This vulgar--as he thought it--threat of something vague exasperated him.

" I've tried everything," he thought; "the only thing left is not to pay attention," and he began to get ready to drive into town, and again to his mother's to get her signature to the deeds.

She heard the sound of his steps about the study and the dining room.

At the drawing room he stood still.

But he did not turn in to see her, he merely gave an order that the horse should be given to Voytov if he came while he was away.