"Yes？Andhow……didhespeak？"
"Yes，likeaman。Everythingquiteallright，andhebeganpersuadingher；andsheshouldhavekepthimtalkingtillcockcrow，butshegotfrightened，justgotfrightenedandhidherfaceinherhands。Thenhecaughtherup。Itwasluckythemaidsraninjustthen……"
"Now，whyfrightenthem？"saidPelageyaDanilovna。
"Mamma，youusedtotryyourfateyourself……"saidherdaughter。
"Andhowdoesonedoitinabarn？"inquiredSonya。
"Well，sayyouwenttothebarnnow，andlistened。Itdependsonwhatyouhear；hammeringandknocking—that’sbad；butasoundofshiftinggrainisgoodandonesometimeshearsthat，too。"
"Mamma，telluswhathappenedtoyouinthebarn。"
PelageyaDanilovnasmiled。
"Oh，I’veforgotten……"shereplied。"Butnoneofyouwouldgo？"
"Yes，Iwill；PelageyaDanilovna，letme！I’llgo，"saidSonya。
"Well，whynot，ifyou’renotafraid？"
"LouisaIvanovna，mayI？"askedSonya。
Whethertheywereplayingtheringandstringgameortherublegameortalkingasnow，NicholasdidnotleaveSonya’sside，andgazedatherwithquiteneweyes。Itseemedtohimthatitwasonlytoday，thankstothatburnt—corkmustache，thathehadfullylearnedtoknowher。Andreally，thatevening，Sonyawasbrighter，moreanimated，andprettierthanNicholashadeverseenherbefore。
"Sothat’swhatsheislike；whatafoolIhavebeen！"hethoughtgazingathersparklingeyes，andunderthemustacheahappyrapturoussmiledimpledhercheeks，asmilehehadneverseenbefore。
"I’mnotafraidofanything，"saidSonya。"MayIgoatonce？"Shegotup。
Theytoldherwherethebarnwasandhowsheshouldstandandlisten，andtheyhandedherafurcloak。ShethrewthisoverherheadandshouldersandglancedatNicholas。
"Whatadarlingthatgirlis！"thoughthe。"AndwhathaveIbeenthinkingoftillnow？"
Sonyawentoutintothepassagetogotothebarn。Nicholaswenthastilytothefrontporch，sayinghefelttoohot。Thecrowdofpeoplereallyhadmadethehousestuffy。
Outside，therewasthesamecoldstillnessandthesamemoon，butevenbrighterthanbefore。Thelightwassostrongandthesnowsparkledwithsomanystarsthatonedidnotwishtolookupattheskyandtherealstarswereunnoticed。Theskywasblackanddreary，whiletheearthwasgay。
"Iamafool，afool！whathaveIbeenwaitingfor？"thoughtNicholas。andrunningoutfromtheporchhewentroundthecornerofthehouseandalongthepaththatledtothebackporch。HeknewSonyawouldpassthatway。Halfwaylaysomesnow—coveredpilesoffirewoodandacrossandalongthemanetworkofshadowsfromthebareoldlimetreesfellonthesnowandonthepath。Thispathledtothebarn。Thelogwallsofthebarnanditssnow—coveredroof，thatlookedasifhewnoutofsomepreciousstone，sparkledinthemoonlight。A
treeinthegardensnappedwiththefrost，andthenallwasagainperfectlysilent。Hisbosomseemedtoinhalenotairbutthestrengthofeternalyouthandgladness。
Fromthebackporchcamethesoundoffeetdescendingthesteps，thebottomstepuponwhichsnowhadfallengavearingingcreakandheheardthevoiceofanoldmaidservantsaying，"Straight，straight，alongthepath，Miss。Only，don’tlookback。"
"Iamnotafraid，"answeredSonya’svoice，andalongthepathtowardNicholascamethecrunching，whistlingsoundofSonya’sfeetinherthinshoes。
Sonyacamealong，wrappedinhercloak。Shewasonlyacoupleofpacesawaywhenshesawhim，andtohertoohewasnottheNicholasshehadknownandalwaysslightlyfeared。Hewasinawoman’sdress，withtousledhairandahappysmilenewtoSonya。Sheranrapidlytowardhim。
"Quitedifferentandyetthesame，"thoughtNicholas，lookingatherfacealllitupbythemoonlight。Heslippedhisarmsunderthecloakthatcoveredherhead，embracedher，pressedhertohim，andkissedheronthelipsthatworeamustacheandhadasmellofburntcork。Sonyakissedhimfullonthelips，anddisengagingherlittlehandspressedthemtohischeeks。
"Sonya！……Nicholas！"……wasalltheysaid。Theyrantothebarnandthenbackagain，re—entering，hebythefrontandshebythebackporch。
BK7CH12
CHAPTERXII
WhentheyalldrovebackfromPelageyaDanilovna’s，Natasha，whoalwayssawandnoticedeverything，arrangedthatsheandMadameSchossshouldgobackinthesleighwithDimmler，andSonyawithNicholasandthemaids。
OnthewaybackNicholasdroveatasteadypaceinsteadofracingandkeptpeeringbythatfantasticall—transforminglightintoSonya’sfaceandsearchingbeneaththeeyebrowsandmustacheforhisformerandhispresentSonyafromwhomhehadresolvednevertobepartedagain。HelookedandrecognizinginherboththeoldandthenewSonya，andbeingremindedbythesmellofburntcorkofthesensationofherkiss，inhaledthefrostyairwithafullbreastand，lookingatthegroundflyingbeneathhimandatthesparklingsky，felthimselfagaininfairyland。
"Sonya，isitwellwiththee？"heaskedfromtimetotime。
"Yes！"shereplied。"Andwiththee？"
WhenhalfwayhomeNicholashandedthereinstothecoachmanandranforamomenttoNatasha’ssleighandstoodonitswing。
"Natasha！"hewhisperedinFrench，"doyouknowIhavemadeupmymindaboutSonya？"
"Haveyoutoldher？"askedNatasha，suddenlybeamingalloverwithjoy。
"Oh，howstrangeyouarewiththatmustacheandthoseeyebrows！……
Natasha—areyouglad？"
"Iamsoglad，soglad！Iwasbeginningtobevexedwithyou。I
didnottellyou，butyouhavebeentreatingherbadly。Whataheartshehas，Nicholas！Iamhorridsometimes，butIwasashamedtobehappywhileSonyawasnot，"continuedNatasha。"NowIamsoglad！
Well，runbacktoher。"
"No，waitabit……Oh，howfunnyyoulook！"criedNicholas，peeringintoherfaceandfindinginhissistertoosomethingnew，unusual，andbewitchinglytenderthathehadnotseeninherbefore。
"Natasha，it’smagical，isn’tit？"
"Yes，"shereplied。"Youhavedonesplendidly。"
"HadIseenherbeforeassheisnow，"thoughtNicholas，"Ishouldlongagohaveaskedherwhattodoandhavedonewhatevershetoldme，andallwouldhavebeenwell。"
"SoyouaregladandIhavedoneright？"
"Oh，quiteright！IhadaquarrelwithMammasometimeagoaboutit。
Mammasaidshewasanglingforyou。Howcouldshesaysuchathing！
InearlystormedatMamma。IwillneverletanyonesayanythingbadofSonya，forthereisnothingbutgoodinher。"
"Thenit’sallright？"saidNicholas，againscrutinizingtheexpressionofhissister’sfacetoseeifshewasinearnest。Thenhejumpeddownand，hisbootsscrunchingthesnow，ranbacktohissleigh。Thesamehappy，smilingCircassian，withmustacheandbeamingeyeslookingupfromunderasablehood，wasstillsittingthere，andthatCircassianwasSonya，andthatSonyawascertainlyhisfuturehappyandlovingwife。
WhentheyreachedhomeandhadtoldtheirmotherhowtheyhadspenttheeveningattheMelyukovs’，thegirlswenttotheirbedroom。Whentheyhadundressed，butwithoutwashingoffthecorkmustaches，theysatalongtimetalkingoftheirhappiness。Theytalkedofhowtheywouldlivewhentheyweremarried，howtheirhusbandswouldbefriends，andhowhappytheywouldbe。OnNatasha’stablestoodtwolookingglasseswhichDunyashahadpreparedbeforehand。
"Onlywhenwillallthatbe？Iamafraidnever……Itwouldbetoogood！"saidNatasha，risingandgoingtothelookingglasses。
"Sitdown，Natasha；perhapsyou’llseehim，"saidSonya。
Natashalitthecandles，oneoneachsideofoneofthelookingglasses，andsatdown。
"Iseesomeonewithamustache，"saidNatasha，seeingherownface。
"Youmustn’tlaugh，Miss，"saidDunyasha。
WithSonya’shelpandthemaid’s，Natashagottheglasssheheldintotherightpositionoppositetheother；herfaceassumedaseriousexpressionandshesatsilent。Shesatalongtimelookingattherecedinglineofcandlesreflectedintheglassesandexpectingfromtalesshehadheardtoseeacoffin，orhim，PrinceAndrew，inthatlastdim，indistinctlyoutlinedsquare。Butreadyasshewastotakethesmallestspeckfortheimageofamanorofacoffin，shesawnothing。Shebeganblinkingrapidlyandmovedawayfromthelookingglasses。
"WhyisitothersseethingsandIdon’t？"shesaid。"Yousitdownnow，Sonya。Youabsolutelymust，tonight！Doitforme……TodayI
feelsofrightened！"
Sonyasatdownbeforetheglasses，gottherightposition，andbeganlooking。
"Now，MissSonyaissuretoseesomething，"whisperedDunyasha；
"whileyoudonothingbutlaugh。"
SonyaheardthisandNatasha’swhisper：
"Iknowshewill。Shesawsomethinglastyear。"
Foraboutthreeminutesallweresilent。
"Ofcourseshewill！"whisperedNatasha，butdidnotfinish……
suddenlySonyapushedawaytheglassshewasholdingandcoveredhereyeswithherhand。
"Oh，Natasha！"shecried。
"Didyousee？Didyou？Whatwasit？"exclaimedNatasha，holdingupthelookingglass。
Sonyahadnotseenanything，shewasjustwantingtoblinkandtogetupwhensheheardNatashasay，"Ofcourseshewill！"ShedidnotwishtodisappointeitherDunyashaorNatasha，butitwashardtositstill。Shedidnotherselfknowhoworwhytheexclamationescapedherwhenshecoveredhereyes。
"Yousawhim？"urgedNatasha，seizingherhand。
"Yes。Waitabit……I……sawhim，"Sonyacouldnothelpsaying，notyetknowingwhomNatashameantbyhim，NicholasorPrinceAndrew。
"Butwhyshouldn’tIsayIsawsomething？Othersdosee！BesideswhocantellwhetherIsawanythingornot？"flashedthroughSonya’smind。
"Yes，Isawhim，"shesaid。
"How？Standingorlying？"
"No，Isaw……Atfirsttherewasnothing，thenIsawhimlyingdown。"
"Andrewlying？Isheill？"askedNatasha，herfrightenedeyesfixedonherfriend。
"No，onthecontrary，onthecontrary！Hisfacewascheerful，andheturnedtome。"Andwhensayingthissheherselffanciedshehadreallyseenwhatshedescribed。
"Well，andthen，Sonya？……"
"Afterthat，Icouldnotmakeoutwhattherewas；somethingblueandred……"
"Sonya！Whenwillhecomeback？WhenshallIseehim！O，God，howafraidIamforhimandformyselfandabouteverything！……"Natashabegan，andwithoutreplyingtoSonya’swordsofcomfortshegotintobed，andlongafterhercandlewasoutlayopen—eyedandmotionless，gazingatthemoonlightthroughthefrostywindowpanes。
BK7CH13
CHAPTERXIII
SoonaftertheChristmasholidaysNicholastoldhismotherofhisloveforSonyaandofhisfirmresolvetomarryher。Thecountess，whohadlongnoticedwhatwasgoingonbetweenthemandwasexpectingthisdeclaration，listenedtohiminsilenceandthentoldhersonthathemightmarrywhomhepleased，butthatneithershenorhisfatherwouldgivetheirblessingtosuchamarriage。Nicholas，forthefirsttime，feltthathismotherwasdispleasedwithhimandthat，despiteherloveforhim，shewouldnotgiveway。Coldly，withoutlookingatherson，shesentforherhusbandand，whenhecame，triedbrieflyandcoldlytoinformhimofthefacts，inherson’spresence，butunabletorestrainherselfsheburstintotearsofvexationandlefttheroom。TheoldcountbeganirresolutelytoadmonishNicholasandbeghimtoabandonhispurpose。Nicholasrepliedthathecouldnotgobackonhisword，andhisfather，sighingandevidentlydisconcerted，verysoonbecamesilentandwentintothecountess。Inallhisencounterswithhisson，thecountwasalwaysconsciousofhisownguilttowardhimforhavingwastedthefamilyfortune，andsohecouldnotbeangrywithhimforrefusingtomarryanheiressandchoosingthedowerlessSonya。Onthisoccasion，hewasonlymorevividlyconsciousofthefactthatifhisaffairshadnotbeenindisorder，nobetterwifeforNicholasthanSonyacouldhavebeenwishedfor，andthatnoonebuthimselfwithhisMitenkaandhisuncomfortablehabitswastoblamefortheconditionofthefamilyfinances。
Thefatherandmotherdidnotspeakofthemattertotheirsonagain，butafewdayslaterthecountesssentforSonyaand，withacrueltyneitherofthemexpected，reproachedherniecefortryingtocatchNicholasandforingratitude。Sonyalistenedsilentlywithdowncasteyestothecountess’cruelwords，withoutunderstandingwhatwasrequiredofher。Shewasreadytosacrificeeverythingforherbenefactors。Self—sacrificewashermostcherishedideabutinthiscaseshecouldnotseewhatsheoughttosacrifice，orforwhom。ShecouldnothelplovingthecountessandthewholeRostovfamily，butneithercouldshehelplovingNicholasandknowingthathishappinessdependedonthatlove。Shewassilentandsadanddidnotreply。Nicholasfeltthesituationtobeintolerableandwenttohaveanexplanationwithhismother。HefirstimploredhertoforgivehimandSonyaandconsenttotheirmarriage，thenhethreatenedthatifshemolestedSonyahewouldatoncemarryhersecretly。
Thecountess，withacoldnesshersonhadneverseeninherbefore，repliedthathewasofage，thatPrinceAndrewwasmarryingwithouthisfather’sconsent，andhecoulddothesame，butthatshewouldneverreceivethatintriguerasherdaughter。
Explodingatthewordintriguer，Nicholas，raisinghisvoice，toldhismotherhehadneverexpectedhertotrytoforcehimtosellhisfeelings，butifthatwereso，hewouldsayforthelasttime……
Buthehadnotimetoutterthedecisivewordwhichtheexpressionofhisfacecausedhismothertoawaitwithterror，andwhichwouldperhapshaveforeverremainedacruelmemorytothemboth。Hehadnottimetosayit，forNatasha，withapaleandsetface，enteredtheroomfromthedooratwhichshehadbeenlistening。
"Nicholas，youaretalkingnonsense！Bequiet，bequiet，bequiet，I
tellyou！……"shealmostscreamed，soastodrownhisvoice。
"Mammadarling，it’snotatallso……mypoor，sweetdarling，"shesaidtohermother，whoconsciousthattheyhadbeenonthebrinkofarupturegazedathersonwithterror，butintheobstinacyandexcitementoftheconflictcouldnotandwouldnotgiveway。
"Nicholas，I’llexplaintoyou。Goaway！Listen，Mammadarling，"
saidNatasha。
Herwordswereincoherent，buttheyattainedthepurposeatwhichshewasaiming。
Thecountess，sobbingheavily，hidherfaceonherdaughter’sbreast，whileNicholasrose，clutchinghishead，andlefttheroom。
Natashasettoworktoeffectareconciliation，andsofarsucceededthatNicholasreceivedapromisefromhismotherthatSonyashouldnotbetroubled，whileheonhissidepromisednottoundertakeanythingwithouthisparents’knowledge。
Firmlyresolved，afterputtinghisaffairsinorderintheregiment，toretirefromthearmyandreturnandmarrySonya，Nicholas，serious，sorrowful，andatvariancewithhisparents，but，asitseemedtohim，passionatelyinlove，leftatthebeginningofJanuarytorejoinhisregiment。
AfterNicholashadgonethingsintheRostovhouseholdweremoredepressingthanever，andthecountessfellillfrommentalagitation。
SonyawasunhappyattheseparationfromNicholasandstillmoresoonaccountofthehostiletonethecountesscouldnothelpadoptingtowardher。Thecountwasmoreperturbedthaneverbytheconditionofhisaffairs，whichcalledforsomedecisiveaction。TheirtownhouseandestatenearMoscowhadinevitablytobesold，andforthistheyhadtogotoMoscow。Butthecountess’healthobligedthemtodelaytheirdeparturefromdaytoday。
Natasha，whohadbornethefirstperiodofseparationfromherbetrothedlightlyandevencheerfully，nowgrewmoreagitatedandimpatienteveryday。Thethoughtthatherbestdays，whichshewouldhaveemployedinlovinghim，werebeingvainlywasted，withnoadvantagetoanyone，tormentedherincessantly。Hislettersforthemostpartirritatedher。Ithurthertothinkthatwhileshelivedonlyinthethoughtofhim，hewaslivingareallife，seeingnewplacesandnewpeoplethatinterestedhim。Themoreinterestinghisletterswerethemorevexedshefelt。Herletterstohim，farfromgivingheranycomfort，seemedtoherawearisomeandartificialobligation。Shecouldnotwrite，becauseshecouldnotconceivethepossibilityofexpressingsincerelyinaletterevenathousandthpartofwhatsheexpressedbyvoice，smile，andglance。Shewrotetohimformal，monotonous，anddryletters，towhichsheattachednoimportanceherself，andintheroughcopiesofwhichthecountesscorrectedhermistakesinspelling。
Therewasstillnoimprovementinthecountess’health，butitwasimpossibletodeferthejourneytoMoscowanylonger。Natasha’strousseauhadtobeorderedandthehousesold。Moreover，PrinceAndrewwasexpectedinMoscow，whereoldPrinceBolkonskiwasspendingthewinter，andNatashafeltsurehehadalreadyarrived。
Sothecountessremainedinthecountry，andthecount，takingSonyaandNatashawithhim，wenttoMoscowattheendofJanuary。
BOOKEIGHT：1811—12
CHAPTERI
AfterPrinceAndrewsengagementtoNatasha，Pierrewithoutanyapparentcausesuddenlyfeltitimpossibletogoonlivingasbefore。Firmlyconvincedashewasofthetruthsrevealedtohimbyhisbenefactor，andhappyashehadbeeninperfectinghisinnerman，towhichhehaddevotedhimselfwithsuchardor—allthezestofsuchalifevanishedaftertheengagementofAndrewandNatashaandthedeathofJosephAlexeevich，thenewsofwhichreachedhimalmostatthesametime。Onlytheskeletonofliferemained：hishouse，abrilliantwifewhonowenjoyedthefavorsofaveryimportantpersonage，acquaintancewithallPetersburg，andhiscourtservicewithitsdullformalities。AndthislifesuddenlyseemedtoPierreunexpectedlyloathsome。Heceasedkeepingadiary，avoidedthecompanyoftheBrothers，begangoingtotheClubagain，drankagreatdeal，andcameoncemoreintouchwiththebachelorsets，leadingsuchalifethattheCountessHelenethoughtitnecessarytospeakseverelytohimaboutit。Pierrefeltthatsheright，andtoavoidcompromisingherwentawaytoMoscow。
InMoscowassoonasheenteredhishugehouseinwhichthefadedandfadingprincessesstilllived，withitsenormousretinue；assoonas，drivingthroughthetown，hesawtheIberianshrinewithinnumerabletapersburningbeforethegoldencoversoftheicons，theKremlinSquarewithitssnowundisturbedbyvehicles，thesleighdriversandhovelsoftheSivtsevVrazhok，thoseoldMoscoviteswhodesirednothing，hurriednowhere，andwereendingtheirdaysleisurely；whenhesawthoseoldMoscowladies，theMoscowballs，andtheEnglishClub，hefelthimselfathomeinaquiethaven。InMoscowhefeltatpeace，athome，warmanddirtyasinanolddressinggown。
Moscowsociety，fromtheoldwomendowntothechildren，receivedPierrelikealong—expectedguestwhoseplacewasalwaysreadyawaitinghim。ForMoscowsocietyPierrewasthenicest，kindest，mostintellectual，merriest，andmostmagnanimousofcranks，aheedless，genialnoblemanoftheoldRussiantype。Hispursewasalwaysemptybecauseitwasopentoeveryone。
Benefitperformances，poorpictures，statues，benevolentsocieties，gypsychoirs，schools，subscriptiondinners，sprees，Freemasons，churches，andbooks—nooneandnothingmetwitharefusalfromhim，andhaditnotbeenfortwofriendswhohadborrowedlargesumsfromhimandtakenhimundertheirprotection，hewouldhavegiveneverythingaway。TherewasneveradinnerorsoireeattheClubwithouthim。AssoonashesankintohisplaceonthesofaaftertwobottlesofMargauxhewassurrounded，andtalking，disputing，andjokingbegan。Whentherewerequarrels，hiskindlysmileandwell—timedjestsreconciledtheantagonists。TheMasonicdinnersweredullanddrearywhenhewasnotthere。
Whenafterabachelorsupperherosewithhisamiableandkindlysmile，yieldingtotheentreatiesofthefestivecompanytodriveoffsomewherewiththem，shoutsofdelightandtriumpharoseamongtheyoungmen。Atballshedancedifapartnerwasneeded。Youngladies，marriedandunmarried，likedhimbecausewithoutmakinglovetoanyofthem，hewasequallyamiabletoall，especiallyaftersupper。"Ilestcharmant；iln’apasdesexe，"*theysaidofhim。
*"Heischarming；hehasnosex。"
Pierrewasoneofthoseretiredgentlemen—in—waitingofwhomtherewerehundredsgood—humoredlyendingtheirdaysinMoscow。
Howhorrifiedhewouldhavebeensevenyearsbefore，whenhefirstarrivedfromabroad，hadhebeentoldthattherewasnoneedforhimtoseekorplananything，thathisruthadlongbeenshaped，eternallypredetermined，andthatwriggleashemight，hewouldbewhatallinhispositionwere。Hecouldnothavebelievedit！HadhenotatonetimelongedwithallhishearttoestablisharepublicinRussia；thenhimselftobeaNapoleon；thentobeaphilosopher；andthenastrategistandtheconquerorofNapoleon？Hadhenotseenthepossibilityof，andpassionatelydesired，theregenerationofthesinfulhumanrace，andhisownprogresstothehighestdegreeofperfection？Hadhenotestablishedschoolsandhospitalsandliberatedhisserfs？
Butinsteadofallthat—herehewas，thewealthyhusbandofanunfaithfulwife，aretiredgentleman—in—waiting，fondofeatinganddrinkingand，asheunbuttonedhiswaistcoat，ofabusingthegovernmentabit，amemberoftheMoscowEnglishClub，andauniversalfavoriteinMoscowsociety。ForalongtimehecouldnotreconcilehimselftotheideathathewasoneofthosesameretiredMoscowgentlemen—in—waitinghehadsodespisedsevenyearsbefore。
Sometimesheconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthathewasonlylivingthislifetemporarily；butthenhewasshockedbythethoughtofhowmany，likehimself，hadenteredthatlifeandthatClubtemporarily，withalltheirteethandhair，andhadonlyleftitwhennotasingletoothorhairremained。
Inmomentsofpride，whenhethoughtofhispositionitseemedtohimthathewasquitedifferentanddistinctfromthoseotherretiredgentlemen—in—waitinghehadformerlydespised：theywereempty，stupid，contentedfellows，satisfiedwiththeirposition，"whileIamstilldiscontentedandwanttodosomethingformankind。
Butperhapsallthesecomradesofminestruggledjustlikemeandsoughtsomethingnew，apathinlifeoftheirown，andlikemewerebroughtbyforceofcircumstances，society，andrace—bythatelementalforceagainstwhichmanispowerless—totheconditionI
amin，"saidhetohimselfinmomentsofhumility；andafterlivingsometimeinMoscowhenolongerdespised，butbegantogrowfondof，torespect，andtopityhiscomradesindestiny，ashepitiedhimself。
Pierrelongersufferedmomentsofdespair，hypochondria，anddisgustwithlife，butthemaladythathadformerlyfoundexpressioninsuchacuteattackswasdriveninwardsandneverlefthimforamoment。
"Whatfor？Why？Whatisgoingonintheworld？"hewouldaskhimselfinperplexityseveraltimesaday，involuntarilybeginningtoreflectanewonthemeaningofthephenomenaoflife；butknowingbyexperiencethattherewerenoanswerstothesequestionshemadehastetoturnawayfromthem，andtookupabook，orhurriedoftotheClubortoApollonNikolaevich’s，toexchangethegossipofthetown。
"Helene，whohasnevercaredforanythingbutherownbodyandisoneofthestupidestwomenintheworld，"thoughtPierre，"isregardedbypeopleastheacmeofintelligenceandrefinement，andtheypayhomagetoher。NapoleonBonapartewasdespisedbyallaslongashewasgreat，butnowthathehasbecomeawretchedcomediantheEmperorFranciswantstoofferhimhisdaughterinanillegalmarriage。TheSpaniards，throughtheCatholicclergy，offerpraisetoGodfortheirvictoryovertheFrenchonthefourteenthofJune，andtheFrench，alsothroughtheCatholicclergy，offerpraisebecauseonthatsamefourteenthofJunetheydefeatedtheSpaniards。MybrotherMasonsswearbythebloodthattheyarereadytosacrificeeverythingfortheirneighbor，buttheydonotgivearubleeachtothecollectionsforthepoor，andtheyintrigue，theAstraeaLodgeagainsttheMannaSeekers，andfussaboutanauthenticScotchcarpetandacharterthatnobodyneeds，andthemeaningofwhichtheverymanwhowroteitdoesnotunderstand。WeallprofesstheChristianlawofforgivenessofinjuriesandloveofourneighbors，thelawinhonorofwhichwehavebuiltinMoscowfortytimesfortychurches—butyesterdayadeserterwasknoutedtodeathandaministerofthatsamelawofloveandforgiveness，apriest，gavethesoldieracrosstokissbeforehisexecution。"SothoughtPierre，andthewholeofthisgeneraldeceptionwhicheveryoneaccepts，accustomedashewastoit，astonishedhimeachtimeasifitweresomethingnew。"I
understandthedeceptionandconfusion，"hethought，"buthowamI
totellthemallthatIsee？Ihavetried，andhavealwaysfoundthattheytoointhedepthsoftheirsoulsunderstanditasIdo，andonlytrynottoseeit。Soitappearsthatitmustbeso！ButI—
whatistobecomeofme？"thoughthe。Hehadtheunfortunatecapacitymanymen，especiallyRussians，haveofseeingandbelievinginthepossibilityofgoodnessandtruth，butofseeingtheevilandfalsehoodoflifetooclearlytobeabletotakeaseriouspartinit。
Everysphereofworkwasconnected，inhiseyes，withevilanddeception。Whateverhetriedtobe，whateverheengagedin，theevilandfalsehoodofitrepulsedhimandblockedeverypathofactivity。
Yethehadtoliveandtofindoccupation。Itwastoodreadfultobeundertheburdenoftheseinsolubleproblems，soheabandonedhimselftoanydistractioninordertoforgetthem。Hefrequentedeverykindofsociety，drankmuch，boughtpictures，engagedinbuilding，andaboveall—read。
Heread，andreadeverythingthatcametohand。Oncominghome，whilehisvaletswerestilltakingoffhisthings，hepickedupabookandbegantoread。Fromreadinghepassedtosleeping，fromsleepingtogossipindrawingroomsoftheClub，fromgossiptocarousalsandwomen；fromcarousalsbacktogossip，reading，andwine。Drinkingbecamemoreandmoreaphysicalandalsoamoralnecessity。Thoughthedoctorswarnedhimthatwithhiscorpulencewinewasdangerousforhim，hedrankagreatdeal。Hewasonlyquiteateasewhenhavingpouredseveralglassesofwinemechanicallyintohislargemouthhefeltapleasantwarmthinhisbody，anamiabilitytowardallhisfellows，andareadinesstorespondsuperficiallytoeveryideawithoutprobingitdeeply。Onlyafteremptyingabottleortwodidhefeeldimlythattheterriblytangledskeinoflifewhichpreviouslyhadterrifiedhimwasnotasdreadfulashehadthought。Hewasalwaysconsciousofsomeaspectofthatskein，aswithabuzzinginhisheadafterdinnerorsupperhechattedorlistenedtoconversationorread。Butundertheinfluenceofwinehesaidtohimself："Itdoesn’tmatter。I’llgetitunraveled。Ihaveasolutionready，buthavenotimenow—I’llthinkitalloutlateron！"Butthelateronnevercame。
Inthemorning，onanemptystomach，alltheoldquestionsappearedasinsolubleandterribleasever，andPierrehastilypickedupabook，andifanyonecametoseehimhewasglad。
Sometimesherememberedhowhehadheardthatsoldiersinwarwhenentrenchedundertheenemy’sfire，iftheyhavenothingtodo，tryhardtofindsomeoccupationthemoreeasilytobearthedanger。ToPierreallmenseemedlikethosesoldiers，seekingrefugefromlife：
someinambition，someincards，someinframinglaws，someinwomen，someintoys，someinhorses，someinpolitics，someinsport，someinwine，andsomeingovernmentalaffairs。"Nothingistrivial，andnothingisimportant，it’sallthesame—onlytosaveoneselffromitasbestonecan，"thoughtPierre。"Onlynottoseeit，thatdreadfulit！"
BK8CH2
CHAPTERII
AtthebeginningofwinterPrinceNicholasBolkonskiandhisdaughtermovedtoMoscow。AtthattimeenthusiasmfortheEmperorAlexander’sregimehadweakenedandapatrioticandanti—Frenchtendencyprevailedthere，andthis，togetherwithhispastandhisintellectandhisoriginality，atoncemadePrinceNicholasBolkonskianobjectofparticularrespecttotheMoscovitesandthecenteroftheMoscowoppositiontothegovernment。
Theprincehadagedverymuchthatyear。Heshowedmarkedsignsofsenilitybyatendencytofallasleep，forgetfulnessofquiterecentevents，remembranceofremoteones，andthechildishvanitywithwhichheacceptedtheroleofheadoftheMoscowopposition。Inspiteofthistheoldmaninspiredinallhisvisitorsalikeafeelingofrespectfulveneration—especiallyofaneveningwhenhecameintoteainhisold—fashionedcoatandpowderedwigand，arousedbyanyone，toldhisabruptstoriesofthepast，orutteredyetmoreabruptandscathingcriticismsofthepresent。Forthemall，thatold—fashionedhousewithitsgiganticmirrors，pre—Revolutionfurniture，powderedfootmen，andthesternshrewdoldmanhimselfarelicofthepastcenturywithhisgentledaughterandtheprettyFrenchwomanwhowerereverentlydevotedtohimpresentedamajesticandagreeablespectacle。Butthevisitorsdidnotreflectthatbesidesthecoupleofhoursduringwhichtheysawtheirhost，therewerealsotwenty—twohoursinthedayduringwhichtheprivateandintimatelifeofthehousecontinued。
LatterlythatprivatelifehadbecomeverytryingforPrincessMary。
ThereinMoscowshewasdeprivedofhergreatestpleasures—talkswiththepilgrimsandthesolitudewhichrefreshedheratBaldHills—andshehadnoneoftheadvantagesandpleasuresofcitylife。Shedidnotgooutintosociety；everyoneknewthatherfatherwouldnotlethergoanywherewithouthim，andhisfailinghealthpreventedhisgoingouthimself，sothatshewasnotinvitedtodinnersandeveningparties。Shehadquiteabandonedthehopeofgettingmarried。Shesawthecoldnessandmalevolencewithwhichtheoldprincereceivedanddismissedtheyoungmen，possiblesuitors，whosometimesappearedattheirhouse。Shehadnofriends：duringthisvisittoMoscowshehadbeendisappointedinthetwowhohadbeennearesttoher。MademoiselleBourienne，withwhomshehadneverbeenabletobequitefrank，hadnowbecomeunpleasanttoher，andforvariousreasonsPrincessMaryavoidedher。Julie，withwhomshehadcorrespondedforthelastfiveyears，wasinMoscow，butprovedtobequitealientoherwhentheymet。JustthenJulie，whobythedeathofherbrothershadbecomeoneoftherichestheiressesinMoscow，wasinthefullwhirlofsocietypleasures。Shewassurroundedbyyoungmenwho，shefancied，hadsuddenlylearnedtoappreciateherworth。Juliewasatthatstageinthelifeofasocietywomanwhenshefeelsthatherlastchanceofmarryinghascomeandthatherfatemustbedecidednowornever。OnThursdaysPrincessMaryrememberedwithamournfulsmilethatshenowhadnoonetowriteto，sinceJulie—whosepresencegavehernopleasurewashereandtheymeteveryweek。Liketheoldemigrewhodeclinedtomarrytheladywithwhomhehadspenthiseveningsforyears，sheregrettedJulie’spresenceandhavingnoonetowriteto。InMoscowPrincessMaryhadnoonetotalkto，noonetowhomtoconfidehersorrow，andmuchsorrowfelltoherlotjustthen。ThetimeforPrinceAndrew’sreturnandmarriagewasapproaching，buthisrequesttohertopreparehisfatherforithadnotbeencarriedout；infact，itseemedasifmatterswerequitehopeless，forateverymentionoftheyoungCountessRostovatheoldprincewhoapartfromthatwasusuallyinabadtemperlostcontrolofhimself。Anotherlatelyaddedsorrowarosefromthelessonsshegavehersixyear—oldnephew。ToherconsternationshedetectedinherselfinrelationtolittleNicholassomesymptomsofherfather’sirritability。Howeveroftenshetoldherselfthatshemustnotgetirritablewhenteachinghernephew，almosteverytimethat，pointerinhand，shesatdowntoshowhimtheFrenchalphabet，shesolongedtopourherownknowledgequicklyandeasilyintothechild—whowasalreadyafraidthatAuntiemightatanymomentgetangry—thatathisslightestinattentionshetrembled，becameflusteredandheated，raisedhervoice，andsometimespulledhimbythearmandputhiminthecorner。Havingputhiminthecornershewouldherselfbegintocryoverhercruel，evilnature，andlittleNicholas，followingherexample，wouldsob，andwithoutpermissionwouldleavehiscorner，cometoher，pullherwethandsfromherface，andcomforther。Butwhatdistressedtheprincessmostofallwasherfather’sirritability，whichwasalwaysdirectedagainstherandhadoflateamountedtocruelty。Hadheforcedhertoprostrateherselftothegroundallnight，hadhebeatenherormadeherfetchwoodorwater，itwouldneverhaveenteredhermindtothinkherpositionhard；butthislovingdespot—themorecruelbecausehelovedherandforthatreasontormentedhimselfandher—knewhownotmerelytohurtandhumiliateherdeliberately，buttoshowherthatshewasalwaystoblameforeverything。OflatehehadexhibitedanewtraitthattormentedPrincessMarymorethananythingelse；thiswashisever—increasingintimacywithMademoiselleBourienne。Theideathatatthefirstmomentofreceivingthenewsofhisson’sintentionshadoccurredtohiminjest—thatifAndrewgotmarriedhehimselfwouldmarryBourienne—hadevidentlypleasedhim，andlatterlyhehadpersistently，andasitseemedtoPrincessMarymerelytooffendher，shownspecialendearmentstothecompanionandexpressedhisdissatisfactionwithhisdaughterbydemonstrationsofloveofBourienne。
OnedayinMoscowinPrincessMary’spresenceshethoughtherfatherdiditpurposelywhenshewastheretheoldprincekissedMademoiselleBourienne’shandand，drawinghertohim，embracedheraffectionately。PrincessMaryflushedandranoutoftheroom。AfewminuteslaterMademoiselleBouriennecameintoPrincessMary’sroomsmilingandmakingcheerfulremarksinheragreeablevoice。PrincessMaryhastilywipedawayhertears，wentresolutelyuptoMademoiselleBourienne，andevidentlyunconsciousofwhatshewasdoingbeganshoutinginangryhasteattheFrenchwoman，hervoicebreaking："It’shorrible，vile，inhuman，totakeadvantageoftheweakness……"Shedidnotfinish。"Leavemyroom，"sheexclaimed，andburstintosobs。
Nextdaytheprincedidnotsayawordtohisdaughter，butshenoticedthatatdinnerhegaveordersthatMademoiselleBourienneshouldbeservedfirst。Afterdinner，whenthefootmanhandedcoffeeandfromhabitbeganwiththeprincess，theprincesuddenlygrewfurious，threwhisstickatPhilip，andinstantlygaveinstructionstohavehimconscriptedforthearmy。
"Hedoesn’tobey……Isaidittwice……andhedoesn’tobey！Sheisthefirstpersoninthishouse；she’smybestfriend，"criedtheprince。"Andifyouallowyourself，"hescreamedinafury，addressingPrincessMaryforthefirsttime，"toforgetyourselfagainbeforeherasyoudaredtodoyesterday，Iwillshowyouwhoismasterinthishouse。Go！Don’tletmeseteyesonyou；begherpardon！"
PrincessMaryaskedMademoiselleBourienne’spardon，andalsoherfather’spardonforherselfandforPhilipthefootman，whohadbeggedforherintervention。
Atsuchmomentssomethinglikeaprideofsacrificegatheredinhersoul。Andsuddenlythatfatherwhomshehadjudgedwouldlookforhisspectaclesinherpresence，fumblingnearthemandnotseeingthem，orwouldforgetsomethingthathadjustoccurred，ortakeafalsestepwithhisfailinglegsandturntoseeifanyonehadnoticedhisfeebleness，or，worstofall，atdinnerwhentherewerenovisitorstoexcitehimwouldsuddenlyfallasleep，lettinghisnapkindropandhisshakingheadsinkoverhisplate。"Heisoldandfeeble，andIdaretocondemnhim！"shethoughtatsuchmoments，withafeelingofrevulsionagainstherself。
BK8CH3
CHAPTERIII
In1811therewaslivinginMoscowaFrenchdoctor—Metivier—whohadrapidlybecomethefashion。Hewasenormouslytall，handsome，amiableasFrenchmenare，andwas，asallMoscowsaid，anextraordinarilycleverdoctor。Hewasreceivedinthebesthousesnotmerelyasadoctor，butasanequal。
PrinceNicholashadalwaysridiculedmedicine，butlatterlyonMademoiselleBourienne’sadvicehadallowedthisdoctortovisithimandhadgrownaccustomedtohim。Metiviercametoseetheprinceabouttwiceaweek。
OnDecember6—St。Nicholas’Dayandtheprince’snameday—allMoscowcametotheprince’sfrontdoorbuthegaveorderstoadmitnooneandtoinvitetodinneronlyasmallnumber，alistofwhomhegavetoPrincessMary。
Metivier，whocameinthemorningwithhisfelicitations，considereditproperinhisqualityofdoctordeforcerlaconsigne，*ashetoldPrincessMary，andwentintoseetheprince。Ithappenedthatonthatmorningofhisnamedaytheprincewasinoneofhisworstmoods。
Hehadbeengoingaboutthehouseallthemorningfindingfaultwitheveryoneandpretendingnottounderstandwhatwassaidtohimandnottobeunderstoodhimself。PrincessMarywellknewthismoodofquietabsorbedquerulousness，whichgenerallyculminatedinaburstofrage，andshewentaboutallthatmorningasthoughfacingacockedandloadedgunandawaitedtheinevitableexplosion。Untilthedoctor’sarrivalthemorninghadpassedoffsafely。Afteradmittingthedoctor，PrincessMarysatdownwithabookinthedrawingroomnearthedoorthroughwhichshecouldhearallthatpassedinthestudy。
*Toforcetheguard。
AtfirstsheheardonlyMetivier’svoice，thenherfather’s，thenbothvoicesbeganspeakingatthesametime，thedoorwasflungopen，andonthethresholdappearedthehandsomefigureoftheterrifiedMetivierwithhisshockofblackhair，andtheprinceinhisdressinggownandfez，hisfacedistortedwithfuryandthepupilsofhiseyesrolleddownwards。
"Youdon’tunderstand？"shoutedtheprince，"butIdo！Frenchspy，slaveofBuonaparte，spy，getoutofmyhouse！Beoff，Itellyou……"
Metivier，shrugginghisshoulders，wentuptoMademoiselleBouriennewhoatthesoundofshoutinghadruninfromanadjoiningroom。
"Theprinceisnotverywell：bileandrushofbloodtothehead。
Keepcalm，Iwillcallagaintomorrow，"saidMetivier；andputtinghisfingerstohislipshehastenedaway。
Throughthestudydoorcamethesoundofslipperedfeetandthecry：
"Spies，traitors，traitorseverywhere！Notamoment’speaceinmyownhouse！"
AfterMetivier’sdeparturetheoldprincecalledhisdaughterin，andthewholeweightofhiswrathfellonher。Shewastoblamethataspyhadbeenadmitted。Hadhenottoldher，yes，toldhertomakealist，andnottoadmitanyonewhowasnotonthatlist？Thenwhywasthatscoundreladmitted？Shewasthecauseofitall。Withher，hesaid，hecouldnothaveamoment’speaceandcouldnotdiequietly。
"No，ma’am！Wemustpart，wemustpart！Understandthat，understandit！Icannotendureanymore，"hesaid，andlefttheroom。Then，asifafraidshemightfindsomemeansofconsolation，hereturnedandtryingtoappearcalmadded："Anddon’timagineIhavesaidthisinamomentofanger。Iamcalm。Ihavethoughtitover，anditwillbecarriedout—wemustpart；sofindsomeplaceforyourself……"Buthecouldnotrestrainhimselfandwiththevirulenceofwhichonlyonewholovesiscapable，evidentlysufferinghimself，heshookhisfistsatherandscreamed：
"Ifonlysomefoolwouldmarryher！"Thenheslammedthedoor，sentforMademoiselleBourienne，andsubsidedintohisstudy。
Attwoo’clockthesixchosenguestsassembledfordinner。
Theseguests—thefamousCountRostopchin，PrinceLopukhinwithhisnephew，GeneralChatrovanoldwarcomradeoftheprince’s，andoftheyoungergenerationPierreandBorisDrubetskoy—awaitedtheprinceinthedrawingroom。
Boris，whohadcometoMoscowonleaveafewdaysbefore，hadbeenanxioustobepresentedtoPrinceNicholasBolkonski，andhadcontrivedtoingratiatehimselfsowellthattheoldprinceinhiscasemadeanexceptiontotheruleofnotreceivingbachelorsinhishouse。
Theprince’shousedidnotbelongtowhatisknownasfashionablesociety，buthislittlecircle—thoughnotmuchtalkedaboutintown—wasoneitwasmoreflatteringtobereceivedinthananyother。
BorishadrealizedthistheweekbeforewhenthecommanderinchiefinhispresenceinvitedRostopchintodinneronSt。Nicholas’Day，andRostopchinhadrepliedthathecouldnotcome：
"OnthatdayIalwaysgotopaymydevotionstotherelicsofPrinceNicholasBolkonski。"
"Oh，yes，yes！"repliedthecommanderinchief。"Howishe？……"
Thesmallgroupthatassembledbeforedinnerintheloftyold—fashioneddrawingroomwithitsoldfurnitureresembledthesolemngatheringofacourtofjustice。Allweresilentortalkedinlowtones。PrinceNicholascameinseriousandtaciturn。PrincessMaryseemedevenquieterandmorediffidentthanusual。Theguestswerereluctanttoaddressher，feelingthatshewasinnomoodfortheirconversation。CountRostopchinalonekepttheconversationgoing，nowrelatingthelatesttownnews，andnowthelatestpoliticalgossip。
Lopukhinandtheoldgeneraloccasionallytookpartintheconversation。PrinceBolkonskilistenedasapresidingjudgereceivesareport，onlynowandthen，silentlyorbyabriefword，showingthathetookheedofwhatwasbeingreportedtohim。Thetoneoftheconversationwassuchasindicatedthatnooneapprovedofwhatwasbeingdoneinthepoliticalworld。Incidentswererelatedevidentlyconfirmingtheopinionthateverythingwasgoingfrombadtoworse，butwhethertellingastoryorgivinganopinionthespeakeralwaysstopped，orwasstopped，atthepointbeyondwhichhiscriticismmighttouchthesovereignhimself。
Atdinnerthetalkturnedonthelatestpoliticalnews：Napoleon’sseizureoftheDukeofOldenburg’sterritory，andtheRussianNote，hostiletoNapoleon，whichhadbeensenttoalltheEuropeancourts。
"BonapartetreatsEuropeasapiratedoesacapturedvessel，"saidCountRostopchin，repeatingaphrasehehadutteredseveraltimesbefore。"Oneonlywondersatthelong—sufferingorblindnessofthecrownedheads。NowthePope’sturnhascomeandBonapartedoesn’tscrupletodeposetheheadoftheCatholicChurch—yetallkeepsilent！OursovereignalonehasprotestedagainsttheseizureoftheDukeofOldenburg’sterritory，andeven……"CountRostopchinpaused，feelingthathehadreachedthelimitbeyondwhichcensurewasimpossible。
"OtherterritorieshavebeenofferedinexchangefortheDuchyofOldenburg，"saidPrinceBolkonski。"HeshiftstheDukesaboutasI
mightmovemyserfsfromBaldHillstoBogucharovoormyRyazanestates。"
"TheDukeofOldenburgbearshismisfortuneswithadmirablestrengthofcharacterandresignation，"remarkedBoris，joininginrespectfully。
HesaidthisbecauseonhisjourneyfromPetersburghehadhadthehonorofbeingpresentedtotheDuke。PrinceBolkonskiglancedattheyoungmanasifabouttosaysomethinginreply，butchangedhismind，evidentlyconsideringhimtooyoung。
"IhavereadourprotestsabouttheOldenburgaffairandwassurprisedhowbadlytheNotewasworded，"remarkedCountRostopchininthecasualtoneofamandealingwithasubjectquitefamiliartohim。
PierrelookedatRostopchinwithnaiveastonishment，notunderstandingwhyheshouldbedisturbedbythebadcompositionoftheNote。
"Doesitmatter，Count，howtheNoteisworded，"heasked，"solongasitssubstanceisforcible？"
"Mydearfellow，withourfivehundredthousandtroopsitshouldbeeasytohaveagoodstyle，"returnedCountRostopchin。
Pierrenowunderstoodthecount’sdissatisfactionwiththewordingoftheNote。
"Onewouldhavethoughtquilldriversenoughhadsprungup，"
remarkedtheoldprince。"ThereinPetersburgtheyarealwayswriting—
notnotesonlybutevennewlaws。MyAndrewtherehaswrittenawholevolumeoflawsforRussia。Nowadaystheyarealwayswriting！"
andhelaughedunnaturally。
Therewasamomentarypauseintheconversation；theoldgeneralclearedhisthroattodrawattention。
"DidyouhearofthelasteventatthereviewinPetersburg？ThefigurecutbythenewFrenchambassador。"
"Eh？Yes，Iheardsomething：hesaidsomethingawkwardinHisMajesty’spresence。"
"HisMajestydrewattentiontotheGrenadierdivisionandtothemarchpast，"continuedthegeneral，"anditseemstheambassadortooknonoticeandallowedhimselftoreplythat：’WeinFrancepaynoattentiontosuchtrifles！’TheEmperordidnotcondescendtoreply。
Atthenextreview，theysay，theEmperordidnotoncedeigntoaddresshim。"
Allweresilent。OnthisfactrelatingtotheEmperorpersonally，itwasimpossibletopassanyjudgment。
"Impudentfellows！"saidtheprince。"YouknowMetivier？Iturnedhimoutofmyhousethismorning。Hewashere；theyadmittedhimspiteofmyrequestthattheyshouldletnoonein，"hewenton，glancingangrilyathisdaughter。
AndhenarratedhiswholeconversationwiththeFrenchdoctorandthereasonsthatconvincedhimthatMetivierwasaspy。Thoughthesereasonswereveryinsufficientandobscure，noonemadeanyrejoinder。
Aftertheroast，champagnewasserved。Theguestsrosetocongratulatetheoldprince。PrincessMary，too，wentroundtohim。
Hegaveheracold，angrylookandofferedherhiswrinkled，clean—shavencheektokiss。Thewholeexpressionofhisfacetoldherthathehadnotforgottenthemorning’stalk，thathisdecisionremainedinforce，andonlythepresenceofvisitorshinderedhisspeakingofittohernow。
Whentheywentintothedrawingroomwherecoffeewasserved，theoldmensattogether。
PrinceNicholasgrewmoreanimatedandexpressedhisviewsontheimpendingwar。
HesaidthatourwarswithBonapartewouldbedisastroussolongaswesoughtallianceswiththeGermansandthrustourselvesintoEuropeanaffairs，intowhichwehadbeendrawnbythePeaceofTilsit。
"WeoughtnottofighteitherfororagainstAustria。OurpoliticalinterestsareallintheEast，andinregardtoBonapartetheonlythingistohaveanarmedfrontierandafirmpolicy，andhewillneverdaretocrosstheRussianfrontier，aswasthecasein1807！"
"HowcanwefighttheFrench，Prince？"saidCountRostopchin。"Canwearmourselvesagainstourteachersanddivinities？Lookatouryouths，lookatourladies！TheFrenchareourGods：ParisisourKingdomofHeaven。"
Hebeganspeakinglouder，evidentlytobeheardbyeveryone。
"Frenchdresses，Frenchideas，Frenchfeelings！Therenow，youturnedMetivieroutbythescruffofhisneckbecauseheisaFrenchmanandascoundrel，butourladiescrawlafterhimontheirknees。Iwenttoapartylastnight，andthereoutoffiveladiesthreewereRomanCatholicsandhadthePope’sindulgencefordoingwoolworkonSundays。Andtheythemselvessittherenearlynaked，likethesignboardsatourPublicBathsifImaysayso。Ah，whenonelooksatouryoungpeople，Prince，onewouldliketotakePetertheGreat’soldcudgeloutofthemuseumandbelaborthemintheRussianwaytillallthenonsensejumpsoutofthem。"
Allweresilent。TheoldprincelookedatRostopchinwithasmileandwaggedhisheadapprovingly。
"Well，good—by，yourexcellency，keepwell！"saidRostopchin，gettingupwithcharacteristicbrisknessandholdingouthishandtotheprince。
"Good—by，mydearfellow……Hiswordsaremusic，Inevertireofhearinghim！"saidtheoldprince，keepingholdofthehandandofferinghischeektobekissed。
FollowingRostopchin’sexampletheothersalsorose。
BK8CH4
CHAPTERIV
PrincessMaryasshesatlisteningtotheoldmen’stalkandfaultfinding，understoodnothingofwhatsheheard；sheonlywonderedwhethertheguestshadallobservedherfather’shostileattitudetowardher。ShedidnotevennoticethespecialattentionsandamiabilitiesshownherduringdinnerbyBorisDrubetskoy，whowasvisitingthemforthethirdtimealready。
PrincessMaryturnedwithabsent—mindedquestioninglooktoPierre，whohatinhandandwithasmileonhisfacewasthelastofthegueststoapproachheraftertheoldprincehadgoneoutandtheywereleftaloneinthedrawingroom。
"MayIstayalittlelonger？"hesaid，lettinghisstoutbodysinkintoanarmchairbesideher。
"Ohyes，"sheanswered。"Younoticednothing？"herlookasked。
Pierrewasinanagreeableafter—dinnermood。Helookedstraightbeforehimandsmiledquietly。
"Haveyouknownthatyoungmanlong，Princess？"heasked。
"Who？"
"Drubetskoy。"
"No，notlong……"
"Doyoulikehim？"
"Yes，heisanagreeableyoungman……Whydoyouaskmethat？"saidPrincessMary，stillthinkingofthatmorning’sconversationwithherfather。
"BecauseIhavenoticedthatwhenayoungmancomesonleavefromPetersburgtoMoscowitisusuallywiththeobjectofmarryinganheiress。"
"Youhaveobservedthat？"saidPrincessMary。
"Yes，"returnedPierrewithasmile，"andthisyoungmannowmanagesmatterssothatwherethereisawealthyheiressthereheistoo。I
canreadhimlikeabook。Atpresentheishesitatingwhomtolaysiegeto—youorMademoiselleJulieKaragina。Heisveryattentivetoher。"
"Hevisitsthem？"
"Yes，veryoften。Anddoyouknowthenewwayofcourting？"saidPierrewithanamusedsmile，evidentlyinthatcheerfulmoodofgoodhumoredrailleryforwhichhesooftenreproachedhimselfinhisdiary。
"No，"repliedPrincessMary。
"TopleaseMoscowgirlsnowadaysonehastobemelancholy。HeisverymelancholywithMademoiselleKaragina，"saidPierre。
"Really？"askedPrincessMary，lookingintoPierre’skindlyfaceandstillthinkingofherownsorrow。"Itwouldbearelief，"thoughtshe，"ifIventuredtoconfidewhatIamfeelingtosomeone。IshouldliketotelleverythingtoPierre。Heiskindandgenerous。Itwouldbearelief。Hewouldgivemeadvice。"
"Wouldyoumarryhim？"
"Oh，myGod，Count，therearemomentswhenIwouldmarryanybody！"
shecriedsuddenlytoherownsurpriseandwithtearsinhervoice。
"Ah，howbitteritistolovesomeoneneartoyouandtofeelthat……"
shewentoninatremblingvoice，"thatyoucandonothingforhimbutgrievehim，andtoknowthatyoucannotalterthis。Thenthereisonlyonethingleft—togoaway，butwherecouldIgo？"
"Whatiswrong？Whatisit，Princess？"
Butwithoutfinishingwhatshewassaying，PrincessMaryburstintotears。
"Idon’tknowwhatisthematterwithmetoday。Don’ttakeanynotice—forgetwhatIhavesaid！"
Pierre’sgaietyvanishedcompletely。Heanxiouslyquestionedtheprincess，askedhertospeakoutfullyandconfidehergrieftohim；
butsheonlyrepeatedthatshebeggedhimtoforgetwhatshehadsaid，thatshedidnotrememberwhatshehadsaid，andthatshehadnotroubleexcepttheoneheknewof—thatPrinceAndrew’smarriagethreatenedtocausearupturebetweenfatherandson。
"HaveyouanynewsoftheRostovs？"sheasked，tochangethesubject。"Iwastoldtheyarecomingsoon。IamalsoexpectingAndrewanyday。Ishouldlikethemtomeethere。"
"Andhowdoeshenowregardthematter？"askedPierre，referringtotheoldprince。
PrincessMaryshookherhead。
"Whatistobedone？Inafewmonthstheyearwillbeup。Thethingisimpossible。IonlywishIcouldsparemybrotherthefirstmoments。Iwishtheywouldcomesooner。Ihopetobefriendswithher。
Youhaveknownthemalongtime，"saidPrincessMary。"Tellmehonestlythewholetruth：whatsortofgirlisshe，andwhatdoyouthinkofher？—Therealtruth，becauseyouknowAndrewisriskingsomuchdoingthisagainsthisfather’swillthatIshouldliketoknow……"
AnundefinedinstincttoldPierrethattheseexplanations，andrepeatedrequeststobetoldthewholetruth，expressedill—willontheprincess’parttowardherfuturesister—in—lawandawishthatheshoulddisapproveofAndrew’schoice；butinreplyhesaidwhathefeltratherthanwhathethought。
"Idon’tknowhowtoansweryourquestion，"hesaid，blushingwithoutknowingwhy。"Ireallydon’tknowwhatsortofgirlsheis；
Ican’tanalyzeheratall。Sheisenchanting，butwhatmakeshersoI
don’tknow。Thatisallonecansayabouther。"
PrincessMarysighed，andtheexpressiononherfacesaid："Yes，that’swhatIexpectedandfeared。"
"Issheclever？"sheasked。
Pierreconsidered。
"Ithinknot，"hesaid，"andyet—yes。Shedoesnotdeigntobeclever……Ohno，sheissimplyenchanting，andthatisall。"
PrincessMaryagainshookherheaddisapprovingly。
"Ah，Isolongtolikeher！TellhersoifyouseeherbeforeIdo。"
"Iheartheyareexpectedverysoon，"saidPierre。
PrincessMarytoldPierreofherplantobecomeintimatewithherfuturesister—in—lawassoonastheRostovsarrivedandtotrytoaccustomtheoldprincetoher。
BK8CH5
CHAPTERV
BorishadnotsucceededinmakingawealthymatchinPetersburg，sowiththesameobjectinviewhecametoMoscow。Therehewaveredbetweenthetworichestheiresses，JulieandPrincessMary。ThoughPrincessMarydespiteherplainnessseemedtohimmoreattractivethanJulie，he，withoutknowingwhy，feltawkwardaboutpayingcourttoher。Whentheyhadlastmetontheoldprince’snameday，shehadansweredatrandomallhisattemptstotalksentimentally，evidentlynotlisteningtowhathewassaying。
Julieonthecontraryacceptedhisattentionsreadily，thoughinamannerpeculiartoherself。
Shewastwenty—seven。Afterthedeathofherbrothersshehadbecomeverywealthy。Shewasbynowdecidedlyplain，butthoughtherselfnotmerelyasgood—lookingasbeforebutevenfarmoreattractive。Shewasconfirmedinthisdelusionbythefactthatshehadbecomeaverywealthyheiressandalsobythefactthattheoldershegrewthelessdangerousshebecametomen，andthemorefreelytheycouldassociatewithherandavailthemselvesofhersuppers，soirees，andtheanimatedcompanythatassembledatherhouse，withoutincurringanyobligation。Amanwhowouldhavebeenafraidtenyearsbeforeofgoingeverydaytothehousewhentherewasagirlofseventeenthere，forfearofcompromisingherandcommittinghimself，wouldnowgoboldlyeverydayandtreathernotasamarriageablegirlbutasasexlessacquaintance。
ThatwintertheKaragins’housewasthemostagreeableandhospitableinMoscow。Inadditiontotheformaleveninganddinnerparties，alargecompany，chieflyofmen，gatheredthereeveryday，suppingatmidnightandstayingtillthreeinthemorning。Julienevermissedaball，apromenade，oraplay。Herdresseswerealwaysofthelatestfashion。Butinspiteofthatsheseemedtobedisillusionedabouteverythingandtoldeveryonethatshedidnotbelieveeitherinfriendshiporinlove，oranyofthejoysoflife，andexpectedpeaceonly"yonder。"Sheadoptedthetoneofonewhohassufferedagreatdisappointment，likeagirlwhohaseitherlostthemanshelovedorbeencruellydeceivedbyhim。Thoughnothingofthekindhadhappenedtohershewasregardedinthatlight，andhadevenherselfcometobelievethatshehadsufferedmuchinlife。
Thismelancholy，whichdidnotpreventheramusingherself，didnothindertheyoungpeoplewhocametoherhousefrompassingthetimepleasantly。Everyvisitorwhocametothehousepaidhistributetothemelancholymoodofthehostess，andthenamusedhimselfwithsocietygossip，dancing，intellectualgames，andboutsrimes，whichwereinvogueattheKaragins’。Onlyafewoftheseyoungmen，amongthemBoris，enteredmoredeeplyintoJulie’smelancholy，andwiththeseshehadprolongedconversationsinprivateonthevanityofallworldlythings，andtothemsheshowedheralbumsfilledwithmournfulsketches，maxims，andverses。
ToBoris，Juliewasparticularlygracious：sheregrettedhisearlydisillusionmentwithlife，offeredhimsuchconsolationoffriendshipasshewhohadherselfsufferedsomuchcouldrender，andshowedhimheralbum。Borissketchedtwotreesinthealbumandwrote：
"Rustictrees，yourdarkbranchesshedgloomandmelancholyuponme。"
Onanotherpagehedrewatomb，andwrote：
Lamortestsecourableetlamortesttranquille。
Ah！contrelesdouleursiln’yapasd’autreasile。*
*Deathgivesreliefanddeathispeaceful。
Ah！fromsufferingthereisnootherrefuge。
Juliasaidthiswascharming"Thereissomethingsoenchantinginthesmileofmelancholy，"shesaidtoBoris，repeatingwordforwordapassageshehadcopiedfromabook。"Itisarayoflightinthedarkness，ashadebetweensadnessanddespair，showingthepossibilityofconsolation。"
InreplyBoriswrotetheselines：
Alimentdepoisond’uneametropsensible，Toi，sansquilebonheurmeseraitimpossible，Tendremelancholie，ah，viensmeconsoler，Vienscalmerlestourmentsdemasombreretraite，EtmeleunedouceursecreteAcespleursquejesenscouler。*
*Poisonousnourishmentofatoosensitivesoul，Thou，withoutwhomhappinesswouldformebeimpossible，Tendermelancholy，ah，cometoconsoleme，Cometocalmthetormentsofmygloomyretreat，AndmingleasecretsweetnessWiththesetearsthatIfeeltobeflowing。
ForBoris，Julieplayedmostdolefulnocturnesonherharp。BorisreadPoorLizaaloudtoher，andmorethanonceinterruptedthereadingbecauseoftheemotionsthatchokedhim。MeetingatlargegatheringsJulieandBorislookedononeanotherastheonlysoulswhounderstoodoneanotherinaworldofindifferentpeople。
AnnaMikhaylovna，whooftenvisitedtheKaragins，whileplayingcardswiththemothermadecarefulinquiriesastoJulie’sdowryshewastohavetwoestatesinPenzaandtheNizhegorodforests。
AnnaMikhaylovnaregardedtherefinedsadnessthatunitedhersontothewealthyJuliewithemotion，andresignationtotheDivinewill。
"Youarealwayscharmingandmelancholy，mydearJulie，"shesaidtothedaughter。"Borissayshissoulfindsreposeatyourhouse。Hehassufferedsomanydisappointmentsandissosensitive，"saidshetothemother。"Ah，mydear，Ican’ttellyouhowfondIhavegrownofJulielatterly，"shesaidtoherson。"Butwhocouldhelplovingher？Sheisanangelicbeing！Ah，Boris，Boris！"—shepaused。"AndhowIpityhermother，"shewenton；"todaysheshowedmeheraccountsandlettersfromPenzatheyhaveenormousestatesthere，andshe，poorthing，hasnoonetohelpher，andtheydocheatherso！"
Borissmiledalmostimperceptiblywhilelisteningtohismother。
Helaughedblandlyathernaivediplomacybutlistenedtowhatshehadtosay，andsometimesquestionedhercarefullyaboutthePenzaandNizhegorodestates。
Juliehadlongbeenexpectingaproposalfromhermelancholyadorerandwasreadytoacceptit；butsomesecretfeelingofrepulsionforher，forherpassionatedesiretogetmarried，forherartificiality，andafeelingofhorroratrenouncingthepossibilityofreallovestillrestrainedBoris。Hisleavewasexpiring。HespenteverydayandwholedaysattheKaragins’，andeverydayonthinkingthematterovertoldhimselfthathewouldproposetomorrow。ButinJulie’spresence，lookingatherredfaceandchinnearlyalwayspowdered，hermoisteyes，andherexpressionofcontinualreadinesstopassatoncefrommelancholytoanunnaturalraptureofmarriedbliss，Boriscouldnotutterthedecisivewords，thoughinimaginationhehadlongregardedhimselfasthepossessorofthosePenzaandNizhegorodestatesandhadapportionedtheuseoftheincomefromthem。JuliesawBoris’indecision，andsometimesthethoughtoccurredtoherthatshewasrepulsivetohim，butherfeminineself—deceptionimmediatelysuppliedherwithconsolation，andshetoldherselfthathewasonlyshyfromlove。Hermelancholy，however，begantoturntoirritability，andnotlongbeforeBoris’
departuresheformedadefiniteplanofaction。JustasBoris’leaveofabsencewasexpiring，AnatoleKuraginmadehisappearanceinMoscow，andofcourseintheKaragins’drawingroom，andJulie，suddenlyabandoninghermelancholy，becamecheerfulandveryattentivetoKuragin。
"Mydear，"saidAnnaMikhaylovnatoherson，"IknowfromareliablesourcethatPrinceVasilihassenthissontoMoscowtogethimmarriedtoJulie。IamsofondofJuliethatIshouldbesorryforher。Whatdoyouthinkofit，mydear？"
TheideaofbeingmadeafoolofandofhavingthrownawaythatwholemonthofarduousmelancholyservicetoJulie，andofseeingalltherevenuefromthePenzaestateswhichhehadalreadymentallyapportionedandputtoproperusefallintothehandsofanother，andespeciallyintothehandsofthatidiotAnatole，painedBoris。
HedrovetotheKaragins’withthefirmintentionofproposing。
Juliemethiminagay，carelessmanner，spokecasuallyofhowshehadenjoyedyesterday’sball，andaskedwhenhewasleaving。ThoughBorishadcomeintentionallytospeakofhisloveandthereforemeanttobetender，hebeganspeakingirritablyoffeminineinconstancy，ofhoweasilywomencanturnfromsadnesstojoy，andhowtheirmoodsdependsolelyonwhohappenstobepayingcourttothem。
Juliewasoffendedandrepliedthatitwastruethatawomanneedsvariety，andthesamethingoverandoveragainwouldwearyanyone。
"ThenIshouldadviseyou……"Borisbegan，wishingtostingher；butatthatinstantthegallingthoughtoccurredtohimthathemighthavetoleaveMoscowwithouthavingaccomplishedhisaim，andhavevainlywastedhisefforts—whichwasathingheneverallowedtohappen。
Hecheckedhimselfinthemiddleofthesentence，loweredhiseyestoavoidseeingherunpleasantlyirritatedandirresoluteface，andsaid：
"Ididnotcomehereatalltoquarrelwithyou。Onthecontrary……"
Heglancedathertomakesurethathemightgoon。Herirritabilityhadsuddenlyquitevanished，andheranxious，imploringeyeswerefixedonhimwithgreedyexpectation。"Icanalwaysarrangesoasnottoseeheroften，"thoughtBoris。"Theaffairhasbeenbegunandmustbefinished！"Heblushedhotly，raisedhiseyestohers，andsaid：
"Youknowmyfeelingsforyou！"
Therewasnoneedtosaymore：Julie’sfaceshonewithtriumphandself—satisfaction；butsheforcedBoristosayallthatissaidonsuchoccasions—thathelovedherandhadneverlovedanyotherwomanmorethanher。SheknewthatforthePenzaestatesandNizhegorodforestsshecoulddemandthis，andshereceivedwhatshedemanded。
Theaffiancedcouple，nolongeralludingtotreesthatshedgloomandmelancholyuponthem，plannedthearrangementsofasplendidhouseinPetersburg，paidcalls，andpreparedeverythingforabrilliantwedding。
BK8CH6
CHAPTERVI
AttheendofJanuaryoldCountRostovwenttoMoscowwithNatashaandSonya。Thecountesswasstillunwellandunabletotravelbutitwasimpossibletowaitforherrecovery。PrinceAndrewwasexpectedinMoscowanyday，thetrousseauhadtobeorderedandtheestatenearMoscowhadtobesold，besideswhichtheopportunityofpresentinghisfuturedaughter—in—lawtooldPrinceBolkonskiwhilehewasinMoscowcouldnotbemissed。TheRostovs’Moscowhousehadnotbeenheatedthatwinterand，astheyhadcomeonlyforashorttimeandthecountesswasnotwiththem，thecountdecidedtostaywithMaryaDmitrievnaAkhrosimova，whohadlongbeenpressingherhospitalityonthem。
LateoneeveningtheRostovs’foursleighsdroveintoMaryaDmitrievna’scourtyardintheoldKonyushenystreet。MaryaDmitrievnalivedalone。Shehadalreadymarriedoffherdaughter，andhersonswereallintheservice。
Sheheldherselfaserect，toldeveryoneheropinionascandidly，loudly，andbluntlyasever，andherwholebearingseemedareproachtoothersforanyweakness，passion，ortemptation—thepossibilityofwhichshedidnotadmit。Fromearlyinthemorning，wearingadressingjacket，sheattendedtoherhouseholdaffairs，andthenshedroveout：
onholydaystochurchandaftertheservicetojailsandprisonsonaffairsofwhichsheneverspoketoanyone。Onordinarydays，afterdressing，shereceivedpetitionersofvariousclasses，ofwhomtherewerealwayssome。Thenshehaddinner，asubstantialandappetizingmealatwhichtherewerealwaysthreeorfourguests；afterdinnersheplayedagameofboston，andatnightshehadthenewspapersoranewbookreadtoherwhilesheknitted。Sherarelymadeanexceptionandwentouttopayvisits，andthenonlytothemostimportantpersonsinthetown。
ShehadnotyetgonetobedwhentheRostovsarrivedandthepulleyofthehalldoorsqueakedfromthecoldasitletintheRostovsandtheirservants。MaryaDmitrievna，withherspectacleshangingdownonhernoseandherheadflungback，stoodinthehalldoorwaylookingwithastern，grimfaceatthenewarrivals。Onemighthavethoughtshewasangrywiththetravelersandwouldimmediatelyturnthemout，hadshenotatthesametimebeengivingcarefulinstructionstotheservantsfortheaccommodationofthevisitorsandtheirbelongings。
"Thecount’sthings？Bringthemhere，"shesaid，pointingtotheportmanteausandnotgreetinganyone。"Theyoungladies’？Theretotheleft。Nowwhatareyoudawdlingfor？"shecriedtothemaids。"Getthesamovarready！……You’vegrownplumperandprettier，"sheremarked，drawingNatashawhosecheekswereglowingfromthecoldtoherbythehood。"Foo！Youarecold！Nowtakeoffyourthings，quick！"sheshoutedtothecountwhowasgoingtokissherhand。"You’rehalffrozen，I’msure！Bringsomerumfortea！……Bonjour，Sonyadear！"sheadded，turningtoSonyaandindicatingbythisFrenchgreetingherslightlycontemptuousthoughaffectionateattitudetowardher。
Whentheycameintotea，havingtakenofftheiroutdoorthingsandtidiedthemselvesupaftertheirjourney，MaryaDmitrievnakissedthemallindueorder。
"I’mheartilygladyouhavecomeandarestayingwithme。Itwashightime，"shesaid，givingNatashaasignificantlook。"Theoldmanishereandhisson’sexpectedanyday。You’llhavetomakehisaquaintance。Butwe’llspeakofthatlateron，"sheadded，glancingatSonyawithalookthatshowedshedidnotwanttospeakofitinherpresence。"Nowlisten，"shesaidtothecount。"Whatdoyouwanttomorrow？Whomwillyousendfor？Shinshin？"shecrookedoneofherfingers。"ThesnivelingAnnaMikhaylovna？That’stwo。She’sherewithherson。Thesonisgettingmarried！ThenBezukhov，eh？Heisheretoo，withhiswife。Heranawayfromherandshecamegallopingafterhim。HedinedwithmeonWednesday。Asforthem"—andshepointedtothegirls—"tomorrowI’lltakethemfirsttotheIberianshrineoftheMotherofGod，andthenwe’lldrivetotheSuper—Rogue’s。Isupposeyou’llhaveeverythingnew。Don’tjudgebyme：sleevesnowadaysarethissize！TheotherdayyoungPrincessIrinaVasilevnacametoseeme；shewasanawfulsight—lookedasifshehadputtwobarrelsonherarms。Youknownotadaypassesnowwithoutsomenewfashion……Andwhathaveyoutodoyourself？"sheaskedthecountsternly。