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"Kitty plays, and we have a piano; not a good one, it's true, but

you will give us so much pleasure," said the princess with her

affected smile, which Kitty disliked particularly just then,

because she noticed that Varenka had no inclination to sing.

Varenka came, however, in the evening and brought a roll of music

with her. The princess had invited Marya Yevgenyevna and her

daughter and the colonel.

Varenka seemed quite unaffected by there being persons present

she did not know, and she went directly to the piano. She could

not accompany herself, but she could sing music at sight very

well. Kitty, who played well, accompanied her.

"You have an extraordinary talent," the princess said to her

after Varenka had sung the first song extremely well.

Marya Yevgenyevna and her daughter expressed their thanks and

admiration.

"Look," said the colonel, looking out of the window, "what an

audience has collected to listen to you." There actually was

quite a considerable crowd under the windows.