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 ored bands on the waist on one side, and on the skirt on the other, was sitting beside Anna. She sat up as straight as possible, and welcomed Alekseï Aleksandrovitch with a nod and a sarcastic smile.

"Ah!" she began, affecting surprise, "I am delighted to meet you at home. You never show yourself anywhere, and I haven't seen you since Anna was taken ill. I learned of your anxiety from others. Indeed! you are a wonderful husband!" said she, with a significant and flattering look, as much as to say that she conferred on him the "order" of magnanimity on account of his behavior toward his wife.

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch bowed coldly, and, kissing his wife's hand, inquired how she was.

"Better, I think," she replied, avoiding his look.

"However, your face has a feverish look," he said, emphasizing the word "feverish."

"We have talked too much," said Betsy. "It was selfish on my part, and I am going now."

She rose; but Anna, suddenly flushing, seized her quickly by the arm.

"No, stay, I beg of you. I must tell you, .... no, you," she addressed Alekseï Aleksandrovitch, while the color increased on her neck and brow. "I cannot, nor do I wish to, hide anything from you," said she.

Alekseï Aleksandrovitch cracked his knuckles and bent his head.

"Betsy has told me that Count Vronsky wishes to come to our house to say good-by before he goes to Tashkend."

She did not look at her husband, and she evidently was in haste to get through with it, however hard it might be. "I have said that I could not receive him."

"You said, my dear, that it would depend on Alekseï Aleksandrovitch," corrected Betsy.

"Yes! No, I cannot see him, and it would not do any...." she stopped suddenly, and looked inquiringly at her husband's face; he was not looking at her. "In short, I do not wish ...."