She felt, as courtiers do when the Tsar enters, the sensation of fear and respect which the old man inspired in all around him.

He stroked her hair and then patted her awkwardly on the back of her neck.

"I'm glad, glad, to see you," he said, looking attentively into her eyes, and then quickly went to his place and sat down.

" Sit down, sit down! Sit down, Michael Ianovich!" He indicated a place beside him to his daughter-in-law.