" You came rushing into the drawing room so that everyone felt ashamed of you.

" Though what she said was quite just, perhaps for that very reason no one replied, and the four simply looked at one another.

She lingered in the room with the inkstand in her hand.

"And at your age what secrets can there be between Natasha and Boris, or between you two? It's all nonsense!" "Now, Vera, what does it matter to you?" said Natasha in defense, speaking very gently.

She seemed that day to be more than ever kind and affectionate to everyone.