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342 fellow is petitioning to go? I don't see why they put obstacles in his way. I wanted to ask you to put your signature on his petition. I know him. He comes from the Countess Lidia Ivanovna."

After asking some particulars in regard to the young man, Sergyei Ivanovitch went into the waiting-room, affixed his signature to the document, and handed it back to the princess.

"Do you know Count Vronsky, the famous, is going on this train?" said the princess, with a triumphant and significant smile, as he rejoined her and handed her the petition.

"I heard that he was going; but I did not know when. On this train?"

"I just saw him. He is here. His mother is the only one with him. All things considered, I do not think he could do anything better."

"Oh, yes! Of course."

During this conversation the crowd had rushed into the restaurant of the station, where a man with a glass in his hand was making an address to the volunteers:—

"For the service of our faith and humanity and our brethren," he said, raising his voice, "Matushka Moskva—Mother Moscow—gives you her blessing in this noble cause. May it prosper!" he concluded, with tears in his eyes. The crowd responded with cheers, and a fresh throng poured into the waiting-room, nearly overwhelming the princess.

"Ah, princess! What do you say to this?" cried Stepan Arkadyevitch, who, with a radiant smile of joy, suddenly appeared in the midst of the throng. "Did n't he speak gloriously? Bravo! And here's Sergyeï Ivanovitch. You ought to speak just a few words, you know, of encouragement, you do it so well," added Oblonsky, touching Koznuishef's arm, with an expression of suave, flattering deference.

"Oh, no; I am leaving immediately."

"Where?"

"To the country—to my brother's," replied Sergyeï Ivanovitch.