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"There's so much splendor here that one's eyes are dazzled," he

said, and he went into the pavilion. He smiled to his wife as a

man should smile on meeting his wife after only just parting from

her, and greeted the princess and other acquaintances, giving to

each what was due-that is to say, jesting with the ladies and

dealing out friendly greetings among the men. Below, near the

pavilion, was standing an adjutant-general of whom Alexey

Alexandrovitch had a high opinion, noted for his intelligence and

culture. Alexey Alexandrovitch entered into conversation with

him.

There was an interval between the races, and so nothing hindered

conversation. The adjutant-general expressed his disapproval of

races. Alexey Alexandrovitch replied defending them. Anna heard

his high, measured tones, not losing one word, and every word

struck her as false, and stabbed her ears with pain.