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And dropping back into the corner of the carriage, she broke into

sobs, hiding her face in her hands. Alexey Alexandrovitch did not

stir, and kept looking straight before him. But his whole face

suddenly bore the solemn rigidity of the dead, and his expression

did not change during the whole time of the drive home. On

reaching the house he turned his head to her, still with the same

expression.

"Very well! But I expect a strict observance of the external

forms of propriety till such time"-his voice shook-"as I may take

measures to secure my honor and communicate them to you."

He got out first and helped her to get out. Before the servants

he pressed her hand, took his seat in the carriage, and drove

back to Petersburg. Immediately afterwards a footman came from

Princess Betsy and brought Anna a note.

"I sent to Alexey to find out how he is, and he writes me he is

quite well and unhurt, but in despair."

"So he will be here," she thought. "What a good thing I told him

all!"