Pagina 578 di 2288

"Nothing but ambition, nothing but the desire to get on, that's

all there is in his soul," she thought; "as for these lofty

ideals, love of culture, religion, they are only so many tools

for getting on."

From his glances towards the ladies' pavilion (he was staring

straight at her, but did not distinguish his wife in the sea of

muslin, ribbons, feathers, parasols and flowers) she saw that he

was looking for her, but she purposely avoided noticing him.

"Alexey Alexandrovitch!" Princess Betsy called to him; "I'm sure

you don't see your wife: here she is."

He smiled his chilly smile.