"No; I have my quarters in the Europa," replies he. "I will not cause you any inconvenience."
"Inconvenience! How can you speak so?" says Mascha, angrily. "No, you shall not deprive me of the pleasure. We have room enough, that is the cheapest thing in Venice. Ah! what would it be if you lived in a hotel, and would come to me as guest in an especially well-brushed coat, in the afternoons? I must have you the whole day, from the moment you open your eyes. I must bring the children in their night-dresses to your bed. They are so cunning when they rub the sleep out of their eyes. I must show you Natascha in her bath. I must pour you your tea at breakfast, and butter your bread--that is--" The young wife suddenly grows confused. "How foolish I am! Perhaps you do not wish all that? You are much more independent in a hotel. It might be a burden----"
"You foolish Mascha," he interrupts her, touched. "If it really causes you no disturbance, have my luggage fetched immediately from the Europa, and I will spend the few days with you. But now show me my grandchildren; the little pictures of them which you sent me were very nice."
"Harry has gone with the servant to hear the music on the St. Mark's Place, and the little one is asleep. Come and see her."
She took him by the hand and led him through one or two bare and immense rooms to a very neat little chamber, in which stood a cradle, and an Italian nurse in a red dress busied herself with sewing. "There!" whispered Mascha, pushing back the white tulle curtains of the cradle. "Is she not charming?"
A child of perhaps nine months lay among the pillows. It was no longer asleep, but its blue eyes were wide open. When it perceived its mother, it gave a short, clear cry of joy; Mascha raised it from the pillows. It looked very charming in its white night-dress, with its delicate blond head where one could yet see the skin under the golden-brown curls.
"Give grandpa a kiss, Natascha--that is, if you are not afraid of a wet little mouth, papa," said Mascha.
"She is very large for her age," said Lensky, after he had taken the child, who did not show the slightest fear of him, in his arms.
"I believe you," replies Mascha, proudly. "But give her to the nurse. She will bore you, and, besides, she must be dressed."
When the child saw her mother leave the room, she began to cry loudly. Mascha started a little, but meanwhile closed the door behind her.