Prince Vasili frowned, twisting his mouth, his cheeks quivered and his face assumed the coarse, unpleasant expression peculiar to him.

Shaking himself, he rose, threw back his head, and with resolute steps went past the ladies into the little drawing room.

With quick steps he went joyfully up to Pierre.

His face was so unusually triumphant that Pierre rose in alarm on seeing it.

"Thank God!" said Prince Vasili.