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"Well, maman, are you perfectly well?" he repeated, turning to

his mother.

"Everything has been delightful. Alexander has been very good,

and Marie has grown very pretty. She's very interesting."

And she began telling him again of what interested her most-the

christening of her grandson, for which she had been staying in

Petersburg, and the special favor shown her elder son by the

Tsar.

"Here's Lavrenty," said Vronsky, looking out of the window; "now

we can go, if you like."

The old butler, who had traveled with the countess, came to the

carriage to announce that everything was ready, and the countess

got up to go.

"Come; there's not such a crowd now," said Vronsky.