"Well,Mamma?……Well?……"
"Go,gotohim。Heisaskingforyourhand,"saidthecountess,coldlyitseemedtoNatasha。"Go……go,"saidthemother,sadlyandreproachfully,withadeepsigh,asherdaughterranaway。
Natashaneverrememberedhowsheenteredthedrawingroom。Whenshecameinandsawhimshepaused。"Isitpossiblethatthisstrangerhasnowbecomeeverythingtome?"sheaskedherself,andimmediatelyanswered,"Yes,everything!Healoneisnowdearertomethaneverythingintheworld。"PrinceAndrewcameuptoherwithdowncasteyes。
"IhavelovedyoufromtheveryfirstmomentIsawyou。MayIhope?"
Helookedatherandwasstruckbytheseriousimpassionedexpressionofherface。Herfacesaid:"Whyask?Whydoubtwhatyoucannotbutknow?Whyspeak,whenwordscannotexpresswhatonefeels?"
Shedrewneartohimandstopped。Hetookherhandandkissedit。
"Doyouloveme?"
"Yes,yes!"Natashamurmuredasifinvexation。Thenshesighedloudlyand,catchingherbreathmoreandmorequickly,begantosob。
"Whatisit?What’sthematter?"
"Oh,Iamsohappy!"shereplied,smiledthroughhertears,bentoverclosertohim,pausedforaninstantasifaskingherselfwhethershemight,andthenkissedhim。
PrinceAndrewheldherhands,lookedintohereyes,anddidnotfindinhishearthisformerloveforher。Somethinginhimhadsuddenlychanged;therewasnolongertheformerpoeticandmysticcharmofdesire,buttherewaspityforherfeminineandchildishweakness,fearatherdevotionandtrustfulness,andanoppressiveyetjoyfulsenseofthedutythatnowboundhimtoherforever。Thepresentfeeling,thoughnotsobrightandpoeticastheformer,wasstrongerandmoreserious。
"Didyourmothertellyouthatitcannotbeforayear?"askedPrinceAndrew,stilllookingintohereyes。
"IsitpossiblethatI—the’chitofagirl,’aseverybodycalledme,"thoughtNatasha—"isitpossiblethatIamnowtobethewifeandtheequalofthisstrange,dear,clevermanwhomevenmyfatherlooksupto?Canitbetrue?Canitbetruethattherecanbenomoreplayingwithlife,thatnowIamgrownup,thatonmenowliesaresponsibilityformyeverywordanddeed?Yes,butwhatdidheaskme?"
"No,"shereplied,butshehadnotunderstoodhisquestion。
"Forgiveme!"hesaid。"Butyouaresoyoung,andIhavealreadybeenthroughsomuchinlife。Iamafraidforyou,youdonotyetknowyourself。"
Natashalistenedwithconcentratedattention,tryingbutfailingtotakeinthemeaningofhiswords。
"Hardasthisyearwhichdelaysmyhappinesswillbe,"continuedPrinceAndrew,"itwillgiveyoutimetobesureofyourself。Iaskyoutomakemehappyinayear,butyouarefree:ourengagementshallremainasecret,andshouldyoufindthatyoudonotloveme,orshouldyoucometolove……"saidPrinceAndrewwithanunnaturalsmile。
"Whydoyousaythat?"Natashainterruptedhim。"YouknowthatfromtheverydayyoufirstcametoOtradnoeIhavelovedyou,"shecried,quiteconvincedthatshespokethetruth。
"Inayearyouwilllearntoknowyourself……"
"Awholeyear!"Natasharepeatedsuddenly,onlynowrealizingthatthemarriagewastobepostponedforayear。"Butwhyayear?Whyayear?……"
PrinceAndrewbegantoexplaintoherthereasonsforthisdelay。
Natashadidnothearhim。
"Andcan’titbehelped?"sheasked。PrinceAndrewdidnotreply,buthisfaceexpressedtheimpossibilityofalteringthatdecision。
"It’sawful!Oh,it’sawful!awful!"Natashasuddenlycried,andagainburstintosobs。"Ishalldie,waitingayear:it’simpossible,it’sawful!"Shelookedintoherlover’sfaceandsawinitalookofcommiserationandperplexity。
"No,no!I’lldoanything!"shesaid,suddenlycheckinghertears。
"Iamsohappy。"
Thefatherandmothercameintotheroomandgavethebetrothedcoupletheirblessing。
FromthatdayPrinceAndrewbegantofrequenttheRostovs’asNatasha’saffiancedlover。
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CHAPTERXXIV
NobetrothalceremonytookplaceandNatasha’sengagementtoBolkonskiwasnotannounced;PrinceAndrewinsistedonthat。Hesaidthatashewasresponsibleforthedelayheoughttobearthewholeburdenofit;thathehadgivenhiswordandboundhimselfforever,butthathedidnotwishtobindNatashaandgaveherperfectfreedom。
Ifaftersixmonthsshefeltthatshedidnotlovehimshewouldhavefullrighttorejecthim。NaturallyneitherNatashanorherparentswishedtohearofthis,butPrinceAndrewwasfirm。HecameeverydaytotheRostovs’,butdidnotbehavetoNatashaasanaffiancedlover:hedidnotusethefamiliarthou,butsaidyoutoher,andkissedonlyherhand。Aftertheirengagement,quitedifferent,intimate,andnaturalrelationssprangupbetweenthem。
Itwasasiftheyhadnotknowneachothertillnow。Bothlikedtorecallhowtheyhadregardedeachotherwhenasyettheywerenothingtooneanother;theyfeltthemselvesnowquitedifferentbeings:thentheywereartificial,nownaturalandsincere。AtfirstthefamilyfeltsomeconstraintinintercoursewithPrinceAndrew;
heseemedamanfromanotherworld,andforalongtimeNatashatrainedthefamilytogetusedtohim,proudlyassuringthemallthatheonlyappearedtobedifferent,butwasreallyjustlikeallofthem,andthatshewasnotafraidofhimandnooneelseoughttobe。Afterafewdaystheygrewaccustomedtohim,andwithoutrestraintinhispresencepursuedtheirusualwayoflife,inwhichhetookhispart。Hecouldtalkaboutruraleconomywiththecount,fashionswiththecountessandNatasha,andaboutalbumsandfancyworkwithSonya。Sometimesthehouseholdbothamongthemselvesandinhispresenceexpressedtheirwonderathowithadallhappened,andattheevidentomenstherehadbeenofit:PrinceAndrew’scomingtoOtradnoeandtheircomingtoPetersburg,andthelikenessbetweenNatashaandPrinceAndrewwhichhernursehadnoticedonhisfirstvisit,andAndrew’sencounterwithNicholasin1805,andmanyotherincidentsbetokeningthatithadtobe。
Inthehousethatpoeticdullnessandquietreignedwhichalwaysaccompaniesthepresenceofabetrothedcouple。Oftenwhenallsittingtogethereveryonekeptsilent。Sometimestheotherswouldgetupandgoawayandthecouple,leftalone,stillremainedsilent。Theyrarelyspokeoftheirfuturelife。PrinceAndrewwasafraidandashamedtospeakofit。Natashasharedthisasshedidallhisfeelings,whichsheconstantlydivined。Onceshebeganquestioninghimabouthisson。PrinceAndrewblushed,asheoftendidnow—Natashaparticularlylikeditinhim—andsaidthathissonwouldnotlivewiththem。
"Whynot?"askedNatashainafrightenedtone。
"Icannottakehimawayfromhisgrandfather,andbesides……"
"HowIshouldhavelovedhim!"saidNatasha,immediatelyguessinghisthought;"butIknowyouwishtoavoidanypretextforfindingfaultwithus。"
Sometimestheoldcountwouldcomeup,kissPrinceAndrew,andaskhisadviceaboutPetya’seducationorNicholas’service。Theoldcountesssighedasshelookedatthem;Sonyawasalwaysgettingfrightenedlestsheshouldbeinthewayandtriedtofindexcusesforleavingthemalone,evenwhentheydidnotwishit。WhenPrinceAndrewspokehecouldtellastoryverywell,Natashalistenedtohimwithpride;whenshespokeshenoticedwithfearandjoythathegazedattentivelyandscrutinizinglyather。Sheaskedherselfinperplexity:"Whatdoeshelookforinme?Heistryingtodiscoversomethingbylookingatme!Whatifwhatheseeksinmeisnotthere?"
Sometimesshefellintooneofthemad,merrymoodscharacteristicofher,andthensheparticularlylovedtohearandseehowPrinceAndrewlaughed。Heseldomlaughed,butwhenhedidheabandonedhimselfentirelytohislaughter,andaftersuchalaughshealwaysfeltnearertohim。Natashawouldhavebeencompletelyhappyifthethoughtoftheseparationawaitingheranddrawingnearhadnotterrifiedher,justasthemerethoughtofitmadehimturnpaleandcold。
OntheeveofhisdeparturefromPetersburgPrinceAndrewbroughtwithhimPierre,whohadnotbeentotheRostovs’oncesincetheball。
Pierreseemeddisconcertedandembarrassed。Hewastalkingtothecountess,andNatashasatdownbesidealittlechesstablewithSonya,therebyinvitingPrinceAndrewtocometoo。Hedidso。
"YouhaveknownBezukhovalongtime?"heasked。"Doyoulikehim?"
"Yes,he’sadear,butveryabsurd。"
AndasusualwhenspeakingofPierre,shebegantotellanecdotesofhisabsent—mindedness,someofwhichhadevenbeeninventedabouthim。
"DoyouknowIhaveentrustedhimwithoursecret?Ihaveknownhimfromchildhood。Hehasaheartofgold。Ibegyou,Natalie,"
PrinceAndrewsaidwithsuddenseriousness—"Iamgoingawayandheavenknowswhatmayhappen。Youmayceaseto……allright,IknowIamnottosaythat。Onlythis,then:whatevermayhappentoyouwhenIamnothere……"
"Whatcanhappen?"
"Whatevertroublemaycome,"PrinceAndrewcontinued,"Ibegyou,MademoiselleSophie,whatevermayhappen,toturntohimaloneforadviceandhelp!Heisamostabsent—mindedandabsurdfellow,buthehasaheartofgold。"
Neitherherfather,norhermother,norSonya,norPrinceAndrewhimselfcouldhaveforeseenhowtheseparationfromherloverwouldactonNatasha。Flushedandagitatedshewentaboutthehouseallthatday,dry—eyed,occupiedwithmosttrivialmattersasifnotunderstandingwhatawaitedher。Shedidnotevencrywhen,ontakingleave,hekissedherhandforthelasttime。"Don’tgo!"shesaidinatonethatmadehimwonderwhetherhereallyoughtnottostayandwhichherememberedlongafterwards。Nordidshecrywhenhewasgone;
butforseveraldaysshesatinherroomdry—eyed,takingnointerestinanythingandonlysayingnowandthen,"Oh,whydidhegoaway?"
Butafortnightafterhisdeparture,tothesurpriseofthosearoundher,sherecoveredfromhermentalsicknessjustassuddenlyandbecameheroldselfagain,butwithachangeinhermoralphysiognomy,asachildgetsupafteralongillnesswithachangedexpressionofface。
BK6CH25
CHAPTERXXV
Duringthatyearafterhisson’sdeparture,PrinceNicholasBolkonski’shealthandtemperbecamemuchworse。Hegrewstillmoreirritable,anditwasPrincessMarywhogenerallyborethebruntofhisfrequentfitsofunprovokedanger。Heseemedcarefullytoseekouthertenderspotssoastotorturehermentallyasharshlyaspossible。
PrincessMaryhadtwopassionsandconsequentlytwojoys—hernephew,littleNicholas,andreligion—andthesewerethefavoritesubjectsoftheprince’sattacksandridicule。Whateverwasspokenofhewouldbringroundtothesuperstitiousnessofoldmaids,orthepettingandspoilingofchildren。"Youwanttomakehim"—littleNicholas—"intoanoldmaidlikeyourself!Apity!PrinceAndrewwantsasonandnotanoldmaid,"hewouldsay。Or,turningtoMademoiselleBourienne,hewouldaskherinPrincessMary’spresencehowshelikedourvillagepriestsandiconsandwouldjokeaboutthem。
HecontinuallyhurtPrincessMary’sfeelingsandtormentedher,butitcosthernoefforttoforgivehim。Couldhebetoblametowardher,orcouldherfather,whomsheknewlovedherinspiteofitall,beunjust?Andwhatisjustice?Theprincessneverthoughtofthatproudword"justice。"Allthecomplexlawsofmancenteredforherinoneclearandsimplelaw—thelawofloveandself—sacrificetaughtusbyHimwholovinglysufferedformankindthoughHeHimselfwasGod。Whathadshetodowiththejusticeorinjusticeofotherpeople?Shehadtoendureandlove,andthatshedid。
DuringthewinterPrinceAndrewhadcometoBaldHillsandhadbeengay,gentle,andmoreaffectionatethanPrincessMaryhadknownhimforalongtimepast。Shefeltthatsomethinghadhappenedtohim,buthesaidnothingtoherabouthislove。Beforehelefthehadalongtalkwithhisfatheraboutsomething,andPrincessMarynoticedthatbeforehisdeparturetheyweredissatisfiedwithoneanother。
SoonafterPrinceAndrewhadgone,PrincessMarywrotetoherfriendJulieKaraginainPetersburg,whomshehaddreamedasallgirlsdreamofmarryingtoherbrother,andwhowasatthattimeinmourningforherownbrother,killedinTurkey。
Sorrow,itseems,isourcommonlot,mydear,tenderfriendJulie。
YourlossissoterriblethatIcanonlyexplainittomyselfasaspecialprovidenceofGodwho,lovingyou,wishestotryyouandyourexcellentmother。Oh,myfriend!Religion,andreligionalone,can—Iwillnotsaycomfortus—butsaveusfromdespair。Religionalonecanexplaintouswhatwithoutitshelpmancannotcomprehend:
why,forwhatcause,kindandnoblebeingsabletofindhappinessinlife—notmerelyharmingnoonebutnecessarytothehappinessofothers—arecalledawaytoGod,whilecruel,useless,harmfulpersons,orsuchasareaburdentothemselvesandtoothers,areleftliving。ThefirstdeathIsaw,andoneIshallneverforget—thatofmydearsister—in—law—leftthatimpressiononme。Justasyouaskdestinywhyyoursplendidbrotherhadtodie,soIaskedwhythatangelLise,whonotonlyneverwrongedanyone,butinwhosesoultherewereneveranyunkindthoughts,hadtodie。Andwhatdoyouthink,dearfriend?Fiveyearshavepassedsincethen,andalreadyI,withmypettyunderstanding,begintoseeclearlywhyshehadtodie,andinwhatwaythatdeathwasbutanexpressionoftheinfinitegoodnessoftheCreator,whoseeveryaction,thoughgenerallyincomprehensibletous,isbutamanifestationofHisinfiniteloveforHiscreatures。Perhaps,Ioftenthink,shewastooangelicallyinnocenttohavethestrengthtoperformallamother’sduties。Asayoungwifeshewasirreproachable;perhapsshecouldnothavebeensoasamother。Asitis,notonlyhassheleftus,andparticularlyPrinceAndrew,withthepurestregretsandmemories,butprobablyshewilltherereceiveaplaceIdarenothopeformyself。Butnottospeakofheralone,thatearlyandterribledeathhashadthemostbeneficentinfluenceonmeandonmybrotherinspiteofallourgrief。Then,atthemomentofourloss,thesethoughtscouldnotoccurtome;Ishouldthenhavedismissedthemwithhorror,butnowtheyareveryclearandcertain。Iwriteallthistoyou,dearfriend,onlytoconvinceyouoftheGospeltruthwhichhasbecomeformeaprincipleoflife:notasinglehairofourheadswillfallwithoutHiswill。AndHiswillisgovernedonlybyinfiniteloveforus,andsowhateverbefallsusisforourgood。
YouaskwhetherweshallspendnextwinterinMoscow。Inspiteofmywishtoseeyou,Idonotthinksoanddonotwanttodoso。YouwillbesurprisedtohearthatthereasonforthisisBuonaparte!
Thecaseisthis:myfather’shealthisgrowingnoticeablyworse,hecannotstandanycontradictionandisbecomingirritable。Thisirritabilityis,asyouknow,chieflydirectedtopoliticalquestions。
HecannotendurethenotionthatBuonaparteisnegotiatingonequaltermswithallthesovereignsofEuropeandparticularlywithourown,thegrandsonoftheGreatCatherine!Asyouknow,Iamquiteindifferenttopolitics,butfrommyfather’sremarksandhistalkswithMichaelIvanovichIknowallthatgoesonintheworldandespeciallyaboutthehonorsconferredonBuonaparte,whoonlyatBaldHillsinthewholeworld,itseems,isnotacceptedasagreatman,stilllessasEmperorofFrance。Andmyfathercannotstandthis。
ItseemstomethatitischieflybecauseofhispoliticalviewsthatmyfatherisreluctanttospeakofgoingtoMoscow;forheforeseestheencountersthatwouldresultfromhiswayofexpressinghisviewsregardlessofanybody。AllthebenefithemightderivefromacourseoftreatmenthewouldloseasaresultofthedisputesaboutBuonapartewhichwouldbeinevitable。Inanycaseitwillbedecidedveryshortly。
OurfamilylifegoesonintheoldwayexceptformybrotherAndrew’sabsence。He,asIwroteyoubefore,haschangedverymuchoflate。Afterhissorrowheonlythisyearquiterecoveredhisspirits。HehasagainbecomeasIusedtoknowhimwhenachild:kind,affectionate,withthatheartofgoldtowhichIknownoequal。Hehasrealized,itseemstome,thatlifeisnotoverforhim。Buttogetherwiththismentalchangehehasgrownphysicallymuchweaker。Hehasbecomethinnerandmorenervous。Iamanxiousabouthimandgladheistakingthistripabroadwhichthedoctorsrecommendedlongago。Ihopeitwillcurehim。YouwritethatinPetersburgheisspokenofasoneofthemostactive,cultivated,andcapableoftheyoungmen。Forgivemyvanityasarelation,butIneverdoubtedit。
Thegoodhehasdonetoeverybodyhere,fromhispeasantsuptothegentry,isincalculable。OnhisarrivalinPetersburghereceivedonlyhisdue。IalwayswonderatthewayrumorsflyfromPetersburgtoMoscow,especiallysuchfalseonesasthatyouwriteabout—Imeanthereportofmybrother’sbetrothaltothelittleRostova。Idonotthinkmybrotherwillevermarryagain,andcertainlynother;andthisiswhy:first,Iknowthatthoughherarelyspeaksaboutthewifehehaslost,thegriefofthatlosshasgonetoodeepinhisheartforhimevertodecidetogiveherasuccessorandourlittleangelastepmother。Secondlybecause,asfarasIknow,thatgirlisnotthekindofgirlwhocouldpleasePrinceAndrew。Idonotthinkhewouldchooseherforawife,andfranklyIdonotwishit。ButIamrunningontoolongandamattheendofmysecondsheet。Good—by,mydearfriend。MayGodkeepyouinHisholyandmightycare。Mydearfriend,MademoiselleBourienne,sendsyoukisses。
MARY
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CHAPTERXXVI
InthemiddleofthesummerPrincessMaryreceivedanunexpectedletterfromPrinceAndrewinSwitzerlandinwhichhegaveherstrangeandsurprisingnews。HeinformedherofhisengagementtoNatashaRostova。Thewholeletterbreathedlovingraptureforhisbetrothedandtenderandconfidingaffectionforhissister。Hewrotethathehadneverlovedashedidnowandthatonlynowdidheunderstandandknowwhatlifewas。HeaskedhissistertoforgivehimfornothavingtoldherofhisresolvewhenhehadlastvisitedBaldHills,thoughhehadspokenofittohisfather。HehadnotdonesoforfearPrincessMaryshouldaskherfathertogivehisconsent,irritatinghimandhavingtobearthebruntofhisdispleasurewithoutattainingherobject。"Besides,"hewrote,"thematterwasnotthensodefinitelysettledasitisnow。Myfathertheninsistedonadelayofayearandnowalreadysixmonths,halfofthatperiod,havepassed,andmyresolutionisfirmerthanever。IfthedoctorsdidnotkeepmehereatthespasIshouldbebackinRussia,butasitisIhavetopostponemyreturnforthreemonths。YouknowmeandmyrelationswithFather。Iwantnothingfromhim。Ihavebeenandalwaysshallbeindependent;buttogoagainsthiswillandarousehisanger,nowthathemayperhapsremainwithussuchashorttime,woulddestroyhalfmyhappiness。Iamnowwritingtohimaboutthesamequestion,andbegyoutochooseagoodmomenttohandhimtheletterandtoletmeknowhowhelooksatthewholematterandwhetherthereishopethathemayconsenttoreducethetermbyfourmonths。"
Afterlonghesitations,doubts,andprayers,PrincessMarygavethelettertoherfather。Thenextdaytheoldprincesaidtoherquietly:
"WriteandtellyourbrothertowaittillIamdead……Itwon’tbelong—Ishallsoonsethimfree。"
Theprincesswasabouttoreply,butherfatherwouldnotletherspeakand,raisinghisvoicemoreandmore,cried:
"Marry,marry,myboy!……Agoodfamily!……Cleverpeople,eh?Rich,eh?Yes,anicestepmotherlittleNicholaswillhave!Writeandtellhimthathemaymarrytomorrowifhelikes。ShewillbelittleNicholas’stepmotherandI’llmarryBourienne!……Ha,ha,ha!Hemustn’tbewithoutastepmothereither!Onlyonething,nomorewomenarewantedinmyhouse—lethimmarryandlivebyhimself。
Perhapsyouwillgoandlivewithhimtoo?"headded,turningtoPrincessMary。"Goinheavensname!Gooutintothefrost……thefrost……thefrost!
Afterthisoutbursttheprincedidnotspeakanymoreaboutthematter。Butrepressedvexationathisson’spoor—spiritedbehaviorfoundexpressioninhistreatmentofhisdaughter。Tohisformerpretextsforironyafreshonewasnowadded—allusionstostepmothersandamiabilitiestoMademoiselleBourienne。
"Whyshouldn’tImarryher?"heaskedhisdaughter。"She’llmakeasplendidprincess!"
Andlatterly,tohersurpriseandbewilderment,PrincessMarynoticedthatherfatherwasreallyassociatingmoreandmorewiththeFrenchwoman。ShewrotetoPrinceAndrewaboutthereceptionofhisletter,butcomfortedhimwithhopesofreconcilingtheirfathertotheidea。
LittleNicholasandhiseducation,herbrotherAndrew,andreligionwerePrincessMary’sjoysandconsolations;butbesidesthat,sinceeveryonemusthavepersonalhopes,PrincessMaryintheprofoundestdepthsofherhearthadahiddendreamandhopethatsuppliedthechiefconsolationofherlife。ThiscomfortingdreamandhopeweregivenherbyGod’sfolk—thehalf—wittedandotherpilgrimswhovisitedherwithouttheprince’sknowledge。Thelongershelived,themoreexperienceandobservationshehadoflife,thegreaterwasherwonderattheshort—sightednessofmenwhoseekenjoymentandhappinesshereonearth:toiling,suffering,struggling,andharmingoneanother,toobtainthatimpossible,visionary,sinfulhappiness。PrinceAndrewhadlovedhiswife,shedied,butthatwasnotenough:hewantedtobindhishappinesstoanotherwoman。
HerfatherobjectedtothisbecausehewantedamoredistinguishedandwealthiermatchforAndrew。Andtheyallstruggledandsufferedandtormentedoneanotherandinjuredtheirsouls,theireternalsouls,fortheattainmentofbenefitswhichendurebutforaninstant。Notonlydoweknowthisourselves,butChrist,theSonofGod,camedowntoearthandtoldusthatthislifeisbutforamomentandisaprobation;yetweclingtoitandthinktofindhappinessinit。
"Howisitthatnoonerealizesthis?"thoughtPrincessMary。"NooneexceptthesedespisedGod’sfolkwho,walletonback,cometomebythebackdoor,afraidofbeingseenbytheprince,notforfearofill—usagebyhimbutforfearofcausinghimtosin。Toleavefamily,home,andallthecaresofworldlywelfare,inorderwithoutclingingtoanythingtowanderinhempenragsfromplacetoplaceunderanassumedname,doingnooneanyharmbutprayingforall—
forthosewhodriveoneawayaswellasforthosewhoprotectone:
higherthanthatlifeandtruththereisnolifeortruth!"
Therewasonepilgrim,aquietpockmarkedlittlewomanoffiftycalledTheodosia,whoforoverthirtyyearshadgoneaboutbarefootandwornheavychains。PrincessMarywasparticularlyfondofher。
Once,wheninaroomwithalampdimlylitbeforetheiconTheodosiawastalkingofherlife,thethoughtthatTheodosiaalonehadfoundthetruepathoflifesuddenlycametoPrincessMarywithsuchforcethatsheresolvedtobecomeapilgrimherself。WhenTheodosiahadgonetosleepPrincessMarythoughtaboutthisforalongtime,andatlastmadeuphermindthat,strangeasitmightseem,shemustgoonapilgrimage。Shedisclosedthisthoughttonoonebuttoherconfessor,FatherAkinfi,themonk,andheapprovedofherintention。Underguiseofapresentforthepilgrims,PrincessMarypreparedapilgrim’scompletecostumeforherself:acoarsesmock,bastshoes,aroughcoat,andablackkerchief。Often,approachingthechestofdrawerscontainingthissecrettreasure,PrincessMarypaused,uncertainwhetherthetimehadnotalreadycometoputherprojectintoexecution。
Often,listeningtothepilgrims’tales,shewassostimulatedbytheirsimplespeech,mechanicaltothembuttohersofullofdeepmeaning,thatseveraltimesshewasonthepointofabandoningeverythingandrunningawayfromhome。InimaginationshealreadypicturedherselfbyTheodosia’sside,dressedincoarserags,walkingwithastaff,awalletonherback,alongthedustyroad,directingherwanderingsfromonesaint’sshrinetoanother,freefromenvy,earthlylove,ordesire,andreachingatlasttheplacewherethereisnomoresorroworsighing,buteternaljoyandbliss。
"Ishallcometoaplaceandpraythere,andbeforehavingtimetogetusedtoitorgettingtoloveit,Ishallgofarther。Iwillgoontillmylegsfail,andI’llliedownanddiesomewhere,andshallatlastreachthateternal,quiethaven,wherethereisneithersorrownorsighing……"thoughtPrincessMary。
Butafterwards,whenshesawherfatherandespeciallylittleKokoNicholas,herresolveweakened。Sheweptquietly,andfeltthatshewasasinnerwholovedherfatherandlittlenephewmorethanGod。
BOOKSEVEN:1810—11
CHAPTERI
TheBiblelegendtellsusthattheabsenceoflabor—idleness—wasaconditionofthefirstman’sblessednessbeforetheFall。Fallenmanhasretainedaloveofidleness,butthecurseweighsontheracenotonlybecausewehavetoseekourbreadinthesweatofourbrows,butbecauseourmoralnatureissuchthatwecannotbebothidleandatease。Aninnervoicetellsusweareinthewrongifweareidle。Ifmancouldfindastateinwhichhefeltthatthoughidlehewasfulfillinghisduty,hewouldhavefoundoneoftheconditionsofman’sprimitiveblessedness。Andsuchastateofobligatoryandirreproachableidlenessisthelotofawholeclass—
themilitary。Thechiefattractionofmilitaryservicehasconsistedandwillconsistinthiscompulsoryandirreproachableidleness。
NicholasRostovexperiencedthisblissfulconditiontothefullwhen,after1807,hecontinuedtoserveinthePavlogradregiment,inwhichhealreadycommandedthesquadronhehadtakenoverfromDenisov。
Rostovhadbecomeabluff,good—naturedfellow,whomhisMoscowacquaintanceswouldhaveconsideredratherbadform,butwhowaslikedandrespectedbyhiscomrades,subordinates,andsuperiors,andwaswellcontentedwithhislife。Oflate,in1809,hefoundinlettersfromhomemorefrequentcomplaintsfromhismotherthattheiraffairswerefallingintogreaterandgreaterdisorder,andthatitwastimeforhimtocomebacktogladdenandcomforthisoldparents。
Readingtheseletters,Nicholasfeltadreadoftheirwantingtotakehimawayfromsurroundingsinwhich,protectedfromalltheentanglementsoflife,hewaslivingsocalmlyandquietly。Hefeltthatsoonerorlaterhewouldhavetore—enterthatwhirlpooloflife,withitsembarrassmentsandaffairstobestraightenedout,itsaccountswithstewards,quarrels,andintrigues,itsties,society,andwithSonya’sloveandhispromisetoher。Itwasalldreadfullydifficultandcomplicated;andherepliedtohismotherincold,formallettersinFrench,beginning:"MydearMamma,"andending:
"Yourobedientson,"whichsaidnothingofwhenhewouldreturn。In1810hereceivedlettersfromhisparents,inwhichtheytoldhimofNatasha’sengagementtoBolkonski,andthattheweddingwouldbeinayear’stimebecausetheoldprincemadedifficulties。ThislettergrievedandmortifiedNicholas。InthefirstplacehewassorrythatNatasha,forwhomhecaredmorethanforanyoneelseinthefamily,shouldbelosttothehome;andsecondly,fromhishussarpointofview,heregrettednottohavebeentheretoshowthatfellowBolkonskithatconnectionwithhimwasnosuchgreathonorafterall,andthatifhelovedNatashahemightdispensewithpermissionfromhisdotardfather。ForamomenthehesitatedwhetherheshouldnotapplyforleaveinordertoseeNatashabeforeshewasmarried,butthencamethemaneuvers,andconsiderationsaboutSonyaandabouttheconfusionoftheiraffairs,andNicholasagainputitoff。
Butinthespringofthatyear,hereceivedaletterfromhismother,writtenwithouthisfather’sknowledge,andthatletterpersuadedhimtoreturn。Shewrotethatifhedidnotcomeandtakemattersinhand,theirwholepropertywouldbesoldbyauctionandtheywouldallhavetogobegging。Thecountwassoweak,andtrustedMitenkasomuch,andwassogood—natured,thateverybodytookadvantageofhimandthingsweregoingfrombadtoworse。"ForGod’ssake,Iimploreyou,comeatonceifyoudonotwishtomakemeandthewholefamilywretched,"wrotethecountess。
ThislettertouchedNicholas。Hehadthatcommonsenseofamatter—of—factmanwhichshowedhimwhatheoughttodo。
Therightthingnowwas,ifnottoretirefromtheservice,atanyratetogohomeonleave。Whyhehadtogohedidnotknow;butafterhisafter—dinnernaphegaveorderstosaddleMars,anextremelyviciousgraystallionthathadnotbeenriddenforalongtime,andwhenhereturnedwiththehorseallinalather,heinformedLavrushkaDenisov’sservantwhohadremainedwithhimandhiscomradeswhoturnedupintheeveningthathewasapplyingforleaveandwasgoinghome。Difficultandstrangeasitwasforhimtoreflectthathewouldgoawaywithouthavingheardfromthestaff—andthisinterestedhimextremely—whetherhewaspromotedtoacaptaincyorwouldreceivetheOrderofSt。Anneforthelastmaneuvers;strangeasitwastothinkthathewouldgoawaywithouthavingsoldhisthreeroanstothePolishCountGolukhovski,whowasbargainingforthehorsesRostovhadbettedhewouldsellfortwothousandrubles;incomprehensibleasitseemedthattheballthehussarsweregivinginhonorofthePolishMademoisellePrzazdzieckaoutofrivalrytotheUhlanswhohadgivenoneinhonoroftheirPolishMademoiselleBorzozowskawouldtakeplacewithouthim—heknewhemustgoawayfromthisgood,brightworldtosomewherewhereeverythingwasstupidandconfused。Aweeklaterheobtainedhisleave。Hishussarcomrades—notonlythoseofhisownregiment,butthewholebrigade—gaveRostovadinnertowhichthesubscriptionwasfifteenrublesahead,andatwhichthereweretwobandsandtwochoirsofsingers。RostovdancedtheTrepakwithMajorBasov;thetipsyofficerstossed,embraced,anddroppedRostov;thesoldiersofthethirdsquadrontossedhimtoo,andshouted"hurrah!"andthentheyputhiminhissleighandescortedhimasfarasthefirstpoststation。
Duringthefirsthalfofthejourney—fromKremenchugtoKiev—allRostov’sthoughts,asisusualinsuchcases,werebehindhim,withthesquadron;butwhenhehadgonemorethanhalfwayhebegantoforgethisthreeroansandDozhoyveyko,hisquartermaster,andtowonderanxiouslyhowthingswouldbeatOtradnoeandwhathewouldfindthere。Thoughtsofhomegrewstrongerthenearerheapproachedit—farstronger,asthoughthisfeelingofhiswassubjecttothelawbywhichtheforceofattractionisininverseproportiontothesquareofthedistance。AtthelastpoststationbeforeOtradnoehegavethedriverathree—rubletip,andonarrivingheranbreathlessly,likeaboy,upthestepsofhishome。
Aftertheraptureofmeeting,andafterthatoddfeelingofunsatisfiedexpectation—thefeelingthat"everythingisjustthesame,sowhydidIhurry?"—Nicholasbegantosettledowninhisoldhomeworld。Hisfatherandmotherweremuchthesame,onlyalittleolder。Whatwasnewinthemwasacertainuneasinessandoccasionaldiscord,whichthereusednottobe,andwhich,asNicholassoonfoundout,wasduetothebadstateoftheiraffairs。Sonyawasnearlytwenty;shehadstoppedgrowingprettierandpromisednothingmorethanshewasalready,butthatwasenough。SheexhaledhappinessandlovefromthetimeNicholasreturned,andthefaithful,unalterableloveofthisgirlhadagladdeningeffectonhim。PetyaandNatashasurprisedNicholasmost。Petyawasabighandsomeboyofthirteen,merry,witty,andmischievous,withavoicethatwasalreadybreaking。
AsforNatasha,foralongwhileNicholaswonderedandlaughedwheneverhelookedather。
"You’renotthesameatall,"hesaid。
"How?AmIuglier?"
"Onthecontrary,butwhatdignity?Aprincess!"hewhisperedtoher。
"Yes,yes,yes!"criedNatasha,joyfully。
ShetoldhimaboutherromancewithPrinceAndrewandofhisvisittoOtradnoeandshowedhimhislastletter。
"Well,areyouglad?"Natashaasked。"Iamsotranquilandhappynow。"
"Veryglad,"answeredNicholas。"Heisanexcellentfellow……Andareyouverymuchinlove?"
"HowshallIputit?"repliedNatasha。"IwasinlovewithBoris,withmyteacher,andwithDenisov,butthisisquitedifferent。Ifeelatpeaceandsettled。Iknowthatnobettermanthanheexists,andIamcalmandcontentednow。Notatallasbefore。"
Nicholasexpressedhisdisapprovalofthepostponementofthemarriageforayear;butNatashaattackedherbrotherwithexasperation,provingtohimthatitcouldnotbeotherwise,andthatitwouldbeabadthingtoenterafamilyagainstthefather’swill,andthatsheherselfwisheditso。
"Youdon’tatallunderstand,"shesaid。
Nicholaswassilentandagreedwithher。
Herbrotheroftenwonderedashelookedather。Shedidnotseematalllikeagirlinloveandpartedfromheraffiancedhusband。
Shewaseven—temperedandcalmandquiteascheerfulasofold。ThisamazedNicholasandevenmadehimregardBolkonski’scourtshipskeptically。Hecouldnotbelievethatherfatewassealed,especiallyashehadnotseenherwithPrinceAndrew。Italwaysseemedtohimthattherewassomethingnotquiterightaboutthisintendedmarriage。
"Whythisdelay?Whynobetrothal?"hethought。Once,whenhehadtouchedonthistopicwithhismother,hediscovered,tohissurpriseandsomewhattohissatisfaction,thatinthedepthofhersoulshetoohaddoubtsaboutthismarriage。
"Youseehewrites,"saidshe,showinghersonaletterofPrinceAndrew’s,withthatlatentgrudgeamotheralwayshasinregardtoadaughter’sfuturemarriedhappiness,"hewritesthathewon’tcomebeforeDecember。Whatcanbekeepinghim?Illness,probably!Hishealthisverydelicate。Don’ttellNatasha。Anddon’tattachimportancetoherbeingsobright:that’sbecauseshe’slivingthroughthelastdaysofhergirlhood,butIknowwhatsheislikeeverytimewereceivealetterfromhim!However,Godgrantthateverythingturnsoutwell!"Shealwaysendedwiththesewords。"Heisanexcellentman!"
BK7CH2
CHAPTERII
AfterreachinghomeNicholaswasatfirstseriousandevendull。
Hewasworriedbytheimpendingnecessityofinterferinginthestupidbusinessmattersforwhichhismotherhadcalledhimhome。Tothrowoffthisburdenasquicklyaspossible,onthethirddayafterhisarrivalhewent,angryandscowlingandwithoutansweringquestionsastowherehewasgoing,toMitenka’slodgeanddemandedanaccountofeverything。ButwhatanaccountofeverythingmightbeNicholasknewevenlessthanthefrightenedandbewilderedMitenka。TheconversationandtheexaminationoftheaccountswithMitenkadidnotlastlong。
Thevillageelder,apeasantdelegate,andthevillageclerk,whowerewaitinginthepassage,heardwithfearanddelightfirsttheyoungcount’svoiceroaringandsnappingandrisinglouderandlouder,andthenwordsofabuse,dreadfulwords,ejaculatedoneaftertheother。
"Robber!……Ungratefulwretch!……I’llhackthedogtopieces!I’mnotmyfather!……Robbingus!……"andsoon。
Thenwithnolessfearanddelighttheysawhowtheyoungcount,redinthefaceandwithbloodshoteyes,draggedMitenkaoutbythescruffoftheneckandappliedhisfootandkneetohimbehindwithgreatagilityatconvenientmomentsbetweenthewords,shouting,"Beoff!
Neverletmeseeyourfacehereagain,youvillain!"
Mitenkaflewheadlongdownthesixstepsandranawayintotheshrubbery。Thisshrubberywasawell—knownhavenofrefugeforculpritsatOtradnoe。Mitenkahimself,returningtipsyfromthetown,usedtohidethere,andmanyoftheresidentsatOtradnoe,hidingfromMitenka,knewofitsprotectivequalities。
Mitenka’swifeandsisters—in—lawthrusttheirheadsandfrightenedfacesoutofthedoorofaroomwhereabrightsamovarwasboilingandwherethesteward’shighbedsteadstoodwithitspatchworkquilt。
Theyoungcountpaidnoheedtothem,but,breathinghard,passedbywithresolutestridesandwentintothehouse。
Thecountess,whoheardatoncefromthemaidswhathadhappenedatthelodge,wascalmedbythethoughtthatnowtheiraffairswouldcertainlyimprove,butontheotherhandfeltanxiousastotheeffectthisexcitementmighthaveonherson。Shewentseveraltimestohisdoorontiptoeandlistened,ashelightedonepipeafteranother。
Nextdaytheoldcountcalledhissonasideand,withanembarrassedsmile,saidtohim:
"Butyouknow,mydearboy,it’sapityyougotexcited!Mitenkahastoldmeallaboutit。"
"Iknew,"thoughtNicholas,"thatIshouldneverunderstandanythinginthiscrazyworld。"
"Youwereangrythathehadnotenteredthose700rubles。Buttheywerecarriedforward—andyoudidnotlookattheotherpage。"
"Papa,heisablackguardandathief!Iknowheis!AndwhatIhavedone,Ihavedone;but,ifyoulike,Iwon’tspeaktohimagain。"
"No,mydearboy"thecount,too,feltembarrassed。Heknewhehadmismanagedhiswife’spropertyandwastoblametowardhischildren,buthedidnotknowhowtoremedyit。"No,Ibegyoutoattendtothebusiness。Iamold。I……"
"No,Papa。ForgivemeifIhavecausedyouunpleasantness。I
understanditalllessthanyoudo。"
"Deviltakeallthesepeasants,andmoneymatters,andcarryingsforwardfrompagetopage,"hethought。"Iusedtounderstandwhata’corner’andthestakesatcardsmeant,butcarryingforwardtoanotherpageIdon’tunderstandatall,"saidhetohimself,andafterthathedidnotmeddleinbusinessaffairs。ButoncethecountesscalledhersonandinformedhimthatshehadapromissorynotefromAnnaMikhaylovnafortwothousandrubles,andaskedhimwhathethoughtofdoingwithit。
"This,"answeredNicholas。"Yousayitrestswithme。Well,I
don’tlikeAnnaMikhaylovnaandIdon’tlikeBoris,buttheywereourfriendsandpoor。Wellthen,this!"andhetoreupthenote,andbysodoingcausedtheoldcountesstoweeptearsofjoy。Afterthat,youngRostovtooknofurtherpartinanybusinessaffairs,butdevotedhimselfwithpassionateenthusiasmtowhatwastohimanewpursuit—thechase—forwhichhisfatherkeptalargeestablishment。
BK7CH3
CHAPTERIII
Theweatherwasalreadygrowingwintryandmorningfrostscongealedanearthsaturatedbyautumnrains。Theverdurehadthickenedanditsbrightgreenstoodoutsharplyagainstthebrownishstripsofwinterryetroddendownbythecattle,andagainstthepale—yellowstubbleofthespringbuckwheat。Thewoodedravinesandthecopses,whichattheendofAugusthadstillbeengreenislandsamidblackfieldsandstubble,hadbecomegoldenandbright—redislandsamidthegreenwinterrye。Thehareshadalreadyhalfchangedtheirsummercoats,thefoxcubswerebeginningtoscatter,andtheyoungwolveswerebiggerthandogs。Itwasthebesttimeoftheyearforthechase。ThehoundsofthatardentyoungsportsmanRostovhadnotmerelyreachedhardwintercondition,butweresojadedthatatameetingofthehuntsmenitwasdecidedtogivethemathreedays’restandthen,onthesixteenthofSeptember,togoonadistantexpedition,startingfromtheoakgrovewheretherewasanundisturbedlitterofwolfcubs。
Allthatdaythehoundsremainedathome。Itwasfrostyandtheairwassharp,buttowardeveningtheskybecameovercastanditbegantothaw。Onthefifteenth,whenyoungRostov,inhisdressinggown,lookedoutofthewindow,hesawitwasanunsurpassablemorningforhunting:itwasasiftheskyweremeltingandsinkingtotheearthwithoutanywind。Theonlymotionintheairwasthatofthedripping,microscopicparticlesofdrizzlingmist。Thebaretwigsinthegardenwerehungwithtransparentdropswhichfellonthefreshlyfallenleaves。Theearthinthekitchengardenlookedwetandblackandglistenedlikepoppyseedandatashortdistancemergedintothedull,moistveilofmist。Nicholaswentoutintothewetandmuddyporch。Therewasasmellofdecayingleavesandofdog。Milka,ablack—spotted,broad—haunchedbitchwithprominentblackeyes,gotuponseeinghermaster,stretchedherhindlegs,laydownlikeahare,andthensuddenlyjumpedupandlickedhimrightonhisnoseandmustache。Anotherborzoi,adog,catchingsightofhismasterfromthegardenpath,archedhisbackand,rushingheadlongtowardtheporchwithliftedtail,beganrubbinghimselfagainsthislegs。
"O—hoy!"cameatthatmoment,thatinimitablehuntsman’scallwhichunitesthedeepestbasswiththeshrillesttenor,androundthecornercameDanieltheheadhuntsmanandheadkennelman,agray,wrinkledoldmanwithhaircutstraightoverhisforehead,Ukrainianfashion,alongbentwhipinhishand,andthatlookofindependenceandscornofeverythingthatisonlyseeninhuntsmen。HedoffedhisCircassiancaptohismasterandlookedathimscornfully。Thisscornwasnotoffensivetohismaster。NicholasknewthatthisDaniel,disdainfulofeverybodyandwhoconsideredhimselfabovethem,wasallthesamehisserfandhuntsman。
"Daniel!"Nicholassaidtimidly,consciousatthesightoftheweather,thehounds,andthehuntsmanthathewasbeingcarriedawaybythatirresistiblepassionforsportwhichmakesamanforgetallhispreviousresolutions,asaloverforgetsinthepresenceofhismistress。
"Whatorders,yourexcellency?"saidthehuntsmaninhisdeepbass,deepasaproto—deacon’sandhoarsewithhallooing—andtwoflashingblackeyesgazedfromunderhisbrowsathismaster,whowassilent。"Canyouresistit?"thoseeyesseemedtobeasking。
"It’sagoodday,eh?Forahuntandagallop,eh?"askedNicholas,scratchingMilkabehindtheears。
Danieldidnotanswer,butwinkedinstead。
"IsentUvarkaatdawntolisten,"hisbassboomedoutafteraminute’spause。"Hesaysshe’smovedthemintotheOtradnoeenclosure。
Theywerehowlingthere。"Thismeantthattheshe—wolf,aboutwhomtheybothknew,hadmovedwithhercubstotheOtradnoecopse,asmallplaceamileandahalffromthehouse。
"Weoughttogo,don’tyouthinkso?"saidNicholas。"CometomewithUvarka。"
"Asyouplease。"
"Thenputofffeedingthem。"
"Yes,sir。"
FiveminuteslaterDanielandUvarkawerestandinginNicholas’
bigstudy。ThoughDanielwasnotabigman,toseehiminaroomwaslikeseeingahorseorabearontheflooramongthefurnitureandsurroundingsofhumanlife。Danielhimselffeltthis,andasusualstoodjustinsidethedoor,tryingtospeaksoftlyandnotmove,forfearofbreakingsomethinginthemaster’sapartment,andhehastenedtosayallthatwasnecessarysoastogetfromunderthatceiling,outintotheopenundertheskyoncemore。
HavingfinishedhisinquiriesandextortedfromDanielanopinionthatthehoundswerefitDanielhimselfwishedtogohunting,Nicholasorderedthehorsestobesaddled。ButjustasDanielwasabouttogoNatashacameinwithrapidsteps,nothavingdoneupherhairorfinisheddressingandwithheroldnurse’sbigshawlwrappedroundher。Petyaraninatthesametime。
"Youaregoing?"askedNatasha。"Iknewyouwould!Sonyasaidyouwouldn’tgo,butIknewthattodayisthesortofdaywhenyoucouldn’thelpgoing。"
"Yes,wearegoing,"repliedNicholasreluctantly,fortoday,asheintendedtohuntseriously,hedidnotwanttotakeNatashaandPetya。"Wearegoing,butonlywolfhunting:itwouldbedullforyou。"
"Youknowitismygreatestpleasure,"saidNatasha。"It’snotfair;
youaregoingbyyourself,arehavingthehorsessaddledandsaidnothingtousaboutit。"
"’NobarrierbarsaRussian’spath’—we’llgo!"shoutedPetya。
"Butyoucan’t。Mammasaidyoumustn’t,"saidNicholastoNatasha。
"Yes,I’llgo。Ishallcertainlygo,"saidNatashadecisively。
"Daniel,tellthemtosaddleforus,andMichaelmustcomewithmydogs,"sheaddedtothehuntsman。
ItseemedtoDanielirksomeandimpropertobeinaroomatall,buttohaveanythingtodowithayoungladyseemedtohimimpossible。
Hecastdownhiseyesandhurriedoutasifitwerenoneofhisbusiness,carefulashewentnottoinflictanyaccidentalinjuryontheyounglady。
BK7CH4
CHAPTERIV
Theoldcount,whohadalwayskeptupanenormoushuntingestablishmentbuthadnowhandeditallcompletelyovertohisson’scare,beinginverygoodspiritsonthisfifteenthofSeptember,preparedtogooutwiththeothers。
Inanhour’stimethewholehuntingpartywasattheporch。
Nicholas,withasternandseriousairwhichshowedthatnowwasnotimeforattendingtotrifles,wentpastNatashaandPetyawhoweretryingtotellhimsomething。Hehadalookatallthedetailsofthehunt,sentapackofhoundsandhuntsmenonaheadtofindthequarry,mountedhischestnutDonets,andwhistlingtohisownleashofborzois,setoffacrossthethreshinggroundtoafieldleadingtotheOtradnoewood。Theoldcount’shorse,asorrelgeldingcalledViflyanka,wasledbythegroominattendanceonhim,whilethecounthimselfwastodriveinasmalltrapstraighttoaspotreservedforhim。
Theyweretakingfifty—fourhounds,withsixhuntattendantsandwhippers—in。Besidesthefamily,therewereeightborzoikennelmenandmorethanfortyborzois,sothat,withtheborzoisontheleashbelongingtomembersofthefamily,therewereaboutahundredandthirtydogsandtwentyhorsemen。
Eachdogknewitsmasteranditscall。Eachmaninthehuntknewhisbusiness。hisplace,whathehadtodo。Assoonastheyhadpassedthefencetheyallspreadoutevenlyandquietly,withoutnoiseortalk,alongtheroadandfieldleadingtotheOtradnoecovert。
Thehorsessteppedoverthefieldasoverathickcarpet,nowandthensplashingintopuddlesastheycrossedaroad。Themistyskystillseemedtodescendevenlyandimperceptiblytowardtheearth,theairwasstill,warm,andsilent。Occasionallythewhistleofahuntsman,thesnortofahorse,thecrackofawhip,orthewhineofastragglinghoundcouldbeheard。
Whentheyhadgonealittlelessthanamile,fivemoreriderswithdogsappearedoutofthemist,approachingtheRostovs。Infrontrodeafresh—looking,handsomeoldmanwithalargegraymustache。
"Goodmorning,Uncle!"saidNicholas,whentheoldmandrewnear。
"That’sit。Comeon!……Iwassureofit,"began"Uncle。"HewasadistantrelativeoftheRostovs’,amanofsmallmeans,andtheirneighbor。"Iknewyouwouldn’tbeabletoresistitandit’sagoodthingyou’regoing。That’sit!Comeon!Thiswas"Uncle’s"favoriteexpression。"Takethecovertatonce,formyGirchiksaystheIlaginsareatKornikiwiththeirhounds。That’sit。Comeon!……They’lltakethecubsfromunderyourverynose。"
"That’swhereI’mgoing。Shallwejoinupourpacks?"askedNicholas。
Thehoundswerejoinedintoonepack,and"Uncle"andNicholasrodeonsidebyside。Natasha,muffledupinshawlswhichdidnothidehereagerfaceandshiningeyes,gallopeduptothem。ShewasfollowedbyPetyawhoalwayskeptclosetoher,byMichael,ahuntsman,andbyagroomappointedtolookafterher。Petya,whowaslaughing,whippedandpulledathishorse。NatashasateasilyandconfidentlyonherblackArabchikandreinedhiminwithouteffortwithafirmhand。
"Uncle"lookedrounddisapprovinglyatPetyaandNatasha。Hedidnotliketocombinefrivolitywiththeseriousbusinessofhunting。
"Goodmorning,Uncle!Wearegoingtoo!"shoutedPetya。
"Goodmorning,goodmorning!Butdon’tgooverridingthehounds,"
said"Uncle"sternly。
"Nicholas,whatafinedogTrunilais!Heknewme,"saidNatasha,referringtoherfavoritehound。
"Inthefirstplace,Trunilaisnota’dog,’butaharrier,"thoughtNicholas,andlookedsternlyathissister,tryingtomakeherfeelthedistancethatoughttoseparatethematthatmoment。Natashaunderstoodit。
"Youmustn’tthinkwe’llbeinanyone’sway,Uncle,"shesaid。
"We’llgotoourplacesandwon’tbudge。"
"Agoodthingtoo,littlecountess,"said"Uncle,""onlymindyoudon’tfalloffyourhorse,"headded,"because—that’sit,comeon!—
you’venothingtoholdonto。"
TheoasisoftheOtradnoecovertcameinsightafewhundredyardsoff,thehuntsmenwerealreadynearingit。Rostov,havingfinallysettledwith"Uncle"wheretheyshouldsetonthehounds,andhavingshownNatashawhereshewastostand—aspotwherenothingcouldpossiblyrunout—wentroundabovetheravine。
"Well,nephew,you’regoingforabigwolf,"said"Uncle。""Mindanddon’tletherslip!"
"That’sasmayhappen,"answeredRostov。"Karay,here!"heshouted,answering"Uncle’s"remarkbythiscalltohisborzoi。
Karaywasashaggyolddogwithahangingjowl,famousforhavingtackledabigwolfunaided。Theyalltookuptheirplaces。
Theoldcount,knowinghisson’sardorinthehunt,hurriedsoasnottobelate,andthehunstmenhadnotyetreachedtheirplaceswhenCountIlyaRostov,cheerful,flushed,andwithquiveringcheeks,droveupwithhisblackhorsesoverthewinterryetotheplacereservedforhim,whereawolfmightcomeout。Havingstraightenedhiscoatandfastenedonhishuntingknivesandhorn,hemountedhisgood,sleek,well—fed,andcomfortablehorse,Viflyanka,whichwasturninggray,likehimself。Hishorsesandtrapweresenthome。CountIlyaRostov,thoughnotatheartakeensportsman,knewtherulesofthehuntwell,androdetothebushyedgeoftheroadwherehewastostand,arrangedhisreins,settledhimselfinthesaddle,and,feelingthathewasready,lookedaboutwithasmile。
BesidehimwasSimonChekmar,hispersonalattendant,anoldhorsemannowsomewhatstiffinthesaddle。Chekmarheldinleashthreeformidablewolfhounds,whohad,however,grownfatliketheirmasterandhishorse。Twowiseolddogslaydownunleashed。SomehundredpacesfartheralongtheedgeofthewoodstoodMitka,thecount’sothergroom,adaringhorsemanandkeenridertohounds。Beforethehunt,byoldcustom,thecounthaddrunkasilvercupfulofmulledbrandy,takenasnack,andwasheditdownwithhalfabottleofhisfavoriteBordeaux。
Hewassomewhatflushedwiththewineandthedrive。Hiseyeswererathermoistandglitteredmorethanusual,andashesatinhissaddle,wrappedupinhisfurcoat,helookedlikeachildtakenoutforanouting。
Thethin,hollow—cheekedChekmar,havinggoteverythingready,keptglancingathismasterwithwhomhehadlivedonthebestoftermsforthirtyyears,andunderstandingthemoodhewasinexpectedapleasantchat。Athirdpersonrodeupcircumspectlythroughthewooditwasplainthathehadhadalessonandstoppedbehindthecount。Thispersonwasagray—beardedoldmaninawoman’scloak,withatallpeakedcaponhishead。Hewasthebuffoon,whowentbyawoman’sname,NastasyaIvanovna。
"Well,NastasyaIvanovna!"whisperedthecount,winkingathim。
"Ifyouscareawaythebeast,Daniel’llgiveityou!"
"Iknowathingortwomyself!"saidNastasyaIvanovna。
"Hush!"whisperedthecountandturnedtoSimon。"Haveyouseentheyoungcountess?"heasked。"Whereisshe?"
"WithyoungCountPeter,bytheZharovrankgrass,"answeredSimon,smiling。"Thoughshe’salady,she’sveryfondofhunting。"
"Andyou’resurprisedatthewaysherides,Simon,eh?"saidthecount。"She’sasgoodasmanyaman!"
"Ofcourse!It’smarvelous。Sobold,soeasy!"
"AndNicholas?Whereishe?BytheLyadovupland,isn’the?"
"Yes,sir。Heknowswheretostand。HeunderstandsthemattersowellthatDanielandIareoftenquiteastounded,"saidSimon,wellknowingwhatwouldpleasehismaster。
"Rideswell,eh?Andhowwellhelooksonhishorse,eh?"
"Aperfectpicture!HowhechasedafoxoutoftherankgrassbytheZavarzinskthickettheotherday!Leapedafearfulplace;whatasightwhentheyrushedfromthecovert……thehorseworthathousandrublesandtheriderbeyondallprice!Yes,onewouldhavetosearchfartofindanotherassmart。"
"Tosearchfar……"repeatedthecount,evidentlysorrySimonhadnotsaidmore。"Tosearchfar,"hesaid,turningbacktheskirtofhiscoattogetathissnuffbox。
"TheotherdaywhenhecameoutfromMassinfulluniform,MichaelSidorych……"Simondidnotfinish,foronthestillairhehaddistinctlycaughtthemusicofthehuntwithonlytwoorthreehoundsgivingtongue。Hebentdownhisheadandlistened,shakingawarningfingerathismaster。"Theyareonthescentofthecubs……
"hewhispered,"straighttotheLyadovuplands。"
Thecount,forgettingtosmoothoutthesmileonhisface,lookedintothedistancestraightbeforehim,downthenarrowopenspace,holdingthesnuffboxinhishandbutnottakingany。AfterthecryofthehoundscamethedeeptonesofthewolfcallfromDaniel’shuntinghorn;thepackjoinedthefirstthreehoundsandtheycouldbeheardinfullcry,withthatpeculiarliftinthenotethatindicatesthattheyareafterawolf。Thewhippers—innolongersetonthehounds,butchangedtothecryofulyulyu,andabovetheothersroseDaniel’svoice,nowadeepbass,nowpiercinglyshrill。Hisvoiceseemedtofillthewholewoodandcarriedfarbeyondoutintotheopenfield。
Afterlisteningafewmomentsinsilence,thecountandhisattendantconvincedthemselvesthatthehoundshadseparatedintotwopacks:thesoundofthelargerpack,eagerlygivingtongue,begantodieawayinthedistance,theotherpackrushedbythewoodpastthecount,anditwaswiththisthatDaniel’svoicewasheardcallingulyulyu。Thesoundsofbothpacksmingledandbrokeapartagain,butbothwerebecomingmoredistant。
Simonsighedandstoopedtostraightentheleashayoungborzoihadentangled;thecounttoosighedand,noticingthesnuffboxinhishand,openeditandtookapinch。"Back!"criedSimontoaborzoithatwaspushingforwardoutofthewood。Thecountstartedanddroppedthesnuffbox。NastasyaIvanovnadismountedtopickitup。
ThecountandSimonwerelookingathim。
Then,unexpectedly,asoftenhappens,thesoundofthehuntsuddenlyapproached,asifthehoundsinfullcryandDanielulyulyuingwerejustinfrontofthem。
ThecountturnedandsawonhisrightMitkastaringathimwitheyesstartingoutofhishead,raisinghiscapandpointingbeforehimtotheotherside。
"Lookout!"heshouted,inavoiceplainlyshowingthathehadlongfrettedtoutterthatword,andlettingtheborzoissliphegallopedtowardthecount。
ThecountandSimongallopedoutofthewoodandsawontheirleftawolfwhich,softlyswayingfromsidetoside,wascomingataquietlopefarthertothelefttotheveryplacewheretheywerestanding。
Theangryborzoiswhinedandgettingfreeoftheleashrushedpastthehorses’feetatthewolf。
Thewolfpaused,turneditsheavyforeheadtowardthedogsawkwardly,likeamansufferingfromthequinsy,and,stillslightlyswayingfromsidetoside,gaveacoupleofleapsandwithaswishofitstaildisappearedintotheskirtofthewood。Atthesameinstant,withacrylikeawail,firstonehound,thenanother,andthenanother,spranghelter—skelterfromthewoodoppositeandthewholepackrushedacrossthefieldtowardtheveryspotwherethewolfhaddisappeared。ThehazelbushespartedbehindthehoundsandDaniel’schestnuthorseappeared,darkwithsweat。OnitslongbacksatDaniel,hunchedforward,capless,hisdisheveledgrayhairhangingoverhisflushed,perspiringface。
"Ulyulyulyu!ulyulyu!……"hecried。Whenhecaughtsightofthecounthiseyesflashedlightning。
"Blastyou!"heshouted,holdinguphiswhipthreateninglyatthecount。
"You’veletthewolfgo!……Whatsportsmen!andasifscorningtosaymoretothefrightenedandshamefacedcount,helashedtheheavingflanksofhissweatingchestnutgeldingwithalltheangerthecounthadarousedandflewoffafterthehounds。Thecount,likeapunishedschoolboy,lookedround,tryingbyasmiletowinSimon’ssympathyforhisplight。ButSimonwasnolongerthere。Hewasgallopingroundbythebusheswhilethefieldwascominguponbothsides,alltryingtoheadthewolf,butitvanishedintothewoodbeforetheycoulddoso。
BK7CH5
CHAPTERV
NicholasRostovmeanwhileremainedathispost,waitingforthewolf。Bythewaythehuntapproachedandreceded,bythecriesofthedogswhosenoteswerefamiliartohim,bythewaythevoicesofthehuntsmenapproached,receded,androse,herealizedwhatwashappeningatthecopse。Heknewthatyoungandoldwolveswerethere,thatthehoundshadseparatedintotwopacks,thatsomewhereawolfwasbeingchased,andthatsomethinghadgonewrong。Heexpectedthewolftocomehiswayanymoment。Hemadethousandsofdifferentconjecturesastowhereandfromwhatsidethebeastwouldcomeandhowhewouldsetuponit。Hopealternatedwithdespair。
SeveraltimesheaddressedaprayertoGodthatthewolfshouldcomehisway。Heprayedwiththatpassionateandshame—facedfeelingwithwhichmenprayatmomentsofgreatexcitementarisingfromtrivialcauses。"WhatwoulditbetoTheetodothisforme?"hesaidtoGod。"IknowThouartgreat,andthatitisasintoaskthisofThee,butforGod’ssakedolettheoldwolfcomemywayandletKarayspringatit—insightof’Uncle’whoiswatchingfromoverthere—andseizeitbythethroatinadeathgrip!"Athousandtimesduringthathalf—hourRostovcasteagerandrestlessglancesovertheedgeofthewood,withthetwoscraggyoaksrisingabovetheaspenundergrowthandthegullywithitswater—wornsideand"Uncle’s"capjustvisibleabovethebushonhisright。
"No,Ishan’thavesuchluck,"thoughtRostov,"yetwhatwouldn’titbeworth!Itisnottobe!Everywhere,atcardsandinwar,Iamalwaysunlucky。"MemoriesofAusterlitzandofDolokhovflashedrapidlyandclearlythroughhismind。"Onlyonceinmylifetogetanoldwolf,Iwantonlythat!"thoughthe,strainingeyesandearsandlookingtotheleftandthentotherightandlisteningtotheslightestvariationofnoteinthecriesofthedogs。
Againhelookedtotherightandsawsomethingrunningtowardhimacrossthedesertedfield。"No,itcan’tbe!"thoughtRostov,takingadeepbreath,asamandoesatthecomingofsomethinglonghopedfor。Theheightofhappinesswasreached—andsosimply,withoutwarning,ornoise,ordisplay,thatRostovcouldnotbelievehiseyesandremainedindoubtforoverasecond。Thewolfranforwardandjumpedheavilyoveragullythatlayinherpath。Shewasanoldanimalwithagraybackandbigreddishbelly。Sheranwithouthurry,evidentlyfeelingsurethatnoonesawher。Rostov,holdinghisbreath,lookedroundattheborzois。Theystoodorlaynotseeingthewolforunderstandingthesituation。OldKarayhadturnedhisheadandwasangrilysearchingforfleas,baringhisyellowteethandsnappingathishindlegs。
"Ulyulyulyu!"whisperedRostov,poutinghislips。Theborzoisjumpedup,jerkingtheringsoftheleashesandprickingtheirears。Karayfinishedscratchinghishindquartersand,cockinghisears,gotupwithquiveringtailfromwhichtuftsofmattedhairhungdown。
"ShallIloosethemornot?"Nicholasaskedhimselfasthewolfapproachedhimcomingfromthecopse。Suddenlythewolf’swholephysiognomychanged:sheshuddered,seeingwhatshehadprobablyneverseenbefore—humaneyesfixeduponher—andturningherheadalittletowardRostov,shepaused。
"Backorforward?Eh,nomatter,forward……"thewolfseemedtosaytoherself,andshemovedforwardwithoutagainlookingroundandwithaquiet,long,easyyetresolutelope。
"Ulyulyu!"criedNicholas,inavoicenothisown,andofitsownaccordhisgoodhorsedartedheadlongdownhill,leapingovergulliestoheadoffthewolf,andtheborzoispassedit,runningfasterstill。
Nicholasdidnothearhisowncrynorfeelthathewasgalloping,norseetheborzois,northegroundoverwhichhewent:hesawonlythewolf,who,increasingherspeed,boundedoninthesamedirectionalongthehollow。ThefirsttocomeintoviewwasMilka,withherblackmarkingsandpowerfulquarters,gaininguponthewolf。Nearerandnearer……nowshewasaheadofit;butthewolfturneditsheadtofaceher,andinsteadofputtingonspeedassheusuallydidMilkasuddenlyraisedhertailandstiffenedherforelegs。
"Ulyulyulyulyu!"shoutedNicholas。
ThereddishLyubimrushedforwardfrombehindMilka,sprangimpetuouslyatthewolf,andseizeditbyitshindquarters,butimmediatelyjumpedasideinterror。Thewolfcrouched,gnashedherteeth,andagainroseandboundedforward,followedatthedistanceofacoupleoffeetbyalltheborzois,whodidnotgetanyclosertoher。
"She’llgetaway!No,it’simpossible!"thoughtNicholas,stillshoutingwithahoarsevoice。
"Karay,ulyulyu!……"heshouted,lookingroundfortheoldborzoiwhowasnowhisonlyhope。Karay,withallthestrengthagehadlefthim,stretchedhimselftotheutmostand,watchingthewolf,gallopedheavilyasidetointerceptit。Butthequicknessofthewolf’slopeandtheborzoi’sslowerpacemadeitplainthatKarayhadmiscalculated。Nicholascouldalreadyseenotfarinfrontofhimthewoodwherethewolfwouldcertainlyescapeshouldshereachit。But,comingtowardhim,hesawhoundsandahuntsmangallopingalmoststraightatthewolf。Therewasstillhope。Along,yellowishyoungborzoi,oneNicholasdidnotknow,fromanotherleash,rushedimpetuouslyatthewolffrominfrontandalmostknockedherover。Butthewolfjumpedupmorequicklythananyonecouldhaveexpectedand,gnashingherteeth,flewattheyellowishborzoi,which,withapiercingyelp,fellwithitsheadontheground,bleedingfromagashinitsside。
"Karay?Oldfellow!……"wailedNicholas。
Thankstothedelaycausedbythiscrossingofthewolf’spath,theolddogwithitsfeltedhairhangingfromitsthighwaswithinfivepacesofit。Asifawareofherdanger,thewolfturnedhereyesonKaray,tuckedhertailyetfurtherbetweenherlegs,andincreasedherspeed。ButhereNicholasonlysawthatsomethinghappenedtoKaray—theborzoiwassuddenlyonthewolf,andtheyrolledtogetherdownintoagullyjustinfrontofthem。
Thatinstant,whenNicholassawthewolfstrugglinginthegullywiththedogs,whilefromunderthemcouldbeseenhergrayhairandoutstretchedhindlegandherfrightenedchokinghead,withherearslaidbackKaraywaspinningherbythethroat,wasthehappiestmomentofhislife。Withhishandonhissaddlebow,hewasreadytodismountandstabthewolf,whenshesuddenlythrustherheadupfromamongthatmassofdogs,andthenherforepawswereontheedgeofthegully。SheclickedherteethKaraynolongerhadherbythethroat,leapedwithamovementofherhindlegsoutofthegully,andhavingdisengagedherselffromthedogs,withtailtuckedinagain,wentforward。Karay,hishairbristling,andprobablybruisedorwounded,climbedwithdifficultyoutofthegully。
"OhmyGod!Why?"Nicholascriedindespair。
"Uncle’s"huntsmanwasgallopingfromtheothersideacrossthewolf’spathandhisborzoisoncemorestoppedtheanimal’sadvance。
Shewasagainhemmedin。
Nicholasandhisattendant,with"Uncle"andhishuntsman,wereallridingroundthewolf,crying"ulyulyu!"shoutingandpreparingtodismounteachmomentthatthewolfcrouchedback,andstartingforwardagaineverytimesheshookherselfandmovedtowardthewoodwhereshewouldbesafe。
Already,atthebeginningofthischase,Daniel,hearingtheulyulyuing,hadrushedoutfromthewood。HesawKarayseizethewolf,andcheckedhishorse,supposingtheaffairtobeover。Butwhenhesawthatthehorsemendidnotdismountandthatthewolfshookherselfandranforsafety,Danielsethischestnutgalloping,notatthewolfbutstraighttowardthewood,justasKarayhadruntocuttheanimaloff。Asaresultofthis,hegallopeduptothewolfjustwhenshehadbeenstoppedasecondtimeby"Uncle’s"borzois。
Danielgallopedupsilently,holdinganakeddaggerinhislefthandandthrashingthelaboringsidesofhischestnuthorsewithhiswhipasifitwereaflail。
NicholasneithersawnorheardDanieluntilthechestnut,breathingheavily,pantedpasthim,andheheardthefallofabodyandsawDaniellyingonthewolf’sbackamongthedogs,tryingtoseizeherbytheears。Itwasevidenttothedogs,thehunters,andtothewolfherselfthatallwasnowover。Theterrifiedwolfpressedbackherearsandtriedtorise,buttheborzoisstucktoher。
Danielrosealittle,tookastep,andwithhiswholeweight,asiflyingdowntorest,fellonthewolf,seizingherbytheears。
Nicholaswasabouttostabher,butDanielwhispered,"Don’t!We’llgagher!"and,changinghisposition,sethisfootonthewolf’sneck。
Astickwasthrustbetweenherjawsandshewasfastenedwithaleash,asifbridled,herlegswereboundtogether,andDanielrolledheroveronceortwicefromsidetoside。
Withhappy,exhaustedfaces,theylaidtheoldwolf,alive,onashyingandsnortinghorseand,accompaniedbythedogsyelpingather,tookhertotheplacewheretheywerealltomeet。Thehoundshadkilledtwoofthecubsandtheborzoisthree。Thehuntsmenassembledwiththeirbootyandtheirstories,andallcametolookatthewolf,which,withherbroad—browedheadhangingdownandthebittenstickbetweenherjaws,gazedwithgreatglassyeyesatthiscrowdofdogsandmensurroundingher。Whenshewastouched,shejerkedherboundlegsandlookedwildlyyetsimplyateverybody。OldCountRostovalsorodeupandtouchedthewolf。
"Oh,whataformidableone!"saidhe。"Aformidableone,eh?"heaskedDaniel,whowasstandingnear。
"Yes,yourexcellency,"answeredDaniel,quicklydoffinghiscap。
ThecountrememberedthewolfhehadletslipandhisencounterwithDaniel。
"Ah,butyouareacrustyfellow,friend!"saidthecount。
ForsolereplyDanielgavehimashy,childlike,meek,andamiablesmile。
BK7CH6
CHAPTERVI
Theoldcountwenthome,andNatashaandPetyapromisedtoreturnverysoon,butasitwasstillearlythehuntwentfarther。Atmiddaytheyputthehoundsintoaravinethicklyovergrownwithyoungtrees。Nicholasstandinginafallowfieldcouldseeallhiswhips。
Facinghimlayafieldofwinterrye,therehisownhuntsmanstoodaloneinahollowbehindahazelbush。ThehoundshadscarcelybeenloosedbeforeNicholasheardoneheknew,Voltorn,givingtongueatintervals;otherhoundsjoinedin,nowpausingandnowagaingivingtongue。Amomentlaterheheardacryfromthewoodedravinethatafoxhadbeenfound,andthewholepack,joiningtogether,rushedalongtheravinetowardtheryefieldandawayfromNicholas。
Hesawthewhipsintheirredcapsgallopingalongtheedgeoftheravine,heevensawthehounds,andwasexpectingafoxtoshowitselfatanymomentontheryefieldopposite。
Thehuntsmanstandinginthehollowmovedandloosedhisborzois,andNicholassawaqueer,short—leggedredfoxwithafinebrushgoinghardacrossthefield。Theborzoisboredownonit……Nowtheydrewclosetothefoxwhichbegantododgebetweenthefieldinsharperandsharpercurves,trailingitsbrush,whensuddenlyastrangewhiteborzoidashedinfollowedbyablackone,andeverythingwasinconfusion;theborzoisformedastar—shapedfigure,scarcelyswayingtheirbodiesandwithtailsturnedawayfromthecenterofthegroup。Twohuntsmengallopeduptothedogs;oneinaredcap,theother,astranger,inagreencoat。
"What’sthis?"thoughtNicholas。"Where’sthathuntsmanfrom?Heisnot’Uncle’s’man。"
Thehuntsmengotthefox,butstayedtherealongtimewithoutstrappingittothesaddle。Theirhorses,bridledandwithhighsaddles,stoodnearthemandtheretoothedogswerelying。Thehuntsmenwavedtheirarmsanddidsomethingtothefox。Thenfromthatspotcamethesoundofahorn,withthesignalagreedonincaseofafight。
"That’sIlagin’shuntsmanhavingarowwithourIvan,"saidNicholas’groom。
NicholassentthemantocallNatashaandPetyatohim,androdeatafootpacetotheplacewherethewhipsweregettingthehoundstogether。Severalofthefieldgallopedtothespotwherethefightwasgoingon。
Nicholasdismounted,andwithNatashaandPetya,whohadriddenup,stoppednearthehounds,waitingtoseehowthematterwouldend。Outofthebushescamethehuntsmanwhohadbeenfightingandrodetowardhisyoungmaster,withthefoxtiedtohiscrupper。
Whilestillatadistancehetookoffhiscapandtriedtospeakrespectfully,buthewaspaleandbreathlessandhisfacewasangry。
Oneofhiseyeswasblack,butheprobablywasnotevenawareofit。
"Whathashappened?"askedNicholas。
"Alikelything,killingafoxourdogshadhunted!Anditwasmygraybitchthatcaughtit!Gotolaw,indeed!……Hesnatchesatthefox!Igavehimonewiththefox。Hereitisonmysaddle!Doyouwantatasteofthis?……"saidthehuntsman,pointingtohisdaggerandprobablyimagininghimselfstillspeakingtohisfoe。
Nicholas,notstoppingtotalktotheman,askedhissisterandPetyatowaitforhimandrodetothespotwheretheenemy’s,Ilagin’s,huntingpartywas。
Thevictorioushuntsmanrodeofftojointhefield,andthere,surroundedbyinquiringsympathizers,recountedhisexploits。
ThefactswerethatIlagin,withwhomtheRostovshadaquarrelandwereatlaw,huntedoverplacesthatbelongedbycustomtotheRostovs,andhadnow,asifpurposely,senthismentotheverywoodstheRostovswerehuntingandlethismansnatchafoxtheirdogshadchased。