21st May. NEARLY a week has passed, and I have not yet made the Ligovskis' acquaintance. I am awaiting a convenient opportunity. Grushnitski follows Princess Mary everywhere like a shadow. Their conversations are interminable; but, when will she be tired of him? . . . Her mother pays no attention, because he is not a man who is in a position to marry. Behold the logic of mothers! I have caught two or three tender glances -- this must be put a stop to. Yesterday, for the first time, Vera made her appearance at the well. . . She has never gone out of doors since we met in the grotto. We let down A HERO OF OUR TIME our tumblers at the same time, and as she bent forward she whispered to me: "You are not going to make the Ligovskis' acquaintance? . . . It is only there that we can meet" . . . A reproach! . . . How tiresome! But I have deserved it. . . By the way, there is a subscription ball to- morrow in the saloon of the restaurant, and I will dance the mazurka with Princess Mary.