“That’s stupid, Vassitchka! I know what is in your mind! I know what you are thinking⁠ ⁠… But I assure you even when we were on our expeditions I never let him overstep the limits. For instance, if we rode to the mountains or to the U-Chan-Su waterfall, I would always say to him, ‘Suleiman, ride behind! Do you hear!’ And he always rode behind, poor boy.⁠ ⁠… Even when we⁠ ⁠… even at the most dramatic moments I would say to him, ‘Still, you must not forget that you are only a Tatar and I am the wife of a civil councillor!’ Ha-ha.⁠ ⁠…”

The little lady laughed, then, looking round her quickly and assuming an alarmed expression, whispered:

“But Yulia! Oh, that Yulia! I quite see, Vassitchka, there is no reason why one shouldn’t have a little fun, a little rest from the emptiness of conventional life! That’s all right, have your fling by all means⁠—no one will blame you, but to take the thing seriously, to get up scenes⁠ ⁠… no, say what you like, I cannot understand that! Just fancy, she was jealous! Wasn’t that silly? One day Mametkul, her grande passion , came to see her⁠ ⁠… she was not at home.⁠ ⁠… Well, I asked him into my room⁠ ⁠… there was conversation, one thing and another⁠ ⁠… they’re awfully amusing, you know! The evening passed without our noticing it.⁠ ⁠… All at once Yulia rushed in.⁠ ⁠… She flew at me and at Mametkul⁠—made such a scene⁠ ⁠… fi! I can’t understand that sort of thing, Vassitchka.”

Vassitchka cleared his throat, frowned, and walked up and down the room.

“You had a gay time there, I must say,” he growled with a disdainful smile.