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She was standing holding herself, as always, very erect, and when

Kitty drew near the group she was speaking to the master of the

house, her head slightly turned towards him.

"No, I don't throw stones," she was saying, in answer to

something, "though I can't understand it," she went on, shrugging

her shoulders, and she turned at once with a soft smile of

protection towards Kitty. With a flying, feminine glance she

scanned her attire, and made a movement of her head, hardly

perceptible, but understood by Kitty, signifying approval of her

dress and her looks. "You came into the room dancing," she added.

"This is one of my most faithful supporters," said Korsunsky,

bowing to Anna Arkadyevna, whom he had not yet seen. "The

princess helps to make balls happy and successful. Anna

Arkadyevna, a waltz?" he said, bending down to her.

"Why, have you met?" inquired their host.