'What!' interrupted Elena, 'you have to go soon? If you like, I
will stop at once this minute with you for ever, and not go home,
shall I? Shall we go at once?'

Insarov clasped her in his arms with redoubled warmth. 'May God so
reward me then,' he cried, 'if I am doing wrong! From to-day, we are
one for ever!'

'Am I to stay?' asked Elena.

'No, my pure girl; no, my treasure. You shall go back home to-day,
only keep yourself in readiness. This is a matter we can't manage
straight off; we must plan it out well. We want money, a passport----'

'I have money,' put in Elena. 'Eighty roubles.'

'Well, that's not much,' observed Insarov; 'but everything's a
help.'

'But I can get more. I will borrow. I will ask mamma. . . . No, I
won't ask mamma for any. . . . But I can sell my watch. ... I have
earrings, too, and two bracelets . . . and lace.'

'Money's not the chief difficulty, Elena; the passport; your
passport, how about that?'

'Yes, how about it? Is a passport absolutely necessary?'

'Absolutely.'