"What is it _you_ want from me, Madame?" he added, turning to his wife. "Have I not done for you all that I could? Do not tell me that it was not you who got up this scene. I should not believe you. You know that I cannot believe you. What is it you want? You are clever. You do nothing without an object. You must feel that to live with you, as I used formerly to live, is what I am not in a position to do--not because I am angry with you, but because I have become a different man. I told you that the very day you returned; and at that time you agreed with me in your own mind. But, perhaps, you wish to rehabilitate yourself in public opinion. Merely to live in my house is too little for you; you want to live with me under the same roof. Is it not so?" "I want you to pardon me," replied Varvara Pavlovna, without lifting her eyes from the ground. "She wants you to pardon her," repeated Maria Dmitrievna. "And not for my own sake, but for Ada's," whispered Varvara. "Not for her own sake, but for your Ada's," repeated Maria Dmitrievna. "Very good! That is what you want?" Lavretsky just managed to say. "Well, I consent even to that." Varvara Pavlovna shot a quick glance at him. Maria Dmitrievna exclaimed, "Thank God!" again took Varvara by the arm, and again began, "Take, then, from my hands--" "Stop, I tell you!" broke in Lavretsky. "I will consent to live with you, Varvara Pavlovna," he continued; "that is to say, I will take you to Lavriki, and live with you as long as I possibly can. Then I will go away; but I will visit you from time to time. You see, I do not wish to deceive you; only do not ask for more than that. You would laugh yourself, if I were to fulfil the wish of our respected relative, and press you to my heart--if I were to assure you that--that the past did not exist, that the felled tree would again produce leaves. But I see this plainly--one must submit. These words do not convey the same meaning to you as to me, but that does not matter. I repeat, I will live with you--or, no, I cannot promise that; but I will no longer avoid you; I will look on you as my wife again--" "At all events, give her your hand on that," said Maria Dmitrievna, whose tears had dried up long ago. "I have never yet deceived Varvara Pavlovna," answered Lavretsky. "She will believe me as it is. I will take her to Lavriki. But remember this, Varvara Pavlovna. Our treaty will be considered at an end, as soon as you give up stopping there. And now let me go away." He bowed to both of the ladies, and went out quickly. "Won't you take her with you?" Maria Dmitrievna called after him. "Let him alone," said Varvara to her in a whisper, and then began to express her thanks to her, throwing her arms around her, kissing her hand, saying she had saved her.