\"Iamfondofyou，especiallyasyouaretheonelivemanamongourwholeset。Yes，you’reallright！Choosewhatyouwill；it’sallthesame。You’llbeallrightanywhere。Butlookhere：giveupvisitingthoseKuraginsandleadingthatsortoflife。Itsuitsyousobadly—allthisdebauchery，dissipation，andtherestofit！\"
\"Whatwouldyouhave，mydearfellow？\"answeredPierre，shrugginghisshoulders。\"Women，mydearfellow；women！\"
\"Idon’tunderstandit，\"repliedPrinceAndrew。\"Womenwhoarecommeilfaut，that’sadifferentmatter；buttheKuragins’setofwomen，’womenandwine’Idon’tunderstand！\"
PierrewasstayingatPrinceVasiliKuragin’sandsharingthedissipatedlifeofhissonAnatole，thesonwhomtheywereplanningtoreformbymarryinghimtoPrinceAndrew’ssister。
\"Doyouknow？\"saidPierre，asifsuddenlystruckbyahappythought，\"seriously，Ihavelongbeenthinkingofit……LeadingsuchalifeIcan’tdecideorthinkproperlyaboutanything。One’sheadaches，andonespendsallone’smoney。Heaskedmefortonight，butIwon’tgo。\"
\"Yougivemeyourwordofhonornottogo？\"
\"Onmyhonor！\"
BK1CH9
CHAPTERIX
Itwaspastoneo’clockwhenPierrelefthisfriend。Itwasacloudless，northern，summernight。Pierretookanopencabintendingtodrivestraighthome。Butthenearerhedrewtothehousethemorehefelttheimpossibilityofgoingtosleeponsuchanight。Itwaslightenoughtoseealongwayinthedesertedstreetanditseemedmorelikemorningoreveningthannight。OnthewayPierrerememberedthatAnatoleKuraginwasexpectingtheusualsetforcardsthatevening，afterwhichtherewasgenerallyadrinkingbout，finishingwithvisitsofakindPierrewasveryfondof。
\"IshouldliketogotoKuragin’s，\"thoughthe。
ButheimmediatelyrecalledhispromisetoPrinceAndrewnottogothere。Then，ashappenstopeopleofweakcharacter，hedesiredsopassionatelyoncemoretoenjoythatdissipationhewassoaccustomedtothathedecidedtogo。ThethoughtimmediatelyoccurredtohimthathispromisetoPrinceAndrewwasofnoaccount，becausebeforehegaveithehadalreadypromisedPrinceAnatoletocometohisgathering；\"besides，\"thoughthe，\"allsuch’wordsofhonor’areconventionalthingswithnodefinitemeaning，especiallyifoneconsidersthatbytomorrowonemaybedead，orsomethingsoextraordinarymayhappentoonethathonoranddishonorwillbeallthesame！\"Pierreoftenindulgedinreflectionsofthissort，nullifyingallhisdecisionsandintentions。HewenttoKuragin’s。
ReachingthelargehouseneartheHorseGuards’barracks，inwhichAnatolelived，Pierreenteredthelightedporch，ascendedthestairs，andwentinattheopendoor。Therewasnooneintheanteroom；emptybottles，cloaks，andovershoeswerelyingabout；therewasasmellofalcohol，andsoundsofvoicesandshoutinginthedistance。
Cardsandsupperwereover，butthevisitorshadnotyetdispersed。Pierrethrewoffhiscloakandenteredthefirstroom，inwhichweretheremainsofsupper。Afootman，thinkingnoonesawhim，wasdrinkingontheslywhatwasleftintheglasses。Fromthethirdroomcamesoundsoflaughter，theshoutingoffamiliarvoices，thegrowlingofabear，andgeneralcommotion。Someeightornineyoungmenwerecrowdinganxiouslyroundanopenwindow。Threeotherswererompingwithayoungbear，onepullinghimbythechainandtryingtosethimattheothers。
\"IbetahundredonStevens！\"shoutedone。
\"Mind，noholdingon！\"criedanother。
\"IbetonDolokhov！\"criedathird。\"Kuragin，youpartourhands。\"
\"There，leaveBruinalone；here’sabeton。\"
\"Atonedraught，orheloses！\"shoutedafourth。
\"Jacob，bringabottle！\"shoutedthehost，atall，handsomefellowwhostoodinthemidstofthegroup，withoutacoat，andwithhisfinelinenshirtunfastenedinfront。\"Waitabit，youfellows……HereisPetya！Goodman！\"criedhe，addressingPierre。
Anothervoice，fromamanofmediumheightwithclearblueeyes，particularlystrikingamongallthesedrunkenvoicesbyitssoberring，criedfromthewindow：\"Comehere；partthebets！\"ThiswasDolokhov，anofficeroftheSemenovregiment，anotoriousgamblerandduelist，whowaslivingwithAnatole。Pierresmiled，lookingabouthimmerrily。
\"Idon’tunderstand。What’sitallabout？\"
\"Waitabit，heisnotdrunkyet！Abottlehere，\"saidAnatole，takingaglassfromthetablehewentuptoPierre。
\"Firstofallyoumustdrink！\"
Pierredrankoneglassafteranother，lookingfromunderhisbrowsatthetipsyguestswhowereagaincrowdingroundthewindow，andlisteningtotheirchatter。AnatolekeptonrefillingPierre’sglasswhileexplainingthatDolokhovwasbettingwithStevens，anEnglishnavalofficer，thathewoulddrinkabottleofrumsittingontheouterledgeofthethirdfloorwindowwithhislegshangingout。
\"Goon，youmustdrinkitall，\"saidAnatole，givingPierrethelastglass，\"orIwon’tletyougo！\"
\"No，Iwon’t，\"saidPierre，pushingAnatoleaside，andhewentuptothewindow。
DolokhovwasholdingtheEnglishman’shandandclearlyanddistinctlyrepeatingthetermsofthebet，addressinghimselfparticularlytoAnatoleandPierre。
Dolokhovwasofmediumheight，withcurlyhairandlight—blueeyes。Hewasabouttwenty—five。Likeallinfantryofficersheworenomustache，sothathismouth，themoststrikingfeatureofhisface，wasclearlyseen。Thelinesofthatmouthwereremarkablyfinelycurved。Themiddleoftheupperlipformedasharpwedgeandclosedfirmlyonthefirmlowerone，andsomethingliketwodistinctsmilesplayedcontinuallyroundthetwocornersofthemouth；this，togetherwiththeresolute，insolentintelligenceofhiseyes，producedaneffectwhichmadeitimpossiblenottonoticehisface。
Dolokhovwasamanofsmallmeansandnoconnections。Yet，thoughAnatolespenttensofthousandsofrubles，Dolokhovlivedwithhimandhadplacedhimselfonsuchafootingthatallwhoknewthem，includingAnatolehimself，respectedhimmorethantheydidAnatole。Dolokhovcouldplayallgamesandnearlyalwayswon。Howevermuchhedrank，heneverlosthisclearheadedness。BothKuraginandDolokhovwereatthattimenotoriousamongtherakesandscapegracesofPetersburg。
Thebottleofrumwasbrought。Thewindowframewhichpreventedanyonefromsittingontheoutersillwasbeingforcedoutbytwofootmen，whowereevidentlyflurriedandintimidatedbythedirectionsandshoutsofthegentlemenaround。
Anatolewithhisswaggeringairstrodeuptothewindow。Hewantedtosmashsomething。Pushingawaythefootmenhetuggedattheframe，butcouldnotmoveit。Hesmashedapane。
\"Youhaveatry，Hercules，\"saidhe，turningtoPierre。
Pierreseizedthecrossbeam，tugged，andwrenchedtheoakframeoutwithacrash。
\"Takeitrightout，orthey’llthinkI’mholdingon，\"saidDolokhov。
\"IstheEnglishmanbragging？……Eh？Isitallright？\"saidAnatole。
\"First—rate，\"saidPierre，lookingatDolokhov，whowithabottleofruminhishandwasapproachingthewindow，fromwhichthelightofthesky，thedawnmergingwiththeafterglowofsunset，wasvisible。
Dolokhov，thebottleofrumstillinhishand，jumpedontothewindowsill。\"Listen！\"criedhe，standingthereandaddressingthoseintheroom。Allweresilent。
\"Ibetfiftyimperials\"—hespokeFrenchthattheEnglishmanmightunderstandhim，buthedid，notspeakitverywell—\"Ibetfiftyimperials……ordoyouwishtomakeitahundred？\"addedhe，addressingtheEnglishman。
\"No，fifty，\"repliedthelatter。
\"Allright。Fiftyimperials……thatIwilldrinkawholebottleofrumwithouttakingitfrommymouth，sittingoutsidethewindowonthisspot\"hestoopedandpointedtotheslopingledgeoutsidethewindow\"andwithoutholdingontoanything。Isthatright？\"
\"Quiteright，\"saidtheEnglishman。
AnatoleturnedtotheEnglishmanandtakinghimbyoneofthebuttonsofhiscoatandlookingdownathim—theEnglishmanwasshort—
beganrepeatingthetermsofthewagertohiminEnglish。
\"Wait！\"criedDolokhov，hammeringwiththebottleonthewindowsilltoattractattention。\"Waitabit，Kuragin。Listen！Ifanyoneelsedoesthesame，Iwillpayhimahundredimperials。Doyouunderstand？\"
TheEnglishmannodded，butgavenoindicationwhetherheintendedtoacceptthischallengeornot。Anatoledidnotreleasehim，andthoughhekeptnoddingtoshowthatheunderstood，AnatolewentontranslatingDolokhov’swordsintoEnglish。Athinyounglad，anhussaroftheLifeGuards，whohadbeenlosingthatevening，climbedonthewindowsill，leanedover，andlookeddown。
\"Oh！Oh！Oh！\"hemuttered，lookingdownfromthewindowatthestonesofthepavement。
\"Shutup！\"criedDolokhov，pushinghimawayfromthewindow。Theladjumpedawkwardlybackintotheroom，trippingoverhisspurs。
Placingthebottleonthewindowsillwherehecouldreachiteasily，Dolokhovclimbedcarefullyandslowlythroughthewindowandloweredhislegs。Pressingagainstbothsidesofthewindow，headjustedhimselfonhisseat，loweredhishands，movedalittletotherightandthentotheleft，andtookupthebottle。Anatolebroughttwocandlesandplacedthemonthewindowsill，thoughitwasalreadyquitelight。Dolokhov’sbackinhiswhiteshirt，andhiscurlyhead，werelitupfrombothsides。Everyonecrowdedtothewindow，theEnglishmaninfront。Pierrestoodsmilingbutsilent。Oneman，olderthantheotherspresent，suddenlypushedforwardwithascaredandangrylookandwantedtoseizeholdofDolokhov’sshirt。
\"Isay，thisisfolly！He’llbekilled，\"saidthismoresensibleman。
Anatolestoppedhim。
\"Don’ttouchhim！You’llstartlehimandthenhe’llbekilled。
Eh？……Whatthen？……Eh？\"
Dolokhovturnedroundand，againholdingonwithbothhands，arrangedhimselfonhisseat。
\"Ifanyonecomesmeddlingagain，\"saidhe，emittingthewordsseparatelythroughhisthincompressedlips，\"Iwillthrowhimdownthere。Nowthen！\"
Sayingthisheagainturnedround，droppedhishands，tookthebottleandliftedittohislips，threwbackhishead，andraisedhisfreehandtobalancehimself。OneofthefootmenwhohadstoopedtopickupsomebrokenglassremainedinthatpositionwithouttakinghiseyesfromthewindowandfromDolokhov’sback。Anatolestooderectwithstaringeyes。TheEnglishmanlookedonsideways，pursinguphislips。Themanwhohadwishedtostoptheaffairrantoacorneroftheroomandthrewhimselfonasofawithhisfacetothewall。Pierrehidhisface，fromwhichafaintsmileforgottofadethoughhisfeaturesnowexpressedhorrorandfear。Allwerestill。
Pierretookhishandsfromhiseyes。Dolokhovstillsatinthesameposition，onlyhisheadwasthrownfurtherbacktillhiscurlyhairtouchedhisshirtcollar，andthehandholdingthebottlewasliftedhigherandhigherandtrembledwiththeeffort。Thebottlewasemptyingperceptiblyandrisingstillhigherandhisheadtiltingyetfurtherback。\"Whyisitsolong？\"thoughtPierre。Itseemedtohimthatmorethanhalfanhourhadelapsed。SuddenlyDolokhovmadeabackwardmovementwithhisspine，andhisarmtremblednervously；
thiswassufficienttocausehiswholebodytoslipashesatontheslopingledge。Ashebeganslippingdown，hisheadandarmwaveredstillmorewiththestrain。Onehandmovedasiftoclutchthewindowsill，butrefrainedfromtouchingit。Pierreagaincoveredhiseyesandthoughthewouldneverneverthemagain。Suddenlyhewasawareofastirallaround。Helookedup：Dolokhovwasstandingonthewindowsill，withapalebutradiantface。
\"It’sempty。\"
HethrewthebottletotheEnglishman，whocaughtitneatly。
Dolokhovjumpeddown。Hesmeltstronglyofrum。
\"Welldone！……Finefellow！……There’sabetforyou！……Deviltakeyou！\"camefromdifferentsides。
TheEnglishmantookouthispurseandbegancountingoutthemoney。Dolokhovstoodfrowninganddidnotspeak。Pierrejumpeduponthewindowsill。
\"Gentlemen，whowishestobetwithme？I’lldothesamething！\"hesuddenlycried。\"Evenwithoutabet，there！Tellthemtobringmeabottle。I’lldoit……Bringabottle！\"
\"Lethimdoit，lethimdoit，\"saidDolokhov，smiling。
\"Whatnext？Haveyougonemad？……Noonewouldletyou！……Why，yougogiddyevenonastaircase，\"exclaimedseveralvoices。
\"I’lldrinkit！Let’shaveabottleofrum！\"shoutedPierre，bangingthetablewithadeterminedanddrunkengestureandpreparingtoclimboutofthewindow。
Theyseizedhimbyhisarms；buthewassostrongthateveryonewhotouchedhimwassentflying。
\"No，you’llnevermanagehimthatway，\"saidAnatole。\"WaitabitandI’llgetroundhim……Listen！I’lltakeyourbettomorrow，butnowweareallgoingto—’s。\"
\"Comeonthen，\"criedPierre。\"Comeon！……Andwe’lltakeBruinwithus。\"
Andhecaughtthebear，tookitinhisarms，lifteditfromtheground，andbegandancingroundtheroomwithit。
BK1CH10
CHAPTERX
PrinceVasilikeptthepromisehehadgiventoPrincessDrubetskayawhohadspokentohimonbehalfofheronlysonBorisontheeveningofAnnaPavlovna’ssoiree。ThematterwasmentionedtotheEmperor，anexceptionmade，andBoristransferredintotheregimentofSemenovGuardswiththerankofcornet。Hereceived，however，noappointmenttoKutuzov’sstaffdespiteallAnnaMikhaylovna’sendeavorsandentreaties。SoonafterAnnaPavlovna’sreceptionAnnaMikhaylovnareturnedtoMoscowandwentstraighttoherrichrelations，theRostovs，withwhomshestayedwheninthetownandwhereandwhereherdarlingBory，whohadonlyjustenteredaregimentofthelineandwasbeingatoncetransferredtotheGuardsasacornet，hadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodandlivedforyearsatatime。TheGuardshadalreadyleftPetersburgonthetenthofAugust，andherson，whohadremainedinMoscowforhisequipment，wastojointhemonthemarchtoRadzivilov。
ItwasSt。Natalia’sdayandthenamedayoftwooftheRostovs—themotherandtheyoungestdaughter—bothnamedNataly。Eversincethemorning，carriageswithsixhorseshadbeencomingandgoingcontinually，bringingvisitorstotheCountessRostova’sbighouseonthePovarskaya，sowellknowntoallMoscow。Thecountessherselfandherhandsomeeldestdaughterwereinthedrawing—roomwiththevisitorswhocametocongratulate，andwhoconstantlysucceededoneanotherinrelays。
Thecountesswasawomanofaboutforty—five，withathinOrientaltypeofface，evidentlywornoutwithchildbearing—shehadhadtwelve。Alanguorofmotionandspeech，resultingfromweakness，gaveheradistinguishedairwhichinspiredrespect。PrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaDrubetskaya，whoasamemberofthehouseholdwasalsoseatedinthedrawingroom，helpedtoreceiveandentertainthevisitors。Theyoungpeoplewereinoneoftheinnerrooms，notconsideringitnecessarytotakepartinreceivingthevisitors。Thecountmettheguestsandsawthemoff，invitingthemalltodinner。
\"Iamvery，verygratefultoyou，moncher，\"or\"machere\"—hecalledeveryonewithoutexceptionandwithouttheslightestvariationinhistone，\"mydear，\"whethertheywereaboveorbelowhiminrank—\"Ithankyouformyselfandforourtwodearoneswhosenamedaywearekeeping。ButmindyoucometodinnerorIshallbeoffended，machere！OnbehalfofthewholefamilyIbegyoutocome，moncher！\"Thesewordsherepeatedtoeveryonewithoutexceptionorvariation，andwiththesameexpressiononhisfull，cheerful，clean—shavenface，thesamefirmpressureofthehandandthesamequick，repeatedbows。Assoonashehadseenavisitoroffhereturnedtooneofthosewhowerestillinthedrawingroom，drewachairtowardhimorher，andjauntilyspreadingouthislegsandputtinghishandsonhiskneeswiththeairofamanwhoenjoyslifeandknowshowtolive，heswayedtoandfrowithdignity，offeredsurmisesabouttheweather，ortouchedonquestionsofhealth，sometimesinRussianandsometimesinverybadbutself—confidentFrench；thenagain，likeamanwearybutunflinchinginthefulfillmentofduty，herosetoseesomevisitorsoffand，strokinghisscantygrayhairsoverhisbaldpatch，alsoaskedthemtodinner。Sometimesonhiswaybackfromtheanteroomhewouldpassthroughtheconservatoryandpantryintothelargemarbledininghall，wheretableswerebeingsetoutforeightypeople；andlookingatthefootmen，whowerebringinginsilverandchina，movingtables，andunfoldingdamasktablelinen，hewouldcallDmitriVasilevich，amanofgoodfamilyandthemanagerofallhisaffairs，andwhilelookingwithpleasureattheenormoustablewouldsay：\"Well，Dmitri，you’llseethatthingsareallastheyshouldbe？That’sright！Thegreatthingistheserving，that’sit。\"
Andwithacomplacentsighhewouldreturntothedrawingroom。
\"MaryaLvovnaKaraginaandherdaughter！\"announcedthecountess’
giganticfootmaninhisbassvoice，enteringthedrawingroom。Thecountessreflectedamomentandtookapinchfromagoldsnuffboxwithherhusband’sportraitonit。
\"I’mquitewornoutbythesecallers。However，I’llseeherandnomore。Sheissoaffected。Askherin，\"shesaidtothefootmaninasadvoice，asifsaying：\"Verywell，finishmeoff。\"
Atall，stout，andproud—lookingwoman，witharound—facedsmilingdaughter，enteredthedrawingroom，theirdressesrustling。
\"DearCountess，whatanage……Shehasbeenlaidup，poorchild……
attheRazumovski’sball……andCountessApraksina……Iwassodelighted……\"camethesoundsofanimatedfemininevoices，interruptingoneanotherandminglingwiththerustlingofdressesandthescrapingofchairs。Thenoneofthoseconversationsbeganwhichlastoutuntil，atthefirstpause，theguestsrisewitharustleofdressesandsay，\"Iamsodelighted……Mamma’shealth……andCountessApraksina……andthen，againrustling，passintotheanteroom，putoncloaksormantles，anddriveaway。Theconversationwasonthechieftopicoftheday：theillnessofthewealthyandcelebratedbeauofCatherine’sday，CountBezukhov，andabouthisillegitimatesonPierre，theonewhohadbehavedsoimproperlyatAnnaPavlovna’sreception。
\"Iamsosorryforthepoorcount，\"saidthevisitor。\"Heisinsuchbadhealth，andnowthisvexationabouthissonisenoughtokillhim！\"
\"Whatisthat？\"askedthecountessasifshedidnotknowwhatthevisitoralludedto，thoughshehadalreadyheardaboutthecauseofCountBezukhov’sdistresssomefifteentimes。
\"That’swhatcomesofamoderneducation，\"exclaimedthevisitor。
\"Itseemsthatwhilehewasabroadthisyoungmanwasallowedtodoasheliked，nowinPetersburgIhearhehasbeendoingsuchterriblethingsthathehasbeenexpelledbythepolice。\"
\"Youdon’tsayso！\"repliedthecountess。
\"Hechosehisfriendsbadly，\"interposedAnnaMikhaylovna。\"PrinceVasili’sson，he，andacertainDolokhovhave，itissaid，beenuptoheavenonlyknowswhat！Andtheyhavehadtosufferforit。
DolokhovhasbeendegradedtotheranksandBezukhov’ssonsentbacktoMoscow。AnatoleKuragin’sfathermanagedsomehowtogethisson’saffairhushedup，butevenhewasorderedoutofPetersburg。\"
\"Butwhathavetheybeenupto？\"askedthecountess。
\"Theyareregularbrigands，especiallyDolokhov，\"repliedthevisitor。\"HeisasonofMaryaIvanovnaDolokhova，suchaworthywoman，butthere，justfancy！Thosethreegotholdofabearsomewhere，putitinacarriage，andsetoffwithittovisitsomeactresses！Thepolicetriedtointerfere，andwhatdidtheyoungmendo？TheytiedapolicemanandthebearbacktobackandputthebearintotheMoykaCanal。Andtherewasthebearswimmingaboutwiththepolicemanonhisback！\"
\"Whatanicefigurethepolicemanmusthavecut，mydear！\"shoutedthecount，dyingwithlaughter。
\"Oh，howdreadful！Howcanyoulaughatit，Count？\"
Yettheladiesthemselvescouldnothelplaughing。
\"Itwasalltheycoulddotorescuethepoorman，\"continuedthevisitor。\"AndtothinkitisCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov’ssonwhoamuseshimselfinthissensiblemanner！Andhewassaidtobesowelleducatedandclever。Thisisallthathisforeigneducationhasdoneforhim！IhopethathereinMoscownoonewillreceivehim，inspiteofhismoney。Theywantedtointroducehimtome，butIquitedeclined：Ihavemydaughterstoconsider。\"
\"Whydoyousaythisyoungmanissorich？\"askedthecountess，turningawayfromthegirls，whoatonceassumedanairofinattention。\"Hischildrenareallillegitimate。IthinkPierrealsoisillegitimate。\"
Thevisitormadeagesturewithherhand。
\"Ishouldthinkhehasascoreofthem。\"
PrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaintervenedintheconversation，evidentlywishingtoshowherconnectionsandknowledgeofwhatwentoninsociety。
\"Thefactofthematteris，\"saidshesignificantly，andalsoinahalfwhisper，\"everyoneknowsCountCyril’sreputation……Hehaslostcountofhischildren，butthisPierrewashisfavorite。\"
\"Howhandsometheoldmanstillwasonlyayearago！\"remarkedthecountess。\"Ihaveneverseenahandsomerman。\"
\"Heisverymuchalterednow，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovna。\"Well，asI
wassaying，PrinceVasiliisthenextheirthroughhiswife，butthecountisveryfondofPierre，lookedafterhiseducation，andwrotetotheEmperorabouthim；sothatinthecaseofhisdeath—andheissoillthathemaydieatanymoment，andDr。LorrainhascomefromPetersburg—nooneknowswhowillinherithisimmensefortune，PierreorPrinceVasili。Fortythousandserfsandmillionsofrubles！IknowitallverywellforPrinceVasilitoldmehimself。
Besides，CyrilVladimirovichismymother’ssecondcousin。He’salsomyBory’sgodfather，\"sheadded，asifsheattachednoimportanceatalltothefact。
\"PrinceVasiliarrivedinMoscowyesterday。Ihearhehascomeonsomeinspectionbusiness，\"remarkedthevisitor。
\"Yes，butbetweenourselves，\"saidtheprincess，thatisapretext。ThefactishehascometoseeCountCyrilVladimirovich，hearinghowillheis。\"
\"Butdoyouknow，mydear，thatwasacapitaljoke，\"saidthecount；
andseeingthattheeldervisitorwasnotlistening，heturnedtotheyoungladies。\"Icanjustimaginewhatafunnyfigurethatpolicemancut！\"
Andashewavedhisarmstoimpersonatethepoliceman，hisportlyformagainshookwithadeepringinglaugh，thelaughofonewhoalwayseatswelland，inparticular，drinkswell。\"Sodocomeanddinewithus！\"hesaid。
BK1CH11
CHAPTERXI
Silenceensued。Thecountesslookedathercallers，smilingaffably，butnotconcealingthefactthatshewouldnotbedistressediftheynowroseandtooktheirleave。Thevisitor’sdaughterwasalreadysmoothingdownherdresswithaninquiringlookathermother，whensuddenlyfromthenextroomwereheardthefootstepsofboysandgirlsrunningtothedoorandthenoiseofachairfallingover，andagirlofthirteen，hidingsomethinginthefoldsofhershortmuslinfrock，dartedinandstoppedshortinthemiddleoftheroom。Itwasevidentthatshehadnotintendedherflighttobringhersofar。
Behindherinthedoorwayappearedastudentwithacrimsoncoatcollar，anofficeroftheGuards，agirloffifteen，andaplumprosy—facedboyinashortjacket。
Thecountjumpedupand，swayingfromsidetoside，spreadhisarmswideandthrewthemroundthelittlegirlwhohadrunin。
\"Ah，heresheis！\"heexclaimedlaughing。\"Mypet，whosenamedayitis。Mydearpet！\"
\"Machere，thereisatimeforeverything，\"saidthecountesswithfeignedseverity。\"Youspoilher，Ilya，\"sheadded，turningtoherhusband。
\"Howdoyoudo，mydear？Iwishyoumanyhappyreturnsofyournameday，\"saidthevisitor。\"Whatacharmingchild，\"sheadded，addressingthemother。
Thisblack—eyed，wide—mouthedgirl，notprettybutfulloflife—
withchildishbareshoulderswhichafterherrunheavedandshookherbodice，withblackcurlstossedbackward，thinbarearms，littlelegsinlace—frilleddrawers，andfeetinlowslippers—wasjustatthatcharmingagewhenagirlisnolongerachild，thoughthechildisnotyetayoungwoman。Escapingfromherfathersherantohideherflushedfaceinthelaceofhermother’smantilla—notpayingtheleastattentiontohersevereremark—andbegantolaugh。Shelaughed，andinfragmentarysentencestriedtoexplainaboutadollwhichsheproducedfromthefoldsofherfrock。
\"Doyousee？……Mydoll……Mimi……Yousee……\"wasallNatashamanagedtouttertohereverythingseemedfunny。Sheleanedagainsthermotherandburstintosuchaloud，ringingfitoflaughterthateventheprimvisitorcouldnothelpjoiningin。
\"Nowthen，goawayandtakeyourmonstrositywithyou，\"saidthemother，pushingawayherdaughterwithpretendedsternness，andturningtothevisitorsheadded：\"Sheismyyoungestgirl。\"
Natasha，raisingherfaceforamomentfromhermother’smantilla，glancedupatherthroughtearsoflaughter，andagainhidherface。
Thevisitor，compelledtolookonatthisfamilyscene，thoughtitnecessarytotakesomepartinit。
\"Tellme，mydear，\"saidshetoNatasha，\"isMimiarelationofyours？Adaughter，Isuppose？\"
Natashadidnotlikethevisitor’stoneofcondescensiontochildishthings。Shedidnotreply，butlookedatherseriously。
Meanwhiletheyoungergeneration：Boris，theofficer，AnnaMikhaylovna’sson；Nicholas，theundergraduate，thecount’seldestson；Sonya，thecount’sfifteen—year—oldniece，andlittlePetya，hisyoungestboy，hadallsettleddowninthedrawingroomandwereobviouslytryingtorestrainwithintheboundsofdecorumtheexcitementandmirththatshoneinalltheirfaces。Evidentlyinthebackrooms，fromwhichtheyhaddashedoutsoimpetuously，theconversationhadbeenmoreamusingthanthedrawing—roomtalkofsocietyscandals，theweather，andCountessApraksina。Nowandthentheyglancedatoneanother，hardlyabletosuppresstheirlaughter。
Thetwoyoungmen，thestudentandtheofficer，friendsfromchildhood，wereofthesameageandbothhandsomefellows，thoughnotalike。Boriswastallandfair，andhiscalmandhandsomefacehadregular，delicatefeatures。Nicholaswasshortwithcurlyhairandanopenexpression。Darkhairswerealreadyshowingonhisupperlip，andhiswholefaceexpressedimpetuosityandenthusiasm。Nicholasblushedwhenheenteredthedrawingroom。Heevidentlytriedtofindsomethingtosay，butfailed。Borisonthecontraryatoncefoundhisfooting，andrelatedquietlyandhumorouslyhowhehadknowthatdollMimiwhenshewasstillquiteayounglady，beforehernosewasbroken；howshehadagedduringthefiveyearshehadknownher，andhowherheadhadcrackedrightacrosstheskull。HavingsaidthisheglancedatNatasha。Sheturnedawayfromhimandglancedatheryoungerbrother，whowasscrewinguphiseyesandshakingwithsuppressedlaughter，andunabletocontrolherselfanylonger，shejumpedupandrushedfromtheroomasfastashernimblelittlefeetwouldcarryher。Borisdidnotlaugh。
\"Youweremeaningtogoout，weren’tyou，Mamma？Doyouwantthecarriage？\"heaskedhismotherwithasmile。
\"Yes，yes，goandtellthemtogetitready，\"sheanswered，returninghissmile。
BorisquietlylefttheroomandwentinsearchofNatasha。Theplumpboyranafterthemangrily，asifvexedthattheirprogramhadbeendisturbed。
BK1CH12
CHAPTERXII
Theonlyyoungpeopleremaininginthedrawingroom，notcountingtheyoungladyvisitorandthecountess’eldestdaughterwhowasfouryearsolderthanhersisterandbehavedalreadylikeagrown—upperson，wereNicholasandSonya，theniece。Sonyawasaslenderlittlebrunettewithatenderlookinhereyeswhichwereveiledbylonglashes，thickblackplaitscoilingtwiceroundherhead，andatawnytintinhercomplexionandespeciallyinthecolorofherslenderbutgracefulandmusculararmsandneck。Bythegraceofhermovements，bythesoftnessandflexibilityofhersmalllimbs，andbyacertaincoynessandreserveofmanner，sheremindedoneofapretty，half—grownkittenwhichpromisestobecomeabeautifullittlecat。Sheevidentlyconsidereditpropertoshowaninterestinthegeneralconversationbysmiling，butinspiteofherselfhereyesundertheirthicklonglasheswatchedhercousinwhowasgoingtojointhearmy，withsuchpassionategirlishadorationthathersmilecouldnotforasingleinstantimposeuponanyone，anditwasclearthatthekittenhadsettleddownonlytospringupwithmoreenergyandagainplaywithhercousinassoonastheytoocould，likeNatashaandBoris，escapefromthedrawingroom。
\"Ahyes，mydear，\"saidthecount，addressingthevisitorandpointingtoNicholas，\"hisfriendBorishasbecomeanofficer，andsoforfriendship’ssakeheisleavingtheuniversityandme，hisoldfather，andenteringthemilitaryservice，mydear。AndtherewasaplaceandeverythingwaitingforhimintheArchivesDepartment！
Isn’tthatfriendship？\"remarkedthecountinaninquiringtone。
\"Buttheysaythatwarhasbeendeclared，\"repliedthevisitor。
\"They’vebeensayingsoalongwhile，\"saidthecount，\"andthey’llsaysoagainandagain，andthatwillbetheendofit。Mydear，there’sfriendshipforyou，\"herepeated。\"He’sjoiningthehussars。\"
Thevisitor，notknowingwhattosay，shookherhead。
\"It’snotatallfromfriendship，\"declaredNicholas，flaringupandturningawayasiffromashamefulaspersion。\"Itisnotfromfriendshipatall；Isimplyfeelthatthearmyismyvocation。\"
Heglancedathiscousinandtheyoungladyvisitor；andtheywerebothregardinghimwithasmileofapprobation。
\"Schubert，thecolonelofthePavlogradHussars，isdiningwithustoday。HehasbeenhereonleaveandistakingNicholasbackwithhim。
Itcan’tbehelped！\"saidthecount，shrugginghisshouldersandspeakingplayfullyofamatterthatevidentlydistressedhim。
\"Ihavealreadytoldyou，Papa，\"saidhisson，\"thatifyoudon’twishtoletmego，I’llstay。ButIknowIamnouseanywhereexceptinthearmy；Iamnotadiplomatoragovernmentclerk。—Idon’tknowhowtohidewhatIfeel。\"AshespokehekeptglancingwiththeflirtatiousnessofahandsomeyouthatSonyaandtheyoungladyvisitor。
Thelittlekitten，feastinghereyesonhim，seemedreadyatanymomenttostarthergambolsagainanddisplayherkittenishnature。
\"Allright，allright！\"saidtheoldcount。\"Healwaysflaresup！
ThisBuonapartehasturnedalltheirheads；theyallthinkofhowherosefromanensignandbecameEmperor。Well，well，Godgrantit，\"
headded，notnoticinghisvisitor’ssarcasticsmile。
TheeldersbegantalkingaboutBonaparte。JulieKaraginaturnedtoyoungRostov。
\"Whatapityyouweren’tattheArkharovs’onThursday。Itwassodullwithoutyou，\"saidshe，givinghimatendersmile。
Theyoungman，flattered，satdownnearertoherwithacoquettishsmile，andengagedthesmilingJulieinaconfidentialconversationwithoutatallnoticingthathisinvoluntarysmilehadstabbedtheheartofSonya，whoblushedandsmiledunnaturally。Inthemidstofhistalkheglancedroundather。Shegavehimapassionatelyangryglance，andhardlyabletorestrainhertearsandmaintaintheartificialsmileonherlips，shegotupandlefttheroom。AllNicholas’animationvanished。Hewaitedforthefirstpauseintheconversation，andthenwithadistressedfacelefttheroomtofindSonya。
\"Howplainlyalltheseyoungpeopleweartheirheartsontheirsleeves！\"saidAnnaMikhaylovna，pointingtoNicholasashewentout。\"Cousinage—dangereuxvoisinage；\"*sheadded。
*Cousinhoodisadangerousneighborhood。
\"Yes，\"saidthecountesswhenthebrightnesstheseyoungpeoplehadbroughtintotheroomhadvanished；andasifansweringaquestionnoonehadputbutwhichwasalwaysinhermind，\"andhowmuchsuffering，howmuchanxietyonehashadtogothroughthatwemightrejoiceinthemnow！Andyetreallytheanxietyisgreaternowthanthejoy。Oneisalways，alwaysanxious！Especiallyjustatthisage，sodangerousbothforgirlsandboys。\"
\"Italldependsonthebringingup，\"remarkedthevisitor。
\"Yes，you’requiteright，\"continuedthecountess。\"TillnowI
havealways，thankGod，beenmychildren’sfriendandhadtheirfullconfidence，\"saidshe，repeatingthemistakeofsomanyparentswhoimaginethattheirchildrenhavenosecretsfromthem。\"IknowIshallalwaysbemydaughters’firstconfidante，andthatifNicholas，withhisimpulsivenature，doesgetintomischiefaboycan’thelpit，hewillallthesameneverbelikethosePetersburgyoungmen。\"
\"Yes，theyaresplendid，splendidyoungsters，\"chimedinthecount，whoalwayssolvedquestionsthatseemedtohimperplexingbydecidingthateverythingwassplendid。\"Justfancy：wantstobeanhussar。What’sonetodo，mydear？\"
\"Whatacharmingcreatureyouryoungergirlis，\"saidthevisitor；
\"alittlevolcano！\"
\"Yes，aregularvolcano，\"saidthecount。\"Takesafterme！Andwhatavoiceshehas；thoughshe’smydaughter，ItellthetruthwhenIsayshe’llbeasinger，asecondSalomoni！WehaveengagedanItaliantogiveherlessons。\"
\"Isn’tshetooyoung？Ihaveheardthatitharmsthevoicetotrainitatthatage。\"
\"Ohno，notatalltooyoung！\"repliedthecount。\"Why，ourmothersusedtobemarriedattwelveorthirteen。\"
\"Andshe’sinlovewithBorisalready。Justfancy！\"saidthecountesswithagentlesmile，lookingatBoris’andwenton，evidentlyconcernedwithathoughtthatalwaysoccupiedher：\"NowyouseeifI
weretobeseverewithherandtoforbidit……goodnessknowswhattheymightbeuptoonthesly\"shemeantthattheywouldbekissing，\"butasitis，Iknoweverywordsheutters。Shewillcomerunningtomeofherownaccordintheeveningandtellmeeverything。
PerhapsIspoilher，butreallythatseemsthebestplan。WithhereldersisterIwasstricter。\"
\"Yes，Iwasbroughtupquitedifferently，\"remarkedthehandsomeelderdaughter，CountessVera，withasmile。
ButthesmiledidnotenhanceVera’sbeautyassmilesgenerallydo；onthecontraryitgaveheranunnatural，andthereforeunpleasant，expression。Verawasgood—looking，notatallstupid，quickatlearning，waswellbroughtup，andhadapleasantvoice；whatshesaidwastrueandappropriate，yet，strangetosay，everyone—
thevisitorsandcountessalike—turnedtolookatherasifwonderingwhyshehadsaidit，andtheyallfeltawkward。
\"Peoplearealwaystoocleverwiththeireldestchildrenandtrytomakesomethingexceptionalofthem，\"saidthevisitor。
\"What’sthegoodofdenyingit，mydear？OurdearcountesswastoocleverwithVera，\"saidthecount。\"Well，whatofthat？She’sturnedoutsplendidlyallthesame，\"headded，winkingatVera。
Theguestsgotupandtooktheirleave，promisingtoreturntodinner。
\"Whatmanners！Ithoughttheywouldnevergo，\"saidthecountess，whenshehadseenherguestsout。
BK1CH13
CHAPTERXIII
WhenNatasharanoutofthedrawingroomsheonlywentasfarastheconservatory。Thereshepausedandstoodlisteningtotheconversationinthedrawingroom，waitingforBoristocomeout。Shewasalreadygrowingimpatient，andstampedherfoot，readytocryathisnotcomingatonce，whensheheardtheyoungman’sdiscreetstepsapproachingneitherquicklynorslowly。AtthisNatashadashedswiftlyamongtheflowertubsandhidthere。
Borispausedinthemiddleoftheroom，lookedround，brushedalittledustfromthesleeveofhisuniform，andgoinguptoamirrorexaminedhishandsomeface。Natasha，verystill，peeredoutfromherambush，waitingtoseewhathewoulddo。Hestoodalittlewhilebeforetheglass，smiled，andwalkedtowardtheotherdoor。Natashawasabouttocallhimbutchangedhermind。\"Lethimlookforme，\"
thoughtshe。HardlyhadBorisgonethanSonya，flushed，intears，andmutteringangrily，cameinattheotherdoor。Natashacheckedherfirstimpulsetorunouttoher，andremainedinherhidingplace，watching—asunderaninvisiblecap—toseewhatwentonintheworld。
Shewasexperiencinganewandpeculiarpleasure。Sonya，mutteringtoherself，keptlookingroundtowardthedrawing—roomdoor。ItopenedandNicholascamein。
\"Sonya，whatisthematterwithyou？Howcanyou？\"saidhe，runninguptoher。
\"It’snothing，nothing；leavemealone！\"sobbedSonya。
\"Ah，Iknowwhatitis。\"
\"Well，ifyoudo，somuchthebetter，andyoucangobacktoher！\"
\"So—o—onya！Lookhere！Howcanyoutorturemeandyourselflikethat，foramerefancy？\"saidNicholastakingherhand。
Sonyadidnotpullitaway，andleftoffcrying。Natasha，notstirringandscarcelybreathing，watchedfromherambushwithsparklingeyes。\"Whatwillhappennow？\"thoughtshe。
\"Sonya！Whatisanyoneintheworldtome？Youaloneareeverything！\"saidNicholas。\"AndIwillproveittoyou。\"
\"Idon’tlikeyoutotalklikethat。\"
\"Well，then，Iwon’t；onlyforgiveme，Sonya！\"Hedrewhertohimandkissedher。
\"Oh，hownice，\"thoughtNatasha；andwhenSonyaandNicholashadgoneoutoftheconservatoryshefollowedandcalledBoristoher。
\"Boris，comehere，\"saidshewithaslyandsignificantlook。\"I
havesomethingtotellyou。Here，here！\"andsheledhimintotheconservatorytotheplaceamongthetubswhereshehadbeenhiding。
Borisfollowedher，smiling。
\"Whatisthesomething？\"askedhe。
Shegrewconfused，glancedround，and，seeingthedollshehadthrowndownononeofthetubs，pickeditup。
\"Kissthedoll，\"saidshe。
Borislookedattentivelyandkindlyathereagerface，butdidnotreply。
\"Don’tyouwantto？Well，then，comehere，\"saidshe，andwentfurtherinamongtheplantsandthrewdownthedoll。\"Closer，closer！\"
shewhispered。
Shecaughttheyoungofficerbyhiscuffs，andalookofsolemnityandfearappearedonherflushedface。
\"Andme？Wouldyouliketokissme？\"shewhisperedalmostinaudibly，glancingupathimfromunderherbrows，smiling，andalmostcryingfromexcitement。
Borisblushed。
\"Howfunnyyouare！\"hesaid，bendingdowntoherandblushingstillmore，buthewaitedanddidnothing。
Suddenlyshejumpedupontoatubtobehigherthanhe，embracedhimsothatbothherslenderbarearmsclaspedhimabovehisneck，and，tossingbackherhair，kissedhimfullonthelips。
Thensheslippeddownamongtheflowerpotsontheothersideofthetubsandstood，hangingherhead。
\"Natasha，\"hesaid，\"youknowthatIloveyou，but……\"
\"Youareinlovewithme？\"Natashabrokein。
\"Yes，Iam，butpleasedon’tletusdolikethat……Inanotherfouryears……thenIwillaskforyourhand。\"
Natashaconsidered。
\"Thirteen，fourteen，fifteen，sixteen，\"shecountedonherslenderlittlefingers。\"Allright！Thenit’ssettled？\"
Asmileofjoyandsatisfactionlituphereagerface。
\"Settled！\"repliedBoris。
\"Forever？\"saidthelittlegirl。\"Tilldeathitself？\"
Shetookhisarmandwithahappyfacewentwithhimintotheadjoiningsittingroom。
BK1CH14
CHAPTERXIV
Afterreceivinghervisitors，thecountesswassotiredthatshegaveorderstoadmitnomore，buttheporterwastoldtobesuretoinvitetodinnerallwhocame\"tocongratulate。\"Thecountesswishedtohaveatete—a—tetetalkwiththefriendofherchildhood，PrincessAnnaMikhaylovna，whomshehadnotseenproperlysinceshereturnedfromPetersburg。AnnaMikhaylovna，withhertear—wornbutpleasantface，drewherchairnearertothatofthecountess。
\"WithyouIwillbequitefrank，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovna。\"Therearenotmanyleftofusoldfriends！That’swhyIsovalueyourfriendship。\"
AnnaMikhaylovnalookedatVeraandpaused。Thecountesspressedherfriend’shand。
\"Vera，\"shesaidtohereldestdaughterwhowasevidentlynotafavorite，\"howisityouhavesolittletact？Don’tyouseeyouarenotwantedhere？Gototheothergirls，or……\"
ThehandsomeVerasmiledcontemptuouslybutdidnotseematallhurt。
\"Ifyouhadtoldmesooner，Mamma，Iwouldhavegone，\"sherepliedassherosetogotoherownroom。
Butasshepassedthesittingroomshenoticedtwocouplessitting，onepairateachwindow。Shestoppedandsmiledscornfully。
SonyawassittingclosetoNicholaswhowascopyingoutsomeversesforher，thefirsthehadeverwritten。BorisandNatashawereattheotherwindowandceasedtalkingwhenVeraentered。SonyaandNatashalookedatVerawithguilty，happyfaces。
Itwaspleasantandtouchingtoseetheselittlegirlsinlove；
butapparentlythesightofthemrousednopleasantfeelinginVera。
\"HowoftenhaveIaskedyounottotakemythings？\"shesaid。\"Youhavearoomofyourown，\"andshetooktheinkstandfromNicholas。
\"Inaminute，inaminute，\"hesaid，dippinghispen。
\"Youalwaysmanagetodothingsatthewrongtime，\"continuedVera。\"Youcamerushingintothedrawingroomsothateveryonefeltashamedofyou。\"
Thoughwhatshesaidwasquitejust，perhapsforthatveryreasonnoonereplied，andthefoursimplylookedatoneanother。Shelingeredintheroomwiththeinkstandinherhand。
\"AndatyouragewhatsecretscantherebebetweenNatashaandBoris，orbetweenyoutwo？It’sallnonsense！\"
\"Now，Vera，whatdoesitmattertoyou？\"saidNatashaindefense，speakingverygently。
Sheseemedthatdaytobemorethaneverkindandaffectionatetoeveryone。
\"Verysilly，\"saidVera。\"Iamashamedofyou。Secretsindeed！\"
\"Allhavesecretsoftheirown，\"answeredNatasha，gettingwarmer。
\"Wedon’tinterferewithyouandBerg。\"
\"Ishouldthinknot，\"saidVera，\"becausetherecanneverbeanythingwronginmybehavior。ButI’lljusttellMammahowyouarebehavingwithBoris。\"
\"NatalyaIlynichnabehavesverywelltome，\"remarkedBoris。\"Ihavenothingtocomplainof。\"
\"Don’t，Boris！Youaresuchadiplomatthatitisreallytiresome，\"saidNatashainamortifiedvoicethattrembledslightly。
Sheusedtheword\"diplomat，\"whichwasjustthenmuchinvogueamongthechildren，inthespecialsensetheyattachedtoit。\"Whydoesshebotherme？\"Andsheadded，turningtoVera，\"You’llneverunderstandit，becauseyou’veneverlovedanyone。Youhavenoheart！YouareaMadamedeGenlisandnothingmore\"thisnickname，bestowedonVerabyNicholas，wasconsideredverystinging，\"andyourgreatestpleasureistobeunpleasanttopeople！GoandflirtwithBergasmuchasyouplease，\"shefinishedquickly。
\"Ishallatanyratenotrunafterayoungmanbeforevisitors……\"
\"Well，nowyou’vedonewhatyouwanted，\"putinNicholas—\"saidunpleasantthingstoeveryoneandupsetthem。Let’sgotothenursery。\"
Allfour，likeaflockofscaredbirds，gotupandlefttheroom。
\"Theunpleasantthingsweresaidtome，\"remarkedVera，\"Isaidnonetoanyone。\"
\"MadamedeGenlis！MadamedeGenlis！\"shoutedlaughingvoicesthroughthedoor。
ThehandsomeVera，whoproducedsuchanirritatingandunpleasanteffectoneveryone，smiledand，evidentlyunmovedbywhathadbeensaidtoher，wenttothelookingglassandarrangedherhairandscarf。Lookingatherownhandsomefacesheseemedtobecomestillcolderandcalmer。
Inthedrawingroomtheconversationwasstillgoingon。
\"Ah，mydear，\"saidthecountess，\"mylifeisnotallroseseither。Don’tIknowthatattheratewearelivingourmeanswon’tlastlong？It’salltheClubandhiseasygoingnature。Eveninthecountrydowegetanyrest？Theatricals，hunting，andheavenknowswhatbesides！Butdon’tlet’stalkaboutme；tellmehowyoumanagedeverything。Ioftenwonderatyou，Annette—howatyourageyoucanrushoffaloneinacarriagetoMoscow，toPetersburg，tothoseministersandgreatpeople，andknowhowtodealwiththemall！It’squiteastonishing。Howdidyougetthingssettled？Icouldn’tpossiblydoit。\"
\"Ah，mylove，\"answeredAnnaMikhaylovna，\"Godgrantyouneverknowwhatitistobeleftawidowwithoutmeansandwithasonyoulovetodistraction！Onelearnsmanythingsthen，\"sheaddedwithacertainpride。\"Thatlawsuittaughtmemuch。WhenIwanttoseeoneofthosebigpeopleIwriteanote：’PrincessSo—and—SodesiresaninterviewwithSoand—So，’andthenItakeacabandgomyselftwo，three，orfourtimes—tillIgetwhatIwant。Idon’tmindwhattheythinkofme。\"
\"Well，andtowhomdidyouapplyaboutBory？\"askedthecountess。
\"YouseeyoursisalreadyanofficerintheGuards，whilemyNicholasisgoingasacadet。There’snoonetointeresthimselfforhim。Towhomdidyouapply？\"
\"ToPrinceVasili。Hewassokind。Heatonceagreedtoeverything，andputthematterbeforetheEmperor，\"saidPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaenthusiastically，quiteforgettingallthehumiliationshehadenduredtogainherend。
\"HasPrinceVasiliagedmuch？\"askedthecountess。\"IhavenotseenhimsinceweactedtogetherattheRumyantsovs’theatricals。I
expecthehasforgottenme。Hepaidmeattentionsinthosedays，\"saidthecountess，withasmile。
\"Heisjustthesameasever，\"repliedAnnaMikhaylovna，\"overflowingwithamiability。Hispositionhasnotturnedhisheadatall。Hesaidtome，’IamsorryIcandosolittleforyou，dearPrincess。Iamatyourcommand。’Yes，heisafinefellowandaverykindrelation。But，Nataly，youknowmyloveformyson：Iwoulddoanythingforhishappiness！Andmyaffairsareinsuchabadwaythatmypositionisnowaterribleone，\"continuedAnnaMikhaylovna，sadly，droppinghervoice。\"MywretchedlawsuittakesallIhaveandmakesnoprogress。Wouldyoubelieveit，Ihaveliterallynotapennyanddon’tknowhowtoequipBoris。\"Shetookoutherhandkerchiefandbegantocry。\"Ineedfivehundredrubles，andhaveonlyonetwenty—five—rublenote。Iaminsuchastate……MyonlyhopenowisinCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov。Ifhewillnotassisthisgodson—youknowheisBory’sgodfather—andallowhimsomethingforhismaintenance，allmytroublewillhavebeenthrownaway……I
shallnotbeabletoequiphim。\"
Thecountess’eyesfilledwithtearsandsheponderedinsilence。
\"Ioftenthink，though，perhapsit’sasin，\"saidtheprincess，\"thatherelivesCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhovsorich，allalone……thattremendousfortune……andwhatishislifeworth？It’saburdentohim，andBory’slifeisonlyjustbeginning……\"
\"SurelyhewillleavesomethingtoBoris，\"saidthecountess。
\"Heavenonlyknows，mydear！Theserichgrandeesaresoselfish。
Still，IwilltakeBorisandgotoseehimatonce，andIshallspeaktohimstraightout。Letpeoplethinkwhattheywillofme，it’sreallyallthesametomewhenmyson’sfateisatstake。\"Theprincessrose。\"It’snowtwoo’clockandyoudineatfour。Therewilljustbetime。\"
AndlikeapracticalPetersburgladywhoknowshowtomakethemostoftime，AnnaMikhaylovnasentsomeonetocallherson，andwentintotheanteroomwithhim。
\"Good—by，mydear，\"saidshetothecountesswhosawhertothedoor，andaddedinawhispersothathersonshouldnothear，\"Wishmegoodluck。\"
\"AreyougoingtoCountCyrilVladimirovich，mydear？\"saidthecountcomingoutfromthedininghallintotheanteroom，andheadded：
\"Ifheisbetter，askPierretodinewithus。Hehasbeentothehouse，youknow，anddancedwiththechildren。Besuretoinvitehim，mydear。WewillseehowTarasdistinguisheshimselftoday。HesaysCountOrlovnevergavesuchadinnerasourswillbe！\"
BK1CH15
CHAPTERXV
\"MydearBoris，\"saidPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnatohersonasCountessRostova’scarriageinwhichtheywereseateddroveoverthestrawcoveredstreetandturnedintothewidecourtyardofCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov’shouse。\"MydearBoris，\"saidthemother，drawingherhandfrombeneathheroldmantleandlayingittimidlyandtenderlyonherson’sarm，\"beaffectionateandattentivetohim。
CountCyrilVladimirovichisyourgodfatherafterall，yourfuturedependsonhim。Rememberthat，mydear，andbenicetohim，asyousowellknowhowtobe。\"
\"IfonlyIknewthatanythingbesideshumiliationwouldcomeofit……\"answeredhersoncoldly。\"ButIhavepromisedandwilldoitforyoursake。\"
Althoughthehallportersawsomeone’scarriagestandingattheentrance，afterscrutinizingthemotherandsonwhowithoutaskingtobeannouncedhadpassedstraightthroughtheglassporchbetweentherowsofstatuesinnichesandlookingsignificantlyatthelady’soldcloak，heaskedwhethertheywantedthecountortheprincesses，and，hearingthattheywishedtoseethecount，saidhisexcellencywasworsetoday，andthathisexcellencywasnotreceivinganyone。
\"Wemayaswellgoback，\"saidthesoninFrench。
\"Mydear！\"exclaimedhismotherimploringly，againlayingherhandonhisarmasifthattouchmightsootheorrousehim。
Borissaidnomore，butlookedinquiringlyathismotherwithouttakingoffhiscloak。
\"Myfriend，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovnaingentletones，addressingthehallporter，IknowCountCyrilVladimirovichisveryill……that’swhyIhavecome……Iamarelation。Ishallnotdisturbhim，myfriend……IonlyneedseePrinceVasiliSergeevich：heisstayinghere，ishenot？Pleaseannounceme。\"
Thehallportersullenlypulledabellthatrangupstairs，andturnedaway。
\"PrincessDrubetskayatoseePrinceVasiliSergeevich，\"hecalledtoafootmandressedinkneebreeches，shoes，andaswallow—tailcoat，whorandownstairsandlookedoverfromthehalfwaylanding。
ThemothersmoothedthefoldsofherdyedsilkdressbeforealargeVenetianmirrorinthewall，andinhertrodden—downshoesbrisklyascendedthecarpetedstairs。
\"Mydear，\"shesaidtoherson，oncemorestimulatinghimbyatouch，\"youpromisedme！\"
Theson，loweringhiseyes，followedherquietly。
Theyenteredthelargehall，fromwhichoneofthedoorsledtotheapartmentsassignedtoPrinceVasili。
Justasthemotherandson，havingreachedthemiddleofthehall，wereabouttoasktheirwayofanelderlyfootmanwhohadsprungupastheyentered，thebronzehandleofoneofthedoorsturnedandPrinceVasilicameout—wearingavelvetcoatwithasinglestaronhisbreast，aswashiscustomwhenathome—takingleaveofagood—looking，dark—hairedman。ThiswasthecelebratedPetersburgdoctor，Lorrain。
\"Thenitiscertain？\"saidtheprince。
\"Prince，humanumesterrare，*but……\"repliedthedoctor，swallowinghisr’s，andpronouncingtheLatinwordswithaFrenchaccent。
*Toerrishuman。
\"Verywell，verywell……\"
SeeingAnnaMikhaylovnaandherson，PrinceVasilidismissedthedoctorwithabowandapproachedthemsilentlyandwithalookofinquiry。Thesonnoticedthatanexpressionofprofoundsorrowsuddenlycloudedhismother’sface，andhesmiledslightly。
\"Ah，Prince！Inwhatsadcircumstanceswemeetagain！Andhowisourdearinvalid？\"saidshe，asthoughunawareofthecoldoffensivelookfixedonher。
PrinceVasilistaredatherandatBorisquestioninglyandperplexed。Borisbowedpolitely。PrinceVasiliwithoutacknowledgingthebowturnedtoAnnaMikhaylovna，answeringherquerybyamovementoftheheadandlipsindicatingverylittlehopeforthepatient。
\"Isitpossible？\"exclaimedAnnaMikhaylovna。\"Oh，howawful！Itisterribletothink……Thisismyson，\"sheadded，indicatingBoris。
\"Hewantedtothankyouhimself。\"
Borisbowedagainpolitely。
\"Believeme，Prince，amother’sheartwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforus。\"
\"IamgladIwasabletodoyouaservice，mydearAnnaMikhaylovna，\"saidPrinceVasili，arranginghislacefrill，andintoneandmanner，hereinMoscowtoAnnaMikhaylovnawhomhehadplacedunderanobligation，assuminganairofmuchgreaterimportancethanhehaddoneinPetersburgatAnnaScherer’sreception。
\"Trytoservewellandshowyourselfworthy，\"addedhe，addressingBoriswithseverity。\"Iamglad……Areyouhereonleave？\"hewentoninhisusualtoneofindifference。
\"Iamawaitingorderstojoinmynewregiment，yourexcellency，\"
repliedBoris，betrayingneitherannoyanceattheprince’sbrusquemannernoradesiretoenterintoconversation，butspeakingsoquietlyandrespectfullythattheprincegavehimasearchingglance。
\"Areyoulivingwithyourmother？\"
\"IamlivingatCountessRostova’s，\"repliedBoris，againadding，\"yourexcellency。\"
\"Thatis，withIlyaRostovwhomarriedNatalyShinshina，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovna。
\"Iknow，Iknow，\"answeredPrinceVasiliinhismonotonousvoice。\"I
nevercouldunderstandhowNatalymadeuphermindtomarrythatunlickedbear！Aperfectlyabsurdandstupidfellow，andagamblertoo，Iamtold。\"
\"Butaverykindman，Prince，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovnawithapatheticsmile，asthoughshetooknewthatCountRostovdeservedthiscensure，butaskedhimnottobetoohardonthepooroldman。\"Whatdothedoctorssay？\"askedtheprincessafterapause，herwornfaceagainexpressingdeepsorrow。
\"Theygivelittlehope，\"repliedtheprince。
\"AndIshouldsoliketothankUncleonceforallhiskindnesstomeandBoris。Heishisgodson，\"sheadded，hertonesuggestingthatthisfactoughttogivePrinceVasilimuchsatisfaction。
PrinceVasilibecamethoughtfulandfrowned。AnnaMikhaylovnasawthathewasafraidoffindinginherarivalforCountBezukhov’sfortune，andhastenedtoreassurehim。
\"IfitwerenotformysincereaffectionanddevotiontoUncle，\"
saidshe，utteringthewordwithpeculiarassuranceandunconcern，\"Iknowhischaracter：noble，upright……butyouseehehasnoonewithhimexcepttheyoungprincesses……Theyarestillyoung……\"Shebentherheadandcontinuedinawhisper：\"Hasheperformedhisfinalduty，Prince？Howpricelessarethoselastmoments！Itcanmakethingsnoworse，anditisabsolutelynecessarytopreparehimifheissoill。Wewomen，Prince，\"andshesmiledtenderly，\"alwaysknowhowtosaythesethings。Iabsolutelymustseehim，howeverpainfulitmaybeforme。Iamusedtosuffering。\"
Evidentlytheprinceunderstoodher，andalsounderstood，ashehaddoneatAnnaPavlovna’s，thatitwouldbedifficulttogetridofAnnaMikhaylovna。
\"Wouldnotsuchameetingbetootryingforhim，dearAnnaMikhaylovna？\"saidhe。\"Letuswaituntilevening。Thedoctorsareexpectingacrisis。\"
\"Butonecannotdelay，Prince，atsuchamoment！Considerthatthewelfareofhissoulisatstake。Ah，itisawful：thedutiesofaChristian……\"
Adoorofoneoftheinnerroomsopenedandoneoftheprincesses，thecount’sniece，enteredwithacold，sternface。Thelengthofherbodywasstrikinglyoutofproportiontohershortlegs。PrinceVasiliturnedtoher。
\"Well，howishe？\"
\"Stillthesame；butwhatcanyouexpect，thisnoise……\"saidtheprincess，lookingatAnnaMikhaylovnaasatastranger。
\"Ah，mydear，Ihardlyknewyou，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovnawithahappysmile，amblinglightlyuptothecount’sniece。\"Ihavecome，andamatyourservicetohelpyounursemyuncle。Iimaginewhatyouhavegonethrough，\"andshesympatheticallyturneduphereyes。
Theprincessgavenoreplyanddidnotevensmile，butlefttheroomatAnnaMikhaylovnatookoffherglovesand，occupyingthepositionshehadconquered，settleddowninanarmchair，invitingPrinceVasilitotakeaseatbesideher。
\"Boris，\"shesaidtohersonwithasmile，\"Ishallgointoseethecount，myuncle；butyou，mydear，hadbettergotoPierremeanwhileanddon’tforgettogivehimtheRostovs’invitation。Theyaskhimtodinner。Isupposehewon’tgo？\"shecontinued，turningtotheprince。
\"Onthecontrary，\"repliedtheprince，whohadplainlybecomedepressed，\"Ishallbeonlytoogladifyourelievemeofthatyoungman……Hereheis，andthecounthasnotonceaskedforhim。\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders。AfootmanconductedBorisdownoneflightofstairsandupanother，toPierre’srooms。
BK1CH16
CHAPTERXVI
Pierre，afterall，hadnotmanagedtochooseacareerforhimselfinPetersburg，andhadbeenexpelledfromthereforriotousconductandsenttoMoscow。ThestorytoldabouthimatCountRostov’swastrue。
Pierrehadtakenpartintyingapolicemantoabear。HehadnowbeenforsomedaysinMoscowandwasstayingasusualathisfather’shouse。ThoughheexpectedthatthestoryofhisescapadewouldbealreadyknowninMoscowandthattheladiesabouthisfather—
whowereneverfavorablydisposedtowardhim—wouldhaveusedittoturnthecountagainsthim，heneverthelessonthedayofhisarrivalwenttohisfather’spartofthehouse。Enteringthedrawingroom，wheretheprincessesspentmostoftheirtime，hegreetedtheladies，twoofwhomweresittingatembroideryframeswhileathirdreadaloud。Itwastheeldestwhowasreading—theonewhohadmetAnnaMikhaylovna。Thetwoyoungeroneswereembroidering：bothwererosyandprettyandtheydifferedonlyinthatonehadalittlemoleonherlipwhichmadehermuchprettier。Pierrewasreceivedasifhewereacorpseoraleper。Theeldestprincesspausedinherreadingandsilentlystaredathimwithfrightenedeyes；thesecondassumedpreciselythesameexpression；whiletheyoungest，theonewiththemole，whowasofacheerfulandlivelydisposition，bentoverherframetohideasmileprobablyevokedbytheamusingscenesheforesaw。Shedrewherwooldownthroughthecanvasand，scarcelyabletorefrainfromlaughing，stoopedasiftryingtomakeoutthepattern。
\"Howdoyoudo，cousin？\"saidPierre。\"Youdon’trecognizeme？\"
\"Irecognizeyouonlytoowell，toowell。\"
\"Howisthecount？CanIseehim？\"askedPierre，awkwardlyasusual，butunabashed。
\"Thecountissufferingphysicallyandmentally，andapparentlyyouhavedoneyourbesttoincreasehismentalsufferings。\"
\"CanIseethecount？\"Pierreagainasked。
\"Hm……Ifyouwishtokillhim，tokillhimoutright，youcanseehim……Olga，goandseewhetherUncle’sbeefteaisready—itisalmosttime，\"sheadded，givingPierretounderstandthattheywerebusy，andbusymakinghisfathercomfortable，whileevidentlyhe，Pierre，wasonlybusycausinghimannoyance。
Olgawentout。Pierrestoodlookingatthesisters；thenhebowedandsaid：\"ThenIwillgotomyrooms。YouwillletmeknowwhenIcanseehim。\"
Andhelefttheroom，followedbythelowbutringinglaughterofthesisterwiththemole。
NextdayPrinceVasilihadarrivedandsettledinthecount’shouse。
HesentforPierreandsaidtohim：\"Mydearfellow，ifyouaregoingtobehavehereasyoudidinPetersburg，youwillendverybadly；thatisallIhavetosaytoyou。Thecountisvery，veryill，andyoumustnotseehimatall。\"
SincethenPierrehadnotbeendisturbedandhadspentthewholetimeinhisroomsupstairs。
WhenBorisappearedathisdoorPierrewaspacingupanddownhisroom，stoppingoccasionallyatacornertomakemenacinggesturesatthewall，asifrunningaswordthroughaninvisiblefoe，andglaringsavagelyoverhisspectacles，andthenagainresuminghiswalk，mutteringindistinctwords，shrugginghisshouldersandgesticulating。
\"Englandisdonefor，\"saidhe，scowlingandpointinghisfingeratsomeoneunseen。\"Mr。Pitt，asatraitortothenationandtotherightsofman，issentencedto……\"ButbeforePierre—whoatthatmomentimaginedhimselftobeNapoleoninpersonandtohavejusteffectedthedangerouscrossingoftheStraitsofDoverandcapturedLondon—couldpronouncePitt’ssentence，hesawawell—builtandhandsomeyoungofficerenteringhisroom。Pierrepaused。HehadleftMoscowwhenBoriswasaboyoffourteen，andhadquiteforgottenhim，butinhisusualimpulsiveandheartywayhetookBorisbythehandwithafriendlysmile。
\"Doyourememberme？\"askedBorisquietlywithapleasantsmile。
\"Ihavecomewithmymothertoseethecount，butitseemsheisnotwell。\"
\"Yes，itseemsheisill。Peoplearealwaysdisturbinghim，\"
answeredPierre，tryingtorememberwhothisyoungmanwas。
BorisfeltthatPierredidnotrecognizehimbutdidnotconsideritnecessarytointroducehimself，andwithoutexperiencingtheleastembarrassmentlookedPierrestraightintheface。
\"CountRostovasksyoutocometodinnertoday，\"saidhe，afteraconsiderablepausewhichmadePierrefeeluncomfortable。
\"Ah，CountRostov！\"exclaimedPierrejoyfully。\"Thenyouarehisson，Ilya？Onlyfancy，Ididn’tknowyouatfirst。DoyourememberhowwewenttotheSparrowHillswithMadameJacquot？……It’ssuchanage……\"
\"Youaremistaken，\"saidBorisdeliberately，withaboldandslightlysarcasticsmile。\"IamBoris，sonofPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaDrubetskaya。Rostov，thefather，isIlya，andhissonisNicholas。IneverknewanyMadameJacquot。\"
Pierreshookhisheadandarmsasifattackedbymosquitoesorbees。
\"Ohdear，whatamIthinkingabout？I’vemixedeverythingup。OnehassomanyrelativesinMoscow！SoyouareBoris？Ofcourse。Well，nowweknowwhereweare。AndwhatdoyouthinkoftheBoulogneexpedition？TheEnglishwillcomeoffbadly，youknow，ifNapoleongetsacrosstheChannel。Ithinktheexpeditionisquitefeasible。
IfonlyVilleneuvedoesn’tmakeamessofthings！
BorisknewnothingabouttheBoulogneexpedition；hedidnotreadthepapersanditwasthefirsttimehehadheardVilleneuve’sname。
\"WehereinMoscowaremoreoccupiedwithdinnerpartiesandscandalthanwithpolitics，\"saidheinhisquietironicaltone。\"Iknownothingaboutitandhavenotthoughtaboutit。Moscowischieflybusywithgossip，\"hecontinued。\"Justnowtheyaretalkingaboutyouandyourfather。\"
Pierresmiledinhisgood—naturedwayasifafraidforhiscompanion’ssakethatthelattermightsaysomethinghewouldafterwardsregret。ButBorisspokedistinctly，clearly，anddryly，lookingstraightintoPierre’seyes。
\"Moscowhasnothingelsetodobutgossip，\"Boriswenton。
\"Everybodyiswonderingtowhomthecountwillleavehisfortune，thoughhemayperhapsoutliveusall，asIsincerelyhopehewill……\"
\"Yes，itisallveryhorrid，\"interruptedPierre，\"veryhorrid。\"
Pierrewasstillafraidthatthisofficermightinadvertentlysaysomethingdisconcertingtohimself。
\"Anditmustseemtoyou，\"saidBorisflushingslightly，butnotchanginghistoneorattitude，\"itmustseemtoyouthateveryoneistryingtogetsomethingoutoftherichman？\"
\"Soitdoes，\"thoughtPierre。