Book 1 Chapter 27 Missys Mother

Princess Sophia Vasilievna, Missy's mother, had finished her very
elaborate and nourishing dinner. (She had it always alone, that
no one should see her performing this unpoetical function.) By
her couch stood a small table with her coffee, and she was
smoking a pachitos. Princess Sophia Vasilievna was a long, thin
woman, with dark hair, large black eyes and long teeth, and still
pretended to be young.

Her intimacy with the doctor was being talked about. Nekhludoff
had known that for some time; but when he saw the doctor sitting
by her couch, his oily, glistening beard parted in the middle, he
not only remembered the rumours about them, but felt greatly
disgusted. By the table, on a low, soft, easy chair, next to
Sophia Vasilievna, sat Kolosoff, stirring his coffee. A glass of
liqueur stood on the table. Missy came in with Nekhludoff, but
did not remain in the room.

"When mamma gets tired of you and drives you away, then come to
me," she said, turning to Kolosoff and Nekhludoff, speaking as if
nothing had occurred; then she went away, smiling merrily and
stepping noiselessly on the thick carpet.

"How do you do, dear friend? Sit down and talk," said Princess
Sophia Vasilievna, with her affected but very naturally-acted
smile, showing her fine, long teeth--a splendid imitation of what
her own had once been. "I hear that you have come from the Law
Courts very much depressed. I think it must be very trying to a
person with a heart," she added in French.