" Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly.

It is the one thing we are interested in here," said the spirit of the place.

Nicholas, having as usual exhausted two pairs of horses, without visiting all the places he meant to go to and where he had been invited, returned home just before dinner.

As soon as he entered he noticed and felt the tension of the amorous air in the house, and also noticed a curious embarrassment among some of those present.

Sonya, Dolokhov, and the old countess were especially disturbed, and to a lesser degree Natasha.