All these friends and relations had been given to understand that the fate of the young girl would be decided that evening.

The visitors were seated at supper.

Princess Kuragina, a portly imposing woman who had once been handsome, was sitting at the head of the table.

On either side of her sat the more important guests--an old general and his wife, and Anna Pavlovna Scherer.

At the other end sat the younger and less important guests, and there too sat the members of the family, and Pierre and Helene, side by side.