“Have you known that young man long, Princess?” he asked.

“Who?”

“Drubetskóy.”

“No, not long.⁠ ⁠…”

“Do you like him?”

“Yes, he is an agreeable young man.⁠ ⁠… Why do you ask me that?” said Princess Márya, still thinking of that morning’s conversation with her father.

“Because I have noticed that when a young man comes on leave from Petersburg to Moscow it is usually with the object of marrying an heiress.”

“You have observed that?” said Princess Márya.