" I know she's a scamp of a girl, but I like her.

" She took a pair of pear-shaped ruby earrings from her huge reticule and, having given them to the rosy Natasha, who beamed with the pleasure of her saint's-day fete, turned away at once and addressed herself to Pierre.

"Eh, eh, friend! Come here a bit," said she, assuming a soft high tone of voice.

" Come here, my friend..." and she ominously tucked up her sleeves still higher.

Pierre approached, looking at her in a childlike way through his spectacles.