CHAPTER XVI
Not only Raisky, but Tatiana Markovna gave up her attitude of acquiescence, and secretly began to watch Vera narrowly. Tatiana Markovna became thoughtful, she even neglected the affairs of the house and farm, left the keys lying on the table, did not speak to Savili, kept no accounts, and did not drive out into the fields. She grew melancholy as she sought in vain how she might seek from Vera a frank avowal, or find means to avert misfortune.
Vera in love, in an ecstasy! It seemed to her more than small-pox or measles, worse even than brain fever. And with whom was she in love? God grant that it were Ivan Ivanovich. If Vera were married to him, she herself would die in peace. But her feminine instinct told her that whatever deep affection the Forester cherished for Vera, it was reciprocated by nothing more than friendship.
Who then was the man? Of the neighbouring landowners there was only Tushin whom she saw and knew anything of. The young men in the town, the officers and councillors, had long since given up any hope of being received into her favour.
She looked keenly and suspiciously at Vera when she came to dinner or tea, and tried to follow her into the garden, but as soon as Vera was aware of her aunt’s presence she quickened her steps and vanished into the distance.
“Spirited away like a ghost!” said Tatiana Markovna to Raisky. “I wanted to follow her, but where, with my old limbs? She flits like a bird into the woods, into the bushes, over the precipice.”
Raisky went immediately into the park, where he met Yakob, and asked him if he had seen the young lady.
“I saw Vera Vassilievna just now by the chapel.”
“What was she doing there?”