Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch led out Madame Liputin--a very pretty little woman who was dreadfully shy of him--took two turns round the room with her, sat down beside her, drew her into conversation and made her laugh.

Noticing at last how pretty she was when she laughed, he suddenly, before all the company, seized her round the waist and kissed her on the lips two or three times with great relish.

The poor frightened lady fainted.

Nikolay Vsyevolodovitch took his hat and went up to the husband, who stood petrified in the middle of the general excitement.

Looking at him he, too, became confused and muttering hurriedly "Don't be angry," went away.