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Anna Pavlovna almost closed her eyes to indicate that neither she

nor anyone else had a right to criticize what the Empress desired

or was pleased with.

"Baron Funke has been recommended to the Dowager Empress by her

sister," was all she said, in a dry and mournful tone.

As she named the Empress, Anna Pavlovna's face suddenly assumed

an expression of profound and sincere devotion and respect

mingled with sadness, and this occurred every time she mentioned

her illustrious patroness. She added that Her Majesty had deigned

to show Baron Funke beaucoup d'estime, and again her face clouded

over with sadness.

The prince was silent and looked indifferent. But, with the

womanly and courtierlike quickness and tact habitual to her, Anna

Pavlovna wished both to rebuke him (for daring to speak as he had

done of a man recommended to the Empress) and at the same time to

console him, so she said: