She said _thou_ to Nastasia Carpovna, although she lived on a footing of equality with her--but it was not for nothing that she was a Pestof. Three Pestofs occur in the Sinodik[A] of Ivan the Terrible. Marfa Timofeevna was perfectly well aware of the fact. [Footnote A: "_I.e._, in the list of the nobles of his time, in the sixteenth century.] "Tell me, please," Lavretsky began again. "Maria Dmitrievna was talking to me just now about that--what's his name?--Panshine. What sort of a man is he?" "Good Lord! what a chatter-box she is!" grumbled Marfa Timofeevna. "I've no doubt she has communicated to you as a secret that he hangs about here as a suitor. She might have been contented to 'Whisper about it with her _popovich_[A] But no, it seems that is not enough for her. And yet there is nothing settled so far, thank God! but she's always chattering." [Footnote A: The priest's son. _i.e._, Gedeonovsky.] "Why do you say 'Thank God?'" asked Lavretsky. "Why, because this fine young man doesn't please me. And what is there in the matter to be delighted about, I should like to know?" "Doesn't he please you?" "No; he can't fascinate every one. It's enough for him that Nastasia Carpovna here is in love with him." The poor widow was terribly disconcerted. "How can you say so, Marfa Timofeevna? Do not you fear God?" she exclaimed, and a blush instantly suffused her face and neck. "And certainly the rogue knows how to fascinate her," broke in Marfa Timofeevna. "He has given her a snuff-box. Fedia, ask her for a pinch of snuff. You will see what a splendid snuff-box it is. There is a hussar on horseback on the lid. You had much better not try to exculpate yourself, my mother." Nastasia Carpovna could only wave her hands with a deprecatory air. "Well, but about Liza?" asked Lavretsky. "Is he indifferent to her?" "She seems to like him--and as to the rest, God knows. Another person's heart, you know, is a dark forest, and more especially a young girl's. Look at Shurochka there! Come and analyze her's. Why has she been hiding herself, but not going away, ever since you came in?" Shurochka burst into a laugh she was unable to stifle, and ran out of the room. Lavretsky also rose from his seat. "Yes," he said slowly; "one cannot fathom a girl's heart." As he was going to take leave. "Well; shall we see you soon?" asked Marfa Timofeevna. "Perhaps, aunt. It's no great distance to where I'm going."