Thecardtablesweredrawnout, setsmadeupforboston, andthecount'svisitorssettledthemselves, someinthetwodrawingrooms, someinthesittingroom, someinthelibrary.
Thecount, holdinghiscardsfanwise, kepthimselfwithdifficultyfromdroppingintohisusualafterdinnernap, , atthecountess' instigation, , shejoinedtheotheryoungladiesinbeggingNatashaandNicholas, whowerenotedfortheirmusicaltalent, , whowastreatedasthoughsheweregrownup, wasevidentlyveryproudofthisbutatthesametimefeltshy.
"Whatshallwesing?" shesaid.
"'TheBrook,'" suggestedNicholas.
"Well, then, let', comehere," saidNatasha."ButwhereisSonya?"
Shelookedroundandseeingthatherfriendwasnotintheroomrantolookforher.
RunningintoSonya'sroomandnotfindingherthere, Natasharantothenursery, 'sdirtyfeatherbedonthetopofthechest, crumplinghergauzypinkdressunderher, hidingherfacewithherslenderfingers, 'sface, whichhadbeensoradiantlyhappyallthatsaint'sday, suddenlychanged: hereyesbecamefixed, andthenashiverpasseddownherbroadneckandthecornersofhermouthdrooped.
"Sonya! Whatisit? Whatisthematter?...Oo...Oo...Oo...!" AndNatasha'slargemouthwidened, makingherlookquiteugly, andshebegantowaillikeababywithoutknowingwhy, , , .
"Nicholasisgoingawayinaweek'stime, his...papers...havecome...hetoldmehimself...butstillIshouldnotcry," andsheshowedapapersheheldinherhand—withtheversesNicholashadwritten,"still, Ishouldnotcry, butyoucan't...noonecanunderstand...whatasoulhehas!"
Andshebegantocryagainbecausehehadsuchanoblesoul.
