‘You say that our paths have lain apart,’ Irina went on. ‘I know you are about to marry from inclination, you have a plan laid out for your whole life; yes, that’s all so, but we have not become strangers to one another, Grigory Mihalitch; we can still understand each other. Or do you imagine I have grown altogether dull--altogether debased in the mire? Ah, no, don’t think that, please! Let me open my heart, I beseech you--there--even for the sake of those old days, if you are not willing to forget them. Do so, that our meeting may not have come to pass in vain; that would be too bitter; it would not last long in any case.... I don’t know how to say it properly, but you will understand me, because I ask for little, so little ... only a little sympathy, only that you should not repulse me, that you should let me open my heart----’ Irina ceased speaking, there were tears in her voice. She sighed, and timidly, with a kind of furtive, searching look, gazed at Litvinov, held out her hand to him.... Litvinov slowly took the hand and faintly pressed it. ‘Let us be friends,’ whispered Irina. ‘Friends,’ repeated Litvinov dreamily. ‘Yes, friends ... or if that is too much to ask, then let us at least be friendly.... Let us be simply as though nothing had happened.’ ‘As though nothing had happened,...’ repeated Litvinov again. ‘You said just now, Irina Pavlovna, that I was unwilling to forget the old days.... But what if I can’t forget them?’ A blissful smile flashed over Irina’s face, and at once disappeared, to be replaced by a harassed, almost scared expression. ‘Be like me, Grigory Mihalitch, remember only what was good in them; and most of all, give me your word.... Your word of honour....’ ‘Well?’ ‘Not to avoid me ... not to hurt me for nothing. You promise? tell me!’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And you will dismiss all evil thoughts of me from your mind.’ ‘Yes ... but as for understanding you--I give it up.’ ‘There’s no need of that ... wait a little, though, you will understand. But you will promise?’ ‘I have said yes already.’ ‘Thanks. You see I am used to believe you. I shall expect you to-day, to-morrow, I will not go out of the house. And now I must leave you. The Grand Duchess is coming along the avenue.... She’s caught sight of me, and I can’t avoid going up to speak to her.... Good-bye till we meet.... Give me your hand, _vite, vite_. Till we meet.’ And warmly pressing Litvinov’s hand, Irina walked towards a middle-aged person of dignified appearance, who was coming slowly along the gravel path, escorted by two other ladies, and a strikingly handsome groom in livery. ‘_Eh bonjour, chère Madame_,’ said the personage, while Irina curtseyed respectfully to her. ‘_Comment allez-vous aujourd’hui? Venez un peu avec moi._’ ‘_Votre Altesse a trop de bonté_,’ Irina’s insinuating voice was heard in reply. XIV