I have just been talking to Dmitri Onufrich" (the family solicitor) "and he says the same.

" At this a sudden change evidently took place in the princess' ideas; her thin lips grew white, though her eyes did not change, and her voice when she began to speak passed through such transitions as she herself evidently did not expect.

"That would be a fine thing!" said she.

" I never wanted anything and I don't now.

" She pushed the little dog off her lap and smoothed her dress.