The nun smiled.
"I thought I was in hell," said Sylvia, seriously. "When are my friends coming to see me?"
The nun looked grave.
"Your friends have all gone away," she said at last. "They used to come every day to inquire after you, but they went away when war was declared."
"War?" Sylvia repeated. "Did you say war?"
The nun nodded.
"War?" she went on. "This isn't part of my delirium? You're not teasing me? War between whom?"
"Russia, France, and England are at war with Germany and Austria."
"Then Carrier has left Petersburg?"
"Hush," said the nun. "It's no longer Petersburg. It's Petrograd now."