Pagina 229 de 3800

Into the right hand, which was lying palm downwards, a wax taper

had been thrust between forefinger and thumb, and an old servant,

bending over from behind the chair, held it in position. By the

chair stood the priests, their long hair falling over their

magnificent glittering vestments, with lighted tapers in their

hands, slowly and solemnly conducting the service. A little

behind them stood the two younger princesses holding

handkerchiefs to their eyes, and just in front of them their

eldest sister, Catiche, with a vicious and determined look

steadily fixed on the icons, as though declaring to all that she

could not answer for herself should she glance round. Anna

Mikhaylovna, with a meek, sorrowful, and all-forgiving expression

on her face, stood by the door near the strange lady.