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She acknowledged this only by a slight nod, flushed a little, and

frowned. But immediately, while rapidly greeting her

acquaintances, and shaking the hands proffered to her, she

addressed Princess Betsy:

"I have been at Countess Lidia's, and meant to have come here

earlier, but I stayed on. Sir John was there. He's very

interesting."

"Oh, that's this missionary?"

"Yes; he told us about the life in India, most interesting

things."

The conversation, interrupted by her coming in, flickered up

again like the light of a lamp being blown out.

"Sir John! Yes, Sir John; I've seen him. He speaks well. The

Vlassieva girl's quite in love with him."

"And is it true the younger Vlassieva girl's to marry Topov?"

"Yes, they say it's quite a settled thing."

"I wonder at the parents! They say it's a marriage for love."

"For love? What antediluvian notions you have! Can one talk of

love in these days?" said the ambassador's wife.

"What's to be done? It's a foolish old fashion that's kept up

still," said Vronsky.