The Cossacks by Leo Tolstoy Chapter 38 Page 5

‘Why did you not tell me sooner?’ said Beletski. ‘I would have got Ustenka to arrange it for you.

You are such a queer fellow! ...’

‘What’s to be done! ... Some day, very soon, I’ll tell you all about it. Only now, for Heaven’s sake, arrange so that she should come to Ustenka’s.’

‘All right, that’s easily done! Well, Maryanka, will you belong to the “fair-faced lad”, and not to Lukashka?’ said Beletski, speaking to Maryanka first for propriety’s sake, but having received no reply he went up to Ustenka and begged her to bring Maryanka home with her. He had hardly time to finish what he was saying before the leader began another song and the girls started