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"I shan't imagine anything. I only asked and, if you've anything

to say to her, nothing is easier than to call her in. I'll go

directly and you may be sure I won't be in your way."

Five minutes later Lebeziatnikov came in with Sonia. She came in

very much surprised and overcome with shyness as usual. She was

always shy in such circumstances and was always afraid of new

people, she had been as a child and was even more so now....

Pyotr Petrovitch met her "politely and affably," but with a

certain shade of bantering familiarity which in his opinion was

suitable for a man of his respectability and weight in dealing

with a creature so young and so interesting as she. He hastened

to "reassure" her and made her sit down facing him at the table.

Sonia sat down, looked about her--at Lebeziatnikov, at the notes

lying on the table and then again at Pyotr Petrovitch and her

eyes remained riveted on him. Lebeziatnikov was moving to the

door. Pyotr Petrovitch signed to Sonia to remain seated and

stopped Lebeziatnikov.