“Ah, old man Petrof! how this would have made things clear to you!”
Delesof, in silence and with dismay, looked at his companion’s excited and colorless face.
“Do you know the Juristen waltzes?” suddenly asked Albert in a loud voice, and without waiting for an answer, jumped up, seized the violin, and began to play the waltz. In absolute self-forgetfulness, and evidently imagining that a whole orchestra was playing for him, Albert smiled, began to dance, to shuffle his feet, and to play admirably.
“Hey, we will have a good time!” he exclaimed, as he ended, and waved his violin. “I am going,” said he, after sitting down in silence for a little. “Won’t you come along too?”
“Where?” asked Delesof in surprise.
“Let us go to Anna Ivánovna’s again. It’s gay there—bustle, people, music.”
Delesof for a moment was almost persuaded. However, coming to his senses, he promised Albert that he would go with him the next day.
“I should like to go this minute.”
“Indeed, I wouldn’t go.”
Albert sighed, and laid down the violin.
“Shall I stay, then?” He looked over at the table, but the wine was gone; and so, wishing him a good night, he left the room.
Delesof rang. “Look here,” said he to Zakhár, “don’t let Mr. Albert go anywhere without asking me about it first.”