Not two minutes had passed before Prince Vasili with head erect majestically entered the room.

He was wearing his long coat with three stars on his breast.

He seemed to have grown thinner since the morning; his eyes seemed larger than usual when he glanced round and noticed Pierre.

He went up to him, took his hand (a thing he never used to do), and drew it downwards as if wishing to ascertain whether it was firmly fixed on.

"Courage, courage, my friend! He has asked to see you.