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"Oh, if you want to so much, I'll find out about her first and

make her acquaintance myself," answered her mother. "What do you

see in her out of the way? A companion, she must be. If you like,

I'll make acquaintance with Madame Stahl; I used to know her

belle-soeur," added the princess, lifting her head haughtily.

Kitty knew that the princess was offended that Madame Stahl had

seemed to avoid making her acquaintance. Kitty did not insist.

"How wonderfully sweet she is!" she said, gazing at Varenka just

as she handed a glass to the Frenchwoman. "Look how natural and

sweet it all is."

"It's so funny to see your engouements," said the princess. "No,

we'd better go back," she added, noticing Levin coming towards

them with his companion and a German doctor, to whom he was

talking very noisily and angrily.