Pierre went up to his friend and, asking whether they were talking secrets, sat down beside them.

Vera, having noticed Prince Andrew's attentions to Natasha, decided that at a party, a real evening party, subtle allusions to the tender passion were absolutely necessary and, seizing a moment when Prince Andrew was alone, began a conversation with him about feelings in general and about her sister.

With so intellectual a guest as she considered Prince Andrew to be, she felt that she had to employ her diplomatic tact.