Despite the uneasy glances thrown at her by Princess Márya⁠—who wished to have a tête-à-tête with Natásha⁠—Mademoiselle Bourienne remained in the room and persistently talked about Moscow amusements and theaters. Natásha felt offended by the hesitation she had noticed in the anteroom, by her father’s nervousness, and by the unnatural manner of the princess who⁠—she thought⁠—was making a favor of receiving her, and so everything displeased her. She did not like Princess Márya, whom she thought very plain, affected, and dry. Natásha suddenly shrank into herself and involuntarily assumed an offhand air which alienated Princess Márya still more. After five minutes of irksome, constrained conversation, they heard the sound of slippered feet rapidly approaching. Princess Márya looked frightened.

The door opened and the old prince, in a dressing gown and a white nightcap, came in.