"Dear Countess, what an age... She has been laid up, poor child$JMR at the Razumovski's ball$JMR and Countess Apraksina$JMR I was so delighted$JMR" came the sounds of animated feminine voices, interrupting one another and mingling with the rustling of dresses and the scraping of chairs.

Then one of those conversations began which last out until, at the first pause, the guests rise with a rustle of dresses and say, "I am so delighted... Mamma's health$JMR and Countess Apraksina$JMR" and then, again rustling, pass into the anteroom, put on cloaks or mantles, and drive away.

The conversation was on the chief topic of the day: the illness of the wealthy and celebrated beau of Catherine's day, Count Bezukhov, and about his illegitimate son Pierre, the one who had behaved so improperly at Anna Pavlovna's reception.

"I am so sorry for the poor count," said the visitor.