As he rarely met Anna, he could say nothing but banalities to her, but he said those banalities, when was she returning to Peterburg, and how fond Countess Lidia Ivanovna was of her - with an expression which suggested that he longed with his whole soul to please her, and show his regard for her - and even more than that.

Tushkevich came in, announcing that the party were awaiting the other players to begin croquet.

`No, don't go away, please don't,' pleaded Liza Merkalova, hearing that Anna was going. Stremov joined in her entreaties.

`It's too violent a transition,' he said, `to go from such company to old Madame Vrede. And, besides, you will only give her a chance for talking scandal, while here you will arouse other feelings, of the finest and directly opposed to scandal,' he said to her.

Anna pondered for an instant in uncertainty. This shrewd man's flattering words, the naive, childlike affection shown her by Liza Merkalova, and all the worldly atmosphere she was used to - it was all so easy, while that which was in store for her was so difficult, that she was for a minute in uncertainty: should she remain, should she put off a little longer the painful moment of explanation? But, remembering what was in store for her when she would be alone at home, if she did not come to some decision; remembering that gesture - terrible even in memory - when she had clutched her hair in both hands, she said good-by and went away.