Suddenly the Count sprang up as if he had been stung. His face became deadly pale, and the field glass fell from his hand. His eyes strayed around like the eyes of an entrapped mouse, and they rested sometimes on me, sometimes on Nadia, as if looking for aid. Not everybody noticed his confusion as the attention of most was directed on the approaching calash.
“Serezha, come here for a minute!” he whispered to me, seizing hold of my arm and leading me to one side. “Golubchek, I implore you as a friend, as the best of men!… No questions, no interrogating glances, no astonishment! I will tell you all afterwards! I swear that not an iota will remain a secret from you!… It is such a misfortune in my life, such a misfortune, that I am unable to find words to express it! You will know all, but no questions now! Help me!”
Meanwhile the calash came nearer and nearer.… At last it stopped, and the Count's stupid secret became the property of the whole district. Pshekhotsky, clad in a new unbleached silk suit, panting and smiling, crawled out of the calash. After him a young lady of about three-and-twenty sprang out adroitly. She was a tall, graceful, fair woman with regular but not sympathetic features, and with dark blue eyes. I only remember those dark blue expressionless eyes, a powdered nose, a heavy, luxurious dress and several massive bracelets on each arm.… I remember that the scent of the evening dampness and the spilt cognac had to give way before the penetrating odour of some sort of perfume.
“What a numerous party!” the stranger said in broken Russian. “It must be very gay! How do you do, Alexis?”
She went up to Alexis and offered him her cheek, which the Count smacked hastily and glanced uneasily at his guests.
“My wife, let me introduce her!” he mumbled. “And these, Zosia, are my good friends.… Hm, hm!… I've a cough!”
“And I have only just arrived! Kaetan advised me to rest! But I said: ‘Why should I rest since I slept the whole way here! I would sooner go to the shooting party!’ I dressed and here I am.… Kaetan, where are my cigarettes?”
Pshekhotsky sprang forward and handed the fair lady her golden cigarette case.
“And this is my wife's brother …” the Count continued to mumble, pointing at Pshekhotsky. “Why don't you help me?” and he gave me a poke in the ribs. “Help me out, for God's sake!”
I have been told that Kalinin fainted, and that Nadia, who wished to help him, could not rise from her seat. I have been told many got into their vehicles and drove away. All this I did not see. I remember that I went into the wood, and searching for a footpath, without looking in front, I went where my feet led me.[8]