but lizabetha prokofievna felt somewhat consoled when she could say that one of her girls, adelaida, was settled at last. "it will be one off our hands!" she declared aloud, though in private she expressed herself with greater tenderness. the engagement was both happy and suitable, and was therefore approved in society. prince s. was a distinguished man, he had money, and his future wife was devoted to him; what more could be desired? lizabetha prokofievna had felt less anxious about this daughter, however, although she considered her artistic tastes suspicious. but to make up for them she was, as her mother expressed it, "merry," and had plenty of "common-sense." it was aglaya’s future which disturbed her most. with regard to her eldest daughter, alexandra, the mother never quite knew whether there was cause for anxiety or not.