“How spare you?” cried poor Nadia. Her artificial tone put on for the occasion had collapsed at once before this check, and she was nearly crying. Velchaninoff burst out laughing.
“I don't mean—I should be delighted, you know—but the thing is, I have my own accounts to settle with him!”
“I knew you weren't his friend, and that he was lying. I shall never marry him—never! You may rely on that! I don't understand how he could dare—at all events, you really must give him back this horrid bracelet. What am I to do if you don't? I must have it given back to him this very day. He'll catch it if he interferes with father about me!”
At this moment the spectacled young gentleman issued from the shrubs at their elbow.
“You are bound to return the bracelet!” he burst out furiously, upon Velchaninoff, “if only out of respect to the rights of woman——”
He did not finish the sentence, for Nadia pulled him away from beside Velchaninoff with all her strength.
“How stupid you are,” she cried; “go away. How dare you listen? I told you to stand a long way off!” She stamped her foot with rage, and for some while after the young fellow had slunk away she continued to walk along with flashing eyes, furious with indignation. “You wouldn't believe how stupid he is!” she cried at last. “You laugh, but think of my feelings!”
“That's not he, is it?” laughed Velchaninoff.
“Of course not. How could you imagine such a thing! It's only his friend, and how he can choose such friends I can't understand! They say he is a ‘future motive-power,’ but I don't see it. Alexey Ivanovitch, for the last time—I have no one else to ask—will you give the bracelet back or not?”
“Very well, I will. Give it to me!”