The princess, who had a straight, rigid body, abnormally long for her legs, looked directly at Prince Vasili with no sign of emotion in her prominent gray eyes.

Then she shook her head and glanced up at the icons with a sigh.

This might have been taken as an expression of sorrow and devotion, or of weariness and hope of resting before long.

Prince Vasili understood it as an expression of weariness.

"And I?" he said; "do you think it is easier for me? I am as worn out as a post horse, but still I must have a talk with you, Catiche, a very serious talk.