on me,
and when l was taken
before the emperor, dressed in it,
he nodded his head to me,
and l was told that l was appointed
to the vacant post of page.
l was called 'page'.
Suddenly his eye fell on me
and an idea seemed
to flash across him.
'Child,' he said, abruptly.
lf l were to recognize
the Russian orthodox religion
and emancipate the serfs,
do you think Russia
would come over to me?
'Never!' l cried, indignantly.
The Emperor was much struck.
ln the flashing eyes of this patriotic
child l read and accept
the fiat of the Russian people.
And, do you know,
l all but went off to Paris.
but, alas, our destinies
were otherwise ordered.
Heavens! it's two o'clock!
How l have kept you, prince!
lt is really most unpardonable of me.
Oh, not in the least,
On the contrary,
l have been so much interested,
l'm really very much obliged to you.
Prince, Prince, you are so kind,
so simple-minded, that sometimes
l really feel sorry for you!
l gaze at you with a feeling
of real affection.
Oh, Heaven bless you!
May your life blossom
and fructify in love.
Mine is over.
Mine is over.
He has taken offence.
that has reached such inspiration.
Colia.
You invite tonight,
and ask to transfer it as a token of the deepest respect.
And what is it?
l must part forever,
l am grateful, but even from you
l could not accept signs of sympathy
which were humiliating to the dignity
of a man already miserable enough.
Badly the railway works.
Yes to repair railway it would be very useful.
Sit prince.
Did you get my hedgehog?
Yes, l got it.
Tell us now, at once,
what you made of the present?
l must have you answer
this question for mother's sake,
she needs pacifying, and
so do all the rest of the family!
-This is going beyond all limits!
-Look here, Aglaya...
lt is not in the least
beyond all limits, mamma!
l sent the prince a hedgehog
this morning, and
l wish to hear his opinion of it.
Go on, prince.
What sort of opinion,
Aglaya lvanovna?
About the hedgehog.
That is...
l suppose you wish to know how
l received the hedgehog, Aglaya lvanovna,
or, l should say, how l regarded
your sending him to me?
ln that case, l may tell you...
in a word
You haven't told us much!
Very well, l am ready
to drop the hedgehog, if you like,
but l am anxious to be able
to clear up this accumulation
of misunderstandings.
Allow me to ask you, prince,
l wish to hear from you, personally
are you making me an offer, or not?
Gracious heavens!
Don't deceive me now, prince
tell the truth.
All these people persecute me
with astounding questions
about you.
ls there any ground
for all these questions, or not?
l have not asked you to marry me yet,
Aglaya lvanovna
but you know yourself
how much l love you and trust you.
l asked you this, answer this!
Do you intend to ask
for my band, or not?
l do ask for it!
My dear girl.
You cannot proceed like this, Aglaya,
if that's how the matter stands.
lt's impossible.
Prince, forgive it, my dear fellow, but
Lizabetha Prokofievna!...
Not l... not l!
Allow me to speak, please, mamma.
An important moment of
my destiny is about to be decided.
l wish to find out
how the matter stands,
for my own sake,
though l am glad you are all here.
Allow me to ask you, prince,
since you cherish those intentions,
how you consider that
you will provide for my happiness?
l don't quite know how
to answer your question, Aglaya lvanovna.
What is there to say
to such a question?
And... and must l answer?
l think you are rather overwhelmed
and out of breath.
Have a little rest,
and try to recover yourself.
Take a glass of water, or
but they'll give you some tea directly.
l love you, Aglaya lvanovna,
l love you very much.
l love only you.
Please don't jest about it,
for l do love you very much.
Well, this matter is important.
We are not children
we must look into it thoroughly.
Now then, kindly tell me
what does your fortune consist of?
No