Princess Mary was still looking silently at her brother and her beautiful eyes were full of love and sadness.

It was plain that she was following a train of thought independent of her sister-in-law's words.

In the midst of a description of the last Petersburg fete she addressed her brother: "So you are really going to the war, Andrew?" she said sighing.

Lise sighed too.

"Yes, and even tomorrow," replied her brother.