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"Who's that? Why? Wait a moment!" Anatole's face seemed to say.

Princess Mary looked at them in silence. She could not understand

it. At last Mademoiselle Bourienne gave a scream and ran away.

Anatole bowed to Princess Mary with a gay smile, as if inviting

her to join in a laugh at this strange incident, and then

shrugging his shoulders went to the door that led to his own

apartments.

An hour later, Tikhon came to call Princess Mary to the old

prince; he added that Prince Vasili was also there. When Tikhon

came to her Princess Mary was sitting on the sofa in her room,

holding the weeping Mademoiselle Bourienne in her arms and gently

stroking her hair. The princess' beautiful eyes with all their

former calm radiance were looking with tender affection and pity

at Mademoiselle Bourienne's pretty face.

"No, Princess, I have lost your affection forever!" said

Mademoiselle Bourienne.

"Why? I love you more than ever," said Princess Mary, "and I will

try to do all I can for your happiness."