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This was so simply said, and so sweet was the truthful and candid

expression of her face, that the princess saw why Kitty had taken

such a fancy to Varenka.

"Well, and what's this Levin going to do?" asked the princess.

"He's going away," answered Varenka.

At that instant Kitty came up from the spring beaming with

delight that her mother had become acquainted with her unknown

friend.

"Well, see, Kitty, your intense desire to make friends with

Mademoiselle...."

"Varenka," Varenka put in smiling, "that's what everyone calls

me."

Kitty blushed with pleasure, and slowly, without speaking,

pressed her new friend's hand, which did not respond to her

pressure, but lay motionless in her hand. The hand did not

respond to her pressure, but the face of Mademoiselle Varenka

glowed with a soft, glad, though rather mournful smile, that

showed large but handsome teeth.

"I have long wished for this too," she said.

"But you are so busy."