Suddenlyeverybodystirred, begantalking, andpressedforwardandthenback, andbetweenthetworows, whichseparated, , , beginning: "Alexander, Elisaveta, allourheartsyouravishquite..." TheEmperorpassedontothedrawingroom, thecrowdmadearushforthedoors, -roomdoor, , lookingdistraught, pounceddownontheladies, , withfacesbetrayingcompleteforgetfulnessofalltherulesofdecorum, .
Everyonemovedback, ; thencameambassadors, ministers, andvariousgenerals, , orpreparingtotakeup, , , herscarcelydefinedbosomrisingandfallingregularly, andwithbatedbreathandglittering, frightenedeyesgazedstraightbeforeher, —shehadbutonethought: "Isitpossiblenoonewillaskme, thatIshallnotbeamongthefirsttodance? Isitpossiblethatnotoneofallthesemenwillnoticeme? Theydonotevenseemtoseeme, oriftheydotheylookasiftheyweresaying, 'Ah, she'snottheoneI'mafter, soit'snotworthlookingather!' No, it'simpossible," shethought."TheymustknowhowIlongtodance, howsplendidlyIdance, andhowtheywouldenjoydancingwithme."
Thestrainsofthepolonaise, whichhadcontinuedforaconsiderabletime, hadbeguntosoundlikeasadreminiscencetoNatasha', , , whowerenotdancing, cameuptothem.
ThisfamilygatheringseemedhumiliatingtoNatasha—, whowastellinghersomethingaboutherowngreendress.
