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"Why, what is important?" said Kitty, looking into her face with

inquisitive wonder.

"Oh, there's so much that's important," said Varenka, smiling.

"Why, what?"

"Oh, so much that's more important," answered Varenka, not

knowing what to say. But at that instant they heard the

princess's voice from the window. "Kitty, it's cold! Either get a

shawl, or come indoors."

"It really is time to go in!" said Varenka, getting up. "I have

to go on to Madame Berthe's; she asked me to."

Kitty held her by the hand, and with passionate curiosity and

entreaty her eyes asked her: "What is it, what is this of such

importance that gives you such tranquillity? You know, tell me!"

But Varenka did not even know what Kitty's eyes were asking her.

She merely thought that she had to go to see Madame Berthe too

that evening, and to make haste home in time for maman's tea at

twelve o'clock. She went indoors, collected her music, and saying

good-bye to everyone, was about to go.