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‘If you want to so much, I’ll find out about her first and approach her myself,’ her mother replied. ‘What do you find so special about her? A lady’s companion, she must be. If you wish, I’ll make the acquaintance of Mme Stahl. I knew her belle-soeur,’ the princess added, raising her head proudly.

Kitty knew that the princess was offended that Mme Stahl seemed to avoid making her acquaintance. She did not insist.

‘A wonder, such a dear!’ she said, looking at Varenka, just as she was handing a glass to the Frenchwoman. ‘Look, it’s all so simple and sweet.’

‘I find these engouementsn of yours so funny,’ said the princess. ‘No, better let’s go back,’ she added, noticing Levin coming their way with his lady and a German doctor, to whom he was saying something loudly and crossly.

They were turning to go back when they suddenly heard not loud talking now, but shouting. Levin had stopped and was shouting, and the doctor, too, was excited. A crowd was gathering around them. The princess and Kitty hastily withdrew, and the colonel joined the crowd to find out what was the matter.

A few minutes later, the colonel caught up with them.

‘What was it?’ asked the princess.

‘Shame and disgrace!’ replied the colonel. ‘There is only one thing to fear - meeting Russians abroad. That tall gentleman quarrelled with the doctor, said impertinent things to him for not treating him correctly, and even raised his stick. It’s simply a disgrace!’

‘Ah, how unpleasant!’ said the princess. ‘Well, how did it end?’

‘Thank heavens, that girl intervened ... the one in the mushroom hat. A Russian, it seems,’ said the colonel.

‘Mile Varenka?’ Kitty asked joyfully.

‘Yes, yes. She found the way more quickly than anyone: she took the gentleman by the arm and led him away.’

‘See, mama,’ Kitty said to her mother, ‘and you’re surprised that I admire her.’

The next day, observing her unknown friend, Kitty noticed that Mlle Varenka already had the same sort of relations with Levin and his woman as with her other protégés. She went up to them, talked, served as interpreter for the woman, who could not speak any foreign languages.

Kitty started pleading still more with her mother to allow her to make Varenka’s acquaintance. And, disagreeable though it was for the princess to take, as it were, the first step towards becoming acquainted with Mme Stahl, who permitted herself to be proud of something, she made inquiries about Varenka and, learning details about her allowing her to conclude that there was nothing bad, though also little good, in this acquaintance, first approached Varenka herself and became acquainted with her.

Choosing a moment when her daughter had gone to the springs and Varenka had stopped in front of the bakery, the princess approached her.

‘Allow me to make your acquaintance,’ she said with her dignified smile. ‘My daughter is in love with you,’ she said. ‘Perhaps you do not know me. I am ...’

‘It’s more than reciprocated, Princess,’ Varenka replied hastily.

‘What a good deed you did yesterday for our pathetic compatriot!’ said the princess.

Varenka blushed.

‘I don’t remember. I don’t think I did anything,’ she said.

‘Why, you saved this Levin from unpleasantness.’

‘Yes, sa compagneo called me, and I did my best to calm him down: he’s very ill and was displeased with the doctor. And I’m used to looking after these patients.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard that you live in Menton with Mme Stahl - your aunt, I believe. I knew her belle-soeur.’

‘No, she’s not my aunt. I call her maman, but I’m not related to her; I was brought up by her,’ Varenka replied, blushing again.

This was said so simply, so sweet was the truthful and open expression of her face, that the princess understood why her Kitty loved Varenka.

‘Well, what about this Levin?’ asked the princess.

‘He’s leaving,’ replied Varenka.

At that moment, beaming with joy that her mother had made the acquaintance of her unknown friend, Kitty came from the springs.

‘So, Kitty, your great desire to make the acquaintance of Mlle ...’

‘Varenka,’ prompted Varenka, smiling,