“Why not?” said Natásha, without changing her position.

“Because he is young, because he is poor, because he is a relation⁠ ⁠… and because you yourself don’t love him.”

“How do you know?”

“I know. It is not right, darling!”

“But if I want to⁠ ⁠…” said Natásha.

“Leave off talking nonsense,” said the countess.

“But if I want to⁠ ⁠…”

“Natásha, I am in earnest⁠ ⁠…”