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The old prince was very affectionate and careful in his treatment

of his daughter that morning. Princess Mary well knew this

painstaking expression of her father's. His face wore that

expression when his dry hands clenched with vexation at her not

understanding a sum in arithmetic, when rising from his chair he

would walk away from her, repeating in a low voice the same words

several times over.

He came to the point at once, treating her ceremoniously.

"I have had a proposition made me concerning you," he said with

an unnatural smile. "I expect you have guessed that Prince Vasili

has not come and brought his pupil with him" (for some reason

Prince Bolkonski referred to Anatole as a "pupil") "for the sake

of my beautiful eyes. Last night a proposition was made me on

your account and, as you know my principles, I refer it to you."

"How am I to understand you, mon pere?" said the princess,

growing pale and then blushing.