"MypoorhusbandisenduringpainsandhungerinJewishtaverns，butthenewswhichIhaveinspiresmeyetmore。
"YouheardprobablyoftheheroicexploitofRaevski，embracinghistwosonsandsaying：’Iwillperishwiththembutwewillnotbeshaken！’Andtrulythoughtheenemywastwicestrongerthanwe，wewereunshakable。Wepassthetimeaswecan，butinwarasinwar！TheprincessesAlineandSophiesitwholedayswithme，andwe，unhappywidowsoflivemen，makebeautifulconversationsoverourcharpie，onlyyou，myfriend，aremissing……"andsoon。
ThechiefreasonPrincessMarydidnotrealizethefullsignificanceofthiswarwasthattheoldprinceneverspokeofit，didnotrecognizeit，andlaughedatDessalleswhenhementioneditatdinner。
Theprince’stonewassocalmandconfidentthatPrincessMaryunhesitatinglybelievedhim。
AllthatJulytheoldprincewasexceedinglyactiveandevenanimated。Heplannedanothergardenandbegananewbuildingforthedomesticserfs。TheonlythingthatmadePrincessMaryanxiousabouthimwasthathesleptverylittleand，insteadofsleepinginhisstudyasusual，changedhissleepingplaceeveryday。Onedayhewouldorderhiscampbedtobesetupintheglassgallery，anotherdayheremainedonthecouchorontheloungechairinthedrawingroomanddozedtherewithoutundressing，while—insteadofMademoiselleBourienne—aserfboyreadtohim。Thenagainhewouldspendanightinthediningroom。
OnAugust1，asecondletterwasreceivedfromPrinceAndrew。Inhisfirstletterwhichcamesoonafterhehadlefthome，PrinceAndrewhaddutifullyaskedhisfather’sforgivenessforwhathehadallowedhimselftosayandbeggedtoberestoredtohisfavor。Tothislettertheoldprincehadrepliedaffectionately，andfromthattimehadkepttheFrenchwomanatatPrinceAndrew’ssecondletter，writtennearVitebskaftertheFrenchhadoccupiedthattown，gaveabriefaccountofthewholecampaign，enclosedforthemaplanhehaddrawnandforecastsastothefurtherprogressofthewar。InthisletterPrinceAndrewpointedouttohisfatherthedangerofstayingatBaldHills，sonearthetheaterofwarandonthearmy’sdirectlineofmarch，andadvisedhimtomovetoMoscow。
Atdinnerthatday，onDessalles’mentioningthattheFrenchweresaidtohavealreadyenteredVitebsk，theoldprincerememberedhisson’sletter。
"TherewasaletterfromPrinceAndrewtoday，"hesaidtoPrincessMary—"Haven’tyoureadit？"
"No，Father，"sherepliedinafrightenedvoice。
Shecouldnothavereadtheletterasshedidnotevenknowithadarrived。
"Hewritesaboutthiswar，"saidtheprince，withtheironicsmilethathadbecomehabitualtohiminspeakingofthepresentwar。
"Thatmustbeveryinteresting，"saidDessalles。"PrinceAndrewisinapositiontoknow……"
"Oh，veryinteresting！"saidMademoiselleBourienne。
"Goandgetitforme，"saidtheoldprincetoMademoiselleBourienne。"Youknow—underthepaperweightonthelittletable。"
MademoiselleBouriennejumpedupeagerly。
"No，don’t！"heexclaimedwithafrown。"Yougo，MichaelIvanovich。"
MichaelIvanovichroseandwenttothestudy。Butassoonashehadlefttheroomtheoldprince，lookinguneasilyround，threwdownhisnapkinandwenthimself。
"Theycan’tdoanything……alwaysmakesomemuddle，"hemuttered。
WhilehewasawayPrincessMary，Dessalles，MademoiselleBourienne，andevenlittleNicholasexchangedlooksinsilence。Theoldprincereturnedwithquicksteps，accompaniedbyMichaelIvanovich，bringingtheletterandaplan。Theseheputdownbesidehim—notlettinganyonereadthematdinner。
OnmovingtothedrawingroomhehandedthelettertoPrincessMaryand，spreadingoutbeforehimtheplanofthenewbuildingandfixinghiseyesuponit，toldhertoreadtheletteraloud。WhenshehaddonesoPrincessMarylookedinquiringlyatherfather。Hewasexaminingtheplan，evidentlyengrossedinhisownideas。
"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Prince？"Dessallesventuredtoask。
"I？I？……"saidtheprinceasifunpleasantlyawakened，andnottakinghiseyesfromtheplanofthebuilding。
"Verypossiblythetheaterofwarwillmovesoneartousthat……"
"Hahaha！Thetheaterofwar！"saidtheprince。"IhavesaidandstillsaythatthetheaterofwarisPolandandtheenemywillnevergetbeyondtheNiemen。"
Dessalleslookedinamazementattheprince，whowastalkingoftheNiemenwhentheenemywasalreadyattheDnieper，butPrincessMary，forgettingthegeographicalpositionoftheNiemen，thoughtthatwhatherfatherwassayingwascorrect。
"Whenthesnowmeltsthey’llsinkinthePolishswamps。Onlytheycouldfailtoseeit，"theprincecontinued，evidentlythinkingofthecampaignof1807whichseemedtohimsorecent。"BennigsenshouldhaveadvancedintoPrussiasooner，thenthingswouldhavetakenadifferentturn……"
"But，Prince，"Dessallesbegantimidly，"thelettermentionsVitebsk……"
"Ah，theletter？Yes……"repliedtheprincepeevishly。"Yes……
yes……"Hisfacesuddenlytookonamoroseexpression。Hepaused。
"Yes，hewritesthattheFrenchwerebeatenat……at……whatriverisit？"
Dessallesdroppedhiseyes。
"Theprincesaysnothingaboutthat，"heremarkedgently。
"Doesn’the？ButIdidn’tinventitmyself。"
Noonespokeforalongtime。
"Yes……yes……Well，MichaelIvanovich，"hesuddenlywenton，raisinghisheadandpointingtotheplanofthebuilding，"tellmehowyoumeantoalterit……"
MichaelIvanovichwentuptotheplan，andtheprinceafterspeakingtohimaboutthebuildinglookedangrilyatPrincessMaryandDessallesandwenttohisownroom。
PrincessMarysawDessalles’embarrassedandastonishedlookfixedonherfather，noticedhissilence，andwasstruckbythefactthatherfatherhadforgottenhisson’sletteronthedrawing—roomtable；
butshewasnotonlyafraidtospeakofitandaskDessallesthereasonofhisconfusionandsilence，butwasafraideventothinkaboutit。
IntheeveningMichaelIvanovich，sentbytheprince，cametoPrincessMaryforPrinceAndrew’sletterwhichhadbeenforgotteninthedrawingroom。Shegaveittohimand，unpleasantasitwastohertodoso，venturedtoaskhimwhatherfatherwasdoing。
"Alwaysbusy，"repliedMichaelIvanovichwitharespectfullyironicsmilewhichcausedPrincessMarytoturnpale。"He’sworryingverymuchaboutthenewbuilding。Hehasbeenreadingalittle，butnow"—MichaelIvanovichwenton，loweringhisvoice—"nowhe’sathisdesk，busywithhiswill，Iexpect。"Oneoftheprince’sfavoriteoccupationsoflatehadbeenthepreparationofsomepapershemeanttoleaveathisdeathandwhichhecalledhis"will。"
"AndAlpatychisbeingsenttoSmolensk？"askedPrincessMary。
"Oh，yes，hehasbeenwaitingtostartforsometime。"
BK10CH3
CHAPTERIII
WhenMichaelIvanovichreturnedtothestudywiththeletter，theoldprince，withspectaclesonandashadeoverhiseyes，wassittingathisopenbureauwithscreenedcandles，holdingapaperinhisoutstretchedhand，andinasomewhatdramaticattitudewasreadinghismanuscript—his"Remarks"ashetermedit—whichwastobetransmittedtotheEmperorafterhisdeath。
WhenMichaelIvanovichwentinthereweretearsintheprince’seyesevokedbythememoryofthetimewhenthepaperhewasnowreadinghadbeenwritten。HetooktheletterfromMichaelIvanovich’shand，putitinhispocket，foldeduphispapers，andcalledinAlpatychwhohadlongbeenwaiting。
TheprincehadalistofthingstobeboughtinSmolenskand，walkingupanddowntheroompastAlpatychwhostoodbythedoor，hegavehisinstructions。
"First，notepaper—doyouhear？Eightquires，likethissample，gilt—edged……itmustbeexactlylikethesample。Varnish，sealingwax，asinMichaelIvanovich’slist。"
Hepacedupanddownforawhileandglancedathisnotes。
"Thenhandtothegovernorinpersonaletteraboutthedeed。"
Next，boltsforthedoorsofthenewbuildingwerewantedandhadtobeofaspecialshapetheprincehadhimselfdesigned，andaleathercasehadtobeorderedtokeepthe"will"in。
TheinstructionstoAlpatychtookovertwohoursandstilltheprincedidnotlethimgo。Hesatdown，sankintothought，closedhiseyes，anddozedoff。Alpatychmadeaslightmovement。
"Well，go，go！IfanythingmoreiswantedI’llsendafteryou。"
Alpatychwentout。Theprinceagainwenttohisbureau，glancedintoit，fingeredhispapers，closedthebureauagain，andsatdownatthetabletowritetothegovernor。
Itwasalreadylatewhenheroseaftersealingtheletter。Hewishedtosleep，butheknewhewouldnotbeabletoandthatmostdepressingthoughtscametohiminbed。SohecalledTikhonandwentthroughtheroomswithhimtoshowhimwheretosetupthebedforthatnight。
Hewentaboutlookingateverycorner。Everyplaceseemedunsatisfactory，butworstofallwashiscustomarycouchinthestudy。
Thatcouchwasdreadfultohim，probablybecauseoftheoppressivethoughtshehadhadwhenlyingthere。Itwasunsatisfactoryeverywhere，butthecornerbehindthepianointhesittingroomwasbetterthanotherplaces：hehadneversleptthereyet。
WiththehelpofafootmanTikhonbroughtinthebedsteadandbeganputtingitup。
"That’snotright！That’snotright！"criedtheprince，andhimselfpusheditafewinchesfromthecornerandthencloserinagain。
"Well，atlastI’vefinished，nowI’llrest，"thoughttheprince，andletTikhonundresshim。
Frowningwithvexationattheeffortnecessarytodivesthimselfofhiscoatandtrousers，theprinceundressed，satdownheavilyonthebed，andappearedtobemeditatingashelookedcontemptuouslyathiswitheredyellowlegs。Hewasnotmeditating，butonlydeferringthemomentofmakingtheefforttoliftthoselegsupandturnoveronthebed。"Ugh，howharditis！Oh，thatthistoilmightendandyouwouldreleaseme！"thoughthe。Pressinghislipstogetherhemadethateffortforthetwenty—thousandthtimeandlaydown。Buthardlyhadhedonesobeforehefeltthebedrockingbackwardsandforwardsbeneathhimasifitwerebreathingheavilyandjolting。Thishappenedtohimalmosteverynight。Heopenedhiseyesastheywereclosing。
"Nopeace，damnthem！"hemuttered，angryheknewnotwithwhom。"Ahyes，therewassomethingelseimportant，veryimportant，thatIwaskeepingtillIshouldbeinbed。Thebolts？No，Itoldhimaboutthem。
No，itwassomething，somethinginthedrawingroom。PrincessMarytalkedsomenonsense。Dessalles，thatfool，saidsomething。
Somethinginmypocket—can’tremember……"
"Tikhon，whatdidwetalkaboutatdinner？"
"AboutPrinceMichael……"
"Bequiet，quiet！"Theprinceslappedhishandonthetable。"Yes，I
know，PrinceAndrew’sletter！PrincessMaryreadit。DessallessaidsomethingaboutVitebsk。NowI’llreadit。"
Hehadthelettertakenfromhispocketandthetable—onwhichstoodaglassoflemonadeandaspiralwaxcandle—movedclosetothebed，andputtingonhisspectacleshebeganreading。Onlynowinthestillnessofthenight，readingitbythefaintlightunderthegreenshade，didhegraspitsmeaningforamoment。
"TheFrenchatVitebsk，infourdays’marchtheymaybeatSmolensk；
perhapsarealreadythere！Tikhon！"Tikhonjumpedup。"No，no，Idon’twantanything！"heshouted。
Heputtheletterunderthecandlestickandclosedhiseyes。AndthererosebeforehimtheDanubeatbrightnoonday：reeds，theRussiancamp，andhimselfayounggeneralwithoutawrinkleonhisruddyface，vigorousandalert，enteringPotemkin’sgailycoloredtent，andaburningsenseofjealousyof"thefavorite"agitatedhimnowasstronglyasithaddonethen。HerecalledallthewordsspokenatthatfirstmeetingwithPotemkin。Andhesawbeforehimaplump，rathersallow—faced，short，stoutwoman，theEmpressMother，withhersmileandherwordsatherfirstgraciousreceptionofhim，andthenthatsamefaceonthecatafalque，andtheencounterhehadwithZubovoverhercoffinabouthisrighttokissherhand。
"Oh，quicker，quicker！Togetbacktothattimeandhavedonewithallthepresent！Quicker，quicker—andthattheyshouldleavemeinpeace！"
BK10CH4
CHAPTERIV
BaldHills，PrinceNicholasBolkonski’sestate，layfortymileseastfromSmolenskandtwomilesfromthemainroadtoMoscow。
ThesameeveningthattheprincegavehisinstructionstoAlpatych，Dessalles，havingaskedtoseePrincessMary，toldherthat，astheprincewasnotverywellandwastakingnostepstosecurehissafety，thoughfromPrinceAndrew’sletteritwasevidentthattoremainatBaldHillsmightbedangerous，herespectfullyadvisedhertosendaletterbyAlpatychtotheProvincialGovernoratSmolensk，askinghimtoletherknowthestateofaffairsandtheextentofthedangertowhichBaldHillswasexposed。DessalleswrotethislettertotheGovernorforPrincessMary，shesignedit，anditwasgiventoAlpatychwithinstructionstohandittotheGovernorandtocomebackasquicklyaspossibleiftherewasdanger。
HavingreceivedallhisordersAlpatych，wearingawhitebeaverhat—
apresentfromtheprince—andcarryingastickastheprincedid，wentoutaccompaniedbyhisfamily。Threewell—fedroansstoodreadyharnessedtoasmallconveyancewithaleatherhood。
Thelargerbellwasmuffledandthelittlebellsontheharnessstuffedwithpaper。TheprinceallowednooneatBaldHillstodrivewithringingbells；butonalongjourneyAlpatychlikedtohavethem。
Hissatellites—theseniorclerk，acountinghouseclerk，ascullerymaid，acook，twooldwomen，alittlepageboy，thecoachman，andvariousdomesticserfs—wereseeinghimoff。
Hisdaughterplacedchintz—covereddowncushionsforhimtositonandbehindhisback。Hisoldsister—in—lawpoppedinasmallbundle，andoneofthecoachmenhelpedhimintothevehicle。
"There！There！Women’sfuss！Women，women！"saidAlpatych，puffingandspeakingrapidlyjustastheprincedid，andheclimbedintothetrap。
Aftergivingtheclerkordersabouttheworktobedone，Alpatych，nottryingtoimitatetheprincenow，liftedthehatfromhisbaldheadandcrossedhimselfthreetimes。
"Ifthereisanything……comeback，YakovAlpatych！ForChrist’ssakethinkofus！"criedhiswife，referringtotherumorsofwarandtheenemy。
"Women，women！Women’sfuss！"mutteredAlpatychtohimselfandstartedonhisjourney，lookingroundatthefieldsofyellowryeandthestill—green，thicklygrowingoats，andatotherquiteblackfieldsjustbeingplowedasecondtime。
Ashewentalonghelookedwithpleasureattheyear’ssplendidcropofcorn，scrutinizedthestripsofryefieldwhichhereandtherewerealreadybeingreaped，madehiscalculationsastothesowingandtheharvest，andaskedhimselfwhetherhehadnotforgottenanyoftheprince’sorders。
Havingbaitedthehorsestwiceontheway，hearrivedatthetowntowardeveningonthefourthofAugust。
Alpatychkeptmeetingandovertakingbaggagetrainsandtroopsontheroad。AsheapproachedSmolenskheheardthesoundsofdistantfiring，butthesedidnotimpresshim。Whatstruckhimmostwasthesightofasplendidfieldofoatsinwhichacamphadbeenpitchedandwhichwasbeingmowndownbythesoldiers，evidentlyforfodder。
ThisfactimpressedAlpatych，butinthinkingabouthisownbusinesshesoonforgotit。
Alltheinterestsofhislifeformorethanthirtyyearshadbeenboundedbythewilloftheprince，andheneverwentbeyondthatlimit。Everythingnotconnectedwiththeexecutionoftheprince’sordersdidnotinterestanddidnotevenexistforAlpatych。
OnreachingSmolenskontheeveningofthefourthofAugustheputupintheGachinasuburbacrosstheDnieper，attheinnkeptbyFerapontov，wherehehadbeeninthehabitofputtingupforthelastthirtyyears。SomethirtyyearsagoFerapontov，byAlpatych’sadvice，hadboughtawoodfromtheprince，hadbeguntotrade，andnowhadahouse，aninn，andacorndealer’sshopinthatprovince。Hewasastout，dark，red—facedpeasantintheforties，withthicklips，abroadknobofanose，similarknobsoverhisblackfrowningbrows，andaroundbelly。
Wearingawaistcoatoverhiscottonshirt，Ferapontovwasstandingbeforehisshopwhichopenedontothestreet。OnseeingAlpatychhewentuptohim。
"You’rewelcome，YakovAlpatych。Folksareleavingthetown，butyouhavecometoit，"saidhe。
"Whyaretheyleavingthetown？"askedAlpatych。
"That’swhatIsay。Folksarefoolish！AlwaysafraidoftheFrench。"
"Women’sfuss，women’sfuss！"saidAlpatych。
"JustwhatIthink，YakovAlpatych。WhatIsayis：ordershavebeengivennottoletthemin，sothatmustberight。Andthepeasantsareaskingthreerublesforcarting—itisn’tChristian！"
YakovAlpatychheardwithoutheeding。Heaskedforasamovarandforhayforhishorses，andwhenhehadhadhisteahewenttobed。
Allnightlongtroopsweremovingpasttheinn。NextmorningAlpatychdonnedajacketheworeonlyintownandwentoutonbusiness。Itwasasunnymorningandbyeighto’clockitwasalreadyhot。"Agooddayforharvesting，"thoughtAlpatych。
Frombeyondthetownfiringhadbeenheardsinceearlymorning。Ateighto’clocktheboomingofcannonwasaddedtothesoundofmusketry。Manypeoplewerehurryingthroughthestreetsandthereweremanysoldiers，butcabswerestilldrivingabout，tradesmenstoodattheirshops，andservicewasbeingheldinthechurchesasusual。
Alpatychwenttotheshops，togovernmentoffices，tothepostoffice，andtotheGovernor’s。Intheofficesandshopsandatthepostofficeeveryonewastalkingaboutthearmyandabouttheenemywhowasalreadyattackingthetown，everybodywasaskingwhatshouldbedone，andallweretryingtocalmoneanother。
InfrontoftheGovernor’shouseAlpatychfoundalargenumberofpeople，Cossacks，andatravelingcarriageoftheGovernor’s。Attheporchhemettwoofthelandedgentry，oneofwhomheknew。Thisman，anex—captainofpolice，wassayingangrily：
"It’snojoke，youknow！It’sallverywellifyou’resingle。’Onemanthoughundoneisbutone，’astheproverbsays，butwiththirteeninyourfamilyandalltheproperty……They’vebroughtustoutterruin！Whatsortofgovernorsaretheytodothat？Theyoughttobehanged—thebrigands！……"
"Ohcome，that’senough！"saidtheother。
"WhatdoIcare？Lethimhear！We’renotdogs，"saidtheex—captainofpolice，andlookingroundhenoticedAlpatych。
"Oh，YakovAlpatych！Whathaveyoucomefor？"
"ToseetheGovernorbyhisexcellency’sorder，"answeredAlpatych，liftinghisheadandproudlythrustinghishandintothebosomofhiscoatashealwaysdidwhenhementionedtheprince……Hehasorderedmetoinquireintothepositionofaffairs，"headded。
"Yes，goandfindout！"shoutedtheangrygentleman。"They’vebroughtthingstosuchapassthattherearenocartsoranything！……Thereitisagain，doyouhear？"saidhe，pointinginthedirectionwhencecamethesoundsoffiring。
"They’vebroughtusalltoruin……thebrigands！"herepeated，anddescendedtheporchsteps。
Alpatychswayedhisheadandwentupstairs。Inthewaitingroomweretradesmen，women，andofficials，lookingsilentlyatoneanother。
ThedooroftheGovernor’sroomopenedandtheyallroseandmovedforward。Anofficialranout，saidsomewordstoamerchant，calledastoutofficialwithacrosshangingonhisnecktofollowhim，andvanishedagain，evidentlywishingtoavoidtheinquiringlooksandquestionsaddressedtohim。Alpatychmovedforwardandnexttimetheofficialcameoutaddressedhim，onehandplacedinthebreastofhisbuttonedcoat，andhandedhimtwoletters。
"TohisHonorBaronAsch，fromGeneral—in—ChiefPrinceBolkonski，"
heannouncedwithsuchsolemnityandsignificancethattheofficialturnedtohimandtooktheletters。
AfewminuteslatertheGovernorreceivedAlpatychandhurriedlysaidtohim：
"InformtheprinceandprincessthatIknewnothing：Iactedonthehighestinstructions—here……"andhehandedapapertoAlpatych。"Still，astheprinceisunwellmyadviceisthattheyshouldgotoMoscow。Iamjuststartingmyself。Informthem……"
ButtheGovernordidnotfinish：adustyperspiringofficerranintotheroomandbegantosaysomethinginFrench。TheGovernor’sfaceexpressedterror。
"Go，"hesaid，noddinghisheadtoAlpatych，andbeganquestioningtheofficer。
Eager，frightened，helplessglanceswereturnedonAlpatychwhenhecameoutoftheGovernor’sroom。Involuntarilylisteningnowtothefiring，whichhaddrawnnearerandwasincreasinginstrength，Alpatychhurriedtohisinn。ThepaperhandedtohimbytheGovernorsaidthis：
"IassureyouthatthetownofSmolenskisnotintheslightestdangerasyetanditisunlikelythatitwillbethreatenedwithany。IfromtheonesideandPrinceBagrationfromtheotheraremarchingtouniteourforcesbeforeSmolensk，whichjunctionwillbeeffectedonthe22ndinstant，andbotharmieswiththeirunitedforceswilldefendourcompatriotsoftheprovinceentrustedtoyourcaretilloureffortsshallhavebeatenbacktheenemiesofourFatherland，ortillthelastwarriorinourvaliantrankshasperished。FromthisyouwillseethatyouhaveaperfectrighttoreassuretheinhabitantsofSmolensk，forthosedefendedbytwosuchbravearmiesmayfeelassuredofvictory。"InstructionsfromBarclaydeTollytoBaronAsch，thecivilgovernorofSmolensk，1812。
Peoplewereanxiouslyroamingaboutthestreets。
Cartspiledhighwithhouseholdutensils，chairs，andcupboardskeptemergingfromthegatesoftheyardsandmovingalongthestreets。
LoadedcartsstoodatthehousenexttoFerapontov’sandwomenwerewailingandlamentingastheysaidgood—by。Asmallwatchdogranroundbarkinginfrontoftheharnessedhorses。
Alpatychenteredtheinnyardataquickerpacethanusualandwentstraighttotheshedwherehishorsesandtrapwere。Thecoachmanwasasleep。Hewokehimup，toldhimtoharness，andwentintothepassage。Fromthehost’sroomcamethesoundsofachildcrying，thedespairingsobsofawoman，andthehoarseangryshoutingofFerapontov。Thecookbeganrunninghitherandthitherinthepassagelikeafrightenedhen，justasAlpatychentered。
"He’sdonehertodeath。Killedthemistress！……Beather……draggedheraboutso！……"
"Whatfor？"askedAlpatych。
"Shekeptbeggingtogoaway。She’sawoman！’Takemeaway，’saysshe，’don’tletmeperishwithmylittlechildren！Folks，’shesays，’areallgone，sowhy，’shesays，’don’twego？’Andhebeganbeatingandpullingheraboutso！"
AtthesewordsAlpatychnoddedasifinapproval，andnotwishingtohearmorewenttothedooroftheroomoppositetheinnkeeper’s，wherehehadlefthispurchases。
"Youbrute，youmurderer！"screamedathin，palewomanwho，withababyinherarmsandherkerchieftornfromherhead，burstthroughthedooratthatmomentanddownthestepsintotheyard。
Ferapontovcameoutafterher，butonseeingAlpatychadjustedhiswaistcoat，smoothedhishair，yawned，andfollowedAlpatychintotheoppositeroom。
"Goingalready？"saidhe。
Alpatych，withoutansweringorlookingathishost，sortedhispackagesandaskedhowmuchheowed。
"We’llreckonup！Well，haveyoubeentotheGovernor’s？"askedFerapontov。"Whathasbeendecided？"
AlpatychrepliedthattheGovernorhadnottoldhimanythingdefinite。
"Withourbusiness，howcanwegetaway？"saidFerapontov。"We’dhavetopaysevenrublesacartloadtoDorogobuzhandItellthemthey’renotChristianstoaskit！Selivanov，now，didagoodstrokelastThursday—soldflourtothearmyatninerublesasack。Willyouhavesometea？"headded。
WhilethehorseswerebeingharnessedAlpatychandFerapontovovertheirteatalkedofthepriceofcorn，thecrops，andthegoodweatherforharvesting。
"Well，itseemstobegettingquieter，"remarkedFerapontov，finishinghisthirdcupofteaandgettingup。"Oursmusthavegotthebestofit。Theorderswerenottoletthemin。Sowe’reinforce，itseems……TheysaytheotherdayMatthewIvanychPlatovdrovethemintotheriverMarinaanddrownedsomeeighteenthousandinoneday。"
Alpatychcollectedhisparcels，handedthemtothecoachmanwhohadcomein，andsettledupwiththeinnkeeper。Thenoiseofwheels，hoofs，andbellswasheardfromthegatewayasalittletrappassedout。
Itwasbynowlateintheafternoon。Halfthestreetwasinshadow，theotherhalfbrightlylitbythesun。Alpatychlookedoutofthewindowandwenttothedoor。Suddenlythestrangesoundofafar—offwhistlingandthudwasheard，followedbyaboomofcannonblendingintoadullroarthatsetthewindowsrattling。
Hewentoutintothestreet：twomenwererunningpasttowardthebridge。Fromdifferentsidescamewhistlingsoundsandthethudofcannonballsandburstingshellsfallingonthetown。Butthesesoundswerehardlyheardincomparisonwiththenoiseofthefiringoutsidethetownandattractedlittleattentionfromtheinhabitants。ThetownwasbeingbombardedbyahundredandthirtygunswhichNapoleonhadorderedupafterfouro’clock。Thepeopledidnotatoncerealizethemeaningofthisbombardment。
Atfirstthenoiseofthefallingbombsandshellsonlyarousedcuriosity。Ferapontov’swife，whotillthenhadnotceasedwailingundertheshed，becamequietandwiththebabyinherarmswenttothegate，listeningtothesoundsandlookinginsilenceatthepeople。
Thecookandashopassistantcametothegate。Withlivelycuriosityeveryonetriedtogetaglimpseoftheprojectilesastheyflewovertheirheads。Severalpeoplecameroundthecornertalkingeagerly。
"Whatforce！"remarkedone。"Knockedtheroofandceilingalltosplinters！"
"Routeduptheearthlikeapig，"saidanother。
"That’sgrand，itbucksoneup！"laughedthefirst。"Luckyyoujumpedaside，oritwouldhavewipedyouout！"
Othersjoinedthosemenandstoppedandtoldhowcannonballshadfallenonahouseclosetothem。Meanwhilestillmoreprojectiles，nowwiththeswiftsinisterwhistleofacannonball，nowwiththeagreeableintermittentwhistleofashell，flewoverpeople’sheadsincessantly，butnotonefellcloseby，theyallflewover。Alpatychwasgettingintohistrap。Theinnkeeperstoodatthegate。
"Whatareyoustaringat？"heshoutedtothecook，whoinherredskirt，withsleevesrolledup，swingingherbareelbows，hadsteppedtothecornertolistentowhatwasbeingsaid。
"Whatmarvels！"sheexclaimed，buthearinghermaster’svoicesheturnedback。pullingdownhertucked—upskirt。
Oncemoresomethingwhistled，butthistimequiteclose，swoopingdownwardslikealittlebird；aflameflashedinthemiddleofthestreet，somethingexploded，andthestreetwasshroudedinsmoke。
"Scoundrel，whatareyoudoing？"shoutedtheinnkeeper，rushingtothecook。
Atthatmomentthepitifulwailingofwomenwasheardfromdifferentsides，thefrightenedbabybegantocry，andpeoplecrowdedsilentlywithpalefacesroundthecook。Theloudestsoundinthatcrowdwasherwailing。
"Oh—h—h！Dearsouls，dearkindsouls！Don’tletmedie！Mygoodsouls！……"
Fiveminuteslaternooneremainedinthestreet。Thecook，withherthighbrokenbyashellsplinter，hadbeencarriedintothekitchen。
Alpatych，hiscoachman，Ferapontov’swifeandchildrenandthehouseporterwereallsittinginthecellar，listening。Theroarofguns，thewhistlingofprojectiles，andthepiteousmoaningofthecook，whichroseabovetheothersounds，didnotceaseforamoment。Themistressrockedandhushedherbabyandwhenanyonecameintothecellaraskedinapatheticwhisperwhathadbecomeofherhusbandwhohadremainedinthestreet。Ashopmanwhoenteredtoldherthatherhusbandhadgonewithotherstothecathedral，whencetheywerefetchingthewonder—workingiconofSmolensk。
Towardduskthecannonadebegantosubside。Alpatychleftthecellarandstoppedinthedoorway。Theeveningskythathadbeensoclearwascloudedwithsmoke，throughwhich，highup，thesickleofthenewmoonshonestrangely。Nowthattheterribledinofthegunshadceasedahushseemedtoreignoverthetown，brokenonlybytherustleoffootsteps，themoaning，thedistantcries，andthecrackleoffireswhichseemedwidespreadeverywhere。Thecook’smoanshadnowsubsided。
Ontwosidesblackcurlingcloudsofsmokeroseandspreadfromthefires。Throughthestreetssoldiersinvariousuniformswalkedorranconfusedlyindifferentdirectionslikeantsfromaruinedant—hill。SeveralofthemranintoFerapontov’syardbeforeAlpatych’seyes。Alpatychwentouttothegate。Aretreatingregiment，throngingandhurrying，blockedthestreet。
Noticinghim，anofficersaid："Thetownisbeingabandoned。Getaway，getaway！"andthen，turningtothesoldiers，shouted：
"I’llteachyoutorunintotheyards！"
Alpatychwentbacktothehouse，calledthecoachman，andtoldhimtosetoff。Ferapontov’swholehouseholdcameouttoo，followingAlpatychandthecoachman。Thewomen，whohadbeensilenttillthen，suddenlybegantowailastheylookedatthefires—thesmokeandeventheflamesofwhichcouldbeseeninthefailingtwilight—andasifinreplythesamekindoflamentationwasheardfromotherpartsofthestreet。InsidetheshedAlpatychandthecoachmanarrangedthetangledreinsandtracesoftheirhorseswithtremblinghands。
AsAlpatychwasdrivingoutofthegatehesawsometensoldiersinFerapontov’sopenshop，talkingloudlyandfillingtheirbagsandknapsackswithflourandsunflowerseeds。JustthenFerapontovreturnedandenteredhisshop。Onseeingthesoldiershewasabouttoshoutatthem，butsuddenlystoppedand，clutchingathishair，burstintosobsandlaughter：
"Looteverything，lads！Don’tletthosedevilsgetit！"hecried，takingsomebagsofflourhimselfandthrowingthemintothestreet。
Someofthesoldierswerefrightenedandranaway，otherswentonfillingtheirbags。OnseeingAlpatych，Ferapontovturnedtohim：
"Russiaisdonefor！"hecried。"Alpatych，I’llsettheplaceonfiremyself。We’redonefor！……"andFerapontovranintotheyard。
Soldierswerepassinginaconstantstreamalongthestreetblockingitcompletely，sothatAlpatychcouldnotpassoutandhadtowait。
Ferapontov’swifeandchildrenwerealsosittinginacartwaitingtillitwasitwaspossibletodriveout。
Nighthadcome。Therewerestarsintheskyandthenewmoonshoneoutamidthesmokethatscreenedit。OntheslopingdescenttotheDnieperAlpatych’scartandthatoftheinnkeeper’swife，whichwereslowlymovingamidtherowsofsoldiersandofothervehicles，hadtostop。Inasidestreetnearthecrossroadswherethevehicleshadstopped，ahouseandsomeshopswereonfire。Thisfirewasalreadyburningitselfout。Theflamesnowdieddownandwerelostintheblacksmoke，nowsuddenlyflaredupagainbrightly，lightingupwithstrangedistinctnessthefacesofthepeoplecrowdingatthecrossroads。Blackfiguresflittedaboutbeforethefire，andthroughtheincessantcracklingoftheflamestalkingandshoutingcouldbeheard。Seeingthathistrapwouldnotbeabletomoveonforsometime，Alpatychgotdownandturnedintothesidestreettolookatthefire。Soldierswerecontinuallyrushingbackwardsandforwardsnearit，andhesawtwoofthemandamaninafriezecoatdraggingburningbeamsintoanotheryardacrossthestreet，whileotherscarriedbundlesofhay。
Alpatychwentuptoalargecrowdstandingbeforeahighbarnwhichwasblazingbriskly。Thewallswereallonfireandthebackwallhadfallenin，thewoodenroofwascollapsing，andtherafterswerealight。Thecrowdwasevidentlywatchingfortherooftofallin，andAlpatychwatchedforittoo。
"Alpatych！"afamiliarvoicesuddenlyhailedtheoldman。
"Mercyonus！Yourexcellency！"answeredAlpatych，immediatelyrecognizingthevoiceofhisyoungprince。
PrinceAndrewinhisridingcloak，mountedonablackhorse，waslookingatAlpatychfromthebackofthecrowd。
"Whyareyouhere？"heasked。
"Your……yourexcellency，"stammeredAlpatychandbrokeintosobs。
"Arewereallylost？Master！……"
"Whyareyouhere？"PrinceAndrewrepeated。
Atthatmomenttheflamesflaredupandshowedhisyoungmaster’spalewornface。Alpatychtoldhowhehadbeensentthereandhowdifficultitwastogetaway。
"Arewereallyquitelost，yourexcellency？"heaskedagain。
PrinceAndrewwithoutreplyingtookoutanotebookandraisinghiskneebeganwritinginpencilonapagehetoreout。Hewrotetohissister：
"Smolenskisbeingabandoned。BaldHillswillbeoccupiedbytheenemywithinaweek。SetoffimmediatelyforMoscow。Letmeknowatoncewhenyouwillstart。SendbyspecialmessengertoUsvyazh。"
HavingwrittenthisandgiventhepapertoAlpatych，hetoldhimhowtoarrangefordepartureoftheprince，theprincess，hisson，andtheboy’stutor，andhowandwheretolethimknowimmediately。Beforehehadhadtimetofinishgivingtheseinstructions，achiefofstafffollowedbyasuitegallopeduptohim。
"Youareacolonel？"shoutedthechiefofstaffwithaGermanaccent，inavoicefamiliartoPrinceAndrew。"Housesaresetonfireinyourpresenceandyoustandby！Whatdoesthismean？Youwillanswerforit！"shoutedBerg，whowasnowassistanttothechiefofstaffofthecommanderoftheleftflankoftheinfantryofthefirstarmy，aplace，asBergsaid，"veryagreeableandwellenevidence。"
PrinceAndrewlookedathimandwithoutreplyingwentonspeakingtoAlpatych。
"SotellthemthatIshallawaitareplytillthetenth，andifbythetenthIdon’treceivenewsthattheyhaveallgotawayIshallhavetothrowupeverythingandcomemyselftoBaldHills。"
"Prince，"saidBerg，recognizingPrinceAndrew，"IonlyspokebecauseIhavetoobeyorders，becauseIalwaysdoobeyexactly……
Youmustpleaseexcuseme，"hewentonapologetically。
Somethingcrackedintheflames。Thefiredieddownforamomentandwreathsofblacksmokerolledfromundertheroof。Therewasanotherterriblecrashandsomethinghugecollapsed。
"Ou—rou—rou！"yelledthecrowd，echoingthecrashofthecollapsingroofofthebarn，theburninggraininwhichdiffusedacakelikearomaallaround。Theflamesflaredupagain，lightingtheanimated，delighted，exhaustedfacesofthespectators。
Themaninthefriezecoatraisedhisarmsandshouted：
"It’sfine，lads！Nowit’sraging……It’sfine！"
"That’stheownerhimself，"criedseveralvoices。
"Wellthen，"continuedPrinceAndrewtoAlpatych，"reporttothemasIhavetoldyou"；andnotreplyingawordtoBergwhowasnowmutebesidehim，hetouchedhishorseandrodedownthesidestreet。
BK10CH5
CHAPTERV
FromSmolenskthetroopscontinuedtoretreat，followedbytheenemy。OnthetenthofAugusttheregimentPrinceAndrewcommandedwasmarchingalongthehighroadpasttheavenueleadingtoBaldHills。
Heatanddroughthadcontinuedformorethanthreeweeks。Eachdayfleecycloudsfloatedacrosstheskyandoccasionallyveiledthesun，buttowardeveningtheskyclearedagainandthesunsetinreddish—brownmist。Heavynightdewsalonerefreshedtheearth。Theunreapedcornwasscorchedandsheditsgrain。Themarshesdriedup。
Thecattlelowedfromhunger，findingnofoodonthesun—parchedmeadows。Onlyatnightandintheforestswhilethedewlastedwasthereanyfreshness。Butontheroad，thehighroadalongwhichthetroopsmarched，therewasnosuchfreshnessevenatnightorwhentheroadpassedthroughtheforest；thedewwasimperceptibleonthesandydustchurnedupmorethansixinchesdeep。Assoonasdaydawnedthemarchbegan。Theartilleryandbaggagewagonsmovednoiselesslythroughthedeepdustthatrosetotheveryhubsofthewheels，andtheinfantrysankankle—deepinthatsoft，choking，hotdustthatnevercooledevenatnight。Someofthisdustwaskneadedbythefeetandwheels，whiletherestroseandhunglikeacloudoverthetroops，settlingineyes，ears，hair，andnostrils，andworstofallinthelungsofthemenandbeastsastheymovedalongthatroad。
Thehigherthesunrosethehigherrosethatcloudofdust，andthroughthescreenofitshotfineparticlesonecouldlookwithnakedeyeatthesun，whichshowedlikeahugecrimsonballintheuncloudedsky。Therewasnowind，andthemenchokedinthatmotionlessatmosphere。Theymarchedwithhandkerchiefstiedovertheirnosesandmouths。Whentheypassedthroughavillagetheyallrushedtothewellsandfoughtforthewateranddrankitdowntothemud。
PrinceAndrewwasincommandofaregiment，andthemanagementofthatregiment，thewelfareofthemenandthenecessityofreceivingandgivingorders，engrossedhim。TheburningofSmolenskanditsabandonmentmadeanepochinhislife。Anovelfeelingofangeragainstthefoemadehimforgethisownsorrow。Hewasentirelydevotedtotheaffairsofhisregimentandwasconsiderateandkindtohismenandofficers。Intheregimenttheycalledhim"ourprince，"
wereproudofhimandlovedhim。Buthewaskindandgentleonlytothoseofhisregiment，toTimokhinandthelike—peoplequitenewtohim，belongingtoadifferentworldandwhocouldnotknowandunderstandhispast。Assoonashecameacrossaformeracquaintanceoranyonefromthestaff，hebristledupimmediatelyandgrewspiteful，ironical，andcontemptuous。Everythingthatremindedhimofhispastwasrepugnanttohim，andsoinhisrelationswiththatformercircleheconfinedhimselftotryingtodohisdutyandnottobeunfair。
IntrutheverythingpresenteditselfinadarkandgloomylighttoPrinceAndrew，especiallyaftertheabandonmentofSmolenskonthesixthofAugustheconsideredthatitcouldandshouldhavebeendefendedandafterhissickfatherhadhadtofleetoMoscow，abandoningtopillagehisdearlybelovedBaldHillswhichhehadbuiltandpeopled。Butdespitethis，thankstohisregiment，PrinceAndrewhadsomethingtothinkaboutentirelyapartfromgeneralquestions。
Twodayspreviouslyhehadreceivednewsthathisfather，son，andsisterhadleftforMoscow；andthoughtherewasnothingforhimtodoatBaldHills，PrinceAndrewwithacharacteristicdesiretofomenthisowngriefdecidedthathemustridethere。
Heorderedhishorsetobesaddledand，leavinghisregimentonthemarch，rodetohisfather’sestatewherehehadbeenbornandspenthischildhood。Ridingpastthepondwherethereusedalwaystobedozensofwomenchatteringastheyrinsedtheirlinenorbeatitwithwoodenbeetles，PrinceAndrewnoticedthattherewasnotasoulaboutandthatthelittlewashingwharf，tornfromitsplaceandhalfsubmerged，wasfloatingonitssideinthemiddleofthepond。Herodetothekeeper’slodge。Nooneatthestoneentrancegatesofthedriveandthedoorstoodopen。Grasshadalreadybeguntogrowonthegardenpaths，andhorsesandcalveswerestrayingintheEnglishpark。PrinceAndrewrodeuptothehothouse；someoftheglasspaneswerebroken，andofthetreesintubssomewereoverturnedandothersdriedup。HecalledforTarasthegardener，butnoonereplied。
Havinggoneroundthecornerofthehothousetotheornamentalgarden，hesawthatthecarvedgardenfencewasbrokenandbranchesoftheplumtreeshadbeentornoffwiththefruit。AnoldpeasantwhomPrinceAndrewinhischildhoodhadoftenseenatthegatewassittingonagreengardenseat，plaitingabastshoe。
HewasdeafanddidnothearPrinceAndrewrideup。Hewassittingontheseattheoldprinceusedtoliketositon，andbesidehimstripsofbastwerehangingonthebrokenandwitheredbranchofamagnolia。
PrinceAndrewrodeuptothehouse。Severallimesintheoldgardenhadbeencutdownandapiebaldmareandherfoalwerewanderinginfrontofthehouseamongtherosebushes。Theshutterswereallclosed，exceptatonewindowwhichwasopen。Alittleserfboy，seeingPrinceAndrew，ranintothehouse。Alpatych，havingsenthisfamilyaway，wasaloneatBaldHillsandwassittingindoorsreadingtheLivesoftheSaints。OnhearingthatPrinceAndrewhadcome，hewentoutwithhisspectaclesonhisnose，buttoninghiscoat，and，hastilysteppingup，withoutawordbeganweepingandkissingPrinceAndrew’sknee。
Then，vexedathisownweakness，heturnedawayandbegantoreportonthepositionofaffairs。EverythingpreciousandvaluablehadbeenremovedtoBogucharovo。Seventyquartersofgrainhadalsobeencartedaway。Thehayandthespringcorn，ofwhichAlpatychsaidtherehadbeenaremarkablecropthatyear，hadbeencommandeeredbythetroopsandmowndownwhilestillgreen。Thepeasantswereruined；someofthemtoohadgonetoBogucharovo，onlyafewremained。
Withoutwaitingtohearhimout，PrinceAndrewasked：
"Whendidmyfatherandsisterleave？"meaningwhendidtheyleaveforMoscow。
Alpatych，understandingthequestiontorefertotheirdepartureforBogucharovo，repliedthattheyhadleftontheseventhandagainwentintodetailsconcerningtheestatemanagement，askingforinstructions。
"AmItoletthetroopshavetheoats，andtotakeareceiptforthem？Wehavestillsixhundredquartersleft，"heinquired。
"WhatamItosaytohim？"thoughtPrinceAndrew，lookingdownontheoldman’sbaldheadshininginthesunandseeingbytheexpressiononhisfacethattheoldmanhimselfunderstoodhowuntimelysuchquestionswereandonlyaskedthemtoallayhisgrief。
"Yes，letthemhaveit，"repliedPrinceAndrew。
"Ifyounoticedsomedisorderinthegarden，"saidAlpatych，"itwasimpossibletopreventit。Threeregimentshavebeenhereandspentthenight，dragoonsmostly。Itookdownthenameandrankoftheircommandingofficer，tohandinacomplaintaboutit。"
"Well，andwhatareyougoingtodo？Willyoustayhereiftheenemyoccupiestheplace？"askedPrinceAndrew。
AlpatychturnedhisfacetoPrinceAndrew，lookedathim，andsuddenlywithasolemngestureraisedhisarm。
"Heismyrefuge！Hiswillbedone！"heexclaimed。
Agroupofbareheadedpeasantswasapproachingacrossthemeadowtowardtheprince。
"Well，good—by！"saidPrinceAndrew，bendingovertoAlpatych。
"Youmustgoawaytoo，takeawaywhatyoucanandtelltheserfstogototheRyazanestateortotheonenearMoscow。"
AlpatychclungtoPrinceAndrew’slegandburstintosobs。Gentlydisengaginghimself，theprincespurredhishorseandrodedowntheavenueatagallop。
Theoldmanwasstillsittingintheornamentalgarden，likeaflyimpassiveonthefaceofalovedonewhoisdead，tappingthelastonwhichhewasmakingthebastshoe，andtwolittlegirls，runningoutfromthehothousecarryingintheirskirtsplumstheyhadpluckedfromthetreesthere，cameuponPrinceAndrew。Onseeingtheyoungmaster，theelderonefrightenedlookclutchedheryoungercompanionbythehandandhidwithherbehindabirchtree，notstoppingtopickupsomegreenplumstheyhaddropped。
PrinceAndrewturnedawaywithstartledhaste，unwillingtoletthemseethattheyhadbeenobserved。Hewassorryfortheprettyfrightenedlittlegirl，wasafraidoflookingather，andyetfeltanirresistibledesiretodoso。Anewsensationofcomfortandreliefcameoverhimwhen，seeingthesegirls，herealizedtheexistenceofotherhumaninterestsentirelyalooffromhisownandjustaslegitimateasthosethatoccupiedhim。Evidentlythesegirlspassionatelydesiredonething—tocarryawayandeatthosegreenplumswithoutbeingcaught—andPrinceAndrewsharedtheirwishforthesuccessoftheirenterprise。Hecouldnotresistlookingatthemoncemore。Believingtheirdangerpast，theysprangfromtheirambushand，chirrupingsomethingintheirshrilllittlevoicesandholdinguptheirskirts，theirbarelittlesunburnedfeetscamperedmerrilyandquicklyacrossthemeadowgrass。
PrinceAndrewwassomewhatrefreshedbyhavingriddenoffthedustyhighroadalongwhichthetroopsweremoving。ButnotfarfromBaldHillsheagaincameoutontheroadandovertookhisregimentatitshaltingplacebythedamofasmallpond。Itwaspastoneo’clock。Thesun，aredballthroughthedust，burnedandscorchedhisbackintolerablythroughhisblackcoat。Thedustalwayshungmotionlessabovethebuzzoftalkthatcamefromtherestingtroops。
Therewasnowind。AshecrossedthedamPrinceAndrewsmelledtheoozeandfreshnessofthepond。Helongedtogetintothatwater，howeverdirtyitmightbe，andheglancedroundatthepoolfromwhencecamesoundsofshrieksandlaughter。Thesmall，muddy，greenpondhadrisenvisiblymorethanafoot，floodingthedam，becauseitwasfullofthenakedwhitebodiesofsoldierswithbrick—redhands，necks，andfaces，whoweresplashingaboutinit。Allthisnakedwhitehumanflesh，laughingandshrieking，flounderedaboutinthatdirtypoollikecarpstuffedintoawateringcan，andthesuggestionofmerrimentinthatflounderingmassrendereditspeciallypathetic。
Onefair—hairedyoungsoldierofthethirdcompany，whomPrinceAndrewknewandwhohadastraproundthecalfofoneleg，crossedhimself，steppedbacktogetagoodrun，andplungedintothewater；
another，adarknoncommissionedofficerwhowasalwaysshaggy，stooduptohiswaistinthewaterjoyfullywrigglinghismuscularfigureandsnortedwithsatisfactionashepouredthewateroverhisheadwithhandsblackenedtothewrists。Thereweresoundsofmenslappingoneanother，yelling，andpuffing。
Everywhereonthebank，onthedam，andinthepond，therewashealthy，white，muscularflesh。Theofficer，Timokhin，withhisredlittlenose，standingonthedamwipinghimselfwithatowel，feltconfusedatseeingtheprince，butmadeuphismindtoaddresshimnevertheless。
"It’sverynice，yourexcellency！Wouldn’tyouliketo？"saidhe。
"It’sdirty，"repliedPrinceAndrew，makingagrimace。
"We’llclearitoutforyouinaminute，"saidTimokhin，and，stillundressed，ranofftoclearthemenoutofthepond。
"Theprincewantstobathe。"
"Whatprince？Ours？"saidmanyvoices，andthemenwereinsuchhastetoclearoutthattheprincecouldhardlystopthem。Hedecidedthathewouldratherhimselfwithwaterinthebarn。
"Flesh，bodies，cannonfodder！"hethought，andhelookedathisownnakedbodyandshuddered，notfromcoldbutfromasenseofdisgustandhorrorhedidnothimselfunderstand，arousedbythesightofthatimmensenumberofbodiessplashingaboutinthedirtypond。
OntheseventhofAugustPrinceBagrationwroteasfollowsfromhisquartersatMikhaylovnaontheSmolenskroad：
DearCountAlexisAndreevich—HewaswritingtoArakcheevbutknewthathisletterwouldbereadbytheEmperor，andthereforeweighedeverywordinittothebestofhisability。
IexpecttheMinister[BarclaydeTolly]hasalreadyreportedtheabandonmentofSmolensktotheenemy。Itispitiableandsad，andthewholearmyisindespairthatthismostimportantplacehasbeenwantonlyabandoned。I，formypart，beggedhimpersonallymosturgentlyandfinallywrotehim，butnothingwouldinducehimtoconsent。IsweartoyouonmyhonorthatNapoleonwasinsuchafixasneverbeforeandmighthavelosthalfhisarmybutcouldnothavetakenSmolensk。Ourtroopsfought，andarefighting，asneverbefore。WithfifteenthousandmenIheldtheenemyatbayforthirty—fivehoursandbeathim；buthewouldnotholdoutevenforfourteenhours。Itisdisgraceful，astainonourarmy，andasforhim，heought，itseemstome，nottolive。Ifhereportsthatourlossesweregreat，itisnottrue；perhapsaboutfourthousand，notmore，andnoteventhat；butevenweretheytenthousand，that’swar！Buttheenemyhaslostmasses……
Whatwouldithavecosthimtoholdoutforanothertwodays？Theywouldhavehadtoretireoftheirownaccord，fortheyhadnowaterformenorhorses。Hegavemehiswordhewouldnotretreat，butsuddenlysentinstructionsthathewasretiringthatnight。Wecannotfightinthisway，orwemaysoonbringtheenemytoMoscow……
Thereisarumorthatyouarethinkingofpeace。Godforbidthatyoushouldmakepeaceafteralloursacrificesandsuchinsaneretreats！
YouwouldsetallRussiaagainstyouandeveryoneofuswouldfeelashamedtoweartheuniform。Ifithascometothis—wemustfightaslongasRussiacanandaslongastherearemenabletostand……
Onemanoughttobeincommand，andnottwo。YourMinistermayperhapsbegoodasaMinister，butasageneralheisnotmerelybadbutexecrable，yettohimisentrustedthefateofourwholecountry……Iamreallyfranticwithvexation；forgivemywritingboldly。Itisclearthatthemanwhoadvocatestheconclusionofapeace，andthattheMinistershouldcommandthearmy，doesnotloveoursovereignanddesirestheruinofusall。SoIwriteyoufrankly：calloutthemilitia。FortheMinisterisleadingthesevisitorsafterhimtoMoscowinamostmasterlyway。ThewholearmyfeelsgreatsuspicionoftheImperialaide—de—campWolzogen。HeissaidtobemoreNapoleon’smanthanours，andheisalwaysadvisingtheMinister。Iamnotmerelyciviltohimbutobeyhimlikeacorporal，thoughIamhissenior。Thisispainful，but，lovingmybenefactorandsovereign，Isubmit。OnlyIamsorryfortheEmperorthatheentrustsourfinearmytosuchashe。Considerthatonourretreatwehavelostbyfatigueandleftinthehospitalmorethanfifteenthousandmen，andhadweattackedthiswouldnothavehappened。Tellme，forGod’ssake，whatwillRussia，ourmotherRussia，saytoourbeingsofrightened，andwhyareweabandoningourgoodandgallantFatherlandtosuchrabbleandimplantingfeelingsofhatredandshameinalloursubjects？Whatarewescaredatandofwhomareweafraid？IamnottoblamethattheMinisterisvacillating，acoward，dense，dilatory，andhasallbadqualities。Thewholearmybewailsitandcallsdowncursesuponhim……
BK10CH6
CHAPTERVI
Amongtheinnumerablecategoriesapplicabletothephenomenaofhumanlifeonemaydiscriminatebetweenthoseinwhichsubstanceprevailsandthoseinwhichformprevails。Tothelatter—asdistinguishedfromvillage，country，provincial，orevenMoscowlife—wemayallotPetersburglife，andespeciallythelifeofitssalons。Thatlifeofthesalonsisunchanging。Sincetheyear1805
wehadmadepeaceandhadagainquarreledwithBonaparteandhadmadeconstitutionsandunmadethemagain，butthesalonsofAnnaPavlovnaHeleneremainedjustastheyhadbeen—theonesevenandtheotherfiveyearsbefore。AtAnnaPavlovna’stheytalkedwithperplexityofBonaparte’ssuccessesjustasbeforeandsawinthemandinthesubservienceshowntohimbytheEuropeansovereignsamaliciousconspiracy，thesoleobjectofwhichwastocauseunpleasantnessandanxietytothecourtcircleofwhichAnnaPavlovnawastherepresentative。AndinHelene’ssalon，whichRumyantsevhimselfhonoredwithhisvisits，regardingHeleneasaremarkablyintelligentwoman，theytalkedwiththesameecstasyin1812asin1808ofthe"greatnation"andthe"greatman，"andregrettedourrupturewithFrance，arupturewhich，accordingtothem，oughttobepromptlyterminatedbypeace。
Oflate，sincetheEmperor’sreturnfromthearmy，therehadbeensomeexcitementintheseconflictingsaloncirclesandsomedemonstrationsofhostilitytooneanother，buteachcampretaineditsowntendency。InAnnaPavlovna’scircleonlythoseFrenchmenwereadmittedwhoweredeep—rootedlegitimists，andpatrioticviewswereexpressedtotheeffectthatoneoughtnottogototheFrenchtheaterandthattomaintaintheFrenchtroupewascostingthegovernmentasmuchasawholearmycorps。Theprogressofthewarwaseagerlyfollowed，andonlythereportsmostflatteringtoourarmywerecirculated。IntheFrenchcircleofHeleneandRumyantsevthereportsofthecrueltyoftheenemyandofthewarwerecontradictedandallNapoleon’sattemptsatconciliationwerediscussed。InthatcircletheydiscountenancedthosewhoadvisedhurriedpreparationsforaremovaltoKazanofthecourtandthegirls’educationalestablishmentsunderthepatronageoftheDowagerEmpress。InHelene’scirclethewaringeneralwasregardedasaseriesofformaldemonstrationswhichwouldverysoonendinpeace，andtheviewprevailedexpressedbyBilibin—whonowinPetersburgwasquiteathomeinHelene’shouse，whicheveryclevermanwasobligedtovisit—
thatnotbygunpowderbutbythosewhoinventeditwouldmattersbesettled。InthatcircletheMoscowenthusiasm—newsofwhichhadreachedPetersburgsimultaneouslywiththeEmperor’sreturn—wasridiculedsarcasticallyandverycleverly，thoughwithmuchcaution。
AnnaPavlovna’scircleonthecontrarywasenrapturedbythisenthusiasmandspokeofitasPlutarchspeaksofthedeedsoftheancients。PrinceVasili，whostilloccupiedhisformerimportantposts，formedaconnectinglinkbetweenthesetwocircles。Hevisitedhis"goodfriendAnnaPavlovna"aswellashisdaughter’s"diplomaticsalon，"andofteninhisconstantcomingsandgoingsbetweenthetwocampsbecameconfusedandsaidatHelene’swhatheshouldhavesaidatAnnaPavlovna’sandviceversa。
SoonaftertheEmperor’sreturnPrinceVasiliinaconversationaboutthewaratAnnaPavlovna’sseverelycondemnedBarclaydeTolly，butwasundecidedastowhooughttobeappointedcommanderinchief。Oneofthevisitors，usuallyspokenofas"amanofgreatmerit，"havingdescribedhowhehadthatdayseenKutuzov，thenewlychosenchiefofthePetersburgmilitia，presidingovertheenrollmentofrecruitsattheTreasury，cautiouslyventuredtosuggestthatKutuzovwouldbethemantosatisfyallrequirements。
AnnaPavlovnaremarkedwithamelancholysmilethatKutuzovhaddonenothingbutcausetheEmperorannoyance。
"IhavetalkedandtalkedattheAssemblyoftheNobility，"PrinceVasiliinterrupted，"buttheydidnotlistentome。ItoldthemhiselectionaschiefofthemilitiawouldnotpleasetheEmperor。Theydidnotlistentome。
"It’sallthismaniaforopposition，"hewenton。"Andwhofor？ItisallbecausewewanttoapethefoolishenthusiasmofthoseMuscovites，"PrinceVasilicontinued，forgettingforamomentthatthoughatHelene’sonehadtoridiculetheMoscowenthusiasm，atAnnaPavlovna’sonehadtobeecstaticaboutit。Butheretrievedhismistakeatonce。"Now，isitsuitablethatCountKutuzov，theoldestgeneralinRussia，shouldpresideatthattribunal？Hewillgetnothingforhispains！Howcouldtheymakeamancommanderinchiefwhocannotmountahorse，whodropsasleepatacouncil，andhastheveryworstmorals！AgoodreputationhemadeforhimselfatBucharest！
Idon’tspeakofhiscapacityasageneral，butatatimelikethishowtheyappointtheyappointadecrepit，blindoldman，positivelyblind？Afineideatohaveablindgeneral！Hecan’tseeanything。
Toplayblindman’sbluff？Hecan’tseeatall！"
Noonerepliedtohisremarks。
Thiswasquitecorrectonthetwenty—fourthofJuly。Butonthetwenty—ninthofJulyKutuzovreceivedthetitleofPrince。Thismightindicateawishtogetridofhim，andthereforePrinceVasili’sopinioncontinuedtobecorrectthoughhewasnotnowinanyhurrytoexpressit。ButontheeighthofAugustacommittee，consistingofFieldMarshalSaltykov，Arakcheev，Vyazmitinov，Lopukhin，andKochubeymettoconsidertheprogressofthewar。ThiscommitteecametotheconclusionthatourfailureswereduetoawantofunityinthecommandandthoughthemembersofthecommitteewereawareoftheEmperor’sdislikeofKutuzov，afterashortdeliberationtheyagreedtoadvisehisappointmentascommanderinchief。ThatsamedayKutuzovwasappointedcommanderinchiefwithfullpowersoverthearmiesandoverthewholeregionoccupiedbythem。
OntheninthofAugustPrinceVasiliatAnnaPavlovna’sagainmetthe"manofgreatmerit。"ThelatterwasveryattentivetoAnnaPavlovnabecausehewantedtobeappointeddirectorofoneoftheeducationalestablishmentsforyoungladies。PrinceVasilienteredtheroomwiththeairofahappyconquerorwhohasattainedtheobjectofhisdesires。
"Well，haveyouheardthegreatnews？PrinceKutuzovisfieldmarshal！Alldissensionsareatanend！Iamsoglad，sodelighted！Atlastwehaveaman！"saidhe，glancingsternlyandsignificantlyroundateveryoneinthedrawingroom。
The"manofgreatmerit，"despitehisdesiretoobtainthepostofdirector，couldnotrefrainfromremindingPrinceVasiliofhisformeropinion。ThoughthiswasimpolitetoPrinceVasiliinAnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroom，andalsotoAnnaPavlovnaherselfwhohadreceivedthenewswithdelight，hecouldnotresistthetemptation。
"But，Prince，theysayheisblind！"saidhe，remindingPrinceVasiliofhisownwords。
"Eh？Nonsense！Heseeswellenough，"saidPrinceVasilirapidly，inadeepvoiceandwithaslightcough—thevoiceandcoughwithwhichhewaswonttodisposeofalldifficulties。
"Heseeswellenough，"headded。"AndwhatIamsopleasedabout，"
hewenton，"isthatoursovereignhasgivenhimfullpowersoverallthearmiesandthewholeregion—powersnocommanderinchiefeverhadbefore。Heisasecondautocrat，"heconcludedwithavictorioussmile。
"Godgrantit！Godgrantit！"saidAnnaPavlovna。
The"manofgreatmerit，"whowasstillanoviceincourtcircles，wishingtoflatterAnnaPavlovnabydefendingherformerpositiononthisquestion，observed：
"ItissaidthattheEmperorwasreluctanttogiveKutuzovthosepowers。TheysayheblushedlikeagirltowhomJocondeisread，whenhesaidtoKutuzov：’YourEmperorandtheFatherlandawardyouthishonor。’
"Perhapsthehearttooknopartinthatspeech，"saidAnnaPavlovna。
"Oh，no，no！"warmlyrejoinedPrinceVasili，whowouldnotnowyieldKutuzovtoanyone；inhisopinionKutuzovwasnotonlyadmirablehimself，butwasadoredbyeverybody。"No，that’simpossible，"saidhe，"foroursovereignappreciatedhimsohighlybefore。"
"GodgrantonlythatPrinceKutuzovassumesrealpoweranddoesnotallowanyonetoputaspokeinhiswheel，"observedAnnaPavlovna。
Understandingatoncetowhomshealluded，PrinceVasilisaidinawhisper：
"IknowforafactthatKutuzovmadeitanabsoluteconditionthattheTsarevichshouldnotbewiththearmy。DoyouknowwhathesaidtotheEmperor？"
AndPrinceVasilirepeatedthewordssupposedtohavebeenspokenbyKutuzovtotheEmperor。"Icanneitherpunishhimifhedoeswrongnorrewardhimifhedoesright。"
"Oh，averywisemanisPrinceKutuzov！Ihaveknownhimalongtime！"
"Theyevensay，"remarkedthe"manofgreatmerit"whodidnotyetpossesscourtlytact，"thathisexcellencymadeitanexpressconditionthatthesovereignhimselfshouldnotbewiththearmy。"
AssoonashesaidthisbothPrinceVasiliandAnnaPavlovnaturnedawayfromhimandglancedsadlyatoneanotherwithasighathisnaivete。
BK10CH7
CHAPTERVII
WhilethiswastakingplaceinPetersburgtheFrenchhadalreadypassedSmolenskandweredrawingnearerandnearertoMoscow。
Napoleon’shistorianThiers，likeotherofhishistorians，tryingtojustifyhisherosaysthathewasdrawntothewallsofMoscowagainsthiswill。Heisasrightasotherhistorianswholookfortheexplanationofhistoriceventsinthewillofoneman；heisasrightastheRussianhistorianswhomaintainthatNapoleonwasdrawntoMoscowbytheskilloftheRussiancommanders。Herebesidesthelawofretrospection，whichregardsallthepastasapreparationforeventsthatsubsequentlyoccur，thelawofreciprocitycomesin，confusingthewholematter。Agoodchessplayerhavinglostagameissincerelyconvincedthathislossresultedfromamistakehemadeandlooksforthatmistakeintheopening，butforgetsthatateachstageofthegamethereweresimilarmistakesandthatnoneofhismoveswereperfect。Heonlynoticesthemistaketowhichhepaysattention，becausehisopponenttookadvantageofit。Howmuchmorecomplexthanthisisthegameofwar，whichoccursundercertainlimitsoftime，andwhereitisnotonewillthatmanipulateslifelessobjects，buteverythingresultsfrominnumerableconflictsofvariouswills！
AfterSmolenskNapoleonsoughtabattlebeyondDorogobuzhatVyazma，andthenatTsarevo—Zaymishche，butithappenedthatowingtoaconjunctionofinnumerablecircumstancestheRussianscouldnotgivebattletilltheyreachedBorodino，seventymilesfromMoscow。FromVyazmaNapoleonorderedadirectadvanceonMoscow。
Moscou，lacapitaleasiatiquedecegrandempire，lavillesacreedespeuplesd’Alexandre，Moscouavecsesinnombrableseglisesenformedepagodeschinoises，*thisMoscowgaveNapoleon’simaginationnorest。OnthemarchfromVyazmatoTsarevo—ZaymishcheherodehislightbaybobtailedambleraccompaniedbyhisGuards，hisbodyguard，hispages，andaides—de—camp。Berthier，hischiefofstaff，droppedbehindtoquestionaRussianprisonercapturedbythecavalry。FollowedbyLelorgned’Ideville，aninterpreter，heovertookNapoleonatagallopandreinedinhishorsewithanamusedexpression。
*"Moscow，theAsiaticcapitalofthisgreatempire，thesacredcityofAlexander’speople，MoscowwithitsinnumerablechurchesshapedlikeChinesepagodas。"
"Well？"askedNapoleon。
"OneofPlatov’sCossackssaysthatPlatov’scorpsisjoiningupwiththemainarmyandthatKutuzovhasbeenappointedcommanderinchief。Heisaveryshrewdandgarrulousfellow。"
NapoleonsmiledandtoldthemtogivetheCossackahorseandbringthemantohim。Hewishedtotalktohimhimself。Severaladjutantsgallopedoff，andanhourlater，Lavrushka，theserfDenisovhadhandedovertoRostov，rodeuptoNapoleoninanorderly’sjacketandonaFrenchcavalrysaddle，withamerry，andtipsyface。
Napoleontoldhimtoridebyhissideandbeganquestioninghim。
"YouareaCossack？"
"Yes，aCossack，yourHonor。"
"TheCossack，notknowinginwhatcompanyhewas，forNapoleon’splainappearancehadnothingaboutitthatwouldrevealtoanOrientalmindthepresenceofamonarch，talkedwithextremefamiliarityoftheincidentsofthewar，"saysThiers，narratingthisepisode。InrealityLavrushka，havinggotdrunkthedaybeforeandlefthismasterdinnerless，hadbeenwhippedandsenttothevillageinquestofchickens，whereheengagedinlootingtilltheFrenchtookhimprisoner。Lavrushkawasoneofthosecoarse，bare—facedlackeyswhohaveseenallsortsofthings，consideritnecessarytodoeverythinginameanandcunningway，arereadytorenderanysortofservicetotheirmaster，andarekeenatguessingtheirmaster’sbaserimpulses，especiallythosepromptedbyvanityandpettiness。
FindinghimselfinthecompanyofNapoleon，whoseidentityhehadeasilyandsurelyrecognized，Lavrushkawasnotintheleastabashedbutmerelydidhisutmosttogainhisnewmaster’sfavor。
HeknewverywellthatthiswasNapoleon，butNapoleon’spresencecouldnomoreintimidatehimthanRostov’s，orasergeantmajor’swiththerods，wouldhavedone，forhehadnothingthateitherthesergeantmajororNapoleoncoulddeprivehimof。
Soherattledon，tellingallthegossiphehadheardamongtheorderlies。Muchofittrue。ButwhenNapoleonaskedhimwhethertheRussiansthoughttheywouldbeatBonaparteornot，Lavrushkascreweduphiseyesandconsidered。
Inthisquestionhesawsubtlecunning，asmenofhistypeseecunningineverything，sohefrownedanddidnotanswerimmediately。
"It’slikethis，"hesaidthoughtfully，"ifthere’sabattlesoon，yourswillwin。That’sright。Butifthreedayspass，thenafterthat，well，thenthatsamebattlewillnotsoonbeover。"
Lelorgned’IdevillesmilinglyinterpretedthisspeechtoNapoleonthus："IfabattletakesplacewithinthenextthreedaystheFrenchwillwin，butiflater，Godknowswhatwillhappen。"Napoleondidnotsmile，thoughhewasevidentlyinhighgoodhumor，andheorderedthesewordstoberepeated。
Lavrushkanoticedthisandtoentertainhimfurther，pretendingnottoknowwhoNapoleonwas，added：
"WeknowthatyouhaveBonaparteandthathehasbeateneverybodyintheworld，butweareadifferentmatter……"—withoutknowingwhyorhowthisbitofboastfulpatriotismslippedoutattheend。
Theinterpretertranslatedthesewordswithoutthelastphrase，andBonapartesmiled。"TheyoungCossackmadehismightyinterlocutorsmile，"saysThiers。Afterridingafewpacesinsilence，NapoleonturnedtoBerthierandsaidhewishedtoseehowthenewsthathewastalkingtotheEmperorhimself，tothatveryEmperorwhohadwrittenhisimmortallyvictoriousnameonthePyramids，wouldaffectthisenfantduDon。*
*"ChildoftheDon。"
ThefactwasaccordinglyconveyedtoLavrushka。
Lavrushka，understandingthatthiswasdonetoperplexhimandthatNapoleonexpectedhimtobefrightened，togratifyhisnewmasterspromptlypretendedtobeastonishedandawe—struck，openedhiseyeswide，andassumedtheexpressionheusuallyputonwhentakentobewhipped。"AssoonasNapoleon’sinterpreterhadspoken，"saysThiers，"theCossack，seizedbyamazement，didnotutteranotherword，butrodeon，hiseyesfixedontheconquerorwhosefamehadreachedhimacrossthesteppesoftheEast。Allhisloquacitywassuddenlyarrestedandreplacedbyanaiveandsilentfeelingofadmiration。
Napoleon，aftermakingtheCossackapresent，hadhimsetfreelikeabirdrestoredtoitsnativefields。"
Napoleonrodeon，dreamingoftheMoscowthatsoappealedtohisimagination，and"thebirdrestoredtoitsnativefields"gallopedtoouroutposts，inventingonthewayallthathadnottakenplacebutthathemeanttorelatetohiscomrades。Whathadreallytakenplacehedidnotwishtorelatebecauseitseemedtohimnotworthtelling。HefoundtheCossacks，inquiredfortheregimentoperatingwithPlatov’sdetachmentandbyeveningfoundhismaster，NicholasRostov，quarteredatYankovo。RostovwasjustmountingtogoforarideroundtheneighboringvillageswithIlyin；heletLavrushkahaveanotherhorseandtookhimalongwithhim。
BK10CH8
CHAPTERVIII
PrincessMarywasnotinMoscowandoutofdangerasPrinceAndrewsupposed。
AfterthereturnofAlpatychfromSmolensktheoldprincesuddenlyseemedtoawakeasfromadream。Heorderedthemilitiamentobecalledupfromthevillagesandarmed，andwrotealettertothecommanderinchiefinforminghimthathehadresolvedtoremainatBaldHillstothelastextremityandtodefendit，leavingtothecommanderinchief’sdiscretiontotakemeasuresornotforthedefenseofBaldHills，whereoneofRussia’soldestgeneralswouldbecapturedorkilled，andheannouncedtohishouseholdthathewouldremainatBaldHills。
Butwhilehimselfremaining，hegaveinstructionsforthedepartureoftheprincessandDessalleswiththelittleprincetoBogucharovoandthencetoMoscow。PrincessMary，alarmedbyherfather’sfeverishandsleeplessactivityafterhispreviousapathy，couldnotbringherselftoleavehimaloneandforthefirsttimeinherlifeventuredtodisobeyhim。Sherefusedtogoawayandherfather’sfurybrokeoverherinaterriblestorm。Herepeatedeveryinjusticehehadeverinflictedonher。Tryingtoconvicther，hetoldhershehadwornhimout，hadcausedhisquarrelwithhisson，hadharborednastysuspicionsofhim，makingittheobjectofherlifetopoisonhisexistence，andhedroveherfromhisstudytellingherthatifshedidnotgoawayitwasallthesametohim。Hedeclaredthathedidnotwishtorememberherexistenceandwarnedhernottodaretolethimseeher。Thefactthathedidnot，asshehadfeared，orderhertobecarriedawaybyforcebutonlytoldhernottolethimseehercheeredPrincessMary。Sheknewitwasaproofthatinthedepthofhissoulhewasgladshewasremainingathomeandhadnotgoneaway。
ThemorningafterlittleNicholashadleft，theoldprincedonnedhisfulluniformandpreparedtovisitthecommanderinchief。Hiscalechewasalreadyatthedoor。PrincessMarysawhimwalkoutofthehouseinhisuniformwearingallhisordersandgodownthegardentoreviewhisarmedpeasantsanddomesticserfs。Shesatbythewindowlisteningtohisvoicewhichreachedherfromthegarden。Suddenlyseveralmencamerunninguptheavenuewithfrightenedfaces。
PrincessMaryranouttotheporch，downtheflower—borderedpath，andintotheavenue。Alargecrowdofmilitiamenanddomesticsweremovingtowardher，andintheirmidstseveralmenweresupportingbythearmpitsanddraggingalongalittleoldmaninauniformanddecorations。Sheranuptohimand，intheplayofthesunlightthatfellinsmallroundspotsthroughtheshadeofthelime—treeavenue，couldnotbesurewhatchangetherewasinhisface。Allshecouldseewasthathisformersternanddeterminedexpressionhadalteredtooneoftimidityandsubmission。Onseeinghisdaughterhemovedhishelplesslipsandmadeahoarsesound。Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwhathewanted。Hewasliftedup，carriedtohisstudy，andlaidontheverycouchhehadsofearedoflate。