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"Yes, yes, of course," interrupted Prince Vasili impatiently,

rubbing his bald head and angrily pulling back toward him the

little table that he had pushed away. "But... in short, the fact

is... you know yourself that last winter the count made a will by

which he left all his property, not to us his direct heirs, but

to Pierre."

"He has made wills enough!" quietly remarked the princess. "But

he cannot leave the estate to Pierre. Pierre is illegitimate."

"But, my dear," said Prince Vasili suddenly, clutching the little

table and becoming more animated and talking more rapidly: "what

if a letter has been written to the Emperor in which the count

asks for Pierre's legitimation? Do you understand that in

consideration of the count's services, his request would be

granted?..."

The princess smiled as people do who think they know more about

the subject under discussion than those they are talking with.