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"It is dreadful, dreadful!" she was saying, "but cost me what it

may I shall do my duty. I will come and spend the night. He must

not be left like this. Every moment is precious. I can't think

why his nieces put it off. Perhaps God will help me to find a way

to prepare him!... Adieu, Prince! May God support you..."

"Adieu, ma bonne," answered Prince Vasili turning away from her.

"Oh, he is in a dreadful state," said the mother to her son when

they were in the carriage. "He hardly recognizes anybody."

"I don't understand, Mamma-what is his attitude to Pierre?" asked

the son.

"The will will show that, my dear; our fate also depends on it."

"But why do you expect that he will leave us anything?"

"Ah, my dear! He is so rich, and we are so poor!"

"Well, that is hardly a sufficient reason, Mamma..."

"Oh, Heaven! How ill he is!" exclaimed the mother.

CHAPTER XVII