She beckoned to me, stopped her carriage, and pressingly urged me to join their party.

A place was found for me in the carriage, and she laughingly introduced me to her companions, gorgeously attired ladies, and explained to me that they were all going on a very interesting expedition.

She was laughing, and seemed somewhat excessively happy.

Just lately she had been very lively, even playful, in fact.
The expedition was certainly an eccentric one.

They were all going to a house the other side of the river, to the merchant Sevastyanov's.