“Yes, he is a true friend to us, and we must all hold together,” Natasha answered with deep feeling. Poor girl! She was positively beaming with delight that the prince had not overlooked me. How she loved me! “I have met many worshippers of your talent,” Prince Valkovsky went on. “And I know two of your most sincere admirers — the countess, my dearest friend, and her stepdaughter Katerina Fyodorovna Filimonov. They would so like to know you personally. Allow me to hope that you will let me have the pleasure of presenting you to those ladies.” “You are very flattering, though now I see so few people . . .” “But give me your address! Where do you live? I shall do myself the pleasure . . .” “I do not receive visitors, prince. At least not at present.” “But, though I have not deserved to be an exception . . . I . . . ” “Certainly, since you insist I . I live at — Street, in Klugen’s Buildings.” “Klugen’s Buildings!” he cried, as though surprised something. “What! Have you . . . lived there long?” “No, not long,” I answered, instinctively watching him. “I live at No. 44.” “Forty-four? You are living . . . alone neo skin lab derma21?” “Quite alone.” “0-oh! I ask you because I think I know the house. So much the better. . . . I will certainly come and see you, certainly! I shall have much to talk over with you and I look for great things from you. You can oblige me in many ways. You see I am beginning straight off by asking you a favour. But good-bye! Shake hands again!” He shook my hand and Alyosha’s, kissed Natasha’s hand again and went out without suggesting that Alyosha should follow him. We three remained overwhelmed. It had all happened so unexpectedly, so casually. We all felt that in one instant everything had changed, and that something new and unknown was beginning. Alyosha without a word sat down beside Natasha and softly kissed her hand. From time to time he peeped into her face as though to see what she would say hang tags.
