the other.

"What brought you here, youngsters? Did my little
Tanyitchka send you? That's right; no harm in coming. Give
my compliments to Tanya, and tell her that I am always at
her service. Come whenever you like. Old Susoitchik may be
of use to you."

No sooner had the young folk made their bow than old Lyoff
Tolstoy appeared with Prince Urusof.

"Aha! so it's the old boy! Many thanks to Tanyitchka.
It's a long time since I have seen you, old chap. Well and hearty?
And what can I do for you?"

Lyoff Tolstoy shuffled about, rather abashed.

Prince Urusof, mindful of the etiquette of diplomatic
receptions, stepped forward and explained Tolstoy's appearance by
his wish to make acquaintance with Tatyana
Andreyevna's oldest and most faithful friend.

"Les amis des nos amis sont nos amis."

"Ha! ha! ha! quite so!" said Susoitchik. "I must
reward her for to-day's work. Be so kind, Prince, as to hand her
the marks of my good-will."

And he handed over the insignia of an order in a morocco case.
The insignia consisted of a necklace of imp's tails to be worn