Page 173 of 3800

The count went in first with Marya Dmitrievna, the countess

followed on the arm of a colonel of hussars, a man of importance

to them because Nicholas was to go with him to the regiment; then

came Anna Mikhaylovna with Shinshin. Berg gave his arm to Vera.

The smiling Julie Karagina went in with Nicholas. After them

other couples followed, filling the whole dining hall, and last

of all the children, tutors, and governesses followed singly. The

footmen began moving about, chairs scraped, the band struck up in

the gallery, and the guests settled down in their places. Then

the strains of the count's household band were replaced by the

clatter of knives and forks, the voices of visitors, and the soft

steps of the footmen. At one end of the table sat the countess

with Marya Dmitrievna on her right and Anna Mikhaylovna on her

left, the other lady visitors were farther down.