Raisky noticed in the Forester’s behaviour towards Vera a constant adoration expressed by his glance and his voice, and sometimes by his timidity; on her side an equally constant confidence, frankness and affection, nothing more. He did not surprise in her a single sign or gesture, a single word or glance that might have betrayed her. Tushin showed pure esteem and a consistent readiness to serve her as her bear, and no more. Surely he was not the man who wrote the letter on the blue paper.
After the Forester had taken his leave, the household fell back into its regular routine. Vera seemed untroubled and in possession of a quiet happiness, and showed herself kind and affectionate to her aunt and Marfinka. Yet there were days when unrest suddenly came upon her, when she went hastily to her room in the old house, or descended the precipice into the park, and displayed a gloomy resentment if Raisky or Marfinka ventured to disturb her solitude. After a short interval she resumed an even, sympathetic temper, helped in the household, looked over her aunt’s accounts, and even paid visits to the ladies in the town. She discussed literary questions with Raisky, who realised from the opinions she expressed that her reading was wide and enticed her into thorough-going discussions. They read together, though not regularly. Sometimes a wild intoxication flared up in her, but it was a disconcerting merriment. One evening, when she suddenly left the room, Tatiana Markovna and Raisky exchanged a long questioning glance.
“What do you think of Vera?” she began. “She seems to have recovered from her malady of the soul.”
“I think it is more serious than before.”
“What is the matter with you, Borushka? You can see how gay and friendly she has become.”
“Is she like the Vera you have known. I fear that this is not gladness, but rather agitation, even intoxication.”
“You are right. She is changed.”
“Don’t you notice that she is ecstatic?”
“Ecstatic?” repeated Tatiana Markovna anxiously. “Why do you say that, especially just at night? I shan’t sleep. The ecstasy of a young girl spells disaster.”