“But tell me about yourself. We’ve a great deal to talk about. And I’ve had a talk with.⁠ ⁠…” Dolly did not know what to call him. She felt it awkward to call him either the count or Alexey Kirillovitch.

“With Alexey,” said Anna, “I know what you talked about. But I wanted to ask you directly what you think of me, of my life?”

“How am I to say like that straight off? I really don’t know.”

“No, tell me all the same.⁠ ⁠… You see my life. But you mustn’t forget that you’re seeing us in the summer, when you have come to us and we are not alone.⁠ ⁠… But we came here early in the spring, lived quite alone, and shall be alone again, and I desire nothing better. But imagine me living alone without him, alone, and that will be⁠ ⁠… I see by everything that it will often be repeated, that he will be half the time away from home,” she said, getting up and sitting down close by Dolly.