It was the heavy tread of Princess Mary that he heard.
"I hear you have given orders to harness," she cried, panting (she had apparently been running), "and I did so wish to have another talk with you alone! God knows how long we may again be parted.

You are not angry with me for coming?
You have changed so, Andrusha," she added, as if to explain such a question.
She smiled as she uttered his pet name, "Andrusha." It was obviously strange to her to think that this stern handsome man should be Andrusha--the slender mischievous boy who had been her playfellow in childhood.
"And where is Lise ?" he asked, answering her question only by a smile.
"She was so tired that she has fallen asleep on the sofa in my room.

Oh, Andrew! What a treasure of a wife you have," said she, sitting down on the sofa, facing her brother.

"She is quite a child: such a dear, merry child.

I have grown so fond of her." Prince Andrew was silent, but the princess noticed the ironical and contemptuous look that showed itself on his face.
"One must be indulgent to little weaknesses; who is free from them, Andrew?
Don't forget that she has grown up and been educated in society, and so her position now is not a rosy one.