"I knew you would be here," replied Pierre.

" I will come to supper with you.

May I?" he added in a low voice so as not to disturb the vicomte who was continuing his story.

"No, impossible!" said Prince Andrew, laughing and pressing Pierre's hand to show that there was no need to ask the question.

He wished to say something more, but at that moment Prince Vasili and his daughter got up to go and the two young men rose to let them pass.