" Neither her father, nor her mother, nor Sonya, nor Prince Andrew himself could have foreseen how the separation from her lover would act on Natasha.

Flushed and agitated she went about the house all that day, dry-eyed, occupied with most trivial matters as if not understanding what awaited her.

She did not even cry when, on taking leave, he kissed her hand for the last time.

" Don't go!" she said in a tone that made him wonder whether he really ought not to stay and which he remembered long afterwards.