" "Isn't she too young? I have heard that it harms the voice to train it at that age.

" "Oh no, not at all too young!" replied the count.

" Why, our mothers used to be married at twelve or thirteen.

" "And she's in love with Boris already.

Just fancy!" said the countess with a gentle smile, looking at Boris' and went on, evidently concerned with a thought that always occupied her: "Now you see if I were to be severe with her and to forbid it... goodness knows what they might be up to on the sly" (she meant that they would be kissing), "but as it is, I know every word she utters.