u for a moment. I came in
all haste, on purpose. I have come _in person_, you must be duly
appreciative! Vladislav is too busy, and the matter is an important
one. I wanted to see you at the earliest opportunity. Well, we may all
congratulate ourselves. Fate and fortune are decidedly on our side!"
said the baroness, speaking rapidly, as she entered the count's study.

"What has happened? What is the news?" asked the count, going forward
to meet her.

"We have learned that the Shadurskys have just received a large sum of
money; they have sold an estate, and the purchaser has paid them in
cash. Our opportunity has come. Heaven forbid that we should lose it!
We must devise a plan to make the most of it."

The baroness suddenly stopped short in the middle of the sentence, and
became greatly confused, noticing that there was a third person
present.

"Forgive me! I did not give you warning," said the count, shrugging
his shoulders and smiling; "permit me! _Princess Anna Chechevinski!_"
he continued with emphasis, indicating his poor, decrepit sister. "Of
course you would not have recognized her, baroness."

"But _I_ recognized Natasha immediately," said the old woman quietly,
her eyes still fixed on Natasha's face.

The baroness suddenly turned as white as a sheet, and with trembling
hands caught the back of a heavy armchair.

Kallash with extreme politeness assisted her to a seat.

"You didn't expect to meet me, Natasha?" said the old woman gently and
almost caressingly, approaching her.

"I do not know you. Who are you?" the baroness managed to whisper, by
a supreme effort.

"No wonder; I am so changed," replied Princess Anna. "But _you_ are
just the same. There is hardly any change at all."

Natasha began to recover her composure.

"I don't understand you," she said coldly, contracting her brows.

"But I understand _you_ perfectly."

"Allow me, princess," Kallash interrupted her, "permit me to have an
explanation with the baroness; she and I know each other well. And if
you will pardon me, I shall ask you in the meantime to withdraw."

And he courteously conducted his sister to the massive oak doors,
which closed solidly after her.

"What does this mean?" said the baroness, rising angrily, her gray
eyes flashing at the count from under her broad brows.

"A coincidence," answered Kallash, shrugging his shoulders with an
ironical smile.

"How a coincidence? Speak clearly!"

"The former mistress has r