"MydearBoris," saidPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnatohersonasCountessRostova'scarriageinwhichtheywereseateddroveoverthestrawcoveredstreetandturnedintothewidecourtyardofCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov'shouse."MydearBoris," saidthemother, drawingherhandfrombeneathheroldmantleandlayingittimidlyandtenderlyonherson'sarm, ", , mydear, andbenicetohim, asyousowellknowhowtobe."
"IfonlyIknewthatanythingbesideshumiliationwouldcomeofit..." answeredhersoncoldly."ButIhavepromisedandwilldoitforyoursake."
Althoughthehallportersawsomeone'scarriagestandingattheentrance, afterscrutinizingthemotherandson (whowithoutaskingtobeannouncedhadpassedstraightthroughtheglassporchbetweentherowsofstatuesinniches) andlookingsignificantlyatthelady'soldcloak, heaskedwhethertheywantedthecountortheprincesses, and, hearingthattheywishedtoseethecount, saidhisexcellencywasworsetoday, andthathisexcellencywasnotreceivinganyone.
"Wemayaswellgoback," saidthesoninFrench.
"Mydear!" exclaimedhismotherimploringly, againlayingherhandonhisarmasifthattouchmightsootheorrousehim.
Borissaidnomore, butlookedinquiringlyathismotherwithouttakingoffhiscloak.
"Myfriend," saidAnnaMikhaylovnaingentletones, addressingthehallporter, "IknowCountCyrilVladimirovichisveryill...that'swhyIhavecome..., myfriend...IonlyneedseePrinceVasiliSergeevich: heisstayinghere, ishenot? Pleaseannounceme."
Thehallportersullenlypulledabellthatrangupstairs, andturnedaway.
