Apart from considerations of politeness which demanded the call, he wanted to see that original, eager girl who had left such a pleasant impression on his mind, in her own home.

Natasha was one of the first to meet him.

She was wearing a dark-blue house dress in which Prince Andrew thought her even prettier than in her ball dress.

She and all the Rostov family welcomed him as an old friend, simply and cordially.

The whole family, whom he had formerly judged severely, now seemed to him to consist of excellent, simple, and kindly people.