Stepan Arkadyevitch glanced at his watch.
"Why, good heavens, it's four already, and I've still to go to
Dolgovushin's! So please come round to dinner. You can't
imagine how you will grieve my wife and me."
The way in which Alexey Alexandrovitch saw his brother-in-law out
was very different from the manner in which he had met him.
"I've promised, and I'll come," he answered wearily.
"Believe me, I appreciate it, and I hope you won't regret it,"
answered Stepan Arkadyevitch, smiling.
And, putting on his coat as he went, he patted the footman on the
head, chuckled, and went out.
"At five o'clock, and not evening dress, please," he shouted once
more, turning at the door.