We have already said that, in spite of her coldness, Maria Gavrilovna was, as before, surrounded by suitors. But all had to retire into the background when the wounded Colonel Bourmin of the Hussars, with the Order of St. George in his buttonhole and with an “interesting pallor,” as the young ladies of the neighborhood observed, appeared at the castle.
He was about twenty-six years of age. He had obtained leave of absence to visit his estate, which was contiguous to that of Maria Gavrilovna. Maria bestowed special attention upon him. In his presence her habitual pensiveness disappeared. It cannot be said that she coquetted with him, but a poet, observing her behaviour, would have said:
“Se amor non e, che dunque?”
Maria Gavrilovna
Bourmin was indeed a very charming young man. He possessed that spirit which is eminently pleasing to women: a spirit of decorum and ODservation, without any pretensions, and yet not without a slight tendency towards careless satire. His behavior towards Maria Gavrilovna Was simple and frank, but whatever she said or did, his soul and eyes followed her. He seemed to be of a quiet and modest disposition, though report said that he had once been a terrible rake; but this did not injure him in the opinion of Maria Gavrilovna, who like all young Indies in general excused with pleasure follies that gave indication of boldness and ardor of temperament.
But more than everything else more than his tenderness, more than his agreeable conversation, more than his interesting pallor, more than his arm in a sling the silence of the young Hussar excited her curiosity and imagination. She could not but confess that he pleased her very much.
Probably he, too, with his perception and experience, had already observed that she made a distinction between him and the others. How was it then that she had not yet seen him at her feet or heard his declaration? What restrained him? Was it timidity, inseparable from true love, or pride or the coquetry of a crafty wooer?
It was an enigma to her. After long reflection, she came to the conclusion that timidity alone was the cause of it, and she resolved to encourage him by greater attention and, if circumstances should render it necessary, even by an exhibition of tenderness. She prepared a most unexpected denouement, and waited with impatience for the moment of the romantic explanation.
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