'Well, I have come for a personal interview,' he said at last.

Darya Mihailovna smiled.

'I see you have come. You say that in such a tone. . . . You could not
have been very anxious to come to see me.'

'I never go anywhere,' rejoined Lezhnyov phlegmatically.

'Not anywhere? But you go to see Alexandra Pavlovna.'

'I am an old friend of her brother's.'

'Her brother's! However, I never wish to force any one. . . . But
pardon me, Mihailo Mihailitch, I am older than you, and I may be
allowed to give you advice; what charm do you find in such an
unsociable way of living? Or is my house in particular displeasing to
you? You dislike me?'

'I don't know you, Darya Mihailovna, and so I can't dislike you. You
have a splendid house; but I will confess to you frankly I don't like
to have to stand on ceremony. And I haven't a respectable suit, I
haven't any gloves, and I don't belong to your set.'

'By birth, by education, you belong to it, Mihailo Mihailitch! _vous
etes des notres_.'

'Birth and education are all very well, Darya Mihailovna; that's not
the question.'