Pagina 632 di 3800

Into the insignificant, trifling, and artificial interests

uniting that society had entered the simple feeling of the

attraction of a healthy and handsome young man and woman for one

another. And this human feeling dominated everything else and

soared above all their affected chatter. Jests fell flat, news

was not interesting, and the animation was evidently forced. Not

only the guests but even the footmen waiting at table seemed to

feel this, and they forgot their duties as they looked at the

beautiful Helene with her radiant face and at the red, broad, and

happy though uneasy face of Pierre. It seemed as if the very

light of the candles was focused on those two happy faces alone.

Pierre felt that he was the center of it all, and this both

pleased and embarrassed him. He was like a man entirely absorbed

in some occupation. He did not see, hear, or understand anything

clearly. Only now and then detached ideas and impressions from

the world of reality shot unexpectedly through his mind.