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"Ah!" cried the prince, catching sight of the Moscow colonel

standing near, and with a bow to Madame Stahl he walked away with

his daughter and the Moscow colonel, who joined them.

"That's our aristocracy, prince!" the Moscow colonel said with

ironical intention. He cherished a grudge against Madame Stahl

for not making his acquaintance.

"She's just the same," replied the prince.

"Did you know her before her illness, prince-that's to say before

she took to her bed?"

"Yes. She took to her bed before my eyes," said the prince.

"They say it's ten years since she has stood on her feet."

"She doesn't stand up because her legs are too short. She's a

very bad figure."

"Papa, it's not possible!" cried Kitty.

"That's what wicked tongues say, my darling. And your Varenka

catches it too," he added. "Oh, these invalid ladies!"

"Oh, no, papa!" Kitty objected warmly. "Varenka worships her. And

then she does so much good! Ask anyone! Everyone knows her and

Aline Stahl."