She leaned against her mother and burst into such a loud, ringing fit of laughter that even the prim visitor could not help joining in.

"Now then, go away and take your monstrosity with you," said the mother, pushing away her daughter with pretended sternness, and turning to the visitor she added: "She is my youngest girl.

" Natasha, raising her face for a moment from her mother's mantilla, glanced up at her through tears of laughter, and again hid her face.