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"I'd been meaning to tell you something for a long while, mamma:

did you know that Levin meant to make Kitty an offer when he was

here the last time? He told Stiva so."

"Well, what then? I don't understand...."

"So did Kitty perhaps refuse him?... She didn't tell you so?"

"No, she has said nothing to me either of one or the other; she's

too proud. But I know it's all on account of the other."

"Yes, but suppose she has refused Levin, and she wouldn't have

refused him if it hadn't been for the other, I know. And then, he

has deceived her so horribly."

It was too terrible for the princess to think how she had sinned

against her daughter, and she broke out angrily.

"Oh, I really don't understand! Nowadays they will all go their

own way, and mothers haven't a word to say in anything, and

then...."

"Mamma, I'll go up to her."

"Well, do. Did I tell you not to?" said her mother.

Chapter 3