He was on the point of getting up, when the princess, noticing that he was silent, addressed him.

"Shall you be long in Moscow? You're busy with the district council, though, aren't you, and can't be away for long?" "No, princess, I'm no longer a member of the council," he said.

"I have come up for a few days.

" "There's something the matter with him," thought Countess Nordston, glancing at his stern, serious face.