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"Why, this is a palace!" she said to her husband, looking around

with the expression with which people compliment their host at a

ball. "Let's come, quick, quick!" And with a glance round, she

smiled at Tikhon, at her husband, and at the footman who

accompanied them.

"Is that Mary practicing? Let's go quietly and take her by

surprise."

Prince Andrew followed her with a courteous but sad expression.

"You've grown older, Tikhon," he said in passing to the old man,

who kissed his hand.

Before they reached the room from which the sounds of the

clavichord came, the pretty, fair-haired Frenchwoman,

Mademoiselle Bourienne, rushed out apparently beside herself with

delight.

"Ah! what joy for the princess!" exclaimed she: "At last! I must

let her know."

"No, no, please not... You are Mademoiselle Bourienne," said the

little princess, kissing her. "I know you already through my

sister-in-law's friendship for you. She was not expecting us?"