tightly that she shrieked, and for a long time afterwards breathed on
her hand, pretending to be angry, while he murmured something in her
ears.

'Mischievous things, young people,' Anna Vassilyevna observed gaily to
Uvar Ivanovitch.

He flourished his fingers in reply.

'What a girl Zoya Nikitishna is!' said Bersenyev to Elena.

'And Shubin? What of him?' she answered.

Meanwhile the whole party went into the arbour, well known as Pleasant
View arbour, and stopped to admire the view of the Tsaritsino lakes.
They stretched one behind the other for several miles, overshadowed by
thick woods. The bright green grass, which covered the hill sloping
down to the largest lake, gave the water itself an extraordinarily
vivid emerald colour. Even at the water's edge not a ripple stirred the
smooth surface. One might fancy it a solid mass of glass lying heavy
and shining in a huge font; the sky seemed to drop into its depths,
while the leafy trees gazed motionless into its transparent bosom. All
were absorbed in long and silent admiration of the view; even Shubin
was still; even Zoya was impressed. At last, all with one mind, began
to wish to go upon the water. Shubin, Insarov, and Bersenyev raced
each other over the grass. They succeeded in finding a large painted
boat and two boatmen, and beckoned to the ladies. The ladies stepped
into the boat; Uvar Ivanovitch cautiously lowered himself into it
after them. Great was the mirth while he got in and took his seat.
'Look out, master, don't drown us,' observed one of the boatmen, a