But the subject was one which could hardly be discussed by them openly.

"Father," said Anton, after a while, during which the black thunder-cloud which had for an instant settled on his brow had managed to dispel itself without bursting into a visible storm--"father, I am neither ashamed to think of my intended marriage nor to speak of it.

There is no question of shame.

But it is unpleasant to make such a subject matter of general conversation when it is a source of trouble instead of joy among us.

I wish I could have made you happy by my marriage." "You will make me very wretched." "Then let us not talk about it.