casque.) `The Grand Duchess requested him to give her the casque - he doesn't do so. What's up? Well, they all wink at him, and nod and frown - give it to her, do! He still doesn't. Just stands there, stock-still. You can picture it to yourself!... Well, this... what's his name... tries to take the casque from him... He won't give it up!... This chap tore it from him, and hands it to the Grand Duchess. `This is the new casque,' says the Grand Duchess. She turned the casque over, and - just picture it! - bang went a pear and candy out of it - two pounds of candy!... He'd collected all that - our dear boy!'

Vronsky rolled with laughter. And, long afterward, even when he was talking of other things, he would go off into peals of his hearty laughter baring his strong, closely set teeth, whenever he thought of the casque.

Having learned all the news, Vronsky, with the assistance of his valet, got into his uniform, and went off to report himself. He intended, afterward, to go to his brother and to Betsy, and to pay several visits, as an entering wedge into that society where he might meet Madame Karenina. As always in Peterburg, he left home without any intention of returning before very late at night.