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"Yes, the countess and I have been talking all the time, I of ain a s smile intended for him

"I am afraid that youthe ball of coquetry she had flung him But

apparently she did not care to pursue the conversation in that

strain, and she turned to the old countess

"Thank you so much The time has passed so quickly Good-bye,

countess"

"Good-bye, my love," answered the countess "Let me have a kiss

of your pretty face I speak plainly, at e, and I tell you

simply that I've lost my heart to you"

Stereotyped as the phrase was, Madahted by it She flushed, bent down slightly, and

put her cheek to the countess's lips, drew herself up again, and

with the saave her hand to Vronsky He pressed the little hand she gave

hi special, by the

energetic squeeze hich she freely and vigorously shook his

hand She went out with the rapid step which bore her rather

fully-developed figure with such strange lightness

"Very char," said the countess

That was just what her son was thinking His eyes followed her

till her graceful figure was out of sight, and then the smile