We women, Prince," and she smiled tenderly, "always know how to say these things.

I absolutely must see him, however painful it may be for me.

I am used to suffering.

" Evidently the prince understood her, and also understood, as he had done at Anna Pavlovna's, that it would be difficult to get rid of Anna Mikhaylovna.

"Would not such a meeting be too trying for him, dear Anna Mikhaylovna?" said he.