I sat with them for an hour.
When I took leave he came into the passage with me and began speaking of Nellie.
He seriously thought of taking her into his house to fill the place of his daughter, Natasha.
He began consulting me how to predispose Anna Andreyevna in favour of the plan.
With special curiosity he questioned me about Nellie, asking whether I had found out anything fresh about her.
I told him briefly, my story made an impression on him.
“We’ll speak of it again,” he said decisively. “And meanwhile ... but I’ll come to you myself, as soon as I’m a little better.
Then we’ll settle things.”
At twelve o’clock precisely I reached Masloboev’s.
To my intense amazement the first person I met when I went in was Prince Valkovsky.
He was putting on his overcoat in the entry, and Masloboev was officiously helping him and handing him his cane.
He had already told me that he was acquainted with the prince, but yet this meeting astonished me extremely.
Prince Valkovsky seemed confused when he saw me.
“Ach, that’s you!” he cried, with somewhat exaggerated warmth. “What a meeting, only fancy!
But I have just heard from Mr. Masloboev that he knew you.
I’m glad, awfully glad to have met you. I was just wishing to see you, and hoping to call on you as soon as possible. You will allow me?
I have a favour to ask of you. Help me, explain our present position.
You understand, of course, that I am referring to what happened yesterday.... You are an intimate friend; you have followed the whole course of the affair; you have influence... I’m awfully sorry that I can’t stay now... Business ...
But in a few days, and perhaps sooner, I shall have the pleasure of calling on you.
But now . . .”
He shook my hand with exaggerated heartiness, exchanged a glance with Masloboev, and went away.
“Tell me for mercy’s sake...” I began, as I went into the room.
“I won’t tell you anything,” Masloboev interrupted, hurriedly snatching up his cap and going towards the entry. “I’ve business.
I must run, too, my boy. I’m late.”
“Why, you wrote to me yourself to come at twelve o’clock!”
“What if I did write twelve o’clock?
I wrote to you yesterday, but today I’ve been written to myself, and such a piece of business that my head’s in a whirl!
They’re waiting for me.
Forgive me, Vanya, the only thing I can suggest to you by way of satisfaction is to punch my head for having troubled you for nothing.
If you want satisfaction, punch it; only, for Christ’s sake, make haste!
Don’t keep me. I’ve business. I’m late ...”
“What should I punch your head for?
Make haste then if you’ve business . . . things unforeseen may happen to anyone.
Only . . .”
“Yes, as for that only, let me tell you,” he interrupted, dashing out into the entry and putting on his coat (I followed his example).
“I have business with you, too; very important business; that’s why I asked you to come; it directly concerns you and your interests.
And as it’s impossible to tell you about it in one minute now, for goodness’ sake promise me to come to me today at seven o’clock, neither before nor after.
I’ll be at home.”
“Today,” I said uncertainly. “Well, old man, I did mean this evening to go . . .”
“Go at once, dear boy., where you meant to go this evening, and come this evening to me.
For you can’t imagine, Vanya, the things I have to tell you.”
“But I say, what is it?
I confess you make me curious.”
Meanwhile we had come out of the gate and were standing on the pavement.
“So you’ll come?” he asked insistently.
“I’ve told you I will.”
“No, give me your word of honour.”
“Foo! what a fellow!
Very well, my word of honour.”
“Noble and excellent.