Denisov did not take his eyes off her and beat time with his saber in a way that clearly indicated that if he was not dancing it was because he would not and not because he could not.

In the middle of a figure he beckoned to Rostov who was passing: "This is not at all the thing," he said.

" What sort of Polish mazuwka is this? But she does dance splendidly.

" Knowing that Denisov had a reputation even in Poland for the masterly way in which he danced the mazurka, Nicholas ran up to Natasha: "Go and choose Denisov.

He is a real dancer, a wonder!" he said.