Varenka made--simply and naturally as she did everything--a movement between a bow and a curtsey, and immediately began talking to the prince, without shyness, naturally, as she talked to everyone.

"Of course I know you; I know you very well," the prince said to her with a smile, in which Kitty detected with joy that her father liked her friend.

" Where are you off to in such haste?" "Maman's here," she said, turning to Kitty.

" She has not slept all night, and the doctor advised her to go out.