CHAPTER XXXIV
Raisky and Tushin had been talking all the evening, and for the firsttime in their lives observed one another closely, with the result thatboth felt a desire for a closer acquaintance. Tushin asked Raisky to behis guest for a week, to have a look at the forest, the steam-saw, andthe timber industry. Raisky accepted, and the next day they crossed theriver together in Tushin's boat.
Vera's name did not cross their lips. Each was conscious that the otherknew his secret. Raisky in any case had learned of Tushin's offer, ofhis behaviour on that occasion, and of his part in the whole drama fromVera herself. His jealous prejudices had instantly vanished, and he feltnothing but esteem and sympathy for Tushin. As he studied thepersonality of Vera's friend, as his fancy did him its usual service ofputting the object, not in itself a romantic one, in the best light, headmired Tushin's simplicity and frankness.
After a week spent at "Smoke," after seeing him at home, in the factory,in field and forest, after talking through the night with him by theflickering light of the fire, he understood how Vera's eye and heartshould have recognised the simple completeness of the man and placedTushin side by side with Tatiana Markovna and her sister in heraffections. Raisky himself was attracted to this simple, gentle and yetstrong personality, and would like to have stayed longer at "Smoke," butTatiana Markovna wrote asking him to return without delay as hispresence was necessary at Malinovka.
Tushin offered to drive with him, for company's sake, as he said; inreality he wanted to know why Tatiana Markovna had sent for Raisky,whether there was a new turn in Vera's affairs, or any service to berendered her. He remembered uncomfortably his meeting with Mark, and howunwillingly he had said that he was going away. Tushin wonderedanxiously whether he had kept his promise, whether he was annoying Verain any way.
When Raisky reached Malinovka he hurried straight to Vera. While hisimpressions were still fresh, he drew in vivid colours a full lengthportrait of Tushin, describing his surroundings and his activities withsympathetic appreciation.
Vera sighed, perhaps for sorrow that she did not love Tushin more anddifferently.
Raisky would have gone on talking about his visit if he had not had amessage from his aunt that she would like to see him immediately. Heasked Vera if she knew why he had been sent for.
"I know something is wrong, but she has not told me, and I don't like toask. Indeed, I fear...."
She broke off, and at that moment Tushin sent in word to know if shewould receive him. She assented.
When Raisky entered her room, Tatiana Markovna dismissed Pashutka andlocked the door. She looked worried and old, and her appearanceterrified Raisky.
"Has something disagreeable happened?" he asked, sitting down oppositeher.
"What is done is done," she said sadly.
"I am sitting on needles, Grandmother. Tell me quickly."
"That old thief Tychkov has had his revenge on us both. He wormed out atale about me from a crazy old woman, but this has had no specialresults, for people are indifferent to the past, and in any case I standwith one foot in the grave, and don't care about myself, but Vera--"
"What about Vera, Grandmother?"
"Her secret has ceased to be a secret. Rumours are going about the town.At first I did not understand why on Sunday at church, theVice-governor's wife asked me twice after Vera's health, and why two otherladies listened curiously for my answers. I looked round, and read onevery face the same question, what was the matter with Vera? I said shehad been ill, but was better again. Then there were further questions,and I extricated myself with difficulty. The real misfortune, thank God,is concealed. I learned from Tiet Nikonich yesterday, that the gossip ison the wrong track. Ivan Ivanovich is suspected. Do you remember that onMarfinka's birthday he said not a word, but sat there like a mute, untilVera came in, when he suddenly woke up. The guests, of course, noticedit. In any case it has long been no secret that he loves Vera, and hehas no arts of concealment. People said that they vanished into thegarden, that Vera went later to the old house and Tushin drove away. Doyou know what he came for?"
Raisky nodded.
"Vera and Tushin are coupled together in everybody's mouth."
"You said that Tychkov had dragged me in too."
"Paulina Karpovna did that. She went out to find you in the evening whenyou were out late with Vera. You said something to her, apparently injest, which she understood in her own way, and she has involved you.They say she had alienated you from Vera, with whom you were supposed tobe in love, and she keeps on repeating that she dragged you from theprecipice. What had you to do with her, and what is the tale about Vera?Perhaps you had been in her confidence for a long time, and you bothkept silence with me--this is what your freedom has brought you to." Shesighed.
"That silly old bird got off too easily," said Raisky, clenching hisfists. "To-morrow I will have it out with her."
"You have found someone whom you can call to account. What is the use ofreproaching her? She is ridiculous, and no one cares what she says. Butthe old chatterbox Tychkov has established that on Marfinka's birthday,Vera and Tushin had a long conversation in the avenue, that the daybefore she stayed out far into the night, and was subsequently ill, andhe has put his own construction on Paulina Karpovna's tale. He istrumpeting it in the town that it was not with you, but with Tushin thatshe was walking about at night. Then to crown all a drunken old womanmade revelations about me. Tychkov has extracted everything...."
Tatiana's eyes dropped, and her face flushed for a moment.
"That is another story," said Raisky seriously, striding up and down theroom. "The lesson you gave him was not sufficient. I will try arepetition of it."
"What do you mean? God forbid that you should. You will try to provethat the tale is not true, which is not difficult; it is only necessaryto know where Ivan Ivanovich spent the evening before Marfinka'sbirthday. Supposing he was in his forest, then people will ask who waswith Vera in the park. The Kritzki woman saw you at the top of theprecipice, and Vera was--"
"What is to be done?" asked Raisky in fear for Vera.
"God's judgments are put in the mouths of men," whispered TatianaMarkovna sadly, "and they must not be despised. We must humble ourselves,and our cup is apparently not yet full."
Conscious of the difficulties of their position, both were silent.Vera's retired way of life, Tushin's devotion to her, her independenceof her aunt's authority, were familiar and accustomed facts. ButRaisky's attentions to her wrapped this simple situation in anuncertainty, which Paulina Karpovna had noticed, and had naturally notkept to herself. It was not only Tatiana Markovna who had marked outTushin as Vera's probable husband. The town expected two great events,Marfinka's marriage with Vikentev which was about to take place, and, inno distant future, Tushin's marriage with Vera. Then suddenly there werethese incomprehensible, unexpected happenings. On her sister's birthdayVera appeared among the guests only for a moment, hardly spoke to anyone,then vanished into the garden with Tushin, and afterwards to the oldhouse, while Tushin left without even saying good-bye to his hostess.
Paulina Markovna had related how Raisky, on the eve of the familyfestival, had gone out for a walk with Vera.
Following on this Vera had fallen ill, then Tatiana Markovna, no one wasadmitted to the house, Raisky wandered about like one possessed, and thedoctors gave no definite report.
There was no word or sign of a wedding. Why had Tushin not made hisoffer, and if he made it, why was it not accepted? People surmised thatRaisky had entrapped Vera; if so, why did he not marry her. They weredetermined to know who was wrong and who was right, and to give judgmentaccordingly. Both Tatiana Markovna and Raisky were conscious of all this,and feared the verdict for Vera's sake.
"Grandmother," said Raisky at last, "you must tell Ivan Ivanovich thisyourself, and be guided by what he says. I know his character now, andam confident that he will decide on the right course. He loves Vera, andcares more for what happens to her than to himself. He came over theVolga w
ith me because your letter to me made him anxious about Vera.When you have talked this over with him, I will go to Paulina Karpovna,and perhaps see Tychkov as well."
"I am determined you shall not meet Tychkov."
"I must," replied Raisky.
"I will not have it, Boris. No good can come of it. I will follow youradvice and speak to Ivan Ivanovich; then we will see whether you need goto Paulina Karpovna. Ask Ivan Ivanovich to come here, but say not a wordto Vera. She has heard nothing so far, and God grant that she neverwill."
Raisky went to Vera, and his place with Tatiana Markovna was taken byTushin.
Tatiana Markovna could not disguise her agitation when Ivan Ivanovichentered her room. He made his bow in silence.
"How did you find Vera?" she asked, after a pause.
"She seemed to be well and calm."
"God grant that she is! But how much trouble all this has caused you,"she added in a low voice, trying to avoid his eyes.
"What does that matter, if Vera Vassilievna has peace."
"She was beginning to recover, and I too felt happier, so long as ourdistress was concealed." Tushin started as if he had been shot. "IvanIvanovich," continued Tatiana Markovna, "there is all sorts of gossip inthe town. Borushka and I in a moment of anger tore the mask from thathypocrite Tychkov--you have no doubt heard the story. Such an outburstill fitted my years, but he had been blowing his own trumpet soabominably that it was unendurable. Now he, in his turn, is tearing themask from us."
"From you? I don't understand."
"When he gossipped about me, no one took any heed, for I am alreadycounted with my fathers. But with Vera it is different, and they havedragged your name into the affair."
"Mine? with Vera Vassilievna's? Please tell me what the talk is."
When Tatiana Markovna had told the story he asked what she wished him todo.
"You must clear yourself," she said. "You have been beyond reproach allyour life, and must be again. As soon as Marfinka's wedding is over Ishall settle on my estate at Novosselovo for good. You should make hasteto inform Tychkov that you were not in the town on the day beforeMarfinka's fete-day, and consequently could not have been at theprecipice."
"It ought to be done differently."
"Do just as you like, Ivan Ivanovich. But what else can you say?"
"I would rather not meet Tychkov. He may have heard through others thatI certainly was in the town; I was spending a couple of days with afriend. I shall spread it about that I did visit the precipice on thatevening with Vera Vassilievna, although that is not the case. I mightadd that I had offered her my hand and had met with a refusal, by whichyou, Tatiana Markovna, who gave me your approval, were aggrieved; thatVera Vassilievna felt bitterly the breach of our friendship. One mighteven speak of a distant hope ... of a promise...."
"People will not be kept quiet by that, for a promise cannot alwaysremain a promise."
"It will be forgotten, Tatiana Markovna, especially if you, as you say,leave the neighbourhood. If it is not forgotten, and you and VeraVassilievna are further disturbed, it is still possible," he added in alow tone, "to accept my proposal."
"Ivan Ivanovich," said Tatiana Markovna reproachfully, "do you thinkVera and I are capable of such a thing? Are we to avail ourselves ofyour past affection and your generosity merely to still malicious gossip,to stifle talk for which there is a basis of truth. Neither you nor Verawould find happiness in that way."
"There is no question of generosity, Tatiana Markovna. If a foreststands in one's way, it must be hewn down; bold men see no barrier inthe sea, and hew their way through the rock itself. Here there is noobstacle of forest, sea, or rock. I am bridging the precipice, and myfeet will not tremble when I cross the bridge. Give me Vera Vassilievna.No devil should disturb my happiness or her peace of mind, if she livedto be a hundred. She will be my Tsaritsa, and in the peace that reignsin my forest will forget all that now oppresses her. You don't yetunderstand me!"
"I do," whispered Tatiana Markovna tearfully, "but the decision does notlie with me."
He passed his hands across his eyes and through his thick hair, thenseized her hands.
"Forgive me, I forgot the important point. It is not mountain, forest orsea, but an insurmountable obstacle that confronts me--Vera Vassilievnais not willing. She looks forward to a happier future than I can offerher. You sent for me to let me know of the gossip there is going about,in the view that it must be painful, didn't you? Do not let it disturbeither yourself or Vera Vassilievna, but take her away, so that no wordof it penetrates to her ears. In the meantime I will spread in the townthe account we have discussed. That man," he could not bring Mark's nameover his lips, "leaves the town to-morrow or the day after, and all willbe forgotten. As for me, since it is decided that Vera Vassilievna isnot to be my wife, it does not matter whether I die or live."
Tatiana Markovna, pale and trembling, interrupted him.
"She will be your wife," she said, "when she has learnt to forget. Iunderstand for the first time how you love Vera."
"Do not lure me on with false hopes, for I am not a boy. Who can give mesecurity that Vera Vassilievna will ever...."
"I give you that security."
His eyes shone with gratitude as he took her hand. Tatiana Markovna feltthat she had gone too far, and had promised more than she could perform.She withdrew her hand, and said soothingly: "She is still very unhappy,and would not understand at present. First of all she must be leftalone."
"I will wait and hope," he said in a low tone. "If only I might, likeVikentev, call you Grandmother."
She signed to him to leave her. When he had gone she dropped on to herchair, and covered her face with her handkerchief.