Nejdanov blushed and turned away a little.
“When I tell you that....”
“Yes, then! But you see, Aliosha, you don’t say that to me now.... Oh yes, Aliosha, you are truly an honourable man. Enough of this! Let us talk of more serious things.”
“But I do love you, Mariana!”
“I don’t doubt that ... and shall wait. But there, I have not quite finished arranging your writing table. Here is something wrapped up, something hard.”
Nejdanov sprang up from his chair.
“Don’t touch that, Mariana.... Leave it alone, please!”
Mariana looked at him over her shoulder and raised her eyebrows in amazement.
“Is it a mystery? A secret? Have you a secret?”
“Yes ... yes ...” Nejdanov stammered out, and added by way of explanation, “it’s a portrait.”