A Hero of Our Time

r appearance. Several of the ladies looked at Princess Mary with envy and malevolence, because she dresses with taste. Those who look upon themselves as the aristocracy of the place conceal

eyes off his divinity. As she passed by, she gave him a hardly perceptible nod. He beamed like the sun... The first d

minded me of the times of the farthingale, and the motley hue of her by no means smooth skin, of the happy epoch of the bla

me and did not apologise, but even turned round and stared at me through her lorgnette!... C

d the obliging captain, and he dir

g myself of the local customs which allowed one to d

rity. Carelessly she let her hand fall upon my shoulder, inclined her head slightly to one side, and we began to dance. I have never known a waist more voluptuous an

. She was out of breath, her eyes were dulled, her half-open lips

lence I said to her, as

ou, I have already had the misfortune to incur your displeasure.

?" she answered, with an ironical little grimace-

the still greater audacity to beg your pardon... And, indeed, I should

that a rather d

why

d, most likely, there will not

, "that their doors are

ation, "one should never spurn a penitent criminal: in his despai

cess. He was particularly well pleased with something or other, and was rubbing his hands, laughing and exchanging meaning glances with his companions. All at once a gentleman in an evening-dress coat and with long moustaches and a red face separated him

that sort of thing here... All I need

long way off, and not one of the cavaliers of her acquaintance was near. A certain aide-de-camp apparentl

. "Do you not wish to dance then?... All the same I again have the honour to engage you for the mazurka.

e point of fainting with

, and, looking him fixedly in the face, requested him to retire. "Because

said, bursting out laughing, and he retired to his abashed

by a deep, wo

r sought me out among the crowd and thanked me. She informed me that she k

ed; "but confess, you alone are to blame for that. You fight shy of everyone in a positively u

s which everybody must have

ragged on a drea

from the gallery, Princess M

ally dispelled; her face brightened up; she jested very charmingly; her conversation was witty, without pretensions to wit, vivacious and spontaneous; her observa

said, with a forced laugh, li

because you are surrounded by too dense a throng of adorer

een afraid; they are

ot all,

to recollect something, then blushed slightl

ll

riend, Gru

end?" she said, man

es

ot come into the categ

the unfortunate!

der that funny? I should lik

yself, and, in truth, it wa

she said rapidly, and then

d you th

Who is t

different direction, and it did

l we should meet again. The ladies drove off in differen

t wish to make the acquaintance of Princess Mary

plied. "I have saved her f

that? T

who guess everyth