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Since his return from abroad Alexey Alexandrovitch had twice been

at their country villa. Once he dined there, another time he

spent the evening there with a party of friends, but he had not

once stayed the night there, as it had been his habit to do in

previous years.

The day of the races had been a very busy day for Alexey

Alexandrovitch; but when mentally sketching out the day in the

morning, he made up his mind to go to their country house to see

his wife immediately after dinner, and from there to the races,

which all the Court were to witness, and at which he was bound to

be present. He was going to see his wife, because he had

determined to see her once a week to keep up appearances. And

besides, on that day, as it was the fifteenth, he had to give his

wife some money for her expenses, according to their usual

arrangement.

With his habitual control over his thoughts, though he thought

all this about his wife, he did not let his thoughts stray

further in regard to her.