Mademoiselle Bourienne and the little princess had to own to themselves that Princess Márya in this guise looked very plain, worse than usual, but it was too late. She was looking at them with an expression they both knew, an expression thoughtful and sad. This expression in Princess Márya did not frighten them (she never inspired fear in anyone), but they knew that when it appeared on her face, she became mute and was not to be shaken in her determination.

“You will change it, won’t you?” said Liza. And as Princess Márya gave no answer, she left the room.