“Mindthere’snoholdinghimup！”shoutedanother。
“I’mforDolohov！”shoutedathird。“Holdthestakes，Kuragin。”
“Isay，letMishkabe，we’rebetting。”
“Allatagoorthewager’slost！”criedafourth。
“Yakov，giveusabottle，Yakov！”shoutedAnatolehimself，atall，handsomefellow，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，innothingbutathinshirt，openoverhischest。“Stop，gentlemen。Hereheis，here’sPetrusha，thedearfellow。”HeturnedtoPierre。
Amanofmediumheightwithbrightblueeyes，especiallyremarkablefromlookingsoberinthemidstofthedrunkenuproar，shoutedfromthewindow:“Comehere。I’llexplainthebets！”ThiswasDolohov，anofficeroftheSemenovregiment，anotoriousgamblerandduellist，whowaslivingwithAnatole。Pierresmiled，lookinggood—humouredlyabouthim。
“Idon’tunderstand。What’sthepoint？”
“Waitaminute，he’snotdrunk。Abottlehere，”saidAnatole；andtakingaglassfromthetablehewentuptoPierre。
“Firstofall，youmustdrink。”
Pierrebegandrinkingoffglassafterglass，lookingfromunderhisbrowsatthedrunkengroup，whohadcrowdedaboutthewindowagain，andlisteningtotheirtalk。AnatolekepthisglassfilledandtoldhimthatDolohovhadmadeabetwithanEnglishman，Stevens，asailorwhowasstayinghere，thathe，Dolohov，woulddrinkabottleofrumsittinginthethirdstorywindowwithhislegshangingdownoutside。
“Come，emptythebottle，”saidAnatole，givingPierrethelastglass，“orIwon’tletyougo！”
“No，Idon’twantto，”saidPierre，shovingAnatoleaway；andhewentuptothewindow。
DolohovwasholdingtheEnglishman’shandandexplainingdistinctlythetermsofthebet，addressinghimselfprincipallytoAnatoleandPierre。
Dolohovwasamanofmediumheight，withcurlyhairandclearblueeyes。Hewasfive—and—twenty。Likeallinfantryofficersheworenomoustache，sothathismouth，themoststrikingfeatureinhisface，wasnotconcealed。Thelinesofthatmouthwereextremelydelicatelychiselled。Theupperlipclosedvigorouslyinasharpwedge—shapeonthefirmlowerone，andatthecornersthemouthalwaysformedsomethingliketwosmiles，oneateachside，andaltogether，especiallyinconjunctionwiththeresolute，insolent，shrewdlookofhiseyes，madesuchanimpressionthatitwasimpossibletooverlookhisface。Dolohovwasamanofsmallmeansandnoconnections。AndyetthoughAnatolewasspendingtenthousandayear，DolohovlivedwithhimandsucceededinsoregulatingthepositionthatAnatoleandallwhoknewthemrespectedDolohovmorethanAnatole。Dolohovplayedateverysortofgame，andalmostalwayswon。Howevermuchhedrank，hisbrainneverlostitsclearness。BothKuraginandDolohovwereatthattimenotoriousfiguresinthefastanddissipatedworldinPetersburg。
Thebottleofrumwasbrought:thewindow—frame，whichhinderedanyonesittingontheoutsidesillofthewindow，wasbeingbrokenoutbytwofootmen，obviouslyflurriedandintimidatedbytheshoutsanddirectionsgivenbythegentlemenaroundthem。
Anatolewithhisswaggeringaircameuptothewindow。Hewaslongingtobreaksomething。Heshovedthefootmenasideandpulledattheframe，buttheframedidnotgive。Hesmashedapane。
“Nowthen，you’rethestrongman，”heturnedtoPierre。Pierretookholdofthecrossbeam，tugged，andwithacrashwrenchedtheoakframeout。
“Allout，orthey’llthinkI’mholdingon，”saidDolohov。
“TheEnglishman’sbragging…it’safinefeat…eh？”saidAnatole。
“Fine，”saidPierre，lookingatDolohov，whowiththebottleinhishandhadgoneuptothewindow，fromwhichthelightoftheskycouldbeseenandtheglowofmorningandofeveningmeltingintoit。Dolohovjumpedupontothewindow，holdingthebottleofruminhishand。“Listen！”heshouted，standingonthesillandfacingtheroom。Everyonewassilent。
“Itakeabet”（hespokeinFrenchthattheEnglishmanmighthearhim，andspokeitnonetoowell）…“Itakeabetforfiftyimperials—liketomakeitahundred？”headded，turningtotheEnglishman。
“Nó，fifty，”saidtheEnglishman。
“Good，forfiftyimperials，thatI’lldrinkoffawholebottleofrumwithouttakingitfrommylips。I’lldrinkitsittingoutsidethewindow，hereonthisplace”（hebentdownandpointedtotheslopingprojectionofthewalloutsidethewindow）…“andwithoutholdingontoanything。…Thatright？”
“Allright，”saidtheEnglishman。
AnatoleturnedtotheEnglishmanandtakinghimbythebuttonofhiscoat，andlookingdownathim（theEnglishmanwasashortman），hebeganrepeatingthetermsofthewagerinEnglish。
“Waitaminute！”shoutedDolohov，strikingthebottleonthewindowtocallattention。“Waitaminute，Kuragin；listen:ifanyonedoesthesamething，I’llpayhimahundredimperials。Doyouunderstand？”
TheEnglishmannoddedwithoutmakingitplainwhetherbeintendedtotakethisnewbetornot。
AnatolepersistedinkeepingholdoftheEnglishman，andalthoughthelatter，nodding，gavehimtounderstandthathecomprehendedfully，AnatoletranslatedDolohov’swordsintoEnglish。Athin，youthfulhussar，whohadbeenlosingatcardsthatevening，slippeduptothewindow，pokedhisheadoutandlookeddown。
“Oo！…oo！…oo！”hesaidlookingoutofthewindowatthepavementbelow。
“Shutup！”criedDolohov，andhepushedtheofficeraway，sothat，trippingoverhisspurs，hewentskippingawkwardlyintotheroom。
Settingthebottleonthewindow—sill，soastohaveitwithinreach，Dolohovclimbedslowlyandcarefullyintothewindow。Loweringhislegsover，withbothhandsspreadopenonthewindow—ledge，hetriedtheposition，seatedhimself，lethishandsgo，movedalittletotheright，andthentotheleft，andtookthebottle。Anatolebroughttwocandles，andsetthemonthewindow—ledge，sothatitwasquitelight。Dolohov’sbackinhiswhiteshirtandhiscurlyheadwerelighteduponbothsides。Allcrowdedroundthewindow。TheEnglishmanstoodinfront。Pierresmiled，andsaidnothing。Oneoftheparty，ratherolderthantherest，suddenlycameforwardwithascaredandangryface，andtriedtoclutchDolohovbyhisshirt。
“Gentlemen，thisisidiocy；he’llbekilled，”saidthismoresensibleman。
Anatolestoppedhim。
“Don’ttouchhim；you’llstartlehimandhe’llbekilled。Eh？…Whatthen，eh？”
Dolohovturned，balancinghimself，andagainspreadinghishandsout。
“Ifanyonetakesholdofmeagain，”hesaid，lettinghiswordsdroponebyonethroughhisthin，tightlycompressedlips，“I’llthrowhimdownfromhere。Now…”
Saying“now，”heturnedagain，lethishandsdrop，tookthebottleandputittohislips，benthisheadbackandheldhisdisengagedhandupwardstokeephisbalance。Oneofthefootmenwhohadbegunclearingawaythebrokenglass，stoppedstillinastoopingposture，hiseyesfixedonthewindowandDolohov’sback。Anatolestoodupright，withwide—openeyes。TheEnglishmanstaredfromoneside，pursinguphislips。Themanwhohadtriedtostopit，hadretreatedtothecorneroftheroom，andlayonthesofawithhisfacetothewall。Pierrehidhisface，andasmilestrayedforgottenuponit，thoughitwasfullofterrorandfear。Allweresilent。Pierretookhishandsfromhiseyes；Dolohovwasstillsittinginthesameposition，onlyhisheadwassofarbentbackthathiscurlstouchedhisshirtcollar，andthehandwiththebottlerosehigherandhigher，tremblingwithevidenteffort。Evidentlythebottlewasnearlyempty，andsowastippedhigher，throwingtheheadback。“Whyisitsolong？”thoughtPierre。Itseemedtohimthatmorethanhalfanhourhadpassed。SuddenlyDolohovmadeabackwardmovementofthespine，andhisarmtremblednervously；thiswasenoughtodisplacehiswholebodyashesatontheslopingprojection。Hemovedallover，andhisarmandheadtrembledstillmoreviolentlywiththestrain。Onehandrosetoclutchatthewindow—ledge，butitdroppedagain。Pierreshuthiseyesoncemore，andsaidtohimselfthathewouldneveropenthemagain。Suddenlyhewasawareofageneralstirabouthim。Heglancedup，Dolohovwasstandingonthewindow—ledge，hisfacewaspaleandfullofmerriment。
“Empty！”
HetossedthebottletotheEnglishman，whocaughtitneatly。Dolohovjumpeddownfromthewindow。Hesmeltverystronglyofrum。
“Capital！Bravo！That’ssomethinglikeabet。You’readevilofafellow！”cameshoutsfromallsides。
TheEnglishmantookouthispurseandcountedoutthemoney。Dolohovfrownedanddidnotspeak。Pierredasheduptothewindow。
“Gentlemen。Who’lltakeabetwithme？I’lldothesame！”heshoutedsuddenly。“Idon’tcareaboutbetting；seehere，tellthemtogivemeabottle。I’lldoit。…Tellthemtogiveithere。”
“Lethim，lethim！”saidDolohov，smiling。
“What，areyoumad？Noonewouldletyou。Why，youturngiddygoingdownstairs，”variouspersonsprotested。
“I’lldrinkit；givemethebottleofrum，”roaredPierre，strikingthetablewitharesolute，drunkengesture，andheclimbedintothewindow。Theyclutchedathisarms；buthewassostrongthatheshovedeveryonefarawaywhocamenearhim。
“No，there’snomanaginghimlikethat，”saidAnatole。“Waitabit，I’llgetroundhim。…Listen，I’lltakeyourbet，butforto—morrow，forwe’reallgoingonnowto…”
“Yes，comealong，”shoutedPierre，“comealong。…AndtakeMishkawithus。”…Andhecaughtholdofthebear，andembracingitandliftingitup，beganwaltzingroundtheroomwithit。
Chapter7
PRINCEVASSILYkeptthepromisehehadmadeatAnnaPavlovna’ssoiréetoPrincessDrubetskoy，whohadpetitionedhiminfavourofheronlysonBoris。HiscasehadbeenlaidbeforetheEmperor，andthoughitwasnottobeaprecedentforothers，hereceivedacommissionassub—lieutenantintheGuardsoftheSemenovskyregiment。ButthepostofanadjutantorattachéinKutuzov’sservicewasnottobeobtainedforBorisbyallAnnaMihalovna’seffortsandentreaties。ShortlyafterthegatheringatAnnaPavlovna’s，AnnaMihalovnawentbacktoMoscowtoherrichrelativestheRostovs，withwhomshestayedinMoscow。ItwaswiththeserelationsthatheradoredBorinka，whohadonlyrecentlyenteredaregimentoftheline，andwasnowatoncetransferredtotheGuardsasasub—lieutenant，hadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodandhadlivedforyears。TheGuardshadalreadyleftPetersburgonthe10thofAugust，andherson，whowasremaininginMoscowtogethisequipment，wastoovertakethemontheroadtoRadzivilov。
TheRostovswerekeepingthename—dayofthemotherandtheyoungerdaughter，bothcalledNatalya。Eversincethemorning，coacheswithsixhorseshadbeenincessantlydrivingtoandfromtheCountessRostov’sbighouseinPovarsky，whichwasknowntoallMoscow。Thecountessandherhandsomesteldestdaughterweresittinginthedrawing—roomwiththeirvisitors，whocameincontinualsuccessiontopresenttheircongratulationstotheelderlady。
ThecountesswasawomanwithathinfaceofOrientalcast，forty—fiveyearsold，andobviouslyexhaustedbychild—bearing。Shehadhadtwelvechildren。Thedeliberateslownessofhermovementsandconversation，arisingfromweakhealth，gaveheranairofdignitywhichinspiredrespect。PrincessAnnaMihalovnaDrubetskoy，asanintimatefriendofthefamily，satwiththemassistingintheworkofreceivingandentertainingtheirguests。Theyoungermembersofthefamilywereinthebackrooms，notseeingfittotakepartinreceivingvisitors。Thecountmethisvisitorsandescortedthemtothedoor，invitingallofthemtodinner。
“Iamvery，verygratefultoyou，moncher”or“machère，”hesaidtoeveryonewithoutexception（makingnottheslightestdistinctionbetweenpersonsofhigheroroflowerstandingthanhisown），“formyselfandmytwodearoneswhosename—daywearekeeping。Mindyoucometodinner。Ishallbeoffendedifyoudon’t，moncher。Ibegyoumostsincerelyfromallthefamily，mydear。”Thesewords，invariablyaccompaniedbythesameexpressiononhisfull，good—humoured，clean—shavenface，andthesamewarmpressureofthehand，andrepeatedshortbows，hesaidtoallwithoutexceptionorvariation。Whenhehadescortedoneguesttothehall，thecountreturnedtothegentlemanorladywhowasstillinthedrawing—room。Movingupachair，andwiththeairofamanfondofsocietyandathomeinit，hewouldsitdown，hislegsjauntilyapart，andhishandsonhisknees，andswaytoandfrowithdignityasheprofferedsurmisesupontheweather，gaveadviceabouthealth，sometimesinRussian，sometimesinverybadbutcomplacentFrench。Thenagainhewouldgetup，andwiththeairofamanwearybutresoluteintheperformanceofhisduty，hewouldescortguestsout，strokinguphisgreyhairoverhisbaldpatch，andagainhewouldurgethemtocometodinner。Sometimesonhiswaybackfromthehall，hewouldpassthroughtheconservatoryandthebutler’sroomintoabigroomwithamarblefloor，wheretheyweresettingatableforeightyguests；andlookingatthewaiterswhowerebringinginthesilverandchina，settingouttablesandunfoldingdamasktablecloths，hewouldcallupDmitryVassilyevitch，ayoungmanofgoodfamily，whoperformedthedutiesofastewardinhishousehold，andwouldsay:“Nowthen，Mitenka，mindeverything’sright。That’sit，that’sit，”hewouldsay，lookingroundwithpleasureattheimmensetableopenedouttoitsfullextent；“thegreatthingistheservice。So，so。”…Andhewentoffagainwithasighofsatisfactiontothedrawing—room。
“MaryaLvovnaKaraginandherdaughter，”thecountess’shugefootmanannouncedinadeepbassatthedrawing—roomdoor。Thecountessthoughtamoment，andtookapinchfromagoldensnuff—boxwithherhusband’sportraitonit。
“I’mwornoutwiththesecallers，”shesaid；“well，thisisthelastoneI’llsee。She’ssoaffected。Showherup，”shesaidinadejectedtone，asthoughsheweresaying，“Verywell，finishmeoffentirely！”
Atall，stout，haughty—lookingladyandherround—faced，smilingdaughterwalkedwithrustlingskirtsintothedrawing—room。
“Dearcountess，itissuchalongtime…shehasbeenlaidup，poorchild…attheRazumovskys’ball，andtheCountessApraxin…Iwassoglad，”femininevoiceschatteredbriskly，interruptingoneanotherandminglingwiththesoundofrustlingskirtsandthescrapingofchairs。Conversationbeganofthesortwhichiskeptupjustlongenoughforthecallertogetupatthefirstpause，rustlingherskirtsandwithamurmurof“Iamsocharmed；mamma’shealth…andtheCountessApraxin…”walkoutagainwiththesamerustletothehalltoputoncloakorovercoatanddriveaway。Theconversationtouchedonthechiefitemsofnewsinthetown，ontheillnessofthewealthyoldCountBezuhov，amanwhohadbeenrenownedforhispersonalbeautyinthedaysofCatherine，andonhisillegitimateson，Pierre，whohadbehavedsoimproperlyatasoiréeatAnnaPavlovna’s。“Iamverysorryforthepoorcount，”declaredthevisitor；“hishealthinsuchaprecariousstate，andnowthisdistresscausedhimbyhisson；itwillbethedeathofhim！”
“Why，whathashappened？”askedthecountess，asthoughshedidnotknowwhatwasmeant，thoughshehadheardaboutthecauseofCountBezuhov’sdistressfifteentimesalready。
“Thisiswhatcomesofmoderneducation！Whenhewasabroad，”thevisitorpursued，“thisyoungmanwaslefttohisowndevices，andnowinPetersburg，theysay，hehasbeendoingsuchatrociousthingsthathehasbeensentawayunderpoliceescort。”
“Really！”saidthecountess。
“Hehasmadeabadchoiceofhiscompanions，”putinPrincessAnnaMihalovna。“PrinceVassily’sson—heandayoungmancalledDolohov，theysay—Godonlyknowsthedreadfulthingsthey’vebeendoing。Andbothhavesufferedforit。Dolohovhasbeendegradedtotherankofacommonsoldier，whileBezuhov’ssonhasbeenbanishedtoMoscow。AstoAnatoleKuragin…hisfathermanagedtohushitupsomehow。ButhehasbeensentoutofPetersburgtoo。”
“Why，whatdidtheydo？”askedthecountess。
“They’reperfectruffians，especiallyDolohov，”saidthevisitor。“He’sthesonofMaryaIvanovnaDolohov，suchaworthywoman，youknow，butthere！Onlyfancy，thethreeofthemhadgotholdofabearsomewhere，putitinacarriagewiththem，andweretakingittosomeactress’s。Thepoliceranuptostopthem。Theytookthepoliceofficer，tiedhimbacktobacktothebear，anddroppedthebearintotheMoika:thebearswamwiththepoliceofficeronhim。”
“Aprettyfigurehemusthavelooked，machère，”criedthecount，helplesswithlaughter。
“Ah，suchahorror！Whatistheretolaughatinit，count？”
Buttheladiescouldnothelplaughingatitthemselves。
“Itwasalltheycoulddotorescuetheunluckyman，”thevisitorwenton。“Andthat’stheintellectualsortofamusementthesonofCountKirillVladimirovitchBezuhovindulgesin！”sheadded。“Andpeoplesaidhewassowelleducatedandclever。That’showforeigneducationturnsout。Ihopenoonewillreceivehimhere，inspiteofhisgreatwealth。Theytriedtointroducehimtome。Igaveanabsoluterefusal:Ihavedaughters。”
“Whatmakesyousaytheyoungmanissowealthy？”askedthecountess，turningawayfromthegirls，whoatoncelookedasthoughtheydidnothear。“Hehasnonebutillegitimatechildren。Ibelievethat…Pierretooisillegitimate。”
Thevisitorwavedherhand。“Hehasascoreofthem，Isuppose。”
PrincessAnnaMihalovnainterposed，obviouslywishingtoshowherconnectionsandintimateknowledgewitheverydetailinsociety。
“Thisishowthematterstands，”shesaidmeaningly，speakinginahalfwhisper。“CountKirillVladimirovitch’sreputationweallknow。…Hehaslostcountofhisownchildren，indeed，butthisPierrewashisfavourite。”
“Howhandsometheoldmanwas，”saidthecountess，“onlylastyear！Afiner—lookingmanIhaveneverseen。”
“Nowhe’sverymuchaltered，”saidAnnaMihalovna。“Well，Iwasjustsaying，”shewenton，“thedirectheirtoallthepropertyisPrinceVassilythroughhiswife，butthefatherisveryfondofPierre，hastakentroubleoverhiseducation，andhehaswrittentotheEmperor…sothatnoonecantell，ifhedies（he’ssoillthatit’sexpectedanymoment，andLorrainhascomefromPetersburg），whomthatimmensepropertywillcometo，PierreorPrinceVassily。Fortythousandserfsandmillionsofmoney。Iknowthisforafact，forPrinceVassilyhimselftoldmeso。AndindeedKirillVladimirovitchhappenstobeathirdcousinofmineonmymother’sside，andhe’sBoris’sgodfathertoo，”sheadded，apparentlyattachingnoimportancetothiscircumstance。
“PrinceVassilyarrivedinMoscowyesterday。He’scomingonsomeinspectionbusiness，soIwastold，”saidthevisitor。
“Yes，betweenourselves，”saidtheprincess，“that’sapretext；hehascomesimplytoseePrinceKirillVladimirovitch，hearinghewasinsuchaseriousstate。”
“But，really，machère，thatwasacapitalpieceoffun，”saidthecount；andseeingthattheeldervisitordidnothearhim，heturnedtotheyoungladies。“Afunnyfigurethepoliceofficermusthavelooked；Icanjustfancyhim。”
Andshowinghowthepoliceofficerwavedhisarmsabout，hewentoffagainintohisrichbasslaugh，hissidesshakingwithmirth，aspeopledolaughwhoalwayseatand，stillmore，drinkwell。“Thendo，please，cometodinnerwithus，”hesaid。
Chapter8
ASILENCEfollowed。Thecountesslookedatherguest，smilingaffably，butstillnotdisguisingthefactthatshewouldnottakeitatallamissnowiftheguestweretogetupandgo。Thedaughterwasalreadyfingeringatthefoldsofhergownandlookinginterrogativelyathermother，whensuddenlytheyheardinthenextroomseveralgirlsandboysrunningtothedoor，andthegratingsoundofachairknockedoverandagirlofthirteenranin，hidingsomethinginhershortmuslinpetticoat，andstoppedshortinthemiddleoftheroom。Shehadevidentlyboundedsofarbymistake，unabletostopinherflight。Atthesameinstantthereappearedinthedoorwayastudentwithacrimsonbandonhiscollar，ayoungofficerintheGuards，agirloffifteen，andafat，rosy—cheekedboyinachild’ssmock。
Theprincejumpedup，andswayingfromsidetoside，heldhisarmsoutwideroundthelittlegirl。
“Ah，heresheis！”hecried，laughing。“Ourlittledarlingonherfêteday！”
“Mydear，thereisatimeforeverything，”saidthecountess，affectingseverity。“You’realwaysspoilingher，Elie，”sheaddedtoherhusband。
“Bonjour，machère，jevousfélicite，”saidthevisitor。“Quelledélicieuseenfant！”sheadded，turningtohermother。
Thedark—eyedlittlegirl，plain，butfulloflife，withherwidemouth，herchildishbareshoulders，whichshruggedandpantedinherbodicefromherrapidmotion，herblackhairbrushedback，herslenderbarearmsandlittlelegsinlace—edgedlongdrawersandopenslippers，wasatthatcharmingstagewhenthegirlisnolongerachild，whilethechildisnotyetayounggirl。Wrigglingawayfromherfather，sheranuptohermother，andtakingnonoticewhateverofhersevereremarks，shehidherflushedfaceinhermother’slacekerchiefandbrokeintolaughter。Asshelaughedsheutteredsomeincoherentphrasesaboutthedoll，whichwaspokingoutfromherpetticoat。
“Doyousee？…Mydoll…Mimi…yousee…”AndNatashacouldsaynomore，itallseemedtohersofunny。Shesankonhermother’slap，andwentoffintosuchaloudpealoflaughterthateveryone，eventheprimvisitor，couldnothelplaughingtoo。
“Come，runalong，runalongwithyourmonstrosity！”saidhermother，pushingherdaughteroffwithapretenceofanger。“Thisismyyoungergirl，”shesaidtothevisitor。Natasha，pullingherfaceawayfromhermother’slacekerchiefforaminute，peepeddownatherthroughtearsoflaughter，andhidherfaceagain。
Thevisitor，forcedtoadmirethisdomesticscene，thoughtitsuitabletotakesomepartinit。
“Tellme，mydear，”shesaid，addressingNatasha，“howdidyoucomebyyourMimi？Yourdaughter，Isuppose？”
Natashadidnotlikethetoneofcondescensiontochildishthingswithwhichthevisitorhadspokentoher。Shemadenoanswer，butstaredsolemnlyather。
Meanwhilealltheyoungergeneration，Boris，theofficer，AnnaMilhalovna’sson；Nikolay，thestudent，thecount’selderson；Sonya，thecount’sniece；andlittlePetya，hisyoungerson，hadallplacedthemselvesaboutthedrawing—room，andwereobviouslytryingtorestrainwithintheboundsofdecorumtheexcitementandmirthwhichwasbrimmingoverintheirfaces。Clearlyinthebackpartofthehouse，fromwhichtheyhaddashedoutsoimpetuously，theconversationhadbeenmoreamusingthanthesmall—talkinthedrawing—roomofthescandalofthetown，theweather，andCountessApraxin。Nowandthentheyglancedatoneanotherandcouldhardlysuppresstheirlaughter。
Thetwoyoungmen，thestudentandtheofficer，friendsfromchildhood，wereofthesameage，andbothgood—looking，butnotlikeeachother。Boriswasatall，fair—hairedladwithdelicate，regularfeatures，andalookofcomposureonhishandsomeface。Nikolaywasacurly—headedyouth，nottall，withanopenexpression。Onhisupperliptherewerealreadysignsofablackmoustachecoming，andhiswholefaceexpressedimpulsivenessandenthusiasm。Nikolayflushedredashecameintothedrawing—room。Hewasunmistakablytryingtofindsomethingtosay，andunabletofindanything。Boris，onthecontrary，wasathomeimmediatelyandtalkedeasilyandplayfullyofthedollMimi，sayingthathehadknownherasayounggirlbeforehernosewasbroken，andshehadgrownolderduringthefiveyearsherememberedher，andhowherheadwascrackedrightacrosstheskull。AshesaidthishelookedatNatasha。Natashaturnedawayfromhim，glancedatheryoungerbrother，who，withascowlonhisface，wasshakingwithnoiselesslaughter，andunabletorestrainherself，sheskippedupandflewoutoftheroomasquicklyasherswiftlittlelegscouldcarryher。Borisdidnotlaugh。
“Youweremeaningtogoout，mamma，weren’tyou？Doyouwantthecarriage？”hesaid，addressinghismotherwithasmile。
“Yes，goalongandtellthemtogetitready，”shesaid，smiling。BoriswalkedslowlytothedoorandwentafterNatasha。Thestoutboyranwrathfullyafterthem，asthoughresentingtheinterruptionofhispursuits。
Chapter9
OFTHEYOUNGPEOPLE，notreckoningthecountess’selderdaughter（whowasfouryearsolderthanhersisterandbehavedquitelikeagrown—upperson）andtheyoungladyvisitor，therewereleftinthedrawing—roomNikolayandSonya，theniece。Sonyawasaslender，miniaturebrunette，withsofteyesshadedbylonglashes，thickblackhairtwistedintwocoilsroundherhead，andaskinofasomewhatsallowtint，particularlymarkedonherbare，thin，butshapely，musculararmsandneck。Thesmoothnessofhermovements，thesoftnessandflexibilityofherlittlelimbs，andsomethingofslynessandreserveinhermanner，suggestedalovelyhalf—grownkitten，whichwouldonedaybeacharmingcat。Apparentlyshethoughtitonlypropertoshowaninterestinthegeneralconversationandtosmile。Butagainstherownwill，hereyesturnedundertheirthick，longlashestohercousin，whowasgoingawayintothearmy，withsuchgirlish，passionateadoration，thathersmilecouldnotforonemomentimposeuponanyone，anditwasclearthatthekittenhadonlyperchedtheretoskipoffmoreenergeticallythaneverandtoplaywithhercousinassoonastheycould，likeBorisandNatasha，getoutofthedrawing—room。
“Yes，machère，”saidtheoldcount，addressingthevisitorandpointingtohisNikolay；“herehisfriendBorishasreceivedhiscommissionasanofficer，andhe’ssofondofhimhedoesn’twanttobeleftbehind，andisgivinguptheuniversityandhispooroldfathertogointothearmy，machère。Andtherewasaplaceallreadyforhiminthearchivesdepartment，andall。Isn’tthatfriendshipnow？”saidthecountinterrogatively。
“Buttheydosaythatwarhasbeendeclared，youknow，”saidthevisitor。
“They’vebeensayingsoalongwhile，”saidthecount。“They’llsaysoagainandagain，andsoitwillremain。There’sfriendshipforyou，machère！”herepeated。“He’sgoingintothehussars。”
Thevisitor，notknowingwhattosay，shookherhead。
“It’snotfromfriendshipatall，”answeredNikolay，flushinghotly，anddenyingitasthoughitweresomedisgracefulimputation。“Notfriendshipatall，butsimplyIfeeldrawntothemilitaryservice。”
Helookedroundathiscousinandtheyoungladyvisitor；bothlookedathimwithasmileofapproval。
“Schubert’sdiningwithusto—night，thecolonelofthePavologradskyregimentofhussars。Hehasbeenhereonleave，andistakinghimwithhim。There’snohelpforit，”saidthecount，shrugginghisshoulderandspeakingplayfullyofwhatevidentlywasasourceofmuchdistresstohim。
“I’vetoldyoualready，papa，”saidhisson，“thatifyou’reunwillingtoletmego，I’llstay。ButIknowI’mnogoodforanythingexceptinthearmy。I’mnotadiplomatist，oragovernmentclerk。I’mnotcleveratdisguisingmyfeelings，”hesaid，glancingrepeatedlywiththecoquetryofhandsomeyouthatSonyaandtheyounglady。
Thekitten，hereyesrivetedonhim，seemedonthepointofbreakingintofrolic，andshowinghercat—likenature。
“Well，well，it’sall—right！”saidtheoldcount；“healwaysgetssohot。Bonaparte’sturnedalltheirheads；they’realldreamingofhowherosefromalieutenanttobeanemperor。Well，andsomayitturnoutagain，pleaseGod，”headded，notnoticingthevisitor’ssarcasticsmile。
WhiletheireldersbegantalkingaboutBonaparte，Julie，MadameKaragin’sdaughter，turnedtoyoungRostov。
“Whatapityyouweren’tattheArharovs’onThursday。Iwassodullwithoutyou，”shesaid，givinghimatendersmile。Theyouth，highlyflattered，movedwithacoquettishsmilenearerher，andenteredintoaconversationapartwiththesmilingJulie，entirelyunawarethathisunconscioussmilehaddealtajealousstabtotheheartofSonya，whowasflushingcrimsonandassumingaforcedsmile。InthemiddleofhistalkwithJulieheglancedroundather。Sonyagavehimanintenselyfuriouslook，and，hardlyabletorestrainhertears，thoughtherewasstillaconstrainedsmileonherlips，shegotupandwentoutoftheroom。AllNikolay’sanimationwasgone。Hewaitedforthefirstbreakintheconversation，and，withafaceofdistress，walkedoutoftheroomtolookforSonya。
“Howalltheyoungthingsweartheirheartsontheirsleeves！”saidAnnaMihalovna，pointingtoNikolay’sretreatingfigure。“Cousinage，dangereuxvoisinage，”sheadded。
“Yes，”saidthecountess，whenthesunshinethathadcomeintothedrawing—roomwiththeyoungpeoplehadvanished。Shewas，asitwere，replyingtoaquestionwhichnoonehadputtoher，butwhichwasalwaysinherthoughts:“Whatmiseries，whatanxietiesonehasgonethroughforthehappinessonehasinthemnow！Andevennowonefeelsreallymoredreadthanjoyoverthem。One’salwaysinterror！Atthisageparticularlywhentherearesomanydangersbothforgirlsandboys。”
“Everythingdependsonbringingup，”saidthevisitor。
“Yes，youareright，”thecountesswenton。“SofarIhavebeen，thankGod，mychildren’sfriendandhaveenjoyedtheirfullconfidence，”saidthecountess，repeatingtheerrorofsomanyparents，whoimaginetheirchildrenhavenosecretsfromthem。“IknowIshallalwaysbefirstinmychildren’sconfidence，andthatNikolay，if，withhisimpulsivecharacter，hedoesgetintomischief（boyswillbeboys）itwon’tbelikethesePetersburgyounggentlemen。”
“Yes，they’recapitalchildren，capitalchildren，”assentedthecount，whoalwayssolvedallperplexingquestionsbydecidingthateverythingwascapital。“Fancynow，histakingitintohisheadtobeanhussar！Butwhatcanoneexpect，machère？”
“Whatasweetlittlethingyouryoungergirlis！”saidthevisitor。“Fulloffunandmischief！”
“Yes，thatsheis，”saidthecount。“Shetakesafterme！Andsuchavoice；thoughshe’smydaughter，it’sthetruthI’mtellingyou，she’llbeasinger，anotherSalomini。We’veengagedanItaliantogiveherlessons。”
“Isn’tittooearly？Theysayitinjuresthevoicetotrainitatthatage。”
“Oh，no！Tooearly！”saidthecount。“Why，ourmothersusedtobemarriedattwelveandthirteen。”
“Well，she’sinlovewithBorisalready！Whatdoyousaytothat？”saidthecountess，smilingsoftlyandlookingatBoris’smother。Andapparentlyinreplytothequestionthatwasalwaysinhermind，shewenton:“Why，youknow，ifIwerestrictwithher，ifIweretoforbidher…Godknowswhattheymightnotbedoinginsecret”（thecountessmeantthattheymightkisseachother），“butasitisIknoweverywordsheutters。She’llcometomethiseveningandtellmeeverythingofherself。Ispoilher，perhaps，butIreallybelieveit’sthebestway。Ibroughtmyeldergirlupmorestrictly。”
“Yes，Iwasbroughtupquitedifferently，”saidtheeldergirl，thehandsomeyoungCountessVera；andshesmiled。ButthesmiledidnotimproveVera’sface；onthecontraryherfacelookedunnatural，andthereforeunpleasing。Verawasgood—looking；shewasnotstupid，wascleveratherlessons，andwelleducated；shehadapleasantvoice，andwhatshesaidwastrueandappropriate。But，strangetosay，everyone—boththevisitorandthecountess—lookedather，asthoughwonderingwhyshehadsaidit，andconsciousofacertainawkwardness。
“Peoplearealwaystoocleverwiththeirelderchildren；theytrytodosomethingexceptionalwiththem，”saidthevisitor。
“Wewon’tconcealourerrors，machère！MydearcountesswastoocleverwithVera，”saidthecount。“Butwhatofit？shehasturnedoutcapitallyallthesame，”headded，withawinkofapprovaltoVera。
Theguestsgotupandwentaway，promisingtocometodinner。
“Whatmanners！Stayingonandon！”saidthecountess，whenshehadseenherguestsout。
Chapter10
WHENNATASHAranoutofthedrawing—roomsheonlyranasfarastheconservatory。Thereshestoppedlisteningtothetalkinthedrawing—room，andwaitingforBoristocomeout。Shewasbeginningtogetimpatient，andstampingherfootwasalmostreadytocryathisnotcomingatonce，whensheheardtheyoungman’sfootstepscomingoutdiscreetly，nottooslowlynortooquickly。Natashadartedswiftlyawayandhidamongthetubsofshrubs。
Borisstoodstillinthemiddleoftheroom，lookedroundhim，brushedaspeckofdirtoffthesleeveofhisuniform，andgoinguptothelooking—glassexaminedhishandsomeface。Natasha，keepingquiet，peepedoutofherhiding—place，waitingtoseewhathewoulddo。Hestoodalittlewhilebeforetheglass，smiledathisreflection，andwalkedtowardstheotherdoor。Natashawasonthepointofcallingtohim，butshechangedhermind。“Lethimlookforme，”shesaidtoherself。Borishadonlyjustgoneout，whenattheotherdoorSonyacamein，flushedandmutteringsomethingangrilythroughhertears。Natashacheckedherfirstimpulsetorunouttoher，andremainedinherhiding—place，asitwereundertheinvisiblecap，lookingonatwhatwasgoingonintheworld。Shebegantofeelapeculiarnovelsortofenjoymentinit。Sonyawasmurmuringsomethingasshelookedtowardsthedrawing—roomdoor。ThedooropenedandNikolaycamein。
“Sonya！whatisthematter？howcanyou？”saidNikolay，runninguptoher。
“Nothing，nothing，leavemealone！”Sonyawassobbing。
“No，Iknowwhatitis。”
“Verywell，youdo，somuchthebetterthen，andyoucangobacktoher。”
“So—o—onya！oneword！Howcanyoutorturemeandyourselfforamerefancy？”saidNikolay，takingherhand。Sonyadidnotpullherhandaway，andleftoffcrying。
Natasha，notstirringandhardlybreathing，lookedwithshiningeyesfromherhiding—place。“What’scomingnow？”shethought。
“Sonya！Icarefornothinginthewholeworld！You’reeverythingtome，”saidNikolay。“I’llproveittoyou。”
“Idon’tlikeyoutotalklikethat。”
“Well，Iwon’tthen；come，forgiveme，Sonya。”Hedrewhertohimandkissedher。
“Oh，that’snice，”thoughtNatasha，andwhenSonyaandNikolayhadgoneoutoftheroomshefollowedthemandcalledBoristoher。
“Boris，comehere，”shesaidwithaslyandsignificantlook。“I’vesomethingIwanttotellyou。Here，here，”shesaid，andsheledhimintotheconservatory，totheplacewhereshehadhiddenbetweenthetubs。Borisfollowedher，smiling。
“Whatisthesomething？”heinquired。Shewasalittleembarrassed；shelookedroundher，andseeingherdollflungdownonatubshepickeditup。
“Kissthedoll，”shesaid。Borislookedwithobservant，affectionateeyesathereagerfaceandmadenoanswer。“Don’tyouwantto？Well，thencomehere，”shesaid，andwentfurtherinamongtheshrubsandtossedawaythedoll。“Closer，closer！”shewhispered。Shecaughtholdoftheyoungofficer’sarmsabovethecuff，andherflushedfacehadalookofsolemnityandawe。
“Wouldyouliketokissme？”shewhispered，hardlyaudibly，peepingupathimfromunderhereyelids，smilingandalmostcryingwithexcitement。
Borisreddened。“Howabsurdyouare！”hesaid，bendingdowntoher，flushingredderstill，butdoingnothing，waitingwhatwouldcomenext。Suddenlyshejumpedontoatub，sothatasshestoodshewastallerthanhe，flungbotharmsroundhimsothatherslender，barearmsclaspedhimabovehisneck，andflingingbackherhairwithatossofherhead，shekissedhimjustonhislips。
Sheslippedawayamongtheflower—potsontheotherside，andstoodwithhanginghead。
“Natasha，”hesaid，“youknowIloveyou，but—”
“You’reinlovewithme，”Natashabrokein。
“YesIam，but，please，don’tletusdolikethat。…Inanotherfouryears…ThenIshallaskforyourhand。”Natashaponderedamoment。
“Thirteen，fourteen，fifteen，sixteen…”shesaid，countingonherthinlittlefingers。
“Verywell。Thenit’ssettled？”Andherexcitedfacebeamedwithasmileofdelightandrelief。
“Settled！”saidBoris。
“Forever？”saidthelittlegirl。“Tilldeath？”Andtakinghisarm，withahappyfaceshewalkedquietlybesidehimintothenextroom。
Chapter11
THECOUNTESSwassotiredfromseeingvisitorsthatshegaveordersthatshewouldseenooneelse，andthedoorkeeperwastoldtobesureandinvitetodinnereveryonewhoshouldcallwithcongratulations。Thecountesswaslongingforatête—à—têtetalkwiththefriendofherchildhood，AnnaMihalovna，whomshehadnotseenproperlysinceshehadarrivedfromPetersburg。AnnaMihalovna，withhertear—wornandamiableface，movedcloseruptothecountess’seasy—chair。
“WithyouIwillbeperfectlyopen，”saidAnnaMihalovna。“Wehaven’tmanyoldfriendsleft。That’showitisIvalueyourfriendshipso。”
AnnaMihalovnalookedatVeraandstopped。Thecountesspressedherfriend’shand。
“Vera，”saidthecountesstohereldestdaughter，unmistakablynotherfavourite，“howisityouhavenonotionaboutanything？Don’tyoufeelthatyou’renotwantedhere？Gotoyoursisteror…”
Thehandsomeyoungcountesssmiledscornfully，apparentlynotintheleastmortified。
“Ifyouhadtoldme，mamma，Iwouldhavegoneawaylongago，”shesaid，andwentofftowardsherownroom。Butpassingthroughthedivan—room，shenoticedtwocouplessittingsymmetricallyinthetwowindows。Shestoppedandsmiledcontemptuouslyatthem。SonyawassittingclosebesideNikolay，whowascopyingoutsomeversesforher，thefirsthehadeverwritten。BorisandNatashaweresittingintheotherwindow，andweresilentwhenVeracamein。SonyaandNatashalookedatVerawithguilty，happyfaces。
Itwasanamusingandtouchingsighttoseetheselittlegirlsinlove，butthesightofthemdidnotapparentlyarouseanyagreeablefeelinginVera。“HowoftenhaveIaskedyou，”shesaid，“nottotakemythings？Youhavearoomofyourown。”ShetooktheinkstandawayfromNikolay。
“Oneminute，oneminute，”hesaid，dippinghispenin。
“Youalwaysmanagetodothingsjustatthewrongmoment，”saidVera。“Firstyouburstintothedrawing—roomsothateveryonewasashamedofyou。”Althoughorjustbecausewhatshesaidwasperfectlytrue，nooneanswered；allthefoursimplylookedatoneanother。Shelingeredintheroomwiththeinkstandinherhand。“Andwhatsortofsecretscanyouhaveatyourage，NatashaandBoris，andyoutwo！—it’sallsimplysillynonsense！”
“Well，whathasittodowithyou，Vera？”Natashasaidindefence，speakingverygently。Shewasevidentlymoregood—humouredandaffectionatethanusualthatdaywitheveryone。
“It’sverysilly，”saidVera；“Iamashamedofyou。Whatsortofsecret…”
“Everyonehassecrets。Wedon’tinterferewithyouandBerg，”saidNatasha，gettingwarmer。
“Ishouldthinkyoudidn’tinterfere，”saidVera，“becausetherecouldbenoharminanyconductofmine。ButIshalltellmammahowyoubehavewithBoris。”
“NatalyaIlyinishnabehavesverywelltome，”saidBoris。“Ihavenothingtocomplainof，”hesaid。
“Leaveoff，Boris，you’resuchadiplomatist”（theworlddiplomatistwasmuchinuseamongthechildreninthespecialsensetheyattachedtotheword）。“It’stiresome，really，”saidNatasha，inamortifiedandshakingvoice；“whydoesshesetuponme？”
“You’llneverunderstandit，”shesaid，addressingVera，“becauseyou’venevercaredforanyone；you’venoheart；you’resimplyMadamedeGenlis”（thisnickname，consideredmostoffensive，hadbeengiventoVerabyNikolay），“andyourgreatestdelightisingettingotherpeopleintotrouble。YoucanflirtwithBerg，asmuchasyoulike，”shesaidquickly。
“Well，I’mnotlikelytorunafterayoungmanbeforevisitors。…”
“Well，shehasgainedherobject！”Nikolayputin；“shehassaidsomethingnastytoeveryone，andupseteverybody。Let’sgointothenursery。”
Allfourrose，likeaflockofscaredbirds，andwentoutoftheroom。
“You’vesaidnastythingstome，andIsaidnothingtoanyone，”saidVera。
“MadamedeGenlis！MadamedeGenlis！”criedlaughingvoicesthroughthedoor。
Thehandsomegirlwhoproducedsuchanirritatingandunpleasanteffectoneveryonesmiled；and，obviouslyunaffectedbywhathadbeensaidtoher，shewentuptothelooking—glassandputherscarfandherhairtidy。Lookingatherhandsomeface，sheseemedtobecomecolderandmorecomposedthanever。
Inthedrawing—roomtheconversationwasstillgoingon。
“Ah，chère，”saidthecountess，“inmylife，too，everythingisnotrose—coloured。DoyousupposeIdon’tseethat，inthewaywearegoingon，ourfortunecan’tlastlong？Andit’salltheclubandhisgood—nature。Whenwe’reinthecountrywehavenorestfromit，—it’snothingbuttheatricals，huntingparties，andGodknowswhat。Butwewon’ttalkofme。Come，tellmehowyoumanageditall。Ioftenwonderatyou，Annette，thewayyougoracingoffalone，atyourage，toMoscow，andtoPetersburg，toalltheministers，andallthegreatpeople，andknowhowtogetroundthemalltoo。Iadmireyou，really！Well，howwasitarranged？Why，Icouldneverdoit。”
“Ah，mydear！”answeredPrincessAnnaMihalovna，“Godgrantthatyouneverknowwhatitistobeleftawidow，withnoonetosupportyou，andasonwhomyoulovetodistraction。Onelearnshowtodoanything，”shesaidwithsomepride。“Mylawsuittrainedmetoit。IfIwanttoseeoneofthesegreatpeople，Iwriteanote:‘Princessso—and—sowishestoseeso—and—so，’andIgomyselfinahiredcabtwoorthreetimes—four，ifneedbe—tillIgetwhatIwant。Idon’tmindwhattheythinkofme。”
“Well，tellme，then，whomdidyouinterviewforBorinka？”askedthecountess。“Here’syourboyanofficerintheGuards，whilemyNikolinka’sgoingasanensign。There’snoonetomanagethingsforhim。Whosehelpdidyouask？”
“PrinceVassily’s。Hewassokind。Agreedtodoeverythingimmediately；putthecasebeforetheEmperor，”saidPrincessAnnaMihalovnaenthusiastically，entirelyforgettingallthehumiliationshehadbeenthroughtoattainherobject。
“Andhowishe？beginningtogetold，PrinceVassily？”inquiredthecountess。“IhaveneverseenhimsinceourtheatricalsattheRumyantsovs’，andIdaresayhehasforgottenme。Hepaidmeattentions，”thecountessrecalledwithasmile。
“He’sjustthesame，”answeredAnnaMihalovna，“soaffable，brimmingover。Greatnesshasnotturnedhishead。‘IamsorryIcandosolittleforyou，Princess，’hesaidtome；‘I’matyourcommand。’Yes，he’sasplendidman，andverygoodtohisrelatives。Butyouknow，Natalie，myloveformyboy。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldnotdotomakehimhappy。Andmymeansaresoscanty，”pursuedAnnaMihalovna，droppinghervoicemournfully，“thatnowIaminamostawfulposition。MywretchedlawsuitiseatingupallIhave，andmakingnoprogress。Ihavenot，canyouconceiveit，literally，notsixpenceintheworld，andIdon’tknowhowtogetBoris’sequipment。”Shetookoutherhandkerchiefandshedtears。“Imusthavefivehundredroubles，andIhaveonlyatwenty—fiveroublenote。I’minsuchaposition。…MyonehopenowisinPrinceKirillVladimirovitchBezuhov。Ifhewillnotcometothehelpofhisgodson—youknowheisBoris’sgodfather—andallowhimsomethingforhismaintenance，allmyeffortswillhavebeeninvain；Ishallhavenothingtogethisequipmentwith。”
Thecountessdeliberatedintearfulsilence。
“Ioftenthink—perhapsit’sasinfulthought，”saidtheprincess—“butIoftenthink:hereisPrinceKirillVladimirovitchBezuhovlivingallalone…thatimmensefortune…andwhatishelivingfor？Lifeisaburdentohim，whileBorisisonlyjustbeginninglife。”
“HewillbesuretoleavesomethingtoBoris，”saidthecountess。
“Godknows，chèreamie！Thesewealthygrandpeoplearesuchegoists。ButstillI’mgoingtoseehimatoncewithBoris，andIwilltellhimplainlythestateofthecase。Peoplemaythinkwhattheychooseofme，Ireallydon’tcare，whenmyson’sfatedependsonit。”Theprincessgotup。“It’snowtwoo’clock，andyoudineatfour。Ishallhavetimetodrivethereandback。”
AndwiththeairofaPetersburglady，usedtobusiness，andknowinghowtomakeuseofeverymoment，AnnaMihalovnasentforherson，andwithhimwentoutintothehall。
“Good—bye，mydear，”shesaidtothecountess，whoaccompaniedhertothedoor。“Wishmegood—luck，”sheaddedinawhisperunheardbyherson。
“You’regoingtoPrinceKirillVladimirovich’s，machère？”saidthecount，comingoutofthedining—roomintothehall。“Ifhe’sbetter，invitePierretodinewithus。Hehasbeenhere；usedtodancewiththechildren。Besureyouinvitehim，machère。NowdocomeandlookhowTarashassurpassedhimselfto—day。HesaysCountOrlovneverhadsuchadinneraswe’regoingtohaveto—day。”
Chapter12
“MoncherBoris，”saidAnnaMihalovnaastheCountessRostov’scarriagedrovealongthestreetstrewnwithstrawandintothewidecourtyardofCountKirillVladimirovitchBezuhov’shouse。“MoncherBoris，”saidthemother，puttingherhandoutfromunderheroldmantle，andlayingitonherson’shandwithatimid，caressingmovement，“benice，beattentive。CountKirillVladimirovitchisafterallyourgodfather，andyourfuturedependsonhim。Rememberthat，moncher，becharming，asyouknowsowellhowtobe。…”
“IfIknewanythingwouldcomeofitbuthumiliation，”hersonansweredcoldly。“ButIhavepromised，andIwilldoitforyoursake。”
Althoughthecarriagewasstandingattheentrance，thehall—porter，scanningthemotherandson（theyhadnotsentintheirnames，buthadwalkedstraightinthroughtheglassdoorsbetweentworowsofstatuesinniches），andlookingsignificantlyattheoldmantle，inquiredwhomtheywanted，theprincessesorthecount；andhearingthattheywantedtoseethecount，saidthathisexcellencywasworseto—day，andhisexcellencycouldseenoone。
“Wemayaswellgoaway，”thesonsaidinFrench。
“Monami！”saidthemotherinavoiceofentreaty，againtouchingherson’shand，asthoughthecontactmightsootheorrousehim。Borissaidnomore，butwithouttakingoffhisovercoat，lookedinquiringlyathismother。
“Mygoodman，”AnnaMihalovnasaidingratiatingly，addressingthehall—porter，“IknowthatCountKirillVladimirovitchisveryill…thatiswhyIamhere…Iamarelation…Ishallnotdisturbhim，mygoodman…IneedonlyseePrinceVassilySergyevitch；he’sstayinghere，Iknow。Announceus，please。”
Thehall—portersullenlypulledthebell—ropethatrangupstairsandturnedaway。
“PrincessDrubetskoytoseePrinceVassilySergyevitch，”hecalledtoafootmaninstockings，slippersandafrockcoat，whorandownfromabove，andlookeddownfromtheturninthestaircase。
Themotherstraightenedoutthefoldsofherdyedsilkgown，lookedatherselfinthefull—lengthVenetianlooking—glassonthewall，andboldlywalkeduponthestaircarpetinhershabby，shapelessshoes。
“Mydear，youpromisedme，”sheturnedagaintoherson，rousinghimbyatouchonhisarm。Theson，withhiseyesonthedoor，walkedsubmissivelyafterher。
Theywentintoalargeroom，fromwhichadoorledtotheapartmentsthathadbeenassignedtoPrinceVassily。
Atthemomentwhenthemotherandsonreachedthemiddleoftheroomandwereabouttoasktheirwayofanoldfootman，whohaddartedoutattheirentrance，thebronzehandleofoneofthedoorsturned，andPrinceVassily，dressedinahousejacketofvelvet，withonestar，cameout，accompanyingahandsome，black—hairedman。ThismanwasthecelebratedPetersburgdoctor，Lorrain。
“Itispositive，then？”saidthePrince。
“Prince，errareesthumanum，”answeredthedoctor，lisping，andpronouncingtheLatinwordswithaFrenchaccent。
“Verywell，verywell…”
PerceivingAnnaMihalovnaandherson，PrinceVassilydismissedthedoctorwithabow，andinsilence，withanairofinquiry，advancedtomeetthem。Thesonnoticedhowanexpressionofintensegriefcameatonceintohismother’seyes，andhesmiledslightly。
“Yes，inwhatdistressingcircumstancesweweredestinedtomeetagain，prince。…Tellmehowisourdearpatient？”shesaid，apparentlynotobservingthefrigid，offensiveglancethatwasfixedonher。PrinceVassilystaredather，thenatBoriswithalookofinquirythatamountedtoperplexity。Borisbowedpolitely。PrinceVassily，withoutacknowledginghisbow，turnedawaytoAnnaMihalovna，andtoherquestionherepliedbyamovementoftheheadandlips，indicativeoftheworstfearsforthepatient。
“Isitpossible？”criedAnnaMihalovna。“Ah，thisisterrible！Itisdreadfultothink…Thisismyson，”sheadded，indicatingBoris。“Hewantedtothankyouinperson。”
Borisoncemoremadeapolitebow。
“Believeme，prince，amother’sheartwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforus。”
“IamgladIhavebeenabletodoyouanyservice，mydearAnnaMihalovna，”saidPrinceVassily，pullinghislacefrillstraight，andinvoiceandmannermanifestinghereinMoscow，beforeAnnaMihalovna，whowasunderobligationtohim，anevengreatersenseofhisowndignitythaninPetersburgatAnnaPavlovna’ssoirée。
“Trytodoyourdutyintheservice，andtobeworthyofit。”headded，turningseverelytohim。“Iamglad…youarehereonleave？”heaskedinhisexpressionlessvoice。
“Iamawaitingorders，yourexcellency，tojoinmynewregiment，”answeredBoris，showingnosigneitherofresentmentattheprince’sabruptmanner，norofdesiretogetintoconversation，butspeakingwithsuchrespectfulcomposurethattheprincelookedathimattentively。
“Youarelivingwithyourmother？”
“IamlivingatCountessRostov’s，”saidBoris，againadding:“yourexcellency。”
“TheIlyaRostov，whomarriedNatalieShinshin，”saidAnnaMihalovna。
“Iknow，Iknow，”saidPrinceVassilyinhismonotonousvoice。“IhaveneverbeenabletounderstandhowNatalieShinshincouldmakeuphermindtomarrythatunlickedbear。Acompletelystupidandridiculousperson。Andagamblertoo，Iamtold。”
“Butaveryworthyman，prince，”observedAnnaMihalovna，withapatheticsmile，asthoughshetoorecognisedthatCountRostovdeservedthiscriticism，butbeggedhimnottobetoohardonthepooroldfellow。“Whatdothedoctorssay？”askedtheprincess，afterabriefpause，andagaintheexpressionofdeepdistressreappearedonhertear—wornface。
“Thereislittlehope，”saidtheprince。
“And，IwassolongingtothankuncleoncemoreforallhiskindnesstomeandtoBoris。Heishisgodson，”sheaddedinatonethatsuggestedthatPrinceVassilywouldbehighlydelightedtohearthisfact。
PrinceVassilyponderedandfrowned。AnnaMihalovnasawhewasafraidoffindinginherarivalwithclaimsonCountBezuhov’swill。Shehastenedtoreassurehim。“Ifitwerenotformygenuineloveanddevotionforuncle，”shesaid，utteringthelastwordwithpeculiarassuranceandcarelessness，“Iknowhischaracter，—generous，upright；butwithonlytheprincessesabouthim。…Theyareyoung。…”Shebentherheadandaddedinawhisper:“Hasheperformedhislastduties，prince？Howpricelessaretheselastmoments！Heisasbadashecouldbe，itseems；itisabsolutelynecessarytopreparehim，ifheissoill。Wewomen，prince，”shesmiledtenderly，“alwaysknowhowtosaythesethings。Iabsolutelymustseehim。Hardasitwillbeforme，Iamusedtosuffering。”
Theprinceevidentlyunderstood，andunderstood，too，ashehadatAnnaPavlovna’s，thatitwasnoeasytasktogetridofAnnaMihalovna。
“Wouldnotthisinterviewbetryingforhim，chèreAnnaMihalovna？”hesaid。“Letuswaittilltheevening；thedoctorshavepredictedacrisis。”
“Butwaiting’soutofthequestion，prince，atsuchamoment。Think，itisaquestionofsavinghissoul。Ah！howterrible，thedutiesofaChristian。…”
Thedoorfromtheinnerroomsopened，andoneofthecount’sniecesenteredwithacoldandforbiddingface，andalongwaiststrikinglyoutofproportionwiththeshortnessofherlegs。
PrinceVassilyturnedtoher。“Well，howishe？”
“Stillthesame。Whatcanyouexpectwiththisnoise？…”saidtheprincess，scanningAnnaMihalovna，asastranger。
“Ah，dear，Ididnotrecogniseyou，”saidAnnaMihalovna，withadelightedsmile，andsheambledlightlyuptothecount’sniece。“Ihavejustcome，andIamatyourservicetohelpinnursingmyuncle。Iimaginewhatyouhavebeensuffering，”sheadded，sympatheticallyturninghereyesup。
Theprincessmadenoreply，shedidnotevensmile，butwalkedstraightaway。AnnaMihalovnatookoffhergloves，andentrenchedherselfasitwereinanarmchair，invitingPrinceVassilytositdownbesideher。
“Boris！”shesaidtoherson，andshesmiledathim，“Iamgoingintothecount，topooruncle，andyoucangotoPierre，monami，meanwhile，anddon’tforgettogivehimtheRostovs’invitation。Theyaskhimtodinner。Isupposehewon’tgo？”shesaidtotheprince。
“Onthecontrary，”saidtheprince，visiblycastdown。“Ishouldbeverygladifyouwouldtakethatyoungmanoffmyhands。…Hesticksonhere。Thecounthasnotonceaskedforhim。”
Heshruggedhisshoulders。AfootmanconductedtheyouthdownstairsandupanotherstaircasetotheapartmentsofPyotrKirillovitch。
Chapter13
PIERREhadnotsucceededinfixinguponacareerinPetersburg，andreallyhadbeenbanishedtoMoscowfordisorderlyconduct。ThestorytoldabouthimatCountRostov’swastrue。Pierrehadassistedintyingthepoliceofficertothebear。Hehadarrivedafewdayspreviously，stoppingashealwaysdidathisfather’shouse。ThoughhehadassumedthathisstorywouldbealreadyknownatMoscow，andthattheladieswhowereabouthisfather，alwaysunfavourablydisposedtohim，wouldprofitbythisopportunityofturningthecountagainsthim，hewentonthedayofhisarrivaltohisfather’spartofthehouse。Goingintothedrawing—room，wheretheprincessesusuallysat，hegreetedtheladies，twoofwhomweresittingattheirembroideryframes，whileonereadaloud。Therewerethreeofthem。Theeldest，atrim，long—waisted，severemaiden—lady，theonewhohadcomeouttoAnnaMihalovna，wasreading。Theyoungerones，bothrosyandpretty，wereonlytobedistinguishedbythefactthatoneofthemhadalittlemolewhichmadehermuchprettier。Theywerebothworkingattheirembroideryframes。Pierrewasreceivedlikeamanrisenfromthedeadorstrickenwithplague。Theeldestprincesspausedinherreadingandstaredathiminsilencewithdismayinhereyes。Thesecondassumedpreciselythesameexpression。Theyoungest，theonewiththemole，whowasofamirthfulandlaughingdisposition，bentoverherframe，toconcealasmile，probablyevokedbytheamusingscenesheforesawcoming。Shepulledherembroiderywooloutbelow，andbentdownasthoughexaminingthepattern，hardlyabletosuppressherlaughter。
“Goodmorning，cousin，”saidPierre。“Youdon’tknowme？”
“Iknowyouonlytoowell，onlytoowell。”
“Howisthecount？CanIseehim？”Pierreasked，awkwardlyasalways，butnotdisconcerted。
“Thecountissufferingbothphysicallyandmorally，andyouronlyanxietyseemstobetooccasionhimasmuchsufferingaspossible。”
“CanIseethecount？”repeatedPierre。
“Hm…ifyouwanttokillhim，tokillhimoutright，youcanseehim。Olga，goandseeifuncle’sbrothisready—itwillsoonbetimeforit，”sheadded，toshowPierretheywerebusy，andbusyinseeingafterhisfather’scomfort，whilehewasobviouslyonlybusyincausinghimdiscomfort。
Olgawentout。Pierrestoodstillamoment，lookedatthesistersandbowingsaid:“ThenIwillgotomyroom。WhenIcanseehim，youwilltellme。”Hewentawayandheardtheringingbutnotloudlaughofthesisterwiththemolebehindhim。
ThenextdayPrinceVassilyhadcomeandsettledinthecount’shouse。HesentforPierreandsaidtohim:
“Mydearfellow，ifyoubehavehereasyoudidatPetersburg，youwillcometoaverybadend；that’sallIhavetosaytoyou。Thecountisvery，veryill；youmustnotseehim。”
SincethenPierrehadnotbeendisturbed，andhespentthewholedayaloneinhisroomupstairs。
AtthemomentwhenBoriscamein，Pierrewaswalkingupanddownhisroom，stoppingnowandtheninthecorners，makingmenacinggesturesatthewall，asthoughthrustingsomeinvisibleenemythroughwithalance，thenhegazedsternlyoverhisspectacles，thenpacingupanddownagain，murmuringindistinctwords，shrugginghisshouldersandgesticulating。
“England’sdayisover！”hesaid，scowlingandpointingatsomeonewithhisfinger。“Mr。Pitt，asatraitortothenationandtotherightsofman，iscondemned…”hehadnottimetodeliverPitt’ssentence，imagininghimselfatthatmomentNapoleon，andhavinginthepersonofhisherosucceededinthedangerouscrossingoftheChannelandintheconquestofLondon，whenhesawagraceful，handsomeyoungofficercomein。Hestoodstill。PierrehadseenBorislastasaboyoffourteen，anddidnotrememberhimintheleast。Butinspiteofthathetookhishandinhischaracteristicallyquickandwarm—heartedmanner，andsmiledcordiallyathim。
“Yourememberme？”Borissaidcalmlywithapleasantsmile。“Ihavecomewithmymothertoseethecount，butitseemsheisnotquitewell。”
“Yes，heisill，itseems。Peoplearealwaysbotheringhim，”answeredPierre，tryingtorecallwhothisyouthmightbe。
BorisperceivedthatPierredidnotknowhim，butdidnotthinkfittomakehimselfknown，andwithouttheslightestembarrassmentlookedhimstraightintheface。
“CountRostovasksyoutocometodinnerwithhimto—day，”hesaid，afteraratherlongsilencesomewhatdisconcertingforPierre。
“Ah，CountRostov，”beganPierre，delighted。“Soyouarehisson，Ilya？Canyoubelieveit，forthefirstmomentIdidnotrecogniseyou。DoyourememberhowweusedtoslideontheSparrowHillswithMadameJacquot…longago？”
“Youaremistaken，”saidBoris，deliberately，withaboldandrathersarcasticsmile。“IamBoris，thesonofPrincessAnnaMihalovnaDrubetskoy。ItisthefatheroftheRostovswhoiscalledIlya，theson’sNikolay。AndIdon’tknowanyMadameJacquot。”
Pierreshookhishandsandhead，asthoughfliesorbeeswereswarminguponhim。
“Ah，howisit！I’vemixeditallup。TherearesuchalotofrelativesinMoscow！YouareBoris…yes。Well，now，wehavegotitclear。Tellme，whatdoyouthinkoftheBoulogneexpedition？ThingswillgobadlywiththeEnglish，youknow，ifNapoleongetsacrosstheChannel。Ibelievethattheexpeditionisverypossible。IfonlyVilleneuvedoesn’tmakeamessofit！”
BorisknewnothingatallabouttheBoulogneexpedition，anditwasthefirsttimehehadheardofVilleneuve。
“HereinMoscowwearemoreinterestedindinnerpartiesandscandalthaninpolitics，”hesaidinhisself—possessed，sarcastictone。“Iknownothingandthinknothingaboutit。Moscow’smoreengrossedinscandalthananything，”hewenton。“Justnowtheyarealltalkingaboutyouandaboutthecount。”
Pierresmiledhiskindlysmile，asthoughafraidforhiscompanion’ssakethathemightsaysomethinghewouldregret。ButBorisspokedistinctly，clearlyanddrily，lookingstraightintoPierre’sface。
“There’snothingelsetodoinMoscowbuttalkscandal，”hewenton。“Everyone’sabsorbedinthequestionwhomthecountwillleavehisfortuneto，thoughperhapshewilloutliveusall，asIsincerelyhopehemay。”
“Yes，allthat’sveryhorrid，”Pierreinterposed，“veryhorrid。”Pierrewasstillafraidthisofficerwouldinadvertentlydropintosomeremarkdisconcertingforhimself。
“Anditmustseemtoyou，”saidBoris，flushingslightly，butnotchanginghisvoiceorattitude，“itmustseemtoyouthateveryone’sthinkingofnothingbutgettingsomethingfromhim。”
“That’sjustit，”thoughtPierre。
“Andthat’sjustwhatIwanttosaytoyoutopreventmisunderstandings，thatyouareverymuchmistakenifyoureckonmeandmymotheramongthosepeople。Weareverypoor，butI—atleastIspeakformyself—justbecauseyourfatherisrich，Idon’tconsidermyselfarelationofhis，andneitherInormymotherwouldeveraskhimforanythingortakeanythingfromhim。”
ItwasalongwhilebeforePierreunderstood，but，whenhedidunderstand，hejumpedupfromthesofa，seizedBoris’shandwithhischaracteristicquicknessandawkwardness，andblushingfarmorethanBoris，beganspeakingwithamixedsensationofshameandannoyance。
“Well，thisisstrange！DoyousupposeI…howyoucouldthink…Iknowverywell…”
ButBorisagaininterruptedhim。
“IamgladIhavetoldyoueverythingfrankly。Perhapsyoudislikeit:youmustexcuseme，”hesaid，tryingtoputPierreathiseaseinsteadofbeingputathiseasebyhim；“butIhopeIhavenotoffendedyou。Imakeitaruletosayeverythingquiteplainly。…ThenwhatmessageamItotake？YouwillcometodinnerattheRostovs’？”AndBoris，withanevidentsenseofhavingdischargedanonerousduty，havingextricatedhimselffromanawkwardposition，andputsomebodyelseintoonebecameperfectlypleasantagain。
“No，letmetellyou，”saidPierre，regaininghiscomposure，“youareawonderfulperson。Whatyouhavejustsaidwasveryfine，veryfine。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowme，it’ssolongsincewe’veseeneachother…wewerechildren。…YoumightsupposeIshould…Iunderstand，Iquiteunderstand。Ishouldn’thavedoneit，Ishouldn’thavehadthecourage，butit’ssplendid。I’mverygladIhavemadeyouracquaintance。Aqueeridea，”headded，pausingandsmiling，“youmusthavehadofme。”Helaughed。“Butwhatofit？Letusknoweachotherbetter，please！”HepressedBoris’shand。“DoyouknowI’venotonceseenthecount？Hehasnotsentforme…Iamsorryforhim，asaman…Butwhatcanonedo？”
“AndsoyouthinkNapoleonwillsucceedingettinghisarmyacross？”Borisqueried，smiling。
PierresawthatBoriswastryingtochangetheconversation，andsohebeganexplainingtheadvantagesanddifficultiesoftheBoulogneexpedition。
AfootmancameintosummonBoristotheprincess。Theprincesswasgoing。PierrepromisedtocometodinnerinordertoseemoreofBoris，andpressedhishandwarmlyatparting，lookingaffectionatelyintohisfaceoverhisspectacles。
Whenhehadgone，Pierrewalkedforsometimelongerupanddownhisroom，notthrustingatanunseenfoe，butsmilingattherecollectionofthatcharming，intelligent，andresoluteyoungman。
Assooftenhappenswithyoungpeople，especiallyiftheyareinapositionofloneliness，hefeltanunreasonabletendernessforthisyouth，andhefirmlyresolvedtobecomefriendswithhim。
PrinceVassilyaccompaniedtheprincesstothehall。Theprincesswasholdingherhandkerchieftohereyes，andherfacewastearful。
“Itisterrible，terrible！”shesaid；“butwhateveritcostsme，Iwilldomyduty。Iwillcometostaythenight。Hecan’tbeleftlikethis。Everyminuteisprecious。Ican’tunderstandwhyhisniecesputitoff。MaybeGodwillhelpmetofindawaytopreparehim。Adieu，prince，mayGodsupportyou…”
“Adieu，mykindfriend，”answeredPrinceVassily，turningawayfromher。
“Oh，heisinanawfulposition！”saidthemothertoherson，whentheyweresittinginthecarriageagain。“Hescarcelyknowsanyone。”
“Idon’tunderstand，mamma，whathisattitudeisasregardsPierre。”
“Thewillwillmakeallthatplain，mydear；ourfate，too，hangsuponit。…”
“Butwhatmakesyouthinkhewillleaveusanything？”
“Oh，mydear！Heissorich，andwearesopoor。”
“Well，that’shardlyasufficientreason，mamma。”
“Oh，myGod，howillheis，howillheis！”criedhismother。
Chapter14
WHENANNAMIHALOVNAhaddrivenoffwithhersontoCountKirillVladimirovitchBezuhov’s，CountessRostovsatalongwhilealone，puttingherhandkerchieftohereyes。Atlastsherangthebell。
“Whatdoesitmean？”shesaidangrilytothemaid，whohadkeptherwaitingafewminutes；“don’tyoucareformyservice，eh？I’llfindyouanotherplace，ifso。”
Thecountesswasdistressedatthetroublesanddegradingpovertyofherfriend，andsooutofhumour，whichalwaysfoundexpressioninsuchremarkstoherservants。
“I’mverysorry，”saidthemaid。
“Askthecounttocometome。”
Thecountcamewaddlingintoseehiswife，looking，asusual，ratherguilty。
“Well，littlecountess！WhatasautéofwoodcocksandMadeirawe’retohave，machère！I’vetriedit；IdidwelltogiveathousandroublesforTaras。He’sworthit！”
Hesatdownbyhiswife，settinghiselbowjauntilyonhisknee，andrufflinguphisgreyhair。“Whatareyourcommands，littlecountess？”
“It’sthis，mydear—why，whatisthismessonyouhere？”shesaid，pointingtohiswaistcoat。“It’sthesauté，mostlikely，”sheadded，smiling。“It’sthis，mydear，Iwantsomemoney。”Herfacebecamegloomy。
“Ah，littlecountess！…”Andthecountfidgetedabout，pullingouthispocket—book。
“Iwantagreatdeal，count。Iwantfivehundredroubles。”Andtakingouthercambrichandkerchiefshewipedherhusband’swaistcoat。
“Thisminute，thisminute。Hey，who’sthere？”heshouted，asmenonlyshoutwhoarecertainthatthosetheycallwillrunheadlongattheirsummons。“SendMitenkatome！”
Mitenka，theyoungmanofnoblefamilywhohadbeenbroughtupinthecount’shouse，andnowhadchargeofallhismoneyaffairs，walkedsoftlyintotheroom。
“Here，mydearboy，”saidthecounttotheyoungman，whocameuprespectfully。“Bringme，”hethoughtamoment，“yes，sevenhundredroubles，yes。Andmind，don’tbringmesuchtornanddirtynotesaslasttime；niceonesnow，forthecountess。”
“Yes，Mitenka，cleanones，please，”saidthecountesswithadepressedsigh。
“Yourexcellency，whendoyoudesiremetogetthemoney？”saidMitenka。“Yourhonouroughttoknow…Butdon’ttrouble，”headded，noticingthatthecountwasbeginningtobreatherapidlyandheavily，whichwasalwaysthesignofapproachinganger。“Iwasforgetting…Thisminutedoyoudesiremetobringthem？”
“Yes，yes，justso，bringthem。Givethemtothecountess。WhatatreasurethatMitenkais，”addedthecount，smiling，whentheyoungmanhadgoneout。“Hedoesn’tknowthemeaningofimpossible。That’sathingIcan’tbear。Everything’spossible。”
“Ah，money，count，money，whatalotofsorrowitcausesintheworld！”saidthecountess。“ThismoneyIamingreatneedof。”
“Youareaterriblespendthrift，littlecountess，weallknow，”saidthecount，andkissinghiswife’shandhewentawayagaintohisownroom。