"You are going to leave me?" asked she, reproachfully. "You do not love me any more?"
"The Czar has deigned to write with his own hand," returned Araktseieff, handing her the letter.
"What do I care about his writing?" screamed Daimona; and, snatching at the letter, she cut out a piece with her scissors, which so enraged Araktseieff that he struck her violently on the hand.
"You have struck me! You are going away, and have struck me!" And, turning her face away, the woman wept bitterly.
But Araktseieff had no time to pacify her now.
"Seisasz! This means that the crisis is past."
Had there been an ocean before him he must have swam across it. How much more, then, a few woman's tears!
The celebration of a double wedding will come off, but he will not be there to enjoy the fun.
"Quick, quick, Schinko! Then come to my room to shave me."
While at Grusino the minister was in the habit of letting his beard and mustache grow to please Daimona; but always had it shaved off before returning to St. Petersburg.