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Though no words had passed between Anatole and Mademoiselle

Bourienne, they quite understood one another as to the first part

of their romance, up to the appearance of the pauvre mere; they

understood that they had much to say to one another in private

and so they had been seeking an opportunity since morning to meet

one another alone. When Princess Mary went to her father's room

at the usual hour, Mademoiselle Bourienne and Anatole met in the

conservatory.

Princess Mary went to the door of the study with special

trepidation. It seemed to her that not only did everybody know

that her fate would be decided that day, but that they also knew

what she thought about it. She read this in Tikhon's face and in

that of Prince Vasili's valet, who made her a low bow when she

met him in the corridor carrying hot water.