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and Count Rostov, glancing angrily at the author who went on

reading his verses, bowed to Bagration. Everyone rose, feeling

that dinner was more important than verses, and Bagration, again

preceding all the rest, went in to dinner. He was seated in the

place of honor between two Alexanders-Bekleshev and

Narýshkin-which was a significant allusion to the name of the

sovereign. Three hundred persons took their seats in the dining

room, according to their rank and importance: the more important

nearer to the honored guest, as naturally as water flows deepest

where the land lies lowest.

Just before dinner, Count Ilya Rostov presented his son to

Bagration, who recognized him and said a few words to him,

disjointed and awkward, as were all the words he spoke that day,

and Count Ilya looked joyfully and proudly around while Bagration

spoke to his son.