Anna Vassilyevna looked at him.

'Ah, Dmitri Nikanorovitch, God grant you never have to go through what
I am going through now. But you will promise me to take care of
her--to love her. You will not have to face poverty while I an,
living!'

Tears choked her voice. She opened her arms, and Elena and Insarov
flung themselves into her embrace.

The fatal day had come at last. It had been arranged that Elena should
say good-bye to her parents at home, and should start on the journey
from Insarov's lodgings. The departure was fixed for twelve o'clock.
About a quarter of an hour before the appointed time Bersenyev
arrived. He had expected to find Insarov's compatriots at his
lodgings, anxious to see him off; but they had already gone before;
and with them the two mysterious persons known to the reader (they had
been witnesses at Insarov's wedding). The tailor met the 'kind
gentlemen' with a bow; he, presumably, to drown his grief, but
possibly to celebrate his delight at getting the furniture, had been
drinking heavily; his wife soon led him away. In the room everything
was by this time ready; a trunk, tied up with cord, stood on the
floor. Bersenyev sank into thought: many memories came rushing upon
him.

Twelve o'clock had long ago struck; and the driver had already
brought round the horses, but the 'young people' still did not appear.
At last hurrying steps were heard on the stairs, and Elena came out
escorted by Insarov and Shubin. Elena's eyes were red; she had left