seldom allowed his antagonist to express himself fully, he crushed him
by his eager, vehement and passionate dialectic.

Darya Mihailovna expressed herself in Russian. She prided herself on
her knowledge of her own language, though French words and expressions
often escaped her. She intentionally made use of simple popular terms
of speech; but not always successfully. Rudin's ear was not outraged
by the strange medley of language on Darya Mihailovna's lips, indeed
he hardly had an ear for it.

Darya Mihailovna was exhausted at last and letting her head fall on
the cushions of her easy-chair she fixed her eyes on Rudin and was
silent.

'I understand now,' began Rudin, speaking slowly, 'I understand why
you come every summer into the country. This period of rest is
essential for you; the peace of the country after your life in the
capital refreshes and strengthens you. I am convinced that you must be
profoundly sensitive to the beauties of nature.'

Darya Mihailovna gave Rudin a sidelong look.

'Nature--yes--yes--of course. . . . I am passionately fond of it;
but do you know, Dmitri Nikolaitch, even in the country one cannot do
without society. And here there is practically none. Pigasov is the
most intelligent person here.'

'The cross old gentleman who was here last night?' inquired Rudin.

'Yes. . . . In the country though, even he is of use--he sometimes makes