"I? Far from it, father. But you! Remember you leave at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning. You should rest."
"No; I can sleep to-morrow on the train. Sit down."
Nikolai does as his father requests. For a while they are both silent, then Lensky begins:
"Now I think of it, what was the matter with the hysterical enthusiast who fainted that time at my concert in Eden? Mascha told me of her. I thought she was invited this evening."
"She was invited," replied Nikolai.
"So!" murmured Lensky. "And she did not think it worth the trouble to come?"
"She was ill."
"Excuse!" says Lensky. After awhile he begins again. "I was vexed that she did not come. I asked after her. Mascha is quite in love with her. Who is she?"
"Fräulein von Sankjéwitch."
"Sankjéwitch, Sankjéwitch? Is she a Pole?"