Peredonov looked morosely at her and said:
"I'm smelling to see whether you haven't put poison in it!"
"What's the matter with you, Ardalyon Borisitch?" said Varvara again. "God help you, how did you get that into your head?"
"You mixed hemlock with it, perhaps," he grumbled.
"What could I gain by poisoning you?" asked Varvara reassuringly. "Don't make a fool of yourself."
Peredonov continued smelling the coffee, but eventually became reassured.
"If it were poison," he said, "you'd be able to tell by the heavy smell, but you have to put your nose right into the steam!"
He was silent a while and then suddenly said, spitefully and sarcastically:
"The Princess!"
Varvara looked distressed.