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"Allow me to see you home," said the colonel.

"Yes, how can you go alone at night like this?" chimed in the

princess. "Anyway, I'll send Parasha."

Kitty saw that Varenka could hardly restrain a smile at the idea

that she needed an escort.

"No, I always go about alone and nothing ever happens to me," she

said, taking her hat. And kissing Kitty once more, without saying

what was important, she stepped out courageously with the music

under her arm and vanished into the twilight of the summer night,

bearing away with her her secret of what was important and what

gave her the calm and dignity so much to be envied.

Chapter 33