Another group was at the tea table.

Pierre wished to join the former, but Anna Pavlovna--who was in the excited condition of a commander on a battlefield to whom thousands of new and brilliant ideas occur which there is hardly time to put in action--seeing Pierre, touched his sleeve with her finger, saying: "Wait a bit, I have something in view for you this evening.

" (She glanced at Helene and smiled at her.

) "My dear Helene, be charitable to my poor aunt who adores you.

Go and keep her company for ten minutes.