Márya’s aunt on her mother’s side, a rich, childless widow who always lived in Vorónezh. When Rostóv approached her she was standing settling up for the game. She looked at him and, screwing up her eyes sternly, continued to upbraid the general who had won from her.
“Very pleased, mon cher ,” she then said, holding out her hand to Nikoláy. “Pray come and see me.”
After a few words about Princess Márya and her late father, whom Malvíntseva had evidently not liked, and having asked what Nikoláy knew of Prince Andréy, who also was evidently no favorite of hers, the important old lady dismissed Nikoláy after repeating her invitation to come to see her.
Nikoláy promised to come and blushed again as he bowed. At the mention of Princess Márya he experienced a feeling of shyness and even of fear, which he