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The magnificent reception room was crowded. Everyone stood up

respectfully when the Military Governor, having stayed about half

an hour alone with the dying man, passed out, slightly

acknowledging their bows and trying to escape as quickly as

possible from the glances fixed on him by the doctors, clergy,

and relatives of the family. Prince Vasili, who had grown thinner

and paler during the last few days, escorted him to the door,

repeating something to him several times in low tones.

When the Military Governor had gone, Prince Vasili sat down all

alone on a chair in the ballroom, crossing one leg high over the

other, leaning his elbow on his knee and covering his face with

his hand. After sitting so for a while he rose, and, looking

about him with frightened eyes, went with unusually hurried steps

down the long corridor leading to the back of the house, to the

room of the eldest princess.