In passing Prince Vasili seized Pierre's hand and said to Anna Pavlovna: "Educate this bear for me! He has been staying with me a whole month and this is the first time I have seen him in society.

Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the society of clever women.

" Anna Pavlovna smiled and promised to take Pierre in hand.

She knew his father to be a connection of Prince Vasili's.

The elderly lady who had been sitting with the old aunt rose hurriedly and overtook Prince Vasili in the anteroom.