BOOK ONE
Part One
Chapter 1
Since Hélène came out in society, everyone has been enraptured by the beautiful daughter of Prince Vasili Kuragin. So says Anna Pavlovna.
Chapter 2
She arrives at Anna’s soirée to accompany her father to the English ambassador’s ball. Unlike Lise Bolkonskaya, she is dressed for an extravagant engagement, with her ball dress and badge of maid of honour.
Chapter 3
Outdazzling everyone in the room, Hélène appears “shy of her unquestionable and all too victorious beauty.” Faced with very much exposed bosom, even Andrei and Pierre feel compelled to comment: “very lovely”.
