"Yes, papa," answered Kitty. "And you must know they've three

children, no servant, and scarcely any means. He gets something

from the Academy," she went on briskly, trying to drown the

distress that the queer change in Anna Pavlovna's manner to her

had aroused in her.

"Oh, here's Madame Stahl," said Kitty, indicating an invalid

carriage, where, propped on pillows, something in gray and blue

was lying under a sunshade. This was Madame Stahl. Behind her

stood the gloomy, healthy-looking German workman who pushed the

carriage. Close by was standing a flaxen-headed Swedish count,

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whom Kitty knew by name. Several invalids were lingering near

the low carriage, staring at the lady as though she were some

curiosity.

The prince went up to her, and Kitty detected that disconcerting

gleam of irony in his eyes. He went up to Madame Stahl, and

addressed her with extreme courtesy and affability in that

excellent French that so few speak nowadays.

"I don't know if you remember me, but I must recall myself to

thank you for your kindness to my daughter," he said, taking off

his hat and not putting it on again.

"Prince Alexander Shtcherbatsky," said Madame Stahl, lifting upon

him her heavenly eyes, in which Kitty discerned a look of

annoyance. "Delighted! I have taken a great fancy to your

daughter."

"You are still in weak health?"

"Yes; I'm used to it," said Madame Stahl, and she introduced the

prince to the Swedish count.

"You are scarcely changed at all," the prince said to her. "It's

ten or eleven years since I had the honor of seeing you."

"Yes; God sends the cross and sends the strength to bear it.

Often one wonders what is the goal of this life?... The other

side!" she said angrily to Varenka, who had rearranged the rug

over her feet not to her satisfaction.

"To do good, probably," said the prince with a twinkle in his

eye.

"That is not for us to judge," said Madame Stahl, perceiving the

shade of expression on the prince's face. "So you will send me

that book, dear count? I'm very grateful to you," she said to

the young Swede.

"Ah!" cried the prince, catching sight of the Moscow colonel

standing near, and with a bow to Madame Stahl he walked away with

his daughter and the Moscow colonel, who joined them.

"That's our aristocracy, prince!" the Moscow colonel said with

ironical intention. He cherished a grudge against Madame Stahl

for not making his acquaintance.




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