The unlighted drawing-room was empty.

Lavretsky went into the dining-room and asked if it was some one's name-day.
In a whisper the told him no, but that the evening service had been arranged at the desire of Lisaveta Mihalovna and Marfa Timofyevna; that it had been intended to invite a wonder-working image, but that the latter had gone thirty versts away to visit a sick man.

Soon the priest arrived with the deacons; he was a man no longer young, with a large bald head; he coughed loudly in the hall: the ladies at once filed slowly out of the boudoir, and went up to receive his blessing; Lavretsky bowed to them in silence; and in silence to him.

The priest stood still for a little while, coughed once again, and asked in a bass undertone-- "You wish me to begin ?" "Pray begin father," replied Marya Dmitrievna.
He began to put on his robes; a deacon in a surplice asked obsequiously for a hot ember; there was a scent of incense.

The maids and men-servants came out from the hall and remained huddled close together before the door.