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"But, my dear princess," answered Anna Mikhaylovna blandly but

impressively, blocking the way to the bedroom and preventing the

other from passing, "won't this be too much for poor Uncle at a

moment when he needs repose? Worldly conversation at a moment

when his soul is already prepared..."

Prince Vasili was seated in an easy chair in his familiar

attitude, with one leg crossed high above the other. His cheeks,

which were so flabby that they looked heavier below, were

twitching violently; but he wore the air of a man little

concerned in what the two ladies were saying.

"Come, my dear Anna Mikhaylovna, let Catiche do as she pleases.

You know how fond the count is of her."

"I don't even know what is in this paper," said the younger of

the two ladies, addressing Prince Vasili and pointing to an

inlaid portfolio she held in her hand. "All I know is that his

real will is in his writing table, and this is a paper he has

forgotten...."