But at once, in a way most truly Russian, the atmosphere had changed. It was Nina who controlled the situation. "Boris," she cried, "come here!"
We all waited in silence. He looked at her, a little sulkily, his head hanging, but his eyes glancing up at her.
He seemed nothing then but a boy caught in some misdemeanour, obstinate, sulky, but ready to make peace if a chance were offered him.
He moved across to her, looking her full in the face, his mouth sulky, but his eyes rebelliously smiling.
She stood away from the table, drawn to her full height, her eyes commanding him: "How dare you! Boris, how dare you! My birthday--_mine_--and you've spoilt it, spoilt it all. Come here--up close!"
He came to her until his hands were almost on her body; he hung his head, standing over her.
She stood back as though she were going to strike him, then suddenly with a laugh she sprang upon the chair beside her, flung her arms round his neck and kissed him; then, still standing on the chair, turned and faced us all.
"Now, that's enough--all of you. Michael, Uncle Ivan, Uncle Alexei, Durdles--how dare you, all of you? You're all as bad--every one of you. I'll punish all of you if we have any more politics. Beastly politics! What do they matter? It's my birthday. My _birthday_, I tell you. It _shan't_ be spoilt."
She seemed to me so excited as not to know what she was saying. What had she seen? What did she know?... Meanwhile Grogoff was elated, wildly pleased like a boy who, contrary to all his expectations, had won a prize.
He went up to Markovitch with his hand out:
"Nicholas--forgive me--_Prasteete_--I forgot myself. I'm ashamed--my abominable temper. We are friends. You were right, too. We talk here in Russia too much, far too much, and when the moment comes for action we shrink back. We see too far perhaps. Who knows? But you were right and I am a fool. You've taught me a lesson by your nobility. Thank you, Nicholas. And all of you--I apologise to all of you."
We moved away from the table. Vera came over to us, and then sat on the sofa with her arm around Nina's neck. Nina was very quiet now, sitting there, her cheeks flushed, smiling, but as though she were thinking of something quite different.