?"
"I decline the honour. _Bonjour_, Natalie Ivanovna, where did youbuy that pretty hat, at Madame Pichet's?"
"My husband ordered it from Moscow, as a surprise for me."
"Very pretty."
"But listen seriously," cried Niel Andreevich insistently. "I am goingto woo you in earnest. I need a housekeeper, a modest woman, who is nocoquette, and has no taste for finery, who never glances at another man,and you are an example."
Paulina Karpovna pretended not to hear, but fanned herself and attemptedto draw Raisky into a conversation.
"In our esteem," went on Niel Andreevich, pitilessly, "you are a modelfor our mothers and daughters. At church your eyes remain fixed on thesacred picture without a moment's diversion, and never even perceive thepresence of young men...."
The giggling in the corner increased, the ladies made faces in theirefforts to restrain their laughter, and Tatiana Markovna tried to divertNiel Andreevich's attention from her guest, by herself addressing her,but he returned to the attack.
"You are as retiring as a nun," he went on, "never display your arms andshoulders, but bear yourself in accordance with your years."
"Why don't you leave me alone?" returned Paulina Karpovna, and turningto Raisky she added: "_Est-il bete, grossier_."
"Because I wish to marry you, we are a suitable pair."
"It will be difficult to find a wife for you."
"We are well matched. I was still an assessor when you married the lateIvan Egorovich. And that must be--"
"How hot it is! Stifling! Let us go into the garden. Please give me mymantilla, Michel," she said turning to the cadet who had come with her.
At this moment Vera appeared, and the company rose and crowded round her,so that the conversation took another turn. Raisky was bored by theguests, and by the exhibition he had just witnessed. He would have leftthe room, but that Vera's presence provided a strong incentive to remain.Vera looked quickly round at the guests, said a few words here and there,shook hands with the young girls, smiled at the ladies, and sat down ona chair by the stove. The young officials smoothed their coats, NielAndreevich kissed her hand with evident pleasure, and the girls fixedtheir eyes on her. Meanwhile Marfinka was busily employed in pouring outtime, handing dishes and particularly in entertaining her friends.
"Vera Vassilievna, my dear, do
take my part," cried Niel Andreevich.
"Is any one offending you?"
"Indeed there is. There is Dalila, no, Pelageia Karpovna--"
"Impertinent creature," said that lady aloud, as she rose and wentquickly towards the door.
Tatiana Markovna also rose. "Where are you going, Paulina Karpovna?" shecried. "Marfinka, do not let her go."
"No, no, Tatiana Markovna," came Paulina Karpovna's voice from the hall,"I am always grateful to you, but I do not wish to meet such a loon. Ifmy husband were alive, no man would dare...."
"Do not be vexed; he means nothing by it, but is in reality a decent oldgentleman."
"Please let me go. I will come again and see you when he is not here,"she said as she left the house in tears.
In the room she had left everyone was in gay humour, and Niel Andreevichcondescended to share the general laughter, in which however, neitherRaisky nor Vera joined. Paulina Karpovna might be eccentric, but thatdid not excuse either the loonish amusement of the people assembled orthe old man's attacks. Raisky remained gloomily silent, and shifted hisfeet ominously.
"She is offended and has departed," remarked Niel Andreevich, as TatianaMarkovna, visibly agitated returned, and resumed her seat in silence."It won't do her any harm, but will be good for her health. Sheshouldn't appear naked in society. This is not a bathing establishment."
At this point the ladies lowered their eyes, and the young girls grewcrimson, and pressed their hands nervously together.
"Neither should she stare about her in church and have young menfollowing her footsteps. Come, Ivan Ivanovich, you were once herindefatigable cavalier. Do you still visit her?" he asked a young manseverely.
"Not for a long time, your Excellency. I got tired of forever exchangingcompliments."
"It's a good thing you have given it up. What an example she sets towomen and young girls, going about dressed in pink with ribbons andfrills, when she is over forty. How can anybody help reading her alecture? You see," he added turning to Raisky, "that I am only a terrorto evildoers. Who has made you fear me?"
"Mark," answered Raisky, to the excitement of all present.
"What Mark?" asked Niel Andreevich, frowning.
"Mark Volokov, who is in exile here."
"Ah! that thief. Do you know him?"
"We are friends."
"Friends!" hissed the old man. "Tatiana Markovna, what do I hear?"
"Don't believe him, Niel Andreevich. He does not know what he is talkingabout. What sort of a friend of yours is he?"
"Why, Grandmother, did he not sup here with me and spend the night?Didn't you yourself give orders to have a soft bed made up for him?"
"Boris Pavlovich, for pity's sake, be silent," whispered his auntangrily.
But Tychkov was already looking at her with amazement, the ladies withsympathy, while the men stared and the young girls drew closer to oneanother. Vera looked round the company, thanking Raisky by a friendlyglance, and Marfinka hid behind her aunt.
"What a confession! You admitted this Barabbas under your roof," saidNiel Andreevich.
"Not I, Niel Andreevich. Borushka brought him in at night, and I did noteven know who was sleeping in his room."
"You go round with him at night? Don't you know that he is a suspiciouscharacter, an enemy of the administration, a renegade from Church andSociety. So he has been telling you about me?"
"Yes," Raisky said.
"By his description I am a wild beast, a devourer of men."
"No, you do not devour them, but you allow yourself, by what right Godonly knows, to insult them."
"And did you believe that?"
"Until to-day, no."
"And to-day?"
"To-day, I believe it," agreed Raisky to the terror and agitation of thecompany. Most of the officials present escaped to the hall, and stoodnear the door listening.
"How so," asked Niel Andreevich haughtily.
"Because you have just insulted a lady."
"You hear, Tatiana Markovna."
"Boris Pavlovich, Borushka," she said, seeking to restrain him.
"That old fashion-plate, that frivolous, dangerous woman!"
"What do her faults matter to you. Who gave you the right to judge otherpeople?"
"Who gave you the right, young man, to reproach me? Do you know that Ihave been in the service for forty years, and that no minister has evermade the slightest criticism to me."
"My right is that you have insulted a lady in my house. I should be amiserable creature to permit that. If you don't understand that, theworse for you."
"If you receive a person who is, to the knowledge of the whole town,a frivolous butterfly, dressing in a way unsuited to her age, andleaving unfulfilled her duties to her family...."
"Well, what then?"
"Then both you and Tatiana Markovna deserve to hear the truth. Yes, Ihave been meaning to tell you for a long time, Matushka."
"Frivolity, flightiness and the desire to please are not such terriblecrimes. But the whole town knows that you have accumulated money throughbribery that you robbed your own nieces and had them locked up in anasylum. Yet my Grandmother and I have received you in our house, and youtake it upon yourself to lecture us."
The guests who heard this indictment were horror-stricken. The ladieshurried out into the hall without taking leave of their hostess, therest followed them like sheep, and soon all were gone. Tatiana Markovnamotioned Marfinka and Vera to the door, but Marfinka alone obeyed theindication. As for Niel Andreevich he had become deadly pale.
"Who," he cried, "who has brought you these tales? Speak! That brigandMark? I am going straight to the Governor. Tatiana Markovna, if thisyoung man again sets foot in your house, you and I are strangers.Otherwise within twenty four hours, both he and you and your wholehousehold shall be transferred to a place where not even a raven canpenetrate with food. Who? Who told him? I will know. Who? Speak," hehissed, gasping for breath, and hardly knowing what he said.
"Stop talking rubbish, Niel Andreevich," commanded Tatiana Markovna,rising suddenly from her place. "You will explode with fury. Betterdrink some water. You ask who has said it. There is no secret about it,for I have said it, and it is common knowledge in the town."
"Tatiana Markovna!" shrieked Niel Andreevich."You have your deserts. Why make so much noise about it? In anotherperson's house you attack a woman, and that is not the action of agentleman."
"How dare you speak like that to me?"
Raisky would have thrown himself on him if his aunt had not waved himaside. Then with the commanding dignity she knew how to assume, she puton her cap, wrapt herself in her shawl, and went right up to NielAndreevich, while Raisky looked on in amazement, with a sense of his ownsmallness in her majestic presence.
"Who are you?" she began. "A clerk in the chancellery, an upstart. Andyet you dare to address a noblewoman with violence. You have too good anopinion of yourself, and have asked for your lesson, which you shallhave from me once and for all. Have you forgotten the days when you usedto bring documents from the office to my father, and did not dare to sitdown in my presence, when you used to receive gifts from my hand onfeast-days? If you were an honest man no one would reproach you. But youhave, as my nephew says, accumulated stolen wealth, and it has beenendured out of weakness. You should hold your tongue, and repent in yourold age of your evil life. But you are bursting, intoxicated with pride.Sober yourself and bow your head. Before you stands Tatiana MarkovnaBerezhkov, and also my nephew Boris Pavlovich Raisky. If I had notrestrained him he would have thrown you out of the house, but I preferthat he should not soil his hands with you; the lackeys are goodenough."
As she stood there with blazing eyes, she bore a close resemblance to aportrait of one of her ancestors that hung on the wall. Tychkov turnedhis eyes this way and that seemingly beside himself with rage.
"I shall write to St. Petersburg," he gasped, "the town is in danger."Then he slunk out, so agitated by her furious aspect that he dared notraise his eyes to her
face.
Tatiana Markovna maintained her proud bearing, though her fingersgrasped nervously at her shawl. Raisky approached her hesitatingly,seeing in her, not his aunt, but another, and to him an almost unknownwoman.
"I did not understand the majesty of your temperament. But I make my bow,not as a grandson before to an honoured grandmother, but as man to woman.I offer you my admiration and respect, Tatiana Markovna, best of women,"he said, kissing her hand.
"I accept your courtesy, Boris Pavlovich, as an honour which I havedeserved. Do you accept for your honourable championship the kiss, notof a grandmother, but of a woman."
As she kissed him on the cheek, he received another kiss from the otherside.
"This kiss is from another woman," said Vera in a low voice as she leftthe room, before Raisky's outstretched arms could reach her.
"Vera and I have not spoken to one another, but we have both understoodyou. We do, in fact, talk very little, but we resemble one another,"said Tatiana Markovna.
"Granny, you are an extraordinary woman!" cried Raisky, looking at herwith as much enthusiasm as if he saw her for the first time.
"Drive to the Governor's, Borushka, and tell him exactly what hashappened so that the other party may not be first with his lyingnonsense. I am going to beg Paulina Karpovna's pardon."