“Every one of them has been saying it⁠—every one of them⁠—all these three days! And I will never, never marry him!”

So saying, Aglaya burst into bitter tears, and, hiding her face in her handkerchief, sank back into a chair.

“But he has never even⁠—”

“I have never asked you to marry me, Aglaya Ivanovna!” said the prince, of a sudden.

“ What? ” cried Mrs. Epanchin, raising her hands in horror. “ What’s that?”

She could not believe her ears.