Natásha understood all that awaited her at the ball only when, after stepping over the red baize at the entrance, she entered the hall, took off her fur cloak, and, beside Sónya and in front of her mother, mounted the brightly illuminated stairs between the flowers. At first, everything blended into one brilliant procession. Natásha realized that several people who had noticed her liked her, and this observation helped to calm her. The hostess was pointing out to the Countess the most important people at the ball, such as Hélène, Anatole, Pierre, Prince Andrew, and other notable members of society. Natásha, pointing out Prince Andrew to her mother, says You remember, he stayed a night with us at Otrádnoe. Of Prince Andrew, the hostess remarks I can’t bear him. He’s too proud for anything. Takes after his father. And he’s hand in glove with Speránski, writing some project or other.
quote from the chapter:
Natásha looked joyfully at the familiar face of Pierre, the buffoon, as Perónskaya had called him, and knew he was looking for them, and for her in particular. He had promised to be at the ball and introduce partners to her.
But before he reached them Pierre stopped beside a very handsome, dark man of middle height, and in a white uniform, who stood by a window talking to a tall man wearing stars and a ribbon. Natásha at once recognized the shorter and younger man in the white uniform: it was Bolkónski, who seemed to her to have grown much younger, happier, and better-looking.
There’s someone else we know-Bolkónski, do you see, Mamma? said Natásha, pointing out Prince Andrew. You remember, he stayed a night with us at Otrádnoe.
Book 6, Chapter 15
Natásha enters the grand ball.
Summary:
Natásha understood all that awaited her at the ball only when, after stepping over the red baize at the entrance, she entered the hall, took off her fur cloak, and, beside Sónya and in front of her mother, mounted the brightly illuminated stairs between the flowers. At first, everything blended into one brilliant procession. Natásha realized that several people who had noticed her liked her, and this observation helped to calm her. The hostess was pointing out to the Countess the most important people at the ball, such as Hélène, Anatole, Pierre, Prince Andrew, and other notable members of society. Natásha, pointing out Prince Andrew to her mother, says You remember, he stayed a night with us at Otrádnoe. Of Prince Andrew, the hostess remarks I can’t bear him. He’s too proud for anything. Takes after his father. And he’s hand in glove with Speránski, writing some project or other.
quote from the chapter:
Natásha looked joyfully at the familiar face of Pierre, the buffoon, as Perónskaya had called him, and knew he was looking for them, and for her in particular. He had promised to be at the ball and introduce partners to her.
But before he reached them Pierre stopped beside a very handsome, dark man of middle height, and in a white uniform, who stood by a window talking to a tall man wearing stars and a ribbon. Natásha at once recognized the shorter and younger man in the white uniform: it was Bolkónski, who seemed to her to have grown much younger, happier, and better-looking.
There’s someone else we know-Bolkónski, do you see, Mamma? said Natásha, pointing out Prince Andrew. You remember, he stayed a night with us at Otrádnoe.
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