By this time Aksiutka was snorting with such unbecomingly loud laughter, that she was again obliged to hide her head under the pillows, from which, for a whole hour, notwithstanding Duniasha's and her aunt's threats, she was unable to lift it without falling into renewed fits of laughter, as though something were loose in her rosy bosom and red cheeks. It seemed to her so ridiculous that they were all so frightened--and she again would hide her head, and, as it were in convulsions, shuffle her shoes, and shake with her whole body. Dutlof straightened himself up, looked at her attentively as though wishing to account for this peculiar manifestation; but, not finding any solution, he turned away and continued to explain his errand. "Of course, as this is a very important business," he said, "just tell her that a muzhík has brought her the letter with the money." "What money?" Duniasha, before referring the matter to the mistress, read the address, and asked Dutlof when and how he had got this money which Ilyitch should have brought back from the city. Having learned all the particulars, and sent the errand-girl, who still continued to laugh, out into the entry, Duniasha went to the mistress; but to Dutlof's surprise the lady would not receive him at all, and sent no message to him through Duniasha. "I know nothing about it, and wish to know nothing," said the mistress, "about any muzhík or any money. I can not and I will not see any one. Let him leave me in peace." "But what shall I do?" asked Dutlof, turning the envelope around and around; "it's no small amount of money. It's written on there, isn't it?" he inquired of Duniasha, who again read to him the superscription. It seemed hard for Dutlof to believe Duniasha. He seemed to hope that the money did not belong to the gracious lady, and that the address read otherwise. But Duniasha repeated it a second time. He sighed, placed the envelope in his breast, and prepared to go out. "I must give it to the police inspector," he said. "Simpleton, I will ask her again; I will tell her," said Duniasha, detaining him when she saw the envelope disappearing under his coat. "Give me the letter." Dutlof took it out again, but did not immediately put it into Duniasha's outstretched hand. "Tell her that Dutlof Sem'yón found it on the road." "Well, give it here." "I was thinking--well, take it. A soldier read the address for me--that it had money." "Well, let me have it." "I didn't dare to go home on account of this," said Dutlof again, not letting go the precious envelope. "Well, let her see it." Duniasha took the envelope, and once more went to her ladyship. "Duniasha,"[24] said the mistress in a reproachful tone, "don't speak to me about that money. I can't think of any thing else except that poor little babe." "The muzhík, my lady,[25] knows not who you want him to give it to," insisted Duniasha.