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him a large photograph. "Ah, Nastasya Filippovna! Did she send it you, she, herself?" he asked Ganya eagerly and with great curiosity.

"She gave it me just now, when I went with my congratulations. I've been begging her for it a long time. I don't know whether it wasn't a hint on her part at my coming empty-handed on such a day," added Ganya, with an unpleasant smile.

"Oh, no," said the general with conviction. "What a way of looking at things you have! She'd not be likely to hint... and she is not mercenary either. Besides, what sort of present could you make her, that's a matter of thousands! You might give her your portrait, perhaps? And, by the way, hasn't she asked for your portrait yet?"

"No, she hasn't; and perhaps she never will. You remember the party this evening, Ivan Fyodorovitch, of course? You are one of those particularly invited."

"Oh, I remember, to be sure I remember, and I am coming. I should think so, it's her twenty-fifth birthday. Hm! Do you know, Ganya, I don't mind telling you a secret. Prepare yourself. She promised Afanasy Ivanovitch and me that at the party this evening she would say the final word: to be or not to be. So mind you are prepared."

Ganya was suddenly so taken aback that he turned a little pale.

"Did she say that positively?" he asked, and there was a quaver in his voice.

"She gave us her promise the day before yesterday. We both pressed her till she gave way. But she asked me not to tell you beforehand."

The general looked steadily at Ganya; he was evidently not pleased at his discomfiture.

"Remember, Ivan Fyodorovitch," Ganya said, hesitating and uneasy, "that she has left me quite at liberty till she makes up her mind, and that even then the decision rests with me."

"Do you mean to say you... do you mean to say..." the general was suddenly alarmed.

"I mean nothing."

"Good heavens, what sort of position will you put us in?"

"I haven't refused, you know. I know I have expressed myself badly...."

"The idea of your refusing" said the general with vexation, which he did not even care to conceal. "It's not a question of