He listened to her response to his suggestions.  He frowned at her thinking this artist was above her.  "I thought he was famous artist.  Who is the nobleman?"  He had tried to keep things straight with what she had said before but some of the English had gotten mixed up somewhere apparently.  "Pip is a lady.  Either of them be lucky to marry and have Viktre son."  He stated plainly and firmly, considering the statement to be fact.

His eyes gave her a tender look.  "If he like Viktre then yes, Pip deserve better.  This part of why thinking look for good man is needed for you.  My partner...like brother to me, Ayyen... you meet him, da?  He is gentleman, was office in Russian Navy.  Is good man.  That kind of man you need.  Would take care of you and mladenets.  Give you good home and be true once married.  Viktre is wild still.  Not tame.  Pip too ladylike to tame Viktre or both not like each other anymore if tried."  He explained his thought.  "Not want to not like Pip.  Not want to resent mladenets..." he tried out the English word, "baby."

When she asked if she could ask him a question, he nodded and said, "Da. chto-libo.....um...Anything."