Therewereintheroomachild’scot，twoboxes，twoarmchairs，atable，achild’stable，andthelittlechaironwhichPrinceAndrewwassitting。Thecurtainsweredrawn，andasinglecandlewasburningonthetable，screenedbyaboundmusicbooksothatthelightdidnotfallonthecot。
"Mydear，"saidPrincessMary，addressingherbrotherfrombesidethecotwhereshewasstanding，"betterwaitabit……later……"
"Oh，leaveoff，youalwaystalknonsenseandkeepputtingthingsoff—andthisiswhatcomesofit！"saidPrinceAndrewinanexasperatedwhisper，evidentlymeaningtowoundhissister。
"Mydear，really……it’sbetternottowakehim……he’sasleep，"
saidtheprincessinatoneofentreaty。
PrinceAndrewgotupandwentontiptoeuptothelittlebed，wineglassinhand。
"Perhapswe’dreallybetternotwakehim，"hesaidhesitating。
"Asyouplease……really……Ithinkso……butasyouplease，"saidPrincessMary，evidentlyintimidatedandconfusedthatheropinionhadprevailed。Shedrewherbrother’sattentiontothemaidwhowascallinghiminawhisper。
Itwasthesecondnightthatneitherofthemhadslept，watchingtheboywhowasinahighfever。Theselastdays，mistrustingtheirhouseholddoctorandexpectinganotherforwhomtheyhadsenttotown，theyhadbeentryingfirstoneremedyandthenanother。Wornoutbysleeplessnessandanxietytheythrewtheirburdenofsorrowononeanotherandreproachedanddisputedwitheachother。
"Petrushahascomewithpapersfromyourfather，"whisperedthemaid。
PrinceAndrewwentout。
"Deviltakethem！"hemuttered，andafterlisteningtotheverbalinstructionshisfatherhadsentandtakingthecorrespondenceandhisfather’sletter，hereturnedtothenursery。
"Well？"heasked。
"Stillthesame。Wait，forheaven’ssake。KarlIvanichalwayssaysthatsleepismoreimportantthananything，"whisperedPrincessMarywithasigh。
PrinceAndrewwentuptothechildandfelthim。Hewasburninghot。
"ConfoundyouandyourKarlIvanich！"Hetooktheglasswiththedropsandagainwentuptothecot。
"Andrew，don’t！"saidPrincessMary。
Buthescowledatherangrilythoughalsowithsufferinginhiseyes，andstoopedglassinhandovertheinfant。
"ButIwishit，"hesaid。"Ibegyou—giveithim！"
PrincessMaryshruggedhershouldersbuttooktheglasssubmissivelyandcallingthenursebegangivingthemedicine。Thechildscreamedhoarsely。PrinceAndrewwincedand，clutchinghishead，wentoutandsatdownonasofainthenextroom。
Hestillhadallthelettersinhishand。Openingthemmechanicallyhebeganreading。Theoldprince，nowandthenusingabbreviations，wroteinhislargeelongatedhandonbluepaperasfollows：
Havejustthismomentreceivedbyspecialmessengerveryjoyfulnews—ifit’snotfalse。BennigsenseemstohaveobtainedacompletevictoryoverBuonaparteatEylau。InPetersburgeveryoneisrejoicing，andtherewardssenttothearmyareinnumerable。ThoughheisaGerman—Icongratulatehim！Ican’tmakeoutwhatthecommanderatKorchevo—acertainKhandrikov—isupto；tillnowtheadditionalmenandprovisionshavenotarrived。GallopofftohimatonceandsayI’llhavehisheadoffifeverythingisnothereinaweek。HavereceivedanotherletteraboutthePreussisch—EylaubattlefromPetenka—hetookpartinit—andit’salltrue。Whenmischief—makersdon’tmeddleevenaGermanbeatsBuonaparte。Heissaidtobefleeingingreatdisorder。MindyougallopofftoKorchevowithoutdelayandcarryoutinstructions！
PrinceAndrewsighedandbrokethesealofanotherenvelope。ItwasacloselywrittenletteroftwosheetsfromBilibin。Hefoldeditupwithoutreadingitandrereadhisfather’sletter，endingwiththewords："GallopofftoKorchevoandcarryoutinstructions！"
"No，pardonme，Iwon’tgonowtillthechildisbetter，"thoughthe，goingtothedoorandlookingintothenursery。
PrincessMarywasstillstandingbythecot，gentlyrockingthebaby。
"Ahyes，andwhatelsedidhesaythat’sunpleasant？"thoughtPrinceAndrew，recallinghisfather’sletter。"Yes，wehavegainedavictoryoverBonaparte，justwhenI’mnotserving。Yes，yes，he’salwayspokingfunatme……Ah，well！Lethim！"AndhebeganreadingBilibin’sletterwhichwaswritteninFrench。Hereadwithoutunderstandinghalfofit，readonlytoforget，ifbutforamoment，whathehadtoolongbeenthinkingofsopainfullytotheexclusionofallelse。
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Bilibinwasnowatarmyheadquartersinadiplomaticcapacity，andthoughhewroteinFrenchandusedFrenchjestsandFrenchidioms，hedescribedthewholecampaignwithafearlessself—censureandself—derisiongenuinelyRussian。Bilibinwrotethattheobligationofdiplomaticdiscretiontormentedhim，andhewashappytohaveinPrinceAndrewareliablecorrespondenttowhomhecouldpouroutthebilehehadaccumulatedatthesightofallthatwasbeingdoneinthearmy。Theletterwasold，havingbeenwrittenbeforethebattleatPreussisch—Eylau。
"SincethedayofourbrilliantsuccessatAusterlitz，"wroteBilibin，"asyouknow，mydearprince，Ineverleaveheadquarters。I
havecertainlyacquiredatasteforwar，anditisjustaswellforme；whatIhaveseenduringtheselastthreemonthsisincredible。
"Ibeginabovo。’Theenemyofthehumanrace，’asyouknow，attacksthePrussians。ThePrussiansareourfaithfulallieswhohaveonlybetrayedusthreetimesinthreeyears。Wetakeuptheircause，butitturnsoutthat’theenemyofthehumanrace’paysnoheedtoourfinespeechesandinhisrudeandsavagewaythrowshimselfonthePrussianswithoutgivingthemtimetofinishtheparadetheyhadbegun，andintwotwistsofthehandhebreaksthemtosmithereensandinstallshimselfinthepalaceatPotsdam。
"’Imostardentlydesire，’writestheKingofPrussiatoBonaparte，’thatYourMajestyshouldbereceivedandtreatedinmypalaceinamanneragreeabletoyourself，andinsofarascircumstancesallowed，Ihavehastenedtotakeallstepstothatend。MayIhavesucceeded！’ThePrussiangeneralspridethemselvesonbeingpolitetotheFrenchandlaydowntheirarmsatthefirstdemand。
"TheheadofthegarrisonatGlogau，withtenthousandmen，askstheKingofPrussiawhatheistodoifheissummonedtosurrender……
Allthisisabsolutelytrue。
"Inshort，hopingtosettlemattersbytakingupawarlikeattitude，itturnsoutthatwehavelandedourselvesinwar，andwhatismore，inwaronourownfrontiers，withandfortheKingofPrussia。Wehaveeverythinginperfectorder，onlyonelittlethingislacking，namely，acommanderinchief。AsitwasconsideredthattheAusterlitzsuccessmighthavebeenmoredecisivehadthecommanderinchiefnotbeensoyoung，allouroctogenarianswerereviewed，andofProzorovskiandKamenskithelatterwaspreferred。Thegeneralcomestous，Suvorov—like，inakibitka，andisreceivedwithacclamationsofjoyandtriumph。
"Onthe4th，thefirstcourierarrivesfromPetersburg。Themailsaretakentothefieldmarshal’sroom，forhelikestodoeverythinghimself。Iamcalledintohelpsortthelettersandtakethosemeantforus。Thefieldmarshallooksonandwaitsforlettersaddressedtohim。Wesearch，butnonearetobefound。ThefieldmarshalgrowsimpatientandsetstoworkhimselfandfindslettersfromtheEmperortoCountT。，PrinceV。，andothers。Thenheburstsintooneofhiswildfuriesandragesateveryoneandeverything，seizestheletters，opensthem，andreadsthosefromtheEmperoraddressedtoothers。’Ah！Sothat’sthewaytheytreatme！Noconfidenceinme！Ah，orderedtokeepaneyeonme！Verywellthen！
Getalongwithyou！’SohewritesthefamousorderofthedaytoGeneralBennigsen：
’Iamwoundedandcannotrideandconsequentlycannotcommandthearmy。YouhavebroughtyourarmycorpstoPultusk，routed：hereitisexposed，andwithoutfuelorforage，sosomethingmustbedone，and，asyouyourselfreportedtoCountBuxhowdenyesterday，youmustthinkofretreatingtoourfrontier—whichdotoday。’
"’Fromallmyriding，’hewritestotheEmperor，’Ihavegotasaddlesorewhich，comingafterallmypreviousjourneys，quitepreventsmyridingandcommandingsovastanarmy，soIhavepassedonthecommandtothegeneralnextinseniority，CountBuxhowden，havingsenthimmywholestaffandallthatbelongstoit，advisinghimifthereisalackofbread，tomovefartherintotheinteriorofPrussia，foronlyoneday’srationofbreadremains，andinsomeregimentsnoneatall，asreportedbythedivisioncommanders，OstermannandSedmoretzki，andallthatthepeasantshadhasbeeneatenup。ImyselfwillremaininhospitalatOstrolenkatillI
recover。InregardtowhichIhumblysubmitmyreport，withtheinformationthatifthearmyremainsinitspresentbivouacanotherfortnighttherewillnotbeahealthymanleftinitbyspring。
"’Grantleavetoretiretohiscountryseattoanoldmanwhoisalreadyinanycasedishonoredbybeingunabletofulfillthegreatandglorioustaskforwhichhewaschosen。Ishallawaityourmostgraciouspermissionhereinhospital，thatImaynothavetoplaythepartofasecretaryratherthancommanderinthearmy。Myremovalfromthearmydoesnotproducetheslighteststir—ablindmanhasleftit。TherearethousandssuchasIinRussia。’
"ThefieldmarshalisangrywiththeEmperorandhepunishesusall，isn’titlogical？
"Thisisthefirstact。Thosethatfollowarenaturallyincreasinglyinterestingandentertaining。Afterthefieldmarshal’sdepartureitappearsthatwearewithinsightoftheenemyandmustgivebattle。
Buxhowdeniscommanderinchiefbyseniority，butGeneralBennigsendoesnotquiteseeit；moreparticularlyasitisheandhiscorpswhoarewithinsightoftheenemyandhewishestoprofitbytheopportunitytofightabattle’onhisownhand’astheGermanssay。Hedoesso。ThisisthebattleofPultusk，whichisconsideredagreatvictorybutinmyopinionwasnothingofthekind。Wecivilians，asyouknow，haveaverybadwayofdecidingwhetherabattlewaswonorlost。Thosewhoretreatafterabattlehavelostitiswhatwesay；
andaccordingtothatitiswewholostthebattleofPultusk。Inshort，weretreatafterthebattlebutsendacouriertoPetersburgwithnewsofavictory，andGeneralBennigsen，hopingtoreceivefromPetersburgthepostofcommanderinchiefasarewardforhisvictory，doesnotgiveupthecommandofthearmytoGeneralBuxhowden。Duringthisinterregnumwebeginaveryoriginalandinterestingseriesofmaneuvers。Ouraimisnolonger，asitshouldbe，toavoidorattacktheenemy，butsolelytoavoidGeneralBuxhowdenwhobyrightofseniorityshouldbeourchief。Soenergeticallydowepursuethisaimthataftercrossinganunfordableriverweburnthebridgestoseparateourselvesfromourenemy，whoatthemomentisnotBonapartebutBuxhowden。GeneralBuxhowdenwasallbutattackedandcapturedbyasuperiorenemyforceasaresultofoneofthesemaneuversthatenabledustoescapehim。Buxhowdenpursuesus—wescuttle。Hehardlycrossestherivertooursidebeforewerecrosstotheother。Atlastourenemy。
Buxhowden，catchesusandattacks。Bothgeneralsareangry，andtheresultisachallengeonBuxhowden’spartandanepilepticfitonBennigsen’s。ButatthecriticalmomentthecourierwhocarriedthenewsofourvictoryatPultusktoPetersburgreturnsbringingourappointmentascommanderinchief，andourfirstfoe，Buxhowden，isvanquished；wecannowturnourthoughtstothesecond，Bonaparte。Butasitturnsout，justatthatmomentathirdenemyrisesbeforeus—
namelytheOrthodoxRussiansoldiers，loudlydemandingbread，meat，biscuits，fodder，andwhatnot！Thestoresareempty，theroadsimpassable。TheOrthodoxbeginlooting，andinawayofwhichourlastcampaigncangiveyounoidea。Halftheregimentsformbandsandscourthecountrysideandputeverythingtofireandsword。Theinhabitantsaretotallyruined，thehospitalsoverflowwithsick，andfamineiseverywhere。Twicethemaraudersevenattackourheadquarters，andthecommanderinchiefhastoaskforabattaliontodispersethem。Duringoneoftheseattackstheycarriedoffmyemptyportmanteauandmydressinggown。TheEmperorproposestogiveallcommandersofdivisionstherighttoshootmarauders，butImuchfearthiswillobligeonehalfthearmytoshoottheother。"
AtfirstPrinceAndrewreadwithhiseyesonly，butafterawhile，inspiteofhimselfalthoughheknewhowfaritwassafetotrustBilibin，whathehadreadbegantointeresthimmoreandmore。Whenhehadreadthusfar，hecrumpledtheletterupandthrewitaway。
Itwasnotwhathehadreadthatvexedhim，butthefactthatthelifeoutthereinwhichhehadnownopartcouldperturbhim。Heshuthiseyes，rubbedhisforeheadasiftoridhimselfofallinterestinwhathehadread，andlistenedtowhatwaspassinginthenursery。Suddenlyhethoughtheheardastrangenoisethroughthedoor。Hewasseizedwithalarmlestsomethingshouldhavehappenedtothechildwhilehewasreadingtheletter。Hewentontiptoetothenurserydoorandopenedit。
JustashewentinhesawthatthenursewashidingsomethingfromhimwithascaredlookandthatPrincessMarywasnolongerbythecot。
"Mydear，"heheardwhatseemedtohimherdespairingwhisperbehindhim。
Asoftenhappensafterlongsleeplessnessandlonganxiety，hewasseizedbyanunreasoningpanic—itoccurredtohimthatthechildwasdead。Allthathesawandheardseemedtoconfirmthisterror。
"Allisover，"hethought，andacoldsweatbrokeoutonhisforehead。Hewenttothecotinconfusion，surethathewouldfinditemptyandthatthenursehadbeenhidingthedeadbaby。Hedrewthecurtainasideandforsometimehisfrightened，restlesseyescouldnotfindthebaby。Atlasthesawhim：therosyboyhadtossedabouttillhelayacrossthebedwithhisheadlowerthanthepillow，andwassmackinghislipsinhissleepandbreathingevenly。
PrinceAndrewwasasgladtofindtheboylikethat，asifhehadalreadylosthim。Hebentoverhimand，ashissisterhadtaughthim，triedwithhislipswhetherthechildwasstillfeverish。Thesoftforeheadwasmoist。PrinceAndrewtouchedtheheadwithhishand；
eventhehairwaswet，soprofuselyhadthechildperspired。Hewasnotdead，butevidentlythecrisiswasoverandhewasconvalescent。
PrinceAndrewlongedtosnatchup，tosqueeze，toholdtohisheart，thishelplesslittlecreature，butdarednotdoso。Hestoodoverhim，gazingathisheadandatthelittlearmsandlegswhichshowedundertheblanket。Heheardarustlebehindhimandashadowappearedunderthecurtainofthecot。Hedidnotlookround，butstillgazingattheinfant’sfacelistenedtohisregularbreathing。
ThedarkshadowwasPrincessMary，whohadcomeuptothecotwithnoiselesssteps，liftedthecurtain，anddroppeditagainbehindher。PrinceAndrewrecognizedherwithoutlookingandheldouthishandtoher。Shepressedit。
"Hehasperspired，"saidPrinceAndrew。
"Iwascomingtotellyouso。"
Thechildmovedslightlyinhissleep，smiled，andrubbedhisforeheadagainstthepillow。
PrinceAndrewlookedathissister。Inthedimshadowofthecurtainherluminouseyesshonemorebrightlythanusualfromthetearsofjoythatwereinthem。Sheleanedovertoherbrotherandkissedhim，slightlycatchingthecurtainofthecot。Eachmadetheotherawarninggestureandstoodstillinthedimlightbeneaththecurtainasifnotwishingtoleavethatseclusionwheretheythreewereshutofffromalltheworld。PrinceAndrewwasthefirsttomoveaway，rufflinghishairagainstthemuslinofthecurtain。
"Yes，thisistheonethingleftmenow，"hesaidwithasigh。
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SoonafterhisadmissiontotheMasonicBrotherhood，PierrewenttotheKievprovince，wherehehadthegreatestnumberofserfs，takingwithhimfulldirectionswhichhehadwrittendownforhisownguidanceastowhatheshoulddoonhisestates。
WhenhereachedKievhesentforallhisstewardstotheheadofficeandexplainedtothemhisintentionsandwishes。Hetoldthemthatstepswouldbetakenimmediatelytofreehisserfs—andthattillthentheywerenottobeoverburdenedwithlabor，womenwhilenursingtheirbabieswerenottobesenttowork，assistancewastobegiventotheserfs，punishmentsweretobeadmonitoryandnotcorporal，andhospitals，asylums，andschoolsweretobeestablishedonalltheestates。Someofthestewardsthereweresemiliterateforemenamongthemlistenedwithalarm，supposingthesewordstomeanthattheyoungcountwasdispleasedwiththeirmanagementandembezzlementofmoney，someaftertheirfirstfrightwereamusedbyPierre’slispandthenewwordstheyhadnotheardbefore，otherssimplyenjoyedhearinghowthemastertalked，whilethecleverestamongthem，includingthechiefsteward，understoodfromthisspeechhowtheycouldbesthandlethemasterfortheirownends。
ThechiefstewardexpressedgreatsympathywithPierre’sintentions，butremarkedthatbesidesthesechangesitwouldbenecessarytogointothegeneralstateofaffairswhichwasfarfromsatisfactory。
DespiteCountBezukhov’senormouswealth，sincehehadcomeintoanincomewhichwassaidtoamounttofivehundredthousandrublesayear，Pierrefelthimselffarpoorerthanwhenhisfatherhadmadehimanallowanceoftenthousandrubles。Hehadadimperceptionofthefollowingbudget：
About80，000wentinpaymentsonalltheestatestotheLandBank，about30，000wentfortheupkeepoftheestatenearMoscow，thetownhouse，andtheallowancetothethreeprincesses；about15，000wasgiveninpensionsandthesameamountforasylums；150，000alimonywassenttothecountess；about70，00wentforinterestondebts。Thebuildingofanewchurch，previouslybegun，hadcostabout10，000ineachofthelasttwoyears，andhedidnotknowhowtherest，about100，000rubles，wasspent，andalmosteveryyearhewasobligedtoborrow。Besidesthisthechiefstewardwroteeveryyeartellinghimoffiresandbadharvests，orofthenecessityofrebuildingfactoriesandworkshops。SothefirsttaskPierrehadtofacewasoneforwhichhehadverylittleaptitudeorinclination—practicalbusiness。
Hediscussedestateaffairseverydaywithhischiefsteward。Buthefeltthatthisdidnotforwardmattersatall。Hefeltthattheseconsultationsweredetachedfromrealaffairsanddidnotlinkupwiththemormakethemmove。Ontheonehand，thechiefstewardputthestateofthingstohimintheveryworstlight，pointingoutthenecessityofpayingoffthedebtsandundertakingnewactivitieswithserflabor，towhichPierredidnotagree。Ontheotherhand，Pierredemandedthatstepsshouldbetakentoliberatetheserfs，whichthestewardmetbyshowingthenecessityoffirstpayingofftheloansfromtheLandBank，andtheconsequentimpossibilityofaspeedyemancipation。
Thestewarddidnotsayitwasquiteimpossible，butsuggestedsellingtheforestsintheprovinceofKostroma，thelandlowerdowntheriver，andtheCrimeanestate，inordertomakeitpossible：allofwhichoperationsaccordingtohimwereconnectedwithsuchcomplicatedmeasures—theremovalofinjunctions，petitions，permits，andsoon—thatPierrebecamequitebewilderedandonlyreplied：
"Yes，yes，doso。"
Pierrehadnoneofthepracticalpersistencethatwouldhaveenabledhimtoattendtothebusinesshimselfandsohedislikeditandonlytriedtopretendtothestewardthathewasattendingtoit。Thestewardforhisparttriedtopretendtothecountthatheconsideredtheseconsultationsveryvaluablefortheproprietorandtroublesometohimself。
InKievPierrefoundsomepeopleheknew，andstrangershastenedtomakehisacquaintanceandjoyfullywelcomedtherichnewcomer，thelargestlandowneroftheprovince。TemptationstoPierre’sgreatestweakness—theonetowhichhehadconfessedwhenadmittedtotheLodge—weresostrongthathecouldnotresistthem。Againwholedays，weeks，andmonthsofhislifepassedinasgreatarushandwereasmuchoccupiedwitheveningparties，dinners，lunches，andballs，givinghimnotimeforreflection，asinPetersburg。
Insteadofthenewlifehehadhopedtoleadhestilllivedtheoldlife，onlyinnewsurroundings。
OfthethreepreceptsofFreemasonryPierrerealizedthathedidnotfulfilltheonewhichenjoinedeveryMasontosetanexampleofmorallife，andthatofthesevenvirtueshelackedtwo—moralityandtheloveofdeath。Heconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthathefulfilledanotheroftheprecepts—thatofreformingthehumanrace—
andhadothervirtues—loveofhisneighbor，andespeciallygenerosity。
Inthespringof1807hedecidedtoreturntoPetersburg。OnthewayheintendedtovisitallhisestatesandseeforhimselfhowfarhisordershadbeencarriedoutandinwhatstateweretheserfswhomGodhadentrustedtohiscareandwhomheintendedtobenefit。
Thechiefsteward，whoconsideredtheyoungcount’sattemptsalmostinsane—unprofitabletohimself，tothecount，andtotheserfs—madesomeconcessions。Continuingtorepresenttheliberationoftheserfsasimpracticable，hearrangedfortheerectionoflargebuildings—schools，hospitals，andasylums—onalltheestatesbeforethemasterarrived。EverywherepreparationsweremadenotforceremoniouswelcomeswhichheknewPierrewouldnotlike，butforjustsuchgratefullyreligiousones，withofferingsoficonsandthebreadandsaltofhospitality，as，accordingtohisunderstandingofhismaster，wouldtouchanddeludehim。
Thesouthernspring，thecomfortablerapidtravelinginaViennacarriage，andthesolitudeoftheroad，allhadagladdeningeffectonPierre。Theestateshehadnotbeforevisitedwereeachmorepicturesquethantheother；theserfseverywhereseemedthrivingandtouchinglygratefulforthebenefitsconferredonthem。Everywherewerereceptions，whichthoughtheyembarrassedPierreawakenedajoyfulfeelinginthedepthofhisheart。InoneplacethepeasantspresentedhimwithbreadandsaltandaniconofSaintPeterandSaintPaul，askingpermission，asamarkoftheirgratitudeforthebenefitshehadconferredonthem，tobuildanewchantrytothechurchattheirownexpenseinhonorofPeterandPaul，hispatronsaints。Inanotherplacethewomenwithinfantsinarmsmethimtothankhimforreleasingthemfromhardwork。Onathirdestatethepriest，bearingacross，cametomeethimsurroundedbychildrenwhom，bythecount’sgenerosity，hewasinstructinginreading，writing，andreligion。OnallhisestatesPierresawwithhisowneyesbrickbuildingserectedorincourseoferection，allononeplan，forhospitals，schools，andalmshouses，whichweresoontobeopened。
Everywherehesawthestewards’accounts，accordingtowhichtheserfs’manoriallaborhadbeendiminished，andheardthetouchingthanksofdeputationsofserfsintheirfull—skirtedbluecoats。
WhatPierredidnotknowwasthattheplacewheretheypresentedhimwithbreadandsaltandwishedtobuildachantryinhonorofPeterandPaulwasamarketvillagewhereafairwasheldonSt。Peter’sday，andthattherichestpeasantswhoformedthedeputationhadbegunthechantrylongbefore，butthatninetenthsofthepeasantsinthatvillageswereinastateofthegreatestpoverty。Hedidnotknowthatsincethenursingmotherswerenolongersenttoworkonhisland，theydidstillharderworkontheirownland。Hedidnotknowthatthepriestwhomethimwiththecrossoppressedthepeasantsbyhisexactions，andthatthepupils’parentsweptathavingtolethimtaketheirchildrenandsecuredtheirreleasebyheavypayments。
Hedidnotknowthatthebrickbuildings，builttoplan，werebeingbuiltbyserfswhosemanoriallaborwasthusincreased，thoughlessenedonpaper。Hedidnotknowthatwherethestewardhadshownhimintheaccountsthattheserfs’paymentshadbeendiminishedbyathird，theirobligatorymanorialworkhadbeenincreasedbyahalf。AndsoPierrewasdelightedwithhisvisittohisestatesandquiterecoveredthephilanthropicmoodinwhichhehadleftPetersburg，andwroteenthusiasticletterstohis"brother—instructor"
ashecalledtheGrandMaster。
"Howeasyitis，howlittleeffortitneeds，todosomuchgood，"
thoughtPierre，"andhowlittleattentionwepaytoit！"
Hewaspleasedatthegratitudehereceived，butfeltabashedatreceivingit。Thisgratituderemindedhimofhowmuchmorehemightdoforthesesimple，kindlypeople。
Thechiefsteward，averystupidbutcunningmanwhosawperfectlythroughthenaiveandintelligentcountandplayedwithhimaswithatoy，seeingtheeffecttheseprearrangedreceptionshadonPierre，pressedhimstillharderwithproofsoftheimpossibilityandabovealltheuselessnessoffreeingtheserfs，whowerequitehappyasitwas。
Pierreinhissecretsoulagreedwiththestewardthatitwouldbedifficulttoimaginehappierpeople，andthatGodonlyknewwhatwouldhappentothemwhentheywerefree，butheinsisted，thoughreluctantly，onwhathethoughtright。Thestewardpromisedtodoallinhispowertocarryoutthecount’swishes，seeingclearlythatnotonlywouldthecountneverbeabletofindoutwhetherallmeasureshadbeentakenforthesaleofthelandandforestsandtoreleasethemfromtheLandBank，butwouldprobablynevereveninquireandwouldneverknowthatthenewlyerectedbuildingswerestandingemptyandthattheserfscontinuedtogiveinmoneyandworkallthatotherpeople’sserfsgave—thatistosay，allthatcouldbegotoutofthem。
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ReturningfromhisjourneythroughSouthRussiainthehappieststateofmind，PierrecarriedoutanintentionhehadlonghadofvisitinghisfriendBolkonski，whomhehadnotseenfortwoyears。
Bogucharovolayinaflatuninterestingpartofthecountryamongfieldsandforestsoffirandbirch，whichwerepartlycutdown。Thehouselaybehindanewlydugpondfilledwithwatertothebrinkandwithbanksstillbareofgrass。Itwasattheendofavillagethatstretchedalongthehighroadinthemidstofayoungcopseinwhichwereafewfirtrees。
Thehomesteadconsistedofathreshingfloor，outhouses，stables，abathhouse，alodge，andalargebrickhousewithsemicircularfacadestillincourseofconstruction。Roundthehousewasagardennewlylaidout。Thefencesandgateswerenewandsolid；twofirepumpsandawatercart，paintedgreen，stoodinashed；thepathswerestraight，thebridgeswerestrongandhadhandrails。Everythingboreanimpressoftidinessandgoodmanagement。SomedomesticserfsPierremet，inreplytoinquiriesastowheretheprincelived，pointedoutasmallnewlybuiltlodgeclosetothepond。Anton，amanwhohadlookedafterPrinceAndrewinhisboyhood，helpedPierreoutofhiscarriage，saidthattheprincewasathome，andshowedhimintoacleanlittleanteroom。
PierrewasstruckbythemodestyofthesmallthoughcleanhouseafterthebrilliantsurroundingsinwhichhehadlastmethisfriendinPetersburg。
Hequicklyenteredthesmallreceptionroomwithitsstill—unplasteredwoodenwallsredolentofpine，andwouldhavegonefarther，butAntonranaheadontiptoeandknockedatadoor。
"Well，whatisit？"cameasharp，unpleasantvoice。
"Avisitor，"answeredAnton。
"Askhimtowait，"andthesoundwasheardofachairbeingpushedback。
PierrewentwithrapidstepstothedoorandsuddenlycamefacetofacewithPrinceAndrew，whocameoutfrowningandlookingold。Pierreembracedhimandliftinghisspectacleskissedhisfriendonthecheekandlookedathimclosely。
"Well，Ididnotexpectyou，Iamveryglad，"saidPrinceAndrew。
Pierresaidnothing；helookedfixedlyathisfriendwithsurprise。Hewasstruckbythechangeinhim。Hiswordswerekindlyandtherewasasmileonhislipsandface，buthiseyesweredullandlifelessandinspiteofhisevidentwishtodosohecouldnotgivethemajoyousandgladsparkle。PrinceAndrewhadgrownthinner，paler，andmoremanly—looking，butwhatamazedandestrangedPierretillhegotusedtoitwerehisinertiaandawrinkleonhisbrowindicatingprolongedconcentrationonsomeonethought。
Asisusuallythecasewithpeoplemeetingafteraprolongedseparation，itwaslongbeforetheirconversationcouldsettleonanything。Theyputquestionsandgavebriefrepliesaboutthingstheyknewoughttobetalkedoveratlength。Atlasttheconversationgraduallysettledonsomeofthetopicsatfirstlightlytouchedon：theirpastlife，plansforthefuture，Pierre’sjourneysandoccupations，thewar，andsoon。ThepreoccupationanddespondencywhichPierrehadnoticedinhisfriend’slookwasnowstillmoreclearlyexpressedinthesmilewithwhichhelistenedtoPierre，especiallywhenhespokewithjoyfulanimationofthepastorthefuture。ItwasasifPrinceAndrewwouldhavelikedtosympathizewithwhatPierrewassaying，butcouldnot。Thelatterbegantofeelthatitwasinbadtastetospeakofhisenthusiasms，dreams，andhopesofhappinessorgoodness，inPrinceAndrew’spresence。HewasashamedtoexpresshisnewMasonicviews，whichhadbeenparticularlyrevivedandstrengthenedbyhislatetour。Hecheckedhimself，fearingtoseemnaive，yethefeltanirresistibledesiretoshowhisfriendassoonaspossiblethathewasnowaquitedifferent，andbetter，PierrethanhehadbeeninPetersburg。
"Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIhavelivedthroughsincethen。Ihardlyknowmyselfagain。"
"Yes，wehavealteredmuch，verymuch，sincethen，"saidPrinceAndrew。
"Well，andyou？Whatareyourplans？"
"Plans！"repeatedPrinceAndrewironically。"Myplans？"hesaid，asifastonishedattheword。"Well，yousee，I’mbuilding。Imeantosettleherealtogethernextyear……"
PierrelookedsilentlyandsearchinglyintoPrinceAndrew’sface，whichhadgrownmucholder。
"No，Imeanttoask……"Pierrebegan，butPrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
"Butwhytalkofme？……Talktome，yes，tellmeaboutyourtravelsandallyouhavebeendoingonyourestates。"
Pierrebegandescribingwhathehaddoneonhisestates，tryingasfaraspossibletoconcealhisownpartintheimprovementsthathadbeenmade。PrinceAndrewseveraltimespromptedPierre’sstoryofwhathehadbeendoing，asthoughitwereallanold—timestory，andhelistenednotonlywithoutinterestbutevenasifashamedofwhatPierrewastellinghim。
Pierrefeltuncomfortableandevendepressedinhisfriend’scompanyandatlastbecamesilent。
"I’lltellyouwhat，mydearfellow，"saidPrinceAndrew，whoevidentlyalsofeltdepressedandconstrainedwithhisvisitor，"I
amonlybivouackinghereandhavejustcometolookround。Iamgoingbacktomysistertoday。Iwillintroduceyoutoher。Butofcourseyouknowheralready，"hesaid，evidentlytryingtoentertainavisitorwithwhomhenowfoundnothingincommon。"Wewillgoafterdinner。Andwouldyounowliketolookroundmyplace？"
Theywentoutandwalkedabouttilldinnertime，talkingofthepoliticalnewsandcommonacquaintanceslikepeoplewhodonotknoweachotherintimately。PrinceAndrewspokewithsomeanimationandinterestonlyofthenewhomesteadhewasconstructinganditsbuildings，butevenhere，whileonthescaffolding，inthemidstofatalkexplainingthefuturearrangementsofthehouse，heinterruptedhimself：
"However，thisisnotatallinteresting。Letushavedinner，andthenwe’llsetoff。"
Atdinner，conversationturnedonPierre’smarriage。
"IwasverymuchsurprisedwhenIheardofit，"saidPrinceAndrew。
Pierreblushed，ashealwaysdidwhenitwasmentioned，andsaidhurriedly："Iwilltellyousometimehowitallhappened。Butyouknowitisallover，andforever。"
"Forever？"saidPrinceAndrew。"Nothing’sforever。"
"Butyouknowhowitallended，don’tyou？Youheardoftheduel？"
"Andsoyouhadtogothroughthattoo！"
"OnethingIthankGodforisthatIdidnotkillthatman，"saidPierre。
"Whyso？"askedPrinceAndrew。"Tokillaviciousdogisaverygoodthingreally。"
"No，tokillamanisbad—wrong。"
"Whyisitwrong？"urgedPrinceAndrew。"Itisnotgiventomantoknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrong。Menalwaysdidandalwayswillerr，andinnothingmorethaninwhattheyconsiderrightandwrong。"
"Whatdoesharmtoanotheriswrong，"saidPierre，feelingwithpleasurethatforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalPrinceAndrewwasroused，hadbeguntotalk，andwantedtoexpresswhathadbroughthimtohispresentstate。
"Andwhohastoldyouwhatisbadforanotherman？"heasked。
"Bad！Bad！"exclaimedPierre。"Weallknowwhatisbadforourselves。"
"Yes，weknowthat，buttheharmIamconsciousofinmyselfissomethingIcannotinflictonothers，"saidPrinceAndrew，growingmoreandmoreanimatedandevidentlywishingtoexpresshisnewoutlooktoPierre。HespokeinFrench。"Ionlyknowtwoveryrealevilsinlife：remorseandillness。Theonlygoodistheabsenceofthoseevils。Toliveformyselfavoidingthosetwoevilsismywholephilosophynow。"
"Andloveofone’sneighbor，andself—sacrifice？"beganPierre。"No，Ican’tagreewithyou！Toliveonlysoasnottodoevilandnottohavetorepentisnotenough。Ilivedlikethat，Ilivedformyselfandruinedmylife。AndonlynowwhenIamliving，oratleasttrying"
Pierre’smodestymadehimcorrecthimself"toliveforothers，onlynowhaveIunderstoodallthehappinessoflife。No，Ishallnotagreewithyou，andyoudonotreallybelievewhatyouaresaying。"PrinceAndrewlookedsilentlyatPierrewithanironicsmile。
"Whenyouseemysister，PrincessMary，you’llgetonwithher，"
hesaid。"Perhapsyouarerightforyourself，"headdedafterashortpause，"buteveryonelivesinhisownway。Youlivedforyourselfandsayyounearlyruinedyourlifeandonlyfoundhappinesswhenyoubeganlivingforothers。Iexperiencedjustthereverse。Ilivedforglory。—Andafterallwhatisglory？Thesameloveofothers，adesiretodosomethingforthem，adesirefortheirapproval。—SoIlivedforothers，andnotalmost，butquite，ruinedmylife。AndIhavebecomecalmersinceIbegantoliveonlyformyself。"
"Butwhatdoyoumeanbylivingonlyforyourself？"askedPierre，growingexcited。"Whataboutyourson，yoursister，andyourfather？"
"Butthat’sjustthesameasmyself—theyarenotothers，"explainedPrinceAndrew。"Theothers，one’sneighbors，leprochain，asyouandPrincessMarycallit，arethechiefsourceofallerrorandevil。
Leprochain—yourKievpeasantstowhomyouwanttodogood。"
AndhelookedatPierrewithamocking，challengingexpression。Heevidentlywishedtodrawhimon。
"Youarejoking，"repliedPierre，growingmoreandmoreexcited。
"Whaterrororevilcantherebeinmywishingtodogood，andevendoingalittle—thoughIdidverylittleanddiditverybadly？Whatevilcantherebeinitifunfortunatepeople，ourserfs，peoplelikeourselves，weregrowingupanddyingwithnoideaofGodandtruthbeyondceremoniesandmeaninglessprayersandarenowinstructedinacomfortingbeliefinfuturelife，retribution，recompense，andconsolation？Whatevilanderrorarethereinit，ifpeopleweredyingofdiseasewithouthelpwhilematerialassistancecouldsoeasilyberendered，andIsuppliedthemwithadoctor，ahospital，andanasylumfortheaged？Andisitnotapalpable，unquestionablegoodifapeasant，orawomanwithababy，hasnorestdayornightandIgivethemrestandleisure？"saidPierre，hurryingandlisping。"AndIhavedonethatthoughbadlyandtoasmallextent；butIhavedonesomethingtowarditandyoucannotpersuademethatitwasnotagoodaction，andmorethanthat，youcan’tmakemebelievethatyoudonotthinksoyourself。Andthemainthingis，"hecontinued，"thatI
know，andknowforcertain，thattheenjoymentofdoingthisgoodistheonlysurehappinessinlife。"
"Yes，ifyouputitlikethatit’squiteadifferentmatter，"saidPrinceAndrew。"Ibuildahouseandlayoutagarden，andyoubuildhospitals。Theoneandtheothermayserveasapastime。Butwhat’srightandwhat’sgoodmustbejudgedbyonewhoknowsall，butnotbyus。Well，youwantanargument，"headded，comeonthen。"
Theyrosefromthetableandsatdownintheentranceporchwhichservedasaveranda。
"Come，let’sarguethen，"saidPrinceAndrew，"Youtalkofschools，"
hewenton，crookingafinger，"educationandsoforth；thatis，youwanttoraisehim"pointingtoapeasantwhopassedbythemtakingoffhiscap"fromhisanimalconditionandawakeninhimspiritualneeds，whileitseemstomethatanimalhappinessistheonlyhappinesspossible，andthatisjustwhatyouwanttodeprivehimof。Ienvyhim，butyouwanttomakehimwhatIam，withoutgivinghimmymeans。Thenyousay，’lightenhistoil。’ButasIseeit，physicallaborisasessentialtohim，asmuchaconditionofhisexistence，asmentalactivityistoyouorme。Youcan’thelpthinking。Igotobedaftertwointhemorning，thoughtscomeandI
can’tsleepbuttossabouttilldawn，becauseIthinkandcan’thelpthinking，justashecan’thelpplowingandmowing；ifhedidn’t，hewouldgotothedrinkshoporfallill。JustasIcouldnotstandhisterriblephysicallaborbutshoulddieofitinaweek，sohecouldnotstandmyphysicalidleness，butwouldgrowfatanddie。
Thethirdthing—whatelsewasityoutalkedabout？"andPrinceAndrewcrookedathirdfinger。"Ah，yes，hospitals，medicine。Hehasafit，heisdying，andyoucomeandbleedhimandpatchhimup。Hewilldragaboutasacripple，aburdentoeverybody，foranothertenyears。Itwouldbefareasierandsimplerforhimtodie。Othersarebeingbornandthereareplentyofthemasitis。Itwouldbedifferentifyougrudgedlosingalaborer—that’showIregardhim—butyouwanttocurehimfromloveofhim。Andhedoesnotwantthat。Andbesides，whatanotionthatmedicineevercuredanyone！Killedthem，yes！"saidhe，frowningangrilyandturningawayfromPierre。
PrinceAndrewexpressedhisideassoclearlyanddistinctlythatitwasevidenthehadreflectedonthissubjectmorethanonce，andhespokereadilyandrapidlylikeamanwhohasnottalkedforalongtime。Hisglancebecamemoreanimatedashisconclusionsbecamemorehopeless。
"Oh，thatisdreadful，dreadful！"saidPierre。"Idon’tunderstandhowonecanlivewithsuchideas。Ihadsuchmomentsmyselfnotlongago，inMoscowandwhentraveling，butatsuchtimesIcollapsedsothatIdon’tliveatall—everythingseemshatefultome……myselfmostofall。ThenIdon’teat，don’twash……andhowisitwithyou？……"
"Whynotwash？Thatisnotcleanly，"saidPrinceAndrew；"onthecontraryonemusttrytomakeone’slifeaspleasantaspossible。
I’malive，thatisnotmyfault，soImustliveoutmylifeasbestIcanwithouthurtingothers。"
"Butwithsuchideaswhatmotivehaveyouforliving？Onewouldsitwithoutmoving，undertakingnothing……"
"Lifeasitisleavesonenopeace。Ishouldbethankfultodonothing，buthereontheonehandthelocalnobilityhavedonemethehonortochoosemetobetheirmarshal；itwasallIcoulddotogetoutofit。TheycouldnotunderstandthatIhavenotthenecessaryqualificationsforit—thekindofgood—natured，fussyshallownessnecessaryfortheposition。Thenthere’sthishouse，whichmustbebuiltinordertohaveanookofone’sowninwhichtobequiet。Andnowthere’sthisrecruiting。"
"Whyaren’tyouservinginthearmy？"
"AfterAusterlitz！"saidPrinceAndrewgloomily。"No，thankyouverymuch！IhavepromisedmyselfnottoserveagainintheactiveRussianarmy。AndIwon’t—notevenifBonapartewerehereatSmolenskthreateningBaldHills—eventhenIwouldn’tserveintheRussianarmy！Well，asIwassaying，"hecontinued，recoveringhiscomposure，"nowthere’sthisrecruiting。MyfatherischiefincommandoftheThirdDistrict，andmyonlywayofavoidingactiveserviceistoserveunderhim。"
"Thenyouareserving？"
"Iam。"
Hepausedalittlewhile。
"Andwhydoyouserve？"
"Why，forthisreason！Myfatherisoneofthemostremarkablemenofhistime。Butheisgrowingold，andthoughnotexactlycruelhehastooenergeticacharacter。Heissoaccustomedtounlimitedpowerthatheisterrible，andnowhehasthisauthorityofacommanderinchiefoftherecruiting，grantedbytheEmperor。IfIhadbeentwohourslateafortnightagohewouldhavehadapaymaster’sclerkatYukhnovnahanged，"saidPrinceAndrewwithasmile。"SoI
amservingbecauseIalonehaveanyinfluencewithmyfather，andnowandthencansavehimfromactionswhichwouldtormenthimafterwards。"
"Well，thereyousee！"
"Yes，butitisnotasyouimagine，"PrinceAndrewcontinued。"Ididnot，anddonot，intheleastcareaboutthatscoundrelofaclerkwhohadstolensomebootsfromtherecruits；Ishouldevenhavebeenverygladtoseehimhanged，butIwassorryformyfather—thatagainisformyself。"
PrinceAndrewgrewmoreandmoreanimated。HiseyesglitteredfeverishlywhilehetriedtoprovetoPierrethatinhisactionstherewasnodesiretodogoodtohisneighbor。
"Therenow，youwishtoliberateyourserfs，"hecontinued；"thatisaverygoodthing，butnotforyou—Idon’tsupposeyoueverhadanyonefloggedorsenttoSiberia—andstilllessforyourserfs。Iftheyarebeaten，flogged，orsenttoSiberia，Idon’tsupposetheyareanytheworseoff。InSiberiatheyleadthesameanimallife，andthestripesontheirbodiesheal，andtheyarehappyasbefore。Butitisagoodthingforproprietorswhoperishmorally，bringremorseuponthemselves，stiflethisremorseandgrowcallous，asaresultofbeingabletoinflictpunishmentsjustlyandunjustly。ItisthosepeopleIpity，andfortheirsakeIshouldliketoliberatetheserfs。Youmaynothaveseen，butIhaveseen，howgoodmenbroughtupinthosetraditionsofunlimitedpower，intimewhentheygrowmoreirritable，becomecruelandharsh，areconsciousofit，butcannotrestrainthemselvesandgrowmoreandmoremiserable。"
PrinceAndrewspokesoearnestlythatPierrecouldnothelpthinkingthatthesethoughtshadbeensuggestedtoPrinceAndrewbyhisfather’scase。
Hedidnotreply。
"Sothat’swhatI’msorryfor—humandignity，peaceofmind，purity，andnottheserfs’backsandforeheads，which，beatandshaveasyoumay，alwaysremainthesamebacksandforeheads。"
"No，no！Athousandtimesno！Ishallneveragreewithyou，"saidPierre。
BK5CH12
CHAPTERXII
IntheeveningAndrewandPierregotintotheopencarriageanddrovetoBaldHills。PrinceAndrew，glancingatPierre，brokethesilencenowandthenwithremarkswhichshowedthathewasinagoodtemper。
Pointingtothefields，hespokeoftheimprovementshewasmakinginhishusbandry。
Pierreremainedgloomilysilent，answeringinmonosyllablesandapparentlyimmersedinhisownthoughts。
HewasthinkingthatPrinceAndrewwasunhappy，hadgoneastray，didnotseethetruelight，andthathe，Pierre，oughttoaid，enlighten，andraisehim。Butassoonashethoughtofwhatheshouldsay，hefeltthatPrinceAndrewwithoneword，oneargument，wouldupsetallhisteaching，andheshrankfrombeginning，afraidofexposingtopossibleridiculewhattohimwaspreciousandsacred。
"No，butwhydoyouthinkso？"Pierresuddenlybegan，loweringhisheadandlookinglikeabullabouttocharge，"whydoyouthinkso？
Youshouldnotthinkso。"
"Think？Whatabout？"askedPrinceAndrewwithsurprise。
"Aboutlife，aboutman’sdestiny。Itcan’tbeso。Imyselfthoughtlikethat，anddoyouknowwhatsavedme？Freemasonry！No，don’tsmile。Freemasonryisnotareligiousceremonialsect，asIthoughtitwas：Freemasonryisthebestexpressionofthebest，theeternal，aspectsofhumanity。"
AndhebegantoexplainFreemasonryasheunderstoodittoPrinceAndrew。HesaidthatFreemasonryistheteachingofChristianityfreedfromthebondsofStateandChurch，ateachingofequality，brotherhood，andlove。
"Onlyourholybrotherhoodhastherealmeaningoflife，alltherestisadream，"saidPierre。"Understand，mydearfellow，thatoutsidethisunionallisfilledwithdeceitandfalsehoodandIagreewithyouthatnothingisleftforanintelligentandgoodmanbuttoliveouthislife，likeyou，merelytryingnottoharmothers。Butmakeourfundamentalconvictionsyourown，joinourbrotherhood，giveyourselfuptous，letyourselfbeguided，andyouwillatoncefeelyourself，asIhavefeltmyself，apartofthatvastinvisiblechainthebeginningofwhichishiddeninheaven，"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrew，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，listenedinsilencetoPierre’swords。Morethanonce，whenthenoiseofthewheelspreventedhiscatchingwhatPierresaid，heaskedhimtorepeatit，andbythepeculiarglowthatcameintoPrinceAndrew’seyesandbyhissilence，PierresawthathiswordswerenotinvainandthatPrinceAndrewwouldnotinterrupthimorlaughatwhathesaid。
Theyreachedariverthathadoverfloweditsbanksandwhichtheyhadtocrossbyferry。Whilethecarriageandhorseswerebeingplacedonit，theyalsosteppedontheraft。
PrinceAndrew，leaninghisarmsontheraftrailing，gazedsilentlyatthefloodingwatersglitteringinthesettingsun。
"Well，whatdoyouthinkaboutit？"Pierreasked。"Whyareyousilent？"
"WhatdoIthinkaboutit？Iamlisteningtoyou。It’sallverywell……Yousay：joinourbrotherhoodandwewillshowyoutheaimoflife，thedestinyofman，andthelawswhichgoverntheworld。Butwhoarewe？Men。Howisityouknoweverything？WhydoIalonenotseewhatyousee？Youseeareignofgoodnessandtruthonearth，butI
don’tseeit。"
Pierreinterruptedhim。
"Doyoubelieveinafuturelife？"heasked。
"Afuturelife？"PrinceAndrewrepeated，butPierre，givinghimnotimetoreply，tooktherepetitionforadenial，themorereadilyasheknewPrinceAndrew’sformeratheisticconvictions。
"Yousayyoucan’tseeareignofgoodnessandtruthonearth。NorcouldI，anditcannotbeseenifonelooksonourlifehereastheendofeverything。Onearth，hereonthisearth"Pierrepointedtothefields，"thereisnotruth，allisfalseandevil；butintheuniverse，inthewholeuniversethereisakingdomoftruth，andwewhoarenowthechildrenofearthare—eternally—childrenofthewholeuniverse。Don’tIfeelinmysoulthatIampartofthisvastharmoniouswhole？Don’tIfeelthatIformonelink，onestep，betweenthelowerandhigherbeings，inthisvastharmoniousmultitudeofbeingsinwhomtheDeity—theSupremePowerifyouprefertheterm—ismanifest？IfIsee，clearlysee，thatladderleadingfromplanttoman，whyshouldIsupposeitbreaksoffatmeanddoesnotgofartherandfarther？IfeelthatIcannotvanish，sincenothingvanishesinthisworld，butthatIshallalwaysexistandalwayshaveexisted。Ifeelthatbeyondmeandabovemetherearespirits，andthatinthisworldthereistruth。"
"Yes，thatisHerder’stheory，"saidPrinceAndrew，"butitisnotthatwhichcanconvinceme，dearfriend—lifeanddeatharewhatconvince。Whatconvincesiswhenoneseesabeingdeartoone，boundupwithone’sownlife，beforewhomonewastoblameandhadhopedtomakeitright"PrinceAndrew’svoicetrembledandheturnedaway，"andsuddenlythatbeingisseizedwithpain，suffers，andceasestoexist……Why？Itcannotbethatthereisnoanswer。AndIbelievethereis……That’swhatconvinces，thatiswhathasconvincedme，"
saidPrinceAndrew。
"Yes，yes，ofcourse，"saidPierre，"isn’tthatwhatI’msaying？"
"No。AllIsayisthatitisnotargumentthatconvincesmeofthenecessityofafuturelife，butthis：whenyougohandinhandwithsomeoneandallatoncethatpersonvanishesthere，intonowhere，andyouyourselfareleftfacingthatabyss，andlookin。AndIhavelookedin……"
"Well，that’sitthen！YouknowthatthereisathereandthereisaSomeone？Thereisthefuturelife。TheSomeoneis—God。"
PrinceAndrewdidnotreply。Thecarriageandhorseshadlongsincebeentakenoff，ontothefartherbank，andreharnessed。Thesunhadsunkhalfbelowthehorizonandaneveningfrostwasstarringthepuddlesneartheferry，butPierreandAndrew，totheastonishmentofthefootmen，coachmen，andferrymen，stillstoodontheraftandtalked。
"IfthereisaGodandfuturelife，thereistruthandgood，andman’shighesthappinessconsistsinstrivingtoattainthem。Wemustlive，wemustlove，andwemustbelievethatwelivenotonlytodayonthisscrapofearth，buthavelivedandshallliveforever，there，intheWhole，"saidPierre，andhepointedtothesky。
PrinceAndrewstoodleaningontherailingoftheraftlisteningtoPierre，andhegazedwithhiseyesfixedontheredreflectionofthesungleamingonthebluewaters。Therewasperfectstillness。
Pierrebecamesilent。Therafthadlongsincestoppedandonlythewavesofthecurrentbeatsoftlyagainstitbelow。PrinceAndrewfeltasifthesoundofthewaveskeptuparefraintoPierre’swords，whispering：
"Itistrue，believeit。"
Hesighed，andglancedwitharadiant，childlike，tenderlookatPierre’sface，flushedandrapturous，butyetshybeforehissuperiorfriend。
"Yes，ifitonlywereso！"saidPrinceAndrew。"However，itistimetogeton，"headded，and，steppingofftheraft，helookedupattheskytowhichPierrehadpointed，andforthefirsttimesinceAusterlitzsawthathigh，everlastingskyhehadseenwhilelyingonthatbattlefield；andsomethingthathadlongbeenslumbering，somethingthatwasbestwithinhim，suddenlyawoke，joyfulandyouthful，inhissoul。Itvanishedassoonashereturnedtothecustomaryconditionsofhislife，butheknewthatthisfeelingwhichhedidnotknowhowtodevelopexistedwithinhim。HismeetingwithPierreformedanepochinPrinceAndrew’slife。Thoughoutwardlyhecontinuedtoliveinthesameoldway，inwardlyhebegananewlife。
BK5CH13
CHAPTERXIII
ItwasgettingduskwhenPrinceAndrewandPierredroveuptothefrontentranceofthehouseatBaldHills。Astheyapproachedthehouse，PrinceAndrewwithasmiledrewPierre’sattentiontoacommotiongoingonatthebackporch。Awoman，bentwithage，withawalletonherback，andashort，long—haired，youngmaninablackgarmenthadrushedbacktothegateonseeingthecarriagedrivingup。
Twowomenranoutafterthem，andallfour，lookingroundatthecarriage，ranindismayupthestepsofthebackporch。
"ThoseareMary’s’God’sfolk，’"saidPrinceAndrew。"Theyhavemistakenusformyfather。Thisistheonematterinwhichshedisobeyshim。Heordersthesepilgrimstobedrivenaway，butshereceivesthem。"
"Butwhatare’God’sfolk’？"askedPierre。
PrinceAndrewhadnotimetoanswer。Theservantscameouttomeetthem，andheaskedwheretheoldprincewasandwhetherhewasexpectedbacksoon。
Theoldprincehadgonetothetownandwasexpectedbackanyminute。
PrinceAndrewledPierretohisownapartments，whichwerealwayskeptinperfectorderandreadinessforhiminhisfather’shouse；
hehimselfwenttothenursery。
"Letusgoandseemysister，"hesaidtoPierrewhenhereturned。
"Ihavenotfoundheryet，sheishidingnow，sittingwithher’God’sfolk。’Itwillserveherright，shewillbeconfused，butyouwillseeher’God’sfolk。’It’sreallyverycurious。"
"Whatare’God’sfolk’？"askedPierre。
"Come，andyou’llseeforyourself。"
PrincessMaryreallywasdisconcertedandredpatchescameonherfacewhentheywentin。Inhersnugroom，withlampsburningbeforetheiconstand，ayoungladwithalongnoseandlonghair，wearingamonk’scassock，satonthesofabesideher，behindasamovar。Nearthem，inanarmchair，satathin，shriveled，oldwoman，withameekexpressiononherchildlikeface。
"Andrew，whydidn’tyouwarnme？"saidtheprincess，withmildreproach，asshestoodbeforeherpilgrimslikeahenbeforeherchickens。
"Charmeedevousvoir。Jesuistrescontentedevousvoir，"*shesaidtoPierreashekissedherhand。Shehadknownhimasachild，andnowhisfriendshipwithAndrew，hismisfortunewithhiswife，andaboveallhiskindly，simplefacedisposedherfavorablytowardhim。Shelookedathimwithherbeautifulradianteyesandseemedtosay，"Ilikeyouverymuch，butpleasedon’tlaughatmypeople。"
Afterexchangingthefirstgreetings，theysatdown。
*"Delightedtoseeyou。Iamverygladtoseeyou。"
"Ah，andIvanushkaisheretoo！"saidPrinceAndrew，glancingwithasmileattheyoungpilgrim。
"Andrew！"saidPrincessMary，imploringly。"Ilfautquevoussachiezquec’estunefemme，"*saidPrinceAndrewtoPierre。
"Andrew，aunomdeDieu！"*[2]PrincessMaryrepeated。
*"Youmustknowthatthisisawoman。"
*[2]"Forheaven’ssake。"
ItwasevidentthatPrinceAndrew’sironicaltonetowardthepilgrimsandPrincessMary’shelplessattemptstoprotectthemweretheircustomarylong—establishedrelationsonthematter。
"Mais，mabonneamie，"saidPrinceAndrew，"vousdevriezaucontrairem’etrereconnaissantedecequej’expliqueaPierrevotreintimiteaveccejeunehomme。"*
*"But，mydear，yououghtonthecontrarytobegratefultomeforexplainingtoPierreyourintimacywiththisyoungman。"
"Really？"saidPierre，gazingoverhisspectacleswithcuriosityandseriousnessforwhichPrincessMarywasspeciallygratefultohim
intoIvanushka’sface，who，seeingthatshewasbeingspokenabout，lookedroundatthemallwithcraftyeyes。
PrincessMary’sembarrassmentonherpeople’saccountwasquiteunnecessary。Theywerenotintheleastabashed。Theoldwoman，loweringhereyesbutcastingsideglancesatthenewcomers，hadturnedhercupupsidedownandplacedanibbledbitofsugarbesideit，andsatquietlyinherarmchair，thoughhopingtobeofferedanothercupoftea。Ivanushka，sippingoutofhersaucer，lookedwithslywomanisheyesfromunderherbrowsattheyoungmen。
"Wherehaveyoubeen？ToKiev？"PrinceAndrewaskedtheoldwoman。
"Ihave，goodsir，"sheansweredgarrulously。"JustatChristmastimeIwasdeemedworthytopartakeoftheholyandheavenlysacramentattheshrineofthesaint。AndnowI’mfromKolyazin，master，whereagreatandwonderfulblessinghasbeenrevealed。"
"AndwasIvanushkawithyou？"
"Igobymyself，benefactor，"saidIvanushka，tryingtospeakinabassvoice。"IonlycameacrossPelageyainYukhnovo……"
Pelageyainterruptedhercompanion；sheevidentlywishedtotellwhatshehadseen。
"InKolyazin，master，awonderfulblessinghasbeenrevealed。"
"Whatisit？Somenewrelics？"askedPrinceAndrew。
"Andrew，doleaveoff，"saidPrincessMary。"Don’ttellhim，Pelageya。"
"No……whynot，mydear，whyshouldn’tI？Ilikehim。Heiskind，heisoneofGod’schosen，he’sabenefactor，heoncegavemetenrubles，Iremember。WhenIwasinKiev，CrazyCyrilsaystomehe’soneofGod’sownandgoesbarefootsummerandwinter，hesays，’Whyareyounotgoingtotherightplace？GotoKolyazinwhereawonder—workingiconoftheHolyMotherofGodhasbeenrevealed。’OnhearingthosewordsIsaidgood—bytotheholyfolkandwent。"
Allweresilent，onlythepilgrimwomanwentoninmeasuredtones，drawinginherbreath。
"SoIcome，master，andthepeoplesaytome：’Agreatblessinghasbeenrevealed，holyoiltricklesfromthecheeksofourblessedMother，theHolyVirginMotherofGod’……"
"Allright，allright，youcantellusafterwards，"saidPrincessMary，flushing。
"Letmeaskher，"saidPierre。"Didyouseeityourselves？"heinquired。
"Oh，yes，master，Iwasfoundworthy。Suchabrightnessonthefacelikethelightofheaven，andfromtheblessedMother’scheekitdropsanddrops……"
"But，dearme，thatmustbeafraud！"saidPierre，naively，whohadlistenedattentivelytothepilgrim。
"Oh，master，whatareyousaying？"exclaimedthehorrifiedPelageya，turningtoPrincessMaryforsupport。
"Theyimposeonthepeople，"herepeated。
"LordJesusChrist！"exclaimedthepilgrimwoman，crossingherself。"Oh，don’tspeakso，master！Therewasageneralwhodidnotbelieve，andsaid，’Themonkscheat，’andassoonashe’dsaidithewentblind。AndhedreamedthattheHolyVirginMotheroftheKievcatacombscametohimandsaid，’BelieveinmeandIwillmakeyouwhole。’Sohebegged：’Takemetoher，takemetoher。’It’stherealtruthI’mtellingyou，Isawitmyself。Sohewasbrought，quiteblind，straighttoher，andhegoesuptoherandfallsdownandsays，’Makemewhole，’sayshe，’andI’llgivetheewhattheTsarbestowedonme。’Isawitmyself，master，thestarisfixedintotheicon。Well，andwhatdoyouthink？Hereceivedhissight！It’sasintospeakso。Godwillpunishyou，"shesaidadmonishingly，turningtoPierre。
"Howdidthestargetintotheicon？"Pierreasked。
"AndwastheHolyMotherpromotedtotherankofgeneral？"saidPrinceAndrew，withasmile。
Pelageyasuddenlygrewquitepaleandclaspedherhands。
"Oh，master，master，whatasin！Andyouwhohaveason！"shebegan，herpallorsuddenlyturningtoavividred。"Master，whathaveyousaid？Godforgiveyou！"Andshecrossedherself。"Lordforgivehim！Mydear，whatdoesitmean？……"sheasked，turningtoPrincessMary。
Shegotupand，almostcrying，begantoarrangeherwallet。Sheevidentlyfeltfrightenedandashamedtohaveacceptedcharityinahousewheresuchthingscouldbesaid，andwasatthesametimesorrytohavenowtoforgothecharityofthishouse。
"Now，whyneedyoudoit？"saidPrincessMary。"Whydidyoucometome？……"
"Come，Pelageya，Iwasjoking，"saidPierre。"Princesse，maparole，jen’aipasvoulul’offenser。*Ididnotmeananything，I
wasonlyjoking，"hesaid，smilingshylyandtryingtoeffacehisoffense。"Itwasallmyfault，andAndrewwasonlyjoking。"
*"Princess，onmyword，Ididnotwishtooffendher。"
Pelageyastoppeddoubtfully，butinPierre’sfacetherewassuchalookofsincerepenitence，andPrinceAndrewglancedsomeeklynowatherandnowatPierre，thatshewasgraduallyreassured。
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Thepilgrimwomanwasappeasedand，beingencouragedtotalk，gavealongaccountofFatherAmphilochus，wholedsoholyalifethathishandssmelledofincense，andhowonherlastvisittoKievsomemonkssheknewletherhavethekeysofthecatacombs，andhowshe，takingsomedriedbreadwithher，hadspenttwodaysinthecatacombswiththesaints。"I’dprayawhiletoone，ponderawhile，thengoontoanother。I’dsleepabitandthenagaingoandkisstherelics，andtherewassuchpeaceallaround，suchblessedness，thatonedon’twanttocomeout，evenintothelightofheavenagain。"
Pierrelistenedtoherattentivelyandseriously。PrinceAndrewwentoutoftheroom，andthen，leaving"God’sfolk"tofinishtheirtea，PrincessMarytookPierreintothedrawingroom。
"Youareverykind，"shesaidtohim。
"Oh，Ireallydidnotmeantohurtherfeelings。Iunderstandthemsowellandhavethegreatestrespectforthem。"
PrincessMarylookedathimsilentlyandsmiledaffectionately。
"Ihaveknownyoualongtime，yousee，andamasfondofyouasofabrother，"shesaid。"HowdoyoufindAndrew？"sheaddedhurriedly，notgivinghimtimetoreplytoheraffectionatewords。
"Iamveryanxiousabouthim。Hishealthwasbetterinthewinter，butlastspringhiswoundreopenedandthedoctorsaidheoughttogoawayforacure。AndIamalsoverymuchafraidforhimspiritually。Hehasnotacharacterlikeuswomenwho，whenwesuffer，canweepawayoursorrows。Hekeepsitallwithinhim。Todayheischeerfulandingoodspirits，butthatistheeffectofyourvisit—heisnotoftenlikethat。Ifyoucouldpersuadehimtogoabroad。Heneedsactivity，andthisquietregularlifeisverybadforhim。Othersdon’tnoticeit，butIseeit。"
Towardteno’clockthemenservantsrushedtothefrontdoor，hearingthebellsoftheoldprince’scarriageapproaching。PrinceAndrewandPierrealsowentoutintotheporch。
"Who’sthat？"askedtheoldprince，noticingPierreashegotoutof，thecarriage。
"Ah！Veryglad！Kissme，"hesaid，havinglearnedwhotheyoungstrangerwas。
TheoldprincewasinagoodtemperandverygracioustoPierre。
Beforesupper，PrinceAndrew，comingbacktohisfather’sstudy，foundhimdisputinghotlywithhisvisitor。Pierrewasmaintainingthatatimewouldcomewhentherewouldbenomorewars。Theoldprincedisputeditchaffingly，butwithoutgettingangry。
"Drainthebloodfrommen’sveinsandputinwaterinstead，thentherewillbenomorewar！Oldwomen’snonsense—oldwomen’snonsense！"herepeated，butstillhepattedPierreaffectionatelyontheshoulder，andthenwentuptothetablewherePrinceAndrew，evidentlynotwishingtojoinintheconversation，waslookingoverthepapershisfatherhadbroughtfromtown。Theoldprincewentuptohimandbegantotalkbusiness。
"Themarshal，aCountRostov，hasn’tsenthalfhiscontingent。Hecametotownandwantedtoinvitemetodinner—Igavehimaprettydinner！……Andthere，lookatthis……Well，myboy，"theoldprincewenton，addressinghissonandpattingPierreontheshoulder。"A
finefellow—yourfriend—Ilikehim！Hestirsmeup。Anothersayscleverthingsandonedoesn’tcaretolisten，butthisonetalksrubbishyetstirsanoldfellowup。Well，go！Getalong！PerhapsI’llcomeandsitwithyouatsupper。We’llhaveanotherdispute。Makefriendswithmylittlefool，PrincessMary，"heshoutedafterPierre，throughthedoor。
Onlynow，onhisvisittoBaldHills，didPierrefullyrealizethestrengthandcharmofhisfriendshipwithPrinceAndrew。Thatcharmwasnotexpressedsomuchinhisrelationswithhimaswithallhisfamilyandwiththehousehold。Withthesternoldprinceandthegentle，timidPrincessMary，thoughhehadscarcelyknownthem，Pierreatoncefeltlikeanoldfriend。Theywereallfondofhimalready。
NotonlyPrincessMary，whohadbeenwonbyhisgentlenesswiththepilgrims，gavehimhermostradiantlooks，buteventheone—year—old"PrinceNicholas"ashisgrandfathercalledhimsmiledatPierreandlethimselfbetakeninhisarms，andMichaelIvanovichandMademoiselleBouriennelookedathimwithpleasantsmileswhenhetalkedtotheoldprince。
Theoldprincecameintosupper；thiswasevidentlyonPierre’saccount。Andduringthetwodaysoftheyoungman’svisithewasextremelykindtohimandtoldhimtovisitthemagain。
WhenPierrehadgoneandthemembersofthehouseholdmettogether，theybegantoexpresstheiropinionsofhimaspeoplealwaysdoafteranewacquaintancehasleft，butasseldomhappens，noonesaidanythingbutwhatwasgoodofhim。
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CHAPTERXV
Whenreturningfromhisleave，Rostovfelt，forthefirsttime，howclosewasthebondthatunitedhimtoDenisovandandthewholeregiment。
Onapproachingit，RostovfeltashehaddonewhenapproachinghishomeinMoscow。Whenhesawthefirsthussarwiththeunbuttoneduniformofhisregiment，whenherecognizedred—hairedDementyevandsawthepicketropesoftheroanhorses，whenLavrushkagleefullyshoutedtohismaster，"Thecounthascome！"andDenisov，whohadbeenasleeponhisbed，ranalldisheveledoutofthemudhuttoembracehim，andtheofficerscollectedroundtogreetthenewarrival，Rostovexperiencedthesamefeelinghismother，hisfather，andhissisterhadembracedhim，andtearsofjoychokedhimsothathecouldnotspeak。Theregimentwasalsoahome，andasunalterablydearandpreciousashisparents’house。
Whenhehadreportedhimselftothecommanderoftheregimentandhadbeenreassignedtohisformersquadron，hadbeenondutyandhadgoneoutforaging，whenhehadagainenteredintoallthelittleinterestsoftheregimentandfelthimselfdeprivedoflibertyandboundinonenarrow，unchangingframe，heexperiencedthesamesenseofpeace，ofmoralsupport，andthesamesensebeingathomehereinhisownplace，ashehadfeltundertheparentalroof。Butherewasnoneofallthatturmoiloftheworldatlarge，wherehedidnotknowhisrightplaceandtookmistakendecisions；herewasnoSonyawithwhomheought，oroughtnot，tohaveanexplanation；herewasnopossibilityofgoingthereornotgoingthere；heretherewerenottwenty—fourhoursinthedaywhichcouldbespentinsuchavarietyofways；therewasnotthatinnumerablecrowdofpeopleofwhomnotonewasnearertohimorfartherfromhimthananother；therewerenoneofthoseuncertainandundefinedmoneyrelationswithhisfather，andnothingtorecallthatterriblelosstoDolokhov。Here，intheregiment，allwasclearandsimple。Thewholeworldwasdividedintotwounequalparts：one，ourPavlogradregiment；theother，alltherest。Andtherestwasnoconcernofhis。Intheregiment，everythingwasdefinite：whowaslieutenant，whocaptain，whowasagoodfellow，whoabadone，andmostofall，whowasacomrade。Thecanteenkeepergaveonecredit，one’spaycameeveryfourmonths，therewasnothingtothinkoutordecide，youhadonlytodonothingthatwasconsideredbadinthePavlogradregimentand，whengivenanorder，todowhatwasclearly，distinctly，anddefinitelyordered—andallwouldbewell。
Havingoncemoreenteredintothedefiniteconditionsofthisregimentallife，Rostovfeltthejoyandreliefatiredmanfeelsonlyingdowntorest。Lifeintheregiment，duringthiscampaign，wasallthepleasanterforhim，because，afterhislosstoDolokhovforwhich，inspiteofallhisfamily’seffortstoconsolehim，hecouldnotforgivehimself，hehadmadeuphismindtoatoneforhisfaultbyserving，notashehaddonebefore，butreallywell，andbybeingaperfectlyfirst—ratecomradeandofficer—inaword，asplendidmanaltogether，athingwhichseemedsodifficultoutintheworld，butsopossibleintheregiment。
Afterhislosses，hehaddeterminedtopaybackhisdebttohisparentsinfiveyears。Hereceivedtenthousandrublesayear，butnowresolvedtotakeonlytwothousandandleavetheresttorepaythedebttohisparents。
Ourarmy，afterrepeatedretreatsandadvancesandbattlesatPultuskandPreussisch—Eylau，wasconcentratednearBartenstein。ItwasawaitingtheEmperor’sarrivalandthebeginningofanewcampaign。
ThePavlogradregiment，belongingtothatpartofthearmywhichhadservedinthe1805campaign，hadbeenrecruitinguptostrengthinRussia，andarrivedtoolatetotakepartinthefirstactionsofthecampaign。IthadbeenneitheratPultusknoratPreussisch—Eylauand，whenitjoinedthearmyinthefieldinthesecondhalfofthecampaign，wasattachedtoPlatov’sdivision。
Platov’sdivisionwasactingindependentlyofthemainarmy。SeveraltimespartsofthePavlogradregimenthadexchangedshotswiththeenemy，hadtakenprisoners，andoncehadevencapturedMarshalOudinot’scarriages。InAprilthePavlogradswerestationedimmovablyforsomeweeksnearatotallyruinedanddesertedGermanvillage。
Athawhadsetin，itwasmuddyandcold，theiceontheriverbroke，andtheroadsbecameimpassable。Fordaysneitherprovisionsforthemennorfodderforthehorseshadbeenissued。Asnotransportscouldarrive，themendispersedabouttheabandonedanddesertedvillages，searchingforpotatoes，butfoundfewevenofthese。
Everythinghadbeeneatenupandtheinhabitantshadallfled—ifanyremained，theywereworsethanbeggarsandnothingmorecouldbetakenfromthem；eventhesoldiers，usuallypitilessenough，insteadoftakinganythingfromthem，oftengavethemthelastoftheirrations。
ThePavlogradregimenthadhadonlytwomenwoundedinaction，buthadlostnearlyhalfitsmenfromhungerandsickness。Inthehospitals，deathwassocertainthatsoldierssufferingfromfever，ortheswellingthatcamefrombadfood，preferredtoremainonduty，andhardlyabletodragtheirlegswenttothefrontratherthantothehospitals。Whenspringcameon，thesoldiersfoundaplantjustshowingoutofthegroundthatlookedlikeasparagus，which，forsomereason，theycalled"Mashka’ssweetroot。"Itwasverybitter，buttheywanderedaboutthefieldsseekingitanddugitoutwiththeirsabersandateit，thoughtheywereorderednottodoso，asitwasanoxiousplant。Thatspringanewdiseasebrokeoutbrokeoutamongthesoldiers，aswellingofthearms，legs，andface，whichthedoctorsattributedtoeatingthisroot。Butinspiteofallthis，thesoldiersofDenisov’ssquadronfedchieflyon"Mashka’ssweetroot，"becauseitwasthesecondweekthatthelastofthebiscuitswerebeingdoledoutattherateofhalfapoundamanandthelastpotatoesreceivedhadsproutedandfrozen。
Thehorsesalsohadbeenfedforafortnightonstrawfromthethatchedroofsandhadbecometerriblythin，thoughstillcoveredwithtuftsoffeltywinterhair。
Despitethisdestitution，thesoldiersandofficerswentonlivingjustasusual。Despitetheirpaleswollenfacesandtattereduniforms，thehussarsformedlineforrollcall，keptthingsinorder，groomedtheirhorses，polishedtheirarms，broughtinstrawfromthethatchedroofsinplaceoffodder，andsatdowntodineroundthecaldronsfromwhichtheyroseuphungry，jokingabouttheirnastyfoodandtheirhunger。Asusual，intheirsparetime，theylitbonfires，steamedthemselvesbeforethemnaked；smoked，pickedoutandbakedsproutingrottenpotatoes，toldandlistenedtostoriesofPotemkin’sandSuvorov’scampaigns，ortolegendsofAleshatheSly，orthepriest’slaborerMikolka。