Pagina 186 van 3800

The count, holding his cards fanwise, kept himself with

difficulty from dropping into his usual after-dinner nap, and

laughed at everything. The young people, at the countess'

instigation, gathered round the clavichord and harp. Julie by

general request played first. After she had played a little air

with variations on the harp, she joined the other young ladies in

begging Natasha and Nicholas, who were noted for their musical

talent, to sing something. Natasha, who was treated as though she

were grown up, was evidently very proud of this but at the same

time felt shy.

"What shall we sing?" she said.

"'The Brook,'" suggested Nicholas.

"Well, then, let's be quick. Boris, come here," said Natasha.

"But where is Sonya?"

She looked round and seeing that her friend was not in the room

ran to look for her.