"Where would I not go at the countess' command!" said Denisov, who at the Rostovs' had jocularly assumed the role of Natasha's knight.

"I'm even weady to dance the pas de chale.

" "If I have time," answered Nicholas.

" But I promised the Arkharovs; they have a party.

" "And you?" he asked Dolokhov, but as soon as he had asked the question he noticed that it should not have been put.