And that disgusting good nature, which every one likes him for and praises—�I hate that good nature of his,” she thought. Her mouth stiffened, the muscles of the cheek contracted on the right side of her pale, nervous face.

“What do you want?” she said in a rapid, deep, unnatural voice.

“Dolly!” he repeated, with a quiver in his voice. “Anna is coming today.”

“Well, what is that to me? I can’t see her!” she cried.

“But you must, really, Dolly...”

“Go away, go away, go away!” she shrieked, not looking at him, as though this shriek were called up by physical pain.