They drank, also half in jest, to the health of the new marshal of the province, of the governor, of the bank director, and of "our amiable host.

" Vronsky was satisfied.

He had never expected to find so pleasant a tone in the provinces.

Towards the end of dinner it was still more lively.

The governor asked Vronsky to come to a concert for the benefit of the Servians which his wife, who was anxious to make his acquaintance, had been getting up.