" "Yes, her position is very difficult; she..." began Stepan Arkadyevitch, in the simplicity of his heart accepting as sterling coin Princess Myakaya's words "tell me about her.

" Princess Myakaya interrupted him immediately, as she always did, and began talking herself.

"She's done what they all do, except me--only they hide it.

But she wouldn't be deceitful, and she did a fine thing.