Volintsev turned into the thickest part of the garden with Natalya and
Mlle. Boncourt. He walked beside Natalya in silence. Mlle. Boncourt
followed a little behind.

'What have you been doing to-day?' asked Volintsev at last, pulling
the ends of his handsome dark brown moustache.

In features he resembled his sister strikingly; but there was less
movement and life in his expression, and his soft beautiful eyes had a
melancholy look.

'Oh! nothing,' answered Natalya, 'I have been listening to Pigasov's
sarcasms, I have done some embroidery on canvas, and I've been
reading.'

'And what have you been reading?'

'Oh! I read--a history of the Crusades,' said Natalya, with some
hesitation,

Volintsev looked at her.

'Ah!' he ejaculated at last, 'that must be interesting.'

He picked a twig and began to twirl it in the air. They walked another
twenty paces.

'What is this baron whom your mother has made acquaintance with?'
began Volintsev again.