"Yes; and when I left the country I left everything to your father. All that I possess, I earned for myself."
"I don't want any money from you, but to represent my father for me."
"How? what?"
"Uncle, Annele of the 'Lion' and I are attached to each other, truly attached; and Annele's mother knows about it, and has given her consent; and I am to propose for her to-day, at eleven o'clock, in due form to her father, according to custom; and I wish you to go with me, as you are my father's brother."
"So?" said Petrowitsch, cramming a large piece of white sugar into his mouth, and walking up and down the carpeted room.
"Really?" said he, after a few turns. "You will get a sharp, quick wife, and I must say you show considerable nerve. I never should have imagined that you had sufficient courage, to take such a wife."
"Why courage? What has that to do with it?"
"Nothing bad; but I had no idea you were so vain as to try for such a wife."
"Vain? What vanity is there in it?"
Petrowitsch smiled, and made no reply.