in the dining room, according to their rank and importance: the more important nearer to the honored guest, as naturally as water flows deepest where the land lies lowest.
Just before dinner, Count Ilyá Andréevich presented his son to Bagratión, who recognized him and said a few words to him, disjointed and awkward, as were all the words he spoke that day, and Count Ilyá Andréevich looked joyfully and proudly around while Bagratión spoke to his son.
Nikoláy Rostóv, with Denísov and his new acquaintance, Dólokhov, sat almost at the middle of the table.
Facing them sat Pierre, beside Prince Nesvítski. Count Ilyá Andréevich with the other members of the committee sat facing Bagratión and, as the very personification of Moscow hospitality, did the honors to the prince.
His efforts had not been in vain. The dinner, both the