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"Ah, how nice of you!" she said, giving her husband her hand, and

greeting Sludin, who was like one of the family, with a smile.

"You're staying the night, I hope?" was the first word the spirit

of falsehood prompted her to utter; "and now we'll go together.

Only it's a pity I've promised Betsy. She's coming for me."

Alexey Alexandrovitch knit his brows at Betsy's name.

"Oh, I'm not going to separate the inseparables," he said in his

usual bantering tone. "I'm going with Mihail Vassilievitch. I'm

ordered exercise by the doctors too. I'll walk, and fancy myself

at the springs again."

"There's no hurry," said Anna. "Would you like tea?"

She rang.

"Bring in tea, and tell Seryozha that Alexey Alexandrovitch is

here. Well, tell me, how have you been? Mihail Vassilievitch,

you've not been to see me before. Look how lovely it is out on

the terrace," she said, turning first to one and then to the

other.