“I don’t care to have anything to do with Bezúkhova and don’t advise you to; however, if you’ve promised⁠—go. It will divert your thoughts,” she added, addressing Natásha.

Count Ilyá Andréevich took the girls to Countess Bezúkhova’s. There were a good many people there, but nearly all strangers to Natásha. Count Ilyá Andréevich was displeased to see that the company consisted almost entirely of men and women known for the freedom of their conduct. Mademoiselle George was standing in a corner of the drawing room surrounded by young men. There were several Frenchmen present, among them Métivier who from the time Elèn reached Moscow had been an intimate in her house. The count decided not to sit down to cards or let his girls out of his sight and to get away as soon as Mademoiselle George’s performance was over.

Anatole was at the door, evidently on the lookout for the Rostóvs. Immediately after greeting the count he went up to Natásha and followed her. As soon as she saw him she was seized by the same feeling she had had at the opera⁠—gratified vanity at his admiration of her and fear at the absence of a moral barrier between them.