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Her sister dropped the portfolio. Anna Mikhaylovna, stooping,

quickly caught up the object of contention and ran into the

bedroom. The eldest princess and Prince Vasili, recovering

themselves, followed her. A few minutes later the eldest sister

came out with a pale hard face, again biting her underlip. At

sight of Pierre her expression showed an irrepressible hatred.

"Yes, now you may be glad!" said she; "this is what you have been

waiting for." And bursting into tears she hid her face in her

handkerchief and rushed from the room.

Prince Vasili came next. He staggered to the sofa on which Pierre

was sitting and dropped onto it, covering his face with his hand.

Pierre noticed that he was pale and that his jaw quivered and

shook as if in an ague.