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"You lay too much stress on your devotion for me to value it

much," she responded in the same jesting tone, involuntarily

listening to the sound of Vronsky's steps behind them. "But what

has it to do with me?" she said to herself, and she began asking

her husband how Seryozha had got on without her.

"Oh, capitally! Mariette says he has been very good, And ... I

must disappoint you ... but he has not missed you as your husband

has. But once more merci, my dear, for giving me a day. Our dear

Samovar will be delighted." (He used to call the Countess Lidia

Ivanovna, well known in society, a samovar, because she was

always bubbling over with excitement.) "She has been continually

asking after you. And, do you know, if I may venture to advise

you, you should go and see her today. You know how she takes

everything to heart. Just now, with all her own cares, she's

anxious about the Oblonskys being brought together."