Never had he hated Lida as much as at this moment.
In Lida’s heart there arose a vague, fleeting desire to bid tender farewell to all those bygone hours of love which had once been theirs. But this feeling she swiftly repressed, as she said in a loud, harsh voice:
“Good-bye! Bon voyage! Don’t forget us, Pavel Lvovitsch!”
As they were going, Volochine’s remark could be distinctly heard.
“How charming she is! She intoxicates one, like champagne!”
When they had gone, Lida sat down again in the rocking-chair. Her position was a different one, now, for she bent forward, trembling all over, and her silent tears fell fast.
“Come, come! What’s the matter?” said Sanine, as he took hold of her hand.
“Oh! don’t! What an awful thing life is!” she exclaimed, as her head sank lower, and she covered her face with her hands, while the soft plait of hair, slipping over her shoulder, hung down in front.
“For shame!” said Sanine. “What’s the use of crying about such trifles?”
“Are there really no other … better men, then?” murmured Lida.