"Oh, little countess!"... and the count began bustling to get out his pocketbook.

"I want a great deal, Count! I want five hundred rubles," and taking out her cambric handkerchief she began wiping her husband's waistcoat.

"Yes, immediately, immediately! Hey, who's there?" he called out in a tone only used by persons who are certain that those they call will rush to obey the summons.

" Send Dmitri to me!" Dmitri, a man of good family who had been brought up in the count's house and now managed all his affairs, stepped softly into the room.