" "You certainly forget your condition, Kitty," said the old princess, hurriedly coming out at the door.

" You mustn't shout like that.

" Varenka, hearing Kitty's voice and her mother's reprimand, went with light, rapid steps up to Kitty.

The rapidity of her movement, her flushed and eager face, everything betrayed that something out of the common was going on in her.

Kitty knew what this was, and had been watching her intently.