But how was she to do it?
She felt both awkward and ashamed.

She had not long known him, this man who rarely went to church, and took his wife's death so calmly--and here was she, confiding al her secrets to him....

It was true he took an interest in her; she herself trusted him and felt drawn to him; but all the same, she was ashamed, as though a stranger had been into her pure, maiden bower.
Marfa Timofyevna came to her assistance.
"Well, if you won't entertain him," said Marfa Timofyevna, "who will, poor fellow?
I am too old for him, he is too clever for me, and for Nastasya Karpovna he's too old, it's only the quite young men she will look at." "How can I entertain Fedor Ivanitch ?" said Lisa.

"If he likes, had I not better play him something on the piano ?" she added irresolutely.
"Capital; you're my clever girl," rejoined Marfa Timofyevna.

"Step down-stairs, my dears; when you have finished, come back: I have been made old maid, I don't like it, I want to have my revenge." Lisa got up.