"Vasili Dmitrich, I thank you for the honor," she said, with an embarrassed voice, though it sounded severe to Denisov--"but my daughter is so young, and I thought that, as my son's friend, you would have addressed yourself first to me.

In that case you would not have obliged me to give this refusal.

" "Countess..." said Denisov, with downcast eyes and a guilty face.

He tried to say more, but faltered.

Natasha could not remain calm, seeing him in such a plight.