صفحة 157 من 2288

"But do wait a minute. Do I try and catch them? I don't try to

catch them in the least. A young man, and a very nice one, has

fallen in love with her, and she, I fancy...."

"Oh, yes, you fancy! And how if she really is in love, and he's

no more thinking of marriage than I am!... Oh, that I should live

to see it! Ah! spiritualism! Ah! Nice! Ah! the ball!" And the

prince, imagining that he was mimicking his wife, made a mincing

curtsey at each word. "And this is how we're preparing

wretchedness for Kitty; and she's really got the notion into her

head...."

"But what makes you suppose so?"

"I don't suppose; I know. We have eyes for such things, though

women-folk haven't. I see a man who has serious intentions,

that's Levin: and I see a peacock, like this feather-head, who's

only amusing himself."

"Oh, well, when once you get an idea into your head!..."

"Well, you'll remember my words, but too late, just as with

Dolly."