“How will you take an inn by storm? Besides, there is no need, since your aunt has her own guesthouse. Many thanks for having chased that old swine from your house, I am told in conjunction with Tatiana Markovna. Splendid!”
“Where did you hear that?”
“The whole town is talking of it. I wanted to come and show my respect to you, when I suddenly heard that you were on friendly terms with the Governor, had invited him to your house, and that you and your aunt had stood on your hind paws before him. That is abominable, when I thought you had only invited him to show him the door.”
“That is what is called bourgeois courage, I believe.”
“I don’t know what it is called, but I can best give you an example of the kind of courage. For some time the police inspector has been sniffing round our vegetable garden, so probably his Excellency has been kind enough to show an interest in me, and to enquire after my health and amusements. Well, I am training a couple of bull-dogs, and I hadn’t had them a week before the garden was clear of cats. I have them ready at dark, and if the Colonel or his suite arrive, I shall let my beasts loose. Of course it will happen by accident.”
“I have come to say goodbye, for I am leaving here shortly.”
“You are going away?” asked Mark in astonishment, then added in a low, serious voice, “I should like to have a word with you.”
“Speak, by all means. Is it a question of money again?”
“Money as far as I am concerned, but it is not of that I wish to speak to you. I will come to you later. I cannot speak of that now,” he said looking significantly at Koslov’s wife to indicate that he could not explain himself in her presence.
“No one will let you go?” whispered Juliana Andreevna. “I have not once spoken to you out of hearing of my husband.”