Butitremainedanarmyonlyuntilitssoldiershaddispersedintotheirdifferentlodgings。Assoonasthemenofthevariousregimentsbegantodisperseamongthewealthyanddesertedhouses，thearmywaslostforeverandtherecameintobeingsomethingnondescript，neithercitizensnorsoldiersbutwhatareknownasmarauders。WhenfiveweekslaterthesesamemenleftMoscow，theynolongerformedanarmy。Theywereamobofmarauders，eachcarryingaquantityofarticleswhichseemedtohimvaluableoruseful。TheaimofeachmanwhenheleftMoscowwasnolonger，asithadbeen，toconquer，butmerelytokeepwhathehadacquired。Likeamonkeywhichputsitspawintothenarrowneckofajug，andhavingseizedahandfulofnutswillnotopenitsfistforfearoflosingwhatitholds，andthereforeperishes，theFrenchwhentheyleftMoscowhadinevitablytoperishbecausetheycarriedtheirlootwiththem，yettoabandonwhattheyhadstolenwasasimpossibleforthemasitisforthemonkeytoopenitspawandletgoofitsnuts。TenminutesaftereachregimenthadenteredaMoscowdistrict，notasoldierorofficerwasleft。
MeninmilitaryuniformsandHessianbootscouldbeseenthroughthewindows，laughingandwalkingthroughtherooms。Incellarsandstoreroomssimilarmenwerebusyamongtheprovisions，andintheyardsunlockingorbreakingopencoachhouseandstabledoors，lightingfiresinkitchensandkneadingandbakingbreadwithrolled—upsleeves，andcooking；orfrightening，amusing，orcaressingwomenandchildren。Thereweremanysuchmenbothintheshopsandhouses—buttherewasnoarmy。
OrderafterorderwasissuedbytheFrenchcommandersthatdayforbiddingthementodisperseaboutthetown，sternlyforbiddinganyviolencetotheinhabitantsoranylooting，andannouncingarollcallforthatveryevening。Butdespiteallthesemeasuresthemen，whohadtillthenconstitutedanarmy，flowedalloverthewealthy，desertedcitywithitscomfortsandplentifulsupplies。Asahungryherdofcattlekeepswelltogetherwhencrossingabarrenfield，butgetsoutofhandandatoncedispersesuncontrollablyassoonasitreachesrichpastures，sodidthearmydispersealloverthewealthycity。
NoresidentswereleftinMoscow，andthesoldiers—likewaterpercolatingthroughsand—spreadirresistiblythroughthecityinalldirectionsfromtheKremlinintowhichtheyhadfirstmarched。Thecavalry，onenteringamerchant’shousethathadbeenabandonedandfindingtherestablingmorethansufficientfortheirhorses，wenton，allthesame，tothenexthousewhichseemedtothembetter。Manyofthemappropriatedseveralhouses，chalkedtheirnamesonthem，andquarreledandevenfoughtwithothercompaniesforthem。Beforetheyhadhadtimetosecurequartersthesoldiersranoutintothestreetstoseethecityand，hearingthateverythinghadbeenabandoned，rushedtoplaceswherevaluablesweretobehadforthetaking。Theofficersfollowedtocheckthesoldiersandwereinvoluntarilydrawnintodoingthesame。InCarriageRowcarriageshadbeenleftintheshops，andgeneralsflockedtheretoselectcalechesandcoachesforthemselves。Thefewinhabitantswhohadremainedinvitedcommandingofficerstotheirhouses，hopingtherebytosecurethemselvesfrombeingplundered。Thereweremassesofwealthandthereseemednoendtoit。AllaroundthequartersoccupiedbytheFrenchwereotherregionsstillunexploredandunoccupiedwhere，theythought，yetgreaterrichesmightbefound。AndMoscowengulfedthearmyeverdeeperanddeeper。Whenwaterisspilledondrygroundboththedrygroundandthewaterdisappearandmudresults；andinthesamewaytheentryofthefamishedarmyintotherichanddesertedcityresultedinfiresandlootingandthedestructionofboththearmyandthewealthycity。
TheFrenchattributedtheFireofMoscowaupatriotismeferocedeRostopchine，*theRussianstothebarbarityoftheFrench。Inreality，however，itwasnot，andcouldnotbe，possibletoexplaintheburningofMoscowbymakinganyindividual，oranygroupofpeople，responsibleforit。Moscowwasburnedbecauseitfounditselfinapositioninwhichanytownbuiltofwoodwasboundtoburn，quiteapartfromwhetherithad，orhadnot，ahundredandthirtyinferiorfireengines。DesertedMoscowhadtoburnasinevitablyasaheapofshavingshastoburnonwhichsparkscontinuallyfallforseveraldays。Atownbuiltofwood，wherescarcelyadaypasseswithoutconflagrationswhenthehouseownersareinresidenceandapoliceforceispresent，cannothelpburningwhenitsinhabitantshaveleftitanditisoccupiedbysoldierswhosmokepipes，makecampfiresoftheSenatechairsintheSenateSquare，andcookthemselvesmealstwiceaday。Inpeacetimeitisonlynecessarytobillettroopsinthevillagesofanydistrictandthenumberoffiresinthatdistrictimmediatelyincreases。Howmuchthenmusttheprobabilityoffirebeincreasedinanabandoned，woodentownwhereforeigntroopsarequartered。"LepatriotismeferocedeRostopchine"andthebarbarityoftheFrenchwerenottoblameinthematter。Moscowwassetonfirebythesoldiers’pipes，kitchens，andcampfires，andbythecarelessnessofenemysoldiersoccupyinghousestheydidnotown。Eveniftherewasanyarsonwhichisverydoubtful，fornoonehadanyreasontoburnthehouses—inanycaseatroublesomeanddangerousthingtodo，arsoncannotberegardedasthecause，forthesamethingwouldhavehappenedwithoutanyincendiarism。
*ToRostopchin’sferociouspatriotism。
HowevertemptingitmightbefortheFrenchtoblameRostopchin’sferocityandforRussianstoblamethescoundrelBonaparte，orlaterontoplaceanheroictorchinthehandsoftheirownpeople，itisimpossiblenottoseethattherecouldbenosuchdirectcauseofthefire，forMoscowhadtoburnaseveryvillage，factory，orhousemustburnwhichisleftbyitsownersandinwhichstrangersareallowedtoliveandcooktheirporridge。Moscowwasburnedbyitsinhabitants，itistrue，butbythosewhohadabandoneditandnotbythosewhoremainedinit。MoscowwhenoccupiedbytheenemydidnotremainintactlikeBerlin，Vienna，andothertowns，simplybecauseitsinhabitantsabandoneditanddidnotwelcometheFrenchwithbreadandsalt，norbringthemthekeysofthecity。
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TheabsorptionoftheFrenchbyMoscow，radiatingstarwiseasitdid，onlyreachedthequarterwherePierrewasstayingbytheeveningofthesecondofSeptember。
Afterthelasttwodaysspentinsolitudeandunusualcircumstances，Pierrewasinastateborderingoninsanity。Hewascompletelyobsessedbyonepersistentthought。Hedidnotknowhoworwhenthisthoughthadtakensuchpossessionofhim，butherememberednothingofthepast，understoodnothingofthepresent，andallhesawandheardappearedtohimlikeadream。
Hehadlefthomeonlytoescapetheintricatetangleoflife’sdemandsthatenmeshedhim，andwhichinhispresentconditionhewasunabletounravel。HehadgonetoJosephAlexeevich’shouse，onthepleaofsortingthedeceased’sbooksandpapers，onlyinsearchofrestfromlife’sturmoil，forinhismindthememoryofJosephAlexeevichwasconnectedwithaworldofeternal，solemn，andcalmthoughts，quitecontrarytotherestlessconfusionintowhichhefelthimselfbeingdrawn。Hesoughtaquietrefuge，andinJosephAlexeevich’sstudyhereallyfoundit。Whenhesatwithhiselbowsonthedustywritingtableinthedeathlikestillnessofthestudy，calmandsignificantmemoriesofthelastfewdaysroseoneafteranotherinhisimagination，particularlyofthebattleofBorodinoandofthatvaguesenseofhisowninsignificanceandinsinceritycomparedwiththetruth，simplicity，andstrengthoftheclassofmenhementallyclassedasthey。WhenGerasimrousedhimfromhisreverietheideaoccurredtohimoftakingpartinthepopulardefenseofMoscowwhichheknewwasprojected。AndwiththatobjecthehadaskedGerasimtogethimapeasant’scoatandapistol，confidingtohimhisintentionsofremaininginJosephAlexeevich’shouseandkeepinghisnamesecret。ThenduringthefirstdayspentininactionandsolitudehetriedseveraltimestofixhisattentionontheMasonicmanuscripts，butwasunabletodosotheideathathadpreviouslyoccurredtohimofthecabalisticsignificanceofhisnameinconnectionwithBonaparte’smorethanoncevaguelypresenteditself。
Buttheideathathe，L’russeBesuhof，wasdestinedtosetalimittothepoweroftheBeastwasasyetonlyoneofthefanciesthatoftenpassedthroughhismindandleftnotracebehind。
When，havingboughtthecoatmerelywiththeobjectoftakingpartamongthepeopleinthedefenseofMoscow，PierrehadmettheRostovsandNatashahadsaidtohim："AreyouremaininginMoscow？……Howsplendid！"thethoughtflashedintohismindthatitreallywouldbeagoodthing，evenifMoscowweretaken，forhimtoremainthereanddowhathewaspredestinedtodo。
Nextday，withthesoleideaofnotsparinghimselfandnotlagginginanywaybehindthem，PierrewenttotheThreeHillsgate。
ButwhenhereturnedtothehouseconvincedthatMoscowwouldnotbedefended，hesuddenlyfeltthatwhatbeforehadseemedtohimmerelyapossibilityhadnowbecomeabsolutelynecessaryandinevitable。HemustremaininMoscow，concealinghisname，andmustmeetNapoleonandkillhim，andeitherperishorputanendtothemiseryofallEurope—
whichitseemedtohimwassolelyduetoNapoleon。
PierreknewallthedetailsoftheattemptonBonaparte’slifein1809byaGermanstudentinVienna，andknewthatthestudenthadbeenshot。Andtherisktowhichhewouldexposehislifebycarryingouthisdesignexcitedhimstillmore。
TwoequallystrongfeelingsdrewPierreirresistiblytothispurpose。Thefirstwasafeelingofthenecessityofsacrificeandsufferinginviewofthecommoncalamity，thesamefeelingthathadcausedhimtogotoMozhayskonthetwenty—fifthandtomakehiswaytotheverythickofthebattleandhadnowcausedhimtorunawayfromhishomeand，inplaceoftheluxuryandcomforttowhichhewasaccustomed，tosleeponahardsofawithoutundressingandeatthesamefoodasGerasim。TheotherwasthatvagueandquiteRussianfeelingofcontemptforeverythingconventional，artificial，andhuman—foreverythingthemajorityofmenregardasthegreatestgoodintheworld。PierrehadfirstexperiencedthisstrangeandfascinatingfeelingattheSlobodaPalace，whenhehadsuddenlyfeltthatwealth，power，andlife—allthatmensopainstakinglyacquireandguard—ifithasanyworthhassoonlybyreasonthejoywithwhichitcanallberenounced。
Itwasthefeelingthatinducesavolunteerrecruittospendhislastpennyondrink，andadrunkenmantosmashmirrorsorglassesfornoapparentreasonandknowingthatitwillcosthimallthemoneyhepossesses：thefeelingwhichcausesamantoperformactionswhichfromanordinarypointofviewareinsane，totest，asitwere，hispersonalpowerandstrength，affirmingtheexistenceofahigher，nonhumancriterionoflife。
FromtheverydayPierrehadexperiencedthisfeelingforthefirsttimeattheSlobodaPalacehehadbeencontinuouslyunderitsinfluence，butonlynowfoundfullsatisfactionforit。Moreover，atthismomentPierrewassupportedinhisdesignandpreventedfromrenouncingitbywhathehadalreadydoneinthatdirection。IfhewerenowtoleaveMoscowlikeeveryoneelse，hisflightfromhome，thepeasantcoat，thepistol，andhisannouncementtotheRostovsthathewouldremaininMoscowwouldallbecomenotmerelymeaninglessbutcontemptibleandridiculous，andtothisPierrewasverysensitive。
Pierre’sphysicalcondition，asisalwaysthecase，correspondedtohismentalstate。Theunaccustomedcoarsefood，thevodkahedrankduringthosedays，theabsenceofwineandcigars，hisdirtyunchangedlinen，twoalmostsleeplessnightspassedonashortsofawithoutbedding—allthiskepthiminastateofexcitementborderingoninsanity。
Itwastwoo’clockintheafternoon。TheFrenchhadalreadyenteredMoscow。Pierreknewthis，butinsteadofactingheonlythoughtabouthisundertaking，goingoveritsminutestdetailsinhismind。InhisfancyhedidnotclearlypicturetohimselfeitherthestrikingofthebloworthedeathofNapoleon，butwithextraordinaryvividnessandmelancholyenjoymentimaginedhisowndestructionandheroicendurance。
"Yes，alone，forthesakeofall，Imustdoitorperish！"hethought。"Yes，Iwillapproach……andthensuddenly……withpistolordagger？Butthatisallthesame！’ItisnotIbutthehandofProvidencethatpunishesthee，’Ishallsay，"thoughthe，imaginingwhathewouldsaywhenkillingNapoleon。"Wellthen，takemeandexecuteme！"hewenton，speakingtohimselfandbowinghisheadwithasadbutfirmexpression。
WhilePierre，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，wastalkingtohimselfinthisway，thestudydooropenedandonthethresholdappearedthefigureofMakarAlexeevich，alwayssotimidbeforebutnowquitetransformed。
Hisdressinggownwasunfastened，hisfaceredanddistorted。Hewasobviouslydrunk。OnseeingPierrehegrewconfusedatfirst，butnoticingembarrassmentonPierre’sfaceimmediatelygrewboldand，staggeringonhisthinlegs，advancedintothemiddleoftheroom。
"They’refrightened，"hesaidconfidentiallyinahoarsevoice。"I
sayIwon’tsurrender，Isay……AmInotright，sir？"
Hepausedandthensuddenlyseeingthepistolonthetableseizeditwithunexpectedrapidityandranoutintothecorridor。
Gerasimandtheporter，whohadfollowedMakarAlexeevich，stoppedhiminthevestibuleandtriedtotakethepistolfromhim。Pierre，comingoutintothecorridor，lookedwithpityandrepulsionatthehalf—crazyoldman。MakarAlexeevich，frowningwithexertion，heldontothepistolandscreamedhoarsely，evidentlywithsomeheroicfancyinhishead。
"Toarms！Boardthem！No，youshan’tgetit，"heyelled。
"Thatwilldo，please，thatwilldo。Havethegoodness—please，sir，toletgo！Please，sir……"pleadedGerasim，tryingcarefullytosteerMakarAlexeevichbytheelbowsbacktothedoor。
"Whoareyou？Bonaparte！……"shoutedMakarAlexeevich。
"That’snotright，sir。Cometoyourroom，please，andrest。Allowmetohavethepistol。"
"Beoff，thoubaseslave！Touchmenot！Seethis？"shoutedMakarAlexeevich，brandishingthepistol。"Boardthem！"
"Catchhold！"whisperedGerasimtotheporter。
TheyseizedMakarAlexeevichbythearmsanddraggedhimtothedoor。
Thevestibulewasfilledwiththediscordantsoundsofastruggleandofatipsy，hoarsevoice。
Suddenlyafreshsound，apiercingfemininescream，reverberatedfromtheporchandthecookcamerunningintothevestibule。
"It’sthem！Graciousheavens！OLord，fourofthem，horsemen！"shecried。
GerasimandtheporterletMakarAlexeevichgo，andinthenowsilentcorridorthesoundofseveralhandsknockingatthefrontdoorcouldbeheard。
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Pierre，havingdecidedthatuntilhehadcarriedouthisdesignhewoulddiscloseneitherhisidentitynorhisknowledgeofFrench，stoodatthehalf—opendoorofthecorridor，intendingtoconcealhimselfassoonastheFrenchentered。ButtheFrenchenteredandstillPierredidnotretire—anirresistiblecuriositykepthimthere。
Thereweretwoofthem。Onewasanofficer—atall，soldierly，handsomeman—theotherevidentlyaprivateoranorderly，sunburned，short，andthin，withsunkencheeksandadullexpression。Theofficerwalkedinfront，leaningonastickandslightlylimping。Whenhehadadvancedafewstepshestopped，havingapparentlydecidedthattheseweregoodquarters，turnedroundtothesoldiersstandingattheentrance，andinaloudvoiceofcommandorderedthemtoputupthehorses。Havingdonethat，theofficer，liftinghiselbowwithasmartgesture，strokedhismustacheandlightlytouchedhishat。
"Bonjour，lacompagnie！"*saidhegaily，smilingandlookingabouthim。
*"Goodday，everybody！"
Noonegaveanyreply。
"Vouseteslebourgeois？"*theofficeraskedGerasim。
*"Areyouthemasterhere？"
Gerasimgazedattheofficerwithanalarmedandinquiringlook。
"Quartier，quartier，logement！"saidtheofficer，lookingdownatthelittlemanwithacondescendingandgood—naturedsmile。"Lesfrancaissontdebonsenfants。Quediable！Voyons！Nenousfachonspas，monvieux！"*addedhe，clappingthescaredandsilentGerasimontheshoulder。"Well，doesnoonespeakFrenchinthisestablishment？"heaskedagaininFrench，lookingaroundandmeetingPierre’seyes。Pierremovedawayfromthedoor。
*"Quarters，quarters，lodgings！TheFrencharegoodfellows。Whatthedevil！There，don’tletusbecross，oldfellow！"
AgaintheofficerturnedtoGerasimandaskedhimtoshowhimtheroomsinthehouse。
"Master，nothere—don’tunderstand……me，you……"saidGerasim，tryingtorenderhiswordsmorecomprehensiblebycontortingthem。
Stillsmiling，theFrenchofficerspreadouthishandsbeforeGerasim’snose，intimatingthathedidnotunderstandhimeither，andmoved，limping，tothedooratwhichPierrewasstanding。Pierrewishedtogoawayandconcealhimself，butatthatmomenthesawMakarAlexeevichappearingattheopenkitchendoorwiththepistolinhishand。Withamadman’scunning，MakarAlexeevicheyedtheFrenchman，raisedhispistol，andtookaim。
"Boardthem！"yelledthetipsyman，tryingtopressthetrigger。
Hearingtheyelltheofficerturnedround，andatthesamemomentPierrethrewhimselfonthedrunkard。JustwhenPierresnatchedatandstruckupthepistolMakarAlexeevichatlastgothisfingersonthetrigger，therewasadeafeningreport，andallwereenvelopedinacloudofsmoke。TheFrenchmanturnedpaleandrushedtothedoor。
ForgettinghisintentionofconcealinghisknowledgeofFrench，Pierre，snatchingawaythepistolandthrowingitdown，ranuptotheofficerandaddressedhiminFrench。
"Youarenotwounded？"heasked。
"Ithinknot，"answeredtheFrenchman，feelinghimselfover。"ButIhavehadaluckyescapethistime，"headded，pointingtothedamagedplasterofthewall。"Whoisthatman？"saidhe，lookingsternlyatPierre。
"Oh，Iamreallyindespairatwhathasoccurred，"saidPierrerapidly，quiteforgettingtheparthehadintendedtoplay。"Heisanunfortunatemadmanwhodidnotknowwhathewasdoing。"
TheofficerwentuptoMakarAlexeevichandtookhimbythecollar。
MakarAlexeevichwasstandingwithpartedlips，swaying，asifabouttofallasleep，asheleanedagainstthewall。
"Brigand！Youshallpayforthis，"saidtheFrenchman，lettinggoofhim。"WeFrencharemercifulaftervictory，butwedonotpardontraitors，"headded，withalookofgloomydignityandafineenergeticgesture。
Pierrecontinued，inFrench，topersuadetheofficernottoholdthatdrunkenimbeciletoaccount。TheFrenchmanlistenedinsilencewiththesamegloomyexpression，butsuddenlyturnedtoPierrewithasmile。Forafewsecondshelookedathiminsilence。Hishandsomefaceassumedamelodramaticallygentleexpressionandheheldouthishand。
"Youhavesavedmylife。YouareFrench，"saidhe。
ForaFrenchmanthatdeductionwasindubitable。OnlyaFrenchmancouldperformagreatdeed，andtosavehislife—thelifeofM。
Ramballe，captainofthe13thLightRegiment—wasundoubtedlyaverygreatdeed。
Buthoweverindubitablethatconclusionandtheofficer’sconvictionbaseduponit，Pierrefeltitnecessarytodisillusionhim。
"IamRussian，"hesaidquickly。
"Tut，tut，tut！Tellthattoothers，"saidtheofficer，wavinghisfingerbeforehisnoseandsmiling。"Youshalltellmeallaboutthatpresently。Iamdelightedtomeetacompatriot。Well，andwhatarewetodowiththisman？"headded，addressinghimselftoPierreastoabrother。
EvenifPierrewerenotaFrenchman，havingoncereceivedthatloftiestofhumanappellationshecouldnotrenounceit，saidtheofficer’slookandtone。InreplytohislastquestionPierreagainexplainedwhoMakarAlexeevichwasandhowjustbeforetheirarrivalthatdrunkenimbecilehadseizedtheloadedpistolwhichtheyhadnothadtimetorecoverfromhim，andbeggedtheofficertoletthedeedgounpunished。
TheFrenchmanexpandedhischestandmadeamajesticgesturewithhisarm。
"Youhavesavedmylife！YouareFrench。Youaskhispardon？Igrantityou。Leadthatmanaway！"saidhequicklyandenergetically，andtakingthearmofPierrewhomhehadpromotedtobeaFrenchmanforsavinghislife，hewentwithhimintotheroom。
Thesoldiersintheyard，hearingtheshot，cameintothepassageaskingwhathadhappened，andexpressedtheirreadinesstopunishtheculprits，buttheofficersternlycheckedthem。
"Youwillbecalledinwhenyouarewanted，"hesaid。
Thesoldierswentoutagain，andtheorderly，whohadmeanwhilehadtimetovisitthekitchen，cameuptohisofficer。
"Captain，thereissoupandalegofmuttoninthekitchen，"saidhe。"ShallIservethemup？"
"Yes，andsomewine，"answeredthecaptain。
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WhentheFrenchofficerwentintotheroomwithPierrethelatteragainthoughtithisdutytoassurehimthathewasnotFrenchandwishedtogoaway，buttheofficerwouldnothearofit。Hewassoverypolite，amiable，good—natured，andgenuinelygratefultoPierreforsavinghislifethatPierrehadnotthehearttorefuse，andsatdownwithhimintheparlor—thefirstroomtheyentered。ToPierre’sassurancesthathewasnotaFrenchman，thecaptain，evidentlynotunderstandinghowanyonecoulddeclinesoflatteringanappellation，shruggedhisshouldersandsaidthatifPierreabsolutelyinsistedonpassingforaRussianletitbeso，butforallthathewouldbeforeverboundtoPierrebygratitudeforsavinghislife。
Hadthismanbeenendowedwiththeslightestcapacityforperceivingthefeelingsofothers，andhadheatallunderstoodwhatPierre’sfeelingswere，thelatterwouldprobablyhavelefthim，buttheman’sanimatedobtusenesstoeverythingotherthanhimselfdisarmedPierre。
"AFrenchmanoraRussianprinceincognito，"saidtheofficer，lookingatPierre’sfinethoughdirtylinenandattheringonhisfinger。"Iowemylifetoyouandofferyoumyfriendship。AFrenchmanneverforgetseitheraninsultoraservice。Iofferyoumyfriendship。ThatisallIcansay。"
TherewassomuchgoodnatureandnobilityintheFrenchsenseofthewordintheofficer’svoice，intheexpressionofhisfaceandinhisgestures，thatPierre，unconsciouslysmilinginresponsetotheFrenchman’ssmile，pressedthehandheldouttohim。
"CaptainRamballe，ofthe13thLightRegiment，ChevalieroftheLegionofHonorfo...剩余内容请长按扫描二维码或下载丁香书院APP继续免费看：
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