Tíkhon, like all good valets, instinctively knew the direction of his master’s thoughts. He guessed that the question referred to Prince Vasíli and his son.

“They have gone to bed and put out their lights, your excellency.”

“No good⁠ ⁠… no good⁠ ⁠…” said the prince rapidly, and thrusting his feet into his slippers and his arms into the sleeves of his dressing gown, he went to the couch on which he slept.

Though no words had passed between Anatole and Mademoiselle Bourienne, they quite understood one another as to the first part of their romance, up to the appearance of the pauvre mère ; they understood that they had much to say to one another in private and so they had been seeking an opportunity since morning to meet one another alone. When Princess Márya went to her father’s room at the usual hour, Mademoiselle Bourienne and Anatole met in the conservatory.