The old prince sat down in his customary place in the corner of the sofa, moved up an armchair for Prince Vassily, pointed to it, and began questioning him about political affairs and news. He seemed to be listening with attention to what Prince Vassily was saying, but glanced continually at Princess Marya.

“So they’re writing from Potsdam already?” He repeated Prince Vassily’s last words, and suddenly getting up, he went up to his daughter.

“So it was for visitors you dressed yourself up like this, eh?” he said. “Nice of you, very nice. You do your hair up in some new fashion before visitors, and before visitors, I tell you, never dare in future to change your dress without my leave.”

“It was my fault…” stammered the little princess, flushing.

“You are quite at liberty,” said the old prince, with a scrape before his daughter-in-law, “but she has no need to disfigure herself—she’s ugly enough without that.” And he sat down again in his place, taking no further notice of his daughter, whom he had reduced to tears.

“On the contrary, that coiffure is extremely becoming to the princess,” said Prince Vassily.

“Well, my young prince, what’s your name?” said the old prince, turning to Anatole. “Come here, let us talk to you a little and make your acquaintance.”

“Now the fun’s beginning,” thought Anatole, and with a smile he sat down by the old prince.

“That’s it; they tell me, my dear boy, you have been educated abroad. Not taught to read and write by the deacon, like your father and me. Tell me, are you serving now in the Horse Guards?” asked the old man, looking closely and intently at Anatole.

“No, I have transferred into the line,” answered Anatole, with difficulty restraining his laughter.

“Ah! a good thing. So you want to serve your Tsar and your country, do you? These are times of war. Such a fine young fellow ought to be on service, he ought to be on service. Ordered to the front, eh?”

“No, prince, our regiment has gone to the front. But I’m attached. What is it I’m attached to, papa?” Anatole turned to his father with a laugh.

“He is a credit to the service, a credit. What is it I’m attached to! Ha-ha-ha!” laughed the old prince, and Anatole laughed still louder. Suddenly the old prince frowned. “Well, you can go,” he said to Anatole. With a smile Anatole returned to the ladies.

“So you had him educated abroad, Prince Vassily? Eh?” said the old prince to Prince Vassily.

“I did what I could, and I assure you the education there is far better than ours.”

“Yes, nowadays everything’s different, everything’s new-fashioned. A fine fellow! a fine fellow! Well, come to my room.” He took Prince Vassily’s arm and led him away to his study.

Left alone with the old prince, Prince Vassily promptly made known to him his wishes and his hopes.

“Why, do you imagine,” said the old prince wrathfully, “that I keep her, that I can’t part with her? What an idea!” he protested angrily. “I am ready for it to-morrow! Only, I tell you, I want to know my future son- in-law better. You know my principles: everything open! To-morrow I will ask her in your presence; if she wishes it, let him stay on. Let him stay on, and I’ll see.” The prince snorted. “Let her marry, it’s nothing to me,” he screamed in the piercing voice in which he had screamed at saying good-bye to his son.