“Hm!… You are laughing at me, as if you don't know!” Olenka said and blushed slightly.

“Young lady, you are talking in riddles.”

“Have you really not heard? Why, I am going to marry Pëtr Egorych!”

“Marry?” I said in astonishment, making big eyes. “What Pëtr Egorych?”

“Oh, good Lord! Urbenin, of course!”

I stared at her blushing and smiling face.

“You? Going to marry … Urbenin? What a joke!”

“It's not a joke at all.… I really can't understand where you see the joke.…”

“You to marry … Urbenin.…” I repeated, getting pale, I really don't know why. “If this is not a joke, what is it?”

“What joke! I can't understand what is there extraordinary—what is there strange in it?” Olenka said, pouting.