"Very well, Knight of the Rueful Countenance, if you aren't you aren't.
Never mind, come with me, and I will introduce you to a charming young
man. Come!"

So saying she took her brother's hand, and laughingly led him along.

"Stop! Who is this charming young man?"

"My fiance," cried Lialia, as, joyful and confused, she twisted sharply
round so that her gown was puffed out. Yourii knew already, from his
father's and sister's letters, that a young doctor recently established
in the town had been paying court to Lialia, but he was not aware that
their engagement was a _fait accompli_.

"You don't say so?" said he, in amazement. It seemed to him so strange
that pretty, fresh-looking little Lialia, almost a child, should
already have a lover, and should soon become a bride--a wife. It
touched him to a vague sense of pity for his sister. Yourii put his arm
round Lialia's waist and went with her into the dining-room where in
the lamp-light shone the large, highly polished samovar. At the table,
by the side of Nicolai Yegorovitch sat a well-built young man, not
Russian in type, with bronzed features and keen bright eyes.

He rose in simple, friendly fashion to meet Yourii.

"Introduce me."

"Anatole Pavlovitch Riasantzeff!" cried Lialia, with a gesture of comic
solemnity.