Princess Márya did not answer. She did not understand who was to go or where to. “Is it possible to plan or think of anything now? Is it not all the same?” she thought, and did not reply.

“You know, chère Marie ,” said Mademoiselle Bourienne, “that we are in danger⁠—are surrounded by the French. It would be dangerous to move now. If we go we are almost sure to be taken prisoners, and God knows⁠ ⁠…”

Princess Márya looked at her companion without understanding what she was talking about.

“Oh, if anyone knew how little anything matters to me now,” she said. “Of course I would on no account wish to go away from him.⁠ ⁠… Alpátych did say something about going.⁠ ⁠… Speak to him; I can do nothing, nothing, and don’t want to.⁠ ⁠…”