"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.