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While the couples were arranging themselves and the musicians

tuning up, Pierre sat down with his little partner. Natasha was

perfectly happy; she was dancing with a grown-up man, who had

been abroad. She was sitting in a conspicuous place and talking

to him like a grown-up lady. She had a fan in her hand that one

of the ladies had given her to hold. Assuming quite the pose of a

society woman (heaven knows when and where she had learned it)

she talked with her partner, fanning herself and smiling over the

fan.

"Dear, dear! Just look at her!" exclaimed the countess as she

crossed the ballroom, pointing to Natasha.

Natasha blushed and laughed.

"Well, really, Mamma! Why should you? What is there to be

surprised at?"