“Yes, he certainly is wonderful. And should you want to marry Alexai, he will arrange that too with Zosim, the priest. You remember I told you about him. But perhaps it is not necessary as yet, eh?”
“No, not yet.”
“Very well.” Solomin went up to the door dividing the two rooms, Mariana’s and Nejdanov’s, and examined the lock.
“What are you doing?” Mariana asked.
“Does it lock all right?”
“Yes,” Mariana whispered.
Solomin turned to her. She did not raise her eyes.
“Then there is no need to bother about the Sipiagins,” he continued gaily, “is there?”
Solomin was about to go out.
“Vassily Fedotitch ...”