"Oh, if I had known," said Anna, "that you do not despise me!... You might have all come to us.

Stiva's an old friend and a great friend of Alexey's, you know," she added, and suddenly she blushed.

"Yes, but we are all..." Dolly answered in confusion.

"But in my delight I'm talking nonsense.

The one thing, darling, is that I am so glad to have you!" said Anna, kissing her again.