"Lensky was killed by Onegin in a duel."

She said this in a hushed voice, as if quoting the events of Pushkin's poem required discretion.

"Yes," whispered back the Count. "And so was Pushkin."

She nodded in grave agreement.

"In St. Petersburg," she said. "On the banks of the Black Rivulet."

"On the banks of the Black Rivulet."

The young lady's fish was now gone. Placing her napkin on her plate and nodding her head once to suggest how perfectly acceptable the Count had proven as a luncheon companion, she rose from her chair. But before turning to go, she paused.

"I prefer you without your moustaches," she said. "Their absence improves your ... countenance."

Then she performed an off-kilter curtsey and disappeared behind the fountain.

Excerpted from A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Copyright © 2016 by Amor Towles. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.