“What would I not do to prove it to you. Later in the evening....”
“No, this minute. When I come to dinner her eyes are to look on me as before, do you understand?”
“Well, I will go!” promised Raisky, but did not stir.
“Make haste!”
“And you?”
For answer she pointed in the direction of the house.
“One word more,” she said, detaining him. “You must never, never talk about me to Grandmother, do you understand?”
“Agreed, sister.”
She motioned him to be gone, and when turning into an avenue he looked round for a moment, she had vanished. She had, as Grandmother said, disappeared like a ghost. A moment later there was the report of a gun from the precipice. Raisky wondered who was playing tricks there, and went towards the house.
Vera appeared punctually at the midday meal. Keenly as he looked at her, Raisky could observe no change in her. Tatiana Markovna glanced at him once or twice in inquiry, but was visibly reassured when she saw no signs of anything unusual. Raisky had executed Vera’s commission, and had alleviated her acutest anxiety, but it was impossible to reassure her completely.