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"Hm!-his excellency is a puppy.... I got him his appointment in

the service," said the prince disdainfully. "Why his son is

coming I don't understand. Perhaps Princess Elizabeth and

Princess Mary know. I don't want him." (He looked at his blushing

daughter.) "Are you unwell today? Eh? Afraid of the 'minister' as

that idiot Alpatych called him this morning?"

"No, mon pere."

Though Mademoiselle Bourienne had been so unsuccessful in her

choice of a subject, she did not stop talking, but chattered

about the conservatories and the beauty of a flower that had just

opened, and after the soup the prince became more genial.

After dinner, he went to see his daughter-in-law. The little

princess was sitting at a small table, chattering with Masha, her

maid. She grew pale on seeing her father-in-law.

She was much altered. She was now plain rather than pretty. Her

cheeks had sunk, her lip was drawn up, and her eyes drawn down.