They were to call for her at her house in the Taurida Gardens at ten o'clock, but it was already five minutes to ten, and the girls were not yet dressed.

Natasha was going to her first grand ball.

She had got up at eight that morning and had been in a fever of excitement and activity all day.

All her powers since morning had been concentrated on ensuring that they all--she herself, Mamma, and Sonya--should be as well dressed as possible.

Sonya and her mother put themselves entirely in her hands.