Nikoláy promised to come and blushed again as he bowed. At the mention of Princess Márya he experienced a feeling of shyness and even of fear, which he himself did not understand.

When he had parted from Malvíntseva Nikoláy wished to return to the dancing, but the governor’s little wife placed her plump hand on his sleeve and, saying that she wanted to have a talk with him, led him to her sitting room, from which those who were there immediately withdrew so as not to be in her way.

“Do you know, dear boy,” began the governor’s wife with a serious expression on her kind little face, “that really would be the match for you: would you like me to arrange it?”

“Whom do you mean, Aunt?” asked Nikoláy.

“I will make a match for you with the princess. Katerína Petróvna speaks of Lily, but I say, no⁠—the princess! Do you want me to do it? I am sure your mother will be grateful to me. What a charming girl she is, really! And she is not at all so plain, either.”