The countess herself and her handsome eldest daughter were in the drawing-room with the visitors who came to congratulate, and who constantly succeeded one another in relays.

The countess was a woman of about forty-five, with a thin Oriental type of face, evidently worn out with childbearing--she had had twelve.

A languor of motion and speech, resulting from weakness, gave her a distinguished air which inspired respect.

Princess Anna Mikhaylovna Drubetskaya, who as a member of the household was also seated in the drawing room, helped to receive and entertain the visitors.

The young people were in one of the inner rooms, not considering it necessary to take part in receiving the visitors.