CHAPTERI
\"Well，Prince，soGenoaandLuccaarenowjustfamilyestatesoftheBuonapartes。ButIwarnyou，ifyoudon’ttellmethatthismeanswar，ifyoustilltrytodefendtheinfamiesandhorrorsperpetratedbythatAntichrist—IreallybelieveheisAntichrist—Iwillhavenothingmoretodowithyouandyouarenolongermyfriend，nolongermy’faithfulslave，’asyoucallyourself！Buthowdoyoudo？IseeIhavefrightenedyou—sitdownandtellmeallthenews。\"
ItwasinJuly，1805，andthespeakerwasthewell—knownAnnaPavlovnaScherer，maidofhonorandfavoriteoftheEmpressMaryaFedorovna。WiththesewordsshegreetedPrinceVasiliKuragin，amanofhighrankandimportance，whowasthefirsttoarriveatherreception。AnnaPavlovnahadhadacoughforsomedays。Shewas，asshesaid，sufferingfromlagrippe；grippebeingthenanewwordinSt。Petersburg，usedonlybytheelite。
Allherinvitationswithoutexception，writteninFrench，anddeliveredbyascarlet—liveriedfootmanthatmorning，ranasfollows：
\"Ifyouhavenothingbettertodo，Count[orPrince]，andiftheprospectofspendinganeveningwithapoorinvalidisnottooterrible，Ishallbeverycharmedtoseeyoutonightbetween7and10—
AnnetteScherer。\"
\"Heavens！whatavirulentattack！\"repliedtheprince，notintheleastdisconcertedbythisreception。Hehadjustentered，wearinganembroideredcourtuniform，kneebreeches，andshoes，andhadstarsonhisbreastandasereneexpressiononhisflatface。HespokeinthatrefinedFrenchinwhichourgrandfathersnotonlyspokebutthought，andwiththegentle，patronizingintonationnaturaltoamanofimportancewhohadgrownoldinsocietyandatcourt。HewentuptoAnnaPavlovna，kissedherhand，presentingtoherhisbald，scented，andshininghead，andcomplacentlyseatedhimselfonthesofa。
\"Firstofall，dearfriend，tellmehowyouare。Setyourfriend’smindatrest，\"saidhewithoutalteringhistone，beneaththepolitenessandaffectedsympathyofwhichindifferenceandevenironycouldbediscerned。
\"Canonebewellwhilesufferingmorally？Canonebecalmintimesliketheseifonehasanyfeeling？\"saidAnnaPavlovna。\"Youarestayingthewholeevening，Ihope？\"
\"AndthefeteattheEnglishambassador’s？TodayisWednesday。I
mustputinanappearancethere，\"saidtheprince。\"Mydaughteriscomingformetotakemethere。\"
\"Ithoughttoday’sfetehadbeencanceled。Iconfessallthesefestivitiesandfireworksarebecomingwearisome。\"
\"Iftheyhadknownthatyouwishedit，theentertainmentwouldhavebeenputoff，\"saidtheprince，who，likeawound—upclock，byforceofhabitsaidthingshedidnotevenwishtobebelieved。
\"Don’ttease！Well，andwhathasbeendecidedaboutNovosiltsev’sdispatch？Youknoweverything。\"
\"Whatcanonesayaboutit？\"repliedtheprinceinacold，listlesstone。\"Whathasbeendecided？TheyhavedecidedthatBuonapartehasburnthisboats，andIbelievethatwearereadytoburnours。\"
PrinceVasilialwaysspokelanguidly，likeanactorrepeatingastalepart。AnnaPavlovnaSchereronthecontrary，despiteherfortyyears，overflowedwithanimationandimpulsiveness。Tobeanenthusiasthadbecomehersocialvocationand，sometimesevenwhenshedidnotfeellikeit，shebecameenthusiasticinordernottodisappointtheexpectationsofthosewhoknewher。Thesubduedsmilewhich，thoughitdidnotsuitherfadedfeatures，alwaysplayedroundherlipsexpressed，asinaspoiledchild，acontinualconsciousnessofhercharmingdefect，whichsheneitherwished，norcould，norconsidereditnecessary，tocorrect。
InthemidstofaconversationonpoliticalmattersAnnaPavlovnaburstout：
\"Oh，don’tspeaktomeofAustria。PerhapsIdon’tunderstandthings，butAustrianeverhaswished，anddoesnotwish，forwar。
Sheisbetrayingus！RussiaalonemustsaveEurope。Ourgracioussovereignrecognizeshishighvocationandwillbetruetoit。ThatistheonethingIhavefaithin！Ourgoodandwonderfulsovereignhastoperformthenoblestroleonearth，andheissovirtuousandnoblethatGodwillnotforsakehim。Hewillfulfillhisvocationandcrushthehydraofrevolution，whichhasbecomemoreterriblethaneverinthepersonofthismurdererandvillain！Wealonemustavengethebloodofthejustone……Whom，Iaskyou，canwerelyon？……EnglandwithhercommercialspiritwillnotandcannotunderstandtheEmperorAlexander’sloftinessofsoul。ShehasrefusedtoevacuateMalta。Shewantedtofind，andstillseeks，somesecretmotiveinouractions。WhatanswerdidNovosiltsevget？None。
TheEnglishhavenotunderstoodandcannotunderstandtheself—abnegationofourEmperorwhowantsnothingforhimself，butonlydesiresthegoodofmankind。Andwhathavetheypromised？Nothing！Andwhatlittletheyhavepromisedtheywillnotperform！PrussiahasalwaysdeclaredthatBuonaparteisinvincible，andthatallEuropeispowerlessbeforehim……AndIdon’tbelieveawordthatHardenburgsays，orHaugwitzeither。ThisfamousPrussianneutralityisjustatrap。IhavefaithonlyinGodandtheloftydestinyofouradoredmonarch。HewillsaveEurope！\"
Shesuddenlypaused，smilingatherownimpetuosity。
\"Ithink，\"saidtheprincewithasmile，\"thatifyouhadbeensentinsteadofourdearWintzingerodeyouwouldhavecapturedtheKingofPrussia’sconsentbyassault。Youaresoeloquent。Willyougivemeacupoftea？\"
\"Inamoment。Apropos，\"sheadded，becomingcalmagain，\"Iamexpectingtwoveryinterestingmentonight，leVicomtedeMortemart，whoisconnectedwiththeMontmorencysthroughtheRohans，oneofthebestFrenchfamilies。Heisoneofthegenuineemigres，thegoodones。AndalsotheAbbeMorio。Doyouknowthatprofoundthinker？HehasbeenreceivedbytheEmperor。Hadyouheard？\"
\"Ishallbedelightedtomeetthem，\"saidtheprince。\"Buttellme，\"
headdedwithstudiedcarelessnessasifithadonlyjustoccurredtohim，thoughthequestionhewasabouttoaskwasthechiefmotiveofhisvisit，\"isittruethattheDowagerEmpresswantsBaronFunketobeappointedfirstsecretaryatVienna？Thebaronbyallaccountsisapoorcreature。\"
PrinceVasiliwishedtoobtainthispostforhisson，butothersweretryingthroughtheDowagerEmpressMaryaFedorovnatosecureitforthebaron。
AnnaPavlovnaalmostclosedhereyestoindicatethatneithershenoranyoneelsehadarighttocriticizewhattheEmpressdesiredorwaspleasedwith。
\"BaronFunkehasbeenrecommendedtotheDowagerEmpressbyhersister，\"wasallshesaid，inadryandmournfultone。
AsshenamedtheEmpress，AnnaPavlovna’sfacesuddenlyassumedanexpressionofprofoundandsinceredevotionandrespectmingledwithsadness，andthisoccurredeverytimeshementionedherillustriouspatroness。SheaddedthatHerMajestyhaddeignedtoshowBaronFunkebeaucoupd’estime，andagainherfacecloudedoverwithsadness。
Theprincewassilentandlookedindifferent。But，withthewomanlyandcourtierlikequicknessandtacthabitualtoher，AnnaPavlovnawishedbothtorebukehimfordaringtospeakhehaddoneofamanrecommendedtotheEmpressandatthesametimetoconsolehim，soshesaid：
\"Nowaboutyourfamily。Doyouknowthatsinceyourdaughtercameouteveryonehasbeenenrapturedbyher？Theysaysheisamazinglybeautiful。\"
Theprincebowedtosignifyhisrespectandgratitude。
\"Ioftenthink，\"shecontinuedafterashortpause，drawingnearertotheprinceandsmilingamiablyathimasiftoshowthatpoliticalandsocialtopicswereendedandthetimehadcomeforintimateconversation—\"Ioftenthinkhowunfairlysometimesthejoysoflifearedistributed。Whyhasfategivenyoutwosuchsplendidchildren？Idon’tspeakofAnatole，youryoungest。Idon’tlikehim，\"sheaddedinatoneadmittingofnorejoinderandraisinghereyebrows。\"Twosuchcharmingchildren。Andreallyyouappreciatethemlessthananyone，andsoyoudon’tdeservetohavethem。\"
Andshesmiledherecstaticsmile。
\"Ican’thelpit，\"saidtheprince。\"LavaterwouldhavesaidI
lackthebumpofpaternity。\"
\"Don’tjoke；Imeantohaveaserioustalkwithyou。DoyouknowI
amdissatisfiedwithyouryoungerson？Betweenourselves\"andherfaceassumeditsmelancholyexpression，\"hewasmentionedatHerMajesty’sandyouwerepitied……\"
Theprinceanswerednothing，butshelookedathimsignificantly，awaitingareply。Hefrowned。
\"Whatwouldyouhavemedo？\"hesaidatlast。\"YouknowIdidallafathercouldfortheireducation，andtheyhavebothturnedoutfools。Hippolyteisatleastaquietfool，butAnatoleisanactiveone。Thatistheonlydifferencebetweenthem。\"Hesaidthissmilinginawaymorenaturalandanimatedthanusual，sothatthewrinklesroundhismouthveryclearlyrevealedsomethingunexpectedlycoarseandunpleasant。
\"Andwhyarechildrenborntosuchmenasyou？IfyouwerenotafathertherewouldbenothingIcouldreproachyouwith，\"saidAnnaPavlovna，lookinguppensively。
\"IamyourfaithfulslaveandtoyoualoneIcanconfessthatmychildrenarethebaneofmylife。ItisthecrossIhavetobear。ThatishowIexplainittomyself。Itcan’tbehelped！\"
Hesaidnomore，butexpressedhisresignationtocruelfatebyagesture。AnnaPavlovnameditated。
\"HaveyouneverthoughtofmarryingyourprodigalsonAnatole？\"
sheasked。\"Theysayoldmaidshaveamaniaformatchmaking，andthoughIdon’tfeelthatweaknessinmyselfasyet，Iknowalittlepersonwhoisveryunhappywithherfather。Sheisarelationofyours，PrincessMaryBolkonskaya。\"
PrinceVasilididnotreply，though，withthequicknessofmemoryandperceptionbefittingamanoftheworld，heindicatedbyamovementoftheheadthathewasconsideringthisinformation。
\"Doyouknow，\"hesaidatlast，evidentlyunabletocheckthesadcurrentofhisthoughts，\"thatAnatoleiscostingmefortythousandrublesayear？And，\"hewentonafterapause，\"whatwillitbeinfiveyears，ifhegoesonlikethis？\"Presentlyheadded：\"That’swhatwefathershavetoputupwith……Isthisprincessofyoursrich？\"
\"Herfatherisveryrichandstingy。Helivesinthecountry。Heisthewell—knownPrinceBolkonskiwhohadtoretirefromthearmyunderthelateEmperor，andwasnicknamed’theKingofPrussia。’Heisverycleverbuteccentric，andabore。Thepoorgirlisveryunhappy。Shehasabrother；Ithinkyouknowhim，hemarriedLiseMeinenlately。Heisanaide—de—campofKutuzov’sandwillbeheretonight。\"
\"Listen，dearAnnette，\"saidtheprince，suddenlytakingAnnaPavlovna’shandandforsomereasondrawingitdownwards。\"ArrangethataffairformeandIshallalwaysbeyourmostdevotedslave—
slafewighanf，asavillageelderofminewritesinhisreports。Sheisrichandofgoodfamilyandthat’sallIwant。\"
Andwiththefamiliarityandeasygracepeculiartohim，heraisedthemaidofhonor’shandtohislips，kissedit，andswungittoandfroashelaybackinhisarmchair，lookinginanotherdirection。
\"Attendez，\"saidAnnaPavlovna，reflecting，\"I’llspeaktoLise，youngBolkonski’swife，thisveryevening，andperhapsthethingcanbearranged。Itshallbeonyourfamily’sbehalfthatI’llstartmyapprenticeshipasoldmaid。\"
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CHAPTERII
AnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroomwasgraduallyfilling。ThehighestPetersburgsocietywasassembledthere：peopledifferingwidelyinageandcharacterbutalikeinthesocialcircletowhichtheybelonged。
PrinceVasili’sdaughter，thebeautifulHelene，cametotakeherfathertotheambassador’sentertainment；sheworeaballdressandherbadgeasmaidofhonor。TheyouthfullittlePrincessBolkonskaya，knownaslafemmelaplusseduisantedePetersbourg，*wasalsothere。Shehadbeenmarriedduringthepreviouswinter，andbeingpregnantdidnotgotoanylargegatherings，butonlytosmallreceptions。PrinceVasili’sson，Hippolyte，hadcomewithMortemart，whomheintroduced。TheAbbeMorioandmanyothershadalsocome。
*ThemostfascinatingwomaninPetersburg。
ToeachnewarrivalAnnaPavlovnasaid，\"Youhavenotyetseenmyaunt，\"or\"Youdonotknowmyaunt？\"andverygravelyconductedhimorhertoalittleoldlady，wearinglargebowsofribboninhercap，whohadcomesailinginfromanotherroomassoonastheguestsbegantoarrive；andslowlyturninghereyesfromthevisitortoheraunt，AnnaPavlovnamentionedeachone’snameandthenleftthem。
Eachvisitorperformedtheceremonyofgreetingthisoldauntwhomnotoneofthemknew，notoneofthemwantedtoknow，andnotoneofthemcaredabout；AnnaPavlovnaobservedthesegreetingswithmournfulandsolemninterestandsilentapproval。Theauntspoketoeachoftheminthesamewords，abouttheirhealthandherown，andthehealthofHerMajesty，\"who，thankGod，wasbettertoday。\"Andeachvisitor，thoughpolitenesspreventedhisshowingimpatience，lefttheoldwomanwithasenseofreliefathavingperformedavexatiousdutyanddidnotreturntoherthewholeevening。
TheyoungPrincessBolkonskayahadbroughtsomeworkinagold—embroideredvelvetbag。Herprettylittleupperlip，onwhichadelicatedarkdownwasjustperceptible，wastooshortforherteeth，butitliftedallthemoresweetly，andwasespeciallycharmingwhensheoccasionallydrewitdowntomeetthelowerlip。Asisalwaysthecasewithathoroughlyattractivewoman，herdefect—theshortnessofherupperlipandherhalf—openmouth—seemedtobeherownspecialandpeculiarformofbeauty。Everyonebrightenedatthesightofthisprettyyoungwoman，sosoontobecomeamother，sofulloflifeandhealth，andcarryingherburdensolightly。Oldmenanddulldispiritedyoungoneswholookedather，afterbeinginhercompanyandtalkingtoheralittlewhile，feltasiftheytoowerebecoming，likeher，fulloflifeandhealth。Allwhotalkedtoher，andateachwordsawherbrightsmileandtheconstantgleamofherwhiteteeth，thoughtthattheywereinaspeciallyamiablemoodthatday。
Thelittleprincesswentroundthetablewithquick，short，swayingsteps，herworkbagonherarm，andgailyspreadingoutherdresssatdownonasofanearthesilversamovar，asifallshewasdoingwasapleasuretoherselfandtoallaroundher。\"Ihavebroughtmywork，\"saidsheinFrench，displayingherbagandaddressingallpresent。\"Mind，Annette，Ihopeyouhavenotplayedawickedtrickonme，\"sheadded，turningtoherhostess。\"Youwrotethatitwastobequiteasmallreception，andjustseehowbadlyIamdressed。\"
Andshespreadoutherarmstoshowhershort—waisted，lace—trimmed，daintygraydress，girdledwithabroadribbonjustbelowthebreast。
\"Soyeztranquille，Lise，youwillalwaysbeprettierthananyoneelse，\"repliedAnnaPavlovna。
\"Youknow，\"saidtheprincessinthesametoneofvoiceandstillinFrench，turningtoageneral，\"myhusbandisdesertingme？Heisgoingtogethimselfkilled。Tellmewhatthiswretchedwarisfor？\"sheadded，addressingPrinceVasili，andwithoutwaitingforananswersheturnedtospeaktohisdaughter，thebeautifulHelene。
\"Whatadelightfulwomanthislittleprincessis！\"saidPrinceVasilitoAnnaPavlovna。
Oneofthenextarrivalswasastout，heavilybuiltyoungmanwithclose—croppedhair，spectacles，thelight—coloredbreechesfashionableatthattime，averyhighruffle，andabrowndresscoat。ThisstoutyoungmanwasanillegitimatesonofCountBezukhov，awell—knowngrandeeofCatherine’stimewhonowlaydyinginMoscow。Theyoungmanhadnotyetenteredeitherthemilitaryorcivilservice，ashehadonlyjustreturnedfromabroadwherehehadbeeneducated，andthiswashisfirstappearanceinsociety。AnnaPavlovnagreetedhimwiththenodsheaccordedtothelowesthierarchyinherdrawingroom。
Butinspiteofthislowest—gradegreeting，alookofanxietyandfear，asatthesightofsomethingtoolargeandunsuitedtotheplace，cameoverherfacewhenshesawPierreenter。Thoughhewascertainlyratherbiggerthantheothermenintheroom，heranxietycouldonlyhavereferencetothecleverthoughshy，butobservantandnatural，expressionwhichdistinguishedhimfromeveryoneelseinthatdrawingroom。
\"Itisverygoodofyou，MonsieurPierre，tocomeandvisitapoorinvalid，\"saidAnnaPavlovna，exchanginganalarmedglancewithherauntassheconductedhimtoher。
Pierremurmuredsomethingunintelligible，andcontinuedtolookroundasifinsearchofsomething。Onhiswaytotheaunthebowedtothelittleprincesswithapleasedsmile，astoanintimateacquaintance。
AnnaPavlovna’salarmwasjustified，forPierreturnedawayfromtheauntwithoutwaitingtohearherspeechaboutHerMajesty’shealth。
AnnaPavlovnaindismaydetainedhimwiththewords：\"DoyouknowtheAbbeMorio？Heisamostinterestingman。\"
\"Yes，Ihaveheardofhisschemeforperpetualpeace，anditisveryinterestingbuthardlyfeasible。\"
\"Youthinkso？\"rejoinedAnnaPavlovnainordertosaysomethingandgetawaytoattendtoherdutiesashostess。ButPierrenowcommittedareverseactofimpoliteness。Firsthehadleftaladybeforeshehadfinishedspeakingtohim，andnowhecontinuedtospeaktoanotherwhowishedtogetaway。Withhisheadbent，andhisbigfeetspreadapart，hebeganexplaininghisreasonsforthinkingtheabbe’splanchimerical。
\"Wewilltalkofitlater，\"saidAnnaPavlovnawithasmile。
Andhavinggotridofthisyoungmanwhodidnotknowhowtobehave，sheresumedherdutiesashostessandcontinuedtolistenandwatch，readytohelpatanypointwheretheconversationmighthappentoflag。Astheforemanofaspinningmill，whenhehassetthehandstowork，goesroundandnoticeshereaspindlethathasstoppedorthereonethatcreaksormakesmorenoisethanitshould，andhastenstocheckthemachineorsetitinpropermotion，soAnnaPavlovnamovedaboutherdrawingroom，approachingnowasilent，nowatoo—noisygroup，andbyawordorslightrearrangementkepttheconversationalmachineinsteady，proper，andregularmotion。ButamidthesecaresheranxietyaboutPierrewasevident。ShekeptananxiouswatchonhimwhenheapproachedthegrouproundMortemarttolistentowhatwasbeingsaidthere，andagainwhenhepassedtoanothergroupwhosecenterwastheabbe。
Pierrehadbeeneducatedabroad，andthisreceptionatAnnaPavlovna’swasthefirsthehadattendedinRussia。HeknewthatalltheintellectuallightsofPetersburgweregatheredthereand，likeachildinatoyshop，didnotknowwhichwaytolook，afraidofmissinganycleverconversationthatwastobeheard。Seeingtheself—confidentandrefinedexpressiononthefacesofthosepresenthewasalwaysexpectingtohearsomethingveryprofound。AtlasthecameuptoMorio。Heretheconversationseemedinterestingandhestoodwaitingforanopportunitytoexpresshisownviews，asyoungpeoplearefondofdoing。
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CHAPTERIII
AnnaPavlovna’sreceptionwasinfullswing。Thespindleshummedsteadilyandceaselesslyonallsides。Withtheexceptionoftheaunt，besidewhomsatonlyoneelderlylady，whowithherthincarewornfacewasratheroutofplaceinthisbrilliantsociety，thewholecompanyhadsettledintothreegroups。One，chieflymasculine，hadformedroundtheabbe。Another，ofyoungpeople，wasgroupedroundthebeautifulPrincessHelene，PrinceVasili’sdaughter，andthelittlePrincessBolkonskaya，veryprettyandrosy，thoughrathertooplumpforherage。ThethirdgroupwasgatheredroundMortemartandAnnaPavlovna。
Thevicomtewasanice—lookingyoungmanwithsoftfeaturesandpolishedmanners，whoevidentlyconsideredhimselfacelebritybutoutofpolitenessmodestlyplacedhimselfatthedisposalofthecircleinwhichhefoundhimself。AnnaPavlovnawasobviouslyservinghimupasatreattoherguests。Asaclevermaitred’hotelservesupasaspeciallychoicedelicacyapieceofmeatthatnoonewhohadseenitinthekitchenwouldhavecaredtoeat，soAnnaPavlovnaserveduptoherguests，firstthevicomteandthentheabbe，aspeculiarlychoicemorsels。ThegroupaboutMortemartimmediatelybegandiscussingthemurderoftheDucd’Enghien。ThevicomtesaidthattheDucd’Enghienhadperishedbyhisownmagnanimity，andthattherewereparticularreasonsforBuonaparte’shatredofhim。
\"Ah，yes！Dotellusallaboutit，Vicomte，\"saidAnnaPavlovna，withapleasantfeelingthattherewassomethingalaLouisXVinthesoundofthatsentence：\"Conteznouscela，Vicomte。\"
Thevicomtebowedandsmiledcourteouslyintokenofhiswillingnesstocomply。AnnaPavlovnaarrangedagrouproundhim，invitingeveryonetolistentohistale。
\"Thevicomteknewtheducpersonally，\"whisperedAnnaPavlovnatooftheguests。\"Thevicomteisawonderfulraconteur，\"saidshetoanother。\"Howevidentlyhebelongstothebestsociety，\"saidshetoathird；andthevicomtewasserveduptothecompanyinthechoicestandmostadvantageousstyle，likeawell—garnishedjointofroastbeefonahotdish。
Thevicomtewishedtobeginhisstoryandgaveasubtlesmile。
\"Comeoverhere，Helene，dear，\"saidAnnaPavlovnatothebeautifulyoungprincesswhowassittingsomewayoff，thecenterofanothergroup。
Theprincesssmiled。Sherosewiththesameunchangingsmilewithwhichshehadfirstenteredtheroom—thesmileofaperfectlybeautifulwoman。Withaslightrustleofherwhitedresstrimmedwithmossandivy，withagleamofwhiteshoulders，glossyhair，andsparklingdiamonds，shepassedbetweenthemenwhomadewayforher，notlookingatanyofthembutsmilingonall，asifgraciouslyallowingeachtheprivilegeofadmiringherbeautifulfigureandshapelyshoulders，back，andbosom—whichinthefashionofthosedayswereverymuchexposed—andsheseemedtobringtheglamourofaballroomwithherasshemovedtowardAnnaPavlovna。Helenewassolovelythatnotonlydidshenotshowanytraceofcoquetry，butonthecontrarysheevenappearedshyofherunquestionableandalltoovictoriousbeauty。Sheseemedtowish，buttobeunable，todiminishitseffect。
\"Howlovely！\"saideveryonewhosawher；andthevicomteliftedhisshouldersanddroppedhiseyesasifstartledbysomethingextraordinarywhenshetookherseatoppositeandbeameduponhimalsowithherunchangingsmile。
\"Madame，Idoubtmyabilitybeforesuchanaudience，\"saidhe，smilinglyinclininghishead。
Theprincessrestedherbareroundarmonalittletableandconsideredareplyunnecessary。Shesmilinglywaited。Allthetimethestorywasbeingtoldshesatupright，glancingnowatherbeautifulroundarm，alteredinshapebyitspressureonthetable，nowatherstillmorebeautifulbosom，onwhichshereadjustedadiamondnecklace。Fromtimetotimeshesmoothedthefoldsofherdress，andwheneverthestoryproducedaneffectsheglancedatAnnaPavlovna，atonceadoptedjusttheexpressionshesawonthemaidofhonor’sface，andagainrelapsedintoherradiantsmile。
ThelittleprincesshadalsolefttheteatableandfollowedHelene。
\"Waitamoment，I’llgetmywork……Nowthen，whatareyouthinkingof？\"shewenton，turningtoPrinceHippolyte。\"Fetchmemyworkbag。\"
Therewasageneralmovementastheprincess，smilingandtalkingmerrilytoeveryoneatonce，satdownandgailyarrangedherselfinherseat。
\"NowIamallright，\"shesaid，andaskingthevicomtetobegin，shetookupherwork。
PrinceHippolyte，havingbroughttheworkbag，joinedthecircleandmovingachairclosetohersseatedhimselfbesideher。
LecharmantHippolytewassurprisingbyhisextraordinaryresemblancetohisbeautifulsister，butyetmorebythefactthatinspiteofthisresemblancehewasexceedinglyugly。Hisfeatureswerelikehissister’s，butwhileinhercaseeverythingwaslitupbyajoyous，self—satisfied，youthful，andconstantsmileofanimation，andbythewonderfulclassicbeautyofherfigure，hisfaceonthecontrarywasdulledbyimbecilityandaconstantexpressionofsullenself—confidence，whilehisbodywasthinandweak。Hiseyes，nose，andmouthallseemedpuckeredintoavacant，weariedgrimace，andhisarmsandlegsalwaysfellintounnaturalpositions。
\"It’snotgoingtobeaghoststory？\"saidhe，sittingdownbesidetheprincessandhastilyadjustinghislorgnette，asifwithoutthisinstrumenthecouldnotbegintospeak。
\"Whyno，mydearfellow，\"saidtheastonishednarrator，shrugginghisshoulders。
\"BecauseIhateghoststories，\"saidPrinceHippolyteinatonewhichshowedthatheonlyunderstoodthemeaningofhiswordsafterhehadutteredthem。
Hespokewithsuchself—confidencethathishearerscouldnotbesurewhetherwhathesaidwasverywittyorverystupid。Hewasdressedinadark—greendresscoat，kneebreechesofthecolorofcuissedenympheeffrayee，ashecalledit，shoes，andsilkstockings。
Thevicomtetoldhistaleveryneatly。Itwasananecdote，thencurrent，totheeffectthattheDucd’EnghienhadgonesecretlytoParistovisitMademoiselleGeorge；thatatherhousehecameuponBonaparte，whoalsoenjoyedthefamousactress’favors，andthatinhispresenceNapoleonhappenedtofallintooneofthefaintingfitstowhichhewassubject，andwasthusattheduc’smercy。Thelattersparedhim，andthismagnanimityBonapartesubsequentlyrepaidbydeath。
Thestorywasveryprettyandinteresting，especiallyatthepointwheretherivalssuddenlyrecognizedoneanother；andtheladieslookedagitated。
\"Charming！\"saidAnnaPavlovnawithaninquiringglanceatthelittleprincess。
\"Charming！\"whisperedthelittleprincess，stickingtheneedleintoherworkasiftotestifythattheinterestandfascinationofthestorypreventedherfromgoingonwithit。
Thevicomteappreciatedthissilentpraiseandsmilinggratefullypreparedtocontinue，butjustthenAnnaPavlovna，whohadkeptawatchfuleyeontheyoungmanwhosoalarmedher，noticedthathewastalkingtooloudlyandvehementlywiththeabbe，soshehurriedtotherescue。Pierrehadmanagedtostartaconversationwiththeabbeaboutthebalanceofpower，andthelatter，evidentlyinterestedbytheyoungman’ssimple—mindedeagerness，wasexplaininghispettheory。Bothweretalkingandlisteningtooeagerlyandtoonaturally，whichwaswhyAnnaPavlovnadisapproved。
\"Themeansare……thebalanceofpowerinEuropeandtherightsofthepeople，\"theabbewassaying。\"ItisonlynecessaryforonepowerfulnationlikeRussia—barbaricassheissaidtobe—toplaceherselfdisinterestedlyattheheadofanalliancehavingforitsobjectthemaintenanceofthebalanceofpowerofEurope，anditwouldsavetheworld！\"
\"Buthowareyoutogetthatbalance？\"Pierrewasbeginning。
AtthatmomentAnnaPavlovnacameupand，lookingseverelyatPierre，askedtheItalianhowhestoodRussianclimate。TheItalian’sfaceinstantlychangedandassumedanoffensivelyaffected，sugaryexpression，evidentlyhabitualtohimwhenconversingwithwomen。
\"Iamsoenchantedbythebrilliancyofthewitandcultureofthesociety，moreespeciallyofthefemininesociety，inwhichIhavehadthehonorofbeingreceived，thatIhavenotyethadtimetothinkoftheclimate，\"saidhe。
NotlettingtheabbeandPierreescape，AnnaPavlovna，themoreconvenientlytokeepthemunderobservation，broughtthemintothelargercircle。
BK1CH4
CHAPTERIV
Justthemanothervisitorenteredthedrawingroom：PrinceAndrewBolkonski，thelittleprincess’husband。Hewasaveryhandsomeyoungman，ofmediumheight，withfirm，clearcutfeatures。
Everythingabouthim，fromhisweary，boredexpressiontohisquiet，measuredstep，offeredamoststrikingcontrasttohisquiet，littlewife。Itwasevidentthathenotonlykneweveryoneinthedrawingroom，buthadfoundthemtobesotiresomethatitweariedhimtolookatorlistentothem。Andamongallthesefacesthathefoundsotedious，noneseemedtoborehimsomuchasthatofhisprettywife。
Heturnedawayfromherwithagrimacethatdistortedhishandsomeface，kissedAnnaPavlovna’shand，andscrewinguphiseyesscannedthewholecompany。
\"Youareofftothewar，Prince？\"saidAnnaPavlovna。
\"GeneralKutuzov，\"saidBolkonski，speakingFrenchandstressingthelastsyllableofthegeneral’snamelikeaFrenchman，\"hasbeenpleasedtotakemeasanaide—de—camp……\"
\"AndLise，yourwife？\"
\"Shewillgotothecountry。\"
\"Areyounotashamedtodepriveusofyourcharmingwife？\"
\"Andre，\"saidhiswife，addressingherhusbandinthesamecoquettishmannerinwhichshespoketoothermen，\"thevicomtehasbeentellingussuchataleaboutMademoiselleGeorgeandBuonaparte！\"
PrinceAndrewscreweduphiseyesandturnedaway。Pierre，whofromthemomentPrinceAndrewenteredtheroomhadwatchedhimwithglad，affectionateeyes，nowcameupandtookhisarm。BeforehelookedroundPrinceAndrewfrownedagain，expressinghisannoyancewithwhoeverwastouchinghisarm，butwhenhesawPierre’sbeamingfacehegavehimanunexpectedlykindandpleasantsmile。
\"Therenow！……Soyou，too，areinthegreatworld？\"saidhetoPierre。
\"Iknewyouwouldbehere，\"repliedPierre。\"Iwillcometosupperwithyou。MayI？\"headdedinalowvoicesoasnottodisturbthevicomtewhowascontinuinghisstory。
\"No，impossible！\"saidPrinceAndrew，laughingandpressingPierre’shandtoshowthattherewasnoneedtoaskthequestion。Hewishedtosaysomethingmore，butatthatmomentPrinceVasiliandhisdaughtergotuptogoandthetwoyoungmenrosetoletthempass。
\"Youmustexcuseme，dearVicomte，\"saidPrinceVasilitotheFrenchman，holdinghimdownbythesleeveinafriendlywaytopreventhisrising。\"Thisunfortunatefeteattheambassador’sdeprivesmeofapleasure，andobligesmetointerruptyou。Iamverysorrytoleaveyourenchantingparty，\"saidhe，turningtoAnnaPavlovna。
Hisdaughter，PrincessHelene，passedbetweenthechairs，lightlyholdingupthefoldsofherdress，andthesmileshonestillmoreradiantlyonherbeautifulface。Pierregazedatherwithrapturous，almostfrightened，eyesasshepassedhim。
\"Verylovely，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Very，\"saidPierre。
InpassingPrinceVasiliseizedPierre’shandandsaidtoAnnaPavlovna：\"Educatethisbearforme！HehasbeenstayingwithmeawholemonthandthisisthefirsttimeIhaveseenhiminsociety。
Nothingissonecessaryforayoungmanasthesocietyofcleverwomen。\"
AnnaPavlovnasmiledandpromisedtotakePierreinhand。SheknewhisfathertobeaconnectionofPrinceVasili’s。TheelderlyladywhohadbeensittingwiththeoldauntrosehurriedlyandovertookPrinceVasiliintheanteroom。Alltheaffectationofinterestshehadassumedhadleftherkindlyandtearwornfaceanditnowexpressedonlyanxietyandfear。
\"HowaboutmysonBoris，Prince？\"saidshe，hurryingafterhimintotheanteroom。\"Ican’tremainanylongerinPetersburg。TellmewhatnewsImaytakebacktomypoorboy。\"
AlthoughPrinceVasililistenedreluctantlyandnotverypolitelytotheelderlylady，evenbetrayingsomeimpatience，shegavehimaningratiatingandappealingsmile，andtookhishandthathemightnotgoaway。
\"WhatwoulditcostyoutosayawordtotheEmperor，andthenhewouldbetransferredtotheGuardsatonce？\"saidshe。
\"Believeme，Princess，IamreadytodoallIcan，\"answeredPrinceVasili，\"butitisdifficultformetoasktheEmperor。I
shouldadviseyoutoappealtoRumyantsevthroughPrinceGolitsyn。
Thatwouldbethebestway。\"
TheelderlyladywasaPrincessDrubetskaya，belongingtooneofthebestfamiliesinRussia，butshewaspoor，andhavinglongbeenoutofsocietyhadlostherformerinfluentialconnections。ShehadnowcometoPetersburgtoprocureanappointmentintheGuardsforheronlyson。Itwas，infact，solelytomeetPrinceVasilithatshehadobtainedaninvitationtoAnnaPavlovna’sreceptionandhadsatlisteningtothevicomte’sstory。PrinceVasili’swordsfrightenedher，anembitteredlookcloudedheroncehandsomeface，butonlyforamoment；thenshesmiledagainanddutchedPrinceVasili’sarmmoretightly。
\"Listentome，Prince，\"saidshe。\"IhaveneveryetaskedyouforanythingandIneverwillagain，norhaveIeverremindedyouofmyfather’sfriendshipforyou；butnowIentreatyouforGod’ssaketodothisformyson—andIshallalwaysregardyouasabenefactor，\"
sheaddedhurriedly。\"No，don’tbeangry，butpromise！IhaveaskedGolitsynandhehasrefused。Bethekindheartedmanyoualwayswere，\"shesaid，tryingtosmilethoughtearswereinhereyes。
\"Papa，weshallbelate，\"saidPrincessHelene，turningherbeautifulheadandlookingoverherclassicallymoldedshoulderasshestoodwaitingbythedoor。
Influenceinsociety，however，isacapitalwhichhastobeeconomizedifitistolast。PrinceVasiliknewthis，andhavingoncerealizedthatifheaskedonbehalfofallwhobeggedofhim，hewouldsoonbeunabletoaskforhimself，hebecamecharyofusinghisinfluence。ButinPrincessDrubetskaya’scasehefelt，afterhersecondappeal，somethinglikequalmsofconscience。Shehadremindedhimofwhatwasquitetrue；hehadbeenindebtedtoherfatherforthefirststepsinhiscareer。Moreover，hecouldseebyhermannersthatshewasoneofthosewomen—mostlymothers—who，havingoncemadeuptheirminds，willnotrestuntiltheyhavegainedtheirend，andarepreparedifnecessarytogooninsistingdayafterdayandhourafterhour，andeventomakescenes。Thislastconsiderationmovedhim。
\"MydearAnnaMikhaylovna，\"saidhewithhisusualfamiliarityandwearinessoftone，\"itisalmostimpossibleformetodowhatyouask；
buttoprovemydevotiontoyouandhowIrespectyourfather’smemory，Iwilldotheimpossible—yoursonshallbetransferredtotheGuards。Hereismyhandonit。Areyousatisfied？\"
\"Mydearbenefactor！ThisiswhatIexpectedfromyou—Iknewyourkindness！\"Heturnedtogo。
\"Wait—justaword！WhenhehasbeentransferredtotheGuards……\"
shefaltered。\"YouareongoodtermswithMichaelIlarionovichKutuzov……recommendBoristohimasadjutant！ThenIshallbeatrest，andthen……\"
PrinceVasilismiled。
\"No，Iwon’tpromisethat。Youdon’tknowhowKutuzovispesteredsincehisappointmentasCommanderinChief。HetoldmehimselfthatalltheMoscowladieshaveconspiredtogivehimalltheirsonsasadjutants。\"
\"No，butdopromise！Iwon’tletyougo！Mydearbenefactor……\"
\"Papa，\"saidhisbeautifuldaughterinthesametoneasbefore，\"weshallbelate。\"
\"Well，aurevoir！Good—by！Youhearher？\"
\"ThentomorrowyouwillspeaktotheEmperor？\"
\"Certainly；butaboutKutuzov，Idon’tpromise。\"
\"Dopromise，dopromise，Vasili！\"criedAnnaMikhaylovnaashewent，withthesmileofacoquettishgirl，whichatonetimeprobablycamenaturallytoher，butwasnowveryill—suitedtohercarewornface。
Apparentlyshehadforgottenherageandbyforceofhabitemployedalltheoldfemininearts。Butassoonastheprincehadgoneherfaceresumeditsformercold，artificialexpression。Shereturnedtothegroupwherethevicomtewasstilltalking，andagainpretendedtolisten，whilewaitingtillitwouldbetimetoleave。Hertaskwasaccomplished。
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\"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthislatestcomedy，thecoronationatMilan？\"askedAnnaPavlovna，\"andofthecomedyofthepeopleofGenoaandLuccalayingtheirpetitionsbeforeMonsieurBuonaparte，andMonsieurBuonapartesittingonathroneandgrantingthepetitionsofthenations？Adorable！Itisenoughtomakeone’sheadwhirl！Itisasifthewholeworldhadgonecrazy。\"
PrinceAndrewlookedAnnaPavlovnastraightinthefacewithasarcasticsmile。
\"’Dieumeladonne，gareaquilatouche！’*Theysayhewasveryfinewhenhesaidthat，\"heremarked，repeatingthewordsinItalian：\"’Diomil’hadato。Guaiachilatocchi！’\"
*Godhasgivenittome，lethimwhotouchesitbeware！
\"Ihopethiswillprovethelastdropthatwillmaketheglassrunover，\"AnnaPavlovnacontinued。\"Thesovereignswillnotbeabletoendurethismanwhoisamenacetoeverything。\"
\"Thesovereigns？IdonotspeakofRussia，\"saidthevicomte，politebuthopeless：\"Thesovereigns，madame……WhathavetheydoneforLouisXVII，fortheQueen，orforMadameElizabeth？Nothing！\"andhebecamemoreanimated。\"Andbelieveme，theyarereapingtherewardoftheirbetrayaloftheBourboncause。Thesovereigns！Why，theyaresendingambassadorstocomplimenttheusurper。\"
Andsighingdisdainfully，heagainchangedhisposition。
PrinceHippolyte，whohadbeengazingatthevicomteforsometimethroughhislorgnette，suddenlyturnedcompletelyroundtowardthelittleprincess，andhavingaskedforaneedlebegantracingtheCondecoatofarmsonthetable。Heexplainedthistoherwithasmuchgravityasifshehadaskedhimtodoit。
\"Batondegueules，engreledegueulesd’azur—maisonConde，\"saidhe。
Theprincesslistened，smiling。
\"IfBuonaparteremainsonthethroneofFranceayearlonger，\"thevicomtecontinued，withtheairofamanwho，inamatterwithwhichheisbetteracquaintedthananyoneelse，doesnotlistentoothersbutfollowsthecurrentofhisownthoughts，\"thingswillhavegonetoofar。Byintrigues，violence，exile，andexecutions，Frenchsociety—ImeangoodFrenchsociety—willhavebeenforeverdestroyed，andthen……\"
Heshruggedhisshouldersandspreadouthishands。Pierrewishedtomakearemark，fortheconversationinterestedhim，butAnnaPavlovna，whohadhimunderobservation，interrupted：
\"TheEmperorAlexander，\"saidshe，withthemelancholywhichalwaysaccompaniedanyreferenceofherstotheImperialfamily，\"hasdeclaredthathewillleaveittotheFrenchpeoplethemselvestochoosetheirownformofgovernment；andIbelievethatoncefreefromtheusurper，thewholenationwillcertainlythrowitselfintothearmsofitsrightfulking，\"sheconcluded，tryingtobeamiabletotheroyalistemigrant。
\"Thatisdoubtful，\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"MonsieurleVicomtequiterightlysupposesthatmattershavealreadygonetoofar。Ithinkitwillbedifficulttoreturntotheoldregime。\"
\"FromwhatIhaveheard，\"saidPierre，blushingandbreakingintotheconversation，\"almostallthearistocracyhasalreadygoneovertoBonaparte’sside。\"
\"ItistheBuonapartistswhosaythat，\"repliedthevicomtewithoutlookingatPierre。\"AtthepresenttimeitisdifficulttoknowtherealstateofFrenchpublicopinion。
\"Bonapartehassaidso，\"remarkedPrinceAndrewwithasarcasticsmile。
Itwasevidentthathedidnotlikethevicomteandwasaiminghisremarksathim，thoughwithoutlookingathim。
\"’Ishowedthemthepathtoglory，buttheydidnotfollowit，’\"
PrinceAndrewcontinuedafterashortsilence，againquotingNapoleon’swords。\"’Iopenedmyantechambersandtheycrowdedin。’I
donotknowhowfarhewasjustifiedinsayingso。\"
\"Notintheleast，\"repliedthevicomte。\"Afterthemurderoftheduceventhemostpartialceasedtoregardhimasahero。Iftosomepeople，\"hewenton，turningtoAnnaPavlovna，\"heeverwasahero，afterthemurderoftheductherewasonemartyrmoreinheavenandoneherolessonearth。\"
BeforeAnnaPavlovnaandtheothershadtimetosmiletheirappreciationofthevicomte’sepigram，Pierreagainbrokeintotheconversation，andthoughAnnaPavlovnafeltsurehewouldsaysomethinginappropriate，shewasunabletostophim。
\"TheexecutionoftheDucd’Enghien，\"declaredMonsieurPierre，\"wasapoliticalnecessity，anditseemstomethatNapoleonshowedgreatnessofsoulbynotfearingtotakeonhimselfthewholeresponsibilityofthatdeed。\"
\"Dieu！MonDieu！\"mutteredAnnaPavlovnainaterrifiedwhisper。
\"What，MonsieurPierre……Doyouconsiderthatassassinationshowsgreatnessofsoul？\"saidthelittleprincess，smilinganddrawingherworknearertoher。
\"Oh！Oh！\"exclaimedseveralvoices。
\"Capital！\"saidPrinceHippolyteinEnglish，andbeganslappinghiskneewiththepalmofhishand。
Thevicomtemerelyshruggedhisshoulders。Pierrelookedsolemnlyathisaudienceoverhisspectaclesandcontinued。
\"Isayso，\"hecontinueddesperately，\"becausetheBourbonsfledfromtheRevolutionleavingthepeopletoanarchy，andNapoleonaloneunderstoodtheRevolutionandquelledit，andsoforthegeneralgood，hecouldnotstopshortforthesakeofoneman’slife。\"
\"Won’tyoucomeovertotheothertable？\"suggestedAnnaPavlovna。
ButPierrecontinuedhisspeechwithoutheedingher。
\"No，\"criedhe，becomingmoreandmoreeager，\"NapoleonisgreatbecauseherosesuperiortotheRevolution，suppresseditsabuses，preservedallthatwasgoodinit—equalityofcitizenshipandfreedomofspeechandofthepress—andonlyforthatreasondidheobtainpower。\"
\"Yes，ifhavingobtainedpower，withoutavailinghimselfofittocommitmurderhehadrestoredittotherightfulking，Ishouldhavecalledhimagreatman，\"remarkedthevicomte。
\"Hecouldnotdothat。ThepeopleonlygavehimpowerthathemightridthemoftheBourbonsandbecausetheysawthathewasagreatman。TheRevolutionwasagrandthing！\"continuedMonsieurPierre，betrayingbythisdesperateandprovocativepropositionhisextremeyouthandhiswishtoexpressallthatwasinhismind。
\"What？Revolutionandregicideagrandthing？……Well，afterthat……
Butwon’tyoucometothisothertable？\"repeatedAnnaPavlovna。
\"Rousseau’sContratsocial，\"saidthevicomtewithatolerantsmile。
\"Iamnotspeakingofregicide，Iamspeakingaboutideas。\"
\"Yes：ideasofrobbery，murder，andregicide，\"againinterjectedanironicalvoice。
\"Thosewereextremes，nodoubt，buttheyarenotwhatismostimportant。Whatisimportantaretherightsofman，emancipationfromprejudices，andequalityofcitizenship，andalltheseideasNapoleonhasretainedinfullforce。\"
\"Libertyandequality，\"saidthevicomtecontemptuously，asifatlastdecidingseriouslytoprovetothisyouthhowfoolishhiswordswere，\"high—soundingwordswhichhavelongbeendiscredited。Whodoesnotlovelibertyandequality？EvenourSaviourpreachedlibertyandequality。HavepeoplesincetheRevolutionbecomehappier？
Onthecontrary。Wewantedliberty，butBuonapartehasdestroyedit。\"
PrinceAndrewkeptlookingwithanamusedsmilefromPierretothevicomteandfromthevicomtetotheirhostess。InthefirstmomentofPierre’soutburstAnnaPavlovna，despitehersocialexperience，washorror—struck。ButwhenshesawthatPierre’ssacrilegiouswordshadnotexasperatedthevicomte，andhadconvincedherselfthatitwasimpossibletostophim，sheralliedherforcesandjoinedthevicomteinavigorousattackontheorator。
\"But，mydearMonsieurPierre，\"saidshe，\"howdoyouexplainthefactofagreatmanexecutingaduc—orevenanordinarymanwho—isinnocentanduntried？\"
\"Ishouldlike，\"saidthevicomte，\"toaskhowmonsieurexplainsthe18thBrumaire；wasnotthatanimposture？Itwasaswindle，andnotatallliketheconductofagreatman！\"
\"AndtheprisonershekilledinAfrica？Thatwashorrible！\"saidthelittleprincess，shrugginghershoulders。
\"He’salowfellow，saywhatyouwill，\"remarkedPrinceHippolyte。
Pierre，notknowingwhomtoanswer，lookedatthemallandsmiled。
Hissmilewasunlikethehalf—smileofotherpeople。Whenhesmiled，hisgrave，evenrathergloomy，lookwasinstantaneouslyreplacedbyanother—achildlike，kindly，evenrathersillylook，whichseemedtoaskforgiveness。
ThevicomtewhowasmeetinghimforthefirsttimesawclearlythatthisyoungJacobinwasnotsoterribleashiswordssuggested。
Allweresilent。
\"Howdoyouexpecthimtoansweryouallatonce？\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"Besides，intheactionsofastatesmanonehastodistinguishbetweenhisactsasaprivateperson，asageneral，andasanemperor。
Soitseemstome。\"
\"Yes，yes，ofcourse！\"Pierrechimedin，pleasedatthearrivalofthisreinforcement。
\"Onemustadmit，\"continuedPrinceAndrew，\"thatNapoleonasamanwasgreatonthebridgeofArcola，andinthehospitalatJaffawherehegavehishandtotheplague—stricken；but……butthereareotheractswhichitisdifficulttojustify。\"
PrinceAndrew，whohadevidentlywishedtotonedowntheawkwardnessofPierre’sremarks，roseandmadeasigntohiswifethatitwastimetogo。
SuddenlyPrinceHippolytestartedupmakingsignstoeveryonetoattend，andaskingthemalltobeseatedbegan：
\"IwastoldacharmingMoscowstorytodayandmusttreatyoutoit。Excuseme，Vicomte—ImusttellitinRussianorthepointwillbelost……\"AndPrinceHippolytebegantotellhisstoryinsuchRussianasaFrenchmanwouldspeakafterspendingaboutayearinRussia。
Everyonewaited，soemphaticallyandeagerlydidhedemandtheirattentiontohisstory。
\"ThereisinMoscowalady，unedame，andsheisverystingy。Shemusthavetwofootmenbehindhercarriage，andverybigones。Thatwashertaste。Andshehadalady’smaid，alsobig。Shesaid……\"
HerePrinceHippolytepaused，evidentlycollectinghisideaswithdifficulty。
\"Shesaid……Ohyes！Shesaid，’Girl，’tothemaid，’putonalivery，getupbehindthecarriage，andcomewithmewhileImakesomecalls。’\"
HerePrinceHippolytesplutteredandburstoutlaughinglongbeforehisaudience，whichproducedaneffectunfavorabletothenarrator。Severalpersons，amongthemtheelderlyladyandAnnaPavlovna，didhoweversmile。
\"Shewent。Suddenlytherewasagreatwind。Thegirllostherhatandherlonghaircamedown……\"Herehecouldcontainhimselfnolongerandwenton，betweengaspsoflaughter：\"Andthewholeworldknew……\"
Andsotheanecdoteended。Thoughitwasunintelligiblewhyhehadtoldit，orwhyithadtobetoldinRussian，stillAnnaPavlovnaandtheothersappreciatedPrinceHippolyte’ssocialtactinsoagreeablyendingPierre’sunpleasantandunamiableoutburst。Aftertheanecdotetheconversationbrokeupintoinsignificantsmalltalkaboutthelastandnextballs，abouttheatricals，andwhowouldmeetwhom，andwhenandwhere。
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HavingthankedAnnaPavlovnaforhercharmingsoiree，theguestsbegantotaketheirleave。
Pierrewasungainly。Stout，abouttheaverageheight，broad，withhugeredhands；hedidnotknow，asthesayingis，toenteradrawingroomandstilllesshowtoleaveone；thatis，howtosaysomethingparticularlyagreeablebeforegoingaway。Besidesthishewasabsent—minded。Whenherosetogo，hetookupinsteadofhisown，thegeneral’sthree—corneredhat，andheldit，pullingattheplume，tillthegeneralaskedhimtorestoreit。Allhisabsent—mindednessandinabilitytoenteraroomandconverseinitwas，however，redeemedbyhiskindly，simple，andmodestexpression。
AnnaPavlovnaturnedtowardhimand，withaChristianmildnessthatexpressedforgivenessofhisindiscretion，noddedandsaid：\"Ihopetoseeyouagain，butIalsohopeyouwillchangeyouropinions，mydearMonsieurPierre。\"
Whenshesaidthis，hedidnotreplyandonlybowed，butagaineverybodysawhissmile，whichsaidnothing，unlessperhaps，\"Opinionsareopinions，butyouseewhatacapital，good—naturedfellowIam。\"
Andeveryone，includingAnnaPavlovna，feltthis。
PrinceAndrewhadgoneoutintothehall，and，turninghisshoulderstothefootmanwhowashelpinghimonwithhiscloak，listenedindifferentlytohiswife’schatterwithPrinceHippolytewhohadalsocomeintothehall。PrinceHippolytestoodclosetothepretty，pregnantprincess，andstaredfixedlyatherthroughhiseyeglass。
\"Goin，Annette，oryouwillcatchcold，\"saidthelittleprincess，takingleaveofAnnaPavlovna。\"Itissettled，\"sheaddedinalowvoice。
AnnaPavlovnahadalreadymanagedtospeaktoLiseaboutthematchshecontemplatedbetweenAnatoleandthelittleprincess’
sister—in—law。
\"Irelyonyou，mydear，\"saidAnnaPavlovna，alsoinalowtone。
\"Writetoherandletmeknowhowherfatherlooksatthematter。Aurevoir！\"—andsheleftthehall。
PrinceHippolyteapproachedthelittleprincessand，bendinghisfaceclosetoher，begantowhispersomething。
Twofootmen，theprincess’andhisown，stoodholdingashawlandacloak，waitingfortheconversationtofinish。TheylistenedtotheFrenchsentenceswhichtothemweremeaningless，withanairofunderstandingbutnotwishingtoappeartodoso。Theprincessasusualspokesmilinglyandlistenedwithalaugh。
\"IamverygladIdidnotgototheambassador’s，\"saidPrinceHippolyte\"—sodull—。Ithasbeenadelightfulevening，hasitnot？
Delightful！\"
\"Theysaytheballwillbeverygood，\"repliedtheprincess，drawingupherdownylittlelip。\"Alltheprettywomeninsocietywillbethere。\"
\"Notall，foryouwillnotbethere；notall，\"saidPrinceHippolytesmilingjoyfully；andsnatchingtheshawlfromthefootman，whomheevenpushedaside，hebeganwrappingitroundtheprincess。Eitherfromawkwardnessorintentionallynoonecouldhavesaidwhichaftertheshawlhadbeenadjustedhekepthisarmaroundherforalongtime，asthoughembracingher。
Stillsmiling，shegracefullymovedaway，turningandglancingatherhusband。PrinceAndrew’seyeswereclosed，sowearyandsleepydidheseem。
\"Areyouready？\"heaskedhiswife，lookingpasther。
PrinceHippolytehurriedlyputonhiscloak，whichinthelatestfashionreachedtohisveryheels，and，stumblinginit，ranoutintotheporchfollowingtheprincess，whomafootmanwashelpingintothecarriage。
\"Princesse，aurevoir，\"criedhe，stumblingwithhistongueaswellaswithhisfeet。
Theprincess，pickingupherdress，wastakingherseatinthedarkcarriage，herhusbandwasadjustinghissaber；PrinceHippolyte，underpretenseofhelping，wasineveryone’sway。
\"Allowme，sir，\"saidPrinceAndrewinRussianinacold，disagreeabletonetoPrinceHippolytewhowasblockinghispath。
\"Iamexpectingyou，Pierre，\"saidthesamevoice，butgentlyandaffectionately。
Thepostilionstarted，thecarriagewheelsrattled。PrinceHippolytelaughedspasmodicallyashestoodintheporchwaitingforthevicomtewhomhehadpromisedtotakehome。
\"Well，moncher，\"saidthevicomte，havingseatedhimselfbesideHippolyteinthecarriage，\"yourlittleprincessisverynice，veryniceindeed，quiteFrench，\"andhekissedthetipsofhisfingers。
Hippolyteburstoutlaughing。
\"Doyouknow，youareaterriblechapforallyourinnocentairs，\"
continuedthevicomte。\"Ipitythepoorhusband，thatlittleofficerwhogiveshimselftheairsofamonarch。\"
Hippolytesplutteredagain，andamidhislaughtersaid，\"AndyouweresayingthattheRussianladiesarenotequaltotheFrench？Onehastoknowhowtodealwiththem。\"
PierrereachingthehousefirstwentintoPrinceAndrew’sstudylikeonequiteathome，andfromhabitimmediatelylaydownonthesofa，tookfromtheshelfthefirstbookthatcametohishanditwasCaesar’sCommentaries，andrestingonhiselbow，beganreadingitinthemiddle。
\"WhathaveyoudonetoMlleScherer？Shewillbequiteillnow，\"
saidPrinceAndrew，asheenteredthestudy，rubbinghissmallwhitehands。
Pierreturnedhiswholebody，makingthesofacreak。HeliftedhiseagerfacetoPrinceAndrew，smiled，andwavedhishand。
\"Thatabbeisveryinterestingbuthedoesnotseethethingintherightlight……Inmyopinionperpetualpeaceispossiblebut—I
donotknowhowtoexpressit……notbyabalanceofpoliticalpower……\"
ItwasevidentthatPrinceAndrewwasnotinterestedinsuchabstractconversation。
\"Onecan’teverywheresayallonethinks，moncher。Well，haveyouatlastdecidedonanything？Areyougoingtobeaguardsmanoradiplomatist？\"askedPrinceAndrewafteramomentarysilence。
Pierresatuponthesofa，withhislegstuckedunderhim。
\"Really，Idon’tyetknow。Idon’tlikeeithertheoneortheother。\"
\"Butyoumustdecideonsomething！Yourfatherexpectsit。\"
Pierreattheageoftenhadbeensentabroadwithanabbeastutor，andhadremainedawaytillhewastwenty。WhenhereturnedtoMoscowhisfatherdismissedtheabbeandsaidtotheyoungman，\"NowgotoPetersburg，lookround，andchooseyourprofession。Iwillagreetoanything。HereisalettertoPrinceVasili，andhereismoney。
Writetomeallaboutit，andIwillhelpyouineverything。\"Pierrehadalreadybeenchoosingacareerforthreemonths，andhadnotdecidedonanything。ItwasaboutthischoicethatPrinceAndrewwasspeaking。Pierrerubbedhisforehead。
\"ButhemustbeaFreemason，\"saidhe，referringtotheabbewhomhehadmetthatevening。
\"Thatisallnonsense。\"PrinceAndrewagaininterruptedhim，\"letustalkbusiness。HaveyoubeentotheHorseGuards？\"
\"No，Ihavenot；butthisiswhatIhavebeenthinkingandwantedtotellyou。ThereisawarnowagainstNapoleon。IfitwereawarforfreedomIcouldunderstanditandshouldbethefirsttoenterthearmy；buttohelpEnglandandAustriaagainstthegreatestmanintheworldisnotright。\"
PrinceAndrewonlyshruggedhisshouldersatPierre’schildishwords。Heputontheairofonewhofindsitimpossibletoreplytosuchnonsense，butitwouldinfacthavebeendifficulttogiveanyotheranswerthantheonePrinceAndrewgavetothisnaivequestion。
\"Ifnoonefoughtexceptonhisownconviction，therewouldbenowars，\"hesaid。
\"Andthatwouldbesplendid，\"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrewsmiledironically。
\"Verylikelyitwouldbesplendid，butitwillnevercomeabout……\"
\"Well，whyareyougoingtothewar？\"askedPierre。
\"Whatfor？Idon’tknow。Imust。BesidesthatIamgoing……\"Hepaused。\"IamgoingbecausethelifeIamleadingheredoesnotsuitme！\"
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Therustleofawoman’sdresswasheardinthenextroom。PrinceAndrewshookhimselfasifwakingup，andhisfaceassumedthelookithadhadinAnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroom。Pierreremovedhisfeetfromthesofa。Theprincesscamein。Shehadchangedhergownforahousedressasfreshandelegantastheother。PrinceAndrewroseandpolitelyplacedachairforher。
\"Howisit，\"shebegan，asusualinFrench，settlingdownbrisklyandfussilyintheeasychair，\"howisitAnnettenevergotmarried？
Howstupidyoumenallarenottohavemarriedher！Excusemeforsayingso，butyouhavenosenseaboutwomen。Whatanargumentativefellowyouare，MonsieurPierre！\"
\"AndIamstillarguingwithyourhusband。Ican’tunderstandwhyhewantstogotothewar，\"repliedPierre，addressingtheprincesswithnoneoftheembarrassmentsocommonlyshownbyyoungmenintheirintercoursewithyoungwomen。
Theprincessstarted。EvidentlyPierre’swordstouchedhertothequick。
\"Ah，thatisjustwhatItellhim！\"saidshe。\"Idon’tunderstandit；Idon’tintheleastunderstandwhymencan’tlivewithoutwars。
Howisitthatwewomendon’twantanythingofthekind，don’tneedit？Nowyoushalljudgebetweenus。Ialwaystellhim：HereheisUncle’saide—de—camp，amostbrilliantposition。Heissowellknown，somuchappreciatedbyeveryone。TheotherdayattheApraksins’Iheardaladyasking，’IsthatthefamousPrinceAndrew？’Ididindeed。\"Shelaughed。\"Heissowellreceivedeverywhere。Hemighteasilybecomeaide—de—camptotheEmperor。YouknowtheEmperorspoketohimmostgraciously。AnnetteandIwerespeakingofhowtoarrangeit。Whatdoyouthink？\"
Pierrelookedathisfriendand，noticingthathedidnotliketheconversation，gavenoreply。
\"Whenareyoustarting？\"heasked。
\"Oh，don’tspeakofhisgoing，don’t！Iwon’thearitspokenof，\"
saidtheprincessinthesamepetulantlyplayfultoneinwhichshehadspokentoHippolyteinthedrawingroomandwhichwassoplainlyill—suitedtothefamilycircleofwhichPierrewasalmostamember。
\"TodaywhenIrememberedthatallthesedelightfulassociationsmustbebrokenoff……andthenyouknow，Andre……\"shelookedsignificantlyatherhusband\"I’mafraid，I’mafraid！\"shewhispered，andashudderrandownherback。
HerhusbandlookedatherasifsurprisedtonoticethatsomeonebesidesPierreandhimselfwasintheroom，andaddressedherinatoneoffrigidpoliteness。
\"Whatisityouareafraidof，Lise？Idon’tunderstand，\"saidhe。
\"There，whategotistsmenallare：all，allegotists！Justforawhimofhisown，goodnessonlyknowswhy，heleavesmeandlocksmeupaloneinthecountry。\"
\"Withmyfatherandsister，remember，\"saidPrinceAndrewgently。
\"Aloneallthesame，withoutmyfriends……Andheexpectsmenottobeafraid。\"
Hertonewasnowquerulousandherlipdrawnup，givinghernotajoyful，butananimal，squirrel—likeexpression。ShepausedasifshefeltitindecoroustospeakofherpregnancybeforePierre，thoughthegistofthematterlayinthat。
\"Istillcan’tunderstandwhatyouareafraidof，\"saidPrinceAndrewslowly，nottakinghiseyesoffhiswife。
Theprincessblushed，andraisedherarmswithagestureofdespair。
\"No，Andrew，Imustsayyouhavechanged。Oh，howyouhave……\"
\"Yourdoctortellsyoutogotobedearlier，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Youhadbettergo。\"
Theprincesssaidnothing，butsuddenlyhershortdownylipquivered。PrinceAndrewrose，shruggedhisshoulders，andwalkedabouttheroom。
Pierrelookedoverhisspectacleswithnaivesurprise，nowathimandnowather，movedasifabouttorisetoo，butchangedhismind。
\"WhyshouldImindMonsieurPierrebeinghere？\"exclaimedthelittleprincesssuddenly，herprettyfaceallatoncedistortedbyatearfulgrimace。\"Ihavelongwantedtoaskyou，Andrew，whyyouhavechangedsotome？WhathaveIdonetoyou？Youaregoingtothewarandhavenopityforme。Whyisit？\"
\"Lise！\"wasallPrinceAndrewsaid。Butthatonewordexpressedanentreaty，athreat，andaboveallconvictionthatshewouldherselfregretherwords。Butshewentonhurriedly：
\"Youtreatmelikeaninvalidorachild。Iseeitall！Didyoubehavelikethatsixmonthsago？\"
\"Lise，Ibegyoutodesist，\"saidPrinceAndrewstillmoreemphatically。
Pierre，whohadbeengrowingmoreandmoreagitatedashelistenedtoallthis，roseandapproachedtheprincess。Heseemedunabletobearthesightoftearsandwasreadytocryhimself。
\"Calmyourself，Princess！Itseemssotoyoubecause……IassureyouImyselfhaveexperienced……andso……because……No，excuseme！Anoutsiderisoutofplacehere……No，don’tdistressyourself……
Good—by！\"
PrinceAndrewcaughthimbythehand。
\"No，wait，Pierre！Theprincessistookindtowishtodeprivemeofthepleasureofspendingtheeveningwithyou。\"
\"No，hethinksonlyofhimself，\"mutteredtheprincesswithoutrestrainingherangrytears。
\"Lise！\"saidPrinceAndrewdryly，raisinghisvoicetothepitchwhichindicatesthatpatienceisexhausted。
Suddenlytheangry，squirrel—likeexpressionoftheprincess’prettyfacechangedintoawinningandpiteouslookoffear。Herbeautifuleyesglancedaskanceatherhusband’sface，andherownassumedthetimid，deprecatingexpressionofadogwhenitrapidlybutfeeblywagsitsdroopingtail。
\"MonDieu，monDieu！\"shemuttered，andliftingherdresswithonehandshewentuptoherhusbandandkissedhimontheforehead。
\"Goodnight，Lise，\"saidhe，risingandcourteouslykissingherhandashewouldhavedonetoastranger。
BK1CH8
CHAPTERVIII
Thefriendsweresilent。Neithercaredtobegintalking。PierrecontinuallyglancedatPrinceAndrew；PrinceAndrewrubbedhisforeheadwithhissmallhand。
\"Letusgoandhavesupper，\"hesaidwithasigh，goingtothedoor。
Theyenteredtheelegant，newlydecorated，andluxuriousdiningroom。Everythingfromthetablenapkinstothesilver，china，andglassborethatimprintofnewnessfoundinthehouseholdsofthenewlymarried。HalfwaythroughsupperPrinceAndrewleanedhiselbowsonthetableand，withalookofnervousagitationsuchasPierrehadneverbeforeseenonhisface，begantotalk—asonewhohaslonghadsomethingonhismindandsuddenlydeterminestospeakout。
\"Never，nevermarry，mydearfellow！That’smyadvice：nevermarrytillyoucansaytoyourselfthatyouhavedoneallyouarecapableof，anduntilyouhaveceasedtolovethewomanofyourchoiceandhaveseenherplainlyassheis，orelseyouwillmakeacruelandirrevocablemistake。Marrywhenyouareoldandgoodfornothing—orallthatisgoodandnobleinyouwillbelost。Itwillallbewastedontrifles。Yes！Yes！Yes！Don’tlookatmewithsuchsurprise。
Ifyoumarryexpectinganythingfromyourselfinthefuture，youwillfeelateverystepthatforyouallisended，allisclosedexceptthedrawingroom，whereyouwillberangedsidebysidewithacourtlackeyandanidiot！……Butwhat’sthegood？……\"andhewavedhisarm。
Pierretookoffhisspectacles，whichmadehisfaceseemdifferentandthegood—naturedexpressionstillmoreapparent，andgazedathisfriendinamazement。
\"Mywife，\"continuedPrinceAndrew，\"isanexcellentwoman，oneofthoserarewomenwithwhomaman’shonorissafe；but，OGod，whatwouldInotgivenowtobeunmarried！YouarethefirstandonlyonetowhomImentionthis，becauseIlikeyou。\"
AshesaidthisPrinceAndrewwaslessthaneverlikethatBolkonskiwhohadlolledinAnnaPavlovna’seasychairsandwithhalf—closedeyeshadutteredFrenchphrasesbetweenhisteeth。Everymuscleofhisthinfacewasnowquiveringwithnervousexcitement；hiseyes，inwhichthefireoflifehadseemedextinguished，nowflashedwithbrilliantlight。Itwasevidentthatthemorelifelessheseemedatordinarytimes，themoreimpassionedhebecameinthesemomentsofalmostmorbidirritation。
\"Youdon’tunderstandwhyIsaythis，\"hecontinued，\"butitisthewholestoryoflife。YoutalkofBonaparteandhiscareer，\"saidhethoughPierrehadnotmentionedBonaparte，\"butBonapartewhenheworkedwentstepbysteptowardhisgoal。Hewasfree，hehadnothingbuthisaimtoconsider，andhereachedit。Buttieyourselfupwithawomanand，likeachainedconvict，youloseallfreedom！Andallyouhaveofhopeandstrengthmerelyweighsyoudownandtormentsyouwithregret。Drawingrooms，gossip，balls，vanity，andtriviality—thesearetheenchantedcircleIcannotescapefrom。I
amnowgoingtothewar，thegreatestwarthereeverwas，andIknownothingandamfitfornothing。Iamveryamiableandhaveacausticwit，\"continuedPrinceAndrew，\"andatAnnaPavlovna’stheylistentome。Andthatstupidsetwithoutwhommywifecannotexist，andthosewomen……Ifyouonlyknewwhatthosesocietywomenare，andwomeningeneral！Myfatherisright。Selfish，vain，stupid，trivialineverything—that’swhatwomenarewhenyouseethemintheirtruecolors！Whenyoumeettheminsocietyitseemsasifthereweresomethinginthem，butthere’snothing，nothing，nothing！No，don’tmarry，mydearfellow；don’tmarry！\"concludedPrinceAndrew。
\"Itseemsfunnytome，\"saidPierre，\"thatyou，youshouldconsideryourselfincapableandyourlifeaspoiledlife。Youhaveeverythingbeforeyou，everything。Andyou……\"
Hedidnotfinishhissentence，buthistoneshowedhowhighlyhethoughtofhisfriendandhowmuchheexpectedofhiminthefuture。
\"Howcanhetalklikethat？\"thoughtPierre。HeconsideredhisfriendamodelofperfectionbecausePrinceAndrewpossessedinthehighestdegreejusttheveryqualitiesPierrelacked，andwhichmightbebestdescribedasstrengthofwill。PierrewasalwaysastonishedatPrinceAndrew’scalmmanneroftreatingeverybody，hisextraordinarymemory，hisextensivereadinghehadreadeverything，kneweverything，andhadanopinionabouteverything，butaboveallathiscapacityforworkandstudy。AndifPierrewasoftenstruckbyAndrew’slackofcapacityforphilosophicalmeditationtowhichhehimselfwasparticularlyaddicted，heregardedeventhisnotasadefectbutasasignofstrength。
Eveninthebest，mostfriendlyandsimplestrelationsoflife，praiseandcommendationareessential，justasgreaseisnecessarytowheelsthattheymayrunsmoothly。
\"Mypartisplayedout，\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"What’stheuseoftalkingaboutme？Letustalkaboutyou，\"headdedafterasilence，smilingathisreassuringthoughts。
ThatsmilewasimmediatelyreflectedonPierre’sface。
\"Butwhatistheretosayaboutme？\"saidPierre，hisfacerelaxingintoacareless，merrysmile。\"WhatamI？Anillegitimateson！\"Hesuddenlyblushedcrimson，anditwasplainthathehadmadeagreatefforttosaythis。\"Withoutanameandwithoutmeans……Anditreally……\"Buthedidnotsaywhat\"itreally\"was。\"ForthepresentIamfreeandamallright。OnlyIhaven’ttheleastideawhatIamtodo；Iwantedtoconsultyouseriously。\"
PrinceAndrewlookedkindlyathim，yethisglance—friendlyandaffectionateasitwas—expressedasenseofhisownsuperiority。