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+Project Gutenberg's Mimi's Marriage, by Lidia Ivanovna Veselitskaya
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
+other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
+the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
+to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
+
+Title: Mimi's Marriage
+
+Author: Lidia Ivanovna Veselitskaya
+
+Translator: C. Hagberg Wright
+
+Release Date: March 11, 2018 [EBook #56719]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIMI'S MARRIAGE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Marc D'Hooghe at Free Literature (Images
+generously made available by the Internet Archive.)
+
+
+
+
+
+MIMI'S MARRIAGE
+
+V. MIKOULITCH
+
+(LIDIA IVANOVNA VESELITSKAYA)
+
+TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN
+
+WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
+
+C. HAGBERG WRIGHT, LL.D.
+
+T. FISHER UNWIN LTD.
+
+ADELPHI TERRACE, LONDON
+
+1915
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+The genius of Turgeniev and Tolstoy, of Dostoevsky and Gorky, has given
+fame and distinction to the Russian novel, but while the principal
+works of these great writers and their fellows are well known to
+English readers, the women novelists of Russia have been left almost
+untouched by the translator. Yet there are many authoresses of talent
+in the literary world of Russia at the present day; notably Madame
+Dmitrieva, born 1859, of peasant parents. Her first novel was entitled
+_From the Heart not from the Head._ Two of her best-known books are
+_Mityukha, the Schoolmaster,_ and _In Various Directions._ She has said
+that "her first school was the village street, and her teachers, the
+grey old village folk and dire need."
+
+Other writers of ability are Olga Chumina (born 1864), who has
+translated several poems by Francis Coppée, and also produced a play
+entitled _The Flicker that Went Out;_ Madame Smirnov, author of the
+powerful novel, _The Salt of the Earth;_ M. V. Krestovskaya (born
+1862), whose stories of theatrical life have the charm of simplicity
+and truth, and whose _Woman-Artist_ appeared in the _Journal des
+Débats;_ Madame Verbitskaya, who attained an extraordinary popularity
+with her daring novel _The Keys of Happiness;_ and Madame Lidia
+Ivanovna Veselitskaya, who, under the pseudonym of V. Mikoulitch, has
+written sketches of Russian society which are full of humour and clever
+characterisation. The best known are the series entitled _Mimi's
+Marriage, Mimi_ (or Mimotchka) _at the Springs,_ and _Mimi Poisons
+Herself,_ which have been translated into no less than six European
+languages.
+
+The writer of these genial satires on the weaknesses of her sex was
+born in 1857. She belonged to a noble family with estates in Southern
+Russia, and was educated at the Pavlovsk Institute, one of the great
+schools for women in Russia. Soon after her debut in society, she
+married an officer in the Russian army.
+
+She began her literary career with some simple tales intended for
+young people; _Family Evenings, In the Family and in the School,_
+and _Of Children's Reading,_ but in 1883 she struck a bolder note
+with _Mimotchka, the Bride,_ or _Mimi's Marriage,_ which made its
+first appearance in the _Vestnik Evropy,_ a leading Russian monthly
+review. But it was not until the second of the series, _Mimotchka at
+the Springs,_ was published seven years later that "V. Mikoulitch"
+sprang to her present position of widespread popularity. The witty
+superficiality of the chapters descriptive of Mimi's girlhood develops
+in _Mimi at the Springs_ into a brilliant, incisive study of a selfish,
+empty-headed, and exceedingly pretty young woman. The analysis of her
+character is so penetrating and pitiless that Tolstoy, who admired the
+book, remarked that "the author must be a man, as no woman would be so
+frank in writing of her own sex."
+
+Mimi bears a surface resemblance to Anna Karenina, but she escapes the
+whirl-pool of passion that engulfed Tolstoy's ill-starred heroine,
+and glides almost unscathed through the romantic episode of _l'homme
+au chien._ The latter, though only lightly sketched in, is a cleverly
+suggested portrait of a cultivated and elegant Russian of the
+wealthy upper classes who, if he permits himself an occasional lapse
+from conjugal fidelity, trims the balance by the "correction" of his
+manners. He is a past master in the art of guiding a novice through the
+mazes of flirtation and emerging free from entanglement.
+
+At the end of it all Mimi's heart is touched but not broken. Perhaps
+she Was even slightly disillusioned by the calmness with which her
+"correct" admirer met the crisis of her departure from the Caucasus.
+
+The secondary characters are also well drawn; notably that of the
+mother of Mimi, a self-sacrificing "doormat" whose mission in life
+is to make things smooth for her cherished daughter; but to those
+who seek to discover the personality of an author through the medium
+of his puppets, and are ready to find a veiled autobiography in the
+career of the hero or heroine, it may be suggested that the character
+of Vava, the lonely, idealistic, day-dreaming cousin of Mimi, is far
+nearer to the writer's heart than the fascinating heroine who fills the
+title-role.
+
+Vava has many traits in common with the boy-hero of Tolstoy's
+_Childhood,_ which is only another way of saying that in Russia young
+people of both sexes are more thoughtful, introspective, and inclined
+to philosophise upon abstract subjects than the romps and tomboys of
+our English nurseries and schoolrooms.
+
+The sympathetic earnestness of the description of Vava's love of
+solitude in the Caucasian woods, amounts to an avowal that the author
+also has felt the joy of loneliness shared with crickets, lady-birds,
+butterflies, and bees, "while over her head a great eagle soars calmly
+up, as if carrying on his broad wings her dreams, her hopes, and her
+faith in God." In scenes like these the prevailing tone of playful
+irony yields to one of genuine emotion, and one is tempted to wish that
+the writer had given her inner convictions fuller play. V. Mikoulitch
+has, however, struck a deeper note of human feeling in her recent story
+of humble life entitled _The Bath--_ a village tragedy turning upon
+the incident of the theft of an old woman's petticoat in the public
+bath-house; but it seems doubtful whether her success in this new vein
+will equal that of her earlier works.
+
+To the background of _Mimi at the Springs_ may be ascribed some measure
+of its popularity. The Caucasus has inspired many of the greatest of
+the writers of Russia, and to the Russian reading public it is still
+dear as the land of legend and romance.
+
+Pushkin, Lermontov, Tolstoy (in his early masterpiece _The Cossacks,_)
+have each revelled in the beauty of the great southern mountain range,
+with its luxuriant forests, its snow-clad peaks, and innumerable
+springs of mineral water.
+
+The Slav temperament, with its swift transitions from feverish gaiety
+to nervous exhaustion, finds peculiar relief in reverting to the simple
+life of the Caucasian watering-places. There many a disgraced official
+or disappointed genius has regained contentment if not happiness, and
+realised, despite the pain of exile, that there is a sweetness in
+adversity.
+
+In describing the scenery of the Caucasus, V. Mikoulitch has followed
+not unworthily in the steps of her great fore-runners, and shown that
+her cynicism is the mere protective armour of one who is at heart an
+idealist.
+
+A sequel, _Mimi Poisons Herself,_ appeared in the _Vestnik Evropy_
+in 1893, but was received more coldly than its predecessor, owing,
+perhaps, to the disappointment of readers with a taste for tragedy,
+since Mimi does not succeed in poisoning herself after all.
+
+C. HAGBERG WRIGHT.
+
+
+
+
+MIMI'S MARRIAGE
+
+
+I
+
+MIMOTCHKA--_is engaged!_ Mimotchka[1] is once more engaged, and this
+time, it seems, engaged in earnest. She receives congratulations, pays
+visits to her relations, and accepts presents from them. Her aunts
+question her with curiosity and interest about the details of her
+trousseau; her uncles bring their best wishes, joking at Mimotchka
+and teasing her, while Mimotchka slightly blushes and casts down her
+innocent-looking eyes.
+
+"And are you very much in love with your _fiancé?_" they ask Mimotchka.
+
+[1] Mimotchka, or Mimi, is sometimes used as a diminutive name for
+Marie.
+
+"As yet, I know my _fiancé_ too little to be in love with him, but I
+... respect him," she answers.
+
+What a reply! Nobody had expected she would answer so _cleverly._ All
+the aunts think she has answered very cleverly, though up till now
+Mimotchka had never shown any more cleverness than would be required of
+so pretty a girl as she.
+
+She respected her _fiancé._ And really Spiridon Ivanovitch was quite
+worthy of her respect. He was well off, had a good rank, and occupied
+a sufficiently prominent position in the Government service; he was no
+longer very young, but still he was not very old; he was not handsome,
+was bald, perhaps rather too stout, but still he was a fine-looking
+man, and might have aspired to a rich bride.
+
+And really how lucky Mimotchka is I know that many girls of her age
+among her friends, and especially their mothers, are ready to burst
+with envy and vexation that they could not get Spiridon Ivanovitch
+for themselves, and say that he was mercilessly hunted down, and that
+Mimotchka was thrown at his head.... But, goodness me, what won't
+envious women's tongues say! Instead of repeating such absurdities, let
+us rather rejoice with Mimotchka, rejoice with our whole heart, as do
+her good aunts.
+
+"Well, thank God, thank God!" says Aunt Sophy; "I am so glad about
+Mimotchka. I do hope she will be happy with him. It's just as well that
+he isn't young; Mimi is still such a child, she requires an elderly,
+serious man...."
+
+"Of course it's best that he isn't young," confirms Aunt Mary; "it's
+easier to keep such a husband under her thumb. And, as a good aunt, I
+advise you, Mimotchka, to take your Spiridon Ivanovitch well in hand in
+time."
+
+"I told you that everything was for the best," says Aunt Julia, in
+conclusion. "Just think how fortunate it is that you 'broke it off'
+with that other good-for-nothing fellow!"
+
+And really everything was for the best. Mimotchka's first _fiancé_
+was a brilliant young guardsman, with beautiful shiny boots, black
+moustaches, curly chestnut hair, and a gold-mounted pince-nez.
+Mimotchka met him for the first time at an evening party, where he led
+the dancing,[2] clinking his spurs, facetiously fanning himself with
+the fans and scented hand-kerchiefs of the ladies he danced with,
+smiling gaily to show his brilliantly white teeth, and with diabolical
+_entrain_ calling out: "Ser-r-r-r-rez le rond!... Chaîne!" ... He took
+a few turns with Mimotchka, admired her while she was waltzing with
+some one else, and, having ascertained what was the social position of
+her parents, asked to be presented to her.
+
+[2] At dances in Russia a leader or conductor is generally chosen,
+who directs and calls out the figures in the cotillion, mazourka, and
+quadrilles, which are more complicated than in England.
+
+Then he took to calling, then he began to pay her attention, and
+finally made her an offer.
+
+The brilliant guardsman and adroit dancer passed for a dangerous
+lady-killer. He flirted with all the pretty girls, widows, and married
+women that he was acquainted with, and was said to be the object of
+the affections of many of them. So that to carry him off from them all
+must have been very flattering to the vanity of both Mimotchka and her
+mamma.
+
+Mimotchka accepted his offer, and was announced to be _"fiancée._"
+
+On this occasion Aunt Sophy gave a dance, Aunt Mary a dinner with
+champagne, and Aunt Julia a _folle-journée_ with dancing, champagne,
+and a sleigh drive out of town.
+
+The young man was respectful, attentive, and amiable to his _fiancées_
+relations, and pleased them all.
+
+"Do you know, Mimotchka," said Aunt Mary to her, "he is so nice, so
+very nice, that if I were only a little younger, on my word of honour,
+I should try and cut you out."
+
+"Yes, you will make a handsome couple," confirmed Aunt Sophy.
+
+"And you were quite right, my dear, to accept his offer," concluded
+Aunt Julia. "Such a _fiancé_ is not met with every day. He's on the
+right road, and is sure to advance a great deal in the service."
+
+The _fiancé_ was not only "on the right road," but he was a "prince"
+besides, of a somewhat decayed family, certainly, but still he was a
+prince, and not an Eastern one. And, in addition to this, he was, he
+said, the nephew and sole heir of a rich, childless uncle, who owned
+land in the south, fifteen thousand _dessiatines,_[3] and coal mines as
+well.
+
+[3] 40,500 acres.
+
+Having given their blessing, Mimotchka's parents set about preparing
+a most luxurious trousseau for the future princess. It had to be done
+on credit, because their affairs were just then terribly involved....
+However, as long as Mimotchka could remember, her parents' affairs
+had always been terribly involved; but this did not prevent their
+living without denying themselves any pleasures, excepting always the
+pleasure of paying their debts, the sum of which had thus grown and
+grown like ill weeds.
+
+In view of the approaching marriage, they again had to borrow from one
+and another, but to owe a few thousand of roubles more or less--what
+could that matter when the happiness of an only daughter was concerned?
+And then in the future Mimi would have the childless uncle's coal
+mines! All Mimotchka's relations made her presents. Aunt Sophy gave
+her a costly fur cloak (_shouba._) Aunt Mary an elegant tea-gown in
+vert-jaspe plush, lined with bleu-nuage satin, and trimmed with rich
+lace. Aunt Julia gave the silver. All the linen was marked with a
+princess's coronet. Aunt Julia said that this was not correct, because
+Mimotchka was not a princess, and the linen ought to be marked with
+the bride's monogram, and that it was ridiculous to be in such a
+hurry about the coronet, as if they could not conceal their joy that
+Mimotchka was going to be a princess. But Aunt Mary and Aunt Sophy
+backed up mamma, saying, "After all, what did it matter? Would not the
+linen that was made after the marriage be marked with a princess's
+coronet; why, then, not have the same marks on all at once?" And so all
+the linen was marked with a princess's coronet.
+
+Before Mimotchka's engagement was officially announced, papa came to
+a clear understanding with the young man. He confessed that just at
+the present time his affairs were perhaps rather involved, and that he
+was not in a position to give anything to Mimotchka.... But he took on
+himself all the expenses of fitting up a nest for the young couple,
+and promised to help them afterwards, as far as was possible, by
+allowing his daughter a part of his income.
+
+The young man, although he thanked papa for speaking so openly, warmly
+assuring him that in choosing Mimotchka he had not been guided by any
+interested motives, still could not hide some disappointment on hearing
+that Mimotchka was--portionless. He had never expected it, and openly
+said, that it would oblige him--not to give up his _fiancée--_ oh no,
+certainly not!--but to put off the marriage to an indefinite period.
+
+In his turn he confessed that just now he was passing through some
+rather unpleasant monetary difficulties. Of course, these difficulties
+could not give him any very serious anxiety while he was alone and
+an unmarried man, and, after all, his uncle's coal mines must come
+eventually to him; but none the less he would consider himself the most
+abject and dishonourable of men if, under the present circumstances,
+he were to allow himself to marry a portionless girl, that is, without
+waiting, if not for the death of the childless coal uncle, at any rate
+for some advancement in the service.
+
+The prince added, that in the not very distant future he expected to
+be appointed to the command of a battalion, and that it would be very
+agreeable for him to be appointed to the command of a battalion in
+N----, a pretty, gay town, where life was not very expensive, and where
+he might somehow settle down and manage to live with his young wife, of
+course not without substantial help from papa and the childless uncle.
+If papa would like to make use of his influence and connections to
+advance the interests of his future son-in-law, perhaps he might hasten
+Mimotchka's marriage, and secure the happiness of the young people.
+
+In conclusion, the _fiancé,_ as a man of honour, plainly declared
+that he would only marry in the event of his being appointed to the
+above-mentioned battalion. Papa must arrange the nomination.
+
+It was difficult, but the happiness of an only daughter is worth
+labouring for. Papa's toils and efforts were crowned with success. The
+future bridegroom received the command of the battalion, and went to
+N---- to accept it. The day of the wedding was already fixed, there
+remained but two weeks to it. But it was unexpectedly put off on
+account of mourning.
+
+Poor papa died suddenly, died at a friend's house, almost at the
+card-table, from a stroke or a rupture of the heart--I cannot
+say which. A telegram announcing the catastrophe was sent off at
+once to the _fiancé,_ but he did not even come for the funeral.
+This immediately struck all Mimotchka's relations unpleasantly,
+and especially her mamma, into whose heart there stole alarming
+suspicions. And her suspicions appeared well founded. When he returned
+to Petersburg the young man quite changed in his intercourse with his
+future bride and his future mother-in-law. It soon became evident that
+he was only looking out for a pretext to break off the engagement. He
+tried being jealous with his _fiancée,_ made fun of her, corrected her,
+educated her, but Mimotchka had such an immovably angelic character,
+that, in spite of all his efforts, her intended could not succeed in
+quarrelling with her. Then he attacked mamma; there matters went
+easier, and the encounters soon took a dangerous turn. They began
+with reproaches, pin-pricks, innuendoes; then both sides came to open
+explanations.
+
+The _fiancé_ maintained that papa had promised to give Mimotchka two
+thousand four hundred roubles[4] a year.
+
+[4] About £250.
+
+Mamma maintained that papa had never made any such promise.
+
+To this the _fiancé_ replied that if so (that is, if they wished to
+deceive him and call him a liar to his face), then, as a man of honour,
+there only remained for him to....
+
+Mamma did not allow the man of honour to finish his threats, but
+offered to give up all her pension to the young people, stipulating
+only that they should let her live with them. The prince had had very
+good quarters assigned to him in N----, in which he could easily spare
+a corner for mamma.
+
+But, on hearing this proposal, the _fiancé_ announced categorically,
+that he would only marry in the event of mamma's giving up the whole of
+her pension to Mimotchka, and living herself where and how she liked,
+only not with them. He had seen too many examples of how mothers-in-law
+had ruined the conjugal happiness of their daughters not to wish to
+guard Mimotchka from the possibility of such unpleasantness in the
+future, more especially so as it already seemed sufficiently clear that
+he, personally, could not get on with his future mother-in-law.
+
+The young man's impudence agitated mamma to such a degree that she went
+to complain of him to her sisters, asking their advice and help. The
+aunts were also agitated and consternated on hearing from mamma's lips
+that "this poor, miserable little prince, this guardsman _frotteur,_
+this _passez-moi le mot,_ blackguard, wished, it seemed, to refuse to
+make Mimotchka happy!"
+
+The aunts took the matter up warmly, and set to work to effect a
+reconciliation. They went from one to another, almost choked themselves
+with excitement, talked till their throats were dry, shrugged their
+shoulders, threw up their hands, severely discussed and judged the
+matter from all sides, admonished the young man, admonished mamma, and
+pitied and comforted the unfortunate Mimotchka.
+
+"I don't understand how it can all finish," said Aunt Sophy, "but it
+seems to me that it would be really best for them to separate now....
+Anyhow, he has shown himself a dishonourable fellow. He got the
+command, and now he won't marry her!"
+
+"But, you know," observed Aunt Mary, "speaking openly, one can
+understand that this marriage does not particularly charm him. After
+all, what has Mimotchka? She is pretty, certainly. But, all the same,
+what sort of a match is it for him? He understands that he can do a
+great deal better.... And you will see that he won't marry her. Of
+course, all these explanations are only a pretext. It's as clear as the
+day that he simply doesn't want to marry her."
+
+"But he must be made to marry her," said Aunt Julia. "It's impossible
+to compromise a girl like that and go unpunished."
+
+It finished by the aunts almost quarrelling among themselves; but
+all the same mamma received from the intended a long and eloquent
+epistle, in which he declared that it was time to put an end to these
+disagreeable misunderstandings. For some time past he had been clearly
+convinced, both of his _fiancée's_ indifference towards him, and of the
+inevitability of unpleasant encounters with his future mother-in-law;
+so that he would consider himself the most abject and dishonourable of
+men if, weighing all this, he did not decide to sacrifice his feelings
+and give back her promise to Mimotchka, asking her to consider herself
+perfectly free from that moment, and wishing her every happiness. In
+conclusion, he added that he was leaving Petersburg that day for N----,
+from where he would not fail to send the furniture and other things
+belonging to Mimotchka that had been already sent to furnish the little
+nest by her affectionate relations. There was a P.S., in which it Was
+mentioned that if mamma would like to sell the furniture, and if she
+would agree to let it go for ... (a modest figure was stated), then the
+_fiancé_ would like to buy it, and would not fail to send the money.
+
+Mamma, panting with excitement, and beside herself with vexation, read
+this letter to her sisters. The aunts comforted and quieted her.
+
+"Well, perhaps it's for the best," said Aunt Sophy; "speaking openly, I
+never cared for him. I always felt that no good would come out of that
+connection."
+
+"No, don't let us be partial," remarked Aunt Mary, "he has
+qualities.... Only, as a man that has been a good deal spoilt, he is
+perhaps a little selfish.... Yes, and wants to make a good career
+too.... That was evident from the very beginning. I must acknowledge
+that, when I heard that my late brother-in-law was asked to exert
+himself about getting that appointment, I said to my husband, "You may
+say what you like, but, il y a du louche."
+
+"Well, let him go, and Heaven bless him!" concluded Aunt Julia. "There
+are as good fish in the sea as ever came out. Mimotchka can make a much
+better match. It's a good thing that he has left Petersburg. At any
+rate it will all be done with and forgotten. It's no use despairing.
+Believe me, everything is for the best."
+
+And perhaps really it is all for the best. Thank Heaven, Mimotchka is
+once more engaged, once more receiving congratulations.... This time
+not only the day, but also the "hour" of the marriage is fixed, and
+that hour is so near that Aunt Julia's carriage and black horses are
+waiting at the door to take Mimotchka to the fashionable church where
+the guests are assembling.
+
+And Mimotchka herself is sitting before her toilet-table in her pink,
+young girl's room, and looks in the glass, watching the movements of
+the _coiffeur_ Gustave arranging her pretty hair.
+
+On the bed, with its folded-back pink curtains, lies the white dress,
+the tulle veil, and the wreath of orange blossoms.
+
+
+
+II
+
+When Mimotchka was four years old she had not any idea either of "The
+little shooter," or "The canary bird,"[5] but she could sing "Il était
+une bergêr" ... and "Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre." At seven she could
+already lisp and chatter very prettily in French. Mdlle. Victoire, her
+nurse, had, up to that time, taught her the French alphabet and a few
+little songs. Then she was given Perrault's and Berken's fairy tales,
+which acquainted her with the histories of Bluebeard, Puss-in-Boots,
+and Peau D'Ane.
+
+[5] Russian nursery rhymes.
+
+And what a cherub Mimotchka was, with her sweet little face, her flaxen
+hair, her plump, bare arms and shoulders, dressed like a doll in a
+white frock with a broad sash! It was impossible not to admire her,
+and not to tell her that she was a most charming child. And Mimotchka
+liked to be told so, cast down her eyes, made a pretty curtsy, and was
+already coquettish.
+
+When she grew older and had mastered all the four _conjugaisons,_ she
+was half reluctantly taught to read and write Russian, German, and
+English, and she had masters for dancing, caligraphy, and drawing.
+Music was also tried, first the piano, then the harp, and then the
+violin.... But nohow could the instrument, method, and teacher
+predestinated by Providence to make a musician of Mimotchka be found,
+and after three years these musical exercises were entirely given up,
+as it seemed that Mimotchka's health was too delicate to stand them.
+
+In conclusion, to crown Mimotchka's education, she was placed for two
+years either in Mdlle. Dudu's or Mdlle. Dodo's _pension,_ or in the
+Institution, or else she was sent to France to a convent. I don't
+exactly remember what was done with our Mimotchka, but I remember that
+mamma either would not or could not limit herself to "home education,"
+but placed her daughter in some fashionable finishing establishment.
+
+Having finished or half finished her course of study (in most cases
+Mimotchka did not finish the course on account of the delicacy of her
+health or on account of unforeseen circumstances), Mimotchka returned
+home, a grown-up young lady, and wore long dresses. She was pretty,
+graceful, and feminine. She could speak and read French; could even
+write in that language freely enough to compose an invitation to tea
+or a letter to her dressmaker. She had learnt something besides at
+her school, but as that "something" was unnecessary, unimportant, and
+uninteresting, she promptly forgot it.
+
+But I would ask you, reader, your hand on your heart, is it necessary
+for a pretty woman to have any other knowledge besides the knowledge
+of the French language? Do her wants, her joys, and her actions show
+the indispensability of any other knowledge? Does Mimotchka want to be
+dressed, shod, have her hair done; does she wish to furnish and arrange
+her rooms, to have her table nicely served--the knowledge of the French
+language will facilitate her explanations with the French _modiste,
+coiffeur,_ and upholsterer, who are all ready, not only to fulfil her
+orders, but, in case of need, to give her ideas and good advice....
+Does Mimotchka want to entertain her guests, in what other language,
+pray, can she converse so prettily and unaffectedly of the weather, the
+races, and the opera?... Does Mimotchka wish to read light, agreeable
+reading that does not take her away from the beautiful world of balls
+and ribbons, does not wrinkle up her forehead, does not excite her
+thoughts and her heart--reading light as the vaporous flounces on the
+skirt of her ball-dress--French literature gives her clean little
+volumes, perhaps of not entirely clean contents, but nicely printed on
+good paper, and with such interesting characters!
+
+You think, perhaps, that Mimotchka had studied but little and that
+poorly, that she did not care anything at all about books? On the
+contrary, she was "awfully" fond of reading. After toilettes and going
+out there was nothing in the world she liked so much as _chocolat
+mignon_ and French novels.
+
+Don't think either that because Mimotchka was so fond of French novels
+she was unpatriotic, or that she had forgotten the Russian alphabet.
+Not at all. She would have been glad to read Russian, but there
+was really nothing to read! If a careful mother wished to give her
+daughter a Russian book to read, what could you recommend her besides
+Fillipoff's or Galakhoff's selections from the best authors, which, of
+course, cannot be expected to satisfy the imagination of a girl at an
+age when she naturally dreams of love and of marriage....
+
+Mamma once raised this question at her sisters', and the aunts only
+confirmed her own opinion, that in Russian there was absolutely nothing
+whatever to read.
+
+Aunt Sophy declared that she had subscribed to the _World of Fashion,_
+and was sorry that she had done so, because it could not be compared
+to French publications of that kind. Aunt Mary took in _Records of the
+Fatherland,_ and said that the contributors to that magazine used such
+vulgar expressions that she was really obliged to have a dictionary by
+her when reading.
+
+"I was told," said she, "over and over again of a certain
+Stchedrin.... And my husband read his books and went into such
+ecstasies.... And so one day I tried to read them--I understood
+nothing! Really, literally nothing!... Such coarseness, all about
+peasants and their shirts.... And so I told my husband. 'Well,' I
+said, 'I don't know, either I am too stupid, or goodness knows what it
+all means!'"
+
+Aunt Julia read the _Russian Messenger,_ and although she owned that
+there were some good novels published in that magazine, yet, all
+the same, she would not advise their being given to Mimotchka to
+read, because latterly there was hardly a novel without Socialists
+being introduced into it.... And what might not an acquaintance with
+Socialists lead to?... And the aunts decided that there was no reason
+for Mimotchka to read Russian while there were so many nice French
+books.
+
+But still people say there are good writers in Russia. Yes, of course
+there are. Only, all the same, which of them would you give Mimotchka
+to read? Perhaps _On the Brink,_ by Gontcharoff; _On the Eve,_ of
+Tourgueneff; _In the Storm,_ by Ostroffsky; Tolstoy's _Anna Karenina;_
+or Dostoievsky's _Brothers Karamsine?_ Yes, but had you seen Mimotchka,
+seen that innocent, feminine creature, looking as if she had flown half
+out of a cloud, half out of a fashion plate! No, better for Mimotchka
+to read Octave Feuillet, with his limpidly pure style, his poetical
+heroes and heroines, writhing convulsively in an unnatural struggle
+between their unnatural passions and their imaginary duty. If she tires
+of Octave Feuillet she will find other matter in French literature.
+Let her read Ponson-du-Terrail. Fairy tales, you say. Perhaps, but
+still fairy tales are interesting and exciting....
+
+So, gaily, from ball to ball, going out to try on new dresses or buy
+new gloves, resting on the soft, narrow little bed in the pretty
+pink room, with its porcelain figures, caskets, bouquets, and
+_bonbonnières,_ eating _chocolat mignon_ or _chocolat praliné,_ and
+reading Ponson-du-Terrail! It was amusing, in imagination, to trip
+through the gas-lit streets of Paris, to drive round the lake or the
+cascade of the Bois de Boulogne, to listen to the uninterrupted sound
+of the pistol shots in the duels, to follow out the vicissitudes of
+love--love criminal, but beautiful and always well dressed--to defeat
+the machinations of the evildoers, and finally to unite the lovers....
+
+Amusing, too, with a fainting, but fast-beating heart and lightly
+raised skirt, to run through the dark, unknown ways of Paris, to
+penetrate into the boudoirs of brilliant cocottes, to rest on their
+soft velvet or satin couches, to take baths of milk, to bathe in
+champagne, to adorn one's self with lace and diamonds, to feast, to
+squander money, to fall in love sentimentally with some handsome but
+poorly dressed young fellow, an illegitimate son, turning out in the
+end to be a viscount, a marquis, or even a prince, and of course a
+millionaire. They may be all fairy tales, but at any rate not dull
+ones, like those about "Annoushka" and "Lubinka."
+
+And Mimotchka, amidst toilettes and visits, devours this sort of light
+literature, and it imperceptibly poisons her mind. At that wonderful
+time when a poet would have likened her awakening heart to a bud
+ready to open, her soul was filled with the image of Henri, Armand, or
+Maurice. Such a hero as Maurice neither eats nor drinks, nor is subject
+to any unpoetical weakness or maladies. The only thing that the author
+allows him from time to time is a slight scratch (the result of one of
+the innumerable duels), in consequence of which Maurice appears before
+the readers with his arm in a sling and an interesting pallor on his
+countenance. The author does not allow him either any fixed occupation
+or business, so that the whole time of the fascinating hero is devoted
+to love and ladies. Of course he is endowed with every imaginable
+quality and all possible talents; he rides, swims, and shoots
+admirably, makes every woman he meets fall in love with him, eclipses
+every man in nobleness and bravery, scatters purses filled with gold
+all around him, and comes into one inheritance after another. The
+image of Maurice, his sayings, manners, and doings, are imprinted on
+Mimotchka's heart, and, like that hero's other victims, she is deeply
+in love with him.
+
+
+
+III
+
+And so, having finished, or half finished, her studies, Mimotchka
+returns home a grown-up young lady, and wears long dresses.
+
+Life meets her with a smile of welcome. Mimotchka begins to "go out."
+She dances and amuses herself.... Balls are succeeded by theatres,
+theatres by concerts, picnics, and assaults-at-arms.... In the
+intervals reading, _chocolat mignon,_ and dreams of Maurice.
+
+Meanwhile mamma, having passed through the hard school of life, and
+knowing that her daughter will not eternally remain a butterfly,
+fluttering over the fields, is already occupied with the question of
+how to settle Mimotchka advantageously in life. Mamma dreams of finding
+a husband for Mimotchka, rich, in society, and in the Government
+service, with a title, if possible, and of good family. Mimotchka
+must make a brilliant marriage. All her education had been conducted
+with that object. Otherwise what would have been the use of paying
+extravagant sums to dancing and writing masters, what would have been
+the use of taking the girl abroad and of sending her to Mdlle. Dudu's
+classes? Only think what it had all cost! Yes, Mimotchka's parents
+could indeed say that they had spared no expense for the education and
+instruction of their only daughter.
+
+Mimotchka knows all the best shops in Petersburg; perhaps even she
+knows the best shops in Paris, London, and Vienna besides; she knows
+how to spend money, knows how to dress, and how to behave in society.
+Now a husband must be found for her who can give her full opportunity
+of displaying her acquirements in all their splendour, who can surround
+her with becoming surroundings, and be worthy of receiving from mamma's
+hands that hothouse flower and plant it in the soil of married life.
+
+Mimotchka expects it herself. She still dreams of love and of Maurice,
+but, all the same, she knows that the chief thing is--money: that
+without a carriage, without becoming surroundings, and without
+toilettes, she would not care about love.
+
+Mimotchka knows that she is _une demoiselle à marier,_ but she also
+knows that she is still young, that she is quite a "child," and as
+she is "a child" she waltzes, smiles, and plays with her fan and her
+innocent eyes.
+
+... How artful young men are nowadays! How difficult it is to bring
+them to the point! Oh, if only Maurice had been amongst them, he would
+have prized Mimotchka; he would have chosen her without looking into
+poor papa's purse. But only try and find such a young man!
+
+And meanwhile time flies.... The poor girl is already obliged to take
+quinine and iron. These intoxicating balls, these sleepless nights--all
+this tires her out.
+
+And so, reader, imagine the moment when Mimotchka, her first freshness
+past, begins to get thin and lose her beauty; the doctor, a friend of
+the family, who is tired of prescribing arsenic, iron, and pepsine
+gratis, orders the young lady to some foreign watering-place; there is
+no money to be got anywhere; the dress-makers refuse to make even the
+simplest travelling dress on credit.... Then imagine how it would be
+if, at such a moment, unpleasant in itself, some catastrophe were to
+happen: supposing one of the parents were to fall dangerously ill, or
+the father be dismissed in disgrace from the service in consequence
+of the discovery of some unlawful transactions; or supposing he were
+to die, leaving his family a small pension and unpaid debts.... It
+matters little what it is exactly that happens.... But there is nothing
+to guarantee that such things will not happen.
+
+In our Mimotchka's life the catastrophe was her poor papa's death.
+He died, leaving his wife a pension and debts, the sum of which had
+latterly considerably increased on account of the expenses of the
+trousseau. Mamma simply did not know what to do with the creditors, who
+seemed to creep out of every crevice. The faithless _fiancé_ had broken
+off the marriage, and, having bought Mimotchka's furniture for a mere
+song, had relapsed into complete silence. Indirectly, a little later
+on, mamma heard a rumour that he was going to marry the daughter of the
+Governor of N----.
+
+The position of the poor women was in all respects terrible. There
+was literally not a copeck in the house. Mamma tore her hair and
+anathematised the faithless, good-for-nothing bridegroom. The aunts
+comforted and condoled with her, but among themselves they could not
+help rather blaming poor mamma.
+
+"Of course Annette's position is awful," said Aunt Mary, "but one
+can't but say that she herself is to blame. What was the use of
+ordering such a trousseau when they were already so badly off? There is
+nothing to eat in the house, and Mimotchka has linen like a princess!
+And into whose eyes did they expect to throw dust by it?"
+
+"Yes, of course, they themselves are to blame," agreed Aunt Sophy,
+"but, all the same, I am sorry for poor Mimotchka. She has been so
+spoilt; and who knows what yet awaits her in the future! It may end by
+her having to go out as a governess."
+
+"I gave them a hundred roubles to-day," said Aunt Julia, in conclusion,
+"but I can't give every day. If I were only to count up all I have
+already given ..."
+
+Mimotchka's personal wants were but little affected; as before, she had
+everything necessary for her toilet, her silk stockings, her chocolate
+and French novels. But the irritatingly dejected aspect of mamma, her
+tearful explanations with the aunts, the scenes with the sharp French
+_fournisseurs,_ demanding more and more money, could not fail to make a
+disagreeable impression on the young girl.
+
+And Mimotchka was sulky and capricious. She refused to take her iron
+because she had been told it spoiled the teeth, and purposely refused
+to eat the underdone rump-steak ordered for her, purposely ate nothing
+but _chocolat praliné._ She gave up reading novels, gave up doing
+crochet, gave up washing and combing her dog and teasing it--in a word,
+she threw aside all her usual occupations and--sulked. Now Mimotchka
+lay on the sofa for whole days together, her arms supporting her
+head, or stood looking aimlessly out of the window. On account of her
+mourning she did not go out. She was so dull! Mimotchka was sorry that
+her marriage had been broken off. Not that she had particularly cared
+for her _fiancé,_ oh no! She had liked many of her other dancers a
+great deal better.... And besides, she had been told that he was "a
+good-for-nothing fellow," which she could not but repeat because she
+Was accustomed to believe her mamma and aunts in everything. But,
+good-for-nothing fellow or not, she was sorry that she was not married.
+If you only knew how sick she was of all these reproaches, questions,
+and condolences!... Sick of all her girlish pink and white frocks, of
+her little gold cross and the string of pearls round her neck.... How
+near had been the married woman's little caps, diamonds, and velvet
+dresses, and the freedom from mamma's guardianship, and how suddenly it
+had all flown away, all fallen into ruins!
+
+Mimotchka sulked, was capricious, and longed for some change, some
+way out of her present position. Mamma also longed for some way out
+of their difficulties, and spent her nights in prayers, tears, and
+dreams, either of a fresh bridegroom appearing as a deliverer, or of an
+unexpected inheritance, or of winning the great lottery prize of two
+hundred thousand roubles.
+
+
+
+IV
+
+What way out could Mimotchka herself hope for? And what could be
+expected to happen in the life of a poor girl of nineteen? Don't be
+vexed with me, Mimotchka, for the expression "a poor girl," I know
+that such an expression does not sound well, reminding one, perhaps,
+of a governess or a telegraph girl.... And such an appellation is ill
+suited to an elegant young lady in a jacket from Brissac and a hat from
+Bertrand. But appearances are deceitful.... And I hope that Mimotchka
+herself will not contradict me when I say that she is--a portionless
+young person, _qui n'a pas le sou._
+
+So what can be expected to happen in the life of a poor girl of
+nineteen? To marry a young man, as poor as herself, let us say, but
+honest, energetic, and loving, worthy of all love and respect, but
+possessing neither houses, nor lands, nor shares, nor bonds, nor having
+any other sources of income besides his work.... To love such a man,
+to become his wife, friend, and helpmate, to lay her pretty head on his
+shoulder, to rest her soft little hand trustingly on his strong arm,
+and walk with him through life's way, brightening and cheering that way
+for him by her love and caresses?... To bring into the worker's modest
+abode her beauty, her youth, and grace, to forget herself in her care
+for her beloved, and in her turn to become the object of another's
+thoughts and care and the crown of another's life?...
+
+But, allow me.... You say that he has not any other sources of income
+besides his own personal work. Let us suppose that your young man works
+very hard--let us suppose even hard enough for Mimotchka not to have to
+dress like a poor creature in an old-fashioned gown. But if he were to
+die--in what position would she be left? If he were an elderly man, he
+might, at least, leave her a pension; but a young man, say, what can
+he leave her? Children, most likely.... What is to become of her with
+these unfortunate children, who inherit neither houses nor lands, who
+inherit nothing but work? I agree that work is in itself a capital,
+by the interest of which Mimotchka can profit as long as it is in her
+husband's hands, but if her husband were to die and the capital pass
+into Mimotchka's own hands, I doubt if she would be satisfied with such
+an inheritance.
+
+Don't think, however, that Mimotchka was exceptionally idle, greedy,
+and heartless. Perhaps she would have been glad to love and sacrifice
+luxury to the man she loved. Had she not dreamt of Maurice? But she
+could only make such a sacrifice in the event of meeting with a young
+man--well, say a young man like "_le jeune homme pauvre_" of Octave
+Feuillet. Do you remember how the poor young fellow almost dies of
+hunger and gnaws the buds and leaves of the trees in the Tuileries
+gardens, after having spent his last money in buying expensive soap,
+bonbons, and prints for his sister? How touching! What woman's heart
+would not prize such generosity, such delicacy! And how charming are
+the young man's elegant manners, his tact and behaviour in the modest
+social position he occupies. So that you feel all the while that he is
+really only masquerading _en jeune homme pauvre,_ and when the right
+moment comes he throws off the wooden shoes and straw hat of the poor
+steward and shows himself incomparably richer than his bride.
+
+Perhaps Mimotchka would have fallen in love with such a young man
+as that? Not for one moment! But you must allow that it is not so
+easy to fall in love with a young Russian, who does not come into any
+inheritance, does not speak French, or, if he does, with a bad accent,
+and who thinks a woman ought to study seriously and work, who earns
+his daily bread by giving lessons or doing literary work, or perhaps
+as a clerk in an office, or else serves on the railway in the capacity
+of something like a stoker (because it appears that such young men
+really do exist!). You must allow that, if a girl gives up the idea
+of a carriage and nice rooms, gives up society and going out, gives
+up Brissac and Bertrand, and fine under-linen, perhaps even gives up
+_chocolat mignon_ and French novels, then the young man to whom all
+this is sacrificed must at least be worthy of her and deserve her. But
+our poor young men are so common, so rough, and _d'un terre à terre!_
+And such being the case, what can you find attractive in them?
+
+In short, Mimotchka, any one poor is unsuited to you. Yes, and mamma
+would never allow you to "bring beggars into the world," as she
+expresses it.... And mamma has experience and knows what she says. She
+knows what it is to live on small means!
+
+Another prospect: to give up all hope of marrying and to reconcile
+herself to the idea of becoming a useless old maid. (That pretty
+Mimotchka, who already at seven years old knew what suited her and
+cried if they tied her hair with a ribbon she didn't like!)
+
+But supposing that she gives up the idea of marrying. How is she to
+live in that case? how exist if, which God forbid, her mamma were to
+die (and she certainly will die some day) and there would be nobody
+left to look after Mimotchka's toilettes and her meals, nobody to
+sell and pawn things, to send away creditors, to borrow and tearfully
+squeeze money out of relations and friends? Mimotchka is such a child.
+She would be lost by herself.... Live by her work? earn her own living?
+become a lady-doctor, clerk, or book-keeper?... But Mimotchka has been
+educated with quite different ideas!...
+
+As for medicine, we had better not mention it at all. At the mere
+thought, the mere recollection of Mimotchka's innocent-looking,
+downcast eyes, I could not bring myself to suggest such an improper
+occupation to her as the study of anatomy. And her nerves!... Do you
+know, Mimotchka is such a little coward that, every night before
+going to sleep, she takes a lighted candle and looks under the bed,
+the armchairs, and tables, so as to make quite sure that there is
+no Rocambole, Jack Sheppard, or dreadful beggar hidden there. She
+even looks in the ventilators of the stove.... She is so afraid, so
+afraid of everything! How could you ever accustom her to the sight of
+suffering, of blood, and of death?
+
+It is equally absurd to imagine Mimotchka a clerk, for instance, in
+the office of a railway company, to imagine her in a room furnished
+with tables and desks at which are seated dreadful, unknown men. Of
+course they would all admire her, and all fall in love with her. But in
+general, for her to have to sit in the same room with men from ten in
+the morning till five in the evening.... Say what you like, it's not
+proper! Don't think, however, that Mimotchka had never sat in the same
+room with men. She had even been held in their arms to the enchanting
+strains of fashionable Waltzes played by Rosenberg or Schmidt. To tell
+you the truth (and quite in confidence), a certain young guardsman had
+kissed her more than once in convenient corners both before and after
+the "proposal." But in the first place she had never told anybody about
+it except her particular friend Mdlle. X. and Douniasha, her maid,
+so that neither mamma nor anyone else had any suspicion of it; and,
+secondly, he really Was her _fiancé._ Of course, if all Mimotchka's
+_valseurs_ had kissed her, I do not say but that it would have been
+wrong, very wrong; but, anyhow, it seems to me that it would have
+been less improper than her sitting all day in some office. All these
+_valseurs,_ at any rate, were young men of her own class, introduced
+into society by her acquaintances, but who knows what sort of people
+there are in offices? Jews, perhaps, or tradespeople.... And who can
+be sure that some of them might not kiss Mimotchka? She is still such a
+child!...
+
+Perhaps Mimotchka might give lessons, _courir le cachet?_ But lessons
+in what--French? She has read Ponson-du-Terrail and Co., read both
+Belot and Malot, read Octave Feuillet, but of grammar she has only
+the most confused ideas, and a knowledge of grammar is required in a
+teacher. And then to give lessons--that again means going about the
+streets alone and risking to be taken for Heaven knows what.... Poor
+Mimotchka is so pretty and feminine that, if she has not a proper
+companion with her and a footman walking behind her, she might be taken
+for goodness knows what!
+
+Mimotchka neither knows how to sew nor cut out; she has never been
+taught to; and anyhow she could not become a dressmaker! She only knows
+how to cut out lamp-shades and do crochet. But then doing crochet does
+not bring in much.
+
+In fact, all this talk of woman's work and woman's independence shows
+itself to be pure nonsense. And why argue about it when woman's calling
+and duties are plainly shown to her both by God and nature. She is
+to be a wife and a mother, the companion of man, from whose rib she
+was created for that purpose. Therefore, Mimotchka, wait, look out
+and secure a bridegroom--of course one that can be depended upon, and
+who has means. There is the third prospect for you, the third (and,
+it would seem, the only possible) way out for you from your present
+position.
+
+There are some husbands predestinated by Fate itself for girls like
+Mimotchka, for girls who are poor, but have been spoilt, brought
+up in luxury, and are unaccustomed to privations. There are two
+classes of such husbands--either rich old bachelors, who have wasted
+their strength, health, intellect, and senses in a stormily spent
+youth, wasted everything except their too easily got money, and have
+tried every sensation that this money can give them, except that of
+possessing for their "very own" an innocent young wife, to purchase
+which, however, it is never too late; or else there are old bachelors
+in the contrary position to the first, who have begun their life and
+career in want and privation, timid, calculating, having been obliged
+to deny themselves everything in youth, and having at last scraped
+together the desired capital by fair means or foul, and attained the
+longed-for rank, position, period, and age which will enable them to
+contract a marriage with a young and pretty girl.
+
+Heaven was not deaf to mamma's prayers, but sent her Spiridon
+Ivanovitch. Through the aunts and friends the marriage was settled and
+interviews arranged--of course everything being conducted in the most
+correct manner.
+
+Spiridon Ivanovitch may be stupid or clever, good or bad; he may be
+pleasing or unpleasing, ugly or handsome--all these are unimportant
+details; what is important and beyond a doubt is, that he is a man of
+substantial means, elderly, capable, and reliable; he is also bald
+and wrinkled, suffers from a catarrh and rheumatism, and perhaps gout
+besides....
+
+Is it really possible to marry him? Mamma stands up for Spiridon
+Ivanovitch. Mimotchka, believe mamma; she has more experience than
+you; she knows what life is. But what do you know about it? From
+novels?... "La vie n'est pas un roman," they tell you, and you will
+soon be convinced yourself that they are right.
+
+And so Mimotchka submits. She gives her consent, coquettishly laughing
+at Spiridon Ivanovitch and victoriously tapping on the ground with the
+point of her little shoe, under the heel of which she is determined to
+keep her future husband.
+
+
+
+V
+
+The marriage was arranged in the following manner. Aunt Julia, between
+visiting, vint,[6] and the opera, somehow heard of Spiridon Ivanovitch
+and managed to get acquainted with him. When she was quite sure that
+his estate in the Government of Koursk was not mortgaged, but yielded
+a good income, and also that Spiridon Ivanovitch himself had not any
+serious entanglement (if you don't count a dancer, who was no longer
+very young, to whom he was only attached from habit, and by whom he had
+four rather pretty children), then Aunt Julia gave mamma to understand
+that she had something in view suitable for Mimotchka.
+
+[6] Vint, a game at cards in the style of whist, but much more
+complicated, and played a great deal in Russia.
+
+Mamma went at once to the monastery of St. Sergius and had a Te Deum
+sung.
+
+Soon afterwards Aunt Julia sent out invitations to her friends for a
+dance. Mamma was told beforehand that Spiridon Ivanovitch would be
+there. Mimotchka had a charming _toilette crême_ made for her, which
+was worthy of being described in the pages of some "chronique de
+l'élégance." The toilette was very successful, and was much appreciated
+by all those present at the party. It was the first time Mimotchka
+had been out anywhere that winter; her mourning was only just over.
+The talk about her unexpectedly broken-off marriage and the mean way
+in which her _fiancé_ had behaved was unceasing, and went from mouth
+to mouth with additions and embellishments. In consequence of this,
+or perhaps simply because Mimotchka was particularly well dressed
+that evening, she anyhow attracted more attention than usual. She was
+universally admired and complimented. She danced more than any of the
+others, was unusually animated, and really was the queen of the evening.
+
+Resting on a seat, giddy from the last _tour de valse,_ slightly out
+of breath and blushing a tender carnation, she felt approving glances
+directed at her from all sides, and the knowledge of her success made
+her look even prettier.
+
+Spiridon Ivanovitch had been playing at cards; but before supper he
+came towards the dancing-room and stood at the door watching the
+dancers. He admired Mimotchka very much. That evening he was in luck
+and in good spirits. With the freedom of an old bachelor he loudly and
+openly praised the grace and loveliness of this charming doll, and
+even said that if he could only throw off some fifteen years from his
+shoulders he would make her an offer at once.
+
+Mamma, who had been watching over Spiridon Ivanovitch the whole
+evening, caught these unguarded words, and her heart beat with a joyful
+hope.
+
+During the mazourka,[7] Mimotchka, by Aunt Julia's advice, chose
+Spiridon Ivanovitch, who was still standing at the door, and crossed
+the room with him amidst general enthusiasm. Every one smiled as they
+looked at them: either at pretty Mimotchka's fancy in choosing such an
+old and unattractive partner, or at Spiridon Ivanovitch's venturing
+to dance at his age, with his rank and with his asthma, and without
+knowing how, or finally because Aunt Julia's guests had guessed her
+intentions and greeted the couple as future bride and bridegroom--be
+this as it may, anyhow everyone smiled and rejoiced as they looked at
+them. The stout Spiridon Ivanovitch, perspiring and puffing like a
+steam-engine, smiled himself, and the ethereal Mimotchka also smiled.
+
+[7] The mazourka has figures, like a cotillion.
+
+At supper they were seated side by side. The amiable Spiridon
+Ivanovitch, having frankly and rather nervously warned Aunt Julia
+that he was quite unaccustomed to the society of "respectable" women,
+and especially of innocent young girls, sat by Mimotchka's side and
+continued to gaze admiringly at her, playfully and most respectfully
+paid his addresses to her, was in fact quite taken up with her, and
+almost talked baby language so as to fall into the right tone and make
+himself understood.
+
+Excited by the dancing and the champagne she had drunk, besides being
+very flattered by the attentions and admiration of this ridiculous
+stout man with the fringed epaulets,[8] Mimotchka became quite lively,
+flushed, and talked a great deal more than usual.
+
+[8] Only Russian officers of staff rank wear fringed epaulets.
+
+She told Spiridon Ivanovitch that she loved dancing, and that she had
+passed a very dull winter last year, because she had not gone out on
+account of her mourning for her papa; so that now she did so enjoy
+dancing again!... Then Mimotchka told him that she also loved little
+dogs, and that she had had such a darling of a dog, such a tiny, tiny
+little thing; its name was "Fanfreluche," and it had died! Mimotchka
+had cried a whole week. It had been the greatest sorrow of her life.
+She did so love that dog! And now Aunt Mary had given her another
+dog. It was a little larger, but also a darling, and she called it
+"Turlurette." ... And it could already stand on its hind legs!...
+
+Spiridon Ivanovitch proposed the health of "Turlurette." ... Mimotchka
+laughed, coquetted, drank her champagne, clinking glasses with Spiridon
+Ivanovitch, and, her bright eyes sparkling, openly declared that she
+had never, never enjoyed herself so much!
+
+And mamma looked at them from the other end of the table and was quite
+touched.
+
+
+The next morning mamma, all in a flutter, came to see Aunt Julia and
+talk things over. They talked of the estates in the Government of
+Koursk, of the dancer and her children, and of Spiridon Ivanovitch's
+behaviour of the previous evening. It was decided to make a serious
+attack on him. Aunt Julia generously promised to help, and she managed
+the affair so cleverly that in some two or three weeks' time the
+unfortunate Spiridon Ivanovitch was caught and bound, and it only
+remained for him to fix the day of the wedding.
+
+Mamma was beside herself with joy. At first she had perhaps hoped
+for something more brilliant; but now, in their terrible, hopeless
+position, after all the trouble and unpleasantness with the first
+_fiancé,_ Spiridon Ivanovitch appeared to her a treasure such as she
+had hardly-hoped to find. Yes, and looking at it seriously, what more
+could you desire in a _fiancé?_ He was a general, rich, and seemed to
+be a kind man besides.... There was the dancer and her children! Well,
+but it was really impossible for everything to be so entirely free from
+annoyance and irritation. As long as he did not ruin himself over that
+family, Mimotchka had really nothing to do with the matter and need not
+pay any attention to it.
+
+Both mamma and Mimotchka quite wore themselves out over the trousseau.
+The bridegroom hurried on the wedding, and it was impossible to keep
+so highly respected a man waiting as if he were a mere boy! Besides,
+mamma had had too much worry with the first _fiancé_ not to wish to
+strike while the iron was hot.
+
+The chief things in the trousseau--the linen, furs, and silver--were
+already there. The princess's coronet only had to be taken off. But
+some of the dresses had to be altered, and some new ones made besides.
+In the sixteen months' interval between the two _fiancés_ fashion had
+made rapid strides. The aunts and uncles consulted together and made
+Mimotchka fresh presents. And Spiridon Ivanovitch was no niggard in
+his presents either. Everything went on swimmingly. Mamma exulted.
+Mimotchka took the arsenic prescribed for her, drank pyro-phosphorous
+iron water, tried on her new dresses, received congratulations, opened
+jewel cases and boxes from the leading Petersburg jewellers, and was
+delighted with the diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds that were sent to
+her by Spiridon Ivanovitch.
+
+Everybody rejoiced; everybody congratulated her heartily, sincerely,
+and truly--wished her everything good, and repeated in chorus, "Thank
+God, thank God!"
+
+
+
+VI
+
+And so not only the day, but the hour of the wedding is fixed....
+
+Mimotchka's _coiffure_ is finished. Gustave is sent out of the
+room while Mimotchka puts on her wedding dress, with its garlands
+and bouquets of orange blossoms and its long train of thick white
+_faille_ lined with Lyons satin, a wonderful dress ordered from
+Mdme. Lesserteur. Mimotchka surveys herself rather anxiously in the
+looking-glass. The bodice fits exquisitely.
+
+It only remains to pin on the veil and wreath, Monsieur Gustave's
+services are again in requisition. He has to be hurried. It appears
+that the best man has already arrived. Yes, yes; he really has come.
+... The bridegroom is already in the church.... It's time!
+
+Directly, directly, Mimotchka will be ready directly. I look at her
+and involuntarily some emotion takes possession of me, involuntarily
+my thoughts run on, and I see the lit-up church, where the crowd of
+festively attired relations and friends are chatting and looking
+about them while they wait for the bride. I see the stout Spiridon
+Ivanovitch, resplendent with orders, his bald head shining, and wearing
+a new pair of fringed epaulets. Now there is a movement in the crowd,
+the talk ceases, all the heads are turned round. From the choir come
+the strains of a solemn chant, and Mimotchka appears at the threshold
+of the church. Uncle Theodore, wearing the ribbon of the White
+Eagle,[9] gives her his arm and leads her up along the soft carpet. How
+pretty she is! I vow that the orange blossoms and cloud of white tulle
+never adorned a lovelier and more charming head.
+
+"Approach, approach, thou pure dove." ...[10]
+
+But do you know what you are going to, poor dove? Think, Mimotchka;
+won't you stop before it is too late?...
+
+Why?... And what is the good of thinking about it? Every one does it.
+Some time or other the step must be taken. It seems it must. And how
+can one escape from it?...
+
+[9] One of the highest Russian orders.
+
+[10] The opening words of the hymn sung in the marriage service when
+the bride enters the church.
+
+But you're pale, Mimotchka; you lower your eyelashes, and the wax taper
+trembles in your little hand.... Are you afraid? Are you ashamed?
+
+No; only nervous and ill at ease.... In the church it seems cold.... Or
+does the bodice press?... Something feels strange, unpleasant.... And
+then how every one stares!...
+
+
+But my thoughts are wandering. Mimotchka is not yet even in the church.
+She is still in her room, standing before the large mirror; she cannot
+tear herself away from the contemplation of herself in her new dress.
+
+Her toilet is finished. The veil and wreath are unusually becoming to
+the bride, and so everyone tells her; but Mimotchka no longer smiles
+her usual, unchanging smile. She is a little agitated. On her cheek
+there is a pink spot, her hand slightly trembles as she draws on her
+glove. Why does she feel so cold?
+
+All those around her are agitated too. The maid Douniasha makes faces
+as she gulps down her tears. Lulushka or Turlurette yelps and barks,
+offended because she is turned off Mimotchka's train. They all surround
+the bride, looking at her from all sides, arranging her dress, her
+veil, giving her her gloves, scent....
+
+It's time, Mimotchka, time! Go into the drawing-room now for your
+mother to bless you before you leave. The bridegroom is already in
+church.... Make haste; they are waiting for you....
+
+Look round for the last time on your young girl's room, look at your
+pretty pink room, in which you ate _chocolat mignon_ and read French
+novels, and bid farewell to it! You will never come back here. What
+awaits you in the new life?
+
+
+Mamma blesses Mimotchka, and sheds a few tears as she embraces and
+kisses her pale daughter. "You don't feel unwell, Mimi?"
+
+"No, no, not at all...."
+
+Mimotchka goes down the stairs. At the entrance on the pavement there
+already stands a group of curious, gaping spectators: the weeping
+housemaid Douniasha, the cook, the neighbour's servants, and some
+outsiders....
+
+Aunt Julia, the little boy who is to carry the icon,[11] and the bride
+take their places in the carriage. The footman slams the door and jumps
+up on the box. The carriage fast disappears down the street.
+
+[11] A little boy, generally a relative or the child of an intimate
+friend, carries an icon in the bridal procession.
+
+Good-bye, Mimotchka, be happy!
+
+You perhaps expected, Mimotchka, that I should follow you to the
+church, and further and further.... No, there are spectators enough
+at your wedding without me. Only look at that motley collection of
+people, whom the police are allowing to crowd on to the broad pavement
+of the Liteynaia, the whole length of the long line of carriages.
+Look at the seamstresses, housemaids" gossiping women, young and old,
+gazing open-mouthed as they go on their way, with bundles or bandboxes
+in their hands; they have not strength to resist the temptation of
+stopping to admire your uncle's orders and epaulets, your aunts' light,
+elegant toilettes, and above all they long to catch a glimpse of you,
+Mimotchka--you, the chief person in all this pageant.
+
+They are waiting for you.... Do you see how they stand on tiptoe,
+how they crane their necks at your approach? Perhaps they have heard
+about you; perhaps one of those old gossips is even now giving the
+rest the most trustworthy or untrustworthy information about you;
+perhaps, looking at you, they exchange pitying remarks of the kind of
+those overheard and caught up from them by the great author of _Anna
+Karénina._
+
+"Isn't she a sweet pretty bride, decked out like a lamb for the
+sacrifice! But, say what you like, we women are sorry for our
+sister!"
+
+
+
+
+MIMOTCHKA AT THE SPRINGS
+
+
+Mimotchka is getting thin, Mimotchka looks pale, Mimotchka is dull....
+
+Mamma is anxious and fusses; Spiridon Ivanovitch grunts and frowns;
+baby is tiresome and roars....
+
+Such, in its general features, is Mimotchka's life--and yet it had
+seemed to begin so well!
+
+Directly after the wedding the young couple went abroad. The doctor had
+long advised Spiridon Ivanovitch to take a course of waters, and even
+before meeting his bride he had intended to pass the summer abroad.
+His unexpected marriage had not changed previous plans, and, having
+obtained three months' leave, Spiridon Ivanovitch started with his
+young wife for Vichy.
+
+They travelled with every possible comfort, and Spiridon Ivanovitch
+was so careful and attentive during the journey, that Mimotchka was
+obliged to own that it was much nicer and pleasanter travelling with
+him than with mamma. However, in spite of it all, on their arrival in
+Paris she was so tired out, and above all so enervated, so enervated,
+that she cried the whole day long, and even thought she would like to
+kill herself, because it seemed to her that she cared for nothing in
+life. Paris was so dark, so gloomy, horrible, and disgusting.... The
+sun never shone, and the rain poured and poured.... And she cried and
+cried.... The tears certainly rather troubled Spiridon Ivanovitch, but
+after all what could he do?... The rain--what rain it was to be sure!
+But it was God's will.... And he only drummed on the table with his
+fingers and swore at the servants.
+
+But when the young people arrived at Vichy, where the comfortable
+rooms, that had been ordered beforehand and had a balcony overlooking
+the crowded boulevard, were awaiting them, when they had dined both
+savourily and satisfactorily in these bright, cheerful rooms, and
+when, above all, they had unpacked their trunks and bags, then again
+everything looked nice and bright. Mimotchka saw that, in spite of
+everything, life was still endurable and might even be very pleasant.
+She wiped away her tears and occupied herself in hanging up her new
+dresses.
+
+Then they sent for a doctor. And there came a dark-eyed young
+Frenchman, good-looking and chatty. And how he spoke French--gracious
+heavens, how he spoke! What a doctor! Everyone, everyone all round,
+beginning with the grey-haired landlady, and ending with Joseph, the
+_concierge's_ fourteen-year-old son, every one was so amiable, elegant,
+attentive, and lively.... It seemed to Mimotchka as if she had come to
+her native land. The chemist, to whom the young people went, directly
+after their arrival, for some rhubarb and magnesia, was as like as two
+peas to the _jeune premier_ of the Théâtre Michel, so that Mimotchka
+quite blushed when Spiridon Ivanovitch, having got his magnesia, began
+to inquire of the young man about some further remedies.... And the
+postman was very like the well-known _coiffeur_ from the Bolshaia
+Konushenaia....
+
+Spiridon Ivanovitch set about his cure without delay and with
+great zeal. He liked being doctored and understood all about it.
+Not satisfied with the punctilious fulfilment of his own doctor's
+prescriptions, he secretly consulted other doctors, consulted the
+invalids with whom he made acquaintance at the baths and springs,
+consulted the chemist and other tradespeople, bought heaps of medical
+works, pamphlets, and manuals, bought medicinal wines and medicines
+advertised in the papers, discovered that he had some fresh malady
+every day, and expounded the symptoms of his illness to his doctor
+so significantly and with so many details, that the young Frenchman,
+while listening to him with profound and polite attention, could not
+help glancing stealthily and with tender commiseration at pretty pale
+Mimotchka, and twirling the end of his silky moustaches, said to her in
+a look, "Poor little thing! and so pretty!" ...
+
+Spiridon Ivanovitch decided that Mimotchka should make a cure for
+anæmia and nerves. Mamma had asked him so much about it! So Mimotchka
+drank the "source Mesdames" and took baths, and Walked up and down
+in the park. But, as her cure was less complicated and serious than
+Spiridon Ivanovitch's cure, she still had a good deal of spare time,
+which she employed in watching the people and in looking at her new
+dresses. And as both these occupations were very congenial to her
+tastes, she was not dull. The season was one of the most successful
+and most brilliant. At the waters there was Strauss, there was Patti;
+there was an English royal personage with his wife; there were American
+millionaires with their daughters, and lots of cocottes and aristocrats
+besides.... There were no end of stories about and two or three
+scandals.... The weather was lovely and warm, perhaps even too warm.
+But what walks there were, what riding parties in the evening on the
+shores of the Allier, what concerts and dances in the evening at the
+Casino! Of course Mimotchka did not make any acquaintances--society
+is so mixed at watering-places!--but still, without knowing anyone,
+it was amusing to look at other people's toilettes and watch others'
+intrigues. Altogether she Was very much amused. And in answer to her
+cousin Zina and her friends, the three sisters Poltavsteff, who asked
+her if she was happy, Mimotchka wrote: "So happy, so happy.... Jamais
+je ne me suis tant amusée qu'à Vichy. Figurez-vous ..." and so on.
+
+Time flew on quickly and imperceptibly. Spiridon Ivanovitch's cure was
+finished. He had got thinner, but felt brisker and healthier. Mimotchka
+was blooming, and had grown even prettier in the pure air of the South
+of France. One month's leave yet remained. Spiridon Ivanovitch asked
+his wife to decide where they should spend this last month--in Italy,
+Switzerland, or Paris?... Doctor Souly's pamphlet recommends some quiet
+corner in Switzerland for an after-cure, but Mimotchka preferred Paris.
+Spiridon Ivanovitch willingly submitted to this decision, and, having
+liberally paid the landlady, the dark-eyed doctor, and others, the
+young people packed up their baggage and went back to Paris, where the
+honeymoon really began. Just at that time Spiridon Ivanovitch received
+a good round sum from his tenants, and Mimotchka was in a state of
+perfect bliss, buying right and left everything that took her fancy.
+Oh, her honeymoon!... They stayed at an expensive and very good hotel.
+In the morning the general got up first and read the Russian and
+French newspapers while he drank his coffee, but Mimotchka lay in bed a
+long time after. Then she got up when she liked, and without hurrying
+began her toilet. Every day she had a new kind of soap, new kinds of
+scents, toilet waters and pomatums. And what stockings, boots, and
+garters she bought herself!... Oh, her honeymoon!...
+
+When she was dressed Mimotchka went in to her husband, who kissed her
+per-fumed hand, and, holding it in his, bent down his bald forehead
+for her to kiss. They breakfasted off _hors d'œuvre,_ lobster, and
+_côtelettes en papillottes,_ and, having thus fortified themselves,
+they went out walking or driving to see museums or the environs of
+Paris.... Before dinner Spiridon Ivanovitch returned home to have a
+nap, while Mimotchka went shopping and bought more and more.... Then
+came dinner, and afterwards a theatre, cirque, or café concert....
+Spiridon Ivanovitch knew Paris well, and was particularly well
+acquainted with its places of amusement; and, as he held the opinion
+that abroad a respectable woman might go anywhere, because nobody knew
+her, he took his wife to both "Mabille" and "Bullier," and to all the
+Eldorados besides, so as to show her the cocottes of both sides of the
+Seine.
+
+Having thus spent their honeymoon, the young couple returned to
+Petersburg with empty purses, with an increased number of trunks and
+bandboxes, with a store of amusing and agreeable reminiscences, and on
+much more intimate and friendly terms with each other than when they
+had started.
+
+All the relations met Mimotchka with open arms. She was no longer a
+portionless girl, looking out for a husband, whom the aunts could
+keep in the background and snub if they liked.... Now she was the wife
+of a general commanding a division, the wife of a highly-respected and
+wealthy man, a lady with fresh toilettes from Paris and a position in
+society.
+
+Besides her position in society, Mimotchka was before long in what is
+termed an "interesting position." To tell the truth, this last position
+was somewhat burdensome to her, and, if mamma and Spiridon Ivanovitch
+had not watched over her like a goddess, Mimotchka would have made away
+with herself. But, when all the suffering and misery were over, when
+the heir of Spiridon Ivanovitch occupied his appointed place in this
+world of grief and tears, when his screams began to resound through the
+general's large house, and Mimotchka was up and well again, then she
+was glad in her heart and well satisfied. Glad both because she had
+grown prettier and plumper, and because now she has a real live baby of
+her own, while her friends, the three sisters Poltavsteff, are still
+painting on china and singing Italian arias and gipsy songs, in the
+vain hope of attracting some one who can give them _une position dans
+le monde_ and a real, live baby.
+
+And Mimotchka possesses both the one and the other. And although all
+the three sisters Poltavsteff, when they come to see Mimotchka and
+admire the baby, kissing his soft, dimpled little hands and feet, say
+with one accord that they can only understand marrying for love, and
+that not one of them would marry except for love; still Mimotchka
+knows perfectly well that this is only talk, and that, had Spiridon
+Ivanovitch taken a fancy to one of them instead of her, any of the
+three would have married him directly. It's no laughing matter. He is
+in command of a division, and a whole division is under his inspection.
+And even more awaits him in the future. Spiridon Ivanovitch's career is
+not nearly finished.... It would have been indeed stupid to refuse such
+a _partie._
+
+
+Why then, now, six years after marriage, is Mimotchka dull? Why does
+she get thin and pale? What can she want? She has her family. She
+has her son, her husband, and her mother. She has plenty of money,
+carriages, and a box at the opera. What more can she desire? Mimotchka
+herself does not know what she wants. She does not want anything. She
+is simply tired of life. It is quite immaterial to her whether she
+lives or dies. Dies? Oh yes, and even now, directly. So she says, and
+poor mamma cannot hear it without tears and sighs. She sees that her
+daughter is really ill, that she is hiding something, and that she
+gets weaker and more irritable every day.... Mamma implores Mimotchka
+to consult Doctor Variashski (mamma believes in him as she does in the
+Almighty). But Mimotchka is obstinate and angry, and says, "Ah, laissez
+done! je me porte à merveille! Je suis tout à fait bien." And mamma
+sighs and Mimotchka gets paler and thinner.
+
+The aunts are much concerned at the change in Mimotchka's appearance.
+
+"But how plain Mimi is growing," said Aunt Sophy. "And why is she
+getting so sickly?"
+
+"She has an old husband," says Aunt Mary shortly.
+
+"Oh, how can you talk like that?" says Aunt Julia reproachfully. "And,
+after all; old, old ... Enfin elle a un enfant. Qu'est ce qu'elle a à
+se plaindre?"
+
+"Annette thinks that she has never been quite strong since her
+confinement, her confinement and the chloroform, and..
+
+"That's an old story! On the contrary, she improved so much then."
+
+"And I am convinced that she is simply ill from want of something
+to do," says Aunt Julia severely. "Why, for whole days she doesn't
+move one finger over another. Look at my Zina; she orders the dinner
+and pours out the tea, then she attends classes, then she practises
+her voice.... Every minute is occupied. And look what a colour the
+girl has, how healthy she is. People say, Petersburg, Petersburg....
+Rubbish! You can be healthy anywhere. But Mimotchka.... If I led such
+a life I should have been dead long ago."
+
+And the aunts are perfectly right. Mimotchka is getting plain,
+Mimotchka is dull, and Mimotchka does nothing.
+
+Mamma loves her so tenderly that she considers every occupation, even
+of the slightest and easiest description, to be beyond Mimi's strength
+and too much for her. All the cares of the housekeeping, all the care
+of the child, mamma takes upon herself, leaving Mimotchka to drive,
+dress, go out, and receive. At first these occupations had satisfied
+Mimotchka, but now they wearied her. Yes, nothing satisfies her now....
+To quote the words of Schopenhauer--she had lost appetite for life....
+
+And by the side of the apathy taking possession of her there grows
+an instinctive feeling of irritation against mamma and Spiridon
+Ivanovitch--a feeling of irritation very near to antipathy. She does
+not know in what way they interfere with her or of what they deprive
+her. She only knows that each day they become stranger and more
+wearisome to her. She feels confusedly that the life they have made
+for themselves is warm and pleasant to them, while she is entangled
+in it and struggles like a fly in a spider's web. And she cannot
+extricate herself from this spider's web because it is woven of the
+tenderest care for her. If she goes to the theatre, or to an evening
+party, either mamma or Spiridon Ivanovitch invariably accompanies her,
+and she cannot say a word, or make a step that is not known to them
+and commented upon. Mimotchka sees that Spiridon Ivanovitch is simply
+jealous--of course he is, even the aunts notice it. But he will not
+own to it, and his distrust is disguised in phrases such as, "That is
+not usual in society.... It will look awkward.... People don't do so."
+So that altogether Mimotchka becomes daily more and more indifferent to
+life.
+
+Mamma and Spiridon Ivanovitch get on very well together, and soon
+become fast friends. They understand each other almost without
+speaking. Spiridon Ivanovitch's reviews, committees, and projects
+deeply interest mamma, who, even during her late husband's lifetime,
+had been accustomed to hearing about military matters. Mimotchka
+considers everything relating to her husband's military service
+stupid and dull. It seems to her that he talks on purpose before
+mamma about "Committees, re-or-ga-ni-sa-tion.... With bayonets or
+without bayonets." And mamma actually replies as if it interests her!
+Besides conversations about the service they have conversations about
+the education of children, which she also detests. Mimotchka knows
+that however you may educate children, whatever books you may read,
+they will scream and soil their pinafores just the same, and then be
+tiresome and disobedient. And theories are no use at all. You must have
+a good nurse and be able to pay her good wages. What is the use of
+saying the same things over and over again?
+
+But the worst of all, the most unbearable of all, is their conversation
+about politics. Politics--Mimotchka's _bête noire._ In the newspapers
+she only reads the last sheet, because only the deaths and
+advertisements of sales interest her, but mamma and Spiridon Ivanovitch
+devour the whole paper from A to Z, so that every day at dinner they go
+over all the articles in it again. All this talk about Bismarck, about
+the Emperor William, about Italy and Austria, and about that most
+boring Bulgaria, will certainly drive Mimotchka out of her mind or into
+her grave! What does she care about the Coburgs or about Battenberg!
+She is twenty-six; she is at an age to enjoy life, to laugh and
+amuse herself, and not to sit here between her grey-haired mamma and
+bald-headed Spiridon Ivanovitch, who sniffs, and coughs, and spits, and
+pours himself out bitters. And Mimotchka, irritated beyond all bearing
+by Battenberg, capriciously pushes her plate of cutlets away from her
+as if they had offended her as well as everything else in the house,
+and says, "Encore ce Battenberg! Il m'agace à la fin!"
+
+And mamma sighs and Spiridon Ivanovitch frowns.
+
+Well now, for instance, there is her friend, Nettie Poltavsteff, she
+is married to a young man; perhaps rather a thoughtless young fellow,
+without any prospects, but how they enjoy themselves! my goodness, how
+they enjoy themselves! True, they are squandering their capital, and
+the old Poltavsteffs shake their heads fearfully and disapprovingly.
+True, that Nettie's admirer takes root more and more firmly in the
+house, so that many people smile meaningly when they speak of him;
+true, that Mimotchka herself repeats after mamma and the aunts that
+Nettie is in a dangerous way; true, that Mimotchka, by Aunt Julia's
+advice, purposely lets a long period elapse before she returns Nettie's
+visits, but what of that? anyhow, Nettie amuses herself, Nettie really
+enjoys life ... Nettie dresses eccentrically, Nettie goes to see
+burlesques, goes to masquerades and restaurants, laughs at everything
+and everybody, and contents herself with men's society. She is a good
+deal talked about, and not always Well spoken of, but she laughs at
+that too. Her husband tolerates her doings, and so do others.... And
+around Nettie life and gaiety play and sparkle like the champagne that
+is always on her table.
+
+Formerly she and Mimotchka were great friends, but now mamma and
+Spiridon Ivanovitch have put a veto on their friendship. They consider
+Nettie too frivolous, and look on her as a bad example for Mimotchka.
+And so Mimotchka does not return her visits because, of course, she
+is in a dangerous way.... But, all the same, Mimotchka is very sorry
+that Nettie is in a dangerous way, because if she were not it would be
+very amusing to go and see her.... She is very nice, Nettie is, and
+so full of fun.... And, even putting Nettie aside, anyhow Mimotchka
+finds it livelier at the three sisters Poltavsteff's house than at her
+own home. They sing, dance, play, and build castles in the air....
+They are always in love with somebody or other, always talking about
+captains and lieutenants, or about Nettie's admirers.... They have
+dreams, hopes, and plans for the future, everything to look forward to.
+But she? What can she expect? What can she hope for? Her life is over.
+She has no illusions left. She knows what life is, knows what men are,
+what marriage is, what this much-vaunted love is--_une horreur!_ And
+yet Aunt Mary says to her, "Mind you don't fall in love with anyone!"
+She--fall in love! Why, she does not even care to live.... And her best
+years have gone, irrevocably gone.... She is already an old woman. She
+is twenty-six. Yes, quite an old woman.... She feels so old, so old,
+so tired of life....
+
+And Mimotchka is dull and gets thin and pale.
+
+By the spring her nervous depression reaches such a pitch that one
+fine evening, when Spiridon Ivanovitch proposes to the ladies to
+decide whether they would like to spend the summer in the country on
+his estates or take a _datcha_[1] elsewhere, Mimotchka goes off into
+a fit of hysterics, a real fit of hysterics, laughing, crying, and
+screaming.... Mamma is in despair. This is what it has come to! And
+what had she been thinking of to allow it to go on?...
+
+[1] Villa residences let for the summer season in the environs of St.
+Petersburg.
+
+Energetic measures must be immediately taken; yes, immediately. Mimi
+gives way, she agrees to consult Doctor Variashski. Mamma has such
+confidence in Variashski! He had attended Mimotchka before, once he
+had even saved her life, he understands her nature.... And such a nice
+man besides, so attentive and amusing.... No mere boy either, but a
+reliable, respectable man, a professor too.... Mamma believes in him as
+she does in the Almighty. Now they can only look to Doctor Variashski
+to save Mimotchka. They will do whatever he tells them. If he says, Go
+to Madeira, they will go to Madeira.... Spiridon Ivanovitch is ready to
+provide the money. It's impossible to stop at any expense when it comes
+to a question of saving life, and the life of one near and dear to you.
+They will do whatever Variashski tells them to.
+
+
+"Whom do I see! My humble respects "says Doctor Variashski,
+introducing mamma and Mimotchka into his consulting-room and rapidly
+glancing, through his spectacles, round the reception-room, full of
+patients of every age and description, whispering in the corners or
+turning over the leaves of the newspapers as they await their turn.
+
+Mimotchka, on entering the consulting-room, throws herself wearily
+into a soft armchair near the writing-table, and in a languid voice
+replies mono-syllabically and unwillingly to the doctor's questions,
+while mamma, turning her anxious gaze from the doctor to her daughter
+and back again, tries to gather something from the expression
+of his countenance. And in her terrified and loving imagination
+she already sees behind her beloved daughter fearful, menacing
+spectres--consumption, or death from exhaustion.... But no, the doctor
+seems calm, he is even cheerful.
+
+"So you really think, Krondide Feodorovitch, that this dreadful
+weakness can be conquered?"
+
+"Yes, I think there is no impossibility whatever in it."
+
+"Ah, God grant it, God grant it!... But you must know she is not
+telling you everything. She is so patient, so patient; but of course I
+can see how she suffers!"
+
+And mamma, in spite of her daughter, begins in an agitated and
+lugubrious voice to relate to Krondide Feodorovitch in the most
+detailed manner how Mimotchka gets out of breath going upstairs, how
+she cries without any cause, how cross she gets with her maid and with
+baby, how thin she is getting, which is evident from the bodices of
+her dresses, how yesterday at dinner she only ate half a cutlet, and
+to-day--and so on and on.
+
+"So," says the doctor, writing out a prescription, "and what do you
+think of doing this summer?"
+
+"Ah, Krondide Feodorovitch, that is the chief reason why we came to
+you. We will do whatever you tell us. Wherever you send us.... You know
+that we have both money and time to spare. I had already thought that
+perhaps sea-bathing ... abroad ..."
+
+"Yes, of course; abroad is all very well. But what would you say to the
+Caucasus? You were never in the Caucasus?"
+
+"No; but I have heard from many people that it is still very primitive
+there, nothing properly arranged ... no lodgings nor doctors.... They
+say there are only most awful veterinary surgeons there.... And
+nothing whatever to eat." ...
+
+"Oh, well, that's all very much exaggerated. And you can always find
+something to eat if you are not too dainty. And as to doctors, you
+apparently do me the honour of having some confidence in me?"
+
+"Oh, Krondide Ivanovitch, you! I believe in you as I do in God!... All
+my hope is in you!"
+
+"Well, then, you see no other doctor will be required. I myself will
+attend Marie Ilinishna." ...
+
+"What, you will be there? Oh, that alters the question.... Once you are
+there.... When will you be there?"
+
+"At the beginning of the season; you know, where the ladies are, there
+I am to be found too. And all the ladies go there. Jeleznovodsk is
+called the ladies' spring."
+
+Mimotchka brightens up a little. She would like to go to the Caucasus.
+Nettie had spent last summer at Kislovodsk and had come back with
+very pleasant remembrances of it. There she had completely emancipated
+herself, and from there she had brought back her present adorer. And,
+sitting here, all at once Mimotchka recognises clearly for the first
+time exactly what she wants. She wants to go somewhere alone. She will
+take her maid Katia with her and start off, and the others can all do
+what they like. The doctor inwardly makes a note of this brightening
+up, and, glancing occasionally at Mimotchka, continues giving mamma
+some indispensable information about Jeleznovodsk. Mimotchka is to
+drink iron water and take baths for two months, and then go for another
+month to Kislovodsk to, so to say, polish off, and by the autumn she
+will be so much better that it will be quite impossible to recognise
+her.
+
+"God grant it, God grant it!" says mamma, with a sad, doubting smile,
+and delicately slipping a little pinkish paper[2] into the doctor's
+hand, she follows Mimotchka out of the consulting-room, letting the
+next patient pass in in his turn.
+
+[2] A ten-rouble bank-note, equal to about a guinea in English money.
+
+"Well, Mimi," says mamma, taking her seat in the carriage by the side
+of her daughter, "what do you say to his idea? I think we ought to go.
+As he is going to be there himself.... Will you go?"
+
+Mimotchka is silent. Her momentary animation has again changed into an
+expression of suffering and apathy. Mamma looks at her and is silent
+for five minutes, at the end of which she repeats her question.
+
+"What is the use of talking about it?" answers Mimotchka. "It matters
+little what I wish.... He will only say ... He will say again...."
+(Mimotchka sighs.) "He will say, 'Let's go to the country!'"
+
+And Mimotchka sheds bitter tears.
+
+Mamma is in despair, but tries to smile.
+
+"Oh, do stop, stop crying; don't excite yourself so, darling!... Of
+course we won't go to the country.... He is so fond of you. He will do
+anything you like. Hier encore, il m'a dit.... Do stop crying, Mimi;
+it's so bad for you! Where is your _sel de vinaigre?_ ... Smell it,
+dear; it's all because you are so tired.... Where are we going: to
+Julia's or shopping?"
+
+"To Knopps'," says Mimotchka, "I want to go to Knopps'."
+
+They drive to Knopps'. On the way the ladies continue to discuss Doctor
+Variashski's advice. Sniffing at the smelling-salts and blowing her
+nose, Mimotchka explains herself more definitely. She would of course
+go without Spiridon Ivanovitch (it would anyhow be impossible for him
+to go). Baby also might stay with mamma. Mimotchka could not take him
+with her. She was already so sick of the child's crying that if she
+had to drag him everywhere after her she would never get any better.
+Besides, taking baby means taking nurse and the under-nurse and a
+doctor. Variashski does not attend children. What would become of them
+without a children's doctor? Does mamma want to kill baby? No; let her
+remain here with him, and Mimotchka will go alone with Katia....
+
+Mamma agrees with Mimotchka in everything but one point. To let her
+daughter go without her, her daughter who has fainting fits and
+hysterical attacks, to let her go with only a young and inexperienced
+girl--no, this is not to be thought of.... Mamma herself will go with
+her. But who will stay with baby? Perhaps Aunt Julia would take him and
+his nurse with her to the country? Oh yes, she will take him!... At
+Knopps all other anxieties are momentarily lost sight of in the anxiety
+of choosing an umbrella. Mimotchka turns over the whole shop in search
+of an umbrella with a handle the like of which she can only have seen
+in her dreams. In the meantime she comes across many new, useful, and
+practical objects which may be serviceable to her on her approaching
+journey, and Which she buys. So that, when she takes her seat with
+mamma in the carriage, quite a pile of parcels and boxes is carried
+after them. Mimotchka looks refreshed and calmer.
+
+"You're not too tired, Mimi? Perhaps we had better leave Julia for
+another time?" asks mamma.
+
+"No, no, better do it all at once," says Mimotchka, closing her eyes.
+
+Aunt Julia receives on Wednesdays. Visitors and tea in the afternoon;
+cards and now and then a dance for Zina and the young people in the
+evening.
+
+Aunt Julia is a much respected, clever woman, with a great deal of
+character. Her sisters say of her: "Julie est une femme de beaucoup
+d'esprit, mais elle manque de cœur. C'est tout le contraire d'Annette."
+
+Aunt Julia is an irreproachable wife, housewife, and mother. She has
+brought up her two elder children extremely well--Vova, a rosy-faced
+cavalry officer, and Zina, who has been educated at Trouba's.[3] And
+Vova and Zina are the pride and joy of their mother's life, to whom,
+however, the Lord has sent a trial in the person of her youngest
+daughter Vava, a sickly, capricious, fanciful girl. They doctor her
+up and correct her, but all to no purpose. Up to now Vava is the
+nightmare, plague, and cross of Aunt Julia's life.
+
+[3] A famous ladies' school, that was under the patronage of the late
+Grand Duchess Helen.
+
+When mamma and Mimotchka enter Aunt Julia's lilac drawing-room, they
+find a great many ladies there and a few young men, friends of Vova's.
+A cross-fire of conversation is going on in the room.
+
+"And so you're going again to Merekule?"[4]
+
+"Yes, to Merekule. We're always faithful to Merekule. And you?"
+
+"Oh, je n'aime pas à avoir une _datcha;_ j'aime mieux rester ici. Then
+I can go to one place one day and another the next."
+
+[4] A seaside resort in Finland.
+
+"Et Louise?... Elle est toujours à Naples?"
+
+"Comment? Le bordeaux avec le rose pâle.... Oh, mais quand c'est fait
+par une française, par une bonne faiseuse, ... c'est délicieux comme
+mélange." ...
+
+"And so yesterday I went to the exhibition." ...
+
+"What did you think of the exhibition?"
+
+"Oh dear, how we laughed!... We go in and whom do we meet...."
+
+"Et tous les soirs elles vont aux îles. Et tous les soirs c'est la même
+chose. C'est triste." ...
+
+Mimotchka is met with inquiries about her health. Mamma informs her
+nearest neighbours that they have only just come from Variashski's.
+
+"How can you have any confidence in Variashski?" says Aunt Mary in
+horror, as she shakes the ash off her cigarette. "He simply murdered a
+friend of mine. She died under the knife. And afterwards it appeared
+that there Was no need at all of an operation.... It was all a
+mistake." ...
+
+"You're mixing it up, Mary. You told us that story of Lisinski."
+
+"Really? Well, perhaps. It's all the same. One's as bad as the other."
+
+"Why don't you try homœopathy?" says a homœopathic lady. "I am sure it
+Would do your daughter good; especially in cases of nervous illnesses."
+...
+
+"Yes; I really do not understand," continues Aunt Mary, finishing
+another cigarette, "why you go to Variashski. Isn't he an _accoucheur?_
+... Si c'est une maladie de nerfs, why don't you consult Merjeffsky?"
+
+"And I should have taken her straight to Botkin," says Aunt Julia. "She
+could not have got so thin without some cause. He would have determined
+what her illness is, and would have recommended you a specialist if he
+thought necessary. I only believe in Botkin."
+
+"And even Botkin makes mistakes," says the homœopathic lady. "No,
+seriously, try homœopathy. Why, I myself am a living advertisement for
+homœopathy. Just think how many doctors I have consulted, how many
+remedies I have tried.... And only since I consulted Brazolle ..."
+
+"Brazolle, oh yes, Brazolle! Why, I have met him in society. Il est
+très bien."
+
+"Is he married? Who is he married to?"
+
+The medical conversation becomes general.
+
+"Brazolle? Yes, who did he marry? And Solovieff, what a wonderfully
+conscientious doctor he is. Of course, of course.... He has a hospital
+of his own.... And he is so busy, so very busy.... And Baron
+Vreffski.... You're joking _f_ Not in the least.... An extraordinary
+case.... He cured a blind man, a real blind man, perfectly blind,
+whom I saw with my own eyes, ... with that water of his, or by
+electricity.... Enfin il réussit. Of course faith has a great deal to
+do with it.... Oh, I should think so!... For instance, Father John[5]
+... Oh, ce n'est plus du tout la même chose.... Vous croyez? Mais,
+c'est un saint! Oh, he's only a sinful man like the rest of us, je ne
+crois pas à sa sainteté. C'est la mode, voilà tout.... Oh, don't say
+so.... If you only saw him, ... a little, thin man, ... and with such
+a look in his eyes, something so heavenly!... He took tea with us and
+ate some fruit.... He is very fond of grapes.... Of course you must
+have faith.... Oh yes, faith--that's all!... But who works wonders--is
+Batmaieff.... Qu'est ce que ce Batmaieff? est-ce que c'est encore un
+saint? Non, non, c'est un médecin.... I can give you his address if you
+like." ...
+
+[5] A priest at the cathedral of Cronstadt, famous for his faith
+healing.
+
+Under cover of the noise mamma tells Aunt Julia about Variashski's
+sending them to Jeleznovodsk, and tries to sound her about taking
+charge of baby and his nurse for the summer. Aunt Julia will take
+charge of them with pleasure for the whole summer if mamma will consent
+to take Vava with her to Jeleznovodsk. Merjeffsky has advised that she
+should be separated from her family for a time, and has ordered her
+to take iron waters this summer. And they will all breathe more freely
+when Vava is gone. She is getting unbearable. She sets every one in the
+house at loggerheads. Her brother has predicted that she will finish
+on the gallows, and advises her being sent for two or three years to
+France, or perhaps to Switzerland to some _pension._ Her father won't
+hear of it; he always takes Vava's part. Good heavens, if only some one
+would take charge of her!... One service in return for another. Vava
+for baby, baby for Vava. And so the matter is settled.
+
+
+At dinner mamma informs Spiridon Ivanovitch of the results of their
+visit to Variashski and of their negotiations with Aunt Julia. At the
+mention of the Caucasus Spiridon Ivanovitch brightens up and gets
+quite good-humoured. In the Caucasus were passed the best years of
+his life, the best years of his military service. Even now he has
+many friends both in Tiflis and Piatigorsk--a wonderful land of which
+he has wonderful reminiscences. _Shaslik, katchetinsk, narzan,_[6]
+and riding-parties through the moonlight nights! If only Spiridon
+Ivanovitch were free, he himself would go with the ladies. Of course
+Mimotchka must go and make a cure there. The sun and the iron waters
+will certainly restore her to health. Perhaps in August he might be
+able to join them there himself. Oh yes, yes; she must go. Of course it
+would never do for her to go alone. Goodness knows what sort of society
+is to be found at the springs. But with mamma and Vava she might
+venture. About how much will the journey cost?
+
+[6] _Shaslik,_ small pieces of mutton roasted on a spit in Caucasian
+fashion. _Katchetinsk,_ a wine something like Burgundy, made in the
+Caucasus. _Narzan,_ a sparkling mineral water.
+
+May in Petersburg. A cold wind raises clouds of dust in the streets,
+but the bright sun, the ladies' light gauze veils and parasols, and
+the noise of wheels, relieving the deep stillness of winter--all this
+already tells of spring, and what speaks more clearly of it than
+anything is the pure blue sky, across which all kinds of bright hopes
+and promises for the future flit alluringly. It seems to say that
+somewhere, far away from the granite quays and stone houses, from the
+dusty streets and squares with their meagre foliage, spring has already
+come, real spring, with her light breezes, with the nightingales' and
+larks' trills, with the scent of lilacs and cherry blossoms in the
+air--spring, that gladdens the heart of everyone who wishes to get away
+and can from the close, dusty town; and everyone who wishes to and can
+hastens to do so.
+
+At the Nicholas railway station there is bustle and animation. Porters
+and carriers are rushing up and down the platform and jostling each
+other at the doors. From the refreshment rooms comes the noise of
+knives and forks, the clinking of glasses, the sound of conversation
+and exclamations, the scraping of feet, and all the busy fuss and noise
+of a crowd in movement.
+
+On the platform, in front of the high, blue railway carriage, stands
+an elegant group seeing Mimotchka off. It is composed of the stout
+Spiridon Ivanovitch in his crimson-lined overcoat,[7] the tall
+and majestic Aunt Julia with a long eyeglass, through which she
+superciliously examines the surrounding public; the fat, rosy-faced
+Vova, Aunt Julia's favourite, her joy and pride; pretty Zina, in
+a huge, fashionable hat and short, fashionable jacket, and with
+two little white dogs, who look on God's world as haughtily and
+indifferently as their mistress; Mdme. Lambert, her governess: the
+three sisters Poltavsteff in thick veils; Aunt Mary with her son,
+and Aunt Sophy with her husband. Mimotchka is already seated in the
+carriage with her lapdog, which she could not make up her mind to
+leave behind her in Petersburg, and is smelling her _sel de vinaigre._
+She is dreadfully tired, and besides that she is so sick of them all.
+The sooner she gets off the better. And there is Spiridon Ivanovitch,
+climbing up into the carriage again, and almost tumbling into the
+cushions, to inquire if she is quite comfortable.... Quite, quite; she
+has everything she wants!
+
+[7] Russian generals wear overcoats lined with crimson.
+
+Vava, a thin, black-eyed girl of sixteen, stands on the platform by
+her father, and, holding on to him with both hands, gives him her word
+of honour not to quarrel with her aunt, and in general to be good, and
+not like she is in Petersburg. And Vava, in her turn, makes him promise
+that he will write her long letters and often.
+
+Mamma is fussily and anxiously whispering to Aunt Julia, giving her
+last instructions about baby, nurse, and the servants she has left
+behind. Then the expression of both their faces changes. Mamma's takes
+one of condolence and sympathy, Aunt Julia's of patient endurance;
+evidently they are talking of the cross she has to bear--of Vava.
+
+"I know it's a great charge," says Aunt Julia, "but I will do all I can
+for you in return. And the principal thing is, that she must not on any
+account go out alone."
+
+The two elder Poltavsteffs are smiling at Mdme. Lambert and playing
+with Zina's dogs; the youngest, coquettishly turning up her eyes, tells
+Vova that she does not believe either in friendship or love.
+
+"And, in my opinion, it's all folly," says Aunt Mary. "What is the
+use of their going there? Why, they will all die of hunger. I know
+perfectly well what the Crimea and the Caucasus are. Starvation,
+_ennui,_ and dirt. It's simply throwing away money. And why have they
+such confidence in Variashski? As if there were no doctors abroad!"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" agrees Aunt Sophy. "We were told to go to Essentouki,
+too, but of course we shall go to Carlsbad instead. As if it were
+possible!"
+
+The last bell sounds. Vava gives her father a parting hug, and, with a
+little scream, throws herself impetuously into the carriage, getting
+very much in the guard's way as she does so. Aunt Julia exchanges a
+suffering look with Zina. Mimotchka shows her pale face at the window
+and smiles at her friends. They all nod, bow, and smile at her in
+return. "_Bon voyage! Bon voyage!_"
+
+Spiridon Ivanovitch gazes after her with a tender, loving look, and
+the train smoothly and quietly moves from its place and glides out
+from under the dark arches of the station. Mamma makes the sign of the
+cross,[8] Mimotchka yawns, and Vava goes out of the _coupé._[9]
+
+Now they are at the end of the platform, now past the hoardings and the
+market gardens. The barracks, with all their windows staring at the
+departing train, have disappeared, and the train flies out into the
+open and steams along at full speed.
+
+[8] Orthodox Russians make the sign of the cross before they start on a
+journey.
+
+[9] Russian railway carriages are constructed like American cars, and
+have a passage running through the middle.
+
+Mamma makes a survey of the luggage. "Is everything here?... Is
+everything in its proper place? And where has Vava gone?" ...
+
+"She must be in the passage," answers Mimotchka lazily, closing her
+eyes.
+
+"I think that is her singing. Do you hear? What a mad thing she is!"
+But Mimotchka only yawns.
+
+The fact of Vava's immediately running away from them rather troubles
+mamma. How is she to manage this queer girl? The best way is to
+influence her by kindness and affection. Vava's father had begged mamma
+to do so, and Merjeffsky, the doctor, had also mentioned it. Of course
+she has such a highly-strung, nervous nature. Mamma and Aunt Julia
+have quite different ideas on the subject of education. Mamma always
+thought Aunt Julia was too harsh with Vava "On ne prend pas les mouches
+avec du vinaigre, mais avec du miel." Mamma will prove that it is quite
+possible to get on, even with Vava. "Julie est une femme de beaucoup
+d'esprit, mais elle manque de cœur." But mamma--is just the contrary.
+To use her own expression, with her the heart comes first, and the head
+last. She will influence Vava by kindness.
+
+Vava remains in the passage, at the open window, singing at the top of
+her voice "Heavenly Cloudlets."
+
+It is both wild and absurd, but mamma, on reflection, decides to leave
+her to herself, and not to interfere. Let her stand there and sing if
+she likes. After all, she is ill. She must first be tamed, and then
+re-educated.
+
+And mamma, cautiously looking through the crack in the door, sits down
+again, and once more begins to count over the things and feel if the
+little leather bag containing money that is sewn in her dress is quite
+safe.
+
+Mimotchka has taken off her travelling hat, unbuttoned her jacket, and,
+lying back on the velvet cushions, plays with her dog, pulling its
+ears, stroking its head, and talking to it.
+
+"Well, what is it, Monitchka, my beauty? Does Monitchka want her tea?
+Yes?... She shall have it; she shall have it directly. How can the
+little dog go to bed without her tea! Ask grandmamma when we shall have
+tea? Yes, yes, dear, tea.... Du thé.... Et du sucre, oui un peu de
+sucre."
+
+At Luban, the first station, the dog is regaled with tea, sugar, and
+biscuits. The ladies also take tea, brought to them in the carriage by
+a tall, fine-looking young guard, upon whom the crimson coat lining and
+liberality of Spiridon Ivanovitch have made a due impression.
+
+It gets dark. Mimotchka puts the pug to bed; mamma puts Mimotchka to
+bed. The guard lifts up the cushioned seat and makes up a bed for Vava,
+who is placed above mamma; he draws the shade over the lamp, and in the
+_coupé_ darkness and silence reign, only interrupted by the snoring of
+the pug curled up in a ball on its quilted feather-bed.
+
+And the train flies along, thumping and rattling, flies across ditches,
+bridges, and marshes, and, singing its monotonous wild song, rocks the
+tired passengers to sleep.
+
+Mamma feels very comfortable. Having settled Mimotchka (who has been
+very quiet and uncomplaining to-day) for the night, mamma puts on
+her slippers, takes off her cap, ties a little shawl over her head,
+and stretches herself out with great enjoyment on the sofa. Well, now
+they're off, mamma very much hopes that the waters and change of air
+will act beneficially on her poor invalid. And then Variashski will be
+there, that is the main point. On that score mamma is quite at rest.
+She owns to herself that she will enjoy the journey, the holiday, and
+the rest for a time from all the bother of the servants, from the
+continual thought and worry about dinner, about the meat, about baby's
+food and his bath, about the price of sugar and candles, about the
+laundress and the kerosine for the lamps. Three months of entire rest
+from it all! As to baby, there is no reason to be anxious about him.
+He is in trustworthy hands, and will be most carefully looked after.
+Besides, Spiridon Ivanovitch will go to Peterhof to see him. And in
+the autumn Spiridon Ivanovitch himself is expecting a reward from the
+Emperor, which he is pretty sure to get. So that everything is very
+satisfactory on that side. And, in the meantime, they will travel,
+breathe the fresh air, and lay in stores of health and strength for the
+winter. Vava, now asleep over mamma's head, may certainly give some
+trouble, but well, never mind if she does. The great thing will be to
+influence her by kindness. Katia shall always go out with her; Aunt
+Julia has given Katia extra wages, and is paying her journey one way.
+In general, Aunt Julia is behaving very liberally about Vava's cure,
+her board, lodging, and any unforeseen expenses that may be incurred
+on her account. Mamma is taking such a lot of money with her that she
+really will hardly sleep at night for fear of thieves. And yet her
+sisters say that Julia is mean. No, she isn't mean. She is pedantic,
+and a little near about money perhaps, but not mean. For instance,
+she has allowed two hundred roubles for the doctor who is to attend
+Vava during the summer. Mamma thinks it a great deal too much. Surely
+Mimotchka won't have to pay Variashski as much? Oh no. They paid him
+very little in Petersburg? And a hundred roubles would be more than
+sufficient. Or perhaps they might have to give him a hundred and fifty.
+Mamma has so much confidence in him. And really he is such a nice,
+sympathetic man ... and un bel homme too. But still a hundred would be
+quite enough. A hundred?... a hundred and fifty ... or a hundred?...
+
+And without having decided the question, mamma begins a gentle snore.
+
+Mimotchka lies on the opposite sofa, gracefully resting her pretty
+head on her hand. She likes lying there, and thinks it a great deal
+nicer than in her own bed at home. There, when she had suffered so much
+from sleeplessness, she had been surrounded by such absolute stillness
+and silence from without, that she had felt all in a disturbance and
+tumult within. Everything in her had seemed to tremble, beat, knock,
+and shake. What exhaustion and what torments she had endured! But here,
+on the contrary, here all the noise and disturbance are from without,
+and that is what acts beneficially on her. She likes the whistling and
+ringing, the shaking and swaying of the sofa, the noise of the wheels,
+the jarring of the window-panes, and the rattling of the cinders in
+the ashpan. All these chaotic sounds soothe her and lull her to sleep.
+She enjoys lying there, and thinks about her new dresses. What hat
+shall she wear with her _mousse_ gown? She is taking five hats with
+her, but none of them quite suits with the _mousse_ gown; perhaps the
+blue flowers might be taken out of the black hat, and pale pink flowers
+and _mousse_ ribbon put in instead. And Mimotchka thinks over the hat.
+But what is really perfect, indisputably perfect, is--her riding-habit.
+She has never had a bodice in her life that fits her like that. It's
+a dream! When the riding-habit had been brought home from Tedeschi's
+and Spiridon Ivanovitch had seen the bill, he had grumbled at the
+expense, and she had cried. How stupid she had been! What was there to
+cry about when the bodice fitted so divinely? But who would she ride
+with? Variashski would be there. She liked him very much. He was so
+tall and had such a good figure. He had said, "I will see that you are
+not dull." Perhaps they would be neighbours. They would become better
+acquainted. It doesn't matter about his being a doctor. He has his rank
+of general,[10] just the same as Spiridon Ivanovitch. They would get
+intimate and ride together. No doubt he rides Well. He ...
+
+[10] In Russia, as in Germany and Austria, the civil service is divided
+into ranks like the military service.
+
+And Mimotchka, closing her eyes, clearly sees the figure of Doctor
+Variashski; by degrees the figure begins to look at her from the back
+of the velvet sofa, from the looking-glass door, from the shaking
+windows, covered with their blue blinds, and from the ceiling with its
+glimmering, shaded light. And either the influence of her doctor's
+image, or her confidence in him, but anyhow something makes Mimotchka
+fall asleep, fall asleep without chloral or valerian, and she sees in
+her dreams the figure of Doctor Variashski.
+
+Vava is more wakeful than any of them. She has no desire to sleep. She
+would like even now to be standing at the open window, inhaling the
+night breezes and watching how thicket after thicket vanishes, how the
+lights gradually appear in the open, and how the stars are beginning
+to shine in the heavens. But she had given her word of honour to be
+obedient, and so her aunt had hardly hinted that it was time to go to
+sleep when Vava at once climbed up into her bed. Now she is sorry to be
+lying down here. She finds it stuffy and dull; besides which she has to
+lie very quiet so as not to wake mamma and Mimotchka. Vava is glad that
+she is going to the Caucasus, and chiefly glad to be going alone; for
+Vava considers that she is going alone. She knows that mamma and Katia
+will be so taken up with Mimotchka and her comforts that they will not
+have any time left for her. She will be free. And for her that is the
+chief thing: to be free and in the open air the whole day long. What
+happiness!
+
+There she will walk about the mountains and the forests without any
+French or English governess at her side to poison her pleasure. It
+will be warm there, it will be a beautiful place: there will be
+mountains, verdure, and sunshine.... There will be fresh people, fresh
+acquaintances. Perhaps there she will at last see and get to know those
+great and good people whom she so longs and so looks forward to meeting
+with. People like Washington, Cromwell, William Tell, Joan of Arc, or
+the mother of the Gracchi.... It is impossible that such people should
+not exist. If they were to be found in history it proved that they
+really had existed, and so such people must still exist. Only she has
+not met them. But that was because it had so happened. And she will yet
+meet with them, because she so wishes, so longs to become acquainted
+with them, to live in their intimacy, to learn of them, to raise
+herself to their level.... She will never believe that the whole world
+is only inhabited by people like her family's acquaintances. Oh! those
+acquaintances! How can anyone live in such a senseless, stupid fashion!
+If they were not sometimes roused from their apathy by avarice, envy,
+and vanity they would probably go to sleep altogether, and never wake
+again. And the majority of those she knows lead this sort of life,
+such a mean, empty, aimless, senseless existence. This is how her
+mother, sister, and aunts live.... They laugh at her, they call her
+odd, queer, and fantastic because she longs for something different,
+for something nobler and worthier. She understands that she must seem
+unbearable to them, but she cannot consider herself to blame.... Her
+father--he is not like all the rest; he, the darling, is good. He is
+clever and kind, and how kind he is to her! If it were not for him she
+would most likely have run away long ago. Her father is a splendid
+man! But still he is afraid.... Yes, he is afraid of his wife and her
+sisters, and gives way to them. Why?... He almost seems to want to make
+himself appear like one of them, and when he does show the best side of
+his nature he does it in a joking sort of way, as if he were laughing
+at himself and excusing himself to them. Why? Who does he give way
+to, who is he afraid of? Why not make them do as he chooses and follow
+him? How different it would all be if people were only bold, firm, and
+strong!... But those whom she knows are all alike--
+
+    "They are ashamed to own their love, they thrust
+    thought aside,
+    And are ready to barter their free will ...
+
+But still it is impossible that there should not be any genuine people
+in the world. Only she has not met with them. Perhaps there are hardly
+any in their circle. But still the world is wide, and somewhere
+there are simple, honest, labour-loving, healthy people; energetic,
+disinterested, large-minded men; tender, self-denying, patient women....
+
+Of course Vava will get to know such people. They will teach her, and
+will explain away all her doubts. She has so many doubts! She had had
+an idea of writing to Count Leo Tolstoy, but she was ashamed to. And
+afterwards, when she heard that one of her friends had written to him,
+she didn't like it at all, and was very glad that she had not carried
+out her idea. As if every little beetle could venture to trouble such
+a sun I No, you must think out things for yourself, and make yourself
+worthy of the friendship of great and good people. And she will try to;
+yes, she will try....
+
+She thinks that just there where she is going, where there are
+mountains and eagles, where nature itself is wonderful, there she will
+find these great and good people. There everything will be beautiful.
+There will be no affectations, no empty talk; her mother will not be
+there, with her cold inimical glance, nor her brother with his joking
+and mocking, nor her sister, that living fashion-plate.... But suddenly
+finding herself judging her relations, Vava, as usual, is horrified at
+her own wickedness and malice, and at once begins praying earnestly to
+God, that He would forgive her all her sins, both the sin of judging
+her relations and the terrible sin of not loving her mother; that He
+would somehow help her to bear everything and prepare her for life;
+that He would sustain her and not forsake her, and would give her
+strength and health both of soul and body. And with prayer on her lips
+and in her thoughts, thin, black-haired Vava goes to sleep on her perch
+above mamma, who is snoring regularly, and pale, ethereal Mimotchka.
+
+On the third day the ladies arrived safely at Rostoff, where they had
+to change carriages. In spite of the comfort with which they had
+travelled, they were very tired. And both Vava and Mimotchka, seated
+at the table awaiting the breakfast they had ordered, looked so out
+of sorts and depressed that it was not difficult to recognise in them
+patients for Jeleznovodsk. Mimotchka was so tired that she had not even
+strength to raise her smelling-salts to her nose. And leaning against
+the wall, she gazed apathetically at the row of bottles with their
+gaudy tickets ranged in front of her. The pug lay by her side, and, its
+tongue hanging out of its mouth, breathed hard. Vava also no longer
+looked out for Washington or the mother of the Gracchi among the crowd.
+... Her head ached, her temples throbbed, and she could hardly see out
+of her eyes, besides which, instead of Washington and the mother of the
+Gracchi, she saw close to her on one side a lady with a shaking head,
+whom she recognised from seeing in Dr. Merjeffsky's waiting-room, and
+on the other, a boy with St. Vitus's dance, who alternately put out his
+tongue and made strange contortions with his body.
+
+In fact, the majority of the public were already talking of the
+proximity of the waters, this pool of Siloam towards which the sick and
+suffering flock from all parts of Russia.... Pale, hysterical ladies,
+paralytics, yellow-faced, gloomy-looking patients for Essentouki,
+invalids of every kind and description from Piatigorsk, all these moved
+or sat about in the dusty, grimy waiting-room, resting and eating while
+they waited for the train.
+
+Now someone was brought in, carried on a stretcher. Mimotchka closed
+her eyes. Good heavens! is it possible that they will have to bear
+the sight of such horrors the whole summer? Better die at once than
+continue this dreadful journey.
+
+But suddenly, amidst this ill-favoured, nondescript crowd, there came
+into the room, from the town entrance, an elegantly dressed man of
+about thirty-five, whose appearance attracted general attention. He
+was followed by an enormous black retriever and a porter carrying a
+handsome portmanteau and a railway rug strapped up and fastened with
+beautiful new straps. The young man came to the table at which Vava
+and Mimotchka were seated, carelessly paid the porter, carelessly
+ordered something to eat for himself and something for his dog of the
+insinuating waiter, sat down to the table, and, without dropping his
+eyeglass, rapidly glanced at Vava and Mimotchka, then took off his
+eyeglass and again, but this time more fixedly and attentively, looked
+at Mimotchka.
+
+She had never expected to meet such a fine gentleman in that stuffy,
+dingy waiting-room, amongst all those deformities, and was sorry that
+she had not taken more pains to freshen and beautify herself. Vava
+began, openly and rather loudly, admiring the dog, while Mimotchka
+examined the dog's master's pale face, with its beautiful dark eyes,
+and all the details of his perfect toilet.
+
+Mamma, who had been rushing about settling Katia, came back, panting
+from the heat and fatigue, and sat down by the side of them. Breakfast
+was brought to the ladies; Mimotchka unwillingly put up her veil: she
+thought she must be looking awful; but she was mistaken, and of this
+she was at once assured by a glance from the black eyes that rested so
+admiringly on her. Mimotchka felt more cheerful than she had for a long
+time, and from that moment her journey appeared to her in a perfectly
+different light. It was certainly rather a bore, but still it was
+something fresh, and a change from the monotonous, everyday Petersburg
+life.
+
+Mamma began talking, and so he learned that her name Was Mimotchka, and
+that she was going to the Caucasus. And he? Where is he going? Perhaps
+also to the springs?... He is pale, and something in his look at the
+corners of his mouth tells of weariness, if not of suffering.... And
+he is thin, his cheeks are even rather sunken.... Poor fellow, he is
+ill too, he also suffers.... And he is so handsome, so handsome....
+And what eyes! His breakfast was now also brought to him and he
+began eating, while Mimotchka, secretly continued her observations.
+Everything about him--his way of eating and sitting, and the way his
+hair was done, and his dress--showed a man belonging to good society.
+
+Meanwhile Vava had already stroked the dog and was about to give him
+half her chicken, but mamma looked at her so imploringly, that she
+sent away the dog and assumed her most decorous and sedate expression.
+The Newfoundland, turning about round her, and offended at her sudden
+indifference, went up to the pug and tried to make acquaintance. But
+when Monitchka awoke and saw such a monster near her, she was horribly
+frightened, trembled all over her little body, and began to growl and
+bark furiously. The young man called off the Newfoundland, and the
+ladies found out that the dog's name was Rex. Then they all went on
+with their breakfast; but Mimotchka felt as if something had brought
+her nearer to the young man--very likely the fact of their sharing
+the same table, the same outspread tablecloth, on which stood a plate
+of bread and a decanter of water also for them both in common, or
+else because they were both so young, so handsome and elegant, and
+so different from all the countrified landowners and dishevelled,
+tumbled--looking provincials, with their cigarettes in their mouths,
+who surrounded them. They breakfasted, and their eyes often met and
+said something to each other. He had large, dark eyes; she had eyes
+like a Madonna.
+
+Mimotchka got brighter and brighter. The fatigue and slight headache,
+the clinking of glasses, the scraping of feet, and the talk of
+the motley crowd, all this was something new, the beginning of
+something.... And the time till the departure of the train flew by
+imperceptibly.
+
+The ladies took their places in the ladies' compartment, and he got
+into the next carriage, so that Mimotchka had only to look out at the
+window to see him also looking out of his window.
+
+And now again the train flies on, flies through the green steppes with
+their many-coloured spring flowers. In the ladies' compartment, besides
+our ladies, there was a lady from Moscow, with whom mamma at once
+made acquaintance. The lady, although she came from Moscow, knew half
+Petersburg, and mamma and she soon found that they had many friends and
+even relations in common. The lady had been in the Caucasus and was
+able to give mamma a great deal of valuable information about hotels,
+lodgings, laundresses, &c. And mamma, in her turn, told her all about
+Mimotchka's illness, about her fainting fits and sleeplessness, while
+the Moscow lady, glancing at Mimotchka, who was now looking quite rosy
+and bright, and laughing and chattering like a child with Vava, did not
+know whether mamma was making fun of her or not.
+
+At every station _he_ got out and walked up and down in front of their
+carriage, looking at Mimotchka, who either gazed at the sky or the
+station. And how this shortened the journey! Now he had taken off his
+hat and wore a travelling cap, which suited him even better. Vava soon
+noticed his ways and said to Mimotchka--
+
+"The Adonis seems to be airing himself for your benefit. What stupid
+shoes he wears!"
+
+Mimotchka took his part, saying that the shoes were all right, and that
+she had seen some just like them worn by a French actor at his benefit;
+very likely they were the fashion....
+
+When the evening drew near Vava went off to her favourite post at the
+open window to see the sunset.... And standing there, watching the rosy
+and lilac clouds changing their shape with every moment, and the wide,
+green steppe, Vava felt arise within her a feeling which often took
+possession of her, a flood of love towards God and man. She would have
+liked to enfold the whole world, the whole of mankind, in her embrace
+as brothers and give them light and warmth; she longed to do great
+deeds, to sacrifice herself, to accomplish some good work, not narrow,
+like that beaten track with the rails laid down, but wide, unlimited,
+boundless as the steppe, as the heavens, as the sea, as joy, even as
+love itself!... The pale young moon already detached itself against
+the darkening sky. The sun had disappeared. With its setting the
+steppe had changed and was now covered with floating shadows. The
+world of spirits, the world of dreams awoke. Vava watched the young
+moon and called to mind the books about spiritualism she had lately
+read. Is there any truth in it or not? How do souls live after they
+are separated from their bodies? Where are they? Why and how do they
+live? Do they see us? Do they pity us? Do our sufferings seem so small
+to them? Life and death.... How many mysteries, how many enigmas there
+are in nature! Is there anyone who knows everything, everything, or
+even a great deal, like Goethe's Faust did? And is it well to know so
+much, to understand everything, to see everything, to find the key to
+all mysteries, or is it better to be as she is and not know anything,
+but to feel a sense of happiness due only to her youth, to her heart
+overflowing with love, to the beauty of the steppe and the young
+moon?...
+
+Mamma and the lady from Moscow went on talking incessantly. They
+could not quite recollect who Mdme. Verevkine's daughter by her first
+marriage, the one who had been previously engaged to Mestchersky, the
+brother-in-law of a mutual lady friend of theirs, had married....
+Mimotchka did not remember either.... And Vava did not know.... Then
+mamma began enumerating to the lady all the things she was taking
+with her. Mamma was of the opinion that if you went abroad you need
+take very little with you, because abroad you could get everything
+everywhere. But in Russia, and especially in the provinces, it was
+impossible to get anything anywhere; so that you had to set out well
+provided. Mimotchka sat at the open window, looked at the young
+moon, and also indulged in dreams. Who could _he_ be? Who is he?
+Whereto and wherefore is he travelling? She had noticed that he wore
+a wedding-ring.[11] Why does he look at her so? Has she taken his
+fancy?... How? By her beauty? But she has so gone off lately. Still she
+looks interesting to-day. She saw her reflection in the glass opposite
+and was astonished at herself. There is something in the expression of
+her eyes and about her complexion that beautifies her. Well, so much
+the better. Let him walk up and down if he likes, she will not prevent
+him. She does not respond to his glances, only perhaps very slightly
+and quite involuntarily. Anyhow there is no harm in it.... Where can he
+be going? And who is he? And Mimotchka gazed at the new moon, and the
+sparks flew past her like a golden rain, and the wind played with her
+fair curls. Mamma wanted to put up the window, but Mimotchka said it
+was too early yet and would be stuffy in the carriage.
+
+[11] Russian married men wear wedding-rings as well as women.
+
+It was quite dark, and Vava, mamma, and the lady from Moscow were
+already asleep when Mimotchka put her head out of the window for the
+last time. The station was like all the other stations. A little
+two-storied wooden house, with a bell attached to it, and with lit-up
+windows, from which, behind the pots of geraniums and balsams, the
+station-master's untidy wife in a pink cotton dress looked out.
+The flickering light of the lamp lit up the dark platform, on which
+the motionless figures of the peasants stood staring stupidly at
+the train; the gendarme also stood motionless; the guard went past
+the carriage. Some one greeted the station-master. Ah, there he is!
+He isn't asleep yet. He again passed close to the carriage in which
+Mimotchka was seated, and this time he came so near and looked into
+her eyes so expressively that Mimotchka got frightened and pulled up
+the window. And the train sped along further. Mimotchka lay down to
+sleep, but she was disturbed and felt dissatisfied with herself, with
+him, and with everybody. Why did he look at her in that manner? It
+was impertinent.... How could he dare to? what did he take her for?
+She admitted /that she herself was perhaps rather to blame; but why
+shouldn't she amuse herself a little on the journey? Of course in
+Petersburg she would never have allowed herself to do anything of the
+kind. How he looked at her, how he looked at her, to be sure! But
+anyhow he had beautiful eyes! She thought she had never seen such eyes.
+Well, now, enough of him--better forget all about him. Nobody will ever
+be the wiser, and he does not know who she is. To-morrow they will go
+off in different directions, and perhaps never see each other again....
+It's time to go to sleep.
+
+And Mimotchka turned the cushion and covered herself over with the
+wrapper. But the sofa was uncomfortable, and the carriage felt stuffy
+and smelt of smoke and coal. In vain she sniffed at her _sel de
+vinaigre_ and counted out some drops of valerian--she only fell asleep
+when the carriage blinds began to whiten with the coming dawn.
+
+And now at last the long journey is over. Vava is already gazing at the
+mountains, which the lady from Moscow names to her: Beshtau, Razvalka,
+and Jeleznaia.
+
+The guard collects the tickets. The hand-baggage is strapped up.
+Mimotchka yawns; she has slept badly, and is not in good spirits. She
+feels as if she would like to die. The train stops at the station of
+the Mineral Waters, Which is buried in a garden full of white acacias.
+
+Good heavens, what a lot of passengers are getting out here! Will
+there be carriages enough? And how sweet the white acacia smells! What
+a sky! What fresh, pure air! Mamma hastily bids good-bye to the lady
+from Moscow, who is going on further, and loads three porters with the
+hand-baggage. Vava tries to make herself useful, finds Katia, and looks
+after the things; Mimotchka envelops herself in a thick veil and goes
+into the ladies' room. She feels very out of sorts, and still thinks
+she would like to die. She is aching all over, and tears of weakness
+almost choke her. She is rather ashamed of yesterday's exchange of
+glances. Only think, a son age, dans sa position!... And besides,
+who knows who and what he is? She really had not seen him thoroughly
+well. It was all the darkness and her imagination. Perhaps he had been
+boasting in the carriage, although he has really nothing to boast
+about. And after all she does not care! And Mimotchka, without turning
+her head, crosses the room where the people are sitting and drinking
+tea; but even without looking she sees that he is differently dressed.
+And how pale he looks; he is really not nearly as handsome as she had
+thought yesterday.... Of course it was all owing to the darkness and
+her imagination.
+
+A carriage is found and brought up, the things are put in it, and the
+ladies and Katia take their places inside.
+
+"All right, drive on!"
+
+The carriage rolls on through the green steppe and over the soft
+country road. In the heavens the larks are carolling. Other carriages
+overtake our ladies. Here is the lady with the shaking head and there
+is the boy with the St. Vitus's dance.... And here, passing all the
+others, another carriage flies along, in which _he_ is seated, _he_
+"l'homme au chien," as Mimotchka calls him. He is wearing another hat,
+the third since yesterday, and at his feet, stretched out full length,
+lies the beautiful Newfoundland dog.
+
+They follow him and then turn to the right. Why? Then they will not be
+together, they won't meet? Then their acquaintance has really come to
+an end? Where is he going? Mimotchka will not on any account inquire.
+Perhaps mamma will help her. Precisely so; mamma asks the driver:
+
+"Where does that road lead to?"
+
+"To Piatigorsk."
+
+"Then we shall not pass by Piatigorsk?"
+
+"And Jeleznovodsk--is it yet in sight?" asks Vava.
+
+"There it is."
+
+And the driver points with his whip to a little white hamlet nestling
+at the foot of the green mountain.
+
+Presently the carriage enters a green grove of oaks and birch-trees.
+They all inhale the pure morning air delightedly. Vava throws back her
+head and looks for the larks in the sky....
+
+Mamma sympathises with her; mamma also loves nature, loves forests and
+groves. Mimotchka doesn't understand it. She only likes trees round
+where the music plays, and then only when they stand in tubs and are
+kept in nice order, and no spiders, chrysalides, or other nasty things
+fall off them. At length, after passing the post-office, the carriage
+stops at the entrance of Mitroff's Hotel. Thank God, they have arrived!
+
+"What a funny little place Jeleznovodsk is!" says Mimotchka. "Quite a
+country village!"
+
+
+Three weeks have passed. Mimotchka had not felt dull. Mimotchka
+had improved in looks and was blooming. One day followed another
+in accordance with the regular, fixed _régime._ At seven o'clock
+Mimotchka and Vava got up, and at eight they were already at the
+morning music, where they drank the waters and walked up and down till
+breakfast-time. Afterwards a bath, then middle-day dinner, and again
+waters and more walking up and down, and again music and waters and
+walking up and down, and so on until the evening, when they went to bed
+tired out and slept like dead men.
+
+Doctor Variashski, who had arrived at Jeleznovodsk a couple of days
+before them, met them very amiably; he recommended them apartments, he
+found them a man-cook, and he also recommended them a doctor for Vava,
+a specialist for nervous illnesses. He advised Mimotchka to ride on
+horseback, and offered to accompany her himself on her rides.
+
+And all this was the more agreeable to mamma, because she believed in
+Variashski as firmly as she did in the Almighty!
+
+And how conscientiously Mimotchka followed out her cure! Mamma watched
+it so strictly, that if at the spring they accidentally poured out a
+little more than half a tumbler of water for Mimotchka, she made them
+throw it all away and fill it up again.... As if it were possible to
+allow it! If you made a cure you must do it properly. The waters were
+not to be trifled with....
+
+And this conscientious cure greatly benefited Mimotchka. She had a
+pretty colour in her cheeks and her eyes shone brighter and more
+joyfully.... She did not get tired so soon, and both slept and ate
+better.
+
+From the second evening after their arrival our ladies showed
+themselves daily at the music, where they at once attracted attention
+by the elegance of their toilettes and general appearance. Mamma found
+the society dreadful. The ladies looked like bakers' or farmers' wives,
+and the men were even worse. There was hardly any one from Petersburg,
+and nobody at all whom they knew. At first mamma only exchanged salutes
+with Variashski and an old maiden lady from Petersburg, who was there
+for the third summer with her brother, who had lost the use of his
+legs. The old maid felt quite at home, and seemed to think herself
+superior to everyone, for she held herself very proudly. She knew all
+the doctors, their wives, their histories, and their gossip.... And
+although in mamma's eyes the doctors' wives were as bad as the bakers'
+and farmers' wives, still she examined them with some interest through
+her eyeglass while listening to Mdlle. Kossovitch's tales.
+
+Vava sat stiffly and obediently by mamma's side, but still kept a
+lookout for Washington and William Tell, in case they should be passing
+among the crowd, and, not finding them, amused herself Watching the
+games of the children playing in the circle round them.
+
+Mimotchka smiled up at Doctor Variashski while she looked out for
+_him,_ l'homme au chien. But he was not there.
+
+He only showed himself at the music two weeks after their arrival, when
+Mimotchka had already left off expecting him and had almost forgotten
+him. And he appeared in the society of the most dreadful ladies. Beside
+the bakers' wives and the doctors' wives and all the other provincials,
+there were also actresses at the springs. There was almost the entire
+company from the Kieff theatre. Among the actresses there was a certain
+Mdlle. Lenskaia, a very pretty light comedy actress, and with her her
+sister, who was not an actress, but who was also decidedly pretty. Both
+sisters were always showily dressed, and wore very light colours; they
+were always very lively and always surrounded by men. Every new arrival
+at Jeleznovodsk followed in their train for the first few days, but
+afterwards, when he had settled down and looked about, he generally
+found other acquaintances and hardly even bowed to the sisters; but
+still as there were fresh arrivals every day, they were never left
+without cavaliers. Well, it was with them that he appeared at the
+music. He was giving his arm to the eldest Lenskaia (not the actress),
+who was smiling more gaily than ever and showing her beautiful white
+teeth. They were followed by the younger Lenskaia and an actress named
+Morozoff, surrounded by a crowd of young men. In front of them all
+walked Rex. His master was again quite differently dressed, and wore a
+light suit and a hat with a white veil round it, but there was still
+the same _cachet_ of elegance about him. Vava called the dog loudly by
+its name, which made _him_ look round and recognise the ladies. But
+he only glanced at them rapidly and then immediately began whispering
+something to his companion. Then the whole party seated themselves in a
+semi-circle close by Mimotchka, to whom it was extremely unpleasant.
+
+What sort of a man could he be to find pleasure in such society?...
+From the very first Mimotchka had thought Mdlle. Lenskaia's sister
+perfectly disgusting. She is pretty, certainly; but what a
+creature!... And what horrid-looking eyes she has--so watery and with
+ugly, dark circles round them. And her hands are not good. And how
+vulgarly she dresses! what a mixture of colours! And Rex lies at her
+feet, and she strokes his head with her ungloved hand, and laughs
+and beams with pleasure because _he_ is evidently saying something
+flattering, amiable, and agreeable to her.
+
+Mimotchka felt hurt. She was sitting there alone near mamma and
+Mdlle. Kossovitch, who went on talking. Vava had gone off with a new
+acquaintance to her gymnastics. Variashski was not at the music; nor
+were there any officers of her husband's division there. And she had
+to sit alone and look at the mountains she was so tired of and at that
+improper set of people.
+
+That evening she returned home in very low spirits; she even felt
+ready to cry. No doubt she had over-walked herself that day, or else it
+was the "reaction."
+
+By the morning, however, her vexation had passed. It even seemed to her
+ridiculous to have so taken to heart the indifference of a man who was
+a perfect stranger to her. She doesn't want anyone. Is she looking out
+for an admirer? Good gracious, if she only liked, ... why she could
+have the whole division at her feet, and not only officers either, but
+others besides. Isn't she pretty? At any rate she is as good-looking as
+those actresses in their many-coloured dresses.
+
+And what does she care about them? what does it all matter to her? She
+has come here for her cure. She likes being here alone without Spiridon
+Ivanovitch and without baby. She feels as if she were a girl again, a
+free, young creature. She knows that her toilettes are the best here,
+and that she herself is prettier than anyone. She can read it in the
+glances of the men and women she meets.... And that is all she requires.
+
+She continued to drink the water conscientiously, occupied herself with
+her toilettes and her appearance, and when she met him (he had now
+settled at Jeleznovodsk) she looked at him with no more interest than
+if he were a lamp-post. But, without paying the least attention to him,
+she always saw how he was dressed, who he was with, what humour he was
+in, and how he looked at her....
+
+Vava, in the meantime, was in the seventh heaven. She went out alone.
+Mamma had not actually given her permission, but she winked at it.
+In the morning Vava went with Mimotchka to the music, but as soon as
+Doctor Variashski, or one of the officers of Spiridon Ivanovitch's
+division came up, Vava fled, and in a few minutes she was somewhere in
+the forest, in the thickly wooded paths or high up among the rocks,
+over which she clambered like a goat. She had her favourite corners for
+every hour of the day. She knew from where there was the best view of
+the sunset, where it was coolest at midday, and where it was warmest
+in the early morning.... Vava was not afraid of snakes, nor of the
+great tarantula spiders; she pushed her way through the heart of the
+forest, through the thick, high grass and nettles of the steppe, and
+came home with her shoes torn to pieces, her face and hands covered
+with scratches, burrs and grass sticking to her hair, and earwigs and
+caterpillars on her clothes and on her dress.... Katia, by mamma's
+order, had to dress her afresh and put her to rights, and Vava said
+laughingly that she only thoroughly enjoyed those walks which bore
+witness of her communion with nature. The mornings Vava generally spent
+up in the mountains. There, before you came to the top, was a little
+plateau, overgrown with wild hollyhocks and filbert bushes, where Vava
+lay among the grass or sat on a stone and gazed at Mount Beshtau,
+at the blue valleys, and at little Jeleznovodsk nestling under the
+mountains, with its clean white houses, and the gold cross shining on
+its church, and from where you could even hear the cocks crowing and
+the dogs barking.... And on the left, from the tufts of green trees,
+came the sounds of the orchestra playing the waltz "Bygone Days." There
+they were going round, those invalids that Vava knew so well, strolling
+about and meeting and greeting and looking at each other. Vava looked
+around her and thought that here also there was bustle and music. A
+chorus of crickets chirped the waltzes; the ants worked on busily and
+anxiously just like the doctors with their prey or without it.... And
+the lady-birds, beetles, caterpillars, butterflies and bees were the
+public. Vava thought it much nicer to be at this music than at the
+music below. Here she could lie on the grass and she was so happy, so
+happy! The sun warmed her chilly body, and in her soul there was such
+peace and joy as she had never known at home. Here she was with God I
+And she experienced a full sense of blessedness without anything to mar
+it. From afar she even loved her mother. When she thought of her she
+pictured her in the most sympathetic colours.... Active, judicious,
+careful, although severe.... And Vava dreamt of a time when they would
+understand each other better and become friends, and Vava would show
+that there really was some good in her ...? Her brother would marry and
+leave his family, her sister would also marry, although Zina always
+said that she Would only marry a man with a title.... Still somebody
+with a title might perhaps be found ... And Vava would remain at home
+alone with her father and mother.... Then most likely life would be
+easier for her and everything would come right. And meanwhile she is
+quite content to be here. She does not feel either lonely or unhappy.
+The sun's caresses warm her, the wood is full of sounds of life, the
+bees hum on "the white acacia, bending beneath the weight of its
+flowers.... The butterflies circle in the air.... And Vava is so
+happy, that she feels with all her soul that there is no creature on
+God's earth entirely forsaken, forgotten, and miserable.... And, lying
+on the grass, she looks at the heavens, while over her head a great
+eagle soars calmly up, as if carrying on his broad wings her dreams,
+her hopes, and her faith in her God.
+
+Although mamma winked at these solitary walks of Vava's, in reality
+they very much troubled her. Even putting aside snakes and mad dogs,
+there was no knowing where she might lose herself or who she might
+meet.... In the mountains musicians roamed about and beggars as
+well.... So that mamma was partly glad when Vava made some friends
+and acquaintances for herself. And although these acquaintances were
+not such as she would have chosen for herself or Mimotchka, anyhow it
+Was better than Vava's being alone. First of all, at the gymnastics,
+Vava made acquaintance with some children, then with their nurses,
+governesses, and relations, and before three weeks had elapsed she
+was united in bonds of the tenderest friendship with a young girl who
+had just finished her studies as pupil in the institution,[12] with a
+youth, the brother of the young girl, with a governess, with a little
+Moscow doctor and his wife, and with a student, the tutor of the
+actress Morozoffs ten-year-old boy.
+
+[12] Government establishments for the education of young girls,
+daughters of gentlemen.
+
+They formed a little circle of their own, walked together, made
+excursions in the mountains and environs, lent each other books, talked
+and argued.... Vava was in ecstasies over her new acquaintances.
+Of course they were not quite Washingtons, but still they were
+thoroughly nice, good people, and how different from her Petersburg
+acquaintances! They did not ridicule anyone, were not proud of
+anything, they were severe to themselves and indulgent to others,
+they did not talk scandal, but occupied themselves with their own
+affairs.... They not only thought as she did about everything, but
+they had ideas and views of their own besides, which were new to her
+and awoke a host of fresh thoughts in her. This overjoyed her. Now she
+heard and read about all kinds of things--and there was somebody for
+her to share her impressions with too.
+
+They were delightful people, and ever so much better than she was....
+She was particularly fond of the governess: she was so intelligent, so
+patient and just.... Vava was not worth her little finger.
+
+Of her home and mother Vava never spoke to her new acquaintances. She
+would have thought it mean to complain or to try and interest them
+in her troubles. But, judging from their general opinions and other
+examples, she saw that from their point of view she was right in not
+liking the kind of life her family led and in wishing for something
+different. But for the present she must submit and wait, and afterwards
+she would be able to arrange her life as she wanted to.
+
+And, thinking of how, some day in the future, she would arrange her
+life, Vava was particularly fascinated by one idea. She had found her
+mission, imagined a work after her own heart, found an object in life
+that was really worthy, interesting, and absorbing.
+
+She could never live as Zina lived. If she had possessed some talent
+she would have lived for that, but she had no talents whatever, so
+this is what she would do. As soon as she was twenty-five, and everyone
+could see that she was going to be an old maid, then she would ask to
+be given her own money. And with this money she would open a home for
+children who had been forsaken by their parents. And she would take
+into her home all the poor, forsaken, lost, destitute children.... She
+would take care of them and she would have many, many children, first
+a hundred, then two hundred, and so on, more and more. And she herself
+would bathe and dry them, and dress them, and put them to bed, and
+teach them to walk and talk, read and think, love and forgive....
+
+In her imagination Vava already saw her rooms, full of children's
+cots of dazzling whiteness, and in them the children, pretty, little,
+tender, helpless children.... They went to sleep, they awoke and
+smiled, and screamed, and cried, and called her "Mamma!" And she loved
+them all, every one of them.... Some were healthy, handsome, and
+lively, and she was justly proud of them; others, poor, weakly, and
+crippled, and she was tender and pitiful to them.... And she loved all
+of them, yes, all.... Then they grew up and their characters developed.
+They helped her to educate the little ones as they came in. They
+laboured and studied and developed.... And now they became the Gracchi
+and the William Tells that she had been looking for.... And they
+entered upon life's work while she, old and grey, followed after them
+ready to bless or console....
+
+If only she could soon be twenty-five! She would reach that age some
+day. Mimotchka had already reached it. And meanwhile she must study and
+prepare herself, and above all, correct herself and attain a proper
+equilibrium of mind. With her character it would be difficult. But what
+of that? She would strive hard with herself. And then the work itself
+would give her strength. She would have helpers too. She would take
+into her home young girls, portionless, good young girls, and make them
+so happy that they would not feel their position irksome. Then she
+would take old women, like those that go into almshouses, old and poor.
+They could be the nurses. She did not want any Swedish gymnastics or
+English _bonnes;_ everything would be on the simplest footing, without
+any pretensions or nonsense. And then, and then....
+
+And her castles in the air so inspirited Vava that she got stronger
+every day, and wrote her mother the most affectionate and respectful
+letters, and was so attentive to her aunt that the good lady became
+really attached to her, and often said, "Décidément Julie est une
+personne de beaucoup d'esprit, mais elle manque de cœur."
+
+At first Doctor Variashski had paid Mimotchka a great deal of
+attention. He walked with her, sat by her at the music, rode on
+horseback with her, and came to tea with them several times, but he
+soon got tired of it. Mamma wearied him with her perpetual chatter,
+besides which Mimotchka herself was so unamusing and difficult to get
+on with.
+
+She, on her side, was quite disillusioned with the doctor, whom she
+had liked so much at first. Mimotchka was spoilt and pampered, and
+accustomed to everything being done for her happiness and pleasure,
+while the doctor was dreadfully selfish and only thought of himself.
+For instance, he rode on horseback with her, and trotted the whole
+time (because it was good for his health). And what a state she was in,
+poor thing! And once, too, when she had only just drank her koumiss,
+her habit bodice felt so tight, and she endured such dreadful torments
+that she even cried when she got home. And mamma, while rubbing her
+side and counting out fifteen drops of valerian for her to take,
+thought, "What pigs those men are" (mamma sometimes used rather vulgar
+expressions to herself). "They go galloping on for their own pleasure,
+and never remember that the poor thing isn't strong. And he a doctor,
+too!"
+
+But what made mamma more indignant then anything with Doctor
+Variashski, was that she heard he was completely captivated by the
+charms of his neighbour and patient, Mdme. Tchereshneff. Mdme.
+Tchereshneff was a widow of thirty-four, who had come to the springs
+with her son, a boy of six, and his nurse. She occupied rooms next door
+to Variashski, and their balconies touched. She wore pretty toilettes,
+and in general was interesting and elegant-looking. All this mamma
+learnt from Mdlle. Kossovitch.
+
+Soon she was able to assure herself with her own eyes of the truth of
+this information. Variashski walked with Mdme. Tchereshneff, he rode
+with her and went out shooting eagles with her (yes, she went out
+shooting--that showed what sort of woman she was!), he went to tea
+with her, played with her boy, in fact, they were hardly ever apart.
+This made our ladies very, very much cooler towards Variashski. Of
+course mamma did not in the least wish him to compromise her daughter
+in the way he was compromising Mdme. Tchereshneff. But then he
+would never dare to. Mimotchka and Mdme. Tchereshneff were two quite
+different people. Mimotchka might have admirers, but she must not be
+talked about. And then to allow a doctor to pay you attention too,
+a man to whom you would give ten roubles for a visit, and who you
+could dismiss like a hairdresser. Mamma was really surprised at Mdme.
+Tchereshneff!... If only Mimotchka had liked, of course, she could
+have found something better.... Yes, if only she had wished it, the
+whole division would have been at her feet.... And princes besides!
+But, a doctor.... A man whom you paid for his visits!... And mamma had
+thought him such a serious, respectable man!... Certainly he was no
+longer very young. And to spend whole days at Mdme. Tchereshneff's; _à
+son âge!_ ... It was evidently true what Doctor Shavronski said about
+Variashski's going out in a fez and with a pipe in his mouth, followed
+by a train of eight ladies, who were all in love with him.... What
+things one does hear and see!... And Doctor Variashski's proceedings
+so cooled mamma's and Mimotchka's feelings towards him that it was
+positively decided to pay him a hundred roubles and not a hundred
+and fifty. Mamma had even ceased believing in him as if he were the
+Almighty.
+
+Kislovodsk was preparing for the season. The prices in the hotels had
+already gone up in expectation of the invalids who were making cures
+in other places and had to come on here to finish off, and for a rest
+after the strictness of the _régime._
+
+"Kislovodsk," says Lermontoff, "is the scene of the _dénouement_ of
+all the love stories begun at the foot of Beshtau, Mashouka, and
+Jeleznaia."
+
+Here, in general, accounts are wound up, intrigues unravelled, and
+deceptions unmasked; doctors count over their fees, and the invalids
+prove their newly acquired health; in a word, here, in the Narzan-laden
+atmosphere, the grand finale of the watering season is played out.
+
+Kislovodsk was preparing for the season. And meanwhile, in the other
+stations, all kinds of love affairs were beginning and developing, and
+would be wound up at Kislovodsk. Widows suffering from _ennui,_ wives
+separated from their husbands, dissatisfied wives, giddy, volatile,
+sentimental old maids, and would-be brides--all these swarmed and
+crowded at the Jeleznovodsk springs, and, having drawn from them fresh
+health and courage, threw out lines and nets right and left. And
+fishes, both large and small, nibbled and were entangled in them.
+
+And so the day came when Doctor Ivanoff's first three patients migrated
+from Jeleznovodsk to Kislovodsk, and Doctor Grazianski's seven patients
+moved over from Piatigorsk to Jeleznovodsk, where the season was at its
+full height. The invalids had got better, they had made acquaintance
+with each other, and were well amused as they let themselves be drawn
+into the usual idle, though frivolously busy, watering-place life. The
+evenings got darker, the stars brighter, and the storms more frequent.
+
+Mimotchka was not dull. She had got even prettier, and was looking
+blooming. She hadn't any flirtation going on, oh no! Did her heart beat
+too calmly, or was all around her unworthy of passion? Neither one nor
+the other. Simply she was too well brought up for any deviation from
+the path of duty. And although all around her, under her very eyes,
+couples met, smiled, and flirted, although she was surrounded by an
+atmosphere of love-making, Mimotchka was perfectly cool and calm. What
+were all these bakers' and farmers' wives to her? What did she care
+about all these people that swarmed and crawled on the grass under
+the sun's rays like beetles and grasshoppers? They might live as they
+liked, she would live as she "ought." And, proud in the knowledge of
+her irreproachableness and inaccessibility, Mimotchka, young, fresh,
+and pretty, tripped lightly and gracefully through the green alleys,
+without paying the slightest attention either to the approving and
+admiring glances directed at her, or to the meetings with _him,_ with
+
+_l'homme au chien_ (although he had grown ever so much handsomer!).
+
+No, Mimotchka had not the least shade of a flirtation, and, together
+with mamma, made fun of their neighbour on the adjoining balcony,
+a young widow from Smolensk, who, although she was still wearing
+mourning, said to her acquaintances, "Yes, I am not against a
+flirtation, only I don't want to take the initiative." And when, soon
+after, a young officer of the line[13] took to visiting her, mamma
+called him "the officer with the initiative." And what a nuisance
+he was to them! He spat and coughed and smoked cigarette after
+cigarette, and the worst possible cigarettes too, while the widow, in a
+languishing voice, sang about
+
+    "The night, and love, and the moon."
+
+[13] Officers of the line rank lower in social position than officers
+of the guards.
+
+Mamma used to listen to their conversations; the balconies were only
+divided by a canvas partition.
+
+"Haven't you anything to read to me?" asked the widow; "it's so dull.
+Lend me some book, only not a love story, please.... Are there any such
+books?"
+
+"Of course there are. Have you read any of Gleb Ouspensky's[14] books?"
+
+"Gleb? No. Are they good?"
+
+"Well, you must read them. I'll bring them to you."
+
+"Bring them; yes, do bring them."
+
+And they read Gleb Ouspensky together, afterwards they read
+Schopenhauer. And mamma, sitting with her work on her own balcony,
+laughed to herself, thinking, "Read on, read on; evidently, tout chemin
+mène à Rome."
+
+[14] A realistic author, who chiefly wrote sketches of peasant life.
+
+When the officer was tired of reading he put the book down on the table
+and lit a cigarette.
+
+"How true, how true it all is!" said the widow, gazing pensively
+towards Beshtau. "I look on life just as Schopenhauer does. There is
+nothing that can bear being analysed without being dispersed like
+smoke. Truly, life is not worth living."
+
+"Yes, certainly life is a pretty considerable muddle. But still, for
+all that, why not try and live without analysing and reflecting about
+everything?"
+
+"No, once you know that life is worthless, it's not worth while living."
+
+"No, it's worth trying just for the sake of being convinced."
+
+"But if you know beforehand it's not worth while?"
+
+"But why isn't it worth while? Why, Schopenhauer himself went through
+it all before writing about it."
+
+"But then, what sort of a life did he live? Well, yes, he found out
+that everything is falsehood, fancy, and vanity, that we deceive
+ourselves. And we all come to the same conclusion. Is it worth while
+wasting strength to come to a result already known, even though it be
+only known from books?"
+
+"Well, you take a very high-flown view. I look on things much more
+simply."
+
+"Why are we wasting the time in talking? Go oh reading, go on!" ...
+
+Of course this was all very ridiculous, and Mimotchka would never have
+allowed herself to be as silly as the widow. Peuh! She felt so happy
+and bright, and yet without any love-making whatever. An officer of
+her husband's division rode with her and introduced his friends to
+her. They all admired and liked her. She could easily have got to
+know _l'homme au chien._ But she herself did not wish to. After all,
+what was the good of it? Mimotchka, like Vava, chiefly delighted in
+the feeling of her freedom, and in the absence of all restraint and
+guardianship. Here mamma did not bother her, and did not accompany
+her on her walks. She would have liked to have done so, but the
+burning Caucasian sun prevented her. Mamma could not stand heat. In
+the morning, after seeing the young people off, and, like Providence,
+arranging everything for their comfort, mamma, when they had gone,
+closed the shutters, pulled down the blinds, and, having made it dark
+and cool, lay down on her bed with a book. In thought she was, of
+course, with her poor, sick children, who were broiling in the sun. She
+felt quite comfortable about Mimotchka, but Vava gave her considerable
+uneasiness. Vava was like fire, so impulsive, so impressionable (those
+slim girls were always so _passionnées,_) and here, besides, there was
+something in the very air of the place, the burning sun.... And yet
+Vava was so bright, so nice, so much improved in her looks, and so
+contented with everything.... Supposing there was some secret reason
+for all this.
+
+And mamma got frightened, very much frightened. And in the stillness of
+the night, more than once, the images of the student and the military
+cadet flew over her pillowed head like two demons come to trouble her
+sleep and disturb her rest. After much consideration and preparation
+mamma tried to caution Vava. Vava only answered her warnings with a
+look, but such a look that mamma's soul sunk into her shoes, and
+she inwardly determined never again to revert to the subject. In
+order to quiet her conscience, however, and relieve herself of all
+responsibility towards Julia, she called the maid Katia, and ordered
+her to look strictly after her young lady and let her know with whom
+she walked, where she went, and whether she was ever alone with anyone.
+
+And Katia, after having ironed Mimotchka's petticoats and laid out
+everything that would be required for the evening, went out into the
+park, with the firm intention of looking after her young lady. But
+as her young lady was very much on the move, and running after her
+was very tiring, Katia wisely sat down on a bench under the shade of
+a spreading tree, which Vava must certainly pass on her way home to
+dinner, and sat there watching the people going by.
+
+Opposite the bench, on a little eminence, stood some hawkers with glass
+cases, an Italian selling corals and mosaics, and some Armenians with
+Caucasian wares. Among them was a small Armenian with cunning little
+eyes, an enormous nose, and a high black cap. And standing by his
+glass case, in which were displayed Caucasian turquoises and oxidised
+silver things, belts, daggers, brooches, and pins, all bearing the
+inscription, "Kavkas, Kavkas, Kavkas," he looked at Katia so knowingly
+and so expressively, just as if he knew how she was deceiving her
+mistress.
+
+Three days running Katia sat on the same bench, and the Armenian walked
+round his wares and shot killing glances at her, while his eyes seemed
+to grow still narrower and his nose still bigger. But Katia pretended
+not to notice anything, and drew figures on the gravel with her
+parasol. Then he spoke to her. She was passing him and looking across
+at Beshtau, when he said, "How hot it is! Why do you go out walking at
+this time? It's not pleasant walking now. The evening is the time for
+going out. It's not hot in the evening; it's nice then." Katia still
+pretended not to hear, and went up in the direction of the mountain,
+coquettishly swinging her parasol. Then he began to bow to her. Then
+Katia bowed in return, at first gravely, and afterwards with a smile.
+Finally, he tried to persuade her to buy something.
+
+"Your prices are too high," said Katia; "they're not for my pocket."
+
+"But you must know them first, and then say.... I'll not ask too
+high.... You look at the things and ask the prices."
+
+So Katia began examining and choosing the things in his glass case.
+In a week's time she already knew all the things in his show-case
+by heart; she knew his name, how old he was, that he had a cousin in
+Petersburg in a Caucasian wine-shop, and that he himself would also
+come to Petersburg; she also heard all about Tiflis and Kislovodsk,
+heard that it was a great deal pleasanter in the park in the evening
+than in the daytime, and that it was so dark, so very dark! Katia
+learnt all this, but as yet _she_ did not choose anything out of his
+glass case, but postponed doing so until she got to Kislovodsk.
+
+Meanwhile Vava, who had aroused such black suspicions in mamma's mind,
+sat quietly at the gymnasium with her friend the governess, and, unable
+to contain herself any longer, unfolded to her her project of a home
+for destitute children. The governess sympathised with her idea, but
+did not quite believe in the possibility of its realisation, and,
+shaking her head, smiled incredulously.
+
+"It's all very nice," she said, when Vava had finished, "but it will
+never come to anything. You will marry and bring up your own children,
+which will be a great deal better."
+
+"In what way?"
+
+"It will be more natural. It's impossible to love strange children like
+your own."
+
+"But they won't be strange children, because they will be mine almost
+from the day of their birth."
+
+"For all that, it's not the same. Of course I can't judge from my own
+experience; but every one says so, and I think it must be so myself. A
+strange child can never be the same as your own. I know it wouldn't be
+to me."
+
+"But I could love a strange child like my own.... How not to love
+them? One pities them so, poor little forsaken, innocent things; and if
+you love out of pity, you love better and stronger."
+
+"No--anyhow there is something unnatural about it. I should understand
+if you were unhappy, or had been disappointed in your own personal
+happiness, then it would be all very well; but why imagine all this
+when you have still the possibility of being happy?"
+
+"Yes, but then I can only be happy in that way."
+
+During this time Mimotchka was sitting by herself in the summer-house
+by the Bishop's Palace, reading _La Grande Marnière._ Her reading did
+not advance much. The book did not interest her, and she read over
+the same page several times. In the summer-house, besides her, were
+seated two priests and some nurses with children, and although their
+conversation was uninteresting, still it amused her; and Mimotchka
+did not care to move, because it was pleasanter and cooler here than
+anywhere else.
+
+The priests got up and, as they went out, knocked up against _l'homme
+au chien,_ who was just entering the summer-house with his dog. The
+young man walked up to the railings, and, resting his elbows on them,
+gazed into the distance. Mimotchka became absorbed in her reading. The
+nurses, after looking at the newcomer, resumed their conversation.
+
+"Why are there so many priests here?"
+
+"They've all got something or other the matter with them. Lenten fare
+is bad for their insides. That's why they all drink this mud water.
+It's a very good water, this muddy kind is. Our folks drink it." ...
+
+"And ours, too, began by drinking it. But now they drink the
+Bariatinski spring. Only my lady was too lazy to go herself in the
+morning to the spring, and always sent me to fetch the muddy water for
+her; and so I had to go, although it's a good way off. Now they drink
+Bariatinski water."
+
+"Then your lady is making a cure herself?"
+
+"No--all our people are. The young lady, and the master, and the
+mistress."
+
+"And are they really ill, or is it only from too good living?"
+
+"No, it's not exactly from too good living, but it's just as the Lord
+sends it. The master isn't quite right in his head. Yes, at one time he
+really was shut up in a madhouse. He threw himself into the water and
+tried, so to say, to make away with himself. Well, now he's better.
+Kousmitch cured him. Now he is able to go about by himself. He takes
+the waters, too--and afterwards we shall go to the Crimea. Now there is
+not much the matter with him...."
+
+"Out of his mind? Why, what a dreadful thing!"
+
+"Yes, indeed; Heaven preserve us from it! It was awful what we had to
+put up with in the house! Kousmitch cured him, though."
+
+"And your young lady--how about her?"
+
+"Nothing much. She's a poor frightened thing, very thin, and has
+pimples on her face. She's a quiet enough young lady; there's no harm
+in her. We had a young man after her at one time--yes, a real one, a
+military man, too, in a uniform.... Only he got hold of part of the
+dowry in advance and went after someone else. And she fretted and
+fretted--she's all right now--Kousmitch did her good."
+
+"And your lady herself?"
+
+"The mistress was dreadfully bad. You can see for yourself how yellow
+she is. Well, this I winter she suffered from her liver, and the winter
+before last she was even worse. What a lot of doctors and nurses she
+had!--and she was ill the whole time, and couldn't walk because she
+had something the matter with her inside. Yes; what a lot of money we
+did spend! First one doctor comes and attends her, then we hear of
+another, a more expensive one, and then we try him. Well, he comes
+and prescribes for her, and then somebody tells us of another still
+more expensive one, and so we call him in. And we had prayers put up
+and icons brought in from the church. And it was all no good at all.
+And in the spring, when we were coming to the Caucasus, I said, says
+I, 'Mistress, little mother,[15] which way are we going? Aren't we
+going past Samara?' says I. 'We are going by steamer up the Volga,
+and shall pass. Samara,' says she. (And I come from Samara, from the
+district of Bousoulouk.) 'Well,' says I, 'little mother, you do as you
+like, but if you want to do the master good as well as yourself and
+get God to give you both your health again, you go and see Kousmitch
+(for in our part lives Kousmitch, who is worth all the doctors in the
+world; he comes of peasant stock, but princes and generals and lots of
+gentlefolk go to him to be cured, because he cures all those that the
+doctors can't cure). So you go to him, little mother,' says I. 'It's
+God Himself that's sending you to Samara.' 'Be quiet, nurse,' they
+say. 'You don't understand anything about it. What's all this about
+your Kousmitch? You do as you're told and go to the chemist's.' 'Very
+well,' says I; 'what do I care? I'll go.' And then, when we're sailing
+down the Volga and come to Samara, my lady comes up to me and says,
+'Look here,' says she, 'nurse, don't tell anybody, but we're going to
+Kousmitch.' (You must know my people are merchants, and very rich ones,
+too; they have five houses in the Kalashnikoffskaia Pristan,[16] but
+they're shy of gentle-folks.) Says I, 'Well, what of it? Why should I
+tell anyone? I won't say anything about it. You go if you like to. Who
+should I tell? I won't say anything about it.' So they went to him,
+to the little father, Kousmitch. And he, the little father--he can see
+right into everybody, and he cured them both. First he looked at the
+master, took him by the hand, and felt his arm down from the shoulder.
+Doctors only take hold of your wrist and count by their watch, but he,
+the little father, feels over the whole arm down from the shoulder and
+finds out the illness without any watch at all. And he said to the
+master, 'You,' says he, 'have rheumatic swellings. Don't be afraid;
+you'll get well--drink!' And he gave him a bottle of stuff directly.
+Yes! And to the mistress he said, 'It's just your liver that's wrong.
+And there's something the matter inside as well,' says he; 'it's a bad
+business. You,' says he, 'take care, because, if you don't take care,
+you'll die. Yes! you must keep lying down,' says he--'yes, lie down
+often; then you'll get better; and here's this for you--drink!' And he
+gave her another bottle. Our young lady didn't want to show herself to
+him; she laughed and said, 'What does a peasant like him understand?'
+But he, the little father, said, 'What are you laughing at? You had
+a young man,' says he, 'but he ran off.' The little father knew all
+about it, you see. 'Don't be afraid; you'll find another. You've got
+money, haven't you?' says he. 'She has, little father,' said we; 'how
+shouldn't she have, with five houses on the Kalashnikoffskaia Pristan?'
+'Well,' says he, 'it's all right. You'll be married and get quite well;
+and, meanwhile, here's this for you--drink!' And he gave her another
+bottle, and he told the children to drink too; and I says to him, says
+I, 'My back aches, little father.' And he gave me a bottle of stuff
+too. 'Drink,' says he, 'old woman.' Well, and so we all drink."
+
+[15] The terms "little mother" and "little father" are used by the
+lower classes in Russia as a mark of respect.
+
+[16] A quarter of St. Petersburg, up the Neva, where all the granaries
+are situated.
+
+"And does it do you good?"
+
+"It does us good. In the morning, when we get up, we drink some of his
+stuff before eating anything. We don't say anything about it to the
+doctor. And at first the mistress drank the muddy water, and now she
+drinks Bariatinski water. And all the stuff they bring us from the
+chemist's we throw away, because Kousmitch said it was all no good; and
+if the mistress feels worse, she gives up drinking the waters, and only
+takes what Kousmitch gave her. It's a decoction of peppermint." ...
+
+"Peppermint is a good thing. But for my part I drink nothing but
+Michailovsky water here. That's what I like. It's such a fresh-tasted
+water."
+
+"But is it good for healthy people to drink? I don't drink any of the
+waters. I am afraid. You might get some illness from drinking them."
+
+"No, it's all right enough. They're not good enough for fat people to
+drink, but for thin, full-blooded ones, there's no harm to be got, only
+good."
+
+"I'd drink them too if I wasn't afraid." ...
+
+"What is there to be afraid of? Let's come and have some at once. Where
+have my little rascals got to? Vania, Vassia, come here! We're going to
+the gymnastics."
+
+The nurses got up and went out of the summer-house, leading away their
+charges. Mimotchka and _l'homme au chien_ were left alone together.
+Mimotchka turned over the leaves without raising her eyes from her
+book. He sat down so as to have a sideway view of her, and taking out
+a newspaper also began reading. They both felt each other's presence
+and proximity, and also felt that if they were to throw aside their
+reading and begin talking it would be pleasant and amusing; but they
+did not speak to each other. He did not dare; she did not wish to. Now
+and then Mimotchka raised her blue eyes and fixed them on the blue
+distance. He sat secretly admiring her, the way her hair was done, the
+tip of her little foot, and all her young, fresh, elegant person....
+Mimotchka felt he was looking at her, and rather maliciously thought
+to herself, "Aha! so it's not only actresses that are pretty?" Then he
+put away his newspaper, took out his oxidised silver cigar-case, and
+asked her permission to smoke. Mimotchka signified her consent by an
+inclination of the head. Then she was suddenly seized with a panic. He
+would speak to her directly. What could she answer? And what would it
+lead to? Up till now it had all been so nice and interesting, and now
+it would all be spoilt. If he spoke to her like he would to a cocotte,
+she would be offended. She was a general's wife and a respectable
+woman. She didn't like being spoken to by people she didn't know. And
+Mimotchka shut up her book, got up, and walked out of the summer-house
+with her light, graceful walk. And he looked after her and whistled
+"Azra." Nothing more happened. But Mimotchka felt so light-hearted, so
+very light-hearted. And although she would very much have liked to go
+back to him, she went home without once looking round.
+
+
+All three ladies met at dinner in the best of spirits. They dined
+amicably and gaily, laughing at the unappetising dishes (at the
+everlasting mutton they were so tired of), and praising and doing
+honour to mamma's successful cookery; for she had not only prepared
+cutlets and beefsteaks but had artfully managed even pastry, jelly, and
+_compote_ besides.
+
+Katia picked the caterpillars and insects off Vava; Mimotchka examined
+her face in the looking-glass, wiping off the specks of dust, while
+mamma informed them of the results of her observations of her
+neighbours. These surrounding love affairs revolted mamma, but still
+they excited and interested her. In spite of the heroines being only
+bakers' or farmers' wives, mamma almost twisted her neck in following
+out their progress.... Katia, while modestly serving the dinner,
+completed mamma's stories with information she had gathered from
+private sources of her own.
+
+"Now, it's all clear to me," said mamma, catching her breath in her
+excitement, and speaking of a doctor's wife in their street. "Le mari
+sait tout ... c'est clair comme le jour.... What things one does see
+and hear!" ...
+
+After dinner Mimotchka and Vava went off again, while mamma, without
+hurrying, dressed herself in Petersburg fashion, wiped the perspiration
+off her face, powdered it lightly, and having thus smartened herself
+up, went to the Kursaal, where she read the newspapers, after which
+she sat on the verandah with an old dignitary from Petersburg, who was
+suffering from a gastric and liver affection, and played picquet with
+him.
+
+
+Towards the end of July, in the latter days of the month, when in
+our northern climes the mountain ash berries already begin to get
+red and fill with juice, while at Jeleznovodsk piles of apricots and
+peaches make their appearance on the swarthy fruit-sellers' trays, one
+beautiful morning two unknown ladies came up to Mimotchka and asked
+her, on behalf of the other residents in the town of Jeleznovodsk, to
+take part in a charitable _fête,_ got up for the benefit of a home for
+poor children. Mimotchka gave her consent. She had often held stalls at
+charitable bazaars in Petersburg, and it was even one of her favourite
+distractions.
+
+And on the appointed day Mimotchka, in a most exquisite peach-blossom
+coloured dress, stood behind a table, decorated with green garlands
+and flags, and sold tea. In a line with her Baroness Benkenstein in
+blue and Mdme. Tchereshneff in red, and two other ladies belonging to
+the "cream" of Jeleznovodsk society, one in white and the other in a
+crushed strawberry dress, sold pastry, fruit, and sweets.
+
+At the other end of the square were tables at which the actresses, with
+the fat Mdlle. Borissow at their head, sold tickets for raffles.
+
+Mamma and the officer from Spiridon Ivanovitch's division helped
+Mimotchka pour out and sell tea; Doctor Variashski helped Mdme.
+Tchereshneff, and _l'homme au chien_ was the baroness's _aide._
+Mimotchka saw that now she could not well avoid making acquaintance
+with him, but this time the prospect did not alarm her. The baroness
+and she had already spoken to each other at the baths, so that when
+they met here they at once bowed to each other.... Mimotchka liked
+the baroness. She was a little bit eccentric, but very nice. Besides
+which, _elle était bien née et bien apparentée,_ which mamma thought a
+great deal of. The baroness had come to Jeleznovodsk with her husband,
+who had spent five days there and gone on further, leaving his wife to
+make a cure. And she drank the waters, gathering around her a circle
+of lively young people, in which _l'homme au chien_ did not play the
+smallest _rôle._ At the _fête_ mamma was a great deal more talkative
+and sociable than Mimotchka; he and the baroness made acquaintance, and
+followed it up by mutual invitations, and in the meanwhile he, _l'homme
+au chien,_ was introduced to Mimotchka.
+
+How pretty and graceful Mimi was that evening, how she smiled,
+counting over the money and giving change! Somehow it happened, quite
+by itself, that _he_ became her helper, and the officer went over
+to the baroness. It Was so easy, so simple to talk to him, not like
+Variashski, who always seemed to be laughing at everything. By way
+of a beginning Mimotchka asked him, "Are you in the Caucasus for the
+first time?" She always said that to everyone. Oh no, it was already
+the fourth summer that he had come here, as if it were merely going
+out of town. Four years ago he had come here ill, sad, and weary, with
+a heavy burden on his soul, and here he had found calm and healing.
+... Since then ... And their conversation flowed on easily and freely.
+Mimotchka was of a silent nature, and difficult to get on with, but
+he could talk for two, and both question and answer. And she only
+glistened, smiled, shook her head, and following his talk, raised her
+Madonna-like eyes to his with such a speaking look in them that he
+became still more animated and more eloquent. And meanwhile mamma,
+looking at him sideways through her eyeglass, found out all about him.
+Had the baroness known him before? Of course she had! She had known him
+a long time, he was a great friend of her husband's. He was a barrister
+from Kieff, and a rich man, that is to say, he was married to the
+daughter of a rich Kieff manufacturer and landowner. His wife was a
+charming person, but rather unsociable and serious. She went out very
+little because she was so occupied with her children, but they were
+received in the best society. Now his wife was with the children on
+their estates, but he came here every summer to take the waters. He was
+in every way a most correct person.... And mamma, hearing all this, and
+nodding her head, invited Valerian Nicolaevitch, _l'homme an chien,_
+to come and see them.
+
+The bazaar was over. The receipts were splendid, and the ladies of the
+_beau-monde_ had realised fifteen roubles more than the ladies of the
+_demi-monde._ Mdme. Tchereshneff was particularly proud of this. The
+baroness was tired, and said she felt half dead.... Mimotchka was in
+the highest spirits. How much better and stronger she had got!
+
+She even went afterwards with mamma and Valerian Nicolaevitch to the
+dance in the evening at Tchichvadze's Hotel. Of course she didn't dance
+herself, but she sat and looked on at the others dancing. Valerian
+Nicolaevitch sat by her and indulged in a great many witticisms at the
+expense of the dancers. And by general desire Prince Djoumardjidze,
+Princess Ardjivanidze, and Prince Kakoushadze danced the Lesginka.[17]
+Outside on the balcony, a Caucasian lieutenant, who had drunk too much
+Kachetinsk, got very excited, drew out his dagger, and threatened to
+cut the hotel-keeper's throat because he had given him a tough fowl
+for dinner. All the rooms at Tchichvadze's were pervaded by an odour
+of burnt fat and the fumes of cooking. Doctor Babanine, in a Tcherkesk
+costume with a _nagaiki_[18] in his hand, circulated among his
+patients, making up a party for an evening ride to Mount Beshtau. The
+musicians in their high fur caps and beautiful white costumes piped the
+Lesginka with all their might, and to its irritating strains Princess
+Ardjivanidze fluttered about amidst the vapour of kitchen fumes.
+
+[17] The Caucasian national dance.
+
+[18] A Tcherkesk riding-whip.
+
+Mamma got so excited that she decided on having a regular
+jollification. In accordance with her desire Valerian Nicolaevitch
+ordered Kachetinsk and champagne to be served to the ladies with
+_shashlik_ and _tchihirtma._[19] They sat down to supper.
+
+[19] Fowl prepared in Caucasian fashion with lemon and rice.
+
+"The Caucasus is before me," ... declaimed Valerian Nicolaevitch,
+pouring out Mimotchka a glass of Kachetinsk, and she caught up a little
+bit of burnt mutton on the end of her fork and said, smilingly:
+
+"Mais c'est excellent, le _shashlik!_"
+
+Valerian Nicolaevitch saw the ladies home. It was a beautiful evening.
+A full moon had risen in the heavens, flooding the white houses and
+slumbering gardens with her tender light.... On bidding good-bye mamma
+renewed her invitation to him to call on them.
+
+Mimotchka still smiled a long while after she had got home. Mamma had
+an unpleasant remembrance of the _shashlik_ she had eaten, and looked
+about for her little bottle of nux vomica. And Mimotchka began curling
+her fringe, and while she curled it, went on thinking of him, and
+recalling his face and his glances. How all the women, and his wife
+among them, must admire him! What kind of a wife has he?.... Why isn't
+she with him? Perhaps she is a horrid, ugly thing.... Or, she may be
+lovely.... What had he said to her? How beautifully, how intelligently,
+how easily he talks!... She doesn't know anyone who talks so well. And
+how perfectly at ease she feels with him! What a nice man he is! And
+how well everything has turned out. They had made acquaintance in such
+a proper sort of way.
+
+She had not sought his acquaintance, she had not lost her womanly
+dignity.... Everything had happened by itself. It was a pity they had
+exchanged glances on the journey. It would have been better if it
+hadn't happened. But still these are only trifles, and he has evidently
+forgotten all about it.... Oh, he is so very correct! He would never
+forget what was due to himself and to her, and of course she would
+never allow him to.
+
+How nice it was that they had made acquaintance! Perhaps they would
+form a true, pure friendship. He was just the sort of friend she
+wanted!... She likes him.... And then he is so intelligent. He is
+exactly what she requires.... She has no friend or companion suitable
+to her age, clever, interesting in conversation, and also perfectly
+honourable and correct.... And isn't he honourable and correct? A few
+more such people and she would have a sympathetic little circle of
+her own, in which it would be so pleasant and delightful to rest her
+soul from the bitterness and oppression that her ill-assorted marriage
+had left in her heart. Ill-assorted? Of course it was ill-assorted.
+And naturally such a circle would only consist of honourable and
+correct people. She does not require any wild gaiety. She does not
+want to be as giddy as Nettie. Heaven preserve her from becoming such
+a _tapageuse!_ She would never tread a perilous path. She does not
+Want anything wrong. She only wishes to have friends, honourable, nice
+people, whom she could meet and converse with about the things that
+interest her. She has already found one such friend. He is married and
+she is married. They are neither of them free, so that nothing can
+interfere with their friendly intercourse. How nice it is that they
+have made acquaintance!
+
+"What is he doing now?" thought Mimotchka, twisting up the twelfth and
+last curl-paper before her looking-glass. "Is he thinking of me? What
+does he think of me?" ...
+
+And after undressing and blowing out the candle Mimotchka laid her
+pretty head, crowned with its row of curl-papers, on the pillow.... But
+somehow the thoughts and curl-papers got entangled with each other and
+prevented her sleeping.... What is he thinking of? what is he doing?...
+
+And Valerian Nicolaevitch, having returned to his hotel, sat by Prince
+Kakoushadze, whose acquaintance he had made only the day before, and
+pouring himself out some Kachetinsk, said:
+
+"Well, now at last I have made acquaintance with my general's wife. She
+does not particularly shine by her intelligence, but in her eyes there
+is a boundless sea. And her hand, her foot!..."
+
+And Valerian Nicolaevitch blew an airy kiss in Mimotchka's direction.
+
+
+The next day they went on horseback to Karass. The riding party
+consisted of ten persons, but Mimotchka and he rode together, and there
+were moments when they were left quite alone. He talked even more than
+the day before. Where did he get it all from? And how lightly he passed
+from one subject to another. Mimotchka asked him if he had had his dog
+long. And straight after answering her question he passed on to love.
+And it flowed on and on....
+
+He said that life without love was wearisome, was like a desert
+without water, that a woman lives by love alone, that without it she
+struggles like a fish thrown on the dry sand, that woman's nature is
+demoralised and distorted by the absurd education given her, that women
+of their own free will lay on themselves chains and fetters, under the
+weight of which they afterwards almost sink. And if anyone were now
+to tell them that the end of the world, the end of life, would come
+to-morrow, and that the whole edifice of prejudices and conventional
+ideas would be broken down, they would throw aside their mask, lay bare
+their real feelings and desires, and speak in a real living tongue.
+... The pent-up waters would burst through the dikes.... And he quoted
+now a verse from Heine, and then a verse from Byron, ... here a Latin
+citation, there a couplet from an operetta.
+
+Love moves the world. Love is the flower of life, its perfume, its
+fragrance. Love is the crown, the cupola on the edifice of human
+happiness.... How beautifully Musset has said ... And Schiller, in
+speaking of ... And Baudelaire, and Setchenoff, and Fett, and King
+Solomon, and Dranmore, and Kousma Proutkoff.[20] ... Let the reader
+select what he likes from this poetical chaos!
+
+Mimotchka's horse shook its ears, and Mimotchka herself put back her
+hair, which had blown forward from under her hat, and looked as lovely
+as the Caucasian sun itself.
+
+[20] Fett, a Russian poet; Kousma Proutkoff, a Russian philosophical
+writer in the style of La Rochefoucauld; Setchenoff, a Russian author.
+
+They rode on side by side through a little path in the wood. The green
+boughs were close over their heads, and he held them up with his hand
+while she bent her head down low. In front of them they could hear the
+sound of the horses' hoofs and the laughter and talk of the baroness
+and her companions.
+
+An unexpected storm overtook them in the wood. Mimotchka was generally
+afraid of storms, but with him she did not feel afraid, only excited
+and gay. The rain poured down and the whole cavalcade galloped on
+furiously. He had his _bourka_[19] with him, which he threw over
+Mimotchka's shoulders. When they arrived at Karass they all took refuge
+in a barn to shelter themselves from the rain. The storm went on. The
+lightning flashed among the mountains, and the thunder pealed over the
+heads of the drenched riding party. They were all in high spirits, and
+animated by the rapidity of their ride: the baroness in particular was
+quite in ecstasies, and considered her picnic party a great success.
+The servants set tables and benches in the barn, prepared the _samovar_
+and unpacked the provisions and wine.... They all sat down to tea.
+Presently Doctor Babanine's party, also all wet through, galloped up to
+the barn. The baroness invited them to join her tea-party. The company
+united, and they all became still livelier. And Mimotchka threw off the
+cloak and drank some cognac that Valerian Nicolaevitch poured out for
+her. He brought her her tea, and waited on her and entertained her, and
+she was so amused and happy that she even left off lamenting that her
+hair had got out of curl.
+
+[19] Caucasian cloak, made of hairy cloth.
+
+When the storm was over and the moon rose up in the sky, the party
+distributed themselves in three boats and went for a row on the lake.
+Somebody sang and the baroness rowed. Doctor Babanine, in his Tcherkesk
+costume and with a _nagaika_ in his hand, swam across the lake on
+horseback. And they returned home very, very late. Mimotchka was tired,
+but she did not regret having gone. And how delicious the air was after
+the storm! What a night! What a moon!
+
+
+And then began a series of bright, cloudless days. In the morning,
+when she got up, Mimotchka already knew that she would meet him almost
+immediately. And, in fact, they met at the morning music. And once
+they were together--it was all right, that was the chief thing, all
+the rest was of secondary importance. They had established a pleasant,
+friendly intercourse together, in which there was nothing, nothing
+whatever to find fault with. They met, walked together, talked, and
+made fun of the baroness and her friends. He related to her episodes
+of the baroness's past life, then he told her what he had done since
+he had last seen her, whom he had met and what he had thought about,
+and then they talked over how they would spend the evening: whether
+they would ride or go to the concert. If there was nothing to talk
+about, he talked about love, declaimed Fett, Musset, or Byron, but
+never permitted himself to speak personally, and of course she would
+never have allowed him to do so. Mimotchka knew which of her dresses,
+and which way of doing her hair he liked best, and she did her best to
+please him. She caressed Rex, and Valerian Nicolaevitch, on his part,
+showed himself well disposed and gracious to the pug. He gave Mimotchka
+some valuable advice on the subject of dress. He had a delicate and
+elegant taste, and knew a great deal about laces and the blending of
+colours. In general he was able to teach Mimotchka a great, very great
+deal.
+
+They were both fond of music, and did not miss a single concert. And
+when Mimotchka, sitting by his side, listened to the songs, it seemed
+to her that it was not at all the same music she had heard during the
+winter sitting by the side of Spiridon Ivanovitch in the Salle de
+la Noblesse in Petersburg. Either the singer here sang a great deal
+better than Figner,[21] or else she had got so much better and stronger
+that everything appeared to her in another light; but anyhow it was
+quite, quite different music. Mamma rarely appeared at the concerts:
+the expense, for one thing, deterred her (for mamma was stingy to
+herself), and besides, somebody must stay with Vava, who liked to go
+to bed early and couldn't bear the _kursaal._ So Mimotchka went to the
+concerts alone with Valerian Nicolaevitch. After spending the evening
+in the rooms, they walked home together. He gave her his arm and in a
+low voice sang over some of the melodies they had just heard. And she
+raised her Madonna-like eyes to the stars and then turned them back to
+him, and their eyes met and said something that their lips did not dare
+say, because he would never, never have allowed himself to, and she
+would never have permitted it.
+
+[21] A famous Russian tenor.
+
+They were happy. And everything that surrounded Mimotchka, everything
+that she saw and heard, the dark mountains and the green woods, and the
+glimmering of the stars and the moonlight, the noise of the horses'
+hoofs, the rustling of the branches, the talking of the crowd, the
+songs that the singers sang, the chirping of the crickets--all this was
+the scenery and orchestra to that new, sweet song that the voice of
+nature itself was singing to her.
+
+She never thought of analysing her own feelings, she would not have
+known how to. There was nothing to alarm herself about. Nothing had
+happened. It was simply that acquaintance and intercourse with such a
+clever, charming man gave her pleasure. Now there was someone with whom
+she never, never felt dull! And Mimotchka said to Vava:
+
+"I have never yet met such a clever, highly educated man. How well he
+speaks French, English, and German! What intelligence, what a memory!
+You can talk with him the whole day and hardly notice how the time
+passes."
+
+Vava didn't like him; but then what did a stupid girl like her
+understand? And besides, mamma both liked and admired Valerian
+Nicolaevitch, and often said to Mimotchka:
+
+"Isn't Valerian Nicolaevitch coming to see us to-day? Ask him to come
+and have a cup of tea."
+
+And Valerian Nicolaevitch came and drank his tea and patiently listened
+to mamma's stories, and was so chivalrously respectful to Mimotchka
+that mamma could hardly refrain from embracing him. Mamma thought
+him very handsome; she considered him even handsomer than the hussar
+Anutin, who had made such a sensation at the Mineral Waters.
+
+And the maid Katia, buttoning the boots on Mimotchka's little feet,
+said, as she dexterously used her buttonhook, "What a nice gentleman
+he is! how I do like him! The chambermaid, Dasha, who knows his man,
+says, too, that he is such a nice gentleman. They have their own house
+in Kieff. And they say he is such a good master." ...
+
+"Oh yes," thought Mimotchka, "and then the chief thing is, he is so
+clever!"
+
+At night, when she went to bed, she tried to remember what he had
+said to her. It was difficult, because he talked so much. But what
+she remembered perfectly Well were his glances. How he had looked at
+her when they had turned back to Griasnoushka, and then, when he sang
+"Azra," and she asked him for the words of it. Oh, what eyes he has,
+what eyes! It's a good thing that he has so much respect for her,
+because, if he had not, she would be afraid for herself. Now, of
+course, she is quite easy. She already knows him quite well enough to
+feel assured that he would never allow himself ... She is a respectable
+woman, she isn't like Nettie. She likes him as a friend.... If she
+were free, perhaps she might like him in another way. Of course, if
+she had known him, she would never have chosen anyone else.... But
+she is not free, and only likes him as a friend. It's so nice, such a
+friendship!...
+
+And in the darkness Mimotchka opened her eyes and imagined how it would
+be in the future. He liked her. By degrees he would let himself be
+carried away by his feelings, and he would love her, love her so much
+that he would follow her to Petersburg. And he would suffer from her
+cruelty, poor, dear fellow I would endure everything, and at last would
+explain himself. And she herself would suffer too, but she would say
+to him: "And I love you too, have loved you a long while, but duty and
+my obligations to others ... We must part." And so they would part,
+poor things! How they would suffer! But still it was impossible to do
+otherwise ... And Mimotchka sighed and turned over her pillow and put
+the displaced sheet straight again. In the room, in spite of the door
+being open on to the balcony, it was close and hot. And next door the
+indefatigable widow was singing:
+
+    "And the night, and love, and the moon."
+
+And the officer, who had taken the initiative, coughed and yawned
+loudly.
+
+"They won't let you get to sleep, they're intolerable! I'll shut that
+door directly," said mamma, getting up, and, lowering her voice to a
+whisper, so as not to wake the sleeping Vava, she added, "Just imagine
+what I saw to-day; they kissed before me. So, _pour tout de bon._ ...
+I went out on the balcony to shake a petticoat, and they were sitting
+there kissing.... Schopenhauer lay on the table and they were kissing.
+How disgusting!"
+
+
+One day followed another without bringing any great changes.
+Mimotchka's cure was drawing to a close, and mamma had already put
+a mark in her almanac against the day fixed for their removal to
+Kislovodsk.
+
+Vava went on with her cure, walked, read, and talked, and argued till
+she was hoarse with her new friends about the immortality of the soul,
+about the woman's question, and about the thoughts and looks of Leo
+Tolstoi.
+
+Mimotchka was without a care, and flirted gaily with Valerian
+Nicolaevitch. Her maid Katia flirted no less gaily with David
+Georgevitch, and mamma played at picquet with the bilious dignitary
+from Petersburg, or craned her neck watching other people's love
+affairs. And both Vava and Mimotchka improved in health and looks every
+day, so that mamma, joyfully noticing this, said to her partner:
+
+"How fond people are of praising up everything foreign and running down
+their own country. What things they told us about the Caucasus I And
+yet how my young people have improved here! If you had only seen my
+daughter in the spring.... She looked like a ghost! We were afraid she
+would go into a consumption. Do you know, our waters are better than
+those abroad."
+
+The old gentleman did not even smile, but, dealing the cards with his
+bony fingers, he contradicted mamma. He could not take upon himself to
+give any opinion about ladies' illnesses--it was beyond the sphere of
+his competence.... Perhaps the ladies had improved in health, perhaps
+... But in regard to his fellow-men he would venture to say that here
+it was only the healthy that improved. The doctors improved; yes, those
+robbers certainly improved their circumstances.... A set of clowns who
+couldn't distinguish one illness from another (the old gentleman had
+already changed doctors four times, and acknowledged to mamma that
+he couldn't digest a fifth). They went about courting and flirting
+and riding on horseback like madmen, while the invalids had to put up
+with every discomfort. What was the Government about? They took bribes
+and commissions under the inspector's very nose. It was all robbery,
+pillage, and disorder.... Wait a bit!... If the fifth doctor did not
+kill him, he would write an article about them under the title of "Our
+watering-places and our doctors." And they would recognise themselves,
+they would recognise themselves.... Wait a bit!...
+
+Mamma smiled good-humouredly and indulgently as she sorted her cards.
+What was the use of arguing with a man who was a martyr to his liver
+and stomach! How could he digest his doctor when he couldn't digest
+his dinner?... And with her sweetest smile, and in a voice that mamma
+knew how to make softer than almond oil, she said to him: "But do you
+know what I would advise you to try?--a simple, but well-known remedy.
+My son-in-law suffered for years from the most obstinate catarrh; and
+he made a cure and took the waters. But do you know what did him good?
+I'll tell you. Just a pinch on the end of a knife." ... And so on.
+
+
+It was a hot, very hot day. Mimotchka, on coming from the baths, went
+up on the mountain and sat down on a bench where she generally rested
+after her bath. She wore a light cambric dress, and yet could hardly
+breathe. The heat acted unpleasantly on her nerves; besides which, she
+had something on her mind. The day before they had had a quarrel, and
+now she felt ashamed and vexed with herself. He had been angry with
+her yesterday, and had said that he would not go on to Kislovodsk, but
+would go straight from Jeleznovodsk to the baroness's country place,
+where he had been invited to stay. He was angry because Mimotchka would
+not go out riding with him alone, and had said that it would look
+"awkward!" Oh, what a fool she was, what a fool! Now she would gladly
+give half her life to get back that word. How coarse and stupid it was!
+She had showed that she was afraid. And what was there to be afraid of?
+Hadn't she gone out riding alone with Variashski, and with the officer
+of Spiridon Ivanovitch's division? didn't the baroness ride alone with
+_him,_ with Valerian Nicolaevitch? And what of it? Was anyone shocked
+by it? Not in the least. Awkward, awkward!... Oh, what a fool she was!
+And what must he think of her now? Good heavens, what could she do to
+please him? Now they would part coldly and inimically, and if he ever
+after thought of her, it would be as a fool and an idiot. But no, it
+was impossible, surely they would not part so?
+
+Here he comes. He came up to her with a solemn, dignified expression
+of countenance, and saluted her coldly. Then he talked of the weather,
+and, having asked her permission to sit down beside her, seated himself
+at the further end of the bench. Oh, what a chill seemed to come from
+his elegant person! The top of Mount Elbrouz itself couldn't be colder.
+And Mimotchka's hands and feet grew cold from the proximity of this
+Elbrouz, and she felt ready to cry.
+
+And yet the sun was hot, and the air burning and close. Nature seemed
+exhausted with the heat. The cracked, parched earth prayed to the
+heavens for rain; the splendidly grown trees stood morosely and lazily;
+not a leaf stirred; on every rock from below and above the grasshoppers
+chirped loudly.
+
+The conversation flagged. Mimotchka was dreadfully ashamed. She felt
+that she had lost her dignity as a general's wife, and tormented
+herself trying to think what she could say.
+
+Valerian Nicolaevitch silently enjoyed her agitation and trouble. It
+was not only Mimotchka's appearance that pleased him, but her very
+silentness and slowness of comprehension. What a good listener she
+was! In Valerian Nicolaevitch's eyes this was a most precious quality,
+because he liked to be the only one to talk. How tired he was of those
+talkative women, with their pretensions to wit and intelligence,
+who had read a little, would chatter about something, interrupt
+without listening to what you were saying, cavil at your ideas and
+catch up your words.... How different Mimotchka was! What a depth of
+womanliness there was in her. She possessed what the poet calls "das
+ewig Weibliche." ... She was not clever, certainly; but this very want
+of cleverness was so pleasing in her. And why should she be clever?
+What would it add to that pure, limpid look in her eyes? She had both
+tact and grace. And although she was not clever, still she had a very
+charming manner, not too free and yet not too shy. She was very, very
+charming, and he had not been so taken with anyone for a long time.
+He intended that the _dénouement_ should take place at Kislovodsk,
+and yesterday evening, according to his programme, a preliminary
+_tête-a-tête_ ride should have taken place in order to reassure
+Mimotchka, and quiet her alarm, as he saw that, in spite of everything,
+she was still on her guard.... And then suddenly she wouldn't go.
+Just think of it! So that's the way, is it? Very well! Now she must be
+punished, and made to ask him to come to Kislovodsk.
+
+And so he sat there by her, gazing mournfully and coldly before him,
+and cutting off the tops of the grass with his stick. The conversation
+flagged ...?
+
+The sister of the actress, Mdlle. Lenskaia, passed close by them. A
+little old man, thawing under the influences of beauty, like a candle
+under the rays of the Caucasian sun, was giving her his arm.
+
+Mimotchka began talking about her. The Lenskis interested her
+very much, because she had long been jealous of them on Valerian
+Nicolaevitch's account, and she often asked him about them. He,
+according to the humour he was in, either lauded them to the skies or
+trampled them in the mud. This time Mdlle. Lenskaia turned up at a very
+lucky moment for herself. Valerian Nicolaevitch began extolling her.
+There was a real woman for you. She was worthy of bearing the high and
+holy name of woman.... She lived herself and gave fresh life to those
+around her.... Like the sun, she shed light and warmth on all those
+who drew breath in her presence.... In her old age, when she drew near
+her end, her conscience would not reproach her in any way. She would
+have fulfilled her earthly task. She would have lived and loved....
+She is no mere dressmaker's dummy, only made for trying on Parisian
+toilettes, she is a living creature, with warm blood running in her
+veins, with nerves vibrating in her, and life brimming over within her.
+... She is not a puppet whose strings are pulled by public opinion....
+And he poured forth a flood of stern and terrible philippics against
+the women of society, those egotists, those hard-hearted, empty-headed
+coquettes.... A nice education they have given them! Their mothers
+impregnate them with their absurd morality with as much zeal as they
+lay camphor in their carpets and shawls to keep away the moth. And they
+attain their object. The moth does not touch their shawls, and passion
+does not come near their well-brought-up daughters. But the atmosphere
+that surrounds them is hard to breathe in. A man feels half suffocated.
+He feels dull in their presence.... Yes, intolerably dull.... And is it
+surprising that men flee from them to such women as Lenskaia?
+
+Mimotchka was ready to cry. He was dull with her.... He had always felt
+dull in her society.... She was only a dressmaker's dummy for trying
+on dresses.... He would leave her and go to Lenskaia. For shame, for
+shame!... And he continued thundering against the women of society,
+interlarding his speech with verses and quotations. Love moves the
+world. There are women unworthy of the happiness of love, unworthy of
+high and holy moments. A woman incapable of love is like the foolish
+virgin without oil.... And the Lord will say to her, "Depart, I know
+you not." ... Watch.... Yes.... And old age will come, terrible,
+merciless old age, with its grey hairs and wrinkles, and will seize
+upon the heart with its cold hand, and the heart will quail with fear
+and will thirst for life, but it will be late, too late.... And then
+came a verse from Musset, and then one from Fett.
+
+Valerian Nicolaevitch got more and more excited by his own eloquence.
+Lowering his voice now to a whisper, and now raising it, he never
+glanced at Mimotchka, never even turned towards her, but looked
+straight before him as if addressing the gentlemen of the jury. And
+it seemed to Mimotchka that the grasshoppers and black trunks of the
+trees, which played the part of jury, said with one voice, "Guilty,
+guilty, and not deserving extenuating circumstances."
+
+Mimotchka knew she was guilty, but she really did not know how to set
+things right, nor what to do to stop his anger and make him come to
+Kislovodsk. She looked up at him. How handsome he Was! He took off his
+hat, and she saw his white forehead, his wavy hair, and his brilliant
+eyes.... She felt drawn towards him, and yet was afraid of vexing
+him.... What can she say? good heavens, what can she say?... And she
+hung her head lower and lower, and drew figures on the sand with her
+parasol, while he went on saying those dreadful things.
+
+Some ugly-looking Armenian women, in their muslin veils, went past and
+gazed stupidly at poor Mimotchka with their round black eyes. The
+passers-by smiled knowingly, and looked back at Mimotchka with a low
+whistle....
+
+And Valerian Nicolaevitch continued to thunder on like an inspired
+prophet.
+
+Women do not wish, and do not understand how to be intelligent. When
+the sun shines on them, when the heavens smile on them, they pull down
+the blinds.... Everything is only play, amusement, and a joke to them.
+Not one them of knows how to raise herself to the height of a serious
+feeling.... Flirts, who don't deserve that a man with a soul should
+waste his time and lose his heart for them.... Well did Heine say ...
+And what a bitter truth Byron wrote ... and Montesquieu, that great
+jurist.... Mimotchka finally gave up trying to understand altogether.
+Great men's names always bewildered her. Her lips trembled, she would
+have liked to cry. And why does he scream at her here so, where so many
+people are passing, and when she cannot say anything for fear she will
+burst into tears?
+
+Taking advantage of a momentary silence, Mimotchka got up and said:
+
+"I think it is time for me to go home." He bowed coldly and politely.
+"Aren't you going to see me home?"
+
+"If you desire it."
+
+And they came down the mountain. He played with his stick; Mimotchka
+looked on the ground, and Rex walked lazily after them, wagging his
+tail, and wondering they were not tired of such stupid talk.
+
+"When are you going to Kislovodsk?" asked Valerian Nicolaevitch.
+
+"To-morrow. And you?" and Mimotchka looked up at him with the
+tenderest, most beseeching look.
+
+"I am not going there at all."
+
+There was a silence.
+
+"Why are you in such a hurry to get home?" began Mimotchka again.
+
+"I am not going home. I think I already told you that the baroness
+had asked me to come and stay at their place.... The baron is an old
+school friend of mine, and I shall be glad to see him again! And she is
+such a charming woman too...."
+
+And again they went on in silence. Mimotchka was struggling with
+herself, not knowing whether to ask him to come to Kislovodsk or not.
+If she asks him what reason shall she give for asking him to come, and
+how will he take it? And if she doesn't ask him he won't come. No, she
+will ask him, she will ask him. But still she was undecided, and said:
+
+"I wish you would say some verses to me."
+
+"Some verses? Certainly." He plucked a flower from the wayside and
+began declaiming:
+
+    "Elle était belle, si la nuit
+    Qui dort dans la sombre chapelle," ...
+
+and so on. When he had pronounced the last words with great effect,
+they had reached the door of the house, where mamma was waiting dinner
+for Mimotchka, but still she did not ask him to come, to Kislovodsk.
+She remarked that it was yet early, and that very likely Vava
+hadn't returned, so they might as well take another turn. Valerian
+Nicolaevitch offered her his arm, and they went on a little further,
+then they came back and passed the house on the other side of the way.
+After a little while Mimotchka spoke, and when they stopped at the door
+for the third time, and mamma had warmed up the soup on the kerosene
+stove for the second time, everything that was necessary had been said.
+He had promised to come to Kislovodsk for a month (that is, for the
+whole time that she would be there), and she had promised to go out
+riding with him the first evening they were there. Why did he so hold
+to it? Well, anyhow it didn't matter? They had made it up.
+
+
+Both Vava and Mimotchka had passed the time so agreeably at
+Jeleznovodsk, and liked it so much, that when they came to Kislovodsk
+they refused to admire anything, but stood out that Jeleznovodsk was
+a great deal nicer. Vava said that Jeleznovodsk was dark, green, and
+warm, while Kislovodsk was light, blue, and cold; and Mimotchka said
+she had a crooked looking-glass, and that her bed was a great deal
+harder than the one at Jeleznovodsk. Besides this, there were a good
+many of their Petersburg acquaintances at Kislovodsk--Princess X---,
+
+with her daughter and niece, General Baraeff, a friend of Spiridon
+Ivanovitch's, and others besides.... Now they would get sick of them
+and their gossip, and good-bye to the freedom of Jeleznovodsk!
+
+However, Vava and Mimotchka were soon reassured on that score. The
+princess seemed hardly to move from her place at the card-table, her
+daughter had captured a little _aide-de-camp_ with the object of
+leading him to the altar, her cousin was romantically and hopelessly
+in love with a very pale and very interesting gentleman, whose wife
+had run away from him, and who was making a cure at Kislovodsk,
+while General Baraeff was incessantly after a pretty widow, with whom
+he intended to go for a trip across the Caucasus. In fact, they all
+seemed quite taken up with themselves and their own amusements. The
+young princess and her cousin met Mimotchka and Vava very amiably and
+with transports of friendliness, but it was clear that they had not
+the slightest intention of profiting by their society, and were only
+anxious not to be interfered with in their walks and excursions. And
+both Mimotchka and Vava breathed freely again. The latter's entire
+circle of friends had assembled at Kislovodsk, excepting the student,
+who had gone with the Morozoffs to the Crimea. Vava welcomed them
+joyfully, and the day after their arrival the whole party undertook the
+ascent of the Krestoff mountain, the view from which so delighted Vava
+that in two or three days' time she began to like Kislovodsk better
+than Jeleznovodsk. And it really was better. Here there were silvery
+birch-trees, murmuring mountain streams, and, above all, the wonderful
+pure air, intoxicating and invigorating all who breathed it. And then,
+here there was more variety, it was more Eastern, more Caucasian.
+
+Mamma accepted with pleasure the princess's offer to occupy the fourth
+place at her card-table, the former player having left for the Crimea.
+Vint was one of mamma's passions, and was a great deal more interesting
+than picquet with the bilious, irritable dignitary from Petersburg.
+
+On the fourth day after their arrival Mimotchka put on a white dress
+and a red hat and went with Vava to the park. They both still drank
+koumiss, and went to the koumiss establishment to drink it. Passing
+through the colonnade they met Valerian Nicolaevitch, but a transformed
+Valerian Nicolaevitch! In a Tcherkesk costume, wearing a _beshmet,_[22]
+a _papaha,_ and with daggers stuck in his belt. And what a splendid
+_djigit_[23] he made! Tall, well built, and black browed! It was a
+surprise for Mimotchka. Rex walked majestically after his master.
+
+[22] _Beshmet,_ a Tartar tunic; _papaha,_ a high sheepskin cap.
+
+[23] _Djigit,_ a Circassian rider who performs feats of horsemanship.
+
+"Isn't it odd?" said Valerian Nicolaevitch to the ladies as he greeted
+them; "I always bring this costume with me, but at the beginning of the
+season at Jeleznovodsk I haven't the courage to put it on. But here I
+already venture to wear the national dress, and all the more so because
+I am almost always on horseback. The environs are so lovely! Have you
+been anywhere yet?"
+
+"Nowhere. With whom should I go?"
+
+"How glad I am! The environs are so beautiful! And I so much wanted
+to show you my favourite places myself. Then shall we go for a ride
+to-day?"
+
+"Let us go. Have you spoken about the horses?"
+
+"Of course I have. Our horses are here, so we shall not have to look
+about for fresh ones. Osman came on with them yesterday."
+
+When they had drunk their koumiss, Mimotchka and Vava carried off
+Valerian Nicolaevitch to speak to mamma, who was playing cards out
+of doors. Mamma was delighted to see him, and introduced him to the
+princess, who examined him through her eyeglass when he had moved from
+their table, and also thought him handsomer than the hussar Anutin.
+
+And Valerian Nicolaevitch and Mimotchka went on to the end of the
+principal walk, losing Vava, who met some of her friends, on the way.
+Mimotchka was radiant. It was as if there had never been any quarrel
+between them; they were again on the old, pleasant, friendly footing.
+Mimotchka herself had hardly expected she would be so glad of it.
+Yes, he was more necessary to her than anyone. Life did not seem the
+same thing to her with him as with others. And he was so bright, so
+contented, so glad. Why was he glad? Because he was with her, of
+course. Was not that the reason why she was so glad! So glad, so glad!
+Ah, how happy she was!
+
+After dinner Mimotchka lay down to rest a little. But she could not
+sleep, only lay there and rejoiced at his having come. How could she
+possibly sleep now? It rested her only to think of him. Could the
+presence, the vicinity of any other person bring such joy, such light
+into her life? Well, now he is here. And again they will be together
+amongst a crowd of strangers. That is all she wants. To be together,
+and to be young and lovely for him and through him. Because, for
+instance, the reason why she looks so well to-day is that he has come.
+The joy of it beautifies her. Oh, how she loves him! She never, never
+felt so before. And the chief thing is that there is nothing wrong in
+it. How can that be wrong which awakens the best part of her soul? She
+fears nothing, nothing.... Is it possible that she really loves him?
+Well, what if she does? She cannot hold back her heart nor stop it;
+how it beats!... Of course he will never know. She will never allow him
+to, and he would never permit himself ... What does it matter if she
+loves him? The purest and most honourable Woman may be carried away
+by her feelings.... And in spite of it she may have the strength to
+remain honest.... They are going out riding, and again there will be
+a whole evening for them together, they two alone! How beautiful! How
+beautiful!
+
+Then she began to dress.... Never in her life had her toilet been
+so successful. Her hair seemed to arrange itself on her head, the
+buttoned-up habit bodice set like a glove, and when Mimotchka, having
+scented her handkerchief and taken her riding-whip from Katia's hands,
+threw a last glance at herself in the mirror, there looked out at her
+from it such an angelic, poetical little face, with shining eyes and a
+happy smile, that she almost blew a kiss to her own image. The horses
+were already brought round. He was seated on horseback, and talking to
+mamma through the window.
+
+"Please, Valerian Nicolaevitch, do see that she doesn't ride too fast
+and too far. Any over fatigue is so bad for her, and she has got so
+venturesome and careless lately.... After all it's not long since her
+recovery. Do look after her. I give her into your charge."
+
+"Be quite easy, Anna Arcadievna."
+
+Mimotchka came down the steps and sprang lightly into the saddle; she
+smiled up at mamma and rode off beside Valerian Nicolaevitch, with
+Osman following a little behind them. And mamma looked after them and
+thought to herself: "What a fine-looking couple they make! If we lived
+in Arcadia instead of Petersburg that would have been the sort of
+husband to have. Still, everything is for the best. A man like that
+wouldn't have married her, but would have looked out for money, and
+after marriage would only have amused himself and deceived her.... Les
+beaux maris ne sont pas les meilleurs.... And you can always find as
+many admirers as you like, but a husband like Spiridon Ivanovitch is
+not picked up every day." ...
+
+And mamma meditatively returned to her _coiffure,_ for she was going to
+see the princess. But where has Vava gone? "Where's your young lady?"
+she asked Katia.
+
+"She was here a minute ago."
+
+"A minute ago! I ask you where she is _now?_ What are you thinking of,
+pray? What do you receive wages for from Julia Arcadievna? You were
+told not to leave your young lady alone for a minute. Go and find her
+directly!"
+
+Katia listened submissively to mamma, and after she had put together
+Mimotchka's scattered petticoats and hairpins, she did her hair,
+scented herself with Mimotchka's eau de toilette, put on a little grey
+jacket and a hat with a wing at the side, and hurried off to the park,
+where, at the end of a shady walk, she met David Georgevitch, who was
+Waiting for her, and who had already presented her with a Caucasian
+brooch and two turquoise rings.
+
+
+After leaving Kislovodsk, Valerian Nicolaevitch and Mimotchka rode
+along the country road. Sometimes they went along slowly and sometimes
+galloped. (Valerian Nicolaevitch only rode at the kind of pace that
+pleased Mimotchka; _he_ was not like Variashksi!) At the first pause
+he began talking about horses, and told Mimotchka what kind of horses
+he had at Kieff and what kind on his estate. Afterwards, crossing the
+fords, they remembered Petchorin and Princess Mary,[24] and he talked
+about Lermontoff and literature.... It was just the same to Mimotchka
+on what subject she kept silence as long as she could listen to him.
+Then he began to speak of nature. And she, did she care about nature?
+Oh yes! (Mimotchka forgot that she had previously only cared about
+nature somewhere round a bandstand.) It seemed to her then that she
+loved and always had loved nature. Didn't she like cantering over
+this green steppe, that waved about like a sea? Didn't she admire
+the delicate outline of the chain of mountains that bordered the
+horizon? Oh yes, she loves nature. She had not known anything about
+it before. In Petersburg and Paris you only see nature in pictures at
+exhibitions....
+
+[24] The hero and heroine of a novel, by Lermontoff, called a _Hero of
+our Times,_ and in which the scene laid in the Caucasus.
+
+In the midst of their peaceful chat they met a carriage in which were
+seated General Baraeff and the widow. The general bowed amiably to
+Mimotchka, who nodded to him in return. Valerian Nicolaevitch began
+making fun of the general.
+
+"It's Baraeff, a friend of my husband's," said Mimotchka.
+
+When she mentioned her husband a shadow always passed over Valerian
+Nicolaevitch's face. Mimotchka was already aware of this, and was sorry
+she had mentioned him so _mal à propos._ They became silent, and pushed
+on their horses as if the recollection of poor Spiridon Ivanovitch
+obliged them to hasten to the object of their excursion.
+
+"Where are we going to-day?" asked Mimotchka, when the horses got tired
+and fell back into a walking pace.
+
+"We are going to-day to the 'Castle of Love and Treachery.'"
+
+"A castle? Is there really a castle there?"
+
+"No, there is no castle whatever; but there are rocks, very
+picturesquely situated rocks.... It's a lovely spot.... And there is a
+legend connected with the rocks. If it won't bore you to listen, I will
+tell you the legend."
+
+"On the contrary, I should very much like to hear it."
+
+"Well then, listen. A certain merchant had a daughter--of course she
+was young and beautiful."
+
+"Why 'of course'?"
+
+"Because otherwise she would not be worth talking about. Well, this
+daughter loved a youth, also young and beautiful. The young people
+loved each other as it is only possible to love under such a sun
+and amidst such scenery. (Probably you won't understand this, mais
+passons.) Well, the young people loved each other, but, as is generally
+the case, fate and circumstances were against them. The father of the
+girl rejected the suit of the enamoured youth, who was poor, and found
+another bridegroom for his daughter, a rich merchant like himself. The
+young people tried to overcome his objections, but he was inexorable;
+so they decided to die. One beautiful morning they came to these
+rocks--you will see them directly-stood at the edge of the abyss, so
+as to throw themselves down and be dashed to pieces on the stones,
+and said good-bye to each other--good-bye to life, to light, and to
+nature. 'Throw yourself down!' said the girl, 'and I will after you.'
+He smiled at her, threw himself into the gulf below, and was killed.
+And she ..."
+
+"And she?"
+
+"She went back home and married the rich merchant!"
+
+"Oh, what an ..."
+
+"Artful one, wasn't she? She married the merchant and the rocks kept
+the secret of his love and her treachery. Look--they are already
+visible, do you see? More to the left.... But we can go down there
+below." ...
+
+"Then you have been here before?" ...
+
+"Oh, more than once! But never in such charming company." ...
+
+"What's that? un compliment?"
+
+"No, I am not joking. Do you know, I love these rocks, this wild,
+picturesque spot, where every pathway, every stone awakens in me so
+many feelings and thoughts that have nothing in common with my dull,
+grey, everyday life.... And whenever I was here before, I always
+thought how beautiful it would be to come with some charming, poetical
+creature--in fact, to come as I have come to-day. And when I go home I
+shall say, 'Now let thy servant depart in peace!'" ...
+
+The idea passed through Mimotchka's head: "Is he going to allow himself
+to?" ... But no, he had already begun talking again about the horses.
+Then they were both silent. They had to get down below by a steep,
+narrow path. Osman rode on in front, to show the way.
+
+It had got dark. The moon had not yet made her appearance.
+
+"This doesn't look much like a moonlight night. You said there would be
+a moon."
+
+"Wait a little, only wait. There will be a moon."
+
+"But we shan't see anything down there."
+
+Mimotchka began to get alarmed at the darkness.
+
+"Why shan't we see anything? Don't you see the rocks? How beautiful
+that pass is! And the moon will come out directly."
+
+"Yes, but while we are waiting for the moon it will get late, and when
+shall we get back?"
+
+"Late? What does it matter if it is late? It will be as light as day
+for us to ride back when the moon is up. You are not going anywhere
+this evening, are you?"
+
+"No, I am not going anywhere, but mamma will be uneasy."
+
+"She won't be uneasy, because she knows you are with me. And why
+think of going back when it is so beautiful here? But women never do
+understand how to enjoy the present moment. I pity them! Then you don't
+care for it here? I thought you were more sensitive to the beauties of
+nature.... Look at these rocks, at that sky, at those stars.... Do you
+remember those lines of Musset--
+
+    'J'aime! voilà le mot que la nature entière
+    Crie au vent qui l'emporte, à l'oiseau qui le suit!
+    Sombre et dernier soupir que poussera la terre
+    Quand elle tombera dans l'éternelle nuit;
+    Oh! vous le murmurez dans vos sphères sacrées,
+    Etoiles du matin, ce mot triste et charmant!
+    La plus faible de vous, quand Dieu vous a crées,
+    A voulu traverser les plaines éthérées,
+    Pour chercher le soleil, son immortel amant.
+    Elle s'est élancée au sein des nuits profondes.
+    Mais une autre l'aimait elle-meme; et les mondes
+    Se sont mis en voyage autour du firmament.'
+
+How beautiful they are, aren't they? I am sorry I can't see your face.
+I should like to know if you look as you always do."
+
+"And how do I always look?"
+
+"Cold, severe.... Like a general's wife."
+
+"A general's wife? Naturally, I look what I am."
+
+"Don't calumniate yourself. You are a woman. You should look like a
+woman, such a woman as stood there on the top of those rocks, wavering
+between sacrifice and treachery."
+
+"But I don't in the least wish to resemble her."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because she behaved odiously."
+
+"Perfidiously, yes, but she acted like a woman, a weak, false woman.
+And that is what pleases me. I like weakness in women. I don't care
+about strong-minded women-heroines. Let those who will sing their
+praises, I shall never be among their admirers. Strength of mind is
+as little suited to a woman as physical strength. A woman should be
+all weakness, all love, all tenderness. Let her weakness make her
+false. What does it matter as long as she is charming!... But you,
+how would you have acted in her place? Imagine that you are in love
+with someone--well, say, for instance, with me. I hope that such a
+supposition made in joke won't offend you. Imagine, then, that you are
+in love with me, here, now, as you are, in your present position."
+
+"In my present position?... I think that if I were in love with you, I
+should endeavour that you should never find it out."
+
+"And why so?"
+
+"Because I am married, I am not free."
+
+"La belle raison!"
+
+"Comment, ce n'est pas une raison?... What would you say if your wife.."
+
+At the mention of Spiridon Ivanovitch, Valerian Nicolaevitch had
+frowned; at the mention of his wife a bored, weary expression
+overspread his countenance. Mimotchka knew the expression well, and
+she always rejoiced at it. Although she had heard from the baroness
+that his wife was a charming woman, still it was more agreeable to
+her to think that she was dull, unsuited to him, and as little wanted
+as Spiridon Ivanovitch himself. If he were happy with her, he would
+not come away from her, and would not have such a pale, weary looking
+face and sunken cheeks, would he?... No; he was probably unhappy and
+suffering, and only did not complain because he was too proud. Poor
+dear!...
+
+Meanwhile they had got down to the pass, and Valerian Nicolaevitch
+proposed to Mimotchka to dismount and walk to a place from where he
+considered the view of the rocks to be even finer. Osman led away
+the horses, and they made their way over the stones by the side of a
+murmuring mountain stream. A high, perpendicular rock rose behind them
+like a menacing wall. It seemed to Mimotchka as if she were descending
+into the bowels of the earth, or as if she were at the bottom of a
+deep well. The steppe across which they had galloped was so high above
+her head, and the sky, on which the long-expected moon had at last
+appeared, illuminating the rocks and their picturesque verdure, seemed
+so far off.
+
+"Well, how do you like it?" ...
+
+"C'est féerique," murmured Mimotchka "c'est féerique!" And what
+stillness, what utter stillness! No; decidedly she is somewhere not
+on the earth. And for an instant, for the last time, the disquieting
+thought came into Mimotchka's head. Had she done right to come here?
+He had asked her to come, but perhaps he would have had a better
+opinion of her if she had not come. But, no; what nonsense! What harm
+is there? Everybody comes here to admire nature, and she has also come
+to admire nature. It's no use to come to the Caucasus and not visit its
+picturesque parts. Otherwise afterwards, when she looks at photographs,
+she will find that she has not seen anything. Why doesn't Vava ride on
+horseback? She might have come with them. And what harm is there in
+her having come here alone with him? If she were to have gone with him
+to some restaurant now, that would have been dreadful! (But of course
+she would never have gone with him.) And they have only come here to
+admire nature. Yes, and besides, after all, they have the Tartar groom
+with them. Somewhere in the distance she can hear a horse neighing;
+those are their horses and Osman.
+
+And, having quieted her conscience by such reflections, Mimotchka
+repeated, "C'est féerique!" ... And she sincerely admired the
+picturesque rocks, and Valerian Nicolaevitch sincerely admired her.
+
+"You are not tired?" asked he, spreading out his cloak upon the ground.
+"Sit down; I am sorry that I have already told you the legend about the
+poor youth who was killed here. I ought to have told you it now, here,
+in view of the rocks.... Well, I must tell you something else."
+
+Decidedly Mimotchka was no longer on earth. It was impossible that that
+could be the same moon that shone on Spiridon Ivanovitch and baby.
+That was somewhere far away, but this was quite a different moon so
+benignly protecting them. And what a soft, languorous, magic light she
+sheds over that little corner where they are alone together and so far
+from the crowds of people, from the noise and the world....
+
+How quiet it is, how quiet!... What moments of full, perfect, unalloyed
+happiness! If one could only fall asleep here, die, and never awake
+again, never come back to life. And he was with her, near her, and
+gazing at her as her humble, faithful slave, as her devoted friend.
+
+And for the first time in her life Mimotchka no longer thought if she
+was looking pretty or not, nor how she was dressed, nor what her aunts
+would say of her. She felt somehow strange, as if she were neither
+asleep nor awake. She had never experienced anything like it before.
+And her breathing was oppressed. For some moments she was afraid she
+was going to faint.
+
+A stone fell and they both started. He drew still nearer to her. Were
+you frightened? Is that really him? Yes; those are his eyes shining.
+How pale he is! And how pale the moon is! What is it all--a dream
+or a reality? And Mimotchka, wishing to break through this fearful,
+oppressive silence and to get the better of the numbness overpowering
+her, repeated again, "C'est féerique, c'est féerique!"
+
+And really there was something fairy-like, something extraordinary
+about the evening. And the most extraordinary thing of all was
+that Valerian Nicolaevitch took Mimotchka into his arms and kissed
+her--kissed her eyes, her lips, and her hair. How did it happen? How
+could he allow himself to, and how could she permit it?... Oh, "Castle
+of Love and Treachery!" Then he told her, in a caressing whisper,
+that it must have happened. Well, of course, once it had happened,
+probably it must have happened. But anyhow they must go home now quick,
+quick!... And when he put her into the saddle, he said to her, "My
+darling! My beautiful darling!" ... And she, helplessly putting her
+hair straight, said, "Il fait tard, il fait tard!" But she looked more
+radiantly beautiful than Spiridon Ivanovitch had ever seen her look,
+in spite of the fact of his commanding a division and having a whole
+division under his supervision.
+
+They must ride back fast, very fast; but Mimotchka had somehow lost her
+riding-whip on the mountain. Osman and Valerian Nicolaevitch ran back
+to find it. They found the whip, and all three set off furiously across
+the steppe, now flooded by the moonlight.
+
+The lights of Kislovodsk were shining when they rode up the long alley
+of poplars. From the chief hotel came the sounds of a waltz. Mamma was
+looking out for her daughter, sitting at the open window and getting
+uneasy.
+
+"Here you are at last!" said she. "I was getting afraid that something
+had happened to you, that you had been attacked.... Well, what? Are
+you tired?" ...
+
+"Yes; we hurried back so."
+
+"Come in, Valerian Nicolaevitch, come in and have some tea."
+
+Valerian Nicolaevitch thanked her, but refused. He had promised to go
+to a party somewhere. And when he had helped Mimotchka down from the
+saddle, he came to the gate with her, and whispered to her, "À demain!"
+and, with a look and a pressure of the hand, thanked her for going with
+him.
+
+When she came in, Mimotchka refused tea and all refreshment, but went
+straight into her own room and hurriedly began undressing. She did
+not want to see anyone; and having put out the candle, she laid her
+radiant face on the pillow. How had it happened? She had no feeling
+either of repentance or of shame. She only felt happy and peaceful.
+This--fall, this--terrible step; it was a stain that could not be
+effaced; it was--a sin, she thought to herself; but how easy it had
+been to commit it! Maintenant c'est fini, elle est une femme perdue!
+And her husband?... But she mustn't think about it--no, she must not;
+better think about _him:_ Val! Val!... And Mimotchka went off to
+sleep soundly and tranquilly, as only happy people with a pure and easy
+conscience sleep.
+
+In the morning they met under the verandah of the Kursaal. There was
+only a month left before they returned to Petersburg, and how much
+there was to talk over, how much for them to say to each other. They
+had to tell each other how they had fallen in love at sight, at their
+very first meeting, even then, at Rostoff.... Un coup de foudre!...
+How afterwards they had remembered each other, looked out for each
+other, and been jealous of each other, until they met again and became
+acquainted.... And how everything had happened as it must have done.
+They had to tell each other that they had always waited for each other,
+that they had foreseen this, and now were bound to each other for all
+eternity. Oui, c'est pour la vie, c'est pour la vie!... And principally
+they had to arrange about the time and place of their meetings.
+
+He lived alone, and by taking proper precautions Mimotchka might come
+to his rooms. This would be the most convenient way. He would not have
+proposed it to her if there had been any risk, for Mimotchka's honour
+and good name were above all things dear to him. And Mimotchka, having
+reconnoitred and assured herself that "Maman ne se doute de rien," and
+that she and Princess X---- and all their circle were completely taken
+with the hussar Anutin and his intended bride, was tranquillised, and,
+taking all due precautions, came to his rooms.
+
+How she enjoyed being there! Everything that surrounded him and that
+he used bore the stamp of his exquisite taste. Mimotchka turned over
+his letter-case, his albums, and looked at the portraits of his wife
+and children.... His wife was a great deal too handsome, and excited
+her jealousy, but Valerian Nicolaevitch pacified her: "Handsome?...
+Yes; she is handsome, but that is not sufficient. Une femme doit
+plaire. That is the chief thing." His wife was not suited to him. A
+cold, lifeless beauty; a soulless creature, a blue-stocking, a second
+Lady Byron.... She was a mother, only a mother, not a woman to love.
+She lived for the children, and expected him to do the same. It was
+absurd. The children would live and enjoy life themselves some day. And
+meanwhile he wishes to enjoy his life. Another life will not be granted
+to him. He must live, live....
+
+And he kissed Mimotchka, kissed her eyes, and said, "Let me drink of
+this sea!"
+
+Mimotchka was not aware before that there was a sea in her eyes.
+
+Having got over her jealousy, Mimotchka hid the photograph of his wife
+further on in the book, so that it should not meet her eyes, and went
+on turning over his things.
+
+Valerian Nicolaevitch had forty neckties and forty pairs of socks,
+and for each necktie there were socks to match. And what a lot of
+_breloques,_ pins, and rings besides, which he varied, also selecting
+them to match the neckties. In general, he was rather a dandy, but
+Mimotchka liked it. She looked over and arranged the forty neckties in
+a rosewood box, separating one necktie from the other with a sachet
+of his favourite perfume, "Cherry-blossom." And she told him which
+neckties she liked, and which she didn't like, and which he was to
+wear the next day. And one necktie she called the necktie of "Love and
+Treachery." That was her favourite. Occasionally, chiefly on the days
+she received letters from Spiridon Ivanovitch, Mimotchka had a fit of
+the "blue devils," as she called it, and she reproached herself for
+her guilt towards her husband. "Je suis une femme perdue," she said.
+"Anyhow, I have wronged him, injured him.... And he has in nowise
+deserved it. And what will happen if he gets to know? He will kill me
+or turn me out of the house ... Enfin je suis une femme perdue. And you
+yourself must despise me. Yes, you despise me, Val; I see you do." ...
+
+"What a child you are!" And he tried to convince her that there was
+nothing to despise her for. "On vit comme on peut. Look at the people
+we know; look at Marie Petrovna; look at Marie Lvovna!" ...
+
+Mimotchka reflected and remembered. Certainly, there was both Marie
+Petrovna and Marie Lvovna. And Nettie, above all! But then, on the
+other hand, there was Anna Vassilievna, and Aunt Julia, and mamma. No,
+there were still some honest, good women, not like her. Otherwise, why
+such harsh, pitiless judgments, why so much hypocrisy in the world?...
+Valerian Nicolaevitch explained it all to her.
+
+"Don't you see, people suffer and bear too much because they don't
+seize the moments of happiness that fall to their share."
+
+"Oh yes, people do suffer."
+
+And she told him all about Spiridon Ivanovitch, and how dull it was
+for her with him. She was rather afraid that Val would despise her
+for having an old husband--he had so thundered against mercenary love.
+But no, it did not disturb him at all. In general, since the ride to
+the "Castle of Love and Treachery," his feelings towards Spiridon
+Ivanovitch had quite changed. He did not even frown when Mimotchka
+mentioned his name, but, on the contrary, he endeavoured to instil into
+her that with such a husband she could lead a very pleasant, easy life.
+Only she must be wise. And he proceeded to give her some advice.
+
+In the winter he would come to Petersburg. His wife would remain at
+Kieff with the children, and they would spend a beautiful winter
+together. Only there must be no imprudences. He praised Mimotchka
+because while she was here she had behaved so rightly, so quietly, and
+so naturally. Neither her mamma, who loved her so tenderly, nor that
+sharp girl, Vava, had noticed anything whatever. That was as it should
+be: yes, just as it should be. They loved one another, and they must
+set up a wall between themselves and the world. Their secret was the
+wall behind which they could love each other boldly and fully. They
+must hide their happiness like a treasure, like something precious.
+
+    "L'amourette que l'on ébruite
+    Est un rosier déraciné."
+
+Let people try and guess if they chose to, let them suspect what they
+liked, but don't let them know anything.
+
+Mimotchka told him how she came to marry, how everybody had persuaded
+her to, and how she could never have made up her mind to it by herself.
+Valerian Nicolaevitch did not understand why. It was wise, and she had
+acted very rightly. Money was not the last thing in life; if it was
+not happiness, at any rate it was the key to happiness. Only, these
+last four years she had not understood how to arrange her life. She
+herself had made it dull. Everything depends on ourselves.
+
+But up till now she had not cared for anyone. She had never loved
+before, and if she had not met him, Val, here, she would never have
+known the happiness of love. But now, c'est pour la vie, n'est-ce-pas?
+
+"Oui, c'est pour la vie!"
+
+He himself seemed to be deeply unhappy in his family life. His wife was
+a cold, hard pedant, who was incapable of responding to the transports
+of his ardent soul. She was _une femelle;_ yes, that was the word. Why
+had he married her?... It was a long story. Some day he would tell
+it to Mimotchka, afterwards, but meanwhile ... "Let me drink of this
+sea!" ... And he kissed her eyes.
+
+For the first two weeks he told Mimotchka that he should certainly come
+to Petersburg, and they talked about the delightful evenings they would
+spend together at theatres and concerts. They would meet every day. But
+as the time of separation drew near these plans somewhat changed.
+
+He received a business letter from Kieff. It appeared he would hardly
+be able to get away to Petersburg. An affair was impending, an
+important, complicated lawsuit, with the particulars of which he made
+Mimotchka acquainted. He was to defend a celebrated thief, a regular
+scoundrel.
+
+"But why defend a scoundrel?" asked Mimotchka; "then you don't think
+him guilty?"
+
+"I am convinced of his guilt!"
+
+"And you would defend him _quand meme?_"
+
+"Every man has a right to a defence. It's easy enough to acquit an
+innocent man. His innocence itself speaks for him. But to pardon a
+guilty man, to turn to him indulgently and mercifully, as a Christian
+should turn to his brother, whoever he is, much intelligence and much
+knowledge of the human heart is required. Christ did not judge, Christ
+justified all, and for this very reason, and to awaken in the juries'
+hearts that divine spark which exists in everyone of us ..."
+
+"But surely they won't acquit him?"
+
+"Perhaps they will."
+
+"What, a good-for-nothing fellow like that! I would transport him with
+hard labour. And because of him we shan't see each other any more. How
+I hate him! And yet you are going to defend him." ... And Mimotchka
+began to cry.
+
+"What a child you are!" said Valerian Nicolaevitch, and kissed her eyes.
+
+"Then we shan't see each other any more?"
+
+"What can we do?... Fate is jealous." ...
+
+And when, three days before their departure, Mimotchka cried bitterly
+on his shoulder, he stroked her hair and said rather absently:
+
+"What can we do? We must submit. We were happy.... Fate is jealous....
+Voyons, du courage.... We must look the inevitable in the face.... Let
+us be thankful to Providence for these bright moments. You are still so
+young....
+
+"You will know new feelings And choose new friends.'"
+
+"Jamais, jamais.... How can you talk like that! Don't you care if I
+get to love someone else? Tu ne m'as jamais aimée!... Oh, Val, Val!"
+
+"Enfant! voyons, ne pleurez donc pas.... What does it matter? I have
+had the spring flowers, someone else will have the fruits.... Don't
+look so terrified!... Je connais la vie, voilà tout!... You're not
+angry with me?... No!... Let me kiss your eyes! How I love kissing
+them I ... Fate willed it otherwise.... We have gathered the flowers."
+
+And then came a verse from Heine and a verse from Fett.
+
+"I shall not forget you; no, never, and do you remember too,
+
+    'Rappelle-toi, lorsque l'aurore craintive.'" ...
+
+But Mimotchka only went on crying quietly and silently, shaking her
+head and kissing his hands, while her copious tears dropped like hail
+on the necktie of "Love and Treachery."
+
+Then they exchanged turquoise rings. Mimotchka had her photograph done
+for him in her riding-habit, on the same horse on which she had ridden
+to the "Castle of Love and Treachery," and he had his done for her in
+his Tcherkesk costume. They had very much wished to visit the "Castle"
+again, but somehow something always hindered their doing so....
+
+Meanwhile mamma was already packing up and scolding Katia, who seemed
+bereft of her senses, forgetting orders, letting things drop out of her
+hands, and packing heavy garments on the top of light ones.
+
+Vava tied up the copybooks containing her impressions of her travels
+and her projects of a home for destitute children, and wrote down the
+addresses of her Caucasian friends.
+
+And Katia, on her knees before the open trunk, spread tissue paper
+over Mimotchka's plush jacket, and from time to time big tears dropped
+on the jacket and on the linen laid over it. Oh, those Caucasian
+turquoises!...
+
+
+Early in the morning a travelling carriage stood at the door of
+Baranoffsky's apartments. Vava shook hands warmly with her friends,
+who had come to say good-bye to her. She had very much improved during
+the summer, had got sunburnt, stouter, and stronger. She had spent
+a lovely summer here, and how sorry she was to part from those blue
+mountains, from those walks and little paths in the wood, and from
+her good friends! Ah, how sorry, how sorry! And Vava, forgetting all
+about her mother's strictness and home regulations, and her previous
+unsuccessful attempts to introduce her friends, invited them all--yes,
+all--to come and see her--please--be sure to--as soon as any one of
+them came to Petersburg! She would be so happy!... "Don't forget, No. 5
+Millionnaia, apartment 2.... Please do be sure to come!"
+
+Mimotchka came out in a travelling hat, in a waterproof, with a
+travelling bag on her arm, and muffled up in a thick gauze veil. She
+was calm and composed. She had cried away all her tears the day before.
+
+Valerian Nicolaevitch was kind enough to offer to accompany them on
+horseback as far as Essentouki. He was in his Tcherkesk costume,
+leaning picturesquely on his saddle, and humming a song of Kapri's, "I
+remember the blissful meetings." ...
+
+Katia ran out with bandboxes in her hands, weeping and panting....
+Mamma stared at her in amazement. Everything was put in, everything was
+in its place. The ladies took their seats and the carriage drove off
+from Kislovodsk.
+
+
+They said good-bye at Essentouki. Valerian Nicolaevitch kissed mamma's
+hand, and she expressed the hope that he would come and see them in
+Petersburg. Vava also invited him to come and see her. She was so sorry
+that everything Caucasian was leaving her. Mimotchka was silent, but
+gazed at him mournfully.
+
+And the carriage drove on further in the direction of the station.
+
+
+It was a grey, dull-looking morning, and a thick, fine rain beat
+against the windows when the ladies woke up as they neared Petersburg.
+
+Rain, rain, rain.... A melancholy grey sky.... The villas round
+Petersburg with their fir-tree plantations; the muddy, swampy roads
+with the ditches at the edge and the thickly-grown bracken pass before
+them ..., Moss, bilberry bushes, marsh and fog....
+
+Here are the well-known market-gardens with the cabbages, and the
+barracks, and the platform of the Petersburg railway station; the rain
+has stopped and the sun is shining on the wet platform.
+
+There is Spiridon Ivanovitch's orderly and there is Aunt Julia's
+footman.
+
+And here stands Spiridon Ivanovitch himself, resplendent, like a
+peony, in his crimson-lined overcoat.... Mamma joyfully taps on the
+window-pane to him. He has seen them, seen them and recognised them!
+
+Mimotchka's heart sinks. How old he looks, and what a stranger he
+seems to her, what a stranger!... She wishes the train would not stop,
+but would go on further and further and carry her away past.... But the
+train slackens speed, it stops. They must get out.
+
+Here's Mdme. Lambert with Zina, and, oh my goodness, here's baby with
+his nurse! He has come to meet his mamma! How he has grown, how he has
+improved, and how sunburnt he has got, dear little mite! And just
+look, he isn't a bit shy; he smiles, he says, "how-do-you-do" to them
+all, stretches out his lips to be kissed by his mother and grandmother
+and Vava.... And he salutes, yes, he has learnt how to make a military
+salute, putting up his little hand to his head and saying, "I wish you
+good health!" Oh, what a darling!
+
+And grandmamma smothers baby with kisses, and tears of pride and
+tenderness rise to her eyes, when baby, drawing himself up straight in
+front of her, says to her, "I wish you good health, your excellency!"
+And Spiridon Ivanovitch enfolds Mimotchka in his ample embrace.
+
+
+A week after their arrival they were all assembled at Aunt Julia's. She
+was in a state of great jubiliation. Her son Vova was engaged, and his
+_fiancée_ was in every way most suitable. She was both wealthy and well
+connected.... The engagement was not yet formally announced, but the
+affair was quite settled. The _fiancée_ was not pretty and she was no
+longer very young, but she was over head and ears in love with Vova.
+Aunt Julia liked her very much, and in speaking to her sisters of the
+young lady she said: "Elle n'est pas futile."
+
+Aunt Julia thanked mamma very warmly for her care of Vava. Not to
+speak of Vava's having much improved physically, she had also morally
+changed, for the better; she was more self-controlled, gentler, and
+more obedient. And so she was given a separate room all to herself,
+where she could sleep, write, and study without Mdme. Lambert.
+
+"Well, so altogether you had a pleasant trip?" says Aunt Julia in
+conclusion.
+
+"Delightful, delightful. I am so glad Variashski sent us there."
+
+"But how much prettier Mimotchka has grown! Why, she is simply
+unrecognisable."
+
+"It's striking!" says Aunt Mary. "Next summer I shall go to Kislovodsk
+to get young and beautiful again."
+
+Mimotchka smiles modestly and composedly.
+
+"And that Netty!" says Aunt Sophy. "Haven't you heard what a scandal
+there was?"
+
+"No, what is it? Zina wrote something or other about it, but we could
+not make out what she meant."
+
+"She is separated from her husband, and has now disappeared from
+Petersburg and gone off to Paris, where she changes her lovers as
+often as her gloves. It's awful! She always did behave like a fool.
+Just before her husband had to go to sea her conscience began to get
+uneasy. If it had only kept quiet until he came back! No, she goes to
+confession and tells everything to the priest, this and that, and says
+she has committed a sin against her husband. The priest directly says:
+'And does your husband know of it? 'No,' she says. 'Well then, don't
+tell him of it.' And he explained to her why she was to keep silence,
+that as she had sinned, she must suffer, but that he must not suffer
+for it."
+
+"They always say that," puts in Aunt Mary thoughtlessly, and meeting
+Aunt Julia's inquiring gaze, she adds, "I have heard of many such cases
+where the priests said that."
+
+"Well she comes straight home from confession and says to her husband,
+'I went to the priest and told him all about my sin.' 'What sin?' And
+there it was. What!... Scenes and explanations. He wants to shoot
+himself and she wants to shoot herself. He wants to kill her, to kill
+the other man, to kill himself. _... A la fin des fins_ he goes to
+sea, and she, after throwing all the children on the old Poltavsteffs'
+hands, goes off to her beloved and sets about getting a divorce. After
+two months the other man cannot stand her any longer and runs away
+from her. She takes poison, the doctors save her life, and then she
+goes off to Paris. She has been there now already three weeks, and
+there are very very ugly rumours about her." ...
+
+"Oh, how sorry I am far the old Poltavsteffs!" says mamma: "how
+dreadful it is for them!"
+
+"I said a long time ago that she was in a dangerous way," says Aunt
+Julia.
+
+Mimotchka nods her head affirmatively.
+
+"Well, _à propos_ of love affairs," says Aunt Sophy, "is it true that
+in the Caucasus, at the springs, there is so much flirting going on?"
+
+"Ah, don't mention it!" answers mamma, smiling. "What things we saw and
+what things we heard! And Variashski, too, just imagine!" ...
+
+
+"And wasn't there anyone after Mimi? Est-ce qu'il y a eu quelqu'un
+pour te faire la cour?... Et personne ne t'a donné dans l'œil?" ...
+
+"Quelle idée, ma tante!... Why, there was no one there. At least, there
+were many sympathetic, agreeable people, but nobody of that sort." ...
+
+And Mimotchka, smiling her old Petersburg smile, shakes her head in
+denial.
+
+"And is nature really so beautiful there?" asks Aunt Julia; "Vava goes
+into ecstasies about the mountains."
+
+"But they didn't see anything," said Spiridon Ivanovitch regretfully.
+"How was it you never went to Bermamout? Why, I wrote and told you to
+go. To be at Kislovodsk and not go to Bermamout! Oh, you!... you were
+among the real mountains and never went to see them."
+
+"But there was no one to go with," said Mimotchka, defending herself.
+"The X---- 's had left before our arrival, and somehow we three never
+managed it alone. I really did so try to go and see everything."
+
+"Yes, it must be very lovely there," says Aunt Mary, looking through
+the stereoscope at some views of the Caucasus that Vava had brought
+back. "How beautiful this is! What is it?"
+
+"This?" says Mimotchka, bending over Aunt Mary to look through the
+stereoscope. "This is the 'Castle of Love and Treachery.' They are
+rocks that look like a castle, and that is what they are called."
+
+"And is it really as beautiful? Did you go there?"
+
+"Yes, I went there on horseback.... It's very beautiful, especially by
+moon-light--c'est féerique."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Mimi's Marriage, by Lidia Ivanovna Veselitskaya
+
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+Project Gutenberg's Mimi's Marriage, by Lidia Ivanovna Veselitskaya
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+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
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+
+Title: Mimi's Marriage
+
+Author: Lidia Ivanovna Veselitskaya
+
+Translator: C. Hagberg Wright
+
+Release Date: March 11, 2018 [EBook #56719]
+
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+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIMI'S MARRIAGE ***
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+</pre>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="500" alt="" />
+</div>
+<hr class="chap" />
+<p class="center" style="font-size: 0.8em;">
+
+<a href="#MIMIS_MARRIAGE">MIMI'S MARRIAGE</a><br />
+<a href="#MIMOTCHKA_AT_THE_SPRINGS">MIMOTCHKA AT THE SPRINGS</a><br />
+</p>
+<hr class="chap" />
+<h1>MIMI'S MARRIAGE</h1>
+
+<h2>V. MIKOULITCH</h2>
+
+<h2>(LIDIA IVANOVNA VESELITSKAYA)</h2>
+
+<h4>TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN</h4>
+
+<h4>WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY</h4>
+
+<h3>C. HAGBERG WRIGHT, LL.D.</h3>
+
+<h5>T. FISHER UNWIN LTD.</h5>
+
+<h5>ADELPHI TERRACE, LONDON</h5>
+
+<h5>1915</h5>
+
+
+
+<hr class="full" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p>
+
+
+<h4><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a></h4>
+
+
+<p>The genius of Turgeniev and Tolstoy, of Dostoevsky and Gorky, has given
+fame and distinction to the Russian novel, but while the principal
+works of these great writers and their fellows are well known to
+English readers, the women novelists of Russia have been left almost
+untouched by the translator. Yet there are many authoresses of talent
+in the literary world of Russia at the present day; notably Madame
+Dmitrieva, born 1859, of peasant parents. Her first novel was entitled
+<i>From the Heart not from the Head.</i> Two of her best-known books are
+<i>Mityukha, the Schoolmaster,</i> and <i>In Various Directions.</i> She has said
+that "her first school was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> the village street, and her teachers, the
+grey old village folk and dire need."</p>
+
+<p>Other writers of ability are Olga Chumina (born 1864), who has
+translated several poems by Francis Coppée, and also produced a play
+entitled <i>The Flicker that Went Out;</i> Madame Smirnov, author of the
+powerful novel, <i>The Salt of the Earth;</i> M. V. Krestovskaya (born
+1862), whose stories of theatrical life have the charm of simplicity
+and truth, and whose <i>Woman-Artist</i> appeared in the <i>Journal des
+Débats;</i> Madame Verbitskaya, who attained an extraordinary popularity
+with her daring novel <i>The Keys of Happiness;</i> and Madame Lidia
+Ivanovna Veselitskaya, who, under the pseudonym of V. Mikoulitch, has
+written sketches of Russian society which are full of humour and clever
+characterisation. The best known are the series entitled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span> <i>Mimi's
+Marriage, Mimi</i> (or Mimotchka) <i>at the Springs,</i> and <i>Mimi Poisons
+Herself,</i> which have been translated into no less than six European
+languages.</p>
+
+<p>The writer of these genial satires on the weaknesses of her sex was
+born in 1857. She belonged to a noble family with estates in Southern
+Russia, and was educated at the Pavlovsk Institute, one of the great
+schools for women in Russia. Soon after her debut in society, she
+married an officer in the Russian army.</p>
+
+<p>She began her literary career with some simple tales intended for
+young people; <i>Family Evenings, In the Family and in the School,</i>
+and <i>Of Children's Reading,</i> but in 1883 she struck a bolder note
+with <i>Mimotchka, the Bride,</i> or <i>Mimi's Marriage,</i> which made its
+first appearance in the <i>Vestnik Evropy,</i> a leading Russian monthly
+review. But it was not until the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> of the series, <i>Mimotchka at
+the Springs,</i> was published seven years later that "V. Mikoulitch"
+sprang to her present position of widespread popularity. The witty
+superficiality of the chapters descriptive of Mimi's girlhood develops
+in <i>Mimi at the Springs</i> into a brilliant, incisive study of a selfish,
+empty-headed, and exceedingly pretty young woman. The analysis of her
+character is so penetrating and pitiless that Tolstoy, who admired the
+book, remarked that "the author must be a man, as no woman would be so
+frank in writing of her own sex."</p>
+
+<p>Mimi bears a surface resemblance to Anna Karenina, but she escapes the
+whirl-pool of passion that engulfed Tolstoy's ill-starred heroine,
+and glides almost unscathed through the romantic episode of <i>l'homme
+au chien.</i> The latter, though only lightly sketched in, is a cleverly
+suggested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span> portrait of a cultivated and elegant Russian of the
+wealthy upper classes who, if he permits himself an occasional lapse
+from conjugal fidelity, trims the balance by the "correction" of his
+manners. He is a past master in the art of guiding a novice through the
+mazes of flirtation and emerging free from entanglement.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of it all Mimi's heart is touched but not broken. Perhaps
+she Was even slightly disillusioned by the calmness with which her
+"correct" admirer met the crisis of her departure from the Caucasus.</p>
+
+<p>The secondary characters are also well drawn; notably that of the
+mother of Mimi, a self-sacrificing "doormat" whose mission in life
+is to make things smooth for her cherished daughter; but to those
+who seek to discover the personality of an author through the medium
+of his puppets,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> and are ready to find a veiled autobiography in the
+career of the hero or heroine, it may be suggested that the character
+of Vava, the lonely, idealistic, day-dreaming cousin of Mimi, is far
+nearer to the writer's heart than the fascinating heroine who fills the
+title-role.</p>
+
+<p>Vava has many traits in common with the boy-hero of Tolstoy's
+<i>Childhood,</i> which is only another way of saying that in Russia young
+people of both sexes are more thoughtful, introspective, and inclined
+to philosophise upon abstract subjects than the romps and tomboys of
+our English nurseries and schoolrooms.</p>
+
+<p>The sympathetic earnestness of the description of Vava's love of
+solitude in the Caucasian woods, amounts to an avowal that the author
+also has felt the joy of loneliness shared with crickets, lady-birds,
+butterflies, and bees, "while over her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> head a great eagle soars calmly
+up, as if carrying on his broad wings her dreams, her hopes, and her
+faith in God." In scenes like these the prevailing tone of playful
+irony yields to one of genuine emotion, and one is tempted to wish that
+the writer had given her inner convictions fuller play. V. Mikoulitch
+has, however, struck a deeper note of human feeling in her recent story
+of humble life entitled <i>The Bath&mdash;</i> a village tragedy turning upon
+the incident of the theft of an old woman's petticoat in the public
+bath-house; but it seems doubtful whether her success in this new vein
+will equal that of her earlier works.</p>
+
+<p>To the background of <i>Mimi at the Springs</i> may be ascribed some measure
+of its popularity. The Caucasus has inspired many of the greatest of
+the writers of Russia, and to the Russian reading public it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> is still
+dear as the land of legend and romance.</p>
+
+<p>Pushkin, Lermontov, Tolstoy (in his early masterpiece <i>The Cossacks,</i>)
+have each revelled in the beauty of the great southern mountain range,
+with its luxuriant forests, its snow-clad peaks, and innumerable
+springs of mineral water.</p>
+
+<p>The Slav temperament, with its swift transitions from feverish gaiety
+to nervous exhaustion, finds peculiar relief in reverting to the simple
+life of the Caucasian watering-places. There many a disgraced official
+or disappointed genius has regained contentment if not happiness, and
+realised, despite the pain of exile, that there is a sweetness in
+adversity.</p>
+
+<p>In describing the scenery of the Caucasus, V. Mikoulitch has followed
+not unworthily in the steps of her great fore-runners, and shown that
+her cynicism is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span> the mere protective armour of one who is at heart an
+idealist.</p>
+
+<p>A sequel, <i>Mimi Poisons Herself,</i> appeared in the <i>Vestnik Evropy</i>
+in 1893, but was received more coldly than its predecessor, owing,
+perhaps, to the disappointment of readers with a taste for tragedy,
+since Mimi does not succeed in poisoning herself after all.</p>
+
+<p class="right" style="font-size: 0.8em;">C. HAGBERG WRIGHT.</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a><br /><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="MIMIS_MARRIAGE" id="MIMIS_MARRIAGE">MIMI'S MARRIAGE</a></h3>
+
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>MIMOTCHKA&mdash;<i>is engaged!</i> Mimotchka<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> is once more engaged, and this
+time, it seems, engaged in earnest. She receives congratulations, pays
+visits to her relations, and accepts presents from them. Her aunts
+question her with curiosity and interest about the details of her
+trousseau; her uncles bring their best wishes, joking at Mimotchka
+and teasing her, while Mimotchka slightly blushes and casts down her
+innocent-looking eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"And are you very much in love with your <i>fiancé?</i>" they ask Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Mimotchka, or Mimi, is sometimes used as a diminutive name
+for Marie.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p></div>
+
+<p>"As yet, I know my <i>fiancé</i> too little to be in love with him, but I
+... respect him," she answers.</p>
+
+<p>What a reply! Nobody had expected she would answer so <i>cleverly.</i> All
+the aunts think she has answered very cleverly, though up till now
+Mimotchka had never shown any more cleverness than would be required of
+so pretty a girl as she.</p>
+
+<p>She respected her <i>fiancé.</i> And really Spiridon Ivanovitch was quite
+worthy of her respect. He was well off, had a good rank, and occupied
+a sufficiently prominent position in the Government service; he was no
+longer very young, but still he was not very old; he was not handsome,
+was bald, perhaps rather too stout, but still he was a fine-looking
+man, and might have aspired to a rich bride.</p>
+
+<p>And really how lucky Mimotchka is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> I know that many girls of her age
+among her friends, and especially their mothers, are ready to burst
+with envy and vexation that they could not get Spiridon Ivanovitch
+for themselves, and say that he was mercilessly hunted down, and that
+Mimotchka was thrown at his head.... But, goodness me, what won't
+envious women's tongues say! Instead of repeating such absurdities, let
+us rather rejoice with Mimotchka, rejoice with our whole heart, as do
+her good aunts.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, thank God, thank God!" says Aunt Sophy; "I am so glad about
+Mimotchka. I do hope she will be happy with him. It's just as well that
+he isn't young; Mimi is still such a child, she requires an elderly,
+serious man...."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it's best that he isn't young," confirms Aunt Mary; "it's
+easier to keep such a husband under her thumb. And,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> as a good aunt, I
+advise you, Mimotchka, to take your Spiridon Ivanovitch well in hand in
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"I told you that everything was for the best," says Aunt Julia, in
+conclusion. "Just think how fortunate it is that you 'broke it off'
+with that other good-for-nothing fellow!"</p>
+
+<p>And really everything was for the best. Mimotchka's first <i>fiancé</i>
+was a brilliant young guardsman, with beautiful shiny boots, black
+moustaches, curly chestnut hair, and a gold-mounted pince-nez.
+Mimotchka met him for the first time at an evening party, where he led
+the dancing,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> clinking his spurs, facetiously fanning himself with
+the fans and scented hand-kerchiefs of the ladies he danced with,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>
+smiling gaily to show his brilliantly white teeth, and with diabolical
+<i>entrain</i> calling out: "Ser-r-r-r-rez le rond!... Chaîne!" ... He took
+a few turns with Mimotchka, admired her while she was waltzing with
+some one else, and, having ascertained what was the social position of
+her parents, asked to be presented to her.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> At dances in Russia a leader or conductor is generally
+chosen, who directs and calls out the figures in the cotillion,
+mazourka, and quadrilles, which are more complicated than in England.</p></div>
+
+<p>Then he took to calling, then he began to pay her attention, and
+finally made her an offer.</p>
+
+<p>The brilliant guardsman and adroit dancer passed for a dangerous
+lady-killer. He flirted with all the pretty girls, widows, and married
+women that he was acquainted with, and was said to be the object of
+the affections of many of them. So that to carry him off from them all
+must have been very flattering to the vanity of both Mimotchka and her
+mamma.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka accepted his offer, and was announced to be <i>"fiancée.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion Aunt Sophy gave a dance, Aunt Mary a dinner with
+champagne, and Aunt Julia a <i>folle-journée</i> with dancing, champagne,
+and a sleigh drive out of town.</p>
+
+<p>The young man was respectful, attentive, and amiable to his <i>fiancées</i>
+relations, and pleased them all.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Mimotchka," said Aunt Mary to her, "he is so nice, so
+very nice, that if I were only a little younger, on my word of honour,
+I should try and cut you out."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you will make a handsome couple," confirmed Aunt Sophy.</p>
+
+<p>"And you were quite right, my dear, to accept his offer," concluded
+Aunt Julia. "Such a <i>fiancé</i> is not met with every day. He's on the
+right road, and is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> sure to advance a great deal in the service."</p>
+
+<p>The <i>fiancé</i> was not only "on the right road," but he was a "prince"
+besides, of a somewhat decayed family, certainly, but still he was a
+prince, and not an Eastern one. And, in addition to this, he was, he
+said, the nephew and sole heir of a rich, childless uncle, who owned
+land in the south, fifteen thousand <i>dessiatines,</i><a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> and coal mines as
+well.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> 40,500 acres.</p></div>
+
+<p>Having given their blessing, Mimotchka's parents set about preparing
+a most luxurious trousseau for the future princess. It had to be done
+on credit, because their affairs were just then terribly involved....
+However, as long as Mimotchka could remember, her parents' affairs
+had always been terribly involved; but this did not prevent their
+living without denying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> themselves any pleasures, excepting always the
+pleasure of paying their debts, the sum of which had thus grown and
+grown like ill weeds.</p>
+
+<p>In view of the approaching marriage, they again had to borrow from one
+and another, but to owe a few thousand of roubles more or less&mdash;what
+could that matter when the happiness of an only daughter was concerned?
+And then in the future Mimi would have the childless uncle's coal
+mines! All Mimotchka's relations made her presents. Aunt Sophy gave
+her a costly fur cloak (<i>shouba.</i>) Aunt Mary an elegant tea-gown in
+vert-jaspe plush, lined with bleu-nuage satin, and trimmed with rich
+lace. Aunt Julia gave the silver. All the linen was marked with a
+princess's coronet. Aunt Julia said that this was not correct, because
+Mimotchka was not a princess, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> linen ought to be marked with
+the bride's monogram, and that it was ridiculous to be in such a
+hurry about the coronet, as if they could not conceal their joy that
+Mimotchka was going to be a princess. But Aunt Mary and Aunt Sophy
+backed up mamma, saying, "After all, what did it matter? Would not the
+linen that was made after the marriage be marked with a princess's
+coronet; why, then, not have the same marks on all at once?" And so all
+the linen was marked with a princess's coronet.</p>
+
+<p>Before Mimotchka's engagement was officially announced, papa came to
+a clear understanding with the young man. He confessed that just at
+the present time his affairs were perhaps rather involved, and that he
+was not in a position to give anything to Mimotchka.... But he took on
+himself all the expenses of fitting up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> a nest for the young couple,
+and promised to help them afterwards, as far as was possible, by
+allowing his daughter a part of his income.</p>
+
+<p>The young man, although he thanked papa for speaking so openly, warmly
+assuring him that in choosing Mimotchka he had not been guided by any
+interested motives, still could not hide some disappointment on hearing
+that Mimotchka was&mdash;portionless. He had never expected it, and openly
+said, that it would oblige him&mdash;not to give up his <i>fiancée&mdash;</i> oh no,
+certainly not!&mdash;but to put off the marriage to an indefinite period.</p>
+
+<p>In his turn he confessed that just now he was passing through some
+rather unpleasant monetary difficulties. Of course, these difficulties
+could not give him any very serious anxiety while he was alone and
+an unmarried man, and, after all, his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> uncle's coal mines must come
+eventually to him; but none the less he would consider himself the most
+abject and dishonourable of men if, under the present circumstances,
+he were to allow himself to marry a portionless girl, that is, without
+waiting, if not for the death of the childless coal uncle, at any rate
+for some advancement in the service.</p>
+
+<p>The prince added, that in the not very distant future he expected to
+be appointed to the command of a battalion, and that it would be very
+agreeable for him to be appointed to the command of a battalion in
+N&mdash;&mdash;, a pretty, gay town, where life was not very expensive, and where
+he might somehow settle down and manage to live with his young wife, of
+course not without substantial help from papa and the childless uncle.
+If papa would like to make use of his influence and connections<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> to
+advance the interests of his future son-in-law, perhaps he might hasten
+Mimotchka's marriage, and secure the happiness of the young people.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion, the <i>fiancé,</i> as a man of honour, plainly declared
+that he would only marry in the event of his being appointed to the
+above-mentioned battalion. Papa must arrange the nomination.</p>
+
+<p>It was difficult, but the happiness of an only daughter is worth
+labouring for. Papa's toils and efforts were crowned with success. The
+future bridegroom received the command of the battalion, and went to
+N&mdash;&mdash; to accept it. The day of the wedding was already fixed, there
+remained but two weeks to it. But it was unexpectedly put off on
+account of mourning.</p>
+
+<p>Poor papa died suddenly, died at a friend's house, almost at the
+card-table,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> from a stroke or a rupture of the heart&mdash;I cannot
+say which. A telegram announcing the catastrophe was sent off at
+once to the <i>fiancé,</i> but he did not even come for the funeral.
+This immediately struck all Mimotchka's relations unpleasantly,
+and especially her mamma, into whose heart there stole alarming
+suspicions. And her suspicions appeared well founded. When he returned
+to Petersburg the young man quite changed in his intercourse with his
+future bride and his future mother-in-law. It soon became evident that
+he was only looking out for a pretext to break off the engagement. He
+tried being jealous with his <i>fiancée,</i> made fun of her, corrected her,
+educated her, but Mimotchka had such an immovably angelic character,
+that, in spite of all his efforts, her intended could not succeed in
+quarrelling with her. Then he attacked mamma; there matters went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>
+easier, and the encounters soon took a dangerous turn. They began
+with reproaches, pin-pricks, innuendoes; then both sides came to open
+explanations.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>fiancé</i> maintained that papa had promised to give Mimotchka two
+thousand four hundred roubles<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> a year.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> About £250.</p></div>
+
+<p>Mamma maintained that papa had never made any such promise.</p>
+
+<p>To this the <i>fiancé</i> replied that if so (that is, if they wished to
+deceive him and call him a liar to his face), then, as a man of honour,
+there only remained for him to....</p>
+
+<p>Mamma did not allow the man of honour to finish his threats, but
+offered to give up all her pension to the young people, stipulating
+only that they should let her live with them. The prince had had very
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>good quarters assigned to him in N&mdash;&mdash;, in which he could easily spare
+a corner for mamma.</p>
+
+<p>But, on hearing this proposal, the <i>fiancé</i> announced categorically,
+that he would only marry in the event of mamma's giving up the whole of
+her pension to Mimotchka, and living herself where and how she liked,
+only not with them. He had seen too many examples of how mothers-in-law
+had ruined the conjugal happiness of their daughters not to wish to
+guard Mimotchka from the possibility of such unpleasantness in the
+future, more especially so as it already seemed sufficiently clear that
+he, personally, could not get on with his future mother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>The young man's impudence agitated mamma to such a degree that she went
+to complain of him to her sisters, asking their advice and help. The
+aunts were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> also agitated and consternated on hearing from mamma's lips
+that "this poor, miserable little prince, this guardsman <i>frotteur,</i>
+this <i>passez-moi le mot,</i> blackguard, wished, it seemed, to refuse to
+make Mimotchka happy!"</p>
+
+<p>The aunts took the matter up warmly, and set to work to effect a
+reconciliation. They went from one to another, almost choked themselves
+with excitement, talked till their throats were dry, shrugged their
+shoulders, threw up their hands, severely discussed and judged the
+matter from all sides, admonished the young man, admonished mamma, and
+pitied and comforted the unfortunate Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't understand how it can all finish," said Aunt Sophy, "but it
+seems to me that it would be really best for them to separate now....
+Anyhow, he has shown himself a dishonourable fellow.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> He got the
+command, and now he won't marry her!"</p>
+
+<p>"But, you know," observed Aunt Mary, "speaking openly, one can
+understand that this marriage does not particularly charm him. After
+all, what has Mimotchka? She is pretty, certainly. But, all the same,
+what sort of a match is it for him? He understands that he can do a
+great deal better.... And you will see that he won't marry her. Of
+course, all these explanations are only a pretext. It's as clear as the
+day that he simply doesn't want to marry her."</p>
+
+<p>"But he must be made to marry her," said Aunt Julia. "It's impossible
+to compromise a girl like that and go unpunished."</p>
+
+<p>It finished by the aunts almost quarrelling among themselves; but
+all the same mamma received from the intended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> a long and eloquent
+epistle, in which he declared that it was time to put an end to these
+disagreeable misunderstandings. For some time past he had been clearly
+convinced, both of his <i>fiancée's</i> indifference towards him, and of the
+inevitability of unpleasant encounters with his future mother-in-law;
+so that he would consider himself the most abject and dishonourable of
+men if, weighing all this, he did not decide to sacrifice his feelings
+and give back her promise to Mimotchka, asking her to consider herself
+perfectly free from that moment, and wishing her every happiness. In
+conclusion, he added that he was leaving Petersburg that day for N&mdash;&mdash;,
+from where he would not fail to send the furniture and other things
+belonging to Mimotchka that had been already sent to furnish the little
+nest by her affectionate relations. There was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> P.S., in which it Was
+mentioned that if mamma would like to sell the furniture, and if she
+would agree to let it go for ... (a modest figure was stated), then the
+<i>fiancé</i> would like to buy it, and would not fail to send the money.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma, panting with excitement, and beside herself with vexation, read
+this letter to her sisters. The aunts comforted and quieted her.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, perhaps it's for the best," said Aunt Sophy; "speaking openly, I
+never cared for him. I always felt that no good would come out of that
+connection."</p>
+
+<p>"No, don't let us be partial," remarked Aunt Mary, "he has
+qualities.... Only, as a man that has been a good deal spoilt, he is
+perhaps a little selfish.... Yes, and wants to make a good career
+too.... That was evident from the very beginning. I must acknowledge
+that, when I heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> that my late brother-in-law was asked to exert
+himself about getting that appointment, I said to my husband, "You may
+say what you like, but, il y a du louche."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let him go, and Heaven bless him!" concluded Aunt Julia. "There
+are as good fish in the sea as ever came out. Mimotchka can make a much
+better match. It's a good thing that he has left Petersburg. At any
+rate it will all be done with and forgotten. It's no use despairing.
+Believe me, everything is for the best."</p>
+
+<p>And perhaps really it is all for the best. Thank Heaven, Mimotchka is
+once more engaged, once more receiving congratulations.... This time
+not only the day, but also the "hour" of the marriage is fixed, and
+that hour is so near that Aunt Julia's carriage and black horses are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>
+waiting at the door to take Mimotchka to the fashionable church where
+the guests are assembling.</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka herself is sitting before her toilet-table in her pink,
+young girl's room, and looks in the glass, watching the movements of
+the <i>coiffeur</i> Gustave arranging her pretty hair.</p>
+
+<p>On the bed, with its folded-back pink curtains, lies the white dress,
+the tulle veil, and the wreath of orange blossoms.</p>
+
+
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>When Mimotchka was four years old she had not any idea either of "The
+little shooter," or "The canary bird,"<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> but she could sing "Il était
+une bergêr" ... and "Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre." At seven she could
+already lisp and chatter very prettily in French. Mdlle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> Victoire, her
+nurse, had, up to that time, taught her the French alphabet and a few
+little songs. Then she was given Perrault's and Berken's fairy tales,
+which acquainted her with the histories of Bluebeard, Puss-in-Boots,
+and Peau D'Ane.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Russian nursery rhymes.</p></div>
+
+<p>And what a cherub Mimotchka was, with her sweet little face, her flaxen
+hair, her plump, bare arms and shoulders, dressed like a doll in a
+white frock with a broad sash! It was impossible not to admire her,
+and not to tell her that she was a most charming child. And Mimotchka
+liked to be told so, cast down her eyes, made a pretty curtsy, and was
+already coquettish.</p>
+
+<p>When she grew older and had mastered all the four <i>conjugaisons,</i> she
+was half reluctantly taught to read and write Russian, German, and
+English, and she had masters for dancing, caligraphy, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> drawing.
+Music was also tried, first the piano, then the harp, and then the
+violin.... But nohow could the instrument, method, and teacher
+predestinated by Providence to make a musician of Mimotchka be found,
+and after three years these musical exercises were entirely given up,
+as it seemed that Mimotchka's health was too delicate to stand them.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion, to crown Mimotchka's education, she was placed for two
+years either in Mdlle. Dudu's or Mdlle. Dodo's <i>pension,</i> or in the
+Institution, or else she was sent to France to a convent. I don't
+exactly remember what was done with our Mimotchka, but I remember that
+mamma either would not or could not limit herself to "home education,"
+but placed her daughter in some fashionable finishing establishment.</p>
+
+<p>Having finished or half finished her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> course of study (in most cases
+Mimotchka did not finish the course on account of the delicacy of her
+health or on account of unforeseen circumstances), Mimotchka returned
+home, a grown-up young lady, and wore long dresses. She was pretty,
+graceful, and feminine. She could speak and read French; could even
+write in that language freely enough to compose an invitation to tea
+or a letter to her dressmaker. She had learnt something besides at
+her school, but as that "something" was unnecessary, unimportant, and
+uninteresting, she promptly forgot it.</p>
+
+<p>But I would ask you, reader, your hand on your heart, is it necessary
+for a pretty woman to have any other knowledge besides the knowledge
+of the French language? Do her wants, her joys, and her actions show
+the indispensability of any other knowledge? Does Mimotchka<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> want to be
+dressed, shod, have her hair done; does she wish to furnish and arrange
+her rooms, to have her table nicely served&mdash;the knowledge of the French
+language will facilitate her explanations with the French <i>modiste,
+coiffeur,</i> and upholsterer, who are all ready, not only to fulfil her
+orders, but, in case of need, to give her ideas and good advice....
+Does Mimotchka want to entertain her guests, in what other language,
+pray, can she converse so prettily and unaffectedly of the weather, the
+races, and the opera?... Does Mimotchka wish to read light, agreeable
+reading that does not take her away from the beautiful world of balls
+and ribbons, does not wrinkle up her forehead, does not excite her
+thoughts and her heart&mdash;reading light as the vaporous flounces on the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>skirt of her ball-dress&mdash;French literature gives her clean little
+volumes, perhaps of not entirely clean contents, but nicely printed on
+good paper, and with such interesting characters!</p>
+
+<p>You think, perhaps, that Mimotchka had studied but little and that
+poorly, that she did not care anything at all about books? On the
+contrary, she was "awfully" fond of reading. After toilettes and going
+out there was nothing in the world she liked so much as <i>chocolat
+mignon</i> and French novels.</p>
+
+<p>Don't think either that because Mimotchka was so fond of French novels
+she was unpatriotic, or that she had forgotten the Russian alphabet.
+Not at all. She would have been glad to read Russian, but there
+was really nothing to read! If a careful mother wished to give her
+daughter a Russian book to read, what could you recommend her besides<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>
+Fillipoff's or Galakhoff's selections from the best authors, which, of
+course, cannot be expected to satisfy the imagination of a girl at an
+age when she naturally dreams of love and of marriage....</p>
+
+<p>Mamma once raised this question at her sisters', and the aunts only
+confirmed her own opinion, that in Russian there was absolutely nothing
+whatever to read.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Sophy declared that she had subscribed to the <i>World of Fashion,</i>
+and was sorry that she had done so, because it could not be compared
+to French publications of that kind. Aunt Mary took in <i>Records of the
+Fatherland,</i> and said that the contributors to that magazine used such
+vulgar expressions that she was really obliged to have a dictionary by
+her when reading.</p>
+
+<p>"I was told," said she, "over and over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> again of a certain
+Stchedrin.... And my husband read his books and went into such
+ecstasies.... And so one day I tried to read them&mdash;I understood
+nothing! Really, literally nothing!... Such coarseness, all about
+peasants and their shirts.... And so I told my husband. 'Well,' I
+said, 'I don't know, either I am too stupid, or goodness knows what it
+all means!'"</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Julia read the <i>Russian Messenger,</i> and although she owned that
+there were some good novels published in that magazine, yet, all
+the same, she would not advise their being given to Mimotchka to
+read, because latterly there was hardly a novel without Socialists
+being introduced into it.... And what might not an acquaintance with
+Socialists lead to?... And the aunts decided that there was no reason
+for Mimotchka to read Russian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> while there were so many nice French
+books.</p>
+
+<p>But still people say there are good writers in Russia. Yes, of course
+there are. Only, all the same, which of them would you give Mimotchka
+to read? Perhaps <i>On the Brink,</i> by Gontcharoff; <i>On the Eve,</i> of
+Tourgueneff; <i>In the Storm,</i> by Ostroffsky; Tolstoy's <i>Anna Karenina;</i>
+or Dostoievsky's <i>Brothers Karamsine?</i> Yes, but had you seen Mimotchka,
+seen that innocent, feminine creature, looking as if she had flown half
+out of a cloud, half out of a fashion plate! No, better for Mimotchka
+to read Octave Feuillet, with his limpidly pure style, his poetical
+heroes and heroines, writhing convulsively in an unnatural struggle
+between their unnatural passions and their imaginary duty. If she tires
+of Octave Feuillet she will find other matter in French literature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>
+Let her read Ponson-du-Terrail. Fairy tales, you say. Perhaps, but
+still fairy tales are interesting and exciting....</p>
+
+<p>So, gaily, from ball to ball, going out to try on new dresses or buy
+new gloves, resting on the soft, narrow little bed in the pretty
+pink room, with its porcelain figures, caskets, bouquets, and
+<i>bonbonnières,</i> eating <i>chocolat mignon</i> or <i>chocolat praliné,</i> and
+reading Ponson-du-Terrail! It was amusing, in imagination, to trip
+through the gas-lit streets of Paris, to drive round the lake or the
+cascade of the Bois de Boulogne, to listen to the uninterrupted sound
+of the pistol shots in the duels, to follow out the vicissitudes of
+love&mdash;love criminal, but beautiful and always well dressed&mdash;to defeat
+the machinations of the evildoers, and finally to unite the lovers....</p>
+
+<p>Amusing, too, with a fainting, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> fast-beating heart and lightly
+raised skirt, to run through the dark, unknown ways of Paris, to
+penetrate into the boudoirs of brilliant cocottes, to rest on their
+soft velvet or satin couches, to take baths of milk, to bathe in
+champagne, to adorn one's self with lace and diamonds, to feast, to
+squander money, to fall in love sentimentally with some handsome but
+poorly dressed young fellow, an illegitimate son, turning out in the
+end to be a viscount, a marquis, or even a prince, and of course a
+millionaire. They may be all fairy tales, but at any rate not dull
+ones, like those about "Annoushka" and "Lubinka."</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka, amidst toilettes and visits, devours this sort of light
+literature, and it imperceptibly poisons her mind. At that wonderful
+time when a poet would have likened her awakening heart to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> bud
+ready to open, her soul was filled with the image of Henri, Armand, or
+Maurice. Such a hero as Maurice neither eats nor drinks, nor is subject
+to any unpoetical weakness or maladies. The only thing that the author
+allows him from time to time is a slight scratch (the result of one of
+the innumerable duels), in consequence of which Maurice appears before
+the readers with his arm in a sling and an interesting pallor on his
+countenance. The author does not allow him either any fixed occupation
+or business, so that the whole time of the fascinating hero is devoted
+to love and ladies. Of course he is endowed with every imaginable
+quality and all possible talents; he rides, swims, and shoots
+admirably, makes every woman he meets fall in love with him, eclipses
+every man in nobleness and bravery, scatters purses filled with gold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>
+all around him, and comes into one inheritance after another. The
+image of Maurice, his sayings, manners, and doings, are imprinted on
+Mimotchka's heart, and, like that hero's other victims, she is deeply
+in love with him.</p>
+
+
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>And so, having finished, or half finished, her studies, Mimotchka
+returns home a grown-up young lady, and wears long dresses.</p>
+
+<p>Life meets her with a smile of welcome. Mimotchka begins to "go out."
+She dances and amuses herself.... Balls are succeeded by theatres,
+theatres by concerts, picnics, and assaults-at-arms.... In the
+intervals reading, <i>chocolat mignon,</i> and dreams of Maurice.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile mamma, having passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> through the hard school of life, and
+knowing that her daughter will not eternally remain a butterfly,
+fluttering over the fields, is already occupied with the question of
+how to settle Mimotchka advantageously in life. Mamma dreams of finding
+a husband for Mimotchka, rich, in society, and in the Government
+service, with a title, if possible, and of good family. Mimotchka
+must make a brilliant marriage. All her education had been conducted
+with that object. Otherwise what would have been the use of paying
+extravagant sums to dancing and writing masters, what would have been
+the use of taking the girl abroad and of sending her to Mdlle. Dudu's
+classes? Only think what it had all cost! Yes, Mimotchka's parents
+could indeed say that they had spared no expense for the education and
+instruction of their only daughter.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka knows all the best shops in Petersburg; perhaps even she
+knows the best shops in Paris, London, and Vienna besides; she knows
+how to spend money, knows how to dress, and how to behave in society.
+Now a husband must be found for her who can give her full opportunity
+of displaying her acquirements in all their splendour, who can surround
+her with becoming surroundings, and be worthy of receiving from mamma's
+hands that hothouse flower and plant it in the soil of married life.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka expects it herself. She still dreams of love and of Maurice,
+but, all the same, she knows that the chief thing is&mdash;money: that
+without a carriage, without becoming surroundings, and without
+toilettes, she would not care about love.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka knows that she is <i>une demoiselle à marier,</i> but she also
+knows that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> she is still young, that she is quite a "child," and as
+she is "a child" she waltzes, smiles, and plays with her fan and her
+innocent eyes.</p>
+
+<p>... How artful young men are nowadays! How difficult it is to bring
+them to the point! Oh, if only Maurice had been amongst them, he would
+have prized Mimotchka; he would have chosen her without looking into
+poor papa's purse. But only try and find such a young man!</p>
+
+<p>And meanwhile time flies.... The poor girl is already obliged to take
+quinine and iron. These intoxicating balls, these sleepless nights&mdash;all
+this tires her out.</p>
+
+<p>And so, reader, imagine the moment when Mimotchka, her first freshness
+past, begins to get thin and lose her beauty; the doctor, a friend of
+the family, who is tired of prescribing arsenic, iron, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> pepsine
+gratis, orders the young lady to some foreign watering-place; there is
+no money to be got anywhere; the dress-makers refuse to make even the
+simplest travelling dress on credit.... Then imagine how it would be
+if, at such a moment, unpleasant in itself, some catastrophe were to
+happen: supposing one of the parents were to fall dangerously ill, or
+the father be dismissed in disgrace from the service in consequence
+of the discovery of some unlawful transactions; or supposing he were
+to die, leaving his family a small pension and unpaid debts.... It
+matters little what it is exactly that happens.... But there is nothing
+to guarantee that such things will not happen.</p>
+
+<p>In our Mimotchka's life the catastrophe was her poor papa's death.
+He died, leaving his wife a pension and debts, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> sum of which had
+latterly considerably increased on account of the expenses of the
+trousseau. Mamma simply did not know what to do with the creditors, who
+seemed to creep out of every crevice. The faithless <i>fiancé</i> had broken
+off the marriage, and, having bought Mimotchka's furniture for a mere
+song, had relapsed into complete silence. Indirectly, a little later
+on, mamma heard a rumour that he was going to marry the daughter of the
+Governor of N&mdash;&mdash;.</p>
+
+<p>The position of the poor women was in all respects terrible. There
+was literally not a copeck in the house. Mamma tore her hair and
+anathematised the faithless, good-for-nothing bridegroom. The aunts
+comforted and condoled with her, but among themselves they could not
+help rather blaming poor mamma.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course Annette's position is awful,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> said Aunt Mary, "but one
+can't but say that she herself is to blame. What was the use of
+ordering such a trousseau when they were already so badly off? There is
+nothing to eat in the house, and Mimotchka has linen like a princess!
+And into whose eyes did they expect to throw dust by it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course, they themselves are to blame," agreed Aunt Sophy,
+"but, all the same, I am sorry for poor Mimotchka. She has been so
+spoilt; and who knows what yet awaits her in the future! It may end by
+her having to go out as a governess."</p>
+
+<p>"I gave them a hundred roubles to-day," said Aunt Julia, in conclusion,
+"but I can't give every day. If I were only to count up all I have
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>already given ..."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka's personal wants were but little affected; as before, she had
+everything necessary for her toilet, her silk stockings, her chocolate
+and French novels. But the irritatingly dejected aspect of mamma, her
+tearful explanations with the aunts, the scenes with the sharp French
+<i>fournisseurs,</i> demanding more and more money, could not fail to make a
+disagreeable impression on the young girl.</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka was sulky and capricious. She refused to take her iron
+because she had been told it spoiled the teeth, and purposely refused
+to eat the underdone rump-steak ordered for her, purposely ate nothing
+but <i>chocolat praliné.</i> She gave up reading novels, gave up doing
+crochet, gave up washing and combing her dog and teasing it&mdash;in a word,
+she threw aside all her usual occupations and&mdash;sulked. Now Mimotchka
+lay on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> sofa for whole days together, her arms supporting her
+head, or stood looking aimlessly out of the window. On account of her
+mourning she did not go out. She was so dull! Mimotchka was sorry that
+her marriage had been broken off. Not that she had particularly cared
+for her <i>fiancé,</i> oh no! She had liked many of her other dancers a
+great deal better.... And besides, she had been told that he was "a
+good-for-nothing fellow," which she could not but repeat because she
+Was accustomed to believe her mamma and aunts in everything. But,
+good-for-nothing fellow or not, she was sorry that she was not married.
+If you only knew how sick she was of all these reproaches, questions,
+and condolences!... Sick of all her girlish pink and white frocks, of
+her little gold cross and the string of pearls round her neck.... How
+near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> had been the married woman's little caps, diamonds, and velvet
+dresses, and the freedom from mamma's guardianship, and how suddenly it
+had all flown away, all fallen into ruins!</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka sulked, was capricious, and longed for some change, some
+way out of her present position. Mamma also longed for some way out
+of their difficulties, and spent her nights in prayers, tears, and
+dreams, either of a fresh bridegroom appearing as a deliverer, or of an
+unexpected inheritance, or of winning the great lottery prize of two
+hundred thousand roubles.</p>
+
+
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>What way out could Mimotchka herself hope for? And what could be
+expected to happen in the life of a poor girl of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> nineteen? Don't be
+vexed with me, Mimotchka, for the expression "a poor girl," I know
+that such an expression does not sound well, reminding one, perhaps,
+of a governess or a telegraph girl.... And such an appellation is ill
+suited to an elegant young lady in a jacket from Brissac and a hat from
+Bertrand. But appearances are deceitful.... And I hope that Mimotchka
+herself will not contradict me when I say that she is&mdash;a portionless
+young person, <i>qui n'a pas le sou.</i></p>
+
+<p>So what can be expected to happen in the life of a poor girl of
+nineteen? To marry a young man, as poor as herself, let us say, but
+honest, energetic, and loving, worthy of all love and respect, but
+possessing neither houses, nor lands, nor shares, nor bonds, nor having
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>any other sources of income besides his work.... To love such a man,
+to become his wife, friend, and helpmate, to lay her pretty head on his
+shoulder, to rest her soft little hand trustingly on his strong arm,
+and walk with him through life's way, brightening and cheering that way
+for him by her love and caresses?... To bring into the worker's modest
+abode her beauty, her youth, and grace, to forget herself in her care
+for her beloved, and in her turn to become the object of another's
+thoughts and care and the crown of another's life?...</p>
+
+<p>But, allow me.... You say that he has not any other sources of income
+besides his own personal work. Let us suppose that your young man works
+very hard&mdash;let us suppose even hard enough for Mimotchka not to have to
+dress like a poor creature in an old-fashioned gown. But if he were to
+die&mdash;in what position would she be left? If he were an elderly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> man, he
+might, at least, leave her a pension; but a young man, say, what can
+he leave her? Children, most likely.... What is to become of her with
+these unfortunate children, who inherit neither houses nor lands, who
+inherit nothing but work? I agree that work is in itself a capital,
+by the interest of which Mimotchka can profit as long as it is in her
+husband's hands, but if her husband were to die and the capital pass
+into Mimotchka's own hands, I doubt if she would be satisfied with such
+an inheritance.</p>
+
+<p>Don't think, however, that Mimotchka was exceptionally idle, greedy,
+and heartless. Perhaps she would have been glad to love and sacrifice
+luxury to the man she loved. Had she not dreamt of Maurice? But she
+could only make such a sacrifice in the event of meeting with a young
+man&mdash;well, say a young man like "<i>le<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> jeune homme pauvre</i>" of Octave
+Feuillet. Do you remember how the poor young fellow almost dies of
+hunger and gnaws the buds and leaves of the trees in the Tuileries
+gardens, after having spent his last money in buying expensive soap,
+bonbons, and prints for his sister? How touching! What woman's heart
+would not prize such generosity, such delicacy! And how charming are
+the young man's elegant manners, his tact and behaviour in the modest
+social position he occupies. So that you feel all the while that he is
+really only masquerading <i>en jeune homme pauvre,</i> and when the right
+moment comes he throws off the wooden shoes and straw hat of the poor
+steward and shows himself incomparably richer than his bride.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Mimotchka would have fallen in love with such a young man
+as that? Not for one moment! But you must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> allow that it is not so
+easy to fall in love with a young Russian, who does not come into any
+inheritance, does not speak French, or, if he does, with a bad accent,
+and who thinks a woman ought to study seriously and work, who earns
+his daily bread by giving lessons or doing literary work, or perhaps
+as a clerk in an office, or else serves on the railway in the capacity
+of something like a stoker (because it appears that such young men
+really do exist!). You must allow that, if a girl gives up the idea
+of a carriage and nice rooms, gives up society and going out, gives
+up Brissac and Bertrand, and fine under-linen, perhaps even gives up
+<i>chocolat mignon</i> and French novels, then the young man to whom all
+this is sacrificed must at least be worthy of her and deserve her. But
+our poor young men are so common, so rough, and <i>d'un terre à terre!</i>
+And such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> being the case, what can you find attractive in them?</p>
+
+<p>In short, Mimotchka, any one poor is unsuited to you. Yes, and mamma
+would never allow you to "bring beggars into the world," as she
+expresses it.... And mamma has experience and knows what she says. She
+knows what it is to live on small means!</p>
+
+<p>Another prospect: to give up all hope of marrying and to reconcile
+herself to the idea of becoming a useless old maid. (That pretty
+Mimotchka, who already at seven years old knew what suited her and
+cried if they tied her hair with a ribbon she didn't like!)</p>
+
+<p>But supposing that she gives up the idea of marrying. How is she to
+live in that case? how exist if, which God forbid, her mamma were to
+die (and she certainly will die some day) and there would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> be nobody
+left to look after Mimotchka's toilettes and her meals, nobody to
+sell and pawn things, to send away creditors, to borrow and tearfully
+squeeze money out of relations and friends? Mimotchka is such a child.
+She would be lost by herself.... Live by her work? earn her own living?
+become a lady-doctor, clerk, or book-keeper?... But Mimotchka has been
+educated with quite different ideas!...</p>
+
+<p>As for medicine, we had better not mention it at all. At the mere
+thought, the mere recollection of Mimotchka's innocent-looking,
+downcast eyes, I could not bring myself to suggest such an improper
+occupation to her as the study of anatomy. And her nerves!... Do you
+know, Mimotchka is such a little coward that, every night before
+going to sleep, she takes a lighted candle and looks under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> bed,
+the armchairs, and tables, so as to make quite sure that there is
+no Rocambole, Jack Sheppard, or dreadful beggar hidden there. She
+even looks in the ventilators of the stove.... She is so afraid, so
+afraid of everything! How could you ever accustom her to the sight of
+suffering, of blood, and of death?</p>
+
+<p>It is equally absurd to imagine Mimotchka a clerk, for instance, in
+the office of a railway company, to imagine her in a room furnished
+with tables and desks at which are seated dreadful, unknown men. Of
+course they would all admire her, and all fall in love with her. But in
+general, for her to have to sit in the same room with men from ten in
+the morning till five in the evening.... Say what you like, it's not
+proper! Don't think, however, that Mimotchka had never sat in the same
+room with men. She had even been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> held in their arms to the enchanting
+strains of fashionable Waltzes played by Rosenberg or Schmidt. To tell
+you the truth (and quite in confidence), a certain young guardsman had
+kissed her more than once in convenient corners both before and after
+the "proposal." But in the first place she had never told anybody about
+it except her particular friend Mdlle. X. and Douniasha, her maid,
+so that neither mamma nor anyone else had any suspicion of it; and,
+secondly, he really Was her <i>fiancé.</i> Of course, if all Mimotchka's
+<i>valseurs</i> had kissed her, I do not say but that it would have been
+wrong, very wrong; but, anyhow, it seems to me that it would have
+been less improper than her sitting all day in some office. All these
+<i>valseurs,</i> at any rate, were young men of her own class, introduced
+into society by her acquaintances,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> but who knows what sort of people
+there are in offices? Jews, perhaps, or tradespeople.... And who can
+be sure that some of them might not kiss Mimotchka? She is still such a
+child!...</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Mimotchka might give lessons, <i>courir le cachet?</i> But lessons
+in what&mdash;French? She has read Ponson-du-Terrail and Co., read both
+Belot and Malot, read Octave Feuillet, but of grammar she has only
+the most confused ideas, and a knowledge of grammar is required in a
+teacher. And then to give lessons&mdash;that again means going about the
+streets alone and risking to be taken for Heaven knows what.... Poor
+Mimotchka is so pretty and feminine that, if she has not a proper
+companion with her and a footman walking behind her, she might be taken
+for goodness knows what!</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka neither knows how to sew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> nor cut out; she has never been
+taught to; and anyhow she could not become a dressmaker! She only knows
+how to cut out lamp-shades and do crochet. But then doing crochet does
+not bring in much.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, all this talk of woman's work and woman's independence shows
+itself to be pure nonsense. And why argue about it when woman's calling
+and duties are plainly shown to her both by God and nature. She is
+to be a wife and a mother, the companion of man, from whose rib she
+was created for that purpose. Therefore, Mimotchka, wait, look out
+and secure a bridegroom&mdash;of course one that can be depended upon, and
+who has means. There is the third prospect for you, the third (and,
+it would seem, the only possible) way out for you from your present
+position.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>There are some husbands predestinated by Fate itself for girls like
+Mimotchka, for girls who are poor, but have been spoilt, brought
+up in luxury, and are unaccustomed to privations. There are two
+classes of such husbands&mdash;either rich old bachelors, who have wasted
+their strength, health, intellect, and senses in a stormily spent
+youth, wasted everything except their too easily got money, and have
+tried every sensation that this money can give them, except that of
+possessing for their "very own" an innocent young wife, to purchase
+which, however, it is never too late; or else there are old bachelors
+in the contrary position to the first, who have begun their life and
+career in want and privation, timid, calculating, having been obliged
+to deny themselves everything in youth, and having at last scraped
+together the desired<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> capital by fair means or foul, and attained the
+longed-for rank, position, period, and age which will enable them to
+contract a marriage with a young and pretty girl.</p>
+
+<p>Heaven was not deaf to mamma's prayers, but sent her Spiridon
+Ivanovitch. Through the aunts and friends the marriage was settled and
+interviews arranged&mdash;of course everything being conducted in the most
+correct manner.</p>
+
+<p>Spiridon Ivanovitch may be stupid or clever, good or bad; he may be
+pleasing or unpleasing, ugly or handsome&mdash;all these are unimportant
+details; what is important and beyond a doubt is, that he is a man of
+substantial means, elderly, capable, and reliable; he is also bald
+and wrinkled, suffers from a catarrh and rheumatism, and perhaps gout
+besides....</p>
+
+<p>Is it really possible to marry him? Mamma stands up for Spiridon
+Ivanovitch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> Mimotchka, believe mamma; she has more experience than
+you; she knows what life is. But what do you know about it? From
+novels?... "La vie n'est pas un roman," they tell you, and you will
+soon be convinced yourself that they are right.</p>
+
+<p>And so Mimotchka submits. She gives her consent, coquettishly laughing
+at Spiridon Ivanovitch and victoriously tapping on the ground with the
+point of her little shoe, under the heel of which she is determined to
+keep her future husband.</p>
+
+
+
+<h3>V</h3>
+
+<p>The marriage was arranged in the following manner. Aunt Julia, between
+visiting, vint,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> and the opera, somehow heard of Spiridon Ivanovitch
+and managed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> to get acquainted with him. When she was quite sure that
+his estate in the Government of Koursk was not mortgaged, but yielded
+a good income, and also that Spiridon Ivanovitch himself had not any
+serious entanglement (if you don't count a dancer, who was no longer
+very young, to whom he was only attached from habit, and by whom he had
+four rather pretty children), then Aunt Julia gave mamma to understand
+that she had something in view suitable for Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Vint, a game at cards in the style of whist, but much more
+complicated, and played a great deal in Russia.</p></div>
+
+<p>Mamma went at once to the monastery of St. Sergius and had a Te Deum
+sung.</p>
+
+<p>Soon afterwards Aunt Julia sent out invitations to her friends for a
+dance. Mamma was told beforehand that Spiridon Ivanovitch would be
+there. Mimotchka had a charming <i>toilette crême</i> made for her, which
+was worthy of being described in the pages of some "chronique de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>
+l'élégance." The toilette was very successful, and was much appreciated
+by all those present at the party. It was the first time Mimotchka
+had been out anywhere that winter; her mourning was only just over.
+The talk about her unexpectedly broken-off marriage and the mean way
+in which her <i>fiancé</i> had behaved was unceasing, and went from mouth
+to mouth with additions and embellishments. In consequence of this,
+or perhaps simply because Mimotchka was particularly well dressed
+that evening, she anyhow attracted more attention than usual. She was
+universally admired and complimented. She danced more than any of the
+others, was unusually animated, and really was the queen of the evening.</p>
+
+<p>Resting on a seat, giddy from the last <i>tour de valse,</i> slightly out
+of breath and blushing a tender carnation, she felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> approving glances
+directed at her from all sides, and the knowledge of her success made
+her look even prettier.</p>
+
+<p>Spiridon Ivanovitch had been playing at cards; but before supper he
+came towards the dancing-room and stood at the door watching the
+dancers. He admired Mimotchka very much. That evening he was in luck
+and in good spirits. With the freedom of an old bachelor he loudly and
+openly praised the grace and loveliness of this charming doll, and
+even said that if he could only throw off some fifteen years from his
+shoulders he would make her an offer at once.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma, who had been watching over Spiridon Ivanovitch the whole
+evening, caught these unguarded words, and her heart beat with a joyful
+hope.</p>
+
+<p>During the mazourka,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> Mimotchka, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> Aunt Julia's advice, chose
+Spiridon Ivanovitch, who was still standing at the door, and crossed
+the room with him amidst general enthusiasm. Every one smiled as they
+looked at them: either at pretty Mimotchka's fancy in choosing such an
+old and unattractive partner, or at Spiridon Ivanovitch's venturing
+to dance at his age, with his rank and with his asthma, and without
+knowing how, or finally because Aunt Julia's guests had guessed her
+intentions and greeted the couple as future bride and bridegroom&mdash;be
+this as it may, anyhow everyone smiled and rejoiced as they looked at
+them. The stout Spiridon Ivanovitch, perspiring and puffing like a
+steam-engine, smiled himself, and the ethereal Mimotchka also smiled.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The mazourka has figures, like a cotillion.</p></div>
+
+<p>At supper they were seated side by side. The amiable Spiridon
+Ivanovitch, having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> frankly and rather nervously warned Aunt Julia
+that he was quite unaccustomed to the society of "respectable" women,
+and especially of innocent young girls, sat by Mimotchka's side and
+continued to gaze admiringly at her, playfully and most respectfully
+paid his addresses to her, was in fact quite taken up with her, and
+almost talked baby language so as to fall into the right tone and make
+himself understood.</p>
+
+<p>Excited by the dancing and the champagne she had drunk, besides being
+very flattered by the attentions and admiration of this ridiculous
+stout man with the fringed epaulets,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> Mimotchka became quite lively,
+flushed, and talked a great deal more than usual.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Only Russian officers of staff rank wear fringed epaulets.</p></div>
+
+<p>She told Spiridon Ivanovitch that she loved dancing, and that she had
+passed a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> very dull winter last year, because she had not gone out on
+account of her mourning for her papa; so that now she did so enjoy
+dancing again!... Then Mimotchka told him that she also loved little
+dogs, and that she had had such a darling of a dog, such a tiny, tiny
+little thing; its name was "Fanfreluche," and it had died! Mimotchka
+had cried a whole week. It had been the greatest sorrow of her life.
+She did so love that dog! And now Aunt Mary had given her another
+dog. It was a little larger, but also a darling, and she called it
+"Turlurette." ... And it could already stand on its hind legs!...</p>
+
+<p>Spiridon Ivanovitch proposed the health of "Turlurette." ... Mimotchka
+laughed, coquetted, drank her champagne, clinking glasses with Spiridon
+Ivanovitch, and, her bright eyes sparkling, openly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> declared that she
+had never, never enjoyed herself so much!</p>
+
+<p>And mamma looked at them from the other end of the table and was quite
+touched.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">The next morning mamma, all in a flutter, came to see Aunt Julia and
+talk things over. They talked of the estates in the Government of
+Koursk, of the dancer and her children, and of Spiridon Ivanovitch's
+behaviour of the previous evening. It was decided to make a serious
+attack on him. Aunt Julia generously promised to help, and she managed
+the affair so cleverly that in some two or three weeks' time the
+unfortunate Spiridon Ivanovitch was caught and bound, and it only
+remained for him to fix the day of the wedding.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma was beside herself with joy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> At first she had perhaps hoped
+for something more brilliant; but now, in their terrible, hopeless
+position, after all the trouble and unpleasantness with the first
+<i>fiancé,</i> Spiridon Ivanovitch appeared to her a treasure such as she
+had hardly-hoped to find. Yes, and looking at it seriously, what more
+could you desire in a <i>fiancé?</i> He was a general, rich, and seemed to
+be a kind man besides.... There was the dancer and her children! Well,
+but it was really impossible for everything to be so entirely free from
+annoyance and irritation. As long as he did not ruin himself over that
+family, Mimotchka had really nothing to do with the matter and need not
+pay any attention to it.</p>
+
+<p>Both mamma and Mimotchka quite wore themselves out over the trousseau.
+The bridegroom hurried on the wedding,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> and it was impossible to keep
+so highly respected a man waiting as if he were a mere boy! Besides,
+mamma had had too much worry with the first <i>fiancé</i> not to wish to
+strike while the iron was hot.</p>
+
+<p>The chief things in the trousseau&mdash;the linen, furs, and silver&mdash;were
+already there. The princess's coronet only had to be taken off. But
+some of the dresses had to be altered, and some new ones made besides.
+In the sixteen months' interval between the two <i>fiancés</i> fashion had
+made rapid strides. The aunts and uncles consulted together and made
+Mimotchka fresh presents. And Spiridon Ivanovitch was no niggard in
+his presents either. Everything went on swimmingly. Mamma exulted.
+Mimotchka took the arsenic prescribed for her, drank pyro-phosphorous
+iron water, tried on her new dresses, received congratulations, opened
+jewel cases<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> and boxes from the leading Petersburg jewellers, and was
+delighted with the diamonds, sapphires, and emeralds that were sent to
+her by Spiridon Ivanovitch.</p>
+
+<p>Everybody rejoiced; everybody congratulated her heartily, sincerely,
+and truly&mdash;wished her everything good, and repeated in chorus, "Thank
+God, thank God!"</p>
+
+
+
+<h3>VI</h3>
+
+<p>And so not only the day, but the hour of the wedding is fixed....</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka's <i>coiffure</i> is finished. Gustave is sent out of the
+room while Mimotchka puts on her wedding dress, with its garlands
+and bouquets of orange blossoms and its long train of thick white
+<i>faille</i> lined with Lyons satin, a wonderful dress ordered from
+Mdme. Lesserteur.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> Mimotchka surveys herself rather anxiously in the
+looking-glass. The bodice fits exquisitely.</p>
+
+<p>It only remains to pin on the veil and wreath, Monsieur Gustave's
+services are again in requisition. He has to be hurried. It appears
+that the best man has already arrived. Yes, yes; he really has come.
+... The bridegroom is already in the church.... It's time!</p>
+
+<p>Directly, directly, Mimotchka will be ready directly. I look at her
+and involuntarily some emotion takes possession of me, involuntarily
+my thoughts run on, and I see the lit-up church, where the crowd of
+festively attired relations and friends are chatting and looking
+about them while they wait for the bride. I see the stout Spiridon
+Ivanovitch, resplendent with orders, his bald head shining, and wearing
+a new pair of fringed epaulets.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> Now there is a movement in the crowd,
+the talk ceases, all the heads are turned round. From the choir come
+the strains of a solemn chant, and Mimotchka appears at the threshold
+of the church. Uncle Theodore, wearing the ribbon of the White
+Eagle,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> gives her his arm and leads her up along the soft carpet. How
+pretty she is! I vow that the orange blossoms and cloud of white tulle
+never adorned a lovelier and more charming head.</p>
+
+<p>"Approach, approach, thou pure dove." ...<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p>
+
+<p>But do you know what you are going to, poor dove? Think, Mimotchka;
+won't you stop before it is too late?...</p>
+
+<p>Why?... And what is the good of thinking about it? Every one does it.
+Some time or other the step must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> taken. It seems it must. And how
+can one escape from it?...</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> One of the highest Russian orders.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> The opening words of the hymn sung in the marriage
+service when the bride enters the church.</p></div>
+
+<p>But you're pale, Mimotchka; you lower your eyelashes, and the wax taper
+trembles in your little hand.... Are you afraid? Are you ashamed?</p>
+
+<p>No; only nervous and ill at ease.... In the church it seems cold.... Or
+does the bodice press?... Something feels strange, unpleasant.... And
+then how every one stares!...</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">But my thoughts are wandering. Mimotchka is not yet even in the church.
+She is still in her room, standing before the large mirror; she cannot
+tear herself away from the contemplation of herself in her new dress.</p>
+
+<p>Her toilet is finished. The veil and wreath are unusually becoming to
+the bride, and so everyone tells her; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> Mimotchka no longer smiles
+her usual, unchanging smile. She is a little agitated. On her cheek
+there is a pink spot, her hand slightly trembles as she draws on her
+glove. Why does she feel so cold?</p>
+
+<p>All those around her are agitated too. The maid Douniasha makes faces
+as she gulps down her tears. Lulushka or Turlurette yelps and barks,
+offended because she is turned off Mimotchka's train. They all surround
+the bride, looking at her from all sides, arranging her dress, her
+veil, giving her her gloves, scent....</p>
+
+<p>It's time, Mimotchka, time! Go into the drawing-room now for your
+mother to bless you before you leave. The bridegroom is already in
+church.... Make haste; they are waiting for you....</p>
+
+<p>Look round for the last time on your young girl's room, look at your
+pretty pink room, in which you ate <i>chocolat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> mignon</i> and read French
+novels, and bid farewell to it! You will never come back here. What
+awaits you in the new life?</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">Mamma blesses Mimotchka, and sheds a few tears as she embraces and
+kisses her pale daughter. "You don't feel unwell, Mimi?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, not at all...."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka goes down the stairs. At the entrance on the pavement there
+already stands a group of curious, gaping spectators: the weeping
+housemaid Douniasha, the cook, the neighbour's servants, and some
+outsiders....</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Julia, the little boy who is to carry the icon,<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> and the bride
+take their places in the carriage. The footman slams the door and jumps
+up on the box.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> The carriage fast disappears down the street.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> A little boy, generally a relative or the child of an
+intimate friend, carries an icon in the bridal procession.</p></div>
+
+<p>Good-bye, Mimotchka, be happy!</p>
+
+<p>You perhaps expected, Mimotchka, that I should follow you to the
+church, and further and further.... No, there are spectators enough
+at your wedding without me. Only look at that motley collection of
+people, whom the police are allowing to crowd on to the broad pavement
+of the Liteynaia, the whole length of the long line of carriages.
+Look at the seamstresses, housemaids" gossiping women, young and old,
+gazing open-mouthed as they go on their way, with bundles or bandboxes
+in their hands; they have not strength to resist the temptation of
+stopping to admire your uncle's orders and epaulets, your aunts' light,
+elegant toilettes, and above all they long to catch a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> glimpse of you,
+Mimotchka&mdash;you, the chief person in all this pageant.</p>
+
+<p>They are waiting for you.... Do you see how they stand on tiptoe,
+how they crane their necks at your approach? Perhaps they have heard
+about you; perhaps one of those old gossips is even now giving the
+rest the most trustworthy or untrustworthy information about you;
+perhaps, looking at you, they exchange pitying remarks of the kind of
+those overheard and caught up from them by the great author of <i>Anna
+Karénina.</i></p>
+
+<p>"Isn't she a sweet pretty bride, decked out like a lamb for the
+sacrifice! But, say what you like, we women are sorry for our
+sister!"</p>
+
+<hr class="chap" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a><br /><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a><br /><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a><br /><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+
+<h3><a name="MIMOTCHKA_AT_THE_SPRINGS" id="MIMOTCHKA_AT_THE_SPRINGS">MIMOTCHKA AT THE SPRINGS</a></h3>
+
+
+<p>Mimotchka is getting thin, Mimotchka looks pale, Mimotchka is dull....</p>
+
+<p>Mamma is anxious and fusses; Spiridon Ivanovitch grunts and frowns;
+baby is tiresome and roars....</p>
+
+<p>Such, in its general features, is Mimotchka's life&mdash;and yet it had
+seemed to begin so well!</p>
+
+<p>Directly after the wedding the young couple went abroad. The doctor had
+long advised Spiridon Ivanovitch to take a course of waters, and even
+before meeting his bride he had intended to pass the summer abroad.
+His unexpected marriage had not changed previous plans, and, having
+obtained three months' leave, Spiridon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> Ivanovitch started with his
+young wife for Vichy.</p>
+
+<p>They travelled with every possible comfort, and Spiridon Ivanovitch
+was so careful and attentive during the journey, that Mimotchka was
+obliged to own that it was much nicer and pleasanter travelling with
+him than with mamma. However, in spite of it all, on their arrival in
+Paris she was so tired out, and above all so enervated, so enervated,
+that she cried the whole day long, and even thought she would like to
+kill herself, because it seemed to her that she cared for nothing in
+life. Paris was so dark, so gloomy, horrible, and disgusting.... The
+sun never shone, and the rain poured and poured.... And she cried and
+cried.... The tears certainly rather troubled Spiridon Ivanovitch, but
+after all what could he do?... The rain&mdash;what rain it was to be sure!
+But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> it was God's will.... And he only drummed on the table with his
+fingers and swore at the servants.</p>
+
+<p>But when the young people arrived at Vichy, where the comfortable
+rooms, that had been ordered beforehand and had a balcony overlooking
+the crowded boulevard, were awaiting them, when they had dined both
+savourily and satisfactorily in these bright, cheerful rooms, and
+when, above all, they had unpacked their trunks and bags, then again
+everything looked nice and bright. Mimotchka saw that, in spite of
+everything, life was still endurable and might even be very pleasant.
+She wiped away her tears and occupied herself in hanging up her new
+dresses.</p>
+
+<p>Then they sent for a doctor. And there came a dark-eyed young
+Frenchman, good-looking and chatty. And how he spoke French&mdash;gracious
+heavens, how he spoke!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> What a doctor! Everyone, everyone all round,
+beginning with the grey-haired landlady, and ending with Joseph, the
+<i>concierge's</i> fourteen-year-old son, every one was so amiable, elegant,
+attentive, and lively.... It seemed to Mimotchka as if she had come to
+her native land. The chemist, to whom the young people went, directly
+after their arrival, for some rhubarb and magnesia, was as like as two
+peas to the <i>jeune premier</i> of the Théâtre Michel, so that Mimotchka
+quite blushed when Spiridon Ivanovitch, having got his magnesia, began
+to inquire of the young man about some further remedies.... And the
+postman was very like the well-known <i>coiffeur</i> from the Bolshaia
+Konushenaia....</p>
+
+<p>Spiridon Ivanovitch set about his cure without delay and with
+great zeal. He liked being doctored and understood all about it.
+Not satisfied with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> punctilious fulfilment of his own doctor's
+prescriptions, he secretly consulted other doctors, consulted the
+invalids with whom he made acquaintance at the baths and springs,
+consulted the chemist and other tradespeople, bought heaps of medical
+works, pamphlets, and manuals, bought medicinal wines and medicines
+advertised in the papers, discovered that he had some fresh malady
+every day, and expounded the symptoms of his illness to his doctor
+so significantly and with so many details, that the young Frenchman,
+while listening to him with profound and polite attention, could not
+help glancing stealthily and with tender commiseration at pretty pale
+Mimotchka, and twirling the end of his silky moustaches, said to her in
+a look, "Poor little thing! and so pretty!" ...</p>
+
+<p>Spiridon Ivanovitch decided that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> Mimotchka should make a cure for
+anæmia and nerves. Mamma had asked him so much about it! So Mimotchka
+drank the "source Mesdames" and took baths, and Walked up and down
+in the park. But, as her cure was less complicated and serious than
+Spiridon Ivanovitch's cure, she still had a good deal of spare time,
+which she employed in watching the people and in looking at her new
+dresses. And as both these occupations were very congenial to her
+tastes, she was not dull. The season was one of the most successful
+and most brilliant. At the waters there was Strauss, there was Patti;
+there was an English royal personage with his wife; there were American
+millionaires with their daughters, and lots of cocottes and aristocrats
+besides.... There were no end of stories about and two or three
+scandals.... The weather was lovely and warm, perhaps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> even too warm.
+But what walks there were, what riding parties in the evening on the
+shores of the Allier, what concerts and dances in the evening at the
+Casino! Of course Mimotchka did not make any acquaintances&mdash;society
+is so mixed at watering-places!&mdash;but still, without knowing anyone,
+it was amusing to look at other people's toilettes and watch others'
+intrigues. Altogether she Was very much amused. And in answer to her
+cousin Zina and her friends, the three sisters Poltavsteff, who asked
+her if she was happy, Mimotchka wrote: "So happy, so happy.... Jamais
+je ne me suis tant amusée qu'à Vichy. Figurez-vous ..." and so on.</p>
+
+<p>Time flew on quickly and imperceptibly. Spiridon Ivanovitch's cure was
+finished. He had got thinner, but felt brisker and healthier. Mimotchka
+was blooming, and had grown even prettier in the pure air of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> the South
+of France. One month's leave yet remained. Spiridon Ivanovitch asked
+his wife to decide where they should spend this last month&mdash;in Italy,
+Switzerland, or Paris?... Doctor Souly's pamphlet recommends some quiet
+corner in Switzerland for an after-cure, but Mimotchka preferred Paris.
+Spiridon Ivanovitch willingly submitted to this decision, and, having
+liberally paid the landlady, the dark-eyed doctor, and others, the
+young people packed up their baggage and went back to Paris, where the
+honeymoon really began. Just at that time Spiridon Ivanovitch received
+a good round sum from his tenants, and Mimotchka was in a state of
+perfect bliss, buying right and left everything that took her fancy.
+Oh, her honeymoon!... They stayed at an expensive and very good hotel.
+In the morning the general got up first and read the Russian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> and
+French newspapers while he drank his coffee, but Mimotchka lay in bed a
+long time after. Then she got up when she liked, and without hurrying
+began her toilet. Every day she had a new kind of soap, new kinds of
+scents, toilet waters and pomatums. And what stockings, boots, and
+garters she bought herself!... Oh, her honeymoon!...</p>
+
+<p>When she was dressed Mimotchka went in to her husband, who kissed her
+per-fumed hand, and, holding it in his, bent down his bald forehead
+for her to kiss. They breakfasted off <i>hors d'œuvre,</i> lobster, and
+<i>côtelettes en papillottes,</i> and, having thus fortified themselves,
+they went out walking or driving to see museums or the environs of
+Paris.... Before dinner Spiridon Ivanovitch returned home to have a
+nap, while Mimotchka went shopping and bought more and more.... Then
+came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> dinner, and afterwards a theatre, cirque, or café concert....
+Spiridon Ivanovitch knew Paris well, and was particularly well
+acquainted with its places of amusement; and, as he held the opinion
+that abroad a respectable woman might go anywhere, because nobody knew
+her, he took his wife to both "Mabille" and "Bullier," and to all the
+Eldorados besides, so as to show her the cocottes of both sides of the
+Seine.</p>
+
+<p>Having thus spent their honeymoon, the young couple returned to
+Petersburg with empty purses, with an increased number of trunks and
+bandboxes, with a store of amusing and agreeable reminiscences, and on
+much more intimate and friendly terms with each other than when they
+had started.</p>
+
+<p>All the relations met Mimotchka with open arms. She was no longer a
+portionless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> girl, looking out for a husband, whom the aunts could
+keep in the background and snub if they liked.... Now she was the wife
+of a general commanding a division, the wife of a highly-respected and
+wealthy man, a lady with fresh toilettes from Paris and a position in
+society.</p>
+
+<p>Besides her position in society, Mimotchka was before long in what is
+termed an "interesting position." To tell the truth, this last position
+was somewhat burdensome to her, and, if mamma and Spiridon Ivanovitch
+had not watched over her like a goddess, Mimotchka would have made away
+with herself. But, when all the suffering and misery were over, when
+the heir of Spiridon Ivanovitch occupied his appointed place in this
+world of grief and tears, when his screams began to resound through the
+general's large house, and Mimotchka was up and well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> again, then she
+was glad in her heart and well satisfied. Glad both because she had
+grown prettier and plumper, and because now she has a real live baby of
+her own, while her friends, the three sisters Poltavsteff, are still
+painting on china and singing Italian arias and gipsy songs, in the
+vain hope of attracting some one who can give them <i>une position dans
+le monde</i> and a real, live baby.</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka possesses both the one and the other. And although all
+the three sisters Poltavsteff, when they come to see Mimotchka and
+admire the baby, kissing his soft, dimpled little hands and feet, say
+with one accord that they can only understand marrying for love, and
+that not one of them would marry except for love; still Mimotchka
+knows perfectly well that this is only talk, and that, had Spiridon
+Ivanovitch taken a fancy to one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> of them instead of her, any of the
+three would have married him directly. It's no laughing matter. He is
+in command of a division, and a whole division is under his inspection.
+And even more awaits him in the future. Spiridon Ivanovitch's career is
+not nearly finished.... It would have been indeed stupid to refuse such
+a <i>partie.</i></p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">Why then, now, six years after marriage, is Mimotchka dull? Why does
+she get thin and pale? What can she want? She has her family. She
+has her son, her husband, and her mother. She has plenty of money,
+carriages, and a box at the opera. What more can she desire? Mimotchka
+herself does not know what she wants. She does not want anything. She
+is simply tired of life. It is quite immaterial to her whether she
+lives or dies. Dies? Oh yes, and even now,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> directly. So she says, and
+poor mamma cannot hear it without tears and sighs. She sees that her
+daughter is really ill, that she is hiding something, and that she
+gets weaker and more irritable every day.... Mamma implores Mimotchka
+to consult Doctor Variashski (mamma believes in him as she does in the
+Almighty). But Mimotchka is obstinate and angry, and says, "Ah, laissez
+done! je me porte à merveille! Je suis tout à fait bien." And mamma
+sighs and Mimotchka gets paler and thinner.</p>
+
+<p>The aunts are much concerned at the change in Mimotchka's appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"But how plain Mimi is growing," said Aunt Sophy. "And why is she
+getting so sickly?"</p>
+
+<p>"She has an old husband," says Aunt Mary shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how can you talk like that?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> says Aunt Julia reproachfully. "And,
+after all; old, old ... Enfin elle a un enfant. Qu'est ce qu'elle a à
+se plaindre?"</p>
+
+<p>"Annette thinks that she has never been quite strong since her
+confinement, her confinement and the chloroform, and..</p>
+
+<p>"That's an old story! On the contrary, she improved so much then."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am convinced that she is simply ill from want of something
+to do," says Aunt Julia severely. "Why, for whole days she doesn't
+move one finger over another. Look at my Zina; she orders the dinner
+and pours out the tea, then she attends classes, then she practises
+her voice.... Every minute is occupied. And look what a colour the
+girl has, how healthy she is. People say, Petersburg, Petersburg....
+Rubbish! You can be healthy anywhere. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> Mimotchka.... If I led such
+a life I should have been dead long ago."</p>
+
+<p>And the aunts are perfectly right. Mimotchka is getting plain,
+Mimotchka is dull, and Mimotchka does nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma loves her so tenderly that she considers every occupation, even
+of the slightest and easiest description, to be beyond Mimi's strength
+and too much for her. All the cares of the housekeeping, all the care
+of the child, mamma takes upon herself, leaving Mimotchka to drive,
+dress, go out, and receive. At first these occupations had satisfied
+Mimotchka, but now they wearied her. Yes, nothing satisfies her now....
+To quote the words of Schopenhauer&mdash;she had lost appetite for life....</p>
+
+<p>And by the side of the apathy taking possession of her there grows
+an instinctive feeling of irritation against mamma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> and Spiridon
+Ivanovitch&mdash;a feeling of irritation very near to antipathy. She does
+not know in what way they interfere with her or of what they deprive
+her. She only knows that each day they become stranger and more
+wearisome to her. She feels confusedly that the life they have made
+for themselves is warm and pleasant to them, while she is entangled
+in it and struggles like a fly in a spider's web. And she cannot
+extricate herself from this spider's web because it is woven of the
+tenderest care for her. If she goes to the theatre, or to an evening
+party, either mamma or Spiridon Ivanovitch invariably accompanies her,
+and she cannot say a word, or make a step that is not known to them
+and commented upon. Mimotchka sees that Spiridon Ivanovitch is simply
+jealous&mdash;of course he is, even the aunts notice it. But he will not
+own to it, and his distrust<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> is disguised in phrases such as, "That is
+not usual in society.... It will look awkward.... People don't do so."
+So that altogether Mimotchka becomes daily more and more indifferent to
+life.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma and Spiridon Ivanovitch get on very well together, and soon
+become fast friends. They understand each other almost without
+speaking. Spiridon Ivanovitch's reviews, committees, and projects
+deeply interest mamma, who, even during her late husband's lifetime,
+had been accustomed to hearing about military matters. Mimotchka
+considers everything relating to her husband's military service
+stupid and dull. It seems to her that he talks on purpose before
+mamma about "Committees, re-or-ga-ni-sa-tion.... With bayonets or
+without bayonets." And mamma actually replies as if it interests her!
+Besides conversations about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> the service they have conversations about
+the education of children, which she also detests. Mimotchka knows
+that however you may educate children, whatever books you may read,
+they will scream and soil their pinafores just the same, and then be
+tiresome and disobedient. And theories are no use at all. You must have
+a good nurse and be able to pay her good wages. What is the use of
+saying the same things over and over again?</p>
+
+<p>But the worst of all, the most unbearable of all, is their conversation
+about politics. Politics&mdash;Mimotchka's <i>bête noire.</i> In the newspapers
+she only reads the last sheet, because only the deaths and
+advertisements of sales interest her, but mamma and Spiridon Ivanovitch
+devour the whole paper from A to Z, so that every day at dinner they go
+over all the articles in it again. All this talk about Bismarck, about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>
+the Emperor William, about Italy and Austria, and about that most
+boring Bulgaria, will certainly drive Mimotchka out of her mind or into
+her grave! What does she care about the Coburgs or about Battenberg!
+She is twenty-six; she is at an age to enjoy life, to laugh and
+amuse herself, and not to sit here between her grey-haired mamma and
+bald-headed Spiridon Ivanovitch, who sniffs, and coughs, and spits, and
+pours himself out bitters. And Mimotchka, irritated beyond all bearing
+by Battenberg, capriciously pushes her plate of cutlets away from her
+as if they had offended her as well as everything else in the house,
+and says, "Encore ce Battenberg! Il m'agace à la fin!"</p>
+
+<p>And mamma sighs and Spiridon Ivanovitch frowns.</p>
+
+<p>Well now, for instance, there is her friend, Nettie Poltavsteff, she
+is married<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> to a young man; perhaps rather a thoughtless young fellow,
+without any prospects, but how they enjoy themselves! my goodness, how
+they enjoy themselves! True, they are squandering their capital, and
+the old Poltavsteffs shake their heads fearfully and disapprovingly.
+True, that Nettie's admirer takes root more and more firmly in the
+house, so that many people smile meaningly when they speak of him;
+true, that Mimotchka herself repeats after mamma and the aunts that
+Nettie is in a dangerous way; true, that Mimotchka, by Aunt Julia's
+advice, purposely lets a long period elapse before she returns Nettie's
+visits, but what of that? anyhow, Nettie amuses herself, Nettie really
+enjoys life ... Nettie dresses eccentrically, Nettie goes to see
+burlesques, goes to masquerades and restaurants, laughs at everything
+and everybody, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> contents herself with men's society. She is a good
+deal talked about, and not always Well spoken of, but she laughs at
+that too. Her husband tolerates her doings, and so do others.... And
+around Nettie life and gaiety play and sparkle like the champagne that
+is always on her table.</p>
+
+<p>Formerly she and Mimotchka were great friends, but now mamma and
+Spiridon Ivanovitch have put a veto on their friendship. They consider
+Nettie too frivolous, and look on her as a bad example for Mimotchka.
+And so Mimotchka does not return her visits because, of course, she
+is in a dangerous way.... But, all the same, Mimotchka is very sorry
+that Nettie is in a dangerous way, because if she were not it would be
+very amusing to go and see her.... She is very nice, Nettie is, and
+so full of fun.... And, even putting Nettie aside,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> anyhow Mimotchka
+finds it livelier at the three sisters Poltavsteff's house than at her
+own home. They sing, dance, play, and build castles in the air....
+They are always in love with somebody or other, always talking about
+captains and lieutenants, or about Nettie's admirers.... They have
+dreams, hopes, and plans for the future, everything to look forward to.
+But she? What can she expect? What can she hope for? Her life is over.
+She has no illusions left. She knows what life is, knows what men are,
+what marriage is, what this much-vaunted love is&mdash;<i>une horreur!</i> And
+yet Aunt Mary says to her, "Mind you don't fall in love with anyone!"
+She&mdash;fall in love! Why, she does not even care to live.... And her best
+years have gone, irrevocably gone.... She is already an old woman. She
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>is twenty-six. Yes, quite an old woman.... She feels so old, so old,
+so tired of life....</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka is dull and gets thin and pale.</p>
+
+<p>By the spring her nervous depression reaches such a pitch that one
+fine evening, when Spiridon Ivanovitch proposes to the ladies to
+decide whether they would like to spend the summer in the country on
+his estates or take a <i>datcha</i><a name="FNanchor_1_12" id="FNanchor_1_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_12" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> elsewhere, Mimotchka goes off into
+a fit of hysterics, a real fit of hysterics, laughing, crying, and
+screaming.... Mamma is in despair. This is what it has come to! And
+what had she been thinking of to allow it to go on?...</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_1_12" id="Footnote_1_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_12"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Villa residences let for the summer season in the environs
+of St. Petersburg.</p></div>
+
+<p>Energetic measures must be immediately taken; yes, immediately. Mimi
+gives way, she agrees to consult Doctor Variashski. Mamma has such
+confidence in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> Variashski! He had attended Mimotchka before, once he
+had even saved her life, he understands her nature.... And such a nice
+man besides, so attentive and amusing.... No mere boy either, but a
+reliable, respectable man, a professor too.... Mamma believes in him as
+she does in the Almighty. Now they can only look to Doctor Variashski
+to save Mimotchka. They will do whatever he tells them. If he says, Go
+to Madeira, they will go to Madeira.... Spiridon Ivanovitch is ready to
+provide the money. It's impossible to stop at any expense when it comes
+to a question of saving life, and the life of one near and dear to you.
+They will do whatever Variashski tells them to.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">"Whom do I see! My humble respects "says Doctor Variashski,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>
+introducing mamma and Mimotchka into his consulting-room and rapidly
+glancing, through his spectacles, round the reception-room, full of
+patients of every age and description, whispering in the corners or
+turning over the leaves of the newspapers as they await their turn.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka, on entering the consulting-room, throws herself wearily
+into a soft armchair near the writing-table, and in a languid voice
+replies mono-syllabically and unwillingly to the doctor's questions,
+while mamma, turning her anxious gaze from the doctor to her daughter
+and back again, tries to gather something from the expression
+of his countenance. And in her terrified and loving imagination
+she already sees behind her beloved daughter fearful, menacing
+spectres&mdash;consumption, or death from exhaustion.... But no, the doctor
+seems calm, he is even cheerful.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So you really think, Krondide Feodorovitch, that this dreadful
+weakness can be conquered?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think there is no impossibility whatever in it."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, God grant it, God grant it!... But you must know she is not
+telling you everything. She is so patient, so patient; but of course I
+can see how she suffers!"</p>
+
+<p>And mamma, in spite of her daughter, begins in an agitated and
+lugubrious voice to relate to Krondide Feodorovitch in the most
+detailed manner how Mimotchka gets out of breath going upstairs, how
+she cries without any cause, how cross she gets with her maid and with
+baby, how thin she is getting, which is evident from the bodices of
+her dresses, how yesterday at dinner she only ate half a cutlet, and
+to-day&mdash;and so on and on.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So," says the doctor, writing out a prescription, "and what do you
+think of doing this summer?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Krondide Feodorovitch, that is the chief reason why we came to
+you. We will do whatever you tell us. Wherever you send us.... You know
+that we have both money and time to spare. I had already thought that
+perhaps sea-bathing ... abroad ..."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course; abroad is all very well. But what would you say to the
+Caucasus? You were never in the Caucasus?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but I have heard from many people that it is still very primitive
+there, nothing properly arranged ... no lodgings nor doctors.... They
+say there are only most awful veterinary surgeons there.... And
+nothing whatever to eat." ...</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, that's all very much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> exaggerated. And you can always find
+something to eat if you are not too dainty. And as to doctors, you
+apparently do me the honour of having some confidence in me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Krondide Ivanovitch, you! I believe in you as I do in God!... All
+my hope is in you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, you see no other doctor will be required. I myself will
+attend Marie Ilinishna." ...</p>
+
+<p>"What, you will be there? Oh, that alters the question.... Once you are
+there.... When will you be there?"</p>
+
+<p>"At the beginning of the season; you know, where the ladies are, there
+I am to be found too. And all the ladies go there. Jeleznovodsk is
+called the ladies' spring."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka brightens up a little. She would like to go to the Caucasus.
+Nettie had spent last summer at Kislovodsk and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> had come back with
+very pleasant remembrances of it. There she had completely emancipated
+herself, and from there she had brought back her present adorer. And,
+sitting here, all at once Mimotchka recognises clearly for the first
+time exactly what she wants. She wants to go somewhere alone. She will
+take her maid Katia with her and start off, and the others can all do
+what they like. The doctor inwardly makes a note of this brightening
+up, and, glancing occasionally at Mimotchka, continues giving mamma
+some indispensable information about Jeleznovodsk. Mimotchka is to
+drink iron water and take baths for two months, and then go for another
+month to Kislovodsk to, so to say, polish off, and by the autumn she
+will be so much better that it will be quite impossible to recognise
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"God grant it, God grant it!" says<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> mamma, with a sad, doubting smile,
+and delicately slipping a little pinkish paper<a name="FNanchor_2_13" id="FNanchor_2_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_13" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> into the doctor's
+hand, she follows Mimotchka out of the consulting-room, letting the
+next patient pass in in his turn.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_2_13" id="Footnote_2_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_13"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> A ten-rouble bank-note, equal to about a guinea in English
+money.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Well, Mimi," says mamma, taking her seat in the carriage by the side
+of her daughter, "what do you say to his idea? I think we ought to go.
+As he is going to be there himself.... Will you go?"</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka is silent. Her momentary animation has again changed into an
+expression of suffering and apathy. Mamma looks at her and is silent
+for five minutes, at the end of which she repeats her question.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the use of talking about it?" answers Mimotchka. "It matters
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>little what I wish.... He will only say ... He will say again...."
+(Mimotchka sighs.) "He will say, 'Let's go to the country!'"</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka sheds bitter tears.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma is in despair, but tries to smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do stop, stop crying; don't excite yourself so, darling!... Of
+course we won't go to the country.... He is so fond of you. He will do
+anything you like. Hier encore, il m'a dit.... Do stop crying, Mimi;
+it's so bad for you! Where is your <i>sel de vinaigre?</i> ... Smell it,
+dear; it's all because you are so tired.... Where are we going: to
+Julia's or shopping?"</p>
+
+<p>"To Knopps'," says Mimotchka, "I want to go to Knopps'."</p>
+
+<p>They drive to Knopps'. On the way the ladies continue to discuss Doctor
+Variashski's advice. Sniffing at the smelling-salts and blowing her
+nose, Mimotchka<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> explains herself more definitely. She would of course
+go without Spiridon Ivanovitch (it would anyhow be impossible for him
+to go). Baby also might stay with mamma. Mimotchka could not take him
+with her. She was already so sick of the child's crying that if she
+had to drag him everywhere after her she would never get any better.
+Besides, taking baby means taking nurse and the under-nurse and a
+doctor. Variashski does not attend children. What would become of them
+without a children's doctor? Does mamma want to kill baby? No; let her
+remain here with him, and Mimotchka will go alone with Katia....</p>
+
+<p>Mamma agrees with Mimotchka in everything but one point. To let her
+daughter go without her, her daughter who has fainting fits and
+hysterical attacks, to let her go with only a young and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> inexperienced
+girl&mdash;no, this is not to be thought of.... Mamma herself will go with
+her. But who will stay with baby? Perhaps Aunt Julia would take him and
+his nurse with her to the country? Oh yes, she will take him!... At
+Knopps all other anxieties are momentarily lost sight of in the anxiety
+of choosing an umbrella. Mimotchka turns over the whole shop in search
+of an umbrella with a handle the like of which she can only have seen
+in her dreams. In the meantime she comes across many new, useful, and
+practical objects which may be serviceable to her on her approaching
+journey, and Which she buys. So that, when she takes her seat with
+mamma in the carriage, quite a pile of parcels and boxes is carried
+after them. Mimotchka looks refreshed and calmer.</p>
+
+<p>"You're not too tired, Mimi?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> Perhaps we had better leave Julia for
+another time?" asks mamma.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, better do it all at once," says Mimotchka, closing her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Julia receives on Wednesdays. Visitors and tea in the afternoon;
+cards and now and then a dance for Zina and the young people in the
+evening.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Julia is a much respected, clever woman, with a great deal of
+character. Her sisters say of her: "Julie est une femme de beaucoup
+d'esprit, mais elle manque de cœur. C'est tout le contraire d'Annette."</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Julia is an irreproachable wife, housewife, and mother. She has
+brought up her two elder children extremely well&mdash;Vova, a rosy-faced
+cavalry officer, and Zina, who has been educated at Trouba's.<a name="FNanchor_3_14" id="FNanchor_3_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_14" class="fnanchor">[3]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> And
+Vova and Zina are the pride and joy of their mother's life, to whom,
+however, the Lord has sent a trial in the person of her youngest
+daughter Vava, a sickly, capricious, fanciful girl. They doctor her
+up and correct her, but all to no purpose. Up to now Vava is the
+nightmare, plague, and cross of Aunt Julia's life.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_3_14" id="Footnote_3_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_14"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> A famous ladies' school, that was under the patronage of
+the late Grand Duchess Helen.</p></div>
+
+<p>When mamma and Mimotchka enter Aunt Julia's lilac drawing-room, they
+find a great many ladies there and a few young men, friends of Vova's.
+A cross-fire of conversation is going on in the room.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you're going again to Merekule?"<a name="FNanchor_4_15" id="FNanchor_4_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_15" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, to Merekule. We're always faithful to Merekule. And you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, je n'aime pas à avoir une <i>datcha;</i> j'aime mieux rester ici. Then
+I can go to one place one day and another the next."</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_4_15" id="Footnote_4_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_15"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> A seaside resort in Finland.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p></div>
+
+<p>"Et Louise?... Elle est toujours à Naples?"</p>
+
+<p>"Comment? Le bordeaux avec le rose pâle.... Oh, mais quand c'est fait
+par une française, par une bonne faiseuse, ... c'est délicieux comme
+mélange." ...</p>
+
+<p>"And so yesterday I went to the exhibition." ...</p>
+
+<p>"What did you think of the exhibition?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear, how we laughed!... We go in and whom do we meet...."</p>
+
+<p>"Et tous les soirs elles vont aux îles. Et tous les soirs c'est la même
+chose. C'est triste." ...</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka is met with inquiries about her health. Mamma informs her
+nearest neighbours that they have only just come from Variashski's.</p>
+
+<p>"How can you have any confidence in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Variashski?" says Aunt Mary in
+horror, as she shakes the ash off her cigarette. "He simply murdered a
+friend of mine. She died under the knife. And afterwards it appeared
+that there Was no need at all of an operation.... It was all a
+mistake." ...</p>
+
+<p>"You're mixing it up, Mary. You told us that story of Lisinski."</p>
+
+<p>"Really? Well, perhaps. It's all the same. One's as bad as the other."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you try homœopathy?" says a homœopathic lady. "I am sure it
+Would do your daughter good; especially in cases of nervous illnesses."
+...</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I really do not understand," continues Aunt Mary, finishing
+another cigarette, "why you go to Variashski. Isn't he an <i>accoucheur?</i>
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>... Si c'est une maladie de nerfs, why don't you consult Merjeffsky?"</p>
+
+<p>"And I should have taken her straight to Botkin," says Aunt Julia. "She
+could not have got so thin without some cause. He would have determined
+what her illness is, and would have recommended you a specialist if he
+thought necessary. I only believe in Botkin."</p>
+
+<p>"And even Botkin makes mistakes," says the homœopathic lady. "No,
+seriously, try homœopathy. Why, I myself am a living advertisement for
+homœopathy. Just think how many doctors I have consulted, how many
+remedies I have tried.... And only since I consulted Brazolle ..."</p>
+
+<p>"Brazolle, oh yes, Brazolle! Why, I have met him in society. Il est
+très bien."</p>
+
+<p>"Is he married? Who is he married to?"</p>
+
+<p>The medical conversation becomes general.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Brazolle? Yes, who did he marry? And Solovieff, what a wonderfully
+conscientious doctor he is. Of course, of course.... He has a hospital
+of his own.... And he is so busy, so very busy.... And Baron
+Vreffski.... You're joking <i>f</i> Not in the least.... An extraordinary
+case.... He cured a blind man, a real blind man, perfectly blind,
+whom I saw with my own eyes, ... with that water of his, or by
+electricity.... Enfin il réussit. Of course faith has a great deal to
+do with it.... Oh, I should think so!... For instance, Father John<a name="FNanchor_5_16" id="FNanchor_5_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_16" class="fnanchor">[5]</a>
+... Oh, ce n'est plus du tout la même chose.... Vous croyez? Mais,
+c'est un saint! Oh, he's only a sinful man like the rest of us, je ne
+crois pas à sa sainteté. C'est la mode, voilà tout.... Oh, don't say
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>so.... If you only saw him, ... a little, thin man, ... and with such
+a look in his eyes, something so heavenly!... He took tea with us and
+ate some fruit.... He is very fond of grapes.... Of course you must
+have faith.... Oh yes, faith&mdash;that's all!... But who works wonders&mdash;is
+Batmaieff.... Qu'est ce que ce Batmaieff? est-ce que c'est encore un
+saint? Non, non, c'est un médecin.... I can give you his address if you
+like." ...</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_5_16" id="Footnote_5_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_16"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> A priest at the cathedral of Cronstadt, famous for his
+faith healing.</p></div>
+
+<p>Under cover of the noise mamma tells Aunt Julia about Variashski's
+sending them to Jeleznovodsk, and tries to sound her about taking
+charge of baby and his nurse for the summer. Aunt Julia will take
+charge of them with pleasure for the whole summer if mamma will consent
+to take Vava with her to Jeleznovodsk. Merjeffsky has advised that she
+should be separated from her family for a time, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> has ordered her
+to take iron waters this summer. And they will all breathe more freely
+when Vava is gone. She is getting unbearable. She sets every one in the
+house at loggerheads. Her brother has predicted that she will finish
+on the gallows, and advises her being sent for two or three years to
+France, or perhaps to Switzerland to some <i>pension.</i> Her father won't
+hear of it; he always takes Vava's part. Good heavens, if only some one
+would take charge of her!... One service in return for another. Vava
+for baby, baby for Vava. And so the matter is settled.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">At dinner mamma informs Spiridon Ivanovitch of the results of their
+visit to Variashski and of their negotiations with Aunt Julia. At the
+mention of the Caucasus Spiridon Ivanovitch brightens up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> and gets
+quite good-humoured. In the Caucasus were passed the best years of
+his life, the best years of his military service. Even now he has
+many friends both in Tiflis and Piatigorsk&mdash;a wonderful land of which
+he has wonderful reminiscences. <i>Shaslik, katchetinsk, narzan,</i><a name="FNanchor_6_17" id="FNanchor_6_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_17" class="fnanchor">[6]</a>
+and riding-parties through the moonlight nights! If only Spiridon
+Ivanovitch were free, he himself would go with the ladies. Of course
+Mimotchka must go and make a cure there. The sun and the iron waters
+will certainly restore her to health. Perhaps in August he might be
+able to join them there himself. Oh yes, yes; she must go. Of course it
+would never do for her to go alone. Goodness knows what sort of society
+is to be found at the springs. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> with mamma and Vava she might
+venture. About how much will the journey cost?</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_6_17" id="Footnote_6_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_17"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> <i>Shaslik,</i> small pieces of mutton roasted on a spit in
+Caucasian fashion. <i>Katchetinsk,</i> a wine something like Burgundy, made
+in the Caucasus. <i>Narzan,</i> a sparkling mineral water.</p></div>
+
+<p>May in Petersburg. A cold wind raises clouds of dust in the streets,
+but the bright sun, the ladies' light gauze veils and parasols, and
+the noise of wheels, relieving the deep stillness of winter&mdash;all this
+already tells of spring, and what speaks more clearly of it than
+anything is the pure blue sky, across which all kinds of bright hopes
+and promises for the future flit alluringly. It seems to say that
+somewhere, far away from the granite quays and stone houses, from the
+dusty streets and squares with their meagre foliage, spring has already
+come, real spring, with her light breezes, with the nightingales' and
+larks' trills, with the scent of lilacs and cherry blossoms in the
+air&mdash;spring, that gladdens the heart of everyone who wishes to get away
+and can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> from the close, dusty town; and everyone who wishes to and can
+hastens to do so.</p>
+
+<p>At the Nicholas railway station there is bustle and animation. Porters
+and carriers are rushing up and down the platform and jostling each
+other at the doors. From the refreshment rooms comes the noise of
+knives and forks, the clinking of glasses, the sound of conversation
+and exclamations, the scraping of feet, and all the busy fuss and noise
+of a crowd in movement.</p>
+
+<p>On the platform, in front of the high, blue railway carriage, stands
+an elegant group seeing Mimotchka off. It is composed of the stout
+Spiridon Ivanovitch in his crimson-lined overcoat,<a name="FNanchor_7_18" id="FNanchor_7_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_18" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> the tall
+and majestic Aunt Julia with a long eyeglass, through which she
+superciliously examines the surrounding public; the fat, rosy-faced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>
+Vova, Aunt Julia's favourite, her joy and pride; pretty Zina, in
+a huge, fashionable hat and short, fashionable jacket, and with
+two little white dogs, who look on God's world as haughtily and
+indifferently as their mistress; Mdme. Lambert, her governess: the
+three sisters Poltavsteff in thick veils; Aunt Mary with her son,
+and Aunt Sophy with her husband. Mimotchka is already seated in the
+carriage with her lapdog, which she could not make up her mind to
+leave behind her in Petersburg, and is smelling her <i>sel de vinaigre.</i>
+She is dreadfully tired, and besides that she is so sick of them all.
+The sooner she gets off the better. And there is Spiridon Ivanovitch,
+climbing up into the carriage again, and almost tumbling into the
+cushions, to inquire if she is quite comfortable.... Quite, quite; she
+has everything she wants!</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_7_18" id="Footnote_7_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_18"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Russian generals wear overcoats lined with crimson.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p></div>
+
+<p>Vava, a thin, black-eyed girl of sixteen, stands on the platform by
+her father, and, holding on to him with both hands, gives him her word
+of honour not to quarrel with her aunt, and in general to be good, and
+not like she is in Petersburg. And Vava, in her turn, makes him promise
+that he will write her long letters and often.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma is fussily and anxiously whispering to Aunt Julia, giving her
+last instructions about baby, nurse, and the servants she has left
+behind. Then the expression of both their faces changes. Mamma's takes
+one of condolence and sympathy, Aunt Julia's of patient endurance;
+evidently they are talking of the cross she has to bear&mdash;of Vava.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it's a great charge," says Aunt Julia, "but I will do all I can
+for you in return. And the principal thing is, that she must not on any
+account go out alone."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The two elder Poltavsteffs are smiling at Mdme. Lambert and playing
+with Zina's dogs; the youngest, coquettishly turning up her eyes, tells
+Vova that she does not believe either in friendship or love.</p>
+
+<p>"And, in my opinion, it's all folly," says Aunt Mary. "What is the
+use of their going there? Why, they will all die of hunger. I know
+perfectly well what the Crimea and the Caucasus are. Starvation,
+<i>ennui,</i> and dirt. It's simply throwing away money. And why have they
+such confidence in Variashski? As if there were no doctors abroad!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed!" agrees Aunt Sophy. "We were told to go to Essentouki,
+too, but of course we shall go to Carlsbad instead. As if it were
+possible!"</p>
+
+<p>The last bell sounds. Vava gives her father a parting hug, and, with a
+little scream, throws herself impetuously into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> the carriage, getting
+very much in the guard's way as she does so. Aunt Julia exchanges a
+suffering look with Zina. Mimotchka shows her pale face at the window
+and smiles at her friends. They all nod, bow, and smile at her in
+return. "<i>Bon voyage! Bon voyage!</i>"</p>
+
+<p>Spiridon Ivanovitch gazes after her with a tender, loving look, and
+the train smoothly and quietly moves from its place and glides out
+from under the dark arches of the station. Mamma makes the sign of the
+cross,<a name="FNanchor_8_19" id="FNanchor_8_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_19" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> Mimotchka yawns, and Vava goes out of the <i>coupé.</i><a name="FNanchor_9_20" id="FNanchor_9_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_20" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>
+
+<p>Now they are at the end of the platform, now past the hoardings and the
+market gardens. The barracks, with all their windows staring at the
+departing train, have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> disappeared, and the train flies out into the
+open and steams along at full speed.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_8_19" id="Footnote_8_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_19"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Orthodox Russians make the sign of the cross before they
+start on a journey.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_9_20" id="Footnote_9_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_20"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Russian railway carriages are constructed like American
+cars, and have a passage running through the middle.</p></div>
+
+<p>Mamma makes a survey of the luggage. "Is everything here?... Is
+everything in its proper place? And where has Vava gone?" ...</p>
+
+<p>"She must be in the passage," answers Mimotchka lazily, closing her
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I think that is her singing. Do you hear? What a mad thing she is!"
+But Mimotchka only yawns.</p>
+
+<p>The fact of Vava's immediately running away from them rather troubles
+mamma. How is she to manage this queer girl? The best way is to
+influence her by kindness and affection. Vava's father had begged mamma
+to do so, and Merjeffsky, the doctor, had also mentioned it. Of course
+she has such a highly-strung, nervous nature. Mamma and Aunt Julia
+have quite different ideas on the subject<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> of education. Mamma always
+thought Aunt Julia was too harsh with Vava "On ne prend pas les mouches
+avec du vinaigre, mais avec du miel." Mamma will prove that it is quite
+possible to get on, even with Vava. "Julie est une femme de beaucoup
+d'esprit, mais elle manque de cœur." But mamma&mdash;is just the contrary.
+To use her own expression, with her the heart comes first, and the head
+last. She will influence Vava by kindness.</p>
+
+<p>Vava remains in the passage, at the open window, singing at the top of
+her voice "Heavenly Cloudlets."</p>
+
+<p>It is both wild and absurd, but mamma, on reflection, decides to leave
+her to herself, and not to interfere. Let her stand there and sing if
+she likes. After all, she is ill. She must first be tamed, and then
+re-educated.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And mamma, cautiously looking through the crack in the door, sits down
+again, and once more begins to count over the things and feel if the
+little leather bag containing money that is sewn in her dress is quite
+safe.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka has taken off her travelling hat, unbuttoned her jacket, and,
+lying back on the velvet cushions, plays with her dog, pulling its
+ears, stroking its head, and talking to it.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what is it, Monitchka, my beauty? Does Monitchka want her tea?
+Yes?... She shall have it; she shall have it directly. How can the
+little dog go to bed without her tea! Ask grandmamma when we shall have
+tea? Yes, yes, dear, tea.... Du thé.... Et du sucre, oui un peu de
+sucre."</p>
+
+<p>At Luban, the first station, the dog is regaled with tea, sugar, and
+biscuits.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> The ladies also take tea, brought to them in the carriage by
+a tall, fine-looking young guard, upon whom the crimson coat lining and
+liberality of Spiridon Ivanovitch have made a due impression.</p>
+
+<p>It gets dark. Mimotchka puts the pug to bed; mamma puts Mimotchka to
+bed. The guard lifts up the cushioned seat and makes up a bed for Vava,
+who is placed above mamma; he draws the shade over the lamp, and in the
+<i>coupé</i> darkness and silence reign, only interrupted by the snoring of
+the pug curled up in a ball on its quilted feather-bed.</p>
+
+<p>And the train flies along, thumping and rattling, flies across ditches,
+bridges, and marshes, and, singing its monotonous wild song, rocks the
+tired passengers to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma feels very comfortable. Having settled Mimotchka (who has been
+very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> quiet and uncomplaining to-day) for the night, mamma puts on
+her slippers, takes off her cap, ties a little shawl over her head,
+and stretches herself out with great enjoyment on the sofa. Well, now
+they're off, mamma very much hopes that the waters and change of air
+will act beneficially on her poor invalid. And then Variashski will be
+there, that is the main point. On that score mamma is quite at rest.
+She owns to herself that she will enjoy the journey, the holiday, and
+the rest for a time from all the bother of the servants, from the
+continual thought and worry about dinner, about the meat, about baby's
+food and his bath, about the price of sugar and candles, about the
+laundress and the kerosine for the lamps. Three months of entire rest
+from it all! As to baby, there is no reason to be anxious about him.
+He is in trustworthy hands,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> and will be most carefully looked after.
+Besides, Spiridon Ivanovitch will go to Peterhof to see him. And in
+the autumn Spiridon Ivanovitch himself is expecting a reward from the
+Emperor, which he is pretty sure to get. So that everything is very
+satisfactory on that side. And, in the meantime, they will travel,
+breathe the fresh air, and lay in stores of health and strength for the
+winter. Vava, now asleep over mamma's head, may certainly give some
+trouble, but well, never mind if she does. The great thing will be to
+influence her by kindness. Katia shall always go out with her; Aunt
+Julia has given Katia extra wages, and is paying her journey one way.
+In general, Aunt Julia is behaving very liberally about Vava's cure,
+her board, lodging, and any unforeseen expenses that may be incurred
+on her account. Mamma is taking such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> lot of money with her that she
+really will hardly sleep at night for fear of thieves. And yet her
+sisters say that Julia is mean. No, she isn't mean. She is pedantic,
+and a little near about money perhaps, but not mean. For instance,
+she has allowed two hundred roubles for the doctor who is to attend
+Vava during the summer. Mamma thinks it a great deal too much. Surely
+Mimotchka won't have to pay Variashski as much? Oh no. They paid him
+very little in Petersburg? And a hundred roubles would be more than
+sufficient. Or perhaps they might have to give him a hundred and fifty.
+Mamma has so much confidence in him. And really he is such a nice,
+sympathetic man ... and un bel homme too. But still a hundred would be
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>quite enough. A hundred?... a hundred and fifty ... or a hundred?...</p>
+
+<p>And without having decided the question, mamma begins a gentle snore.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka lies on the opposite sofa, gracefully resting her pretty
+head on her hand. She likes lying there, and thinks it a great deal
+nicer than in her own bed at home. There, when she had suffered so much
+from sleeplessness, she had been surrounded by such absolute stillness
+and silence from without, that she had felt all in a disturbance and
+tumult within. Everything in her had seemed to tremble, beat, knock,
+and shake. What exhaustion and what torments she had endured! But here,
+on the contrary, here all the noise and disturbance are from without,
+and that is what acts beneficially on her. She likes the whistling and
+ringing, the shaking and swaying of the sofa, the noise of the wheels,
+the jarring of the window-panes, and the rattling of the cinders in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>
+the ashpan. All these chaotic sounds soothe her and lull her to sleep.
+She enjoys lying there, and thinks about her new dresses. What hat
+shall she wear with her <i>mousse</i> gown? She is taking five hats with
+her, but none of them quite suits with the <i>mousse</i> gown; perhaps the
+blue flowers might be taken out of the black hat, and pale pink flowers
+and <i>mousse</i> ribbon put in instead. And Mimotchka thinks over the hat.
+But what is really perfect, indisputably perfect, is&mdash;her riding-habit.
+She has never had a bodice in her life that fits her like that. It's
+a dream! When the riding-habit had been brought home from Tedeschi's
+and Spiridon Ivanovitch had seen the bill, he had grumbled at the
+expense, and she had cried. How stupid she had been! What was there to
+cry about when the bodice fitted so divinely? But who would she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> ride
+with? Variashski would be there. She liked him very much. He was so
+tall and had such a good figure. He had said, "I will see that you are
+not dull." Perhaps they would be neighbours. They would become better
+acquainted. It doesn't matter about his being a doctor. He has his rank
+of general,<a name="FNanchor_10_21" id="FNanchor_10_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_21" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> just the same as Spiridon Ivanovitch. They would get
+intimate and ride together. No doubt he rides Well. He ...</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_10_21" id="Footnote_10_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_21"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> In Russia, as in Germany and Austria, the civil service
+is divided into ranks like the military service.</p></div>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka, closing her eyes, clearly sees the figure of Doctor
+Variashski; by degrees the figure begins to look at her from the back
+of the velvet sofa, from the looking-glass door, from the shaking
+windows, covered with their blue blinds, and from the ceiling with its
+glimmering, shaded light. And either the influence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> her doctor's
+image, or her confidence in him, but anyhow something makes Mimotchka
+fall asleep, fall asleep without chloral or valerian, and she sees in
+her dreams the figure of Doctor Variashski.</p>
+
+<p>Vava is more wakeful than any of them. She has no desire to sleep. She
+would like even now to be standing at the open window, inhaling the
+night breezes and watching how thicket after thicket vanishes, how the
+lights gradually appear in the open, and how the stars are beginning
+to shine in the heavens. But she had given her word of honour to be
+obedient, and so her aunt had hardly hinted that it was time to go to
+sleep when Vava at once climbed up into her bed. Now she is sorry to be
+lying down here. She finds it stuffy and dull; besides which she has to
+lie very quiet so as not to wake mamma and Mimotchka. Vava is glad that
+she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> is going to the Caucasus, and chiefly glad to be going alone; for
+Vava considers that she is going alone. She knows that mamma and Katia
+will be so taken up with Mimotchka and her comforts that they will not
+have any time left for her. She will be free. And for her that is the
+chief thing: to be free and in the open air the whole day long. What
+happiness!</p>
+
+<p>There she will walk about the mountains and the forests without any
+French or English governess at her side to poison her pleasure. It
+will be warm there, it will be a beautiful place: there will be
+mountains, verdure, and sunshine.... There will be fresh people, fresh
+acquaintances. Perhaps there she will at last see and get to know those
+great and good people whom she so longs and so looks forward to meeting
+with. People like Washington, Cromwell, William Tell, Joan of Arc,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> or
+the mother of the Gracchi.... It is impossible that such people should
+not exist. If they were to be found in history it proved that they
+really had existed, and so such people must still exist. Only she has
+not met them. But that was because it had so happened. And she will yet
+meet with them, because she so wishes, so longs to become acquainted
+with them, to live in their intimacy, to learn of them, to raise
+herself to their level.... She will never believe that the whole world
+is only inhabited by people like her family's acquaintances. Oh! those
+acquaintances! How can anyone live in such a senseless, stupid fashion!
+If they were not sometimes roused from their apathy by avarice, envy,
+and vanity they would probably go to sleep altogether, and never wake
+again. And the majority of those she knows lead this sort of life,
+such a mean, empty,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> aimless, senseless existence. This is how her
+mother, sister, and aunts live.... They laugh at her, they call her
+odd, queer, and fantastic because she longs for something different,
+for something nobler and worthier. She understands that she must seem
+unbearable to them, but she cannot consider herself to blame.... Her
+father&mdash;he is not like all the rest; he, the darling, is good. He is
+clever and kind, and how kind he is to her! If it were not for him she
+would most likely have run away long ago. Her father is a splendid
+man! But still he is afraid.... Yes, he is afraid of his wife and her
+sisters, and gives way to them. Why?... He almost seems to want to make
+himself appear like one of them, and when he does show the best side of
+his nature he does it in a joking sort of way, as if he were laughing
+at himself and excusing himself to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> Why? Who does he give way
+to, who is he afraid of? Why not make them do as he chooses and follow
+him? How different it would all be if people were only bold, firm, and
+strong!... But those whom she knows are all alike&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+"They are ashamed to own their love, they thrust<br />
+thought aside,<br />
+And are ready to barter their free will ...<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>But still it is impossible that there should not be any genuine people
+in the world. Only she has not met with them. Perhaps there are hardly
+any in their circle. But still the world is wide, and somewhere
+there are simple, honest, labour-loving, healthy people; energetic,
+disinterested, large-minded men; tender, self-denying, patient women....</p>
+
+<p>Of course Vava will get to know such people. They will teach her, and
+will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> explain away all her doubts. She has so many doubts! She had had
+an idea of writing to Count Leo Tolstoy, but she was ashamed to. And
+afterwards, when she heard that one of her friends had written to him,
+she didn't like it at all, and was very glad that she had not carried
+out her idea. As if every little beetle could venture to trouble such
+a sun I No, you must think out things for yourself, and make yourself
+worthy of the friendship of great and good people. And she will try to;
+yes, she will try....</p>
+
+<p>She thinks that just there where she is going, where there are
+mountains and eagles, where nature itself is wonderful, there she will
+find these great and good people. There everything will be beautiful.
+There will be no affectations, no empty talk; her mother will not be
+there, with her cold inimical glance, nor her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> brother with his joking
+and mocking, nor her sister, that living fashion-plate.... But suddenly
+finding herself judging her relations, Vava, as usual, is horrified at
+her own wickedness and malice, and at once begins praying earnestly to
+God, that He would forgive her all her sins, both the sin of judging
+her relations and the terrible sin of not loving her mother; that He
+would somehow help her to bear everything and prepare her for life;
+that He would sustain her and not forsake her, and would give her
+strength and health both of soul and body. And with prayer on her lips
+and in her thoughts, thin, black-haired Vava goes to sleep on her perch
+above mamma, who is snoring regularly, and pale, ethereal Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day the ladies arrived safely at Rostoff, where they had
+to change carriages. In spite of the comfort with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> which they had
+travelled, they were very tired. And both Vava and Mimotchka, seated
+at the table awaiting the breakfast they had ordered, looked so out
+of sorts and depressed that it was not difficult to recognise in them
+patients for Jeleznovodsk. Mimotchka was so tired that she had not even
+strength to raise her smelling-salts to her nose. And leaning against
+the wall, she gazed apathetically at the row of bottles with their
+gaudy tickets ranged in front of her. The pug lay by her side, and, its
+tongue hanging out of its mouth, breathed hard. Vava also no longer
+looked out for Washington or the mother of the Gracchi among the crowd.
+... Her head ached, her temples throbbed, and she could hardly see out
+of her eyes, besides which, instead of Washington and the mother of the
+Gracchi, she saw close to her on one side a lady with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> shaking head,
+whom she recognised from seeing in Dr. Merjeffsky's waiting-room, and
+on the other, a boy with St. Vitus's dance, who alternately put out his
+tongue and made strange contortions with his body.</p>
+
+<p>In fact, the majority of the public were already talking of the
+proximity of the waters, this pool of Siloam towards which the sick and
+suffering flock from all parts of Russia.... Pale, hysterical ladies,
+paralytics, yellow-faced, gloomy-looking patients for Essentouki,
+invalids of every kind and description from Piatigorsk, all these moved
+or sat about in the dusty, grimy waiting-room, resting and eating while
+they waited for the train.</p>
+
+<p>Now someone was brought in, carried on a stretcher. Mimotchka closed
+her eyes. Good heavens! is it possible that they will have to bear
+the sight of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> such horrors the whole summer? Better die at once than
+continue this dreadful journey.</p>
+
+<p>But suddenly, amidst this ill-favoured, nondescript crowd, there came
+into the room, from the town entrance, an elegantly dressed man of
+about thirty-five, whose appearance attracted general attention. He
+was followed by an enormous black retriever and a porter carrying a
+handsome portmanteau and a railway rug strapped up and fastened with
+beautiful new straps. The young man came to the table at which Vava
+and Mimotchka were seated, carelessly paid the porter, carelessly
+ordered something to eat for himself and something for his dog of the
+insinuating waiter, sat down to the table, and, without dropping his
+eyeglass, rapidly glanced at Vava and Mimotchka, then took off his
+eyeglass and again, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> this time more fixedly and attentively, looked
+at Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<p>She had never expected to meet such a fine gentleman in that stuffy,
+dingy waiting-room, amongst all those deformities, and was sorry that
+she had not taken more pains to freshen and beautify herself. Vava
+began, openly and rather loudly, admiring the dog, while Mimotchka
+examined the dog's master's pale face, with its beautiful dark eyes,
+and all the details of his perfect toilet.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma, who had been rushing about settling Katia, came back, panting
+from the heat and fatigue, and sat down by the side of them. Breakfast
+was brought to the ladies; Mimotchka unwillingly put up her veil: she
+thought she must be looking awful; but she was mistaken, and of this
+she was at once assured by a glance from the black eyes that rested so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>
+admiringly on her. Mimotchka felt more cheerful than she had for a long
+time, and from that moment her journey appeared to her in a perfectly
+different light. It was certainly rather a bore, but still it was
+something fresh, and a change from the monotonous, everyday Petersburg
+life.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma began talking, and so he learned that her name Was Mimotchka, and
+that she was going to the Caucasus. And he? Where is he going? Perhaps
+also to the springs?... He is pale, and something in his look at the
+corners of his mouth tells of weariness, if not of suffering.... And
+he is thin, his cheeks are even rather sunken.... Poor fellow, he is
+ill too, he also suffers.... And he is so handsome, so handsome....
+And what eyes! His breakfast was now also brought to him and he
+began eating, while Mimotchka,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> secretly continued her observations.
+Everything about him&mdash;his way of eating and sitting, and the way his
+hair was done, and his dress&mdash;showed a man belonging to good society.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Vava had already stroked the dog and was about to give him
+half her chicken, but mamma looked at her so imploringly, that she
+sent away the dog and assumed her most decorous and sedate expression.
+The Newfoundland, turning about round her, and offended at her sudden
+indifference, went up to the pug and tried to make acquaintance. But
+when Monitchka awoke and saw such a monster near her, she was horribly
+frightened, trembled all over her little body, and began to growl and
+bark furiously. The young man called off the Newfoundland, and the
+ladies found out that the dog's name was Rex. Then they all went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> on
+with their breakfast; but Mimotchka felt as if something had brought
+her nearer to the young man&mdash;very likely the fact of their sharing
+the same table, the same outspread tablecloth, on which stood a plate
+of bread and a decanter of water also for them both in common, or
+else because they were both so young, so handsome and elegant, and
+so different from all the countrified landowners and dishevelled,
+tumbled&mdash;looking provincials, with their cigarettes in their mouths,
+who surrounded them. They breakfasted, and their eyes often met and
+said something to each other. He had large, dark eyes; she had eyes
+like a Madonna.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka got brighter and brighter. The fatigue and slight headache,
+the clinking of glasses, the scraping of feet, and the talk of
+the motley crowd, all this was something new, the beginning of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>
+something.... And the time till the departure of the train flew by
+imperceptibly.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies took their places in the ladies' compartment, and he got
+into the next carriage, so that Mimotchka had only to look out at the
+window to see him also looking out of his window.</p>
+
+<p>And now again the train flies on, flies through the green steppes with
+their many-coloured spring flowers. In the ladies' compartment, besides
+our ladies, there was a lady from Moscow, with whom mamma at once
+made acquaintance. The lady, although she came from Moscow, knew half
+Petersburg, and mamma and she soon found that they had many friends and
+even relations in common. The lady had been in the Caucasus and was
+able to give mamma a great deal of valuable information about hotels,
+lodgings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> laundresses, &amp;c. And mamma, in her turn, told her all about
+Mimotchka's illness, about her fainting fits and sleeplessness, while
+the Moscow lady, glancing at Mimotchka, who was now looking quite rosy
+and bright, and laughing and chattering like a child with Vava, did not
+know whether mamma was making fun of her or not.</p>
+
+<p>At every station <i>he</i> got out and walked up and down in front of their
+carriage, looking at Mimotchka, who either gazed at the sky or the
+station. And how this shortened the journey! Now he had taken off his
+hat and wore a travelling cap, which suited him even better. Vava soon
+noticed his ways and said to Mimotchka&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The Adonis seems to be airing himself for your benefit. What stupid
+shoes he wears!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka took his part, saying that the shoes were all right, and that
+she had seen some just like them worn by a French actor at his benefit;
+very likely they were the fashion....</p>
+
+<p>When the evening drew near Vava went off to her favourite post at the
+open window to see the sunset.... And standing there, watching the rosy
+and lilac clouds changing their shape with every moment, and the wide,
+green steppe, Vava felt arise within her a feeling which often took
+possession of her, a flood of love towards God and man. She would have
+liked to enfold the whole world, the whole of mankind, in her embrace
+as brothers and give them light and warmth; she longed to do great
+deeds, to sacrifice herself, to accomplish some good work, not narrow,
+like that beaten track with the rails laid down, but wide, unlimited,
+boundless as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> the steppe, as the heavens, as the sea, as joy, even as
+love itself!... The pale young moon already detached itself against
+the darkening sky. The sun had disappeared. With its setting the
+steppe had changed and was now covered with floating shadows. The
+world of spirits, the world of dreams awoke. Vava watched the young
+moon and called to mind the books about spiritualism she had lately
+read. Is there any truth in it or not? How do souls live after they
+are separated from their bodies? Where are they? Why and how do they
+live? Do they see us? Do they pity us? Do our sufferings seem so small
+to them? Life and death.... How many mysteries, how many enigmas there
+are in nature! Is there anyone who knows everything, everything, or
+even a great deal, like Goethe's Faust did? And is it well to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> know so
+much, to understand everything, to see everything, to find the key to
+all mysteries, or is it better to be as she is and not know anything,
+but to feel a sense of happiness due only to her youth, to her heart
+overflowing with love, to the beauty of the steppe and the young
+moon?...</p>
+
+<p>Mamma and the lady from Moscow went on talking incessantly. They
+could not quite recollect who Mdme. Verevkine's daughter by her first
+marriage, the one who had been previously engaged to Mestchersky, the
+brother-in-law of a mutual lady friend of theirs, had married....
+Mimotchka did not remember either.... And Vava did not know.... Then
+mamma began enumerating to the lady all the things she was taking
+with her. Mamma was of the opinion that if you went abroad you need
+take very little with you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> because abroad you could get everything
+everywhere. But in Russia, and especially in the provinces, it was
+impossible to get anything anywhere; so that you had to set out well
+provided. Mimotchka sat at the open window, looked at the young
+moon, and also indulged in dreams. Who could <i>he</i> be? Who is he?
+Whereto and wherefore is he travelling? She had noticed that he wore
+a wedding-ring.<a name="FNanchor_11_22" id="FNanchor_11_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_22" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> Why does he look at her so? Has she taken his
+fancy?... How? By her beauty? But she has so gone off lately. Still she
+looks interesting to-day. She saw her reflection in the glass opposite
+and was astonished at herself. There is something in the expression of
+her eyes and about her complexion that beautifies her. Well, so much
+the better. Let him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> walk up and down if he likes, she will not prevent
+him. She does not respond to his glances, only perhaps very slightly
+and quite involuntarily. Anyhow there is no harm in it.... Where can he
+be going? And who is he? And Mimotchka gazed at the new moon, and the
+sparks flew past her like a golden rain, and the wind played with her
+fair curls. Mamma wanted to put up the window, but Mimotchka said it
+was too early yet and would be stuffy in the carriage.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_11_22" id="Footnote_11_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_22"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Russian married men wear wedding-rings as well as women.</p></div>
+
+<p>It was quite dark, and Vava, mamma, and the lady from Moscow were
+already asleep when Mimotchka put her head out of the window for the
+last time. The station was like all the other stations. A little
+two-storied wooden house, with a bell attached to it, and with lit-up
+windows, from which, behind the pots of geraniums and balsams, the
+station-master's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> untidy wife in a pink cotton dress looked out.
+The flickering light of the lamp lit up the dark platform, on which
+the motionless figures of the peasants stood staring stupidly at
+the train; the gendarme also stood motionless; the guard went past
+the carriage. Some one greeted the station-master. Ah, there he is!
+He isn't asleep yet. He again passed close to the carriage in which
+Mimotchka was seated, and this time he came so near and looked into
+her eyes so expressively that Mimotchka got frightened and pulled up
+the window. And the train sped along further. Mimotchka lay down to
+sleep, but she was disturbed and felt dissatisfied with herself, with
+him, and with everybody. Why did he look at her in that manner? It
+was impertinent.... How could he dare to? what did he take her for?
+She admitted /that she herself was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> perhaps rather to blame; but why
+shouldn't she amuse herself a little on the journey? Of course in
+Petersburg she would never have allowed herself to do anything of the
+kind. How he looked at her, how he looked at her, to be sure! But
+anyhow he had beautiful eyes! She thought she had never seen such eyes.
+Well, now, enough of him&mdash;better forget all about him. Nobody will ever
+be the wiser, and he does not know who she is. To-morrow they will go
+off in different directions, and perhaps never see each other again....
+It's time to go to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka turned the cushion and covered herself over with the
+wrapper. But the sofa was uncomfortable, and the carriage felt stuffy
+and smelt of smoke and coal. In vain she sniffed at her <i>sel de
+vinaigre</i> and counted out some drops of valerian&mdash;she only fell asleep
+when the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> carriage blinds began to whiten with the coming dawn.</p>
+
+<p>And now at last the long journey is over. Vava is already gazing at the
+mountains, which the lady from Moscow names to her: Beshtau, Razvalka,
+and Jeleznaia.</p>
+
+<p>The guard collects the tickets. The hand-baggage is strapped up.
+Mimotchka yawns; she has slept badly, and is not in good spirits. She
+feels as if she would like to die. The train stops at the station of
+the Mineral Waters, Which is buried in a garden full of white acacias.</p>
+
+<p>Good heavens, what a lot of passengers are getting out here! Will
+there be carriages enough? And how sweet the white acacia smells! What
+a sky! What fresh, pure air! Mamma hastily bids good-bye to the lady
+from Moscow, who is going on further, and loads three porters with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> the
+hand-baggage. Vava tries to make herself useful, finds Katia, and looks
+after the things; Mimotchka envelops herself in a thick veil and goes
+into the ladies' room. She feels very out of sorts, and still thinks
+she would like to die. She is aching all over, and tears of weakness
+almost choke her. She is rather ashamed of yesterday's exchange of
+glances. Only think, a son age, dans sa position!... And besides,
+who knows who and what he is? She really had not seen him thoroughly
+well. It was all the darkness and her imagination. Perhaps he had been
+boasting in the carriage, although he has really nothing to boast
+about. And after all she does not care! And Mimotchka, without turning
+her head, crosses the room where the people are sitting and drinking
+tea; but even without looking she sees that he is differently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> dressed.
+And how pale he looks; he is really not nearly as handsome as she had
+thought yesterday.... Of course it was all owing to the darkness and
+her imagination.</p>
+
+<p>A carriage is found and brought up, the things are put in it, and the
+ladies and Katia take their places inside.</p>
+
+<p>"All right, drive on!"</p>
+
+<p>The carriage rolls on through the green steppe and over the soft
+country road. In the heavens the larks are carolling. Other carriages
+overtake our ladies. Here is the lady with the shaking head and there
+is the boy with the St. Vitus's dance.... And here, passing all the
+others, another carriage flies along, in which <i>he</i> is seated, <i>he</i>
+"l'homme au chien," as Mimotchka calls him. He is wearing another hat,
+the third since yesterday, and at his feet, stretched out full length,
+lies the beautiful Newfoundland dog.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They follow him and then turn to the right. Why? Then they will not be
+together, they won't meet? Then their acquaintance has really come to
+an end? Where is he going? Mimotchka will not on any account inquire.
+Perhaps mamma will help her. Precisely so; mamma asks the driver:</p>
+
+<p>"Where does that road lead to?"</p>
+
+<p>"To Piatigorsk."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we shall not pass by Piatigorsk?"</p>
+
+<p>"And Jeleznovodsk&mdash;is it yet in sight?" asks Vava.</p>
+
+<p>"There it is."</p>
+
+<p>And the driver points with his whip to a little white hamlet nestling
+at the foot of the green mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the carriage enters a green grove of oaks and birch-trees.
+They all inhale the pure morning air delightedly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> Vava throws back her
+head and looks for the larks in the sky....</p>
+
+<p>Mamma sympathises with her; mamma also loves nature, loves forests and
+groves. Mimotchka doesn't understand it. She only likes trees round
+where the music plays, and then only when they stand in tubs and are
+kept in nice order, and no spiders, chrysalides, or other nasty things
+fall off them. At length, after passing the post-office, the carriage
+stops at the entrance of Mitroff's Hotel. Thank God, they have arrived!</p>
+
+<p>"What a funny little place Jeleznovodsk is!" says Mimotchka. "Quite a
+country village!"</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">Three weeks have passed. Mimotchka had not felt dull. Mimotchka
+had improved in looks and was blooming. One day followed another
+in accordance with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> the regular, fixed <i>régime.</i> At seven o'clock
+Mimotchka and Vava got up, and at eight they were already at the
+morning music, where they drank the waters and walked up and down till
+breakfast-time. Afterwards a bath, then middle-day dinner, and again
+waters and more walking up and down, and again music and waters and
+walking up and down, and so on until the evening, when they went to bed
+tired out and slept like dead men.</p>
+
+<p>Doctor Variashski, who had arrived at Jeleznovodsk a couple of days
+before them, met them very amiably; he recommended them apartments, he
+found them a man-cook, and he also recommended them a doctor for Vava,
+a specialist for nervous illnesses. He advised Mimotchka to ride on
+horseback, and offered to accompany her himself on her rides.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And all this was the more agreeable to mamma, because she believed in
+Variashski as firmly as she did in the Almighty!</p>
+
+<p>And how conscientiously Mimotchka followed out her cure! Mamma watched
+it so strictly, that if at the spring they accidentally poured out a
+little more than half a tumbler of water for Mimotchka, she made them
+throw it all away and fill it up again.... As if it were possible to
+allow it! If you made a cure you must do it properly. The waters were
+not to be trifled with....</p>
+
+<p>And this conscientious cure greatly benefited Mimotchka. She had a
+pretty colour in her cheeks and her eyes shone brighter and more
+joyfully.... She did not get tired so soon, and both slept and ate
+better.</p>
+
+<p>From the second evening after their arrival our ladies showed
+themselves daily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> at the music, where they at once attracted attention
+by the elegance of their toilettes and general appearance. Mamma found
+the society dreadful. The ladies looked like bakers' or farmers' wives,
+and the men were even worse. There was hardly any one from Petersburg,
+and nobody at all whom they knew. At first mamma only exchanged salutes
+with Variashski and an old maiden lady from Petersburg, who was there
+for the third summer with her brother, who had lost the use of his
+legs. The old maid felt quite at home, and seemed to think herself
+superior to everyone, for she held herself very proudly. She knew all
+the doctors, their wives, their histories, and their gossip.... And
+although in mamma's eyes the doctors' wives were as bad as the bakers'
+and farmers' wives, still she examined them with some interest through
+her eyeglass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> while listening to Mdlle. Kossovitch's tales.</p>
+
+<p>Vava sat stiffly and obediently by mamma's side, but still kept a
+lookout for Washington and William Tell, in case they should be passing
+among the crowd, and, not finding them, amused herself Watching the
+games of the children playing in the circle round them.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka smiled up at Doctor Variashski while she looked out for
+<i>him,</i> l'homme au chien. But he was not there.</p>
+
+<p>He only showed himself at the music two weeks after their arrival, when
+Mimotchka had already left off expecting him and had almost forgotten
+him. And he appeared in the society of the most dreadful ladies. Beside
+the bakers' wives and the doctors' wives and all the other provincials,
+there were also actresses at the springs. There was almost the entire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>
+company from the Kieff theatre. Among the actresses there was a certain
+Mdlle. Lenskaia, a very pretty light comedy actress, and with her her
+sister, who was not an actress, but who was also decidedly pretty. Both
+sisters were always showily dressed, and wore very light colours; they
+were always very lively and always surrounded by men. Every new arrival
+at Jeleznovodsk followed in their train for the first few days, but
+afterwards, when he had settled down and looked about, he generally
+found other acquaintances and hardly even bowed to the sisters; but
+still as there were fresh arrivals every day, they were never left
+without cavaliers. Well, it was with them that he appeared at the
+music. He was giving his arm to the eldest Lenskaia (not the actress),
+who was smiling more gaily than ever and showing her beautiful white
+teeth. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> were followed by the younger Lenskaia and an actress named
+Morozoff, surrounded by a crowd of young men. In front of them all
+walked Rex. His master was again quite differently dressed, and wore a
+light suit and a hat with a white veil round it, but there was still
+the same <i>cachet</i> of elegance about him. Vava called the dog loudly by
+its name, which made <i>him</i> look round and recognise the ladies. But
+he only glanced at them rapidly and then immediately began whispering
+something to his companion. Then the whole party seated themselves in a
+semi-circle close by Mimotchka, to whom it was extremely unpleasant.</p>
+
+<p>What sort of a man could he be to find pleasure in such society?...
+From the very first Mimotchka had thought Mdlle. Lenskaia's sister
+perfectly disgusting. She is pretty, certainly; but what a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>
+creature!... And what horrid-looking eyes she has&mdash;so watery and with
+ugly, dark circles round them. And her hands are not good. And how
+vulgarly she dresses! what a mixture of colours! And Rex lies at her
+feet, and she strokes his head with her ungloved hand, and laughs
+and beams with pleasure because <i>he</i> is evidently saying something
+flattering, amiable, and agreeable to her.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka felt hurt. She was sitting there alone near mamma and
+Mdlle. Kossovitch, who went on talking. Vava had gone off with a new
+acquaintance to her gymnastics. Variashski was not at the music; nor
+were there any officers of her husband's division there. And she had
+to sit alone and look at the mountains she was so tired of and at that
+improper set of people.</p>
+
+<p>That evening she returned home in very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> low spirits; she even felt
+ready to cry. No doubt she had over-walked herself that day, or else it
+was the "reaction."</p>
+
+<p>By the morning, however, her vexation had passed. It even seemed to her
+ridiculous to have so taken to heart the indifference of a man who was
+a perfect stranger to her. She doesn't want anyone. Is she looking out
+for an admirer? Good gracious, if she only liked, ... why she could
+have the whole division at her feet, and not only officers either, but
+others besides. Isn't she pretty? At any rate she is as good-looking as
+those actresses in their many-coloured dresses.</p>
+
+<p>And what does she care about them? what does it all matter to her? She
+has come here for her cure. She likes being here alone without Spiridon
+Ivanovitch and without baby. She feels as if she were a girl again, a
+free, young creature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> She knows that her toilettes are the best here,
+and that she herself is prettier than anyone. She can read it in the
+glances of the men and women she meets.... And that is all she requires.</p>
+
+<p>She continued to drink the water conscientiously, occupied herself with
+her toilettes and her appearance, and when she met him (he had now
+settled at Jeleznovodsk) she looked at him with no more interest than
+if he were a lamp-post. But, without paying the least attention to him,
+she always saw how he was dressed, who he was with, what humour he was
+in, and how he looked at her....</p>
+
+<p>Vava, in the meantime, was in the seventh heaven. She went out alone.
+Mamma had not actually given her permission, but she winked at it.
+In the morning Vava went with Mimotchka to the music, but as soon as
+Doctor Variashski,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> or one of the officers of Spiridon Ivanovitch's
+division came up, Vava fled, and in a few minutes she was somewhere in
+the forest, in the thickly wooded paths or high up among the rocks,
+over which she clambered like a goat. She had her favourite corners for
+every hour of the day. She knew from where there was the best view of
+the sunset, where it was coolest at midday, and where it was warmest
+in the early morning.... Vava was not afraid of snakes, nor of the
+great tarantula spiders; she pushed her way through the heart of the
+forest, through the thick, high grass and nettles of the steppe, and
+came home with her shoes torn to pieces, her face and hands covered
+with scratches, burrs and grass sticking to her hair, and earwigs and
+caterpillars on her clothes and on her dress.... Katia, by mamma's
+order, had to dress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> her afresh and put her to rights, and Vava said
+laughingly that she only thoroughly enjoyed those walks which bore
+witness of her communion with nature. The mornings Vava generally spent
+up in the mountains. There, before you came to the top, was a little
+plateau, overgrown with wild hollyhocks and filbert bushes, where Vava
+lay among the grass or sat on a stone and gazed at Mount Beshtau,
+at the blue valleys, and at little Jeleznovodsk nestling under the
+mountains, with its clean white houses, and the gold cross shining on
+its church, and from where you could even hear the cocks crowing and
+the dogs barking.... And on the left, from the tufts of green trees,
+came the sounds of the orchestra playing the waltz "Bygone Days." There
+they were going round, those invalids that Vava knew so well, strolling
+about and meeting and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> greeting and looking at each other. Vava looked
+around her and thought that here also there was bustle and music. A
+chorus of crickets chirped the waltzes; the ants worked on busily and
+anxiously just like the doctors with their prey or without it.... And
+the lady-birds, beetles, caterpillars, butterflies and bees were the
+public. Vava thought it much nicer to be at this music than at the
+music below. Here she could lie on the grass and she was so happy, so
+happy! The sun warmed her chilly body, and in her soul there was such
+peace and joy as she had never known at home. Here she was with God I
+And she experienced a full sense of blessedness without anything to mar
+it. From afar she even loved her mother. When she thought of her she
+pictured her in the most sympathetic colours.... Active, judicious,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>
+careful, although severe.... And Vava dreamt of a time when they would
+understand each other better and become friends, and Vava would show
+that there really was some good in her ...? Her brother would marry and
+leave his family, her sister would also marry, although Zina always
+said that she Would only marry a man with a title.... Still somebody
+with a title might perhaps be found ... And Vava would remain at home
+alone with her father and mother.... Then most likely life would be
+easier for her and everything would come right. And meanwhile she is
+quite content to be here. She does not feel either lonely or unhappy.
+The sun's caresses warm her, the wood is full of sounds of life, the
+bees hum on "the white acacia, bending beneath the weight of its
+flowers.... The butterflies circle in the air.... And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> Vava is so
+happy, that she feels with all her soul that there is no creature on
+God's earth entirely forsaken, forgotten, and miserable.... And, lying
+on the grass, she looks at the heavens, while over her head a great
+eagle soars calmly up, as if carrying on his broad wings her dreams,
+her hopes, and her faith in her God.</p>
+
+<p>Although mamma winked at these solitary walks of Vava's, in reality
+they very much troubled her. Even putting aside snakes and mad dogs,
+there was no knowing where she might lose herself or who she might
+meet.... In the mountains musicians roamed about and beggars as
+well.... So that mamma was partly glad when Vava made some friends
+and acquaintances for herself. And although these acquaintances were
+not such as she would have chosen for herself or Mimotchka, anyhow it
+Was better than Vava's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> being alone. First of all, at the gymnastics,
+Vava made acquaintance with some children, then with their nurses,
+governesses, and relations, and before three weeks had elapsed she
+was united in bonds of the tenderest friendship with a young girl who
+had just finished her studies as pupil in the institution,<a name="FNanchor_12_23" id="FNanchor_12_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_23" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> with a
+youth, the brother of the young girl, with a governess, with a little
+Moscow doctor and his wife, and with a student, the tutor of the
+actress Morozoffs ten-year-old boy.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_12_23" id="Footnote_12_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_23"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Government establishments for the education of young
+girls, daughters of gentlemen.</p></div>
+
+<p>They formed a little circle of their own, walked together, made
+excursions in the mountains and environs, lent each other books, talked
+and argued.... Vava was in ecstasies over her new acquaintances.
+Of course they were not quite Washingtons, but still they were
+thoroughly nice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> good people, and how different from her Petersburg
+acquaintances! They did not ridicule anyone, were not proud of
+anything, they were severe to themselves and indulgent to others,
+they did not talk scandal, but occupied themselves with their own
+affairs.... They not only thought as she did about everything, but
+they had ideas and views of their own besides, which were new to her
+and awoke a host of fresh thoughts in her. This overjoyed her. Now she
+heard and read about all kinds of things&mdash;and there was somebody for
+her to share her impressions with too.</p>
+
+<p>They were delightful people, and ever so much better than she was....
+She was particularly fond of the governess: she was so intelligent, so
+patient and just.... Vava was not worth her little finger.</p>
+
+<p>Of her home and mother Vava never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> spoke to her new acquaintances. She
+would have thought it mean to complain or to try and interest them
+in her troubles. But, judging from their general opinions and other
+examples, she saw that from their point of view she was right in not
+liking the kind of life her family led and in wishing for something
+different. But for the present she must submit and wait, and afterwards
+she would be able to arrange her life as she wanted to.</p>
+
+<p>And, thinking of how, some day in the future, she would arrange her
+life, Vava was particularly fascinated by one idea. She had found her
+mission, imagined a work after her own heart, found an object in life
+that was really worthy, interesting, and absorbing.</p>
+
+<p>She could never live as Zina lived. If she had possessed some talent
+she would have lived for that, but she had no talents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> whatever, so
+this is what she would do. As soon as she was twenty-five, and everyone
+could see that she was going to be an old maid, then she would ask to
+be given her own money. And with this money she would open a home for
+children who had been forsaken by their parents. And she would take
+into her home all the poor, forsaken, lost, destitute children.... She
+would take care of them and she would have many, many children, first
+a hundred, then two hundred, and so on, more and more. And she herself
+would bathe and dry them, and dress them, and put them to bed, and
+teach them to walk and talk, read and think, love and forgive....</p>
+
+<p>In her imagination Vava already saw her rooms, full of children's
+cots of dazzling whiteness, and in them the children, pretty, little,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>tender, helpless children.... They went to sleep, they awoke and
+smiled, and screamed, and cried, and called her "Mamma!" And she loved
+them all, every one of them.... Some were healthy, handsome, and
+lively, and she was justly proud of them; others, poor, weakly, and
+crippled, and she was tender and pitiful to them.... And she loved all
+of them, yes, all.... Then they grew up and their characters developed.
+They helped her to educate the little ones as they came in. They
+laboured and studied and developed.... And now they became the Gracchi
+and the William Tells that she had been looking for.... And they
+entered upon life's work while she, old and grey, followed after them
+ready to bless or console....</p>
+
+<p>If only she could soon be twenty-five! She would reach that age some
+day. Mimotchka had already reached it. And meanwhile she must study and
+prepare<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> herself, and above all, correct herself and attain a proper
+equilibrium of mind. With her character it would be difficult. But what
+of that? She would strive hard with herself. And then the work itself
+would give her strength. She would have helpers too. She would take
+into her home young girls, portionless, good young girls, and make them
+so happy that they would not feel their position irksome. Then she
+would take old women, like those that go into almshouses, old and poor.
+They could be the nurses. She did not want any Swedish gymnastics or
+English <i>bonnes;</i> everything would be on the simplest footing, without
+any pretensions or nonsense. And then, and then....</p>
+
+<p>And her castles in the air so inspirited Vava that she got stronger
+every day, and wrote her mother the most affectionate and respectful
+letters, and was so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> attentive to her aunt that the good lady became
+really attached to her, and often said, "Décidément Julie est une
+personne de beaucoup d'esprit, mais elle manque de cœur."</p>
+
+<p>At first Doctor Variashski had paid Mimotchka a great deal of
+attention. He walked with her, sat by her at the music, rode on
+horseback with her, and came to tea with them several times, but he
+soon got tired of it. Mamma wearied him with her perpetual chatter,
+besides which Mimotchka herself was so unamusing and difficult to get
+on with.</p>
+
+<p>She, on her side, was quite disillusioned with the doctor, whom she
+had liked so much at first. Mimotchka was spoilt and pampered, and
+accustomed to everything being done for her happiness and pleasure,
+while the doctor was dreadfully selfish and only thought of himself.
+For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> instance, he rode on horseback with her, and trotted the whole
+time (because it was good for his health). And what a state she was in,
+poor thing! And once, too, when she had only just drank her koumiss,
+her habit bodice felt so tight, and she endured such dreadful torments
+that she even cried when she got home. And mamma, while rubbing her
+side and counting out fifteen drops of valerian for her to take,
+thought, "What pigs those men are" (mamma sometimes used rather vulgar
+expressions to herself). "They go galloping on for their own pleasure,
+and never remember that the poor thing isn't strong. And he a doctor,
+too!"</p>
+
+<p>But what made mamma more indignant then anything with Doctor
+Variashski, was that she heard he was completely captivated by the
+charms of his neighbour and patient, Mdme. Tchereshneff. Mdme.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>
+Tchereshneff was a widow of thirty-four, who had come to the springs
+with her son, a boy of six, and his nurse. She occupied rooms next door
+to Variashski, and their balconies touched. She wore pretty toilettes,
+and in general was interesting and elegant-looking. All this mamma
+learnt from Mdlle. Kossovitch.</p>
+
+<p>Soon she was able to assure herself with her own eyes of the truth of
+this information. Variashski walked with Mdme. Tchereshneff, he rode
+with her and went out shooting eagles with her (yes, she went out
+shooting&mdash;that showed what sort of woman she was!), he went to tea
+with her, played with her boy, in fact, they were hardly ever apart.
+This made our ladies very, very much cooler towards Variashski. Of
+course mamma did not in the least wish him to compromise her daughter
+in the way he was compromising Mdme.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> Tchereshneff. But then he
+would never dare to. Mimotchka and Mdme. Tchereshneff were two quite
+different people. Mimotchka might have admirers, but she must not be
+talked about. And then to allow a doctor to pay you attention too,
+a man to whom you would give ten roubles for a visit, and who you
+could dismiss like a hairdresser. Mamma was really surprised at Mdme.
+Tchereshneff!... If only Mimotchka had liked, of course, she could
+have found something better.... Yes, if only she had wished it, the
+whole division would have been at her feet.... And princes besides!
+But, a doctor.... A man whom you paid for his visits!... And mamma had
+thought him such a serious, respectable man!... Certainly he was no
+longer very young. And to spend whole days at Mdme. Tchereshneff's; <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span><i>à
+son âge!</i> ... It was evidently true what Doctor Shavronski said about
+Variashski's going out in a fez and with a pipe in his mouth, followed
+by a train of eight ladies, who were all in love with him.... What
+things one does hear and see!... And Doctor Variashski's proceedings
+so cooled mamma's and Mimotchka's feelings towards him that it was
+positively decided to pay him a hundred roubles and not a hundred
+and fifty. Mamma had even ceased believing in him as if he were the
+Almighty.</p>
+
+<p>Kislovodsk was preparing for the season. The prices in the hotels had
+already gone up in expectation of the invalids who were making cures
+in other places and had to come on here to finish off, and for a rest
+after the strictness of the <i>régime.</i></p>
+
+<p>"Kislovodsk," says Lermontoff, "is the scene of the <i>dénouement</i> of
+all the love<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> stories begun at the foot of Beshtau, Mashouka, and
+Jeleznaia."</p>
+
+<p>Here, in general, accounts are wound up, intrigues unravelled, and
+deceptions unmasked; doctors count over their fees, and the invalids
+prove their newly acquired health; in a word, here, in the Narzan-laden
+atmosphere, the grand finale of the watering season is played out.</p>
+
+<p>Kislovodsk was preparing for the season. And meanwhile, in the other
+stations, all kinds of love affairs were beginning and developing, and
+would be wound up at Kislovodsk. Widows suffering from <i>ennui,</i> wives
+separated from their husbands, dissatisfied wives, giddy, volatile,
+sentimental old maids, and would-be brides&mdash;all these swarmed and
+crowded at the Jeleznovodsk springs, and, having drawn from them fresh
+health and courage,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> threw out lines and nets right and left. And
+fishes, both large and small, nibbled and were entangled in them.</p>
+
+<p>And so the day came when Doctor Ivanoff's first three patients migrated
+from Jeleznovodsk to Kislovodsk, and Doctor Grazianski's seven patients
+moved over from Piatigorsk to Jeleznovodsk, where the season was at its
+full height. The invalids had got better, they had made acquaintance
+with each other, and were well amused as they let themselves be drawn
+into the usual idle, though frivolously busy, watering-place life. The
+evenings got darker, the stars brighter, and the storms more frequent.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka was not dull. She had got even prettier, and was looking
+blooming. She hadn't any flirtation going on, oh no! Did her heart beat
+too calmly, or was all around her unworthy of passion?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> Neither one nor
+the other. Simply she was too well brought up for any deviation from
+the path of duty. And although all around her, under her very eyes,
+couples met, smiled, and flirted, although she was surrounded by an
+atmosphere of love-making, Mimotchka was perfectly cool and calm. What
+were all these bakers' and farmers' wives to her? What did she care
+about all these people that swarmed and crawled on the grass under
+the sun's rays like beetles and grasshoppers? They might live as they
+liked, she would live as she "ought." And, proud in the knowledge of
+her irreproachableness and inaccessibility, Mimotchka, young, fresh,
+and pretty, tripped lightly and gracefully through the green alleys,
+without paying the slightest attention either to the approving and
+admiring glances directed at her, or to the meetings with <i>him,</i> with</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p><i>l'homme au chien</i> (although he had grown ever so much handsomer!).</p>
+
+<p>No, Mimotchka had not the least shade of a flirtation, and, together
+with mamma, made fun of their neighbour on the adjoining balcony,
+a young widow from Smolensk, who, although she was still wearing
+mourning, said to her acquaintances, "Yes, I am not against a
+flirtation, only I don't want to take the initiative." And when, soon
+after, a young officer of the line<a name="FNanchor_13_24" id="FNanchor_13_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_24" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> took to visiting her, mamma
+called him "the officer with the initiative." And what a nuisance
+he was to them! He spat and coughed and smoked cigarette after
+cigarette, and the worst possible cigarettes too, while the widow, in a
+languishing voice, sang about</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+"The night, and love, and the moon."<br />
+</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_13_24" id="Footnote_13_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_24"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Officers of the line rank lower in social position than
+officers of the guards.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p></div>
+
+<p>Mamma used to listen to their conversations; the balconies were only
+divided by a canvas partition.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you anything to read to me?" asked the widow; "it's so dull.
+Lend me some book, only not a love story, please.... Are there any such
+books?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course there are. Have you read any of Gleb Ouspensky's<a name="FNanchor_14_25" id="FNanchor_14_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_25" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> books?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gleb? No. Are they good?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you must read them. I'll bring them to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Bring them; yes, do bring them."</p>
+
+<p>And they read Gleb Ouspensky together, afterwards they read
+Schopenhauer. And mamma, sitting with her work on her own balcony,
+laughed to herself, thinking, "Read on, read on; evidently, tout chemin
+mène à Rome."</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_14_25" id="Footnote_14_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_25"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> A realistic author, who chiefly wrote sketches of peasant
+life.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p></div>
+
+<p>When the officer was tired of reading he put the book down on the table
+and lit a cigarette.</p>
+
+<p>"How true, how true it all is!" said the widow, gazing pensively
+towards Beshtau. "I look on life just as Schopenhauer does. There is
+nothing that can bear being analysed without being dispersed like
+smoke. Truly, life is not worth living."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, certainly life is a pretty considerable muddle. But still, for
+all that, why not try and live without analysing and reflecting about
+everything?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, once you know that life is worthless, it's not worth while living."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it's worth trying just for the sake of being convinced."</p>
+
+<p>"But if you know beforehand it's not worth while?"</p>
+
+<p>"But why isn't it worth while? Why,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> Schopenhauer himself went through
+it all before writing about it."</p>
+
+<p>"But then, what sort of a life did he live? Well, yes, he found out
+that everything is falsehood, fancy, and vanity, that we deceive
+ourselves. And we all come to the same conclusion. Is it worth while
+wasting strength to come to a result already known, even though it be
+only known from books?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you take a very high-flown view. I look on things much more
+simply."</p>
+
+<p>"Why are we wasting the time in talking? Go oh reading, go on!" ...</p>
+
+<p>Of course this was all very ridiculous, and Mimotchka would never have
+allowed herself to be as silly as the widow. Peuh! She felt so happy
+and bright, and yet without any love-making whatever. An officer of
+her husband's division rode with her and introduced his friends to
+her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> They all admired and liked her. She could easily have got to
+know <i>l'homme au chien.</i> But she herself did not wish to. After all,
+what was the good of it? Mimotchka, like Vava, chiefly delighted in
+the feeling of her freedom, and in the absence of all restraint and
+guardianship. Here mamma did not bother her, and did not accompany
+her on her walks. She would have liked to have done so, but the
+burning Caucasian sun prevented her. Mamma could not stand heat. In
+the morning, after seeing the young people off, and, like Providence,
+arranging everything for their comfort, mamma, when they had gone,
+closed the shutters, pulled down the blinds, and, having made it dark
+and cool, lay down on her bed with a book. In thought she was, of
+course, with her poor, sick children, who were broiling in the sun. She
+felt quite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> comfortable about Mimotchka, but Vava gave her considerable
+uneasiness. Vava was like fire, so impulsive, so impressionable (those
+slim girls were always so <i>passionnées,</i>) and here, besides, there was
+something in the very air of the place, the burning sun.... And yet
+Vava was so bright, so nice, so much improved in her looks, and so
+contented with everything.... Supposing there was some secret reason
+for all this.</p>
+
+<p>And mamma got frightened, very much frightened. And in the stillness of
+the night, more than once, the images of the student and the military
+cadet flew over her pillowed head like two demons come to trouble her
+sleep and disturb her rest. After much consideration and preparation
+mamma tried to caution Vava. Vava only answered her warnings with a
+look, but such a look that mamma's soul sunk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> into her shoes, and
+she inwardly determined never again to revert to the subject. In
+order to quiet her conscience, however, and relieve herself of all
+responsibility towards Julia, she called the maid Katia, and ordered
+her to look strictly after her young lady and let her know with whom
+she walked, where she went, and whether she was ever alone with anyone.</p>
+
+<p>And Katia, after having ironed Mimotchka's petticoats and laid out
+everything that would be required for the evening, went out into the
+park, with the firm intention of looking after her young lady. But
+as her young lady was very much on the move, and running after her
+was very tiring, Katia wisely sat down on a bench under the shade of
+a spreading tree, which Vava must certainly pass on her way home to
+dinner, and sat there watching the people going by.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Opposite the bench, on a little eminence, stood some hawkers with glass
+cases, an Italian selling corals and mosaics, and some Armenians with
+Caucasian wares. Among them was a small Armenian with cunning little
+eyes, an enormous nose, and a high black cap. And standing by his
+glass case, in which were displayed Caucasian turquoises and oxidised
+silver things, belts, daggers, brooches, and pins, all bearing the
+inscription, "Kavkas, Kavkas, Kavkas," he looked at Katia so knowingly
+and so expressively, just as if he knew how she was deceiving her
+mistress.</p>
+
+<p>Three days running Katia sat on the same bench, and the Armenian walked
+round his wares and shot killing glances at her, while his eyes seemed
+to grow still narrower and his nose still bigger. But Katia pretended
+not to notice anything, and drew figures on the gravel with her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>
+parasol. Then he spoke to her. She was passing him and looking across
+at Beshtau, when he said, "How hot it is! Why do you go out walking at
+this time? It's not pleasant walking now. The evening is the time for
+going out. It's not hot in the evening; it's nice then." Katia still
+pretended not to hear, and went up in the direction of the mountain,
+coquettishly swinging her parasol. Then he began to bow to her. Then
+Katia bowed in return, at first gravely, and afterwards with a smile.
+Finally, he tried to persuade her to buy something.</p>
+
+<p>"Your prices are too high," said Katia; "they're not for my pocket."</p>
+
+<p>"But you must know them first, and then say.... I'll not ask too
+high.... You look at the things and ask the prices."</p>
+
+<p>So Katia began examining and choosing the things in his glass case.
+In a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> week's time she already knew all the things in his show-case
+by heart; she knew his name, how old he was, that he had a cousin in
+Petersburg in a Caucasian wine-shop, and that he himself would also
+come to Petersburg; she also heard all about Tiflis and Kislovodsk,
+heard that it was a great deal pleasanter in the park in the evening
+than in the daytime, and that it was so dark, so very dark! Katia
+learnt all this, but as yet <i>she</i> did not choose anything out of his
+glass case, but postponed doing so until she got to Kislovodsk.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Vava, who had aroused such black suspicions in mamma's mind,
+sat quietly at the gymnasium with her friend the governess, and, unable
+to contain herself any longer, unfolded to her her project of a home
+for destitute children. The governess sympathised with her idea,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> but
+did not quite believe in the possibility of its realisation, and,
+shaking her head, smiled incredulously.</p>
+
+<p>"It's all very nice," she said, when Vava had finished, "but it will
+never come to anything. You will marry and bring up your own children,
+which will be a great deal better."</p>
+
+<p>"In what way?"</p>
+
+<p>"It will be more natural. It's impossible to love strange children like
+your own."</p>
+
+<p>"But they won't be strange children, because they will be mine almost
+from the day of their birth."</p>
+
+<p>"For all that, it's not the same. Of course I can't judge from my own
+experience; but every one says so, and I think it must be so myself. A
+strange child can never be the same as your own. I know it wouldn't be
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"But I could love a strange child like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> my own.... How not to love
+them? One pities them so, poor little forsaken, innocent things; and if
+you love out of pity, you love better and stronger."</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;anyhow there is something unnatural about it. I should understand
+if you were unhappy, or had been disappointed in your own personal
+happiness, then it would be all very well; but why imagine all this
+when you have still the possibility of being happy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but then I can only be happy in that way."</p>
+
+<p>During this time Mimotchka was sitting by herself in the summer-house
+by the Bishop's Palace, reading <i>La Grande Marnière.</i> Her reading did
+not advance much. The book did not interest her, and she read over
+the same page several times. In the summer-house, besides her, were
+seated two priests and some nurses with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> children, and although their
+conversation was uninteresting, still it amused her; and Mimotchka
+did not care to move, because it was pleasanter and cooler here than
+anywhere else.</p>
+
+<p>The priests got up and, as they went out, knocked up against <i>l'homme
+au chien,</i> who was just entering the summer-house with his dog. The
+young man walked up to the railings, and, resting his elbows on them,
+gazed into the distance. Mimotchka became absorbed in her reading. The
+nurses, after looking at the newcomer, resumed their conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Why are there so many priests here?"</p>
+
+<p>"They've all got something or other the matter with them. Lenten fare
+is bad for their insides. That's why they all drink this mud water.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>It's a very good water, this muddy kind is. Our folks drink it." ...</p>
+
+<p>"And ours, too, began by drinking it. But now they drink the
+Bariatinski spring. Only my lady was too lazy to go herself in the
+morning to the spring, and always sent me to fetch the muddy water for
+her; and so I had to go, although it's a good way off. Now they drink
+Bariatinski water."</p>
+
+<p>"Then your lady is making a cure herself?"</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;all our people are. The young lady, and the master, and the
+mistress."</p>
+
+<p>"And are they really ill, or is it only from too good living?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, it's not exactly from too good living, but it's just as the Lord
+sends it. The master isn't quite right in his head. Yes, at one time he
+really was shut up in a madhouse. He threw himself into the water and
+tried, so to say, to make away with himself. Well, now he's better.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>
+Kousmitch cured him. Now he is able to go about by himself. He takes
+the waters, too&mdash;and afterwards we shall go to the Crimea. Now there is
+not much the matter with him...."</p>
+
+<p>"Out of his mind? Why, what a dreadful thing!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed; Heaven preserve us from it! It was awful what we had to
+put up with in the house! Kousmitch cured him, though."</p>
+
+<p>"And your young lady&mdash;how about her?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing much. She's a poor frightened thing, very thin, and has
+pimples on her face. She's a quiet enough young lady; there's no harm
+in her. We had a young man after her at one time&mdash;yes, a real one, a
+military man, too, in a uniform.... Only he got hold of part of the
+dowry in advance and went after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> someone else. And she fretted and
+fretted&mdash;she's all right now&mdash;Kousmitch did her good."</p>
+
+<p>"And your lady herself?"</p>
+
+<p>"The mistress was dreadfully bad. You can see for yourself how yellow
+she is. Well, this I winter she suffered from her liver, and the winter
+before last she was even worse. What a lot of doctors and nurses she
+had!&mdash;and she was ill the whole time, and couldn't walk because she
+had something the matter with her inside. Yes; what a lot of money we
+did spend! First one doctor comes and attends her, then we hear of
+another, a more expensive one, and then we try him. Well, he comes
+and prescribes for her, and then somebody tells us of another still
+more expensive one, and so we call him in. And we had prayers put up
+and icons brought in from the church. And it was all no good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> at all.
+And in the spring, when we were coming to the Caucasus, I said, says
+I, 'Mistress, little mother,<a name="FNanchor_15_26" id="FNanchor_15_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_26" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> which way are we going? Aren't we
+going past Samara?' says I. 'We are going by steamer up the Volga,
+and shall pass. Samara,' says she. (And I come from Samara, from the
+district of Bousoulouk.) 'Well,' says I, 'little mother, you do as you
+like, but if you want to do the master good as well as yourself and
+get God to give you both your health again, you go and see Kousmitch
+(for in our part lives Kousmitch, who is worth all the doctors in the
+world; he comes of peasant stock, but princes and generals and lots of
+gentlefolk go to him to be cured, because he cures all those that the
+doctors can't cure). So you go to him, little mother,'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> says I. 'It's
+God Himself that's sending you to Samara.' 'Be quiet, nurse,' they
+say. 'You don't understand anything about it. What's all this about
+your Kousmitch? You do as you're told and go to the chemist's.' 'Very
+well,' says I; 'what do I care? I'll go.' And then, when we're sailing
+down the Volga and come to Samara, my lady comes up to me and says,
+'Look here,' says she, 'nurse, don't tell anybody, but we're going to
+Kousmitch.' (You must know my people are merchants, and very rich ones,
+too; they have five houses in the Kalashnikoffskaia Pristan,<a name="FNanchor_16_27" id="FNanchor_16_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_27" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> but
+they're shy of gentle-folks.) Says I, 'Well, what of it? Why should I
+tell anyone? I won't say anything about it. You go if you like to. Who
+should I tell? I won't say anything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> about it.' So they went to him,
+to the little father, Kousmitch. And he, the little father&mdash;he can see
+right into everybody, and he cured them both. First he looked at the
+master, took him by the hand, and felt his arm down from the shoulder.
+Doctors only take hold of your wrist and count by their watch, but he,
+the little father, feels over the whole arm down from the shoulder and
+finds out the illness without any watch at all. And he said to the
+master, 'You,' says he, 'have rheumatic swellings. Don't be afraid;
+you'll get well&mdash;drink!' And he gave him a bottle of stuff directly.
+Yes! And to the mistress he said, 'It's just your liver that's wrong.
+And there's something the matter inside as well,' says he; 'it's a bad
+business. You,' says he, 'take care, because, if you don't take care,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>you'll die. Yes! you must keep lying down,' says he&mdash;'yes, lie down
+often; then you'll get better; and here's this for you&mdash;drink!' And he
+gave her another bottle. Our young lady didn't want to show herself to
+him; she laughed and said, 'What does a peasant like him understand?'
+But he, the little father, said, 'What are you laughing at? You had
+a young man,' says he, 'but he ran off.' The little father knew all
+about it, you see. 'Don't be afraid; you'll find another. You've got
+money, haven't you?' says he. 'She has, little father,' said we; 'how
+shouldn't she have, with five houses on the Kalashnikoffskaia Pristan?'
+'Well,' says he, 'it's all right. You'll be married and get quite well;
+and, meanwhile, here's this for you&mdash;drink!' And he gave her another
+bottle, and he told the children to drink too; and I says to him, says
+I, 'My back aches, little father.' And he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> gave me a bottle of stuff
+too. 'Drink,' says he, 'old woman.' Well, and so we all drink."</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_15_26" id="Footnote_15_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_26"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> The terms "little mother" and "little father" are used by
+the lower classes in Russia as a mark of respect.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_16_27" id="Footnote_16_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_27"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> A quarter of St. Petersburg, up the Neva, where all the
+granaries are situated.</p></div>
+
+<p>"And does it do you good?"</p>
+
+<p>"It does us good. In the morning, when we get up, we drink some of his
+stuff before eating anything. We don't say anything about it to the
+doctor. And at first the mistress drank the muddy water, and now she
+drinks Bariatinski water. And all the stuff they bring us from the
+chemist's we throw away, because Kousmitch said it was all no good; and
+if the mistress feels worse, she gives up drinking the waters, and only
+takes what Kousmitch gave her. It's a decoction of peppermint." ...</p>
+
+<p>"Peppermint is a good thing. But for my part I drink nothing but
+Michailovsky water here. That's what I like. It's such a fresh-tasted
+water."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But is it good for healthy people to drink? I don't drink any of the
+waters. I am afraid. You might get some illness from drinking them."</p>
+
+<p>"No, it's all right enough. They're not good enough for fat people to
+drink, but for thin, full-blooded ones, there's no harm to be got, only
+good."</p>
+
+<p>"I'd drink them too if I wasn't afraid." ...</p>
+
+<p>"What is there to be afraid of? Let's come and have some at once. Where
+have my little rascals got to? Vania, Vassia, come here! We're going to
+the gymnastics."</p>
+
+<p>The nurses got up and went out of the summer-house, leading away their
+charges. Mimotchka and <i>l'homme au chien</i> were left alone together.
+Mimotchka turned over the leaves without raising her eyes from her
+book. He sat down so as to have a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> sideway view of her, and taking out
+a newspaper also began reading. They both felt each other's presence
+and proximity, and also felt that if they were to throw aside their
+reading and begin talking it would be pleasant and amusing; but they
+did not speak to each other. He did not dare; she did not wish to. Now
+and then Mimotchka raised her blue eyes and fixed them on the blue
+distance. He sat secretly admiring her, the way her hair was done, the
+tip of her little foot, and all her young, fresh, elegant person....
+Mimotchka felt he was looking at her, and rather maliciously thought
+to herself, "Aha! so it's not only actresses that are pretty?" Then he
+put away his newspaper, took out his oxidised silver cigar-case, and
+asked her permission to smoke. Mimotchka signified her consent by an
+inclination of the head. Then she was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> suddenly seized with a panic. He
+would speak to her directly. What could she answer? And what would it
+lead to? Up till now it had all been so nice and interesting, and now
+it would all be spoilt. If he spoke to her like he would to a cocotte,
+she would be offended. She was a general's wife and a respectable
+woman. She didn't like being spoken to by people she didn't know. And
+Mimotchka shut up her book, got up, and walked out of the summer-house
+with her light, graceful walk. And he looked after her and whistled
+"Azra." Nothing more happened. But Mimotchka felt so light-hearted, so
+very light-hearted. And although she would very much have liked to go
+back to him, she went home without once looking round.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">All three ladies met at dinner in the best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> of spirits. They dined
+amicably and gaily, laughing at the unappetising dishes (at the
+everlasting mutton they were so tired of), and praising and doing
+honour to mamma's successful cookery; for she had not only prepared
+cutlets and beefsteaks but had artfully managed even pastry, jelly, and
+<i>compote</i> besides.</p>
+
+<p>Katia picked the caterpillars and insects off Vava; Mimotchka examined
+her face in the looking-glass, wiping off the specks of dust, while
+mamma informed them of the results of her observations of her
+neighbours. These surrounding love affairs revolted mamma, but still
+they excited and interested her. In spite of the heroines being only
+bakers' or farmers' wives, mamma almost twisted her neck in following
+out their progress.... Katia, while modestly serving the dinner,
+completed mamma's stories with information<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> she had gathered from
+private sources of her own.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, it's all clear to me," said mamma, catching her breath in her
+excitement, and speaking of a doctor's wife in their street. "Le mari
+sait tout ... c'est clair comme le jour.... What things one does see
+and hear!" ...</p>
+
+<p>After dinner Mimotchka and Vava went off again, while mamma, without
+hurrying, dressed herself in Petersburg fashion, wiped the perspiration
+off her face, powdered it lightly, and having thus smartened herself
+up, went to the Kursaal, where she read the newspapers, after which
+she sat on the verandah with an old dignitary from Petersburg, who was
+suffering from a gastric and liver affection, and played picquet with
+him.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">Towards the end of July, in the latter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> days of the month, when in
+our northern climes the mountain ash berries already begin to get
+red and fill with juice, while at Jeleznovodsk piles of apricots and
+peaches make their appearance on the swarthy fruit-sellers' trays, one
+beautiful morning two unknown ladies came up to Mimotchka and asked
+her, on behalf of the other residents in the town of Jeleznovodsk, to
+take part in a charitable <i>fête,</i> got up for the benefit of a home for
+poor children. Mimotchka gave her consent. She had often held stalls at
+charitable bazaars in Petersburg, and it was even one of her favourite
+distractions.</p>
+
+<p>And on the appointed day Mimotchka, in a most exquisite peach-blossom
+coloured dress, stood behind a table, decorated with green garlands
+and flags, and sold tea. In a line with her Baroness Benkenstein in
+blue and Mdme. Tchereshneff<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> in red, and two other ladies belonging to
+the "cream" of Jeleznovodsk society, one in white and the other in a
+crushed strawberry dress, sold pastry, fruit, and sweets.</p>
+
+<p>At the other end of the square were tables at which the actresses, with
+the fat Mdlle. Borissow at their head, sold tickets for raffles.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma and the officer from Spiridon Ivanovitch's division helped
+Mimotchka pour out and sell tea; Doctor Variashski helped Mdme.
+Tchereshneff, and <i>l'homme au chien</i> was the baroness's <i>aide.</i>
+Mimotchka saw that now she could not well avoid making acquaintance
+with him, but this time the prospect did not alarm her. The baroness
+and she had already spoken to each other at the baths, so that when
+they met here they at once bowed to each other.... Mimotchka liked
+the baroness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> She was a little bit eccentric, but very nice. Besides
+which, <i>elle était bien née et bien apparentée,</i> which mamma thought a
+great deal of. The baroness had come to Jeleznovodsk with her husband,
+who had spent five days there and gone on further, leaving his wife to
+make a cure. And she drank the waters, gathering around her a circle
+of lively young people, in which <i>l'homme au chien</i> did not play the
+smallest <i>rôle.</i> At the <i>fête</i> mamma was a great deal more talkative
+and sociable than Mimotchka; he and the baroness made acquaintance, and
+followed it up by mutual invitations, and in the meanwhile he, <i>l'homme
+au chien,</i> was introduced to Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<p>How pretty and graceful Mimi was that evening, how she smiled,
+counting over the money and giving change! Somehow it happened, quite
+by itself, that <i>he</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> became her helper, and the officer went over
+to the baroness. It Was so easy, so simple to talk to him, not like
+Variashski, who always seemed to be laughing at everything. By way
+of a beginning Mimotchka asked him, "Are you in the Caucasus for the
+first time?" She always said that to everyone. Oh no, it was already
+the fourth summer that he had come here, as if it were merely going
+out of town. Four years ago he had come here ill, sad, and weary, with
+a heavy burden on his soul, and here he had found calm and healing.
+... Since then ... And their conversation flowed on easily and freely.
+Mimotchka was of a silent nature, and difficult to get on with, but
+he could talk for two, and both question and answer. And she only
+glistened, smiled, shook her head, and following his talk, raised her
+Madonna-like eyes to his with such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> speaking look in them that he
+became still more animated and more eloquent. And meanwhile mamma,
+looking at him sideways through her eyeglass, found out all about him.
+Had the baroness known him before? Of course she had! She had known him
+a long time, he was a great friend of her husband's. He was a barrister
+from Kieff, and a rich man, that is to say, he was married to the
+daughter of a rich Kieff manufacturer and landowner. His wife was a
+charming person, but rather unsociable and serious. She went out very
+little because she was so occupied with her children, but they were
+received in the best society. Now his wife was with the children on
+their estates, but he came here every summer to take the waters. He was
+in every way a most correct person.... And mamma, hearing all this, and
+nodding her head, invited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> Valerian Nicolaevitch, <i>l'homme an chien,</i>
+to come and see them.</p>
+
+<p>The bazaar was over. The receipts were splendid, and the ladies of the
+<i>beau-monde</i> had realised fifteen roubles more than the ladies of the
+<i>demi-monde.</i> Mdme. Tchereshneff was particularly proud of this. The
+baroness was tired, and said she felt half dead.... Mimotchka was in
+the highest spirits. How much better and stronger she had got!</p>
+
+<p>She even went afterwards with mamma and Valerian Nicolaevitch to the
+dance in the evening at Tchichvadze's Hotel. Of course she didn't dance
+herself, but she sat and looked on at the others dancing. Valerian
+Nicolaevitch sat by her and indulged in a great many witticisms at the
+expense of the dancers. And by general desire Prince Djoumardjidze,
+Princess Ardjivanidze, and Prince Kakoushadze<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> danced the Lesginka.<a name="FNanchor_17_28" id="FNanchor_17_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_28" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>
+Outside on the balcony, a Caucasian lieutenant, who had drunk too much
+Kachetinsk, got very excited, drew out his dagger, and threatened to
+cut the hotel-keeper's throat because he had given him a tough fowl
+for dinner. All the rooms at Tchichvadze's were pervaded by an odour
+of burnt fat and the fumes of cooking. Doctor Babanine, in a Tcherkesk
+costume with a <i>nagaiki</i><a name="FNanchor_18_29" id="FNanchor_18_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_29" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> in his hand, circulated among his
+patients, making up a party for an evening ride to Mount Beshtau. The
+musicians in their high fur caps and beautiful white costumes piped the
+Lesginka with all their might, and to its irritating strains Princess
+Ardjivanidze fluttered about amidst the vapour of kitchen fumes.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_17_28" id="Footnote_17_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_28"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> The Caucasian national dance.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_18_29" id="Footnote_18_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_29"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> A Tcherkesk riding-whip.</p></div>
+
+<p>Mamma got so excited that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> decided on having a regular
+jollification. In accordance with her desire Valerian Nicolaevitch
+ordered Kachetinsk and champagne to be served to the ladies with
+<i>shashlik</i> and <i>tchihirtma.</i><a name="FNanchor_19_30" id="FNanchor_19_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_30" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> They sat down to supper.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_19_30" id="Footnote_19_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_30"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Fowl prepared in Caucasian fashion with lemon and rice.</p></div>
+
+<p>"The Caucasus is before me," ... declaimed Valerian Nicolaevitch,
+pouring out Mimotchka a glass of Kachetinsk, and she caught up a little
+bit of burnt mutton on the end of her fork and said, smilingly:</p>
+
+<p>"Mais c'est excellent, le <i>shashlik!</i>"</p>
+
+<p>Valerian Nicolaevitch saw the ladies home. It was a beautiful evening.
+A full moon had risen in the heavens, flooding the white houses and
+slumbering gardens with her tender light.... On bidding good-bye mamma
+renewed her invitation to him to call on them.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka still smiled a long while after she had got home. Mamma had
+an unpleasant remembrance of the <i>shashlik</i> she had eaten, and looked
+about for her little bottle of nux vomica. And Mimotchka began curling
+her fringe, and while she curled it, went on thinking of him, and
+recalling his face and his glances. How all the women, and his wife
+among them, must admire him! What kind of a wife has he?.... Why isn't
+she with him? Perhaps she is a horrid, ugly thing.... Or, she may be
+lovely.... What had he said to her? How beautifully, how intelligently,
+how easily he talks!... She doesn't know anyone who talks so well. And
+how perfectly at ease she feels with him! What a nice man he is! And
+how well everything has turned out. They had made acquaintance in such
+a proper sort of way.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She had not sought his acquaintance, she had not lost her womanly
+dignity.... Everything had happened by itself. It was a pity they had
+exchanged glances on the journey. It would have been better if it
+hadn't happened. But still these are only trifles, and he has evidently
+forgotten all about it.... Oh, he is so very correct! He would never
+forget what was due to himself and to her, and of course she would
+never allow him to.</p>
+
+<p>How nice it was that they had made acquaintance! Perhaps they would
+form a true, pure friendship. He was just the sort of friend she
+wanted!... She likes him.... And then he is so intelligent. He is
+exactly what she requires.... She has no friend or companion suitable
+to her age, clever, interesting in conversation, and also perfectly
+honourable and correct.... And isn't he honourable and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> correct? A few
+more such people and she would have a sympathetic little circle of
+her own, in which it would be so pleasant and delightful to rest her
+soul from the bitterness and oppression that her ill-assorted marriage
+had left in her heart. Ill-assorted? Of course it was ill-assorted.
+And naturally such a circle would only consist of honourable and
+correct people. She does not require any wild gaiety. She does not
+want to be as giddy as Nettie. Heaven preserve her from becoming such
+a <i>tapageuse!</i> She would never tread a perilous path. She does not
+Want anything wrong. She only wishes to have friends, honourable, nice
+people, whom she could meet and converse with about the things that
+interest her. She has already found one such friend. He is married and
+she is married. They are neither of them free, so that nothing can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>
+interfere with their friendly intercourse. How nice it is that they
+have made acquaintance!</p>
+
+<p>"What is he doing now?" thought Mimotchka, twisting up the twelfth and
+last curl-paper before her looking-glass. "Is he thinking of me? What
+does he think of me?" ...</p>
+
+<p>And after undressing and blowing out the candle Mimotchka laid her
+pretty head, crowned with its row of curl-papers, on the pillow.... But
+somehow the thoughts and curl-papers got entangled with each other and
+prevented her sleeping.... What is he thinking of? what is he doing?...</p>
+
+<p>And Valerian Nicolaevitch, having returned to his hotel, sat by Prince
+Kakoushadze, whose acquaintance he had made only the day before, and
+pouring himself out some Kachetinsk, said:</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, now at last I have made acquaintance with my general's wife. She
+does not particularly shine by her intelligence, but in her eyes there
+is a boundless sea. And her hand, her foot!..."</p>
+
+<p>And Valerian Nicolaevitch blew an airy kiss in Mimotchka's direction.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">The next day they went on horseback to Karass. The riding party
+consisted of ten persons, but Mimotchka and he rode together, and there
+were moments when they were left quite alone. He talked even more than
+the day before. Where did he get it all from? And how lightly he passed
+from one subject to another. Mimotchka asked him if he had had his dog
+long. And straight after answering her question he passed on to love.
+And it flowed on and on....</p>
+
+<p>He said that life without love was wearisome,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> was like a desert
+without water, that a woman lives by love alone, that without it she
+struggles like a fish thrown on the dry sand, that woman's nature is
+demoralised and distorted by the absurd education given her, that women
+of their own free will lay on themselves chains and fetters, under the
+weight of which they afterwards almost sink. And if anyone were now
+to tell them that the end of the world, the end of life, would come
+to-morrow, and that the whole edifice of prejudices and conventional
+ideas would be broken down, they would throw aside their mask, lay bare
+their real feelings and desires, and speak in a real living tongue.
+... The pent-up waters would burst through the dikes.... And he quoted
+now a verse from Heine, and then a verse from Byron, ... here a Latin
+citation, there a couplet from an operetta.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Love moves the world. Love is the flower of life, its perfume, its
+fragrance. Love is the crown, the cupola on the edifice of human
+happiness.... How beautifully Musset has said ... And Schiller, in
+speaking of ... And Baudelaire, and Setchenoff, and Fett, and King
+Solomon, and Dranmore, and Kousma Proutkoff.<a name="FNanchor_20_31" id="FNanchor_20_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_31" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> ... Let the reader
+select what he likes from this poetical chaos!</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka's horse shook its ears, and Mimotchka herself put back her
+hair, which had blown forward from under her hat, and looked as lovely
+as the Caucasian sun itself.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_20_31" id="Footnote_20_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_31"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Fett, a Russian poet; Kousma Proutkoff, a Russian
+philosophical writer in the style of La Rochefoucauld; Setchenoff, a
+Russian author.</p></div>
+
+<p>They rode on side by side through a little path in the wood. The green
+boughs were close over their heads, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> he held them up with his hand
+while she bent her head down low. In front of them they could hear the
+sound of the horses' hoofs and the laughter and talk of the baroness
+and her companions.</p>
+
+<p>An unexpected storm overtook them in the wood. Mimotchka was generally
+afraid of storms, but with him she did not feel afraid, only excited
+and gay. The rain poured down and the whole cavalcade galloped on
+furiously. He had his <i>bourka</i><a name="FNanchor_19_32" id="FNanchor_19_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_32" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> with him, which he threw over
+Mimotchka's shoulders. When they arrived at Karass they all took refuge
+in a barn to shelter themselves from the rain. The storm went on. The
+lightning flashed among the mountains, and the thunder pealed over the
+heads of the drenched riding party. They were all in high spirits, and
+animated by the rapidity of their ride:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> the baroness in particular was
+quite in ecstasies, and considered her picnic party a great success.
+The servants set tables and benches in the barn, prepared the <i>samovar</i>
+and unpacked the provisions and wine.... They all sat down to tea.
+Presently Doctor Babanine's party, also all wet through, galloped up to
+the barn. The baroness invited them to join her tea-party. The company
+united, and they all became still livelier. And Mimotchka threw off the
+cloak and drank some cognac that Valerian Nicolaevitch poured out for
+her. He brought her her tea, and waited on her and entertained her, and
+she was so amused and happy that she even left off lamenting that her
+hair had got out of curl.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_19_32" id="Footnote_19_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_32"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Caucasian cloak, made of hairy cloth.</p></div>
+
+<p>When the storm was over and the moon rose up in the sky, the party
+distributed themselves in three boats and went for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> row on the lake.
+Somebody sang and the baroness rowed. Doctor Babanine, in his Tcherkesk
+costume and with a <i>nagaika</i> in his hand, swam across the lake on
+horseback. And they returned home very, very late. Mimotchka was tired,
+but she did not regret having gone. And how delicious the air was after
+the storm! What a night! What a moon!</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">And then began a series of bright, cloudless days. In the morning,
+when she got up, Mimotchka already knew that she would meet him almost
+immediately. And, in fact, they met at the morning music. And once
+they were together&mdash;it was all right, that was the chief thing, all
+the rest was of secondary importance. They had established a pleasant,
+friendly intercourse together, in which there was nothing, nothing
+whatever to find fault with.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> They met, walked together, talked, and
+made fun of the baroness and her friends. He related to her episodes
+of the baroness's past life, then he told her what he had done since
+he had last seen her, whom he had met and what he had thought about,
+and then they talked over how they would spend the evening: whether
+they would ride or go to the concert. If there was nothing to talk
+about, he talked about love, declaimed Fett, Musset, or Byron, but
+never permitted himself to speak personally, and of course she would
+never have allowed him to do so. Mimotchka knew which of her dresses,
+and which way of doing her hair he liked best, and she did her best to
+please him. She caressed Rex, and Valerian Nicolaevitch, on his part,
+showed himself well disposed and gracious to the pug. He gave Mimotchka
+some valuable advice on the subject of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> dress. He had a delicate and
+elegant taste, and knew a great deal about laces and the blending of
+colours. In general he was able to teach Mimotchka a great, very great
+deal.</p>
+
+<p>They were both fond of music, and did not miss a single concert. And
+when Mimotchka, sitting by his side, listened to the songs, it seemed
+to her that it was not at all the same music she had heard during the
+winter sitting by the side of Spiridon Ivanovitch in the Salle de
+la Noblesse in Petersburg. Either the singer here sang a great deal
+better than Figner,<a name="FNanchor_21_33" id="FNanchor_21_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_33" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> or else she had got so much better and stronger
+that everything appeared to her in another light; but anyhow it was
+quite, quite different music. Mamma rarely appeared at the concerts:
+the expense, for one thing, deterred her (for mamma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> was stingy to
+herself), and besides, somebody must stay with Vava, who liked to go
+to bed early and couldn't bear the <i>kursaal.</i> So Mimotchka went to the
+concerts alone with Valerian Nicolaevitch. After spending the evening
+in the rooms, they walked home together. He gave her his arm and in a
+low voice sang over some of the melodies they had just heard. And she
+raised her Madonna-like eyes to the stars and then turned them back to
+him, and their eyes met and said something that their lips did not dare
+say, because he would never, never have allowed himself to, and she
+would never have permitted it.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_21_33" id="Footnote_21_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_33"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> A famous Russian tenor.</p></div>
+
+<p>They were happy. And everything that surrounded Mimotchka, everything
+that she saw and heard, the dark mountains and the green woods, and the
+glimmering of the stars and the moonlight, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> noise of the horses'
+hoofs, the rustling of the branches, the talking of the crowd, the
+songs that the singers sang, the chirping of the crickets&mdash;all this was
+the scenery and orchestra to that new, sweet song that the voice of
+nature itself was singing to her.</p>
+
+<p>She never thought of analysing her own feelings, she would not have
+known how to. There was nothing to alarm herself about. Nothing had
+happened. It was simply that acquaintance and intercourse with such a
+clever, charming man gave her pleasure. Now there was someone with whom
+she never, never felt dull! And Mimotchka said to Vava:</p>
+
+<p>"I have never yet met such a clever, highly educated man. How well he
+speaks French, English, and German! What intelligence, what a memory!
+You can talk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> with him the whole day and hardly notice how the time
+passes."</p>
+
+<p>Vava didn't like him; but then what did a stupid girl like her
+understand? And besides, mamma both liked and admired Valerian
+Nicolaevitch, and often said to Mimotchka:</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't Valerian Nicolaevitch coming to see us to-day? Ask him to come
+and have a cup of tea."</p>
+
+<p>And Valerian Nicolaevitch came and drank his tea and patiently listened
+to mamma's stories, and was so chivalrously respectful to Mimotchka
+that mamma could hardly refrain from embracing him. Mamma thought
+him very handsome; she considered him even handsomer than the hussar
+Anutin, who had made such a sensation at the Mineral Waters.</p>
+
+<p>And the maid Katia, buttoning the boots on Mimotchka's little feet,
+said, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> she dexterously used her buttonhook, "What a nice gentleman
+he is! how I do like him! The chambermaid, Dasha, who knows his man,
+says, too, that he is such a nice gentleman. They have their own house
+in Kieff. And they say he is such a good master." ...</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes," thought Mimotchka, "and then the chief thing is, he is so
+clever!"</p>
+
+<p>At night, when she went to bed, she tried to remember what he had
+said to her. It was difficult, because he talked so much. But what
+she remembered perfectly Well were his glances. How he had looked at
+her when they had turned back to Griasnoushka, and then, when he sang
+"Azra," and she asked him for the words of it. Oh, what eyes he has,
+what eyes! It's a good thing that he has so much respect for her,
+because, if he had not, she would be afraid for herself. Now,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> of
+course, she is quite easy. She already knows him quite well enough to
+feel assured that he would never allow himself ... She is a respectable
+woman, she isn't like Nettie. She likes him as a friend.... If she
+were free, perhaps she might like him in another way. Of course, if
+she had known him, she would never have chosen anyone else.... But
+she is not free, and only likes him as a friend. It's so nice, such a
+friendship!...</p>
+
+<p>And in the darkness Mimotchka opened her eyes and imagined how it would
+be in the future. He liked her. By degrees he would let himself be
+carried away by his feelings, and he would love her, love her so much
+that he would follow her to Petersburg. And he would suffer from her
+cruelty, poor, dear fellow I would endure everything, and at last would
+explain himself. And she herself would suffer too,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> but she would say
+to him: "And I love you too, have loved you a long while, but duty and
+my obligations to others ... We must part." And so they would part,
+poor things! How they would suffer! But still it was impossible to do
+otherwise ... And Mimotchka sighed and turned over her pillow and put
+the displaced sheet straight again. In the room, in spite of the door
+being open on to the balcony, it was close and hot. And next door the
+indefatigable widow was singing:</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+"And the night, and love, and the moon."<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>And the officer, who had taken the initiative, coughed and yawned
+loudly.</p>
+
+<p>"They won't let you get to sleep, they're intolerable! I'll shut that
+door directly," said mamma, getting up, and, lowering her voice to a
+whisper, so as not to wake the sleeping Vava, she added, "Just imagine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>
+what I saw to-day; they kissed before me. So, <i>pour tout de bon.</i> ...
+I went out on the balcony to shake a petticoat, and they were sitting
+there kissing.... Schopenhauer lay on the table and they were kissing.
+How disgusting!"</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">One day followed another without bringing any great changes.
+Mimotchka's cure was drawing to a close, and mamma had already put
+a mark in her almanac against the day fixed for their removal to
+Kislovodsk.</p>
+
+<p>Vava went on with her cure, walked, read, and talked, and argued till
+she was hoarse with her new friends about the immortality of the soul,
+about the woman's question, and about the thoughts and looks of Leo
+Tolstoi.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka was without a care, and flirted gaily with Valerian
+Nicolaevitch.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> Her maid Katia flirted no less gaily with David
+Georgevitch, and mamma played at picquet with the bilious dignitary
+from Petersburg, or craned her neck watching other people's love
+affairs. And both Vava and Mimotchka improved in health and looks every
+day, so that mamma, joyfully noticing this, said to her partner:</p>
+
+<p>"How fond people are of praising up everything foreign and running down
+their own country. What things they told us about the Caucasus I And
+yet how my young people have improved here! If you had only seen my
+daughter in the spring.... She looked like a ghost! We were afraid she
+would go into a consumption. Do you know, our waters are better than
+those abroad."</p>
+
+<p>The old gentleman did not even smile, but, dealing the cards with his
+bony fingers, he contradicted mamma. He could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span> take upon himself to
+give any opinion about ladies' illnesses&mdash;it was beyond the sphere of
+his competence.... Perhaps the ladies had improved in health, perhaps
+... But in regard to his fellow-men he would venture to say that here
+it was only the healthy that improved. The doctors improved; yes, those
+robbers certainly improved their circumstances.... A set of clowns who
+couldn't distinguish one illness from another (the old gentleman had
+already changed doctors four times, and acknowledged to mamma that
+he couldn't digest a fifth). They went about courting and flirting
+and riding on horseback like madmen, while the invalids had to put up
+with every discomfort. What was the Government about? They took bribes
+and commissions under the inspector's very nose. It was all robbery,
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>pillage, and disorder.... Wait a bit!... If the fifth doctor did not
+kill him, he would write an article about them under the title of "Our
+watering-places and our doctors." And they would recognise themselves,
+they would recognise themselves.... Wait a bit!...</p>
+
+<p>Mamma smiled good-humouredly and indulgently as she sorted her cards.
+What was the use of arguing with a man who was a martyr to his liver
+and stomach! How could he digest his doctor when he couldn't digest
+his dinner?... And with her sweetest smile, and in a voice that mamma
+knew how to make softer than almond oil, she said to him: "But do you
+know what I would advise you to try?&mdash;a simple, but well-known remedy.
+My son-in-law suffered for years from the most obstinate catarrh; and
+he made a cure and took the waters. But do you know what did him good?
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>I'll tell you. Just a pinch on the end of a knife." ... And so on.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">It was a hot, very hot day. Mimotchka, on coming from the baths, went
+up on the mountain and sat down on a bench where she generally rested
+after her bath. She wore a light cambric dress, and yet could hardly
+breathe. The heat acted unpleasantly on her nerves; besides which, she
+had something on her mind. The day before they had had a quarrel, and
+now she felt ashamed and vexed with herself. He had been angry with
+her yesterday, and had said that he would not go on to Kislovodsk, but
+would go straight from Jeleznovodsk to the baroness's country place,
+where he had been invited to stay. He was angry because Mimotchka would
+not go out riding with him alone, and had said that it would look
+"awkward!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> Oh, what a fool she was, what a fool! Now she would gladly
+give half her life to get back that word. How coarse and stupid it was!
+She had showed that she was afraid. And what was there to be afraid of?
+Hadn't she gone out riding alone with Variashski, and with the officer
+of Spiridon Ivanovitch's division? didn't the baroness ride alone with
+<i>him,</i> with Valerian Nicolaevitch? And what of it? Was anyone shocked
+by it? Not in the least. Awkward, awkward!... Oh, what a fool she was!
+And what must he think of her now? Good heavens, what could she do to
+please him? Now they would part coldly and inimically, and if he ever
+after thought of her, it would be as a fool and an idiot. But no, it
+was impossible, surely they would not part so?</p>
+
+<p>Here he comes. He came up to her with a solemn, dignified expression
+of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> countenance, and saluted her coldly. Then he talked of the weather,
+and, having asked her permission to sit down beside her, seated himself
+at the further end of the bench. Oh, what a chill seemed to come from
+his elegant person! The top of Mount Elbrouz itself couldn't be colder.
+And Mimotchka's hands and feet grew cold from the proximity of this
+Elbrouz, and she felt ready to cry.</p>
+
+<p>And yet the sun was hot, and the air burning and close. Nature seemed
+exhausted with the heat. The cracked, parched earth prayed to the
+heavens for rain; the splendidly grown trees stood morosely and lazily;
+not a leaf stirred; on every rock from below and above the grasshoppers
+chirped loudly.</p>
+
+<p>The conversation flagged. Mimotchka was dreadfully ashamed. She felt
+that she had lost her dignity as a general's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> wife, and tormented
+herself trying to think what she could say.</p>
+
+<p>Valerian Nicolaevitch silently enjoyed her agitation and trouble. It
+was not only Mimotchka's appearance that pleased him, but her very
+silentness and slowness of comprehension. What a good listener she
+was! In Valerian Nicolaevitch's eyes this was a most precious quality,
+because he liked to be the only one to talk. How tired he was of those
+talkative women, with their pretensions to wit and intelligence,
+who had read a little, would chatter about something, interrupt
+without listening to what you were saying, cavil at your ideas and
+catch up your words.... How different Mimotchka was! What a depth of
+womanliness there was in her. She possessed what the poet calls "das
+ewig Weibliche." ... She was not clever, certainly; but this very want
+of cleverness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> was so pleasing in her. And why should she be clever?
+What would it add to that pure, limpid look in her eyes? She had both
+tact and grace. And although she was not clever, still she had a very
+charming manner, not too free and yet not too shy. She was very, very
+charming, and he had not been so taken with anyone for a long time.
+He intended that the <i>dénouement</i> should take place at Kislovodsk,
+and yesterday evening, according to his programme, a preliminary
+<i>tête-a-tête</i> ride should have taken place in order to reassure
+Mimotchka, and quiet her alarm, as he saw that, in spite of everything,
+she was still on her guard.... And then suddenly she wouldn't go.
+Just think of it! So that's the way, is it? Very well! Now she must be
+punished, and made to ask him to come to Kislovodsk.</p>
+
+<p>And so he sat there by her, gazing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> mournfully and coldly before him,
+and cutting off the tops of the grass with his stick. The conversation
+flagged ...?</p>
+
+<p>The sister of the actress, Mdlle. Lenskaia, passed close by them. A
+little old man, thawing under the influences of beauty, like a candle
+under the rays of the Caucasian sun, was giving her his arm.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka began talking about her. The Lenskis interested her
+very much, because she had long been jealous of them on Valerian
+Nicolaevitch's account, and she often asked him about them. He,
+according to the humour he was in, either lauded them to the skies or
+trampled them in the mud. This time Mdlle. Lenskaia turned up at a very
+lucky moment for herself. Valerian Nicolaevitch began extolling her.
+There was a real woman for you. She was worthy of bearing the high and
+holy name of woman.... She lived<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> herself and gave fresh life to those
+around her.... Like the sun, she shed light and warmth on all those
+who drew breath in her presence.... In her old age, when she drew near
+her end, her conscience would not reproach her in any way. She would
+have fulfilled her earthly task. She would have lived and loved....
+She is no mere dressmaker's dummy, only made for trying on Parisian
+toilettes, she is a living creature, with warm blood running in her
+veins, with nerves vibrating in her, and life brimming over within her.
+... She is not a puppet whose strings are pulled by public opinion....
+And he poured forth a flood of stern and terrible philippics against
+the women of society, those egotists, those hard-hearted, empty-headed
+coquettes.... A nice education they have given them! Their mothers
+impregnate them with their absurd morality<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> with as much zeal as they
+lay camphor in their carpets and shawls to keep away the moth. And they
+attain their object. The moth does not touch their shawls, and passion
+does not come near their well-brought-up daughters. But the atmosphere
+that surrounds them is hard to breathe in. A man feels half suffocated.
+He feels dull in their presence.... Yes, intolerably dull.... And is it
+surprising that men flee from them to such women as Lenskaia?</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka was ready to cry. He was dull with her.... He had always felt
+dull in her society.... She was only a dressmaker's dummy for trying
+on dresses.... He would leave her and go to Lenskaia. For shame, for
+shame!... And he continued thundering against the women of society,
+interlarding his speech with verses and quotations. Love moves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> the
+world. There are women unworthy of the happiness of love, unworthy of
+high and holy moments. A woman incapable of love is like the foolish
+virgin without oil.... And the Lord will say to her, "Depart, I know
+you not." ... Watch.... Yes.... And old age will come, terrible,
+merciless old age, with its grey hairs and wrinkles, and will seize
+upon the heart with its cold hand, and the heart will quail with fear
+and will thirst for life, but it will be late, too late.... And then
+came a verse from Musset, and then one from Fett.</p>
+
+<p>Valerian Nicolaevitch got more and more excited by his own eloquence.
+Lowering his voice now to a whisper, and now raising it, he never
+glanced at Mimotchka, never even turned towards her, but looked
+straight before him as if addressing the gentlemen of the jury. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>
+it seemed to Mimotchka that the grasshoppers and black trunks of the
+trees, which played the part of jury, said with one voice, "Guilty,
+guilty, and not deserving extenuating circumstances."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka knew she was guilty, but she really did not know how to set
+things right, nor what to do to stop his anger and make him come to
+Kislovodsk. She looked up at him. How handsome he Was! He took off his
+hat, and she saw his white forehead, his wavy hair, and his brilliant
+eyes.... She felt drawn towards him, and yet was afraid of vexing
+him.... What can she say? good heavens, what can she say?... And she
+hung her head lower and lower, and drew figures on the sand with her
+parasol, while he went on saying those dreadful things.</p>
+
+<p>Some ugly-looking Armenian women, in their muslin veils, went past and
+gazed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> stupidly at poor Mimotchka with their round black eyes. The
+passers-by smiled knowingly, and looked back at Mimotchka with a low
+whistle....</p>
+
+<p>And Valerian Nicolaevitch continued to thunder on like an inspired
+prophet.</p>
+
+<p>Women do not wish, and do not understand how to be intelligent. When
+the sun shines on them, when the heavens smile on them, they pull down
+the blinds.... Everything is only play, amusement, and a joke to them.
+Not one them of knows how to raise herself to the height of a serious
+feeling.... Flirts, who don't deserve that a man with a soul should
+waste his time and lose his heart for them.... Well did Heine say ...
+And what a bitter truth Byron wrote ... and Montesquieu, that great
+jurist.... Mimotchka finally gave up trying to understand altogether.
+Great men's names always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> bewildered her. Her lips trembled, she would
+have liked to cry. And why does he scream at her here so, where so many
+people are passing, and when she cannot say anything for fear she will
+burst into tears?</p>
+
+<p>Taking advantage of a momentary silence, Mimotchka got up and said:</p>
+
+<p>"I think it is time for me to go home." He bowed coldly and politely.
+"Aren't you going to see me home?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you desire it."</p>
+
+<p>And they came down the mountain. He played with his stick; Mimotchka
+looked on the ground, and Rex walked lazily after them, wagging his
+tail, and wondering they were not tired of such stupid talk.</p>
+
+<p>"When are you going to Kislovodsk?" asked Valerian Nicolaevitch.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow. And you?" and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> Mimotchka looked up at him with the
+tenderest, most beseeching look.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not going there at all."</p>
+
+<p>There was a silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you in such a hurry to get home?" began Mimotchka again.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not going home. I think I already told you that the baroness
+had asked me to come and stay at their place.... The baron is an old
+school friend of mine, and I shall be glad to see him again! And she is
+such a charming woman too...."</p>
+
+<p>And again they went on in silence. Mimotchka was struggling with
+herself, not knowing whether to ask him to come to Kislovodsk or not.
+If she asks him what reason shall she give for asking him to come, and
+how will he take it? And if she doesn't ask him he won't come. No, she
+will ask him, she will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> ask him. But still she was undecided, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would say some verses to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Some verses? Certainly." He plucked a flower from the wayside and
+began declaiming:</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+"Elle était belle, si la nuit<br />
+Qui dort dans la sombre chapelle," ...<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>and so on. When he had pronounced the last words with great effect,
+they had reached the door of the house, where mamma was waiting dinner
+for Mimotchka, but still she did not ask him to come, to Kislovodsk.
+She remarked that it was yet early, and that very likely Vava
+hadn't returned, so they might as well take another turn. Valerian
+Nicolaevitch offered her his arm, and they went on a little further,
+then they came back and passed the house on the other side of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> the way.
+After a little while Mimotchka spoke, and when they stopped at the door
+for the third time, and mamma had warmed up the soup on the kerosene
+stove for the second time, everything that was necessary had been said.
+He had promised to come to Kislovodsk for a month (that is, for the
+whole time that she would be there), and she had promised to go out
+riding with him the first evening they were there. Why did he so hold
+to it? Well, anyhow it didn't matter? They had made it up.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">Both Vava and Mimotchka had passed the time so agreeably at
+Jeleznovodsk, and liked it so much, that when they came to Kislovodsk
+they refused to admire anything, but stood out that Jeleznovodsk was
+a great deal nicer. Vava said that Jeleznovodsk was dark, green,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> and
+warm, while Kislovodsk was light, blue, and cold; and Mimotchka said
+she had a crooked looking-glass, and that her bed was a great deal
+harder than the one at Jeleznovodsk. Besides this, there were a good
+many of their Petersburg acquaintances at Kislovodsk&mdash;Princess X&mdash;-,</p>
+
+<p>with her daughter and niece, General Baraeff, a friend of Spiridon
+Ivanovitch's, and others besides.... Now they would get sick of them
+and their gossip, and good-bye to the freedom of Jeleznovodsk!</p>
+
+<p>However, Vava and Mimotchka were soon reassured on that score. The
+princess seemed hardly to move from her place at the card-table, her
+daughter had captured a little <i>aide-de-camp</i> with the object of
+leading him to the altar, her cousin was romantically and hopelessly
+in love with a very pale and very interesting gentleman, whose wife
+had run away from him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> and who was making a cure at Kislovodsk,
+while General Baraeff was incessantly after a pretty widow, with whom
+he intended to go for a trip across the Caucasus. In fact, they all
+seemed quite taken up with themselves and their own amusements. The
+young princess and her cousin met Mimotchka and Vava very amiably and
+with transports of friendliness, but it was clear that they had not
+the slightest intention of profiting by their society, and were only
+anxious not to be interfered with in their walks and excursions. And
+both Mimotchka and Vava breathed freely again. The latter's entire
+circle of friends had assembled at Kislovodsk, excepting the student,
+who had gone with the Morozoffs to the Crimea. Vava welcomed them
+joyfully, and the day after their arrival the whole party undertook the
+ascent of the Krestoff mountain, the view<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> from which so delighted Vava
+that in two or three days' time she began to like Kislovodsk better
+than Jeleznovodsk. And it really was better. Here there were silvery
+birch-trees, murmuring mountain streams, and, above all, the wonderful
+pure air, intoxicating and invigorating all who breathed it. And then,
+here there was more variety, it was more Eastern, more Caucasian.</p>
+
+<p>Mamma accepted with pleasure the princess's offer to occupy the fourth
+place at her card-table, the former player having left for the Crimea.
+Vint was one of mamma's passions, and was a great deal more interesting
+than picquet with the bilious, irritable dignitary from Petersburg.</p>
+
+<p>On the fourth day after their arrival Mimotchka put on a white dress
+and a red hat and went with Vava to the park. They both still drank
+koumiss, and went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> to the koumiss establishment to drink it. Passing
+through the colonnade they met Valerian Nicolaevitch, but a transformed
+Valerian Nicolaevitch! In a Tcherkesk costume, wearing a <i>beshmet,</i><a name="FNanchor_22_34" id="FNanchor_22_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_34" class="fnanchor">[22]</a>
+a <i>papaha,</i> and with daggers stuck in his belt. And what a splendid
+<i>djigit</i><a name="FNanchor_23_35" id="FNanchor_23_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_35" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> he made! Tall, well built, and black browed! It was a
+surprise for Mimotchka. Rex walked majestically after his master.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_22_34" id="Footnote_22_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_34"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <i>Beshmet,</i> a Tartar tunic; <i>papaha,</i> a high sheepskin
+cap.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_23_35" id="Footnote_23_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_35"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> <i>Djigit,</i> a Circassian rider who performs feats of
+horsemanship.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Isn't it odd?" said Valerian Nicolaevitch to the ladies as he greeted
+them; "I always bring this costume with me, but at the beginning of the
+season at Jeleznovodsk I haven't the courage to put it on. But here I
+already venture to wear the national dress, and all the more so because
+I am almost always on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> horseback. The environs are so lovely! Have you
+been anywhere yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nowhere. With whom should I go?"</p>
+
+<p>"How glad I am! The environs are so beautiful! And I so much wanted
+to show you my favourite places myself. Then shall we go for a ride
+to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go. Have you spoken about the horses?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I have. Our horses are here, so we shall not have to look
+about for fresh ones. Osman came on with them yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>When they had drunk their koumiss, Mimotchka and Vava carried off
+Valerian Nicolaevitch to speak to mamma, who was playing cards out
+of doors. Mamma was delighted to see him, and introduced him to the
+princess, who examined him through her eyeglass when he had moved from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>
+their table, and also thought him handsomer than the hussar Anutin.</p>
+
+<p>And Valerian Nicolaevitch and Mimotchka went on to the end of the
+principal walk, losing Vava, who met some of her friends, on the way.
+Mimotchka was radiant. It was as if there had never been any quarrel
+between them; they were again on the old, pleasant, friendly footing.
+Mimotchka herself had hardly expected she would be so glad of it.
+Yes, he was more necessary to her than anyone. Life did not seem the
+same thing to her with him as with others. And he was so bright, so
+contented, so glad. Why was he glad? Because he was with her, of
+course. Was not that the reason why she was so glad! So glad, so glad!
+Ah, how happy she was!</p>
+
+<p>After dinner Mimotchka lay down to rest a little. But she could not
+sleep,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> only lay there and rejoiced at his having come. How could she
+possibly sleep now? It rested her only to think of him. Could the
+presence, the vicinity of any other person bring such joy, such light
+into her life? Well, now he is here. And again they will be together
+amongst a crowd of strangers. That is all she wants. To be together,
+and to be young and lovely for him and through him. Because, for
+instance, the reason why she looks so well to-day is that he has come.
+The joy of it beautifies her. Oh, how she loves him! She never, never
+felt so before. And the chief thing is that there is nothing wrong in
+it. How can that be wrong which awakens the best part of her soul? She
+fears nothing, nothing.... Is it possible that she really loves him?
+Well, what if she does? She cannot hold back her heart <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>nor stop it;
+how it beats!... Of course he will never know. She will never allow him
+to, and he would never permit himself ... What does it matter if she
+loves him? The purest and most honourable Woman may be carried away
+by her feelings.... And in spite of it she may have the strength to
+remain honest.... They are going out riding, and again there will be
+a whole evening for them together, they two alone! How beautiful! How
+beautiful!</p>
+
+<p>Then she began to dress.... Never in her life had her toilet been
+so successful. Her hair seemed to arrange itself on her head, the
+buttoned-up habit bodice set like a glove, and when Mimotchka, having
+scented her handkerchief and taken her riding-whip from Katia's hands,
+threw a last glance at herself in the mirror, there looked out at her
+from it such an angelic, poetical little face, with shining eyes and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> a
+happy smile, that she almost blew a kiss to her own image. The horses
+were already brought round. He was seated on horseback, and talking to
+mamma through the window.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, Valerian Nicolaevitch, do see that she doesn't ride too fast
+and too far. Any over fatigue is so bad for her, and she has got so
+venturesome and careless lately.... After all it's not long since her
+recovery. Do look after her. I give her into your charge."</p>
+
+<p>"Be quite easy, Anna Arcadievna."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka came down the steps and sprang lightly into the saddle; she
+smiled up at mamma and rode off beside Valerian Nicolaevitch, with
+Osman following a little behind them. And mamma looked after them and
+thought to herself: "What a fine-looking couple they make! If we lived
+in Arcadia instead of Petersburg that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> would have been the sort of
+husband to have. Still, everything is for the best. A man like that
+wouldn't have married her, but would have looked out for money, and
+after marriage would only have amused himself and deceived her.... Les
+beaux maris ne sont pas les meilleurs.... And you can always find as
+many admirers as you like, but a husband like Spiridon Ivanovitch is
+not picked up every day." ...</p>
+
+<p>And mamma meditatively returned to her <i>coiffure,</i> for she was going to
+see the princess. But where has Vava gone? "Where's your young lady?"
+she asked Katia.</p>
+
+<p>"She was here a minute ago."</p>
+
+<p>"A minute ago! I ask you where she is <i>now?</i> What are you thinking of,
+pray? What do you receive wages for from Julia Arcadievna? You were
+told not to leave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> your young lady alone for a minute. Go and find her
+directly!"</p>
+
+<p>Katia listened submissively to mamma, and after she had put together
+Mimotchka's scattered petticoats and hairpins, she did her hair,
+scented herself with Mimotchka's eau de toilette, put on a little grey
+jacket and a hat with a wing at the side, and hurried off to the park,
+where, at the end of a shady walk, she met David Georgevitch, who was
+Waiting for her, and who had already presented her with a Caucasian
+brooch and two turquoise rings.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">After leaving Kislovodsk, Valerian Nicolaevitch and Mimotchka rode
+along the country road. Sometimes they went along slowly and sometimes
+galloped. (Valerian Nicolaevitch only rode at the kind of pace that
+pleased Mimotchka; <i>he</i> was not like Variashksi!) At the first pause
+he began<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> talking about horses, and told Mimotchka what kind of horses
+he had at Kieff and what kind on his estate. Afterwards, crossing the
+fords, they remembered Petchorin and Princess Mary,<a name="FNanchor_24_36" id="FNanchor_24_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_36" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> and he talked
+about Lermontoff and literature.... It was just the same to Mimotchka
+on what subject she kept silence as long as she could listen to him.
+Then he began to speak of nature. And she, did she care about nature?
+Oh yes! (Mimotchka forgot that she had previously only cared about
+nature somewhere round a bandstand.) It seemed to her then that she
+loved and always had loved nature. Didn't she like cantering over
+this green steppe, that waved about like a sea? Didn't she admire
+the delicate outline of the chain of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> mountains that bordered the
+horizon? Oh yes, she loves nature. She had not known anything about
+it before. In Petersburg and Paris you only see nature in pictures at
+exhibitions....</p>
+
+<div class="footnote">
+
+<p><a name="Footnote_24_36" id="Footnote_24_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_36"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> The hero and heroine of a novel, by Lermontoff, called a
+<i>Hero of our Times,</i> and in which the scene laid in the Caucasus.</p></div>
+
+<p>In the midst of their peaceful chat they met a carriage in which were
+seated General Baraeff and the widow. The general bowed amiably to
+Mimotchka, who nodded to him in return. Valerian Nicolaevitch began
+making fun of the general.</p>
+
+<p>"It's Baraeff, a friend of my husband's," said Mimotchka.</p>
+
+<p>When she mentioned her husband a shadow always passed over Valerian
+Nicolaevitch's face. Mimotchka was already aware of this, and was sorry
+she had mentioned him so <i>mal à propos.</i> They became silent, and pushed
+on their horses as if the recollection of poor Spiridon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> Ivanovitch
+obliged them to hasten to the object of their excursion.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are we going to-day?" asked Mimotchka, when the horses got tired
+and fell back into a walking pace.</p>
+
+<p>"We are going to-day to the 'Castle of Love and Treachery.'"</p>
+
+<p>"A castle? Is there really a castle there?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, there is no castle whatever; but there are rocks, very
+picturesquely situated rocks.... It's a lovely spot.... And there is a
+legend connected with the rocks. If it won't bore you to listen, I will
+tell you the legend."</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, I should very much like to hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well then, listen. A certain merchant had a daughter&mdash;of course she
+was young and beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>"Why 'of course'?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Because otherwise she would not be worth talking about. Well, this
+daughter loved a youth, also young and beautiful. The young people
+loved each other as it is only possible to love under such a sun
+and amidst such scenery. (Probably you won't understand this, mais
+passons.) Well, the young people loved each other, but, as is generally
+the case, fate and circumstances were against them. The father of the
+girl rejected the suit of the enamoured youth, who was poor, and found
+another bridegroom for his daughter, a rich merchant like himself. The
+young people tried to overcome his objections, but he was inexorable;
+so they decided to die. One beautiful morning they came to these
+rocks&mdash;you will see them directly-stood at the edge of the abyss, so
+as to throw themselves down and be dashed to pieces on the stones,
+and said good-bye<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> to each other&mdash;good-bye to life, to light, and to
+nature. 'Throw yourself down!' said the girl, 'and I will after you.'
+He smiled at her, threw himself into the gulf below, and was killed.
+And she ..."</p>
+
+<p>"And she?"</p>
+
+<p>"She went back home and married the rich merchant!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, what an ..."</p>
+
+<p>"Artful one, wasn't she? She married the merchant and the rocks kept
+the secret of his love and her treachery. Look&mdash;they are already
+visible, do you see? More to the left.... But we can go down there
+below." ...</p>
+
+<p>"Then you have been here before?" ...</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, more than once! But never in such charming company." ...</p>
+
+<p>"What's that? un compliment?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am not joking. Do you know,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> I love these rocks, this wild,
+picturesque spot, where every pathway, every stone awakens in me so
+many feelings and thoughts that have nothing in common with my dull,
+grey, everyday life.... And whenever I was here before, I always
+thought how beautiful it would be to come with some charming, poetical
+creature&mdash;in fact, to come as I have come to-day. And when I go home I
+shall say, 'Now let thy servant depart in peace!'" ...</p>
+
+<p>The idea passed through Mimotchka's head: "Is he going to allow himself
+to?" ... But no, he had already begun talking again about the horses.
+Then they were both silent. They had to get down below by a steep,
+narrow path. Osman rode on in front, to show the way.</p>
+
+<p>It had got dark. The moon had not yet made her appearance.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"This doesn't look much like a moonlight night. You said there would be
+a moon."</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a little, only wait. There will be a moon."</p>
+
+<p>"But we shan't see anything down there."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka began to get alarmed at the darkness.</p>
+
+<p>"Why shan't we see anything? Don't you see the rocks? How beautiful
+that pass is! And the moon will come out directly."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but while we are waiting for the moon it will get late, and when
+shall we get back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Late? What does it matter if it is late? It will be as light as day
+for us to ride back when the moon is up. You are not going anywhere
+this evening, are you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, I am not going anywhere, but mamma will be uneasy."</p>
+
+<p>"She won't be uneasy, because she knows you are with me. And why
+think of going back when it is so beautiful here? But women never do
+understand how to enjoy the present moment. I pity them! Then you don't
+care for it here? I thought you were more sensitive to the beauties of
+nature.... Look at these rocks, at that sky, at those stars.... Do you
+remember those lines of Musset&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+'J'aime! voilà le mot que la nature entière<br />
+Crie au vent qui l'emporte, à l'oiseau qui le suit!<br />
+Sombre et dernier soupir que poussera la terre<br />
+Quand elle tombera dans l'éternelle nuit;<br />
+Oh! vous le murmurez dans vos sphères sacrées,<br />
+Etoiles du matin, ce mot triste et charmant!<br />
+La plus faible de vous, quand Dieu vous a crées,<br />
+A voulu traverser les plaines éthérées,<br />
+Pour chercher le soleil, son immortel amant.<br />
+Elle s'est élancée au sein des nuits profondes.<br />
+Mais une autre l'aimait elle-meme; et les mondes<br />
+Se sont mis en voyage autour du firmament.'<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>How beautiful they are, aren't they? I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> am sorry I can't see your face.
+I should like to know if you look as you always do."</p>
+
+<p>"And how do I always look?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cold, severe.... Like a general's wife."</p>
+
+<p>"A general's wife? Naturally, I look what I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't calumniate yourself. You are a woman. You should look like a
+woman, such a woman as stood there on the top of those rocks, wavering
+between sacrifice and treachery."</p>
+
+<p>"But I don't in the least wish to resemble her."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because she behaved odiously."</p>
+
+<p>"Perfidiously, yes, but she acted like a woman, a weak, false woman.
+And that is what pleases me. I like weakness in women. I don't care
+about strong-minded women-heroines. Let those who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> will sing their
+praises, I shall never be among their admirers. Strength of mind is
+as little suited to a woman as physical strength. A woman should be
+all weakness, all love, all tenderness. Let her weakness make her
+false. What does it matter as long as she is charming!... But you,
+how would you have acted in her place? Imagine that you are in love
+with someone&mdash;well, say, for instance, with me. I hope that such a
+supposition made in joke won't offend you. Imagine, then, that you are
+in love with me, here, now, as you are, in your present position."</p>
+
+<p>"In my present position?... I think that if I were in love with you, I
+should endeavour that you should never find it out."</p>
+
+<p>"And why so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I am married, I am not free."</p>
+
+<p>"La belle raison!"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Comment, ce n'est pas une raison?... What would you say if your wife.."</p>
+
+<p>At the mention of Spiridon Ivanovitch, Valerian Nicolaevitch had
+frowned; at the mention of his wife a bored, weary expression
+overspread his countenance. Mimotchka knew the expression well, and
+she always rejoiced at it. Although she had heard from the baroness
+that his wife was a charming woman, still it was more agreeable to
+her to think that she was dull, unsuited to him, and as little wanted
+as Spiridon Ivanovitch himself. If he were happy with her, he would
+not come away from her, and would not have such a pale, weary looking
+face and sunken cheeks, would he?... No; he was probably unhappy and
+suffering, and only did not complain because he was too proud. Poor
+dear!...</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile they had got down to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> pass, and Valerian Nicolaevitch
+proposed to Mimotchka to dismount and walk to a place from where he
+considered the view of the rocks to be even finer. Osman led away
+the horses, and they made their way over the stones by the side of a
+murmuring mountain stream. A high, perpendicular rock rose behind them
+like a menacing wall. It seemed to Mimotchka as if she were descending
+into the bowels of the earth, or as if she were at the bottom of a
+deep well. The steppe across which they had galloped was so high above
+her head, and the sky, on which the long-expected moon had at last
+appeared, illuminating the rocks and their picturesque verdure, seemed
+so far off.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, how do you like it?" ...</p>
+
+<p>"C'est féerique," murmured Mimotchka "c'est féerique!" And what
+stillness, what utter stillness! No; decidedly she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> is somewhere not
+on the earth. And for an instant, for the last time, the disquieting
+thought came into Mimotchka's head. Had she done right to come here?
+He had asked her to come, but perhaps he would have had a better
+opinion of her if she had not come. But, no; what nonsense! What harm
+is there? Everybody comes here to admire nature, and she has also come
+to admire nature. It's no use to come to the Caucasus and not visit its
+picturesque parts. Otherwise afterwards, when she looks at photographs,
+she will find that she has not seen anything. Why doesn't Vava ride on
+horseback? She might have come with them. And what harm is there in
+her having come here alone with him? If she were to have gone with him
+to some restaurant now, that would have been dreadful! (But of course
+she would never have gone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> with him.) And they have only come here to
+admire nature. Yes, and besides, after all, they have the Tartar groom
+with them. Somewhere in the distance she can hear a horse neighing;
+those are their horses and Osman.</p>
+
+<p>And, having quieted her conscience by such reflections, Mimotchka
+repeated, "C'est féerique!" ... And she sincerely admired the
+picturesque rocks, and Valerian Nicolaevitch sincerely admired her.</p>
+
+<p>"You are not tired?" asked he, spreading out his cloak upon the ground.
+"Sit down; I am sorry that I have already told you the legend about the
+poor youth who was killed here. I ought to have told you it now, here,
+in view of the rocks.... Well, I must tell you something else."</p>
+
+<p>Decidedly Mimotchka was no longer on earth. It was impossible that that
+could be the same moon that shone on Spiridon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> Ivanovitch and baby.
+That was somewhere far away, but this was quite a different moon so
+benignly protecting them. And what a soft, languorous, magic light she
+sheds over that little corner where they are alone together and so far
+from the crowds of people, from the noise and the world....</p>
+
+<p>How quiet it is, how quiet!... What moments of full, perfect, unalloyed
+happiness! If one could only fall asleep here, die, and never awake
+again, never come back to life. And he was with her, near her, and
+gazing at her as her humble, faithful slave, as her devoted friend.</p>
+
+<p>And for the first time in her life Mimotchka no longer thought if she
+was looking pretty or not, nor how she was dressed, nor what her aunts
+would say of her. She felt somehow strange, as if she were neither
+asleep nor awake. She had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> never experienced anything like it before.
+And her breathing was oppressed. For some moments she was afraid she
+was going to faint.</p>
+
+<p>A stone fell and they both started. He drew still nearer to her. Were
+you frightened? Is that really him? Yes; those are his eyes shining.
+How pale he is! And how pale the moon is! What is it all&mdash;a dream
+or a reality? And Mimotchka, wishing to break through this fearful,
+oppressive silence and to get the better of the numbness overpowering
+her, repeated again, "C'est féerique, c'est féerique!"</p>
+
+<p>And really there was something fairy-like, something extraordinary
+about the evening. And the most extraordinary thing of all was
+that Valerian Nicolaevitch took Mimotchka into his arms and kissed
+her&mdash;kissed her eyes, her lips, and her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> hair. How did it happen? How
+could he allow himself to, and how could she permit it?... Oh, "Castle
+of Love and Treachery!" Then he told her, in a caressing whisper,
+that it must have happened. Well, of course, once it had happened,
+probably it must have happened. But anyhow they must go home now quick,
+quick!... And when he put her into the saddle, he said to her, "My
+darling! My beautiful darling!" ... And she, helplessly putting her
+hair straight, said, "Il fait tard, il fait tard!" But she looked more
+radiantly beautiful than Spiridon Ivanovitch had ever seen her look,
+in spite of the fact of his commanding a division and having a whole
+division under his supervision.</p>
+
+<p>They must ride back fast, very fast; but Mimotchka had somehow lost her
+riding-whip on the mountain. Osman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> and Valerian Nicolaevitch ran back
+to find it. They found the whip, and all three set off furiously across
+the steppe, now flooded by the moonlight.</p>
+
+<p>The lights of Kislovodsk were shining when they rode up the long alley
+of poplars. From the chief hotel came the sounds of a waltz. Mamma was
+looking out for her daughter, sitting at the open window and getting
+uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>"Here you are at last!" said she. "I was getting afraid that something
+had happened to you, that you had been attacked.... Well, what? Are
+you tired?" ...</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; we hurried back so."</p>
+
+<p>"Come in, Valerian Nicolaevitch, come in and have some tea."</p>
+
+<p>Valerian Nicolaevitch thanked her, but refused. He had promised to go
+to a party somewhere. And when he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> helped Mimotchka down from the
+saddle, he came to the gate with her, and whispered to her, "À demain!"
+and, with a look and a pressure of the hand, thanked her for going with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>When she came in, Mimotchka refused tea and all refreshment, but went
+straight into her own room and hurriedly began undressing. She did
+not want to see anyone; and having put out the candle, she laid her
+radiant face on the pillow. How had it happened? She had no feeling
+either of repentance or of shame. She only felt happy and peaceful.
+This&mdash;fall, this&mdash;terrible step; it was a stain that could not be
+effaced; it was&mdash;a sin, she thought to herself; but how easy it had
+been to commit it! Maintenant c'est fini, elle est une femme perdue!
+And her husband?... But she mustn't think about it&mdash;no, she must not;
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>better think about <i>him:</i> Val! Val!... And Mimotchka went off to
+sleep soundly and tranquilly, as only happy people with a pure and easy
+conscience sleep.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning they met under the verandah of the Kursaal. There was
+only a month left before they returned to Petersburg, and how much
+there was to talk over, how much for them to say to each other. They
+had to tell each other how they had fallen in love at sight, at their
+very first meeting, even then, at Rostoff.... Un coup de foudre!...
+How afterwards they had remembered each other, looked out for each
+other, and been jealous of each other, until they met again and became
+acquainted.... And how everything had happened as it must have done.
+They had to tell each other that they had always waited for each other,
+that they had foreseen this, and now were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> bound to each other for all
+eternity. Oui, c'est pour la vie, c'est pour la vie!... And principally
+they had to arrange about the time and place of their meetings.</p>
+
+<p>He lived alone, and by taking proper precautions Mimotchka might come
+to his rooms. This would be the most convenient way. He would not have
+proposed it to her if there had been any risk, for Mimotchka's honour
+and good name were above all things dear to him. And Mimotchka, having
+reconnoitred and assured herself that "Maman ne se doute de rien," and
+that she and Princess X&mdash;&mdash; and all their circle were completely taken
+with the hussar Anutin and his intended bride, was tranquillised, and,
+taking all due precautions, came to his rooms.</p>
+
+<p>How she enjoyed being there! Everything that surrounded him and that
+he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> used bore the stamp of his exquisite taste. Mimotchka turned over
+his letter-case, his albums, and looked at the portraits of his wife
+and children.... His wife was a great deal too handsome, and excited
+her jealousy, but Valerian Nicolaevitch pacified her: "Handsome?...
+Yes; she is handsome, but that is not sufficient. Une femme doit
+plaire. That is the chief thing." His wife was not suited to him. A
+cold, lifeless beauty; a soulless creature, a blue-stocking, a second
+Lady Byron.... She was a mother, only a mother, not a woman to love.
+She lived for the children, and expected him to do the same. It was
+absurd. The children would live and enjoy life themselves some day. And
+meanwhile he wishes to enjoy his life. Another life will not be granted
+to him. He must live, live....</p>
+
+<p>And he kissed Mimotchka, kissed her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> eyes, and said, "Let me drink of
+this sea!"</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka was not aware before that there was a sea in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Having got over her jealousy, Mimotchka hid the photograph of his wife
+further on in the book, so that it should not meet her eyes, and went
+on turning over his things.</p>
+
+<p>Valerian Nicolaevitch had forty neckties and forty pairs of socks,
+and for each necktie there were socks to match. And what a lot of
+<i>breloques,</i> pins, and rings besides, which he varied, also selecting
+them to match the neckties. In general, he was rather a dandy, but
+Mimotchka liked it. She looked over and arranged the forty neckties in
+a rosewood box, separating one necktie from the other with a sachet
+of his favourite perfume, "Cherry-blossom." And she told him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> which
+neckties she liked, and which she didn't like, and which he was to
+wear the next day. And one necktie she called the necktie of "Love and
+Treachery." That was her favourite. Occasionally, chiefly on the days
+she received letters from Spiridon Ivanovitch, Mimotchka had a fit of
+the "blue devils," as she called it, and she reproached herself for
+her guilt towards her husband. "Je suis une femme perdue," she said.
+"Anyhow, I have wronged him, injured him.... And he has in nowise
+deserved it. And what will happen if he gets to know? He will kill me
+or turn me out of the house ... Enfin je suis une femme perdue. And you
+yourself must despise me. Yes, you despise me, Val; I see you do." ...</p>
+
+<p>"What a child you are!" And he tried to convince her that there was
+nothing to despise her for. "On vit comme on peut.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> Look at the people
+we know; look at Marie Petrovna; look at Marie Lvovna!" ...</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka reflected and remembered. Certainly, there was both Marie
+Petrovna and Marie Lvovna. And Nettie, above all! But then, on the
+other hand, there was Anna Vassilievna, and Aunt Julia, and mamma. No,
+there were still some honest, good women, not like her. Otherwise, why
+such harsh, pitiless judgments, why so much hypocrisy in the world?...
+Valerian Nicolaevitch explained it all to her.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you see, people suffer and bear too much because they don't
+seize the moments of happiness that fall to their share."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, people do suffer."</p>
+
+<p>And she told him all about Spiridon Ivanovitch, and how dull it was
+for her with him. She was rather afraid that Val<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> would despise her
+for having an old husband&mdash;he had so thundered against mercenary love.
+But no, it did not disturb him at all. In general, since the ride to
+the "Castle of Love and Treachery," his feelings towards Spiridon
+Ivanovitch had quite changed. He did not even frown when Mimotchka
+mentioned his name, but, on the contrary, he endeavoured to instil into
+her that with such a husband she could lead a very pleasant, easy life.
+Only she must be wise. And he proceeded to give her some advice.</p>
+
+<p>In the winter he would come to Petersburg. His wife would remain at
+Kieff with the children, and they would spend a beautiful winter
+together. Only there must be no imprudences. He praised Mimotchka
+because while she was here she had behaved so rightly, so quietly, and
+so naturally. Neither her mamma, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> loved her so tenderly, nor that
+sharp girl, Vava, had noticed anything whatever. That was as it should
+be: yes, just as it should be. They loved one another, and they must
+set up a wall between themselves and the world. Their secret was the
+wall behind which they could love each other boldly and fully. They
+must hide their happiness like a treasure, like something precious.</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+"L'amourette que l'on ébruite<br />
+Est un rosier déraciné."<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Let people try and guess if they chose to, let them suspect what they
+liked, but don't let them know anything.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka told him how she came to marry, how everybody had persuaded
+her to, and how she could never have made up her mind to it by herself.
+Valerian Nicolaevitch did not understand why. It was wise, and she had
+acted very rightly. Money was not the last thing in life; if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> it was
+not happiness, at any rate it was the key to happiness. Only, these
+last four years she had not understood how to arrange her life. She
+herself had made it dull. Everything depends on ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>But up till now she had not cared for anyone. She had never loved
+before, and if she had not met him, Val, here, she would never have
+known the happiness of love. But now, c'est pour la vie, n'est-ce-pas?</p>
+
+<p>"Oui, c'est pour la vie!"</p>
+
+<p>He himself seemed to be deeply unhappy in his family life. His wife was
+a cold, hard pedant, who was incapable of responding to the transports
+of his ardent soul. She was <i>une femelle;</i> yes, that was the word. Why
+had he married her?... It was a long story. Some day he would tell
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>it to Mimotchka, afterwards, but meanwhile ... "Let me drink of this
+sea!" ... And he kissed her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>For the first two weeks he told Mimotchka that he should certainly come
+to Petersburg, and they talked about the delightful evenings they would
+spend together at theatres and concerts. They would meet every day. But
+as the time of separation drew near these plans somewhat changed.</p>
+
+<p>He received a business letter from Kieff. It appeared he would hardly
+be able to get away to Petersburg. An affair was impending, an
+important, complicated lawsuit, with the particulars of which he made
+Mimotchka acquainted. He was to defend a celebrated thief, a regular
+scoundrel.</p>
+
+<p>"But why defend a scoundrel?" asked Mimotchka; "then you don't think
+him guilty?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am convinced of his guilt!"</p>
+
+<p>"And you would defend him <i>quand meme?</i>"</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Every man has a right to a defence. It's easy enough to acquit an
+innocent man. His innocence itself speaks for him. But to pardon a
+guilty man, to turn to him indulgently and mercifully, as a Christian
+should turn to his brother, whoever he is, much intelligence and much
+knowledge of the human heart is required. Christ did not judge, Christ
+justified all, and for this very reason, and to awaken in the juries'
+hearts that divine spark which exists in everyone of us ..."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely they won't acquit him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps they will."</p>
+
+<p>"What, a good-for-nothing fellow like that! I would transport him with
+hard labour. And because of him we shan't see each other any more. How
+I hate him! And yet you are going to defend him." ... And Mimotchka
+began to cry.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What a child you are!" said Valerian Nicolaevitch, and kissed her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we shan't see each other any more?"</p>
+
+<p>"What can we do?... Fate is jealous." ...</p>
+
+<p>And when, three days before their departure, Mimotchka cried bitterly
+on his shoulder, he stroked her hair and said rather absently:</p>
+
+<p>"What can we do? We must submit. We were happy.... Fate is jealous....
+Voyons, du courage.... We must look the inevitable in the face.... Let
+us be thankful to Providence for these bright moments. You are still so
+young....</p>
+
+<p>"You will know new feelings And choose new friends.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Jamais, jamais.... How can you talk like that! Don't you care if I
+get<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> to love someone else? Tu ne m'as jamais aimée!... Oh, Val, Val!"</p>
+
+<p>"Enfant! voyons, ne pleurez donc pas.... What does it matter? I have
+had the spring flowers, someone else will have the fruits.... Don't
+look so terrified!... Je connais la vie, voilà tout!... You're not
+angry with me?... No!... Let me kiss your eyes! How I love kissing
+them I ... Fate willed it otherwise.... We have gathered the flowers."</p>
+
+<p>And then came a verse from Heine and a verse from Fett.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not forget you; no, never, and do you remember too,</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 10%;">
+'Rappelle-toi, lorsque l'aurore craintive.'" ...<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>But Mimotchka only went on crying quietly and silently, shaking her
+head and kissing his hands, while her copious tears<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> dropped like hail
+on the necktie of "Love and Treachery."</p>
+
+<p>Then they exchanged turquoise rings. Mimotchka had her photograph done
+for him in her riding-habit, on the same horse on which she had ridden
+to the "Castle of Love and Treachery," and he had his done for her in
+his Tcherkesk costume. They had very much wished to visit the "Castle"
+again, but somehow something always hindered their doing so....</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile mamma was already packing up and scolding Katia, who seemed
+bereft of her senses, forgetting orders, letting things drop out of her
+hands, and packing heavy garments on the top of light ones.</p>
+
+<p>Vava tied up the copybooks containing her impressions of her travels
+and her projects of a home for destitute children, and wrote down the
+addresses of her Caucasian friends.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And Katia, on her knees before the open trunk, spread tissue paper
+over Mimotchka's plush jacket, and from time to time big tears dropped
+on the jacket and on the linen laid over it. Oh, those Caucasian
+turquoises!...</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">Early in the morning a travelling carriage stood at the door of
+Baranoffsky's apartments. Vava shook hands warmly with her friends,
+who had come to say good-bye to her. She had very much improved during
+the summer, had got sunburnt, stouter, and stronger. She had spent
+a lovely summer here, and how sorry she was to part from those blue
+mountains, from those walks and little paths in the wood, and from
+her good friends! Ah, how sorry, how sorry! And Vava, forgetting all
+about her mother's strictness and home regulations, and her previous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>
+unsuccessful attempts to introduce her friends, invited them all&mdash;yes,
+all&mdash;to come and see her&mdash;please&mdash;be sure to&mdash;as soon as any one of
+them came to Petersburg! She would be so happy!... "Don't forget, No. 5
+Millionnaia, apartment 2.... Please do be sure to come!"</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka came out in a travelling hat, in a waterproof, with a
+travelling bag on her arm, and muffled up in a thick gauze veil. She
+was calm and composed. She had cried away all her tears the day before.</p>
+
+<p>Valerian Nicolaevitch was kind enough to offer to accompany them on
+horseback as far as Essentouki. He was in his Tcherkesk costume,
+leaning picturesquely on his saddle, and humming a song of Kapri's, "I
+remember the blissful meetings." ...</p>
+
+<p>Katia ran out with bandboxes in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> hands, weeping and panting....
+Mamma stared at her in amazement. Everything was put in, everything was
+in its place. The ladies took their seats and the carriage drove off
+from Kislovodsk.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">They said good-bye at Essentouki. Valerian Nicolaevitch kissed mamma's
+hand, and she expressed the hope that he would come and see them in
+Petersburg. Vava also invited him to come and see her. She was so sorry
+that everything Caucasian was leaving her. Mimotchka was silent, but
+gazed at him mournfully.</p>
+
+<p>And the carriage drove on further in the direction of the station.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">It was a grey, dull-looking morning, and a thick, fine rain beat
+against the windows when the ladies woke up as they neared Petersburg.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Rain, rain, rain.... A melancholy grey sky.... The villas round
+Petersburg with their fir-tree plantations; the muddy, swampy roads
+with the ditches at the edge and the thickly-grown bracken pass before
+them ..., Moss, bilberry bushes, marsh and fog....</p>
+
+<p>Here are the well-known market-gardens with the cabbages, and the
+barracks, and the platform of the Petersburg railway station; the rain
+has stopped and the sun is shining on the wet platform.</p>
+
+<p>There is Spiridon Ivanovitch's orderly and there is Aunt Julia's
+footman.</p>
+
+<p>And here stands Spiridon Ivanovitch himself, resplendent, like a
+peony, in his crimson-lined overcoat.... Mamma joyfully taps on the
+window-pane to him. He has seen them, seen them and recognised them!</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka's heart sinks. How old he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> looks, and what a stranger he
+seems to her, what a stranger!... She wishes the train would not stop,
+but would go on further and further and carry her away past.... But the
+train slackens speed, it stops. They must get out.</p>
+
+<p>Here's Mdme. Lambert with Zina, and, oh my goodness, here's baby with
+his nurse! He has come to meet his mamma! How he has grown, how he has
+improved, and how sunburnt he has got, dear little mite! And just
+look, he isn't a bit shy; he smiles, he says, "how-do-you-do" to them
+all, stretches out his lips to be kissed by his mother and grandmother
+and Vava.... And he salutes, yes, he has learnt how to make a military
+salute, putting up his little hand to his head and saying, "I wish you
+good health!" Oh, what a darling!</p>
+
+<p>And grandmamma smothers baby with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> kisses, and tears of pride and
+tenderness rise to her eyes, when baby, drawing himself up straight in
+front of her, says to her, "I wish you good health, your excellency!"
+And Spiridon Ivanovitch enfolds Mimotchka in his ample embrace.</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">A week after their arrival they were all assembled at Aunt Julia's. She
+was in a state of great jubiliation. Her son Vova was engaged, and his
+<i>fiancée</i> was in every way most suitable. She was both wealthy and well
+connected.... The engagement was not yet formally announced, but the
+affair was quite settled. The <i>fiancée</i> was not pretty and she was no
+longer very young, but she was over head and ears in love with Vova.
+Aunt Julia liked her very much, and in speaking to her sisters of the
+young lady she said: "Elle n'est pas futile."</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Aunt Julia thanked mamma very warmly for her care of Vava. Not to
+speak of Vava's having much improved physically, she had also morally
+changed, for the better; she was more self-controlled, gentler, and
+more obedient. And so she was given a separate room all to herself,
+where she could sleep, write, and study without Mdme. Lambert.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, so altogether you had a pleasant trip?" says Aunt Julia in
+conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Delightful, delightful. I am so glad Variashski sent us there."</p>
+
+<p>"But how much prettier Mimotchka has grown! Why, she is simply
+unrecognisable."</p>
+
+<p>"It's striking!" says Aunt Mary. "Next summer I shall go to Kislovodsk
+to get young and beautiful again."</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka smiles modestly and composedly.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And that Netty!" says Aunt Sophy. "Haven't you heard what a scandal
+there was?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, what is it? Zina wrote something or other about it, but we could
+not make out what she meant."</p>
+
+<p>"She is separated from her husband, and has now disappeared from
+Petersburg and gone off to Paris, where she changes her lovers as
+often as her gloves. It's awful! She always did behave like a fool.
+Just before her husband had to go to sea her conscience began to get
+uneasy. If it had only kept quiet until he came back! No, she goes to
+confession and tells everything to the priest, this and that, and says
+she has committed a sin against her husband. The priest directly says:
+'And does your husband know of it? 'No,' she says. 'Well then, don't
+tell him of it.' And he explained to her why she was to keep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> silence,
+that as she had sinned, she must suffer, but that he must not suffer
+for it."</p>
+
+<p>"They always say that," puts in Aunt Mary thoughtlessly, and meeting
+Aunt Julia's inquiring gaze, she adds, "I have heard of many such cases
+where the priests said that."</p>
+
+<p>"Well she comes straight home from confession and says to her husband,
+'I went to the priest and told him all about my sin.' 'What sin?' And
+there it was. What!... Scenes and explanations. He wants to shoot
+himself and she wants to shoot herself. He wants to kill her, to kill
+the other man, to kill himself. <i>... A la fin des fins</i> he goes to
+sea, and she, after throwing all the children on the old Poltavsteffs'
+hands, goes off to her beloved and sets about getting a divorce. After
+two months the other man cannot stand her any longer and runs away
+from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> her. She takes poison, the doctors save her life, and then she
+goes off to Paris. She has been there now already three weeks, and
+there are very very ugly rumours about her." ...</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, how sorry I am far the old Poltavsteffs!" says mamma: "how
+dreadful it is for them!"</p>
+
+<p>"I said a long time ago that she was in a dangerous way," says Aunt
+Julia.</p>
+
+<p>Mimotchka nods her head affirmatively.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, <i>à propos</i> of love affairs," says Aunt Sophy, "is it true that
+in the Caucasus, at the springs, there is so much flirting going on?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, don't mention it!" answers mamma, smiling. "What things we saw and
+what things we heard! And Variashski, too, just imagine!" ...</p>
+
+
+<p class="p2">"And wasn't there anyone after Mimi?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> Est-ce qu'il y a eu quelqu'un
+pour te faire la cour?... Et personne ne t'a donné dans l'œil?" ...</p>
+
+<p>"Quelle idée, ma tante!... Why, there was no one there. At least, there
+were many sympathetic, agreeable people, but nobody of that sort." ...</p>
+
+<p>And Mimotchka, smiling her old Petersburg smile, shakes her head in
+denial.</p>
+
+<p>"And is nature really so beautiful there?" asks Aunt Julia; "Vava goes
+into ecstasies about the mountains."</p>
+
+<p>"But they didn't see anything," said Spiridon Ivanovitch regretfully.
+"How was it you never went to Bermamout? Why, I wrote and told you to
+go. To be at Kislovodsk and not go to Bermamout! Oh, you!... you were
+among the real mountains and never went to see them."</p>
+
+<p>"But there was no one to go with," said Mimotchka, defending herself.
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>"The X&mdash;&mdash; 's had left before our arrival, and somehow we three never
+managed it alone. I really did so try to go and see everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it must be very lovely there," says Aunt Mary, looking through
+the stereoscope at some views of the Caucasus that Vava had brought
+back. "How beautiful this is! What is it?"</p>
+
+<p>"This?" says Mimotchka, bending over Aunt Mary to look through the
+stereoscope. "This is the 'Castle of Love and Treachery.' They are
+rocks that look like a castle, and that is what they are called."</p>
+
+<p>"And is it really as beautiful? Did you go there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I went there on horseback.... It's very beautiful, especially by
+moon-light&mdash;c'est féerique."</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Mimi's Marriage, by Lidia Ivanovna Veselitskaya
+
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+</pre>
+
+</body>
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