The opera continues. The Rostóvs interact with more people they know there.
Summary:
At first the opera seems a bit silly to Natásha, who is in a serious mood that night. The crowd loves the opera, though, and in time Natásha warms to it. She sees Anatole, who seems to be staring at Natásha all evening. Borís stops by their box and they congratulate him on his engagement. He invites them to his wedding. They see Pierre, who seems sad that evening, and Pierre talks to Natásha for a long time. The popular Hélène is seated close by with her circle of male admirerers. Hélène invites Natásha to sit with her during one of the acts, so they can become better acquainted. They see Dólokhov, who is seated with Anatole. Throughout the evening, the crowd applauds at intervals.
quote from the chapter:
During the whole of that entr’acte Kurágin stood with Dólokhov in front of the orchestra partition, looking at the Rostóvs’ box. Natásha knew he was talking about her and this afforded her pleasure. She even turned so that he should see her profile in what she thought was its most becoming aspect. Before the beginning of the second act Pierre appeared in the stalls. The Rostóvs had not seen him since their arrival. His face looked sad, and he had grown still stouter since Natásha last saw him. He passed up to the front rows, not noticing anyone. Anatole went up to him and began speaking to him, looking at and indicating the Rostóvs’ box. On seeing Natásha Pierre grew animated and, hastily passing between the rows, came toward their box. When he got there he leaned on his elbows and, smiling, talked to her for a long time. While conversing with Pierre, Natásha heard a man’s voice in Countess Bezúkhova’s box and something told her it was Kurágin. She turned and their eyes met. Almost smiling, he gazed straight into her eyes with such an enraptured caressing look that it seemed strange to be so near him, to look at him like that, to be so sure he admired her, and not to be acquainted with him.
Book 8, Chapter 9
The opera continues. The Rostóvs interact with more people they know there.
Summary:
At first the opera seems a bit silly to Natásha, who is in a serious mood that night. The crowd loves the opera, though, and in time Natásha warms to it. She sees Anatole, who seems to be staring at Natásha all evening. Borís stops by their box and they congratulate him on his engagement. He invites them to his wedding. They see Pierre, who seems sad that evening, and Pierre talks to Natásha for a long time. The popular Hélène is seated close by with her circle of male admirerers. Hélène invites Natásha to sit with her during one of the acts, so they can become better acquainted. They see Dólokhov, who is seated with Anatole. Throughout the evening, the crowd applauds at intervals.
quote from the chapter:
During the whole of that entr’acte Kurágin stood with Dólokhov in front of the orchestra partition, looking at the Rostóvs’ box. Natásha knew he was talking about her and this afforded her pleasure. She even turned so that he should see her profile in what she thought was its most becoming aspect. Before the beginning of the second act Pierre appeared in the stalls. The Rostóvs had not seen him since their arrival. His face looked sad, and he had grown still stouter since Natásha last saw him. He passed up to the front rows, not noticing anyone. Anatole went up to him and began speaking to him, looking at and indicating the Rostóvs’ box. On seeing Natásha Pierre grew animated and, hastily passing between the rows, came toward their box. When he got there he leaned on his elbows and, smiling, talked to her for a long time. While conversing with Pierre, Natásha heard a man’s voice in Countess Bezúkhova’s box and something told her it was Kurágin. She turned and their eyes met. Almost smiling, he gazed straight into her eyes with such an enraptured caressing look that it seemed strange to be so near him, to look at him like that, to be so sure he admired her, and not to be acquainted with him.
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