"I rely on you, my dear," said Anna Pavlovna, also in a low tone.

"Write to her and let me know how her father looks at the matter.

Au revoir!"--and she left the hall.

Prince Hippolyte approached the little princess and, bending his face close to her, began to whisper something.

Two footmen, the princess' and his own, stood holding a shawl and a cloak, waiting for the conversation to finish.