“No, madame!” Pierre continued in a tone of displeasure, “I have not taken on myself the role of Natálya Rostóva’s knight at all, and have not been to their house for nearly a month. But I cannot understand the cruelty⁠ ⁠…”

“ Qui s’excuse s’accuse ,” 89 said Julie, smiling and waving the lint triumphantly, and to have the last word she promptly changed the subject. “Do you know what I heard today? Poor Márie Bolkónskaya arrived in Moscow yesterday. Do you know that she has lost her father?”

“Really? Where is she? I should like very much to see her,” said Pierre.

“I spent the evening with her yesterday. She is going to their estate near Moscow either today or tomorrow morning, with her nephew.”

“Well, and how is she?” asked Pierre.