“What do you say to this?” he asked, just as they were all going, “Let’s arrange a picnic at the convent, shall we?”
The convent, situated on a hill at no great distance from the town, was a favourite place for excursions. It was near the river, and the road leading to it was good.
Devoted as she was to every kind of amusement such as bathing, rowing and walks in the woods, Lialia welcomed the idea with enthusiasm.
“Yes, of course! Of course! But when is it to be?”
“Well, why not to-morrow?” said Novikoff.
“Who else shall we ask?” asked Riasantzeff, equally pleased at the prospect of a day’s outing. In the woods he would be able to hold Lialia in his arms, to kiss her, and feel that the sweet body he coveted was near.
“Let us see. We are six. Suppose we ask Schafroff?”
“Who is he?” inquired Yourii.
“Oh! he’s a young student.”
“Very well; and Ludmilla Nicolaievna will invite Karsavina and Olga Ivanovna.”