But how marriages were made now, the princess could not learn from any one.

The French fashion--of the parents arranging their children's future--was not accepted; it was condemned.

The English fashion of the complete independence of girls was also not accepted, and not possible in Russian society.

The Russian fashion of match-making by the offices of intermediate persons was for some reason considered unseemly; it was ridiculed by every one, and by the princess herself.