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After a few minutes' bustle beside the high bedstead, those who

had carried the sick man dispersed. Anna Mikhaylovna touched

Pierre's hand and said, "Come." Pierre went with her to the bed

on which the sick man had been laid in a stately pose in keeping

with the ceremony just completed. He lay with his head propped

high on the pillows. His hands were symmetrically placed on the

green silk quilt, the palms downward. When Pierre came up the

count was gazing straight at him, but with a look the

significance of which could not be understood by mortal man.

Either this look meant nothing but that as long as one has eyes

they must look somewhere, or it meant too much. Pierre hesitated,

not knowing what to do, and glanced inquiringly at his guide.

Anna Mikhaylovna made a hurried sign with her eyes, glancing at

the sick man's hand and moving her lips as if to send it a kiss.