The prince was on Levin's side; he said he wished for nothing better for Kitty.

The princess for her part, going round the question in the manner peculiar to women, maintained that Kitty was too young, that Levin had done nothing to prove that he had serious intentions, that Kitty felt no great attraction to him, and other side issues; but she did not state the principal point, which was that she looked for a better match for her daughter, and that Levin was not to her liking, and she did not understand him.

When Levin had abruptly departed, the princess was delighted, and said to her husband triumphantly: "You see I was right.