Chapter 20

           

           AfewintimatefriendswerediningwiththeRostóvsthatday,asusualonSundays.

           Pierrecameearlysoastofindthemalone.

           Hehadgrownsostoutthisyearthathewouldhavebeenabnormalhadhenotbeensotall,sobroadoflimb,andsostrongthathecarriedhisbulkwithevidentease.

           Hewentupthestairs,puffingandmutteringsomething.Hiscoachmandidnotevenaskwhetherhewastowait.HeknewthatwhenhismasterwasattheRostóvs’hestayedtillmidnight.TheRostóvs’footmanrushedeagerlyforwardtohelphimoffwithhiscloakandtakehishatandstick.Pierre,fromclubhabit,alwaysleftbothhatandstickintheanteroom.

           ThefirstpersonhesawinthehousewasNatásha.Evenbeforehesawher,whiletakingoffhiscloak,heheardher.Shewaspracticingsolfaexercisesinthemusicroom.Heknewthatshehadnotsungsinceherillness,andsothesoundofhervoicesurprisedanddelightedhim.Heopenedthedoorsoftlyandsawher,inthelilacdressshehadwornatchurch,walkingabouttheroomsinging.Shehadherbacktohimwhenheopenedthedoor,butwhen,turningquickly,shesawhisbroad,surprisedface,sheblushedandcamerapidlyuptohim.

           “Iwanttotrytosingagain,”shesaid,addingasifbywayofexcuse,“itis,atleast,somethingtodo.”

           “That’scapital!”

           “HowgladIamyou’vecome!Iamsohappytoday,”shesaid,withtheoldanimationPierrehadnotseeninherforalongtime.“YouknowNicholashasreceivedaSt.George’sCross?Iamsoproudofhim.”

           “Ohyes,Isentthatannouncement.

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