Pierre, asoneoftheprincipalguests, hadtositdowntobostonwithCountRostov, thegeneral, , , andnotonlylessprettythanattheball, butonlyredeemedfromplainnessbyherlookofgentleindifferencetoeverythingaround.
"What'sthematterwithher?" thoughtPierre, , andreluctantly, withoutlookingathim, 'sdelighttakingfivetricks, Pierre, hearinggreetingsandthestepsofsomeonewhohadenteredtheroomwhilehewaspickinguphistricks, glancedagainatNatasha.
"Whathashappenedtoher?" heaskedhimselfwithstillgreatersurprise.
PrinceAndrewwasstandingbeforeher, , havingraisedherhead, waslookingupathim, .
PrinceAndrewwentuptoPierre, andthelatternoticedanewandyouthfulexpressioninhisfriend'sface.
Pierrechangedplacesseveraltimesduringthegame, sittingnowwithhisbacktoNatashaandnowfacingher, butduringthewholeofthesixrubbershewatchedherandhisfriend.
"Somethingveryimportantishappeningbetweenthem," thoughtPierre, andafeelingthatwasbothjoyfulandpainfulagitatedhimandmadehimneglectthegame.
Aftersixrubbersthegeneralgotup, sayingthatitwasnouseplayinglikethat, , , askingwhethertheyweretalkingsecrets, , havingnoticedPrinceAndrew'sattentionstoNatasha, decidedthatataparty, arealeveningparty, subtleallusionstothetenderpassionwereabsolutelynecessaryand, seizingamomentwhenPrinceAndrewwasalone, , shefeltthatshehadtoemployherdiplomatictact.
WhenPierrewentuptothemhenoticedthatVerawasbeingcarriedawaybyherself-satisfiedtalk, butthatPrinceAndrewseemedembarrassed, athingthatrarelyhappenedwithhim.
