However, toward the middle of the dinner everybody’s tongue became loosened—­except Liubka’s, who kept silent, answered “yes” and “no”, and left her food practically untouched.  Lichonin, Soloviev, and Nijeradze talked most of all.  The first, in a decisive and business-like manner, trying to hide under the solicitous words something real, inward, prickling and inconvenient.  Soloviev, with a puerile delight, with the most sweeping of gestures, hitting the table with his fist.  Nijeradze, with a slight doubtfulness and with unfinished phrases, as though he knew that which must be said, but concealed it.  The queer fate of the girl, however, had seemingly engrossed, interested them all; and each one, in expressing his opinion, for some reason inevitably turned to Simanovsky.  But he kept his counsel for the most part, and looked at each one from under the glasses of his pince-nez, raising his head high to do so.

“So, so, so,” he said at last, drumming with his fingers upon the table.  “What Lichonin has done is splendid and brave.  And that the prince and Soloviev are going to meet him half-way is also very good.  I, for my part, am ready to co-operate with your beginnings with whatever lies in my power.  But will it not be better, if we lead our friend along the path of her natural inclinations and abilities, so to speak?  Tell me, my dear,” he turned to Liubka, “what do you know, what can you do?  Well, now, some kind of work, or something.  Sewing, knitting, embroidering or something.”

“I don’t know anything,” said Liubka in a whisper, letting her eyes drop low, all red, squeezing her fingers under the table.  “I don’t understand anything of this.’’

“And really, now,” interposed Lichonin; “why, we haven’t begun the business from the right end.  By talking about her in her presence we merely place her in an awkward position.  Just see—­even her tongue doesn’t move from confusion.  Let’s go, Liubka, I’ll escort you home for just a little while, and return in ten minutes.  And in the meanwhile we’ll think over ways and means here, without you.  All right?”

“As for me, I don’t mind,” almost inaudibly answered Liubka.  “I’ll do just as you like, Vassil Vassilich.  Only I wouldn’t like to go home.”

“Why so?”

“It’s awkward for me there alone.  I’d best wait for you on the boulevard, at the very entrance, on a bench.”

“Ah, yes!” Lichonin recollected:  “It’s Alexandra who has inspired her with such a terror.  My, but I’ll make it hot for this old lizard!  Well, let’s go, Liubochka.”

She timidly, in some sidelong way, put out her hand to each one, folding it like a little spade; and walked out under the escort of Lichonin.

After several minutes he returned and sat down at his place.  He felt that something had been said about him during his absence, and he ran his eyes uneasily over his comrades.  Then, putting his hands on the table, he began: