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Choosing a time when her daughter had gone to the spring, while

Varenka had stopped outside the baker's, the princess went up to

her.

"Allow me to make your acquaintance," she said, with her

dignified smile. "My daughter has lost her heart to you," she

said. "Possibly you do not know me. I am...."

"That feeling is more than reciprocal, princess," Varenka

answered hurriedly.

"What a good deed you did yesterday to our poor compatriot!" said

the princess.

Varenka flushed a little. "I don't remember. I don't think I did

anything," she said.

"Why, you saved that Levin from disagreeable consequences."

"Yes, sa compagne called me, and I tried to pacify him, he's very

ill, and was dissatisfied with the doctor. I'm used to looking

after such invalids."

"Yes, I've heard you live at Mentone with your aunt-I

think-Madame Stahl: I used to know her belle-soeur."

"No, she's not my aunt. I call her mamma, but I am not related to

her; I was brought up by her," answered Varenka, flushing a

little again.