“She went to a neighboring shop and purchased some toys, and thus she formed her plan of action: she would start early in the morning before Alekséi Aleksandrovitch was up; she would have the money in her hand all ready to bribe the Swiss and the other servants to let her go up-stairs without raising her veil, under the pretext of laying on Serozha’s bed some presents sent by his god-father. As to what she should say to her son, she could not form the least idea: she could not make any preparation for that.
“The next morning, at eight o’clock, Anna got out of her hired carriage and rang the doorbell of her former home.
“‘Go and see what is wanted! It’s some baruina,’ said Kapitonuitch, in overcoat and galoshes, as he looked out of the window and saw a lady closely veiled standing on the porch. The Swiss’s assistant, a young man whom Anna did not know, had scarcely opened the door before Anna thrust a three-ruble note into his hand.
“‘Serozha—Sergéi Aleksiévitch,’ she stammered; then she went one or two steps down the hall.
“The Swiss’s assistant examined the note, and stopped the visitor at the inner glass door.
“‘Whom do you wish to see?’ he asked.
“She did not hear his words, and made no reply.
“Kapitonuitch, noticing the stranger’s confusion, came out from his office and asked her what she wanted.
“‘I come from Prince Skorodumof to see Sergéi Aleksiévitch.’
“‘He is not up yet,’ replied the Swiss, looking sharply at the veiled lady.