"Natasha，Idon’tunderstandyou。Andwhatareyousaying！ThinkofyourfatherandofNicholas。"
"Idon’twantanyone，Idon’tloveanyonebuthim。Howdareyousayheisdishonorable？Don’tyouknowthatIlovehim？"screamedNatasha。"Goaway，Sonya！Idon’twanttoquarrelwithyou，butgo，forGod’ssakego！YouseehowIamsuffering！"Natashacriedangrily，inavoiceofdespairandrepressedirritation。Sonyaburstintosobsandranfromtheroom。
Natashawenttothetableandwithoutamoment’sreflectionwrotethatanswertoPrincessMarywhichshehadbeenunabletowriteallthemorning。Inthislettershesaidbrieflythatalltheirmisunderstandingswereatanend；thatavailingherselfofthemagnanimityofPrinceAndrewwhowhenhewentabroadhadgivenherhershebeggedPrincessMarytoforgeteverythingandforgiveherifshehadbeentoblametowardher，butthatshecouldnotbehiswife。Atthatmomentthisallseemedquiteeasy，simple，andcleartoNatasha。
OnFridaytheRostovsweretoreturntothecountry，butonWednesdaythecountwentwiththeprospectivepurchasertohisestatenearMoscow。
Onthedaythecountleft，SonyaandNatashawereinvitedtoabigdinnerpartyattheKaragins’，andMaryaDmitrievnatookthemthere。
AtthatpartyNatashaagainmetAnatole，andSonyanoticedthatshespoketohim，tryingnottobeoverheard，andthatallthroughdinnershewasmoreagitatedthanever。WhentheygothomeNatashawasthefirsttobegintheexplanationSonyaexpected。
"There，Sonya，youweretalkingallsortsofnonsenseabouthim，"
Natashabeganinamildvoicesuchaschildrenusewhentheywishtobepraised。"Wehavehadanexplanationtoday。"
"Well，whathappened？Whatdidhesay？Natasha，howgladIamyou’renotangrywithme！Tellmeeverything—thewholetruth。Whatdidhesay？"
Natashabecamethoughtful。
"Oh，Sonya，ifyouknewhimasIdo！Hesaid……HeaskedmewhatI
hadpromisedBolkonski。HewasgladIwasfreetorefusehim。"
Sonyasighedsorrowfully。
"Butyouhaven’trefusedBolkonski？"saidshe。
"PerhapsIhave。PerhapsallisoverbetweenmeandBolkonski。Whydoyouthinksobadlyofme？"
"Idon’tthinkanything，onlyIdon’tunderstandthis……"
"Waitabit，Sonya，you’llunderstandeverything。You’llseewhatamanheis！Nowdon’tthinkbadlyofmeorofhim。Idon’tthinkbadlyofanyone：Iloveandpityeverybody。ButwhatamItodo？"
SonyadidnotsuccumbtothetendertoneNatashausedtowardher。
ThemoreemotionalandingratiatingtheexpressionofNatasha’sfacebecame，themoreseriousandsterngrewSonya’s。
"Natasha，"saidshe，"youaskedmenottospeaktoyou，andI
haven’tspoken，butnowyouyourselfhavebegun。Idon’ttrusthim，Natasha。Whythissecrecy？"
"Again，again！"interruptedNatasha。
"Natasha，Iamafraidforyou！"
"Afraidofwhat？"
"Iamafraidyou’regoingtoyourruin，"saidSonyaresolutely，andwasherselfhorrifiedatwhatshehadsaid。
AngeragainshowedinNatasha’sface。
"AndI’llgotomyruin，Iwill，assoonaspossible！It’snotyourbusiness！Itwon’tbeyou，butI，who’llsuffer。Leavemealone，leavemealone！Ihateyou！"
Natasha！"moanedSonya，aghast。
"Ihateyou，Ihateyou！You’remyenemyforever！"AndNatasharanoutoftheroom。
NatashadidnotspeaktoSonyaagainandavoidedher。Withthesameexpressionofagitatedsurpriseandguiltshewentaboutthehouse，takingupnowoneoccupation，nowanother，andatonceabandoningthem。
HardasitwasforSonya，shewatchedherfriendanddidnotletheroutofhersight。
Thedaybeforethecountwastoreturn，SonyanoticedthatNatashasatbythedrawingroomwindowallthemorningasifexpectingsomethingandthatshemadeasigntoanofficerwhodrovepast，whomSonyatooktobeAnatole。
SonyabeganwatchingherfriendstillmoreattentivelyandnoticedthatatdinnerandallthateveningNatashawasinastrangeandunnaturalstate。Sheansweredquestionsatrandom，begansentencesshedidnotfinish，andlaughedateverything。
AfterteaSonyanoticedahousemaidatNatasha’sdoortimidlywaitingtoletherpass。Sheletthegirlgoin，andthenlisteningatthedoorlearnedthatanotherletterhadbeendelivered。
ThensuddenlyitbecamecleartoSonyathatNatashahadsomedreadfulplanforthatevening。Sonyaknockedatherdoor。Natashadidnotletherin。
"Shewillrunawaywithhim！"thoughtSonya。"Sheiscapableofanything。Therewassomethingparticularlypatheticandresoluteinherfacetoday。Shecriedasshesaidgood—bytoUncle，"Sonyaremembered。"Yes，that’sit，shemeanstoelopewithhim，butwhatamItodo？"thoughtshe，recallingallthesignsthatclearlyindicatedthatNatashahadsometerribleintention。"Thecountisaway。WhatamItodo？WritetoKuragindemandinganexplanation？
Butwhatistheretoobligehimtoreply？WritetoPierre，asPrinceAndrewaskedmetoincaseofsomemisfortune？……ButperhapsshereallyhasalreadyrefusedBolkonski—shesentalettertoPrincessMaryyesterday。AndUncleisaway……"TotellMaryaDmitrievnawhohadsuchfaithinNatashaseemedtoSonyaterrible。"Well，anyway，"
thoughtSonyaasshestoodinthedarkpassage，"noworneverImustprovethatIrememberthefamily’sgoodnesstomeandthatIloveNicholas。Yes！IfIdon’tsleepforthreenightsI’llnotleavethispassageandwillholdherbackbyforceandwillandnotletthefamilybedisgraced，"thoughtshe。
BK8CH16
CHAPTERXVI
AnatolehadlatelymovedtoDolokhov’s。TheplanforNatalieRostova’sabductionhadbeenarrangedandthepreparationsmadebyDolokhovafewdaysbefore，andonthedaythatSonya，afterlisteningatNatasha’sdoor，resolvedtosafeguardher，itwastohavebeenputintoexecution。NatashahadpromisedtocomeouttoKuraginatthebackporchattenthatevening。KuraginwastoputherintoatroykahewouldhavereadyandtodriveherfortymilestothevillageofKamenka，whereanunfrockedpriestwasinreadinesstoperformamarriageceremonyoverthem。AtKamenkaarelayofhorseswastowaitwhichwouldtakethemtotheWarsawhighroad，andfromtheretheywouldhastenabroadwithposthorses。
Anatolehadapassport，anorderforposthorses，tenthousandrubleshehadtakenfromhissisterandanothertenthousandborrowedwithDolokhov’shelp。
Twowitnessesforthemockmarriage—Khvostikov，aretiredpettyofficialwhomDolokhovmadeuseofinhisgamblingtransactions，andMakarin，aretiredhussar，akindly，weakfellowwhohadanunboundedaffectionforKuragin—weresittingatteainDolokhov’sfrontroom。
Inhislargestudy，thewallsofwhichwerehungtotheceilingwithPersianrugs，bearskins，andweapons，satDolokhovinatravelingcloakandhighboots，atanopendeskonwhichlayabacusandsomebundlesofpapermoney。Anatole，withuniformunbuttoned，walkedtoandfrofromtheroomwherethewitnessesweresitting，throughthestudytotheroombehind，wherehisFrenchvaletandotherswerepackingthelastofhisthings。Dolokhovwascountingthemoneyandnotingsomethingdown。
"Well，"hesaid，"Khvostikovmusthavetwothousand。"
"Giveittohim，then，"saidAnatole。
"Makarka"theirnameforMakarin"willgothroughfireandwaterforyoufornothing。Sohereareouraccountsallsettled，"saidDolokhov，showinghimthememorandum。"Isthatright？"
"Yes，ofcourse，"returnedAnatole，evidentlynotlisteningtoDolokhovandlookingstraightbeforehimwithasmilethatdidnotleavehisface。
DolokhovbangeddowntheorofhisandturnedtoAnatolewithanironicsmile：
"Doyouknow？You’dreallybetterdropitall。There’sstilltime！"
"Fool，"retortedAnatole。"Don’ttalknonsense！Ifyouonlyknew……it’sthedevilknowswhat！"
"No，really，giveitup！"saidDolokhov。"Iamspeakingseriously。
It’snojoke，thisplotyou’vehatched。"
"What，teasingagain？Gotothedevil！Eh？"saidAnatole，makingagrimace。"Reallyit’snotimeforyourstupidjokes，"andhelefttheroom。
DolokhovsmiledcontemptuouslyandcondescendinglywhenAnatolehadgoneout。
"Youwaitabit，"hecalledafterhim。"I’mnotjoking，I’mtalkingsense。Comehere，comehere！"
AnatolereturnedandlookedatDolokhov，tryingtogivehimhisattentionandevidentlysubmittingtohiminvoluntarily。
"Nowlistentome。I’mtellingyouthisforthelasttime。WhyshouldIjokeaboutit？DidIhinderyou？Whoarrangedeverythingforyou？Whofoundthepriestandgotthepassport？Whoraisedthemoney？Ididitall。"
"Well，thankyouforit。DoyouthinkIamnotgrateful？"AndAnatolesighedandembracedDolokhov。
"Ihelpedyou，butallthesameImusttellyouthetruth；itisadangerousbusiness，andifyouthinkaboutit—astupidbusiness。
Well，you’llcarryheroff—allright！Willtheyletitstopatthat？Itwillcomeoutthatyou’realreadymarried。Why，they’llhaveyouinthecriminalcourt……"
"Oh，nonsense，nonsense！"Anatoleejaculatedandagainmadeagrimace。"Didn’tIexplaintoyou？What？"AndAnatole，withthepartialitydull—wittedpeoplehaveforanyconclusiontheyhavereachedbytheirownreasoning，repeatedtheargumenthehadalreadyputtoDolokhovahundredtimes。"Didn’tIexplaintoyouthatI
havecometothisconclusion：ifthismarriageisinvalid，"hewenton，crookingonefinger，"thenIhavenothingtoanswerfor；butifitisvalid，nomatter！Abroadnoonewillknowanythingaboutit。
Isn’tthatso？Anddon’ttalktome，don’t，don’t。"
"Seriously，you’dbetterdropit！You’llonlygetyourselfintoamess！"
"Gotothedevil！"criedAnatoleand，clutchinghishair，lefttheroom，butreturnedatonceanddroppedintoanarmchairinfrontofDolokhovwithhisfeetturnedunderhim。"It’stheverydevil！What？
Feelhowitbeats！"HetookDolokhov’shandandputitonhisheart。
"Whatafoot，mydearfellow！Whataglance！Agoddess！"headdedinFrench。"What？"
Dolokhovwithacoldsmileandagleaminhishandsomeinsolenteyeslookedathim—evidentlywishingtogetsomemoreamusementoutofhim。
"Wellandwhenthemoney’sgone，whatthen？"
"Whatthen？Eh？"repeatedAnatole，sincerelyperplexedbyathoughtofthefuture。"Whatthen？……Then，Idon’tknow……Butwhytalknonsense！"Heglancedathiswatch。"It’stime！"
Anatolewentintothebackroom。
"Nowthen！Nearlyready？You’redawdling！"heshoutedtotheservants。
Dolokhovputawaythemoney，calledafootmanwhomheorderedtobringsomethingforthemtoeatanddrinkbeforethejourney，andwentintotheroomwhereKhvostikovandMakarinweresitting。
Anatolelayonthesofainthestudyleaningonhiselbowandsmilingpensively，whilehishandsomelipsmutteredtenderlytohimself。
"Comeandeatsomething。Haveadrink！"Dolokhovshoutedtohimfromtheotherroom。
"Idon’twantto，"answeredAnatolecontinuingtosmile。
"Come！Balagaishere。"
Anatoleroseandwentintothediningroom。BalagawasafamoustroykadriverwhohadknownDolokhovandAnatolesomesixyearsandhadgiventhemgoodservicewithhistroykas。MorethanoncewhenAnatole’sregimentwasstationedatTverhehadtakenhimfromTverintheevening，broughthimtoMoscowbydaybreak，anddrivenhimbackagainthenextnight。MorethanoncehehadenabledDolokhovtoescapewhenpursued。Morethanoncehehaddriventhemthroughthetownwithgypsiesand"ladykins"ashecalledthecocottes。MorethanonceintheirservicehehadrunoverpedestriansandupsetvehiclesinthestreetsofMoscowandhadalwaysbeenprotectedfromtheconsequencesby"mygentlemen"ashecalledthem。Hehadruinedmorethanonehorseintheirservice。Morethanoncetheyhadbeatenhim，andmorethanoncetheyhadmadehimdrunkonchampagneandMadeira，whichheloved；andheknewmorethanonethingabouteachofthemwhichwouldlongagohavesentanordinarymantoSiberia。TheyoftencalledBalagaintotheirorgiesandmadehimdrinkanddanceatthegypsies’，andmorethanonethousandrublesoftheirmoneyhadpassedthroughhishands。Intheirserviceheriskedhisskinandhislifetwentytimesayear，andintheirservicehadlostmorehorsesthanthemoneyhehadfromthemwouldbuy。Buthelikedthem；
likedthatmaddrivingattwelvemilesanhour，likedupsettingadriverorrunningdownapedestrian，andflyingatfullgallopthroughtheMoscowstreets。Helikedtohearthosewild，tipsyshoutsbehindhim："Geton！Geton！"whenitwasimpossibletogoanyfaster。Helikedgivingapainfullashonthenecktosomepeasantwho，moredeadthanalive，wasalreadyhurryingoutofhisway。"Realgentlemen！"
heconsideredthem。
AnatoleandDolokhovlikedBalagatooforhismasterlydrivingandbecausehelikedthethingstheyliked。WithothersBalagabargained，chargingtwenty—fiverublesforatwohours’drive，andrarelydrovehimself，generallylettinghisyoungmendoso。Butwith"hisgentlemen"healwaysdrovehimselfandneverdemandedanythingforhiswork。Onlyacoupleoftimesayear—whenheknewfromtheirvaletsthattheyhadmoneyinhand—hewouldturnupofamorningquitesoberandwithadeepbowwouldaskthemtohelphim。
Thegentlemenalwaysmadehimsitdown。
"Dohelpmeout，TheodoreIvanych，sir，"or"yourexcellency，"hewouldsay。"Iamquiteoutofhorses。Letmehavewhatyoucantogotothefair。"
AndAnatoleandDolokhov，whentheyhadmoney，wouldgivehimathousandoracoupleofthousandrubles。
Balagawasafair—haired，short，andsnub—nosedpeasantofabouttwenty—seven；red—faced，withaparticularlyredthickneck，glitteringlittleeyes，andasmallbeard。Heworeafine，dark—blue，silk—linedclothcoatoverasheepskin。
Onenteringtheroomnowhecrossedhimself，turningtowardthefrontcorneroftheroom，andwentuptoDolokhov，holdingoutasmall，blackhand。
"TheodoreIvanych！"hesaid，bowing。
"Howd’youdo，friend？Well，hereheis！"
"Goodday，yourexcellency！"hesaid，againholdingouthishandtoAnatolewhohadjustcomein。
"Isay，Balaga，"saidAnatole，puttinghishandsontheman’sshoulders，"doyoucareformeornot？Eh？Now，domeaservice……
Whathorseshaveyoucomewith？Eh？"
"Asyourmessengerordered，yourspecialbeasts，"repliedBalaga。
"Well，listen，Balaga！Driveallthreetodeathbutgetmethereinthreehours。Eh？"
"Whentheyaredead，whatshallIdrive？"saidBalagawithawink。
"Mind，I’llsmashyourfacein！Don’tmakejokes！"criedAnatole，suddenlyrollinghiseyes。
"Whyjoke？"saidthedriver，laughing。"AsifI’dgrudgemygentlemenanything！Asfastaseverthehorsescangallop，sofastwe’llgo！"
"Ah！"saidAnatole。"Well，sitdown。"
"Yes，sitdown！"saidDolokhov。
"I’llstand，TheodoreIvanych。"
"Sitdown；nonsense！Haveadrink！"saidAnatole，andfilledalargeglassofMadeiraforhim。
Thedriver’seyessparkledatthesightofthewine。Afterrefusingitformanners’sake，hedrankitandwipedhismouthwitharedsilkhandkerchiefhetookoutofhiscap。
"Andwhenarewetostart，yourexcellency？"
"Well……"Anatolelookedathiswatch。"We’llstartatonce。Mind，Balaga！You’llgetthereintime？Eh？"
"Thatdependsonourluckinstarting，elsewhyshouldn’twebethereintime？"repliedBalaga。"Didn’twegetyoutoTverinsevenhours？Ithinkyourememberthat，yourexcellency？"
"Doyouknow，oneChristmasIdrovefromTver，"saidAnatole，smilinglyattherecollectionandturningtoMakarinwhogazedrapturouslyathimwithwide—openeyes。"Willyoubelieveit，Makarka，ittookone’sbreathaway，therateweflew。Wecameacrossatrainofloadedsleighsanddroverightovertwoofthem。Eh？"
"Thosewerehorses！"Balagacontinuedthetale。"ThattimeI’dharnessedtwoyoungsidehorseswiththebayintheshafts，"hewenton，turningtoDolokhov。"Willyoubelieveit，TheodoreIvanych，thoseanimalsflewfortymiles？Icouldn’tholdthemin，myhandsgrewnumbinthesharpfrostsothatIthrewdownthereins—’Catchholdyourself，yourexcellency！’saysI，andIjusttumbledonthebottomofthesleighandsprawledthere。Itwasn’tacaseofurgingthemon，therewasnoholdingthemintillwereachedtheplace。Thedevilstookusthereinthreehours！Onlythenearonediedofit。"
BK8CH17
CHAPTERXVII
Anatolewentoutoftheroomandreturnedafewminuteslaterwearingafurcoatgirtwithasilverbelt，andasablecapjauntilysetononesideandverybecomingtohishandsomeface。Havinglookedinamirror，andstandingbeforeDolokhovinthesameposehehadassumedbeforeit，heliftedaglassofwine。
"Well，good—by，Theodore。Thankyouforeverythingandfarewell！"
saidAnatole。"Well，comradesandfriends……"heconsideredforamoment"……ofmyyouth，farewell！"hesaid，turningtoMakarinandtheothers。
Thoughtheywereallgoingwithhim，Anatoleevidentlywishedtomakesomethingtouchingandsolemnoutofthisaddresstohiscomrades。Hespokeslowlyinaloudvoiceandthrowingouthischestslightlyswayedoneleg。
"Alltakeglasses；youtoo，Balaga。Well，comradesandfriendsofmyyouth，we’vehadourflingandlivedandreveled。Eh？Andnow，whenshallwemeetagain？Iamgoingabroad。Wehavehadagoodtime—nowfarewell，lads！Toourhealth！Hurrah！……"hecried，andemptyinghisglassflungitonthefloor。
"Toyourhealth！"saidBalagawhoalsoemptiedhisglass，andwipedhismouthwithhishandkerchief。
MakarinembracedAnatolewithtearsinhiseyes。
"Ah，Prince，howsorryIamtopartfromyou！
"Let’sgo。Let’sgo！"criedAnatole。
Balagawasabouttoleavetheroom。
"No，stop！"saidAnatole。"Shutthedoor；wehavefirsttositdown。
That’stheway。"
Theyshutthedoorandallsatdown。
"Now，quickmarch，lads！"saidAnatole，rising。
Joseph，hisvalet，handedhimhissabretacheandsaber，andtheyallwentoutintothevestibule。
"Andwhere’sthefurcloak？"askedDolokhov。"Hey，Ignatka！GotoMatrenaMatrevnaandaskherforthesablecloak。Ihaveheardwhatelopementsarelike，"continuedDolokhovwithawink。"Why，she’llrushoutmoredeadthanalivejustinthethingssheiswearing；ifyoudelayatallthere’llbetearsand’Papa’and’Mamma，’andshe’sfrozeninaminuteandmustgoback—butyouwrapthefurcloakroundherfirstthingandcarryhertothesleigh。"
Thevaletbroughtawoman’sfox—linedcloak。
"Fool，Itoldyouthesableone！Hey，Matrena，thesable！"heshoutedsothathisvoicerangfarthroughtherooms。
Ahandsome，slim，andpale—facedgypsygirlwithglitteringblackeyesandcurlyblue—blackhair，wearingaredshawl，ranoutwithasablemantleonherarm。
"Here，Idon’tgrudgeit—takeit！"shesaid，evidentlyafraidofhermasterandyetregretfulofhercloak。
Dolokhov，withoutanswering，tookthecloak，threwitoverMatrena，andwrappedherupinit。
"That’stheway，"saidDolokhov，"andthenso！"andheturnedthecollaruproundherhead，leavingonlyalittleofthefaceuncovered。
"Andthenso，doyousee？"andhepushedAnatole’sheadforwardtomeetthegapleftbythecollar，throughwhichMatrena’sbrilliantsmilewasseen。
"Well，good—by，Matrena，"saidAnatole，kissingher。"Ah，myrevelshereareover。RemembermetoSteshka。There，good—by！Good—by，Matrena，wishmeluck！"
"Well，Prince，mayGodgiveyougreatluck！"saidMatrenainhergypsyaccent。
Twotroykaswerestandingbeforetheporchandtwoyoungdriverswereholdingthehorses。Balagatookhisseatinthefrontoneandholdinghiselbowshigharrangedthereinsdeliberately。AnatoleandDolokhovgotinwithhim。Makarin，Khvostikov，andavaletseatedthemselvesintheothersleigh。
"Well，areyouready？"askedBalaga。
"Go！"hecried，twistingthereinsroundhishands，andthetroykatoredowntheNikitskiBoulevard。
"Tproo！Getoutoftheway！Hi！……Tproo！……"TheshoutingofBalagaandofthesturdyyoungfellowseatedontheboxwasallthatcouldbeheard。OntheArbatSquarethetroykacaughtagainstacarriage；
somethingcracked，shoutswereheard，andthetroykaflewalongtheArbatStreet。
AftertakingaturnalongthePodnovinskiBoulevard，Balagabegantoreinin，andturningbackdrewupatthecrossingoftheoldKonyushenyStreet。
TheyoungfellowontheboxjumpeddowntoholdthehorsesandAnatoleandDolokhovwentalongthepavement。WhentheyreachedthegateDolokhovwhistled。Thewhistlewasanswered，andamaidservantranout。
"Comeintothecourtyardoryou’llbeseen；she’llcomeoutdirectly，"saidshe。
Dolokhovstayedbythegate。Anatolefollowedthemaidintothecourtyard，turnedthecorner，andranupintotheporch。
HewasmetbyGabriel，MaryaDmitrievna’sgiganticfootman。
"Cometothemistress，please，"saidthefootmaninhisdeepbass，interceptinganyretreat。
"TowhatMistress？Whoareyou？"askedAnatoleinabreathlesswhisper。
"Kindlystepin，myordersaretobringyouin。"
"Kuragin！Comeback！"shoutedDolokhov。"Betrayed！Back！"
Dolokhov，afterAnatoleentered，hadremainedatthewicketgateandwasstrugglingwiththeyardporterwhowastryingtolockit。WithalastdesperateeffortDolokhovpushedtheporteraside，andwhenAnatoleranbackseizedhimbythearm，pulledhimthroughthewicket，andranbackwithhimtothetroyka。
BK8CH18
CHAPTERXVIII
MaryaDmitrievna，havingfoundSonyaweepinginthecorridor，madeherconfesseverything，andinterceptingthenotetoNatashashereaditandwentintoNatasha’sroomwithitinherhand。
"Youshamelessgood—for—nothing！"saidshe。"Iwon’thearaword。"
PushingbackNatashawholookedatherwithastonishedbuttearlesseyes，shelockedherin；andhavinggivenorderstotheyardportertoadmitthepersonswhowouldbecomingthatevening，butnottoletthemoutagain，andhavingtoldthefootmantobringthemuptoher，sheseatedherselfinthedrawingroomtoawaittheabductors。
WhenGabrielcametoinformherthatthemenwhohadcomehadrunawayagain，sherosefrowning，andclaspingherhandsbehindherpacedthroughtheroomsalongtimeconsideringwhatsheshoulddo。TowardmidnightshewenttoNatasha’sroomfingeringthekeyinherpocket。
Sonyawassittingsobbinginthecorridor。"MaryaDmitrievna，forGod’ssakeletmeintoher！"shepleaded，butMaryaDmitrievnaunlockedthedoorandwentinwithoutgivingherananswer……
"Disgusting，abominable……Inmyhouse……horridgirl，hussy！I’monlysorryforherfather！"thoughtshe，tryingtorestrainherwrath。
"Hardasitmaybe，I’lltellthemalltoholdtheirtonguesandwillhideitfromthecount。"Sheenteredtheroomwithresolutesteps。Natashalyingonthesofa，herheadhiddeninherhands，andshedidnotstir。ShewasinjustthesamepositioninwhichMaryaDmitrievnahadlefther。
"Anicegirl！Verynice！"saidMaryaDmitrievna。"Arrangingmeetingswithloversinmyhouse！It’snousepretending：youlistenwhenI
speaktoyou！"AndMaryaDmitrievnatouchedherarm。"ListenwhenwhenIspeak！You’vedisgracedyourselflikethelowestofhussies。I’dtreatyoudifferently，butI’msorryforyourfather，soIwillconcealit。"
Natashadidnotchangeherposition，butherwholebodyheavedwithnoiseless，convulsivesobswhichchokedher。MaryaDmitrievnaglancedroundatSonyaandseatedherselfonthesofabesideNatasha。
"It’sluckyforhimthatheescapedme；butI’llfindhim！"shesaidinherroughvoice。"DoyouhearwhatIamsayingornot？"sheadded。
SheputherlargehandunderNatasha’sfaceandturnedittowardher。BothMaryaDmitrievnaandSonyawereamazedwhentheysawhowNatashalooked。Hereyesweredryandglistening，herlipscompressed，hercheekssunken。
"Letmebe！……Whatisittome？……Ishalldie！"shemuttered，wrenchingherselffromMaryaDmitrievna’shandswithaviciouseffortandsinkingdownagainintoherformerposition。
"Natalie！"saidMaryaDmitrievna。"Iwishforyourgood。Liestill，staylikethatthen，Iwon’ttouchyou。Butlisten。Iwon’ttellyouhowguiltyyouare。Youknowthatyourself。ButwhenyourfathercomesbacktomorrowwhatamItotellhim？Eh？"
AgainNatasha’sbodyshookwithsobs。
"Supposehefindsout，andyourbrother，andyourbetrothed？"
"Ihavenobetrothed：Ihaverefusedhim！"criedNatasha。
"That’sallthesame，"continuedDmitrievna。"Iftheyhearofthis，willtheyletitpass？He，yourfather，Iknowhim……ifhechallengeshimtoaduelwillthatbeallright？Eh？"
"Oh，letmebe！Whyhaveyouinterferedatall？Why？Why？Whoaskedyouto？"shoutedNatasha，raisingherselfonthesofaandlookingmalignantlyatMaryaDmitrievna。
"Butwhatdidyouwant？"criedMaryaDmitrievna，growingangryagain。"Wereyoukeptunderlockandkey？Whohinderedhiscomingtothehouse？Whycarryyouoffasifyouweresomegypsysinginggirl？……Well，ifhehadcarriedyouoff……doyouthinktheywouldn’thavefoundhim？Yourfather，orbrother，oryourbetrothed？Andhe’sascoundrel，awretch—that’safact！"
"Heisbetterthananyofyou！"exclaimedNatashagettingup。"Ifyouhadn’tinterfered……Oh，myGod！Whatisitall？Whatisit？
Sonya，why？……Goaway！"
Andsheburstintosobswiththedespairingvehemencewithwhichpeoplebewaildisasterstheyfeeltheyhavethemselvesoccasioned。
MaryaDmitrievnawastospeakagainbutNatashacriedout：
"Goaway！Goaway！Youallhateanddespiseme！"andshethrewherselfbackonthesofa。
MaryaDmitrievnawentonadmonishingherforsometime，enjoiningonherthatitmustallbekeptfromherfatherandassuringherthatnobodywouldknowanythingaboutitifonlyNatashaherselfwouldundertaketoforgetitallandnotletanyoneseethatsomethinghadhappened。Natashadidnotreply，nordidshesobanylonger，butshegrewcoldandhadashiveringfit。MaryaDmitrievnaputapillowunderherhead，coveredherwithtwoquilts，andherselfbroughthersomelime—flowerwater，butNatashadidnotrespondtoher。
"Well，lethersleep，"saidMaryaDmitrievnaasshewentoftheroomsupposingNatashatobeasleep。
ButNatashawasnotasleep；withpalefaceandfixedwide—openeyesshelookedstraightbeforeher。AllthatnightshedidnotsleeporweepanddidnotspeaktoSonyawhogotupandwenttoherseveraltimes。
NextdayCountRostovreturnedfromhisestatenearMoscowintimeforlunchashehadpromised。Hewasinverygoodspirits；theaffairwiththepurchaserwasgoingonsatisfactorily，andtherewasnothingtokeephimanylongerinMoscow，awayfromthecountesswhomhemissed。MaryaDmitrievnamethimandtoldhimthatNatashahadbeenveryunwellthedaybeforeandthattheyhadsentforthedoctor，butthatshewasbetternow。Natashahadnotleftherroomthatmorning。Withcompressedandparchedlipsanddryfixedeyes，shesatatthewindow，uneasilywatchingthepeoplewhodrovepastandhurriedlyglancingroundatanyonewhoenteredtheroom。Shewasevidentlyexpectingnewsofhimandthathewouldcomeorwouldwritetoher。
Whenthecountcametoseehersheturnedanxiouslyroundatthesoundofaman’sfootstep，andthenherfaceresumeditscoldandmalevolentexpression。Shedidnotevengetuptogreethim。"Whatisthematterwithyou，myangel？Areyouill？"askedthecount。
Afteramoment’ssilenceNatashaanswered："Yes，ill。"
Inreplytothecount’sanxiousinquiriesastowhyshewassodejectedandwhetheranythinghadhappenedtoherbetrothed，sheassuredhimthatnothinghadhappenedandaskedhimnottoworry。
MaryaDmitrievnaconfirmedNatasha’sassurancesthatnothinghadhappened。Fromthepretenseofillness，fromhisdaughter’sdistress，andbytheembarrassedfacesofSonyaandMaryaDmitrievna，thecountsawclearlythatsomethinghadgonewrongduringhisabsence，butitwassoterribleforhimtothinkthatanythingdisgracefulhadhappenedtohisbeloveddaughter，andhesoprizedhisowncheerfultranquillity，thatheavoidedinquiriesandtriedtoassurehimselfthatnothingparticularlyhadhappened；andhewasonlydissatisfiedthatherindispositiondelayedtheirreturntothecountry。
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FromthedayhiswifearrivedinMoscowPierrehadbeenintendingtogoawaysomewhere，soasnottobenearher。SoonaftertheRostovscametoMoscowtheeffectNatashahadonhimmadehimhastentocarryouthisintention。HewenttoTvertoseeJosephAlexeevich’swidow，whohadlongsincepromisedtohandovertohimsomepapersofherdeceasedhusband’s。
WhenhereturnedtoMoscowPierrewashandedaletterfromMaryaDmitrievnaaskinghimtocomeandseeheronamatterofgreatimportancerelatingtoAndrewBolkonskiandhisbetrothed。PierrehadbeenavoidingNatashabecauseitseemedtohimthathisfeelingforherwasstrongerthanamarriedman’sshouldbeforhisfriend’sfiancee。Yetsomefateconstantlythrewthemtogether。
"Whatcanhavehappened？Andwhatcantheywantwithme？"thoughtheashedressedtogotoMaryaDmitrievna’s。"IfonlyPrinceAndrewwouldhurryupandcomeandmarryher！"thoughtheonhiswaytothehouse。
OntheTverskoyBoulevardafamiliarvoicecalledtohim。
"Pierre！Beenbacklong？"someoneshouted。Pierreraisedhishead。
Inasleighdrawnbytwograytrotting—horsesthatwerebespatteringthedashboardwithsnow，AnatoleandhisconstantcompanionMakarindashedpast。Anatolewassittinguprightintheclassicposeofmilitarydandies，thelowerpartofhisfacehiddenbyhisbeavercollarandhisheadslightlybent。Hisfacewasfreshandrosy，hiswhite—plumedhat，tiltedtooneside，disclosedhiscurledandpomadedhairbesprinkledwithpowderysnow。
"Yes，indeed，that’satruesage，"thoughtPierre。"Heseesnothingbeyondthepleasureofthemoment，nothingtroubleshimandsoheisalwayscheerful，satisfied，andserene。Whatwouldn’tIgivetobelikehim！"hethoughtenviously。
InMaryaDmitrievna’santeroomthefootmanwhohelpedhimoffwithhisfurcoatsaidthatthemistressaskedhimtocometoherbedroom。
WhenheopenedtheballroomdoorPierresawNatashasittingatthewindow，withathin，pale，andspitefulface。Sheglancedroundathim，frowned，andlefttheroomwithanexpressionofcolddignity。
"Whathashappened？"askedPierre，enteringMaryaDmitrievna’sroom。
"Finedoings！"answeredDmitrievna。"Forfifty—eightyearshaveI
livedinthisworldandneverknownanythingsodisgraceful！"
Andhavingputhimonhishonornottorepeatanythingshetoldhim，MaryaDmitrievnainformedhimthatNatashahadrefusedPrinceAndrewwithoutherparents’knowledgeandthatthecauseofthiswasAnatoleKuraginintowhosesocietyPierre’swifehadthrownherandwithwhomNatashahadtriedtoelopeduringherfather’sabsence，inordertobemarriedsecretly。
Pierreraisedhisshouldersandlistenedopen—mouthedtowhatwastoldhim，scarcelyabletobelievehisownears。ThatPrinceAndrew’sdeeplylovedaffiancedwife—thesameNatashaRostovawhousedtobesocharming—shouldgiveupBolkonskiforthatfoolAnatolewhowasalreadysecretlymarriedasPierreknew，andshouldbesoinlovewithhimastoagreetorunawaywithhim，wassomethingPierrecouldnotconceiveandcouldnotimagine。
HecouldnotreconcilethecharmingimpressionhehadofNatasha，whomhehadknownfromachild，withthisnewconceptionofherbaseness，folly，andcruelty。Hethoughtofhiswife。"Theyareallalike！"hesaidtohimself，reflectingthathewasnottheonlymanunfortunateenoughtobetiedtoabadwoman。ButstillhepitiedPrinceAndrewtothepointoftearsandsympathizedwithhiswoundedpride，andthemorehepitiedhisfriendthemoredidhethinkwithcontemptandevenwithdisgustofthatNatashawhohadjustpassedhimintheballroomwithsuchalookofcolddignity。HedidnotknowthatNatasha’ssoulwasoverflowingwithdespair，shame，andhumiliation，andthatitwasnotherfaultthatherfacehappenedtoassumeanexpressionofcalmdignityandseverity。
"Buthowgetmarried？"saidPierre，inanswertoMaryaDmitrievna。
"Hecouldnotmarry—heismarried！"
"Thingsgetworsefromhourtohour！"ejaculatedMaryaDmitrievna。
"Aniceyouth！Whatascoundrel！Andshe’sexpectinghim—expectinghimsinceyesterday。Shemustbetold！Thenatleastshewon’tgoonexpectinghim。"
AfterhearingthedetailsofAnatole’smarriagefromPierre，andgivingventtoherangeragainstAnatoleinwordsofabuse，MaryaDmitrievnatoldPierrewhyshehadsentforhim。ShewasafraidthatthecountorBolkonski，whomightarriveatanymoment，iftheyknewofthisaffairwhichshehopedtohidefromthemmightchallengeAnatoletoaduel，andshethereforeaskedPierretotellhisbrother—in—lawinhernametoleaveMoscowandnotdaretoletherseteyesonhimagain。Pierre—onlynowrealizingthedangertotheoldcount，Nicholas，andPrinceAndrew—promisedtodoasshewished。
Havingbrieflyandexactlyexplainedherwishestohim，shelethimgotothedrawingroom。
"Mind，thecountknowsnothing。Behaveasifyouknownothingeither，"shesaid。"AndIwillgoandtellheritisnouseexpectinghim！Andstaytodinnerifyoucareto！"shecalledafterPierre。
Pierremettheoldcount，whoseemednervousandupset。ThatmorningNatashahadtoldhimthatshehadrejectedBolkonski。
"Troubles，troubles，mydearfellow！"hesaidtoPierre。"Whattroublesonehaswiththesegirlswithouttheirmother！Idosoregrethavingcomehere……Iwillbefrankwithyou。Haveyouheardshehasbrokenoffherengagementwithoutconsultinganybody？It’struethisengagementneverwasmuchtomyliking。Ofcourseheisanexcellentman，butstill，withhisfather’sdisapprovaltheywouldn’thavebeenhappy，andNatashawon’tlacksuitors。Still，ithasbeengoingonsolong，andtotakesuchastepwithoutfather’sormother’sconsent！Andnowshe’sill，andGodknowswhat！It’shard，Count，hardtomanagedaughtersintheirmother’sabsence……"
Pierresawthatthecountwasmuchupsetandtriedtochangethesubject，butthecountreturnedtohistroubles。
Sonyaenteredtheroomwithanagitatedface。
"Natashaisnotquitewell；she’sinherroomandwouldliketoseeyou。MaryaDmitrievnaiswithherandshetooasksyoutocome。"
"Yes，youareagreatfriendofBolkonski’s，nodoubtshewantstosendhimamessage，"saidthecount。"Ohdear！Ohdear！Howhappyitallwas！"
Andclutchingthesparegraylocksonhistemplesthecountlefttheroom。
WhenMaryaDmitrievnatoldNatashathatAnatolewasmarried，NatashadidnotwishtobelieveitandinsistedonhavingitconfirmedbyPierrehimself。SonyatoldPierrethisassheledhimalongthecorridortoNatasha’sroom。
Natasha，paleandstern，wassittingbesideMaryaDmitrievna，andhereyes，glitteringfeverishly，metPierrewithaquestioninglookthemomentheentered。Shedidnotsmileornod，butonlygazedfixedlyathim，andherlookaskedonlyonething：washeafriend，orliketheothersanenemyinregardtoAnatole？AsforPierre，heevidentlydidnotexistforher。
"Heknowsallaboutit，"saidMaryaDmitrievnapointingtoPierreandaddressingNatasha。"LethimtellyouwhetherIhavetoldthetruth。"
Natashalookedfromonetotheotherasahuntedandwoundedanimallooksattheapproachingdogsandsportsmen。
"NatalyaIlynichna，"Pierrebegan，droppinghiseyeswithafeelingofpityforherandloathingforthethinghehadtodo，"whetheritistrueornotshouldmakenodifferencetoyou，because……"
"Thenitisnottruethathe’smarried！"
"Yes，itistrue。"
"Hashebeenmarriedlong？"sheasked。"Onyourhonor？……"
Pierregavehiswordofhonor。
"Ishestillhere？"sheasked，quickly。
"Yes，Ihavejustseenhim。"
Shewasevidentlyunabletospeakandmadeasignwithherhandsthattheyshouldleaveheralone。
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Pierredidnotstayfordinner，butlefttheroomandwentawayatonce。HedrovethroughthetownseekingAnatoleKuragin，atthethoughtofwhomnowthebloodrushedtohisheartandhefeltadifficultyinbreathing。Hewasnotattheicehills，noratthegypsies’，noratKomoneno’s。PierredrovetotheClub。IntheCluballwasgoingonasusual。Thememberswhowereassemblingfordinnerweresittingaboutingroups；theygreetedPierreandspokeofthetownnews。Thefootmanhavinggreetedhim，knowinghishabitsandhisacquaintances，toldhimtherewasaplaceleftforhiminthesmalldiningroomandthatPrinceMichaelZakharychwasinthelibrary，butPaulTimofeevichhadnotyetarrived。OneofPierre’sacquaintances，whiletheyweretalkingabouttheweather，askedifhehadheardofKuragin’sabductionofRostovawhichwastalkedofinthetown，andwasittrue？PierrelaughedandsaiditwasnonsenseforhehadjustcomefromtheRostovs’。HeaskedeveryoneaboutAnatole。Onemantoldhimhehadnotcomeyet，andanotherthathewascomingtodinner。Pierrefeltitstrangetoseethiscalm，indifferentcrowdofpeopleunawareofwhatwasgoingoninhissoul。Hepacedthroughtheballroom，waitedtilleveryonehadcome，andasAnatolehadnotturnedupdidnotstayfordinnerbutdrovehome。
Anatole，forwhomPierrewaslooking，dinedthatdaywithDolokhov，consultinghimastohowtoremedythisunfortunateaffair。ItseemedtohimessentialtoseeNatasha。Intheeveninghedrovetohissister’stodiscusswithherhowtoarrangeameeting。
WhenPierrereturnedhomeaftervainlyhuntingalloverMoscow，hisvaletinformedhimthatPrinceAnatolewaswiththecountess。Thecountess’drawingroomwasfullofguests。
Pierrewithoutgreetinghiswifewhomhehadnotseensincehisreturn—atthatmomentshewasmorerepulsivetohimthanever—
enteredthedrawingroomandseeingAnatolewentuptohim。
"Ah，Pierre，"saidthecountessgoinguptoherhusband。"Youdon’tknowwhataplightourAnatole……"
Shestopped，seeingintheforwardthrustofherhusband’shead，inhisglowingeyesandhisresolutegait，theterribleindicationsofthatrageandstrengthwhichsheknewandhadherselfexperiencedafterhisduelwithDolokhov。
"Whereyouare，thereisviceandevil！"saidPierretohiswife。
"Anatole，comewithme！Imustspeaktoyou，"headdedinFrench。
Anatoleglancedroundathissisterandrosesubmissively，readytofollowPierre。Pierre，takinghimbythearm，pulledhimtowardhimselfandwasleadinghimfromtheroom。
"Ifyouallowyourselfinmydrawingroom……"whisperedHelene，butPierredidnotreplyandwentoutoftheroom。
Anatolefollowedhimwithhisusualjauntystepbuthisfacebetrayedanxiety。
HavingenteredhisstudyPierreclosedthedoorandaddressedAnatolewithoutlookingathim。
"YoupromisedCountessRostovatomarryherandwereabouttoelopewithher，isthatso？"
"Moncher，"answeredAnatoletheirwholeconversationwasinFrench，"Idon’tconsidermyselfboundtoanswerquestionsputtomeinthattone。"
Pierre’sface，alreadypale，becamedistortedbyfury。HeseizedAnatolebythecollarofhisuniformwithhisbighandandshookhimfromsidetosidetillAnatole’sfaceshowedasufficientdegreeofterror。
"WhenItellyouthatImusttalktoyou！……"repeatedPierre。
"Comenow，thisisstupid。What？"saidAnatole，fingeringabuttonofhiscollarthathadbeenwrenchedloosewithabitofthecloth。
"You’reascoundrelandablackguard，andIdon’tknowwhatdeprivesmefromthepleasureofsmashingyourheadwiththis！"saidPierre，expressinghimselfsoartificiallybecausehewastalkingFrench。
Hetookaheavypaperweightandlifteditthreateningly，butatonceputitbackinitsplace。
"Didyoupromisetomarryher？"
"I……Ididn’tthinkofit。Ineverpromised，because……"
Pierreinterruptedhim。
"Haveyouanylettersofhers？Anyletters？"hesaid，movingtowardAnatole。
Anatoleglancedathimandimmediatelythrusthishandintohispocketanddrewouthispocketbook。
PierretooktheletterAnatolehandedhimand，pushingasideatablethatstoodinhisway，threwhimselfonthesofa。
"Ishan’tbeviolent，don’tbeafraid！"saidPierreinanswertoafrightenedgestureofAnatole’s。"First，theletters，"saidhe，asifrepeatingalessontohimself。"Secondly，"hecontinuedafterashortpause，againrisingandagainpacingtheroom，"tomorrowyoumustgetoutofMoscow。"
"ButhowcanI？……"
"Thirdly，"Pierrecontinuedwithoutlisteningtohim，"youmustneverbreatheawordofwhathaspassedbetweenyouandCountessRostova。IknowIcan’tpreventyourdoingso，butifyouhaveasparkofconscience……"Pierrepacedtheroomseveraltimesinsilence。
Anatolesatatatablefrowningandbitinghislips。
"Afterall，youmustunderstandthatbesidesyourpleasurethereissuchathingasotherpeople’shappinessandpeace，andthatyouareruiningawholelifeforthesakeofamusingyourself！Amuseyourselfwithwomenlikemywife—withthemyouarewithinyourrights，fortheyknowwhatyouwantofthem。Theyarearmedagainstyoubythesameexperienceofdebauchery；buttopromiseamaidtomarryher……todeceive，tokidnap……Don’tyouunderstandthatitisasmeanasbeatinganoldmanorachild？……"
PierrepausedandlookedatAnatolenolongerwithanangrybutwithaquestioninglook。
"Idon’tknowaboutthat，eh？"saidAnatole，growingmoreconfidentasPierremasteredhiswrath。"Idon’tknowthatanddon’twantto，"hesaid，notlookingatPierreandwithaslighttremorofhislowerjaw，"butyouhaveusedsuchwordstome—’mean’andsoon—whichasamanofhonorIcan’tallowanyonetouse。"
Pierreglancedathimwithamazement，unabletounderstandwhathewanted。
"Thoughitwastete—a—tete，"Anatolecontinued，"stillIcan’t……"
"Isitsatisfactionyouwant？"saidPierreironically。
"Youcouldatleasttakebackyourwords。What？Ifyouwantmetodoasyouwish，eh？"
"Itakethemback，Itakethemback！"saidPierre，"andIaskyoutoforgiveme。"Pierreinvoluntarilyglancedattheloosebutton。"Andifyourequiremoneyforyourjourney……"
Anatolesmiled。Theexpressionofthatbaseandcringingsmile，whichPierreknewsowellinhiswife，revoltedhim。
"Oh，vileandheartlessbrood！"heexclaimed，andlefttheroom。
NextdayAnatoleleftforPetersburg。
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PierredrovetoMaryaDmitrievna’stotellherofthefulfillmentofherwishthatKuraginshouldbebanishedfromMoscow。Thewholehousewasinastateofalarmandcommotion。Natashawasveryill，having，asMaryaDmitrievnatoldhiminsecret，poisonedherselfthenightaftershehadbeentoldthatAnatolewasmarried，withsomearsenicshehadstealthilyprocured。AfterswallowingalittleshehadbeensofrightenedthatshewokeSonyaandtoldherwhatshehaddone。
Thenecessaryantidoteshadbeenadministeredintimeandshewasnowoutofdanger，thoughstillsoweakthatitwasoutofthequestiontomovehertothecountry，andsothecountesshadbeensentfor。Pierresawthedistractedcount，andSonya，whohadatear—stainedface，buthecouldnotseeNatasha。
PierredinedattheclubthatdayandheardonallsidesgossipabouttheattemptedabductionofRostova。Heresolutelydeniedtheserumors，assuringeveryonethatnothinghadhappenedexceptthathisbrother—in—lawhadproposedtoherandbeenrefused。ItseemedtoPierrethatitwashisdutytoconcealthewholeaffairandre—establishNatasha’sreputation。
HewasawaitingPrinceAndrew’sreturnwithdreadandwenteverydaytotheoldprince’sfornewsofhim。
OldPrinceBolkonskiheardalltherumorscurrentinthetownfromMademoiselleBourienneandhadreadthenotetoPrincessMaryinwhichNatashahadbrokenoffherengagement。Heseemedinbetterspiritsthanusualandawaitedhissonwithgreatimpatience。
SomedaysafterAnatole’sdeparturePierrereceivedanotefromPrinceAndrew，informinghimofhisarrivalandaskinghimtocometoseehim。
AssoonashereachedMoscow，PrinceAndrewhadreceivedfromhisfatherNatasha’snotetoPrincessMarybreakingoffherengagementMademoiselleBouriennehadpurloineditfromPrincessMaryandgivenittotheoldprince，andheheardfromhimthestoryofNatasha’selopement，withadditions。
PrinceAndrewhadarrivedintheeveningandPierrecametoseehimnextmorning。PierreexpectedtofindPrinceAndrewinalmostthesamestateasNatashaandwasthereforesurprisedonenteringthedrawingroomtohearhiminthestudytalkinginaloudanimatedvoiceaboutsomeintriguegoingoninPetersburg。Theoldprince’svoiceandanothernowandtheninterruptedhim。PrincessMarycameouttomeetPierre。Shesighed，lookingtowardthedooroftheroomwherePrinceAndrewwas，evidentlyintendingtoexpresshersympathywithhissorrow，butPierresawbyherfacethatshewasgladbothatwhathadhappenedandatthewayherbrotherhadtakenthenewsofNatasha’sfaithlessness。
"Hesaysheexpectedit，"sheremarked。"Iknowhispridewillnotlethimexpresshisfeelings，butstillhehastakenitbetter，farbetter，thanIexpected。Evidentlyithadtobe……"
"Butisitpossiblethatallisreallyended？"askedPierre。
PrincessMarylookedathimwithastonishment。Shedidnotunderstandhowhecouldasksuchaquestion。Pierrewentintothestudy。PrinceAndrew，greatlychangedandplainlyinbetterhealth，butwithafreshhorizontalwrinklebetweenhisbrows，stoodinciviliandressfacinghisfatherandPrinceMeshcherski，warmlydisputingandvigorouslygesticulating。TheconversationwasaboutSperanski—thenewsofwhosesuddenexileandallegedtreacheryhadjustreachedMoscow。
"Nowheiscensuredandaccusedbyallwhowereenthusiasticabouthimamonthago，"PrinceAndrewwassaying，"andbythosewhowereunabletounderstandhisaims。Tojudgeamanwhoisindisfavorandtothrowonhimalltheblameofothermen’smistakesisveryeasy，butImaintainthatifanythinggoodhasbeenaccomplishedinthisreignitwasdonebyhim，byhimalone。"
HepausedatthesightofPierre。Hisfacequiveredandimmediatelyassumedavindictiveexpression。
"Posteritywilldohimjustice，"heconcluded，andatonceturnedtoPierre。
"Well，howareyou？Stillgettingstouter？"hesaidwithanimation，butthenewwrinkleonhisforeheaddeepened。"Yes，Iamwell，"hesaidinanswertoPierre’squestion，andsmiled。
ToPierrethatsmilesaidplainly："Iamwell，butmyhealthisnowofnousetoanyone。"
AfterafewwordstoPierreabouttheawfulroadsfromthePolishfrontier，aboutpeoplehehadmetinSwitzerlandwhoknewPierre，andaboutM。Dessalles，whomhehadbroughtfromabroadtobehisson’stutor，PrinceAndrewagainjoinedwarmlyintheconversationaboutSperanskiwhichwasstillgoingonbetweenthetwooldmen。
"Ifthereweretreason，orproofsofsecretrelationswithNapoleon，theywouldhavebeenmadepublic，"hesaidwithwarmthandhaste。"I
donot，andneverdid，likeSperanskipersonally，butIlikejustice！"
Pierrenowrecognizedinhisfriendaneedwithwhichhewasonlytoofamiliar，togetexcitedandtohaveargumentsaboutextraneousmattersinordertostiflethoughtsthatweretoooppressiveandtoointimate。WhenPrinceMeshcherskihadleft，PrinceAndrewtookPierre’sarmandaskedhimintotheroomthathadbeenassignedhim。A
bedhadbeenmadeupthere，andsomeopenportmanteausandtrunksstoodabout。PrinceAndrewwenttooneandtookoutasmallcasket，fromwhichhedrewapacketwrappedinpaper。Hediditallsilentlyandveryquickly。Hestoodupandcoughed。Hisfacewasgloomyandhislipscompressed。
"Forgivemefortroublingyou……"
PierresawthatPrinceAndrewwasgoingtospeakofNatasha，andhisbroadfaceexpressedpityandsympathy。ThisexpressionirritatedPrinceAndrew，andinadetermined，ringing，andunpleasanttonehecontinued：
"IhavereceivedarefusalfromCountessRostovaandhaveheardreportsofyourbrother—in—lawhavingsoughtherhand，orsomethingofthatkind。Isthattrue？"
"Bothtrueanduntrue，"Pierrebegan；butPrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
"Hereareherlettersandherportrait，"saidhe。
HetookthepacketfromthetableandhandedittoPierre。
"Givethistothecountess……ifyouseeher。"
"Sheisveryill，"saidPierre。
"Thensheisherestill？"saidPrinceAndrew。"AndPrinceKuragin？"headdedquickly。
"Heleftlongago。Shehasbeenatdeath’sdoor。"
"Imuchregretherillness，"saidPrinceAndrew；andhesmiledlikehisfather，coldly，maliciously，andunpleasantly。
"SoMonsieurKuraginhasnothonoredCountessRostovawithhishand？"saidPrinceAndrew，andhesnortedseveraltimes。
"Hecouldnotmarry，forhewasmarriedalready，"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrewlaugheddisagreeably，againremindingoneofhisfather。
"Andwhereisyourbrother—in—lawnow，ifImayask？"hesaid。
"HehasgonetoPeters……ButIdon’tknow，"saidPierre。
"Well，itdoesn’tmatter，"saidPrinceAndrew。"TellCountessRostovathatshewasandisperfectlyfreeandthatIwishherallthatisgood。"
Pierretookthepacket。PrinceAndrew，asiftryingtorememberwhetherhehadsomethingmoretosay，orwaitingtoseeifPierrewouldsayanything，lookedfixedlyathim。
"Isay，doyourememberourdiscussioninPetersburg？"askedPierre，"about……"
"Yes，"returnedPrinceAndrewhastily。"Isaidthatafallenwomanshouldbeforgiven，butIdidn’tsayIcouldforgiveher。Ican’t。"
"Butcanthisbecompared……？"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrewinterruptedhimandcriedsharply："Yes，askherhandagain，bemagnanimous，andsoon？……Yes，thatwouldbeverynoble，butIamunabletofollowinthatgentleman’sfootsteps。Ifyouwishtobemyfriendneverspeaktomeofthat……ofallthat！Well，good—by。Soyou’llgiveherthepacket？"
PierrelefttheroomandwenttotheoldprinceandPrincessMary。
Theoldmanseemedlivelierthanusual。PrincessMarywasthesameasalways，butbeneathhersympathyforherbrother，Pierrenoticedhersatisfactionthattheengagementhadbeenbrokenoff。LookingatthemPierrerealizedwhatcontemptandanimositytheyallfeltfortheRostovs，andthatitwasimpossibleintheirpresenceeventomentionthenameofherwhocouldgiveupPrinceAndrewforanyoneelse。
Atdinnerthetalkturnedonthewar，theapproachofwhichwasbecomingevident。PrinceAndrewtalkedincessantly，arguingnowwithhisfather，nowwiththeSwisstutorDessalles，andshowinganunnaturalanimation，thecauseofwhichPierresowellunderstood。
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ThatsameeveningPierrewenttotheRostovs’tofulfillthecommissionentrustedtohim。Natashawasinbed，thecountattheClub，andPierre，aftergivingtheletterstoSonya，wenttoMaryaDmitrievnawhowasinterestedtoknowhowPrinceAndrewhadtakenthenews。TenminuteslaterSonyacametoMaryaDmitrievna。
"NatashainsistsonseeingCountPeterKirilovich，"saidshe。
"Buthow？Arewetotakehimuptoher？Theroomtherehasnotbeentidiedup。"
"No，shehasdressedandgoneintothedrawingroom，"saidSonya。
MaryaDmitrievnaonlyshruggedhershoulders。
"Whenwillhermothercome？Shehasworriedmetodeath！Nowmind，don’ttellhereverything！"saidshetoPierre。"Onehasn’tthehearttoscoldher，sheissomuchtobepitied，somuchtobepitied。"
Natashawasstandinginthemiddleofthedrawingroom，emaciated，withapalesetface，butnotatallshamefacedasPierreexpectedtofindher。Whenheappearedatthedoorshegrewflurried，evidentlyundecidedwhethertogotomeethimortowaittillhecameup。
Pierrehastenedtoher。Hethoughtshewouldgivehimherhandasusual；butshe，steppinguptohim，stopped，breathingheavily，herarmshanginglifelesslyjustintheposesheusedtostandinwhenshewenttothemiddleoftheballroomtosing，butwithquiteadifferentexpressionofface。
"PeterKirilovich，"shebeganrapidly，"PrinceBolkonskiwasyourfriend—isyourfriend，"shecorrectedherself。Itseemedtoherthateverythingthathadoncebeenmustnowbedifferent。"Hetoldmeoncetoapplytoyou……"
Pierresniffedashelookedather，butdidnotspeak。Tillthenhehadreproachedherinhisheartandtriedtodespiseher，buthenowfeltsosorryforherthattherewasnoroominhissoulforreproach。
"Heisherenow：tellhim……tofor……forgiveme！"Shestoppedandbreathedstillmorequickly，butdidnotshedtears。
"Yes……Iwilltellhim，"answeredPierre；"but……"
Hedidnotknowwhattosay。
Natashawasevidentlydismayedatthethoughtofwhathemightthinkshehadmeant。
"No，Iknowallisover，"shesaidhurriedly。"No，thatcanneverbe。I’monlytormentedbythewrongIhavedonehim。TellhimonlythatIbeghimtoforgive，forgive，forgivemeforeverything……"
Shetrembledalloverandsatdownonachair。
AsenseofpityhehadneverbeforeknownoverflowedPierre’sheart。
"Iwilltellhim，Iwilltellhimeverythingoncemore，"saidPierre。"But……Ishouldliketoknowonething……"
"Knowwhat？"Natasha’seyesasked。
"Ishouldliketoknow，didyoulove……"PierredidnotknowhowtorefertoAnatoleandflushedatthethoughtofhim—"didyoulovethatbadman？"
"Don’tcallhimbad！"saidNatasha。"ButIdon’tknow，don’tknowatall……"
Shebegantocryandastillgreatersenseofpity，tenderness，andlovewelledupinPierre。Hefeltthetearstrickleunderhisspectaclesandhopedtheywouldnotbenoticed。
"Wewon’tspeakofitanymore，mydear，"saidPierre，andhisgentle，cordialtonesuddenlyseemedverystrangetoNatasha。
"Wewon’tspeakofit，mydear—I’lltellhimeverything；butonethingIbegofyou，considermeyourfriendandifyouwanthelp，advice，orsimplytoopenyourhearttosomeone—notnow，butwhenyourmindisclearerthinkofme！"Hetookherhandandkissedit。
"Ishallbehappyifit’sinmypower……"
Pierregrewconfused。
"Don’tspeaktomelikethat。Iamnotworthit！"exclaimedNatashaandturnedtoleavetheroom，butPierreheldherhand。
Heknewhehadsomethingmoretosaytoher。Butwhenhesaidithewasamazedathisownwords。
"Stop，stop！Youhaveyourwholelifebeforeyou，"saidhetoher。
"Beforeme？No！Allisoverforme，"sherepliedwithshameandself—abasement。
"Allover？"herepeated。"IfIwerenotmyself，butthehandsomest，cleverest，andbestmanintheworld，andwerefree，Iwouldthismomentaskonmykneesforyourhandandyourlove！"
ForthefirsttimeformanydaysNatashawepttearsofgratitudeandtenderness，andglancingatPierreshewentoutoftheroom。
Pierretoowhenshehadgonealmostranintotheanteroom，restrainingtearsoftendernessandjoythatchokedhim，andwithoutfindingthesleevesofhisfurcloakthrewitonandgotintohissleigh。
"Wheretonow，yourexcellency？"askedthecoachman。
"Whereto？"Pierreaskedhimself。"WherecanIgonow？SurelynottotheClubortopaycalls？"Allmenseemedsopitiful，sopoor，incomparisonwiththisfeelingoftendernessandloveheexperienced：incomparisonwiththatsoftened，grateful，lastlookshehadgivenhimthroughhertears。
"Home！"saidPierre，anddespitetwenty—twodegreesoffrostFahrenheithethrewopenthebearskincloakfromhisbroadchestandinhaledtheairwithjoy。
Itwasclearandfrosty。Abovethedirty，ill—litstreets，abovetheblackroofs，stretchedthedarkstarrysky。OnlylookingupattheskydidPierreceasetofeelhowsordidandhumiliatingwereallmundanethingscomparedwiththeheightstowhichhissoulhadjustbeenraised。AttheentrancetotheArbatSquareanimmenseexpanseofdarkstarryskypresenteditselftohiseyes。Almostinthecenterofit，abovethePrechistenkaBoulevard，surroundedandsprinkledonallsidesbystarsbutdistinguishedfromthemallbyitsnearnesstotheearth，itswhitelight，anditslongupliftedtail，shonetheenormousandbrilliantcometof18l2—thecometwhichwassaidtoportendallkindsofwoesandtheendoftheworld。InPierre，however，thatcometwithitslongluminoustailarousednofeelingoffear。Onthecontraryhegazedjoyfully，hiseyesmoistwithtears，atthisbrightcometwhich，havingtraveledinitsorbitwithinconceivablevelocitythroughimmeasurablespace，seemedsuddenly—
likeanarrowpiercingtheearth—toremainfixedinachosenspot，vigorouslyholdingitstailerect，shininganddisplayingitswhitelightamidcountlessotherscintillatingstars。ItseemedtoPierrethatthiscometfullyrespondedtowhatwaspassinginhisownsoftenedandupliftedsoul，nowblossomingintoanewlife。
BOOKNINE：1812
CHAPTERI
Fromthecloseoftheyear1811intensifiedarmingandconcentratingoftheforcesofWesternEuropebegan，andin1812theseforces—
millionsofmen，reckoningthosetransportingandfeedingthearmy—
movedfromthewesteastwardstotheRussianfrontier，towardwhichsince1811Russianforceshadbeensimilarlydrawn。OnthetwelfthofJune，1812，theforcesofWesternEuropecrossedtheRussianfrontierandwarbegan，thatis，aneventtookplaceopposedtohumanreasonandtohumannature。Millionsofmenperpetratedagainstoneanothersuchinnumerablecrimes，frauds，treacheries，thefts，forgeries，issuesoffalsemoney，burglaries，incendiarisms，andmurdersasinwholecenturiesarenotrecordedintheannalsofallthelawcourtsoftheworld，butwhichthosewhocommittedthemdidnotatthetimeregardasbeingcrimes。
Whatproducedthisextraordinaryoccurrence？Whatwereitscauses？
ThehistorianstelluswithnaiveassurancethatitscauseswerethewrongsinflictedontheDukeofOldenburg，thenonobservanceoftheContinentalSystem，theambitionofNapoleon，thefirmnessofAlexander，themistakesofthediplomatists，andsoon。
Consequently，itwouldonlyhavebeennecessaryforMetternich，Rumyantsev，orTalleyrand，betweenaleveeandaneveningparty，tohavetakenproperpainsandwrittenamoreadroitnote，orforNapoleontohavewrittentoAlexander："MyrespectedBrother，I
consenttorestoretheduchytotheDukeofOldenburg"—andtherewouldhavebeennowar。
Wecanunderstandthatthematterseemedlikethattocontemporaries。ItnaturallyseemedtoNapoleonthatthewarwascausedbyEngland’sintriguesasinfacthesaidontheislandofSt。
Helena。ItnaturallyseemedtomembersoftheEnglishParliamentthatthecauseofthewarwasNapoleon’sambition；totheDukeofOldenburg，thatthecauseofthewarwastheviolencedonetohim；
tobusinessmenthatthecauseofthewaywastheContinentalSystemwhichwasruiningEurope；tothegeneralsandoldsoldiersthatthechiefreasonforthewarwasthenecessityofgivingthememployment；tothelegitimistsofthatdaythatitwastheneedofre—establishinglesbonsprincipes，andtothediplomatistsofthattimethatitallresultedfromthefactthatthealliancebetweenRussiaandAustriain1809hadnotbeensufficientlywellconcealedfromNapoleon，andfromtheawkwardwordingofMemorandumNo。178。
Itisnaturalthattheseandacountlessandinfinitequantityofotherreasons，thenumberdependingontheendlessdiversityofpointsofview，presentedthemselvestothemenofthatday；buttous，toposteritywhoviewthethingthathappenedinallitsmagnitudeandperceiveitsplainandterriblemeaning，thesecausesseeminsufficient。TousitisincomprehensiblethatmillionsofChristianmenkilledandtorturedeachothereitherbecauseNapoleonwasambitiousorAlexanderwasfirm，orbecauseEngland’spolicywasastuteortheDukeofOldenburgwronged。Wecannotgraspwhatconnectionsuchcircumstanceshavewiththeactualfactofslaughterandviolence：whybecausetheDukewaswronged，thousandsofmenfromtheothersideofEuropekilledandruinedthepeopleofSmolenskandMoscowandwerekilledbythem。
Tous，theirdescendants，whoarenothistoriansandarenotcarriedawaybytheprocessofresearchandcanthereforeregardtheeventwithuncloudedcommonsense，anincalculablenumberofcausespresentthemselves。Thedeeperwedelveinsearchofthesecausesthemoreofthemwefind；andeachseparatecauseorwholeseriesofcausesappearstousequallyvalidinitselfandequallyfalsebyitsinsignificancecomparedtothemagnitudeoftheevents，andbyitsimpotence—apartfromthecooperationofalltheothercoincidentcauses—tooccasiontheevent。Tous，thewishorobjectionofthisorthatFrenchcorporaltoserveasecondtermappearsasmuchacauseasNapoleon’srefusaltowithdrawhistroopsbeyondtheVistulaandtorestoretheduchyofOldenburg；forhadhenotwishedtoserve，andhadasecond，athird，andathousandthcorporalandprivatealsorefused，therewouldhavebeensomanylessmeninNapoleon’sarmyandthewarcouldnothaveoccurred。
HadNapoleonnottakenoffenseatthedemandthatheshouldwithdrawbeyondtheVistula，andnotorderedhistroopstoadvance，therewouldhavebeennowar；buthadallhissergeantsobjectedtoservingasecondtermthenalsotherecouldhavebeennowar。NorcouldtherehavebeenawarhadtherebeennoEnglishintriguesandnoDukeofOldenburg，andhadAlexandernotfeltinsulted，andhadtherenotbeenanautocraticgovernmentinRussia，oraRevolutioninFranceandasubsequentdictatorshipandEmpire，orallthethingsthatproducedtheFrenchRevolution，andsoon。Withouteachofthesecausesnothingcouldhavehappened。Soallthesecauses—myriadsofcauses—coincidedtobringitabout。Andsotherewasnoonecauseforthatoccurrence，butithadtooccurbecauseithadto。Millionsofmen，renouncingtheirhumanfeelingsandreason，hadtogofromwesttoeasttoslaytheirfellows，justassomecenturiespreviouslyhordesofmenhadcomefromtheeasttothewest，slayingtheirfellows。