had met before, and above all better than himself.
Their conversation was very simple and unimportant. They spoke of the war, and like everyone else unconsciously exaggerated their sorrow about it; they spoke of their last meeting—Nikoláy trying to change the subject—they talked of the governor’s kind wife, of Nikoláy’s relations, and of Princess Márya’s.
She did not talk about her brother, diverting the conversation as soon as her aunt mentioned Andréy. Evidently she could speak of Russia’s misfortunes with a certain artificiality, but her brother was too near her heart and she neither could nor would speak lightly of him.
Nikoláy noticed this, as he noticed every shade of Princess Márya’s character with an observation unusual to him, and everything confirmed his conviction that she was a quite unusual and extraordinary being.
Nikoláy blushed and was confused when people spoke to him about the princess (as she did when he was mentioned) and even when he thought of her, but in her presence he felt quite at ease, and said not at all what he had prepared, but what, quite appropriately, occurred to him at the moment.
When a pause occurred during his short visit, Nikoláy, as is usual when there are children, turned to Prince Andréy’s little son, caressing him and asking whether he would like to be an hussar.
He took the boy on his knee, played with him, and looked round at Princess Márya. With a softened, happy, timid look she watched the boy she loved in the arms of the man she loved.
Nikoláy also noticed that look and, as if understanding it, flushed with pleasure and began to kiss the boy with good natured playfulness.
As she was in mourning Princess