Pagina 309 di 3800

The patches grew deeper on her forehead, neck, and cheeks. She

tried to say something but could not. Her brother had guessed

right: the little princess had been crying after dinner and had

spoken of her forebodings about her confinement, and how she

dreaded it, and had complained of her fate, her father-in-law,

and her husband. After crying she had fallen asleep. Prince

Andrew felt sorry for his sister.

"Know this, Masha: I can't reproach, have not reproached, and

never shall reproach my wife with anything, and I cannot reproach

myself with anything in regard to her; and that always will be so

in whatever circumstances I may be placed. But if you want to

know the truth... if you want to know whether I am happy? No! Is

she happy? No! But why this is so I don't know..."