Bazarov skimmed the epistle—then scarcely could forbear venting the rancour which blazed for a moment in his breast.
"It is as I said, you see," he commented. "Only yesterday you were telling me that his feeling for Katerina Sergievna was that of a brother for a sister! And what are you going to do?"
"What would you advise me to do?" she said, still smiling.
"I presume"—he also was smiling, although he was feeling as wholly out of spirits, as little inclined towards gaiety, as she was—"I presume that we have no choice but to bestow our blessing upon the young couple. In every respect it would be a good match, for his father has a nice little property, Arkady is the only son, and the father is too easy-going to be likely to raise any difficulty."
Madame Odintsov rose and paced the room for a moment or two—her face alternately flushing and turning pale.
"So that is what you think?" she said. "Well, I too see no impediment. Indeed, the affair rejoices me both for Katia's sake and for—yes, for his. But first I must await his father's consent; and for that purpose I will send Arkady himself to interview Nikolai Petrovitch. So I was right yesterday, was I not? I was right when I said that you and I are become elderly? How did I fail to foresee this? I am indeed surprised at it!"
Again she smiled, but, in the very act of smiting, turned away.
"Our young folk are indeed cunning," remarked Bazarov. After a pause he added:
"Good-bye now. I hope that the affair may develop Well. From a distance I, too, shall rejoice."
She turned and faced him.