She knew their relations with one another and with the head authorities, knew who was for whom, and how each one maintained his position, and where they agreed and disagreed.

But the circle of political, masculine interests had never interested her, in spite of countess Lidia Ivanovna's influence, and she avoided it.

Another little set with which Anna was in close relations was the one by means of which Alexey Alexandrovitch had made his career.

The center of this circle was the Countess Lidia Ivanovna.

It was a set made up of elderly, ugly, benevolent, and godly women, and clever, learned, and ambitious men.