“As you please,” said Sanine, without looking round. He could hear Tanaroff trying to pacify the enraged Von Deitz, and thought to himself, “As a rule the fellow’s an utter fool, but put him on his hobby-horse, and he becomes quite sensible.”
“The matter cannot be allowed to rest thus!” cried the implacable Von Deitz, as they went out.
From the door of her room, Lida gently called “Volodja!”
Sanine stood still.
“What is it?”
“Come here; I want to speak to you.”
Sanine entered Lida’s little room where, owing to the trees in front of the window, soft green twilight reigned. There was a feminine odour of perfume and powder.
“How nice it is in here,” said Sanine, with a sigh of relief.
Lida stood facing the window, and green reflected lights from the garden flickered round her cheeks and shoulders.
“What do you want with me?” he asked kindly.