'He is a very clever man, the baron.'

'Yes.'

Darya Mihailovna sniffed at her little crushed-up handkerchief steeped
in _eau de cologne_.

'Are you in the government service?' she asked.

'Who? I?'

'Yes.'

'No. I have retired.'

There followed a brief pause. The general conversation was resumed.

'If you will allow me to be inquisitive,' began Pigasov, turning to
Rudin, 'do you know the contents of the essay which his excellency
the baron has sent?'

'Yes, I do.'

'This essay deals with the relations to commerce--or no, of
manufactures to commerce in our country. . . . That was your
expression, I think, Darya Mihailovna?'

'Yes, it deals with'. . . began Darya Mihailovna, pressing her hand to
her forehead.