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"Yes, as you see, your tender spouse, as devoted as the first

year after marriage, burned with impatience to see you," he said

in his deliberate, high-pitched voice, and in that tone which he

almost always took with her, a tone of jeering at anyone who

should say in earnest what he said.

"Is Seryozha quite well?" she asked.

"And is this all the reward," said he, "for my ardor? He's quite

well...."

Chapter 31