Nezhdanov did not at once find a reply.
'I was telling you before———' he began.
'He used that expression,' put in Marianna, 'because I am going with him.'
Solomin looked at her, and shook his head good-humouredly.
'Yes, yes, my dear young lady; but I tell you again, if you are meaning to leave this house just because you suppose the revolution is going to break out directly———'
'That's what we wrote for you to come for, Marianna interrupted, 'to find out for certain what position things are in.'
'In that case,' pursued Solomin, 'I repeat, you can stop at home—a good bit longer. If you mean to run away because you love each other and you can't be united otherwise, then———'
'Well, what then?'
'Then it only remains for me to wish you, as the old-fashioned saying is, love and good counsel, and, if need be and can be, to give you any help in my power. Because, my dear young lady, you, and him too, I've loved from first sight as if you were my own brother and sister.'
Marianna and Nezhdanov both went up to him on the right and the left, and each clasped one of his hands.
'Only tell us what to do,' said Marianna.
69
