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“It is impossible to know who is who–can that really be Natacha? Look at her; does not she remind you of some one? Edward, before Karlovitch, how fine you are! and how beautifully you dance! Oh! and that splendid Circassian–why, it is Sonia! What a kind and delightful surprise; we were so desperately dull. Ha, ha! what a beautiful hussar! A real hussar, or a real monkey of a boy–which is he, I wonder? I cannot look at you without laughing.” They all shouted and laughed and talked at once, at the top of their voices.

Natacha, to whom the Melukows were devoted, soon vanished with them to their own room, where corks and various articles of men’s clothing were brought to them, and clutched by bare arms through a half-open door. Ten minutes later all the young people of the house rejoined the company, equally unrecognizable. Pelagueia Danilovna, going and coming among them all, with her spectacles on her nose and a quiet smile, had seats arranged and a supper laid out for the visitors, masters and servants alike. She looked straight in the face of each in turn, recognizing no one of the motley crew–neither the Rostows, nor Dimmler, nor even her own children, nor any of the clothes they figured in.

“That one, who is she?” she asked the governess, stopping a Kazan Tartar, who was, in fact, her own daughter. “One of the Rostows, is it not? And you, gallant hussar, what regiment do you belong to?” she went on, addressing Natacha. “Give some pastila to this Turkish lady,” she cried to the butler; “it is not forbidden by her religion, I believe.”

At the sight of some of the reckless dancing which the mummers performed under the shelter of their disguise, Pelagueia Danilovna could not help hiding her face in her handkerchief, while her huge person shook with uncontrollable laughter–the laugh of a kindly matron, frankly jovial and gay.

When they had danced all the national dances, ending with the Horovody, she placed every one, both masters and servants, in a large circle, holding a cord with a ring and a rouble, and for a while they played games. An hour after, when the finery was the worse for wear and heat and laughter had removed much of the charcoal, Pelagueia Danilovna could recognize them, compliment the girls on the success of their disguise, and thank the whole party for the amusement they had given her. Supper was served for the company in the drawing-room, and for the servants in the large dining-room.

“You should try your fortune in the bathroom over there; that is enough to frighten you!” said an old maid who lived with the Melukows.

“Why?” said the eldest girl.

“Oh! you would never dare to do it; you must be very brave.”

“Well, I will go,” said Sonia.

“Tell us what happened to that young girl, you know,” said the youngest Melukow.

“Once a young girl went to the bath, taking with her a cock and two plates with knives and forks, which is what you must do; and she waited. Suddenly she heard horses’ bells–some one was coming; he stopped, came up-stairs, and she saw an officer walk into the room; a real live officer–at least so he seemed–who sat down opposite to her where the second cover was laid.”

“Oh! how horrible!” exclaimed Natacha, wide-eyed. “And he spoke to her–really spoke?”

“Yes, just as if he had really been a man. He begged and prayed her to listen to him, and all she had to do was to refuse him and hold out till the cock crowed; but she was too much frightened. She covered her face with her hands, and he clasped her in his arms; luckily some girls who were on the watch rushed in when she screamed.”

“Why do you terrify them with such nonsense?” said Pelagueia Danilovna.

“But, mamma, you know you wanted to try your fortune too.”

“And if you try your fortune in a barn, what do you do?” asked Sonia.