BOOK 1, Chptr. 20, P&V pg. 65

Sónya is upset, fearing she will never be able to marry Nicholas. Later, there is music and dancing.

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  1. Book 1, Chapter 20

      Sónya is upset, fearing she will never be able to marry Nicholas. Later, there is music and dancing.

      Summary:
      The card tables were drawn out, sets made up for boston, and the count’s visitors settled themselves, some in the two drawing rooms, some in the sitting room, some in the library. Natásha notices Sónya is missing, and finds her crying alone in the hallway. Sónya is sobbing because Nicholas will be leaving for the army, and also because she’s been told Nicholas will never be allowed to marry her. Natásha comforts Sónya and tells her she will be able to marry him. Then they return to the rest of the family where there is music and dancing. The young Natásha dances with Pierre, and later Count Rostóv dances the Daniel Cooper impressively.

      quote from the chapter:
      Natásha began consoling her, but her face showed that she understood all the gravity of her friend’s trouble. Sónya, she suddenly exclaimed, as if she had guessed the true reason of her friend’s sorrow, I’m sure Véra has said something to you since dinner? Hasn’t she?
      Yes, these verses Nicholas wrote himself and I copied some others, and she found them on my table and said she’d show them to Mamma, and that I was ungrateful, and that Mamma would never allow him to marry me, but that he’ll marry Julie. You see how he’s been with her all day… Natásha, what have I done to deserve it?… And again she began to sob, more bitterly than before. Natásha lifted her up, hugged her, and, smiling through her tears, began comforting her.

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