‘Am I angry? Oh, what for?’
‘I don’t know; possibly you have been disagreeably affected by the observation I permitted myself to make in reference to——’
Ratmirov stammered.
‘In reference to?’ Irina repeated interrogatively. ‘Ah, if you please, no irony, and make haste. I’m tired and sleepy.’
She took a candle from the table. ‘In reference to——?’
‘Well, in reference to this same Mr. Litvinov; since there’s no doubt now that you take a great interest in him.’
Irina lifted the hand in which she was holding the candlestick, till the flame was brought on a level with her husband’s face, and attentively, almost with curiosity, looking him straight in the face, she suddenly burst into laughter.
‘What is it?’ asked Ratmirov scowling.
Irina went on laughing.