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And some people said that Madame Stahl had made her social

position as a philanthropic, highly religious woman; other people

said she really was at heart the highly ethical being, living for

nothing but the good of her fellow creatures, which she

represented herself to be. No one knew what her faith

was-Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox. But one fact was

indubitable-she was in amicable relations with the highest

dignitaries of all the churches and sects.

Varenka lived with her all the while abroad, and everyone who

knew Madame Stahl knew and liked Mademoiselle Varenka, as

everyone called her.