“No, I--in passing by--” Golubenko stammered, abashed. “You will have to excuse him, he is still asleep. He walked up and down his room the whole of last night, and I told the servant not to wake him, as it is a--holy day. But probably you came on urgent business?” “No, I only stepped in for a moment in passing--” “If you wish to see him, I will give the order to wake him up.” “No, no, do not trouble yourself!” But Pelageia Petrovna, believing that he had called to see her son on some business or other, left the room, murmuring to herself. Golubenko walked excitedly to and fro, wringing his hands, not knowing how to tell her the terrible news. The decisive moment was quickly approaching, but he lost control of himself, was frightened, and cursed fate that had so mixed him up with the whole business. “Now! How can a body trust you young people!” good-naturedly exclaimed Pelageia Petrovna to her guest, reentering the room. “Here I have been taking care not to make the least noise with the cups and saucers, and asking you not to wake my boy, and he has long ago departed without leaving a trace! But why do you not take a seat, Iván Ivanovich, and have a cup of tea? You have been neglecting us terribly lately!” She smiled as with a secret joy, and added in a low voice: “And we have had so much news during that time!--Vladímir surely could not keep it. He must have told you all about it by this; for he is very straightforward and open-hearted, my Vladímir. I was thinking last night, in my sinful thoughts: ‘Well, when my Vladímir paces the room the whole night--that means that he is dreaming of Lenochka!’ That is always the case with him: if he paces the room the whole night, he will surely leave to-morrow--Ah, Iván Ivanovich, I only ask the Lord to send me this joy in my old age. What more does an old woman need? I have but one desire, one joy--and it seems to me I shall have nothing more to pray for after Vladímir and Lenochka are married. So joyful and happy it would make me!--I do not need anything besides Vladímir; there is nothing dearer to me than his happiness.” The old lady became so effected that she had to wipe away the tears which came to her eyes. “Do you remember,” she continued, “things did not go well in the beginning--either between the two or on account of the money--You young officers are not even allowed to marry without bonds--Well, now everything has been arranged: I have obtained the necessary five thousand rubles for Vladímir, and they could go to the altar even to-morrow! Yes, and Lenochka has written such a lovely letter to me--My heart is rejoicing!” Continuing to speak, Pelageia Petrovna took a letter out of her pocket, which she showed to Golubenko, and then put back again. “She is such a dear girl! And so good!”