“Why so?” asked Alexei.
“Because I wanted to ask you if it is true what they say——”
“What do they say?”
“Is it true, as they say, that I am very much like her?”
“What nonsense! She is a perfect monstrosity compared with you.”
“Oh, sir, it is very wrong of you to speak like that. Our young mistress is so fair and so stylish! How could I be compared wither!”
Alexei vowed to her that she was more beautiful than all the fair young ladies in creation, and in order to pacify her completely, he began to describe her mistress in such comical terms, that Liza laughed heartily.
“But,” said she with a sigh, “even though our young mistress may be ridiculous, I am but a poor ignorant thing in comparison with her.”
“Oh!” said Alexei; “is that anything to break your heart about? If you wish it, I will soon teach you to read and write.”
“Yes, indeed,” said Liza, “why should I not try?”