Prince Vasili passed by, seeming not to hear the ladies, and sat down on a sofa in a far corner of the room.

He closed his eyes and seemed to be dozing.

His head sank forward and then he roused himself.

"Aline," he said to his wife, "go and see what they are about.

" The princess went up to the door, passed by it with a dignified and indifferent air, and glanced into the little drawing room.