BOOK 6, Chptr. 16, P&V pg. 458

After the Emperor arrives at the grand ball, Natásha and Andrew dance.

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  1. Book 6, Chapter 16

      After the Emperor arrives at the grand ball, Natásha and Andrew dance.

      Summary:
      The Emperor arrives at the ball and presently the dancing begins. Hélène is the first asked to dance. Natásha frets that no one will ask her, but Pierre (who before the ball had promised to introduce dance partners to Natásha) approaches Prince Andrew and asks that he dance with Natásha, who obviously wishes to be dancing. Andrew does so. They dance a waltz. Both Andrew and Natásha dance wonderfully. Andrew had chosen Natásha because Pierre pointed her out to him and because she was the first pretty girl who caught his eye; but scarcely had he embraced that slender supple figure and felt her stirring so close to him and smiling so near him than the wine of her charm rose to his head, and he felt himself revived and rejuvenated when after leaving her he stood breathing deeply and watching the other dancers.

      quote from the chapter:
      I have long been waiting for you, that frightened happy little girl seemed to say by the smile that replaced the threatened tears, as she raised her hand to Prince Andrew’s shoulder. They were the second couple to enter the circle. Prince Andrew was one of the best dancers of his day and Natásha danced exquisitely. Her little feet in their white satin dancing shoes did their work swiftly, lightly, and independently of herself, while her face beamed with ecstatic happiness.

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