"Princess, I must warn you," she added, lowering her voice and evidently listening to herself with pleasure, and speaking with exaggerated grasseyement, "the prince has been scolding Michael Ivanovich.

He is in a very bad humor, very morose.

Be prepared.

" "Ah, dear friend," replied Princess Mary, "I have asked you never to warn me of the humor my father is in.

I do not allow myself to judge him and would not have others do so.