Powdered footmen, in livery with buckled shoes and smart stockings, stood at every door anxiously noting visitors' every movement in order to offer their services.

Most of those present were elderly, respected men with broad, self-confident faces, fat fingers, and resolute gestures and voices.

This class of guests and members sat in certain habitual places and met in certain habitual groups.

A minority of those present were casual guests--chiefly young men, among whom were Denisov, Rostov, and Dolokhov--who was now again an officer in the Semenov regiment.