“A chameleon and a tragedy.”
“This happens a little in the world of much money and no traditions; there everything is appearance and toilet, beneath which sits not a soul, but a more or less exquisite wild beast. And this wealthy and elegant world, amusing itself, and permeated with artistic, literary, and even religious dilettantism, wields the baton and directs the orchestra.”
“Not yet with us.”
“Not yet altogether. For that matter, there are exceptions, even in the society mentioned; all the more must there be outside it. Yes, there are women of another kind among us,—for instance, Panna Plavitski. Oh, what security, and withal what a charm of life, with a woman like her! Unhappily, she is not for me.”
“Mashko, I was ready to recognize in thee cleverness, but I did not know thee to have enthusiasm.”
“What’s to be done? I was in love with her, but now I am going to marry Panna Kraslavski.”
Mashko pronounced the last words, as if in anger, then followed a moment of silence.
“Then thou wilt not be my groomsman?”
“Give me time to consider.”
“In three days I am going away.”