Pagina 655 de 3800

She was no longer in the loose gown she generally wore in the

morning, but had on one of her best dresses. Her hair was

carefully done and her face was animated, which, however, did not

conceal its sunken and faded outlines. Dressed as she used to be

in Petersburg society, it was still more noticeable how much

plainer she had become. Some unobtrusive touch had been added to

Mademoiselle Bourienne's toilet which rendered her fresh and

pretty face yet more attractive.

"What! Are you going to remain as you are, dear princess?" she

began. "They'll be announcing that the gentlemen are in the

drawing room and we shall have to go down, and you have not

smartened yourself up at all!"