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"I am glad it has all ended so satisfactorily, and that you are

back again," he went on. "Come, what do they say about the new

act I have got passed in the council?"

Anna had heard nothing of this act, and she felt

conscience-stricken at having been able so readily to forget what

was to him of such importance.

"Here, on the other hand, it has made a great sensation," he

said, with a complacent smile.

She saw that Alexey Alexandrovitch wanted to tell her something

pleasant to him about it, and she brought him by questions to

telling it. With the same complacent smile he told her of the

ovations he had received in consequence of the act he had passed.

"I was very, very glad. It shows that at last a reasonable and

steady view of the matter is becoming prevalent among us."

Having drunk his second cup of tea with cream, and bread, Alexey

Alexandrovitch got up, and was going towards his study.

"And you've not been anywhere this evening? You've been dull, I

expect?" he said.