" Well, as I was saying, Prince Vasili is the next heir through his wife, but the count is very fond of Pierre, looked after his education, and wrote to the Emperor about him; so that in the case of his death--and he is so ill that he may die at any moment, and Dr.

Lorrain has come from Petersburg--no one knows who will inherit his immense fortune, Pierre or Prince Vasili.

Forty thousand serfs and millions of rubles! I know it all very well for Prince Vasili told me himself.

Besides, Cyril Vladimirovich is my mother's second cousin.

He's also my Bory's godfather," she added, as if she attached no importance at all to the fact.