him; her husband nodded his head patronisingly. Kollomietzev
stuck his monocle between his eyebrow and nose and stared at the
student who dared not to share his "fears." But it was difficult
to embarrass Nejdanov in this way; on the contrary, he instantly
sat up straight, and in his turn fixed his gaze on the
fashionable official. Just as instinctively as he had felt
Mariana to be a comrade, so he felt Kollomietzev to be an enemy!
Kollomietzev felt it too; he removed his monocle, turned away,
and tried to laugh carelessly--but it did not come off somehow.
Only Anna Zaharovna, who secretly worshipped him, was on his
side, and became even angrier than before with the unwelcome
neighbour separating her from Kolia.

Soon after this dinner came to an end. The company went out on
the terrace to drink coffee. Sipiagin and Kollomietzev lit up
cigars. Sipiagin offered Nejdanov a regalia, but the latter
refused.

"Why, of course!" Sipiagin exclaimed; "I've forgotten that you
only smoke your own particular cigarettes!

"A curious taste!" Kollomietzev muttered between his teeth.

Nejdanov very nearly burst out, "I know the difference between a
regalia and a cigarette quite well, but I don't want to be under
an obligation to anyone!" but he contained himself and held his
peace. He put down this second piece of insolence to his enemy's
account.

"Mariana!" Madame Sipiagin suddenly called, "don't be on ceremony