The doctors are expecting a crisis.

" "But one cannot delay, Prince, at such a moment! Consider that the welfare of his soul is at stake.

Ah, it is awful: the duties of a Christian..." A door of one of the inner rooms opened and one of the princesses, the count's niece, entered with a cold, stern face.

The length of her body was strikingly out of proportion to her short legs.

Prince Vasili turned to her.