WhileintheRostovs' ballroomthesixthanglaisewasbeingdanced, toatuneinwhichthewearymusiciansblundered, andwhiletiredfootmenandcooksweregettingthesupper, , communionwasadministeredtothedyingman, preparationsmadeforthesacramentofunction, , beyondthegates, agroupofundertakers, whohidwheneveracarriagedroveup, , whohadbeenassiduousinsendingaides-de-camptoinquireafterthecount'shealth, camehimselfthateveningtobidalastfarewelltothecelebratedgrandeeofCatherine'scourt, CountBezukhov.
, havingstayedabouthalfanhouralonewiththedyingman, passedout, slightlyacknowledgingtheirbowsandtryingtoescapeasquicklyaspossiblefromtheglancesfixedonhimbythedoctors, clergy, , whohadgrownthinnerandpalerduringthelastfewdays, escortedhimtothedoor, repeatingsomethingtohimseveraltimesinlowtones.
WhentheMilitaryGovernorhadgone, PrinceVasilisatdownallaloneonachairintheballroom, crossingoneleghighovertheother, , and, lookingabouthimwithfrightenedeyes, wentwithunusuallyhurriedstepsdownthelongcorridorleadingtothebackofthehouse, totheroomoftheeldestprincess.
Thosewhowereinthedimlylitreceptionroomspokeinnervouswhispers, and, wheneveranyonewentintoorcamefromthedyingman'sroom, grewsilentandgazedwitheyesfullofcuriosityorexpectancyathisdoor, whichcreakedslightlywhenopened.
"Thelimitsofhumanlife...arefixedandmaynotbeo'erpassed," saidanoldpriesttoaladywhohadtakenaseatbesidehimandwaslisteningnaivelytohiswords.
