Pagina 638 van 2288

Kitty saw that her father had meant to make fun of Varenka, but

that he could not do it because he liked her.

"Come, so we shall see all your friends," he went on, "even

Madame Stahl, if she deigns to recognize me."

"Why, did you know her, papa?" Kitty asked apprehensively,

catching the gleam of irony that kindled in the prince's eyes at

the mention of Madame Stahl.

"I used to know her husband, and her too a little, before she'd

joined the Pietists."

"What is a Pietist, papa?" asked Kitty, dismayed to find that

what she prized so highly in Madame Stahl had a name.

"I don't quite know myself. I only know that she thanks God for

everything, for every misfortune, and thanks God too that her

husband died. And that's rather droll, as they didn't get on

together."