Intotheinsignificant，trifling，andartificialinterestsunitingthatsocietyhadenteredthesimplefeelingoftheattractionofahealthyandhandsomeyoungmanandwomanforoneanother。Andthishumanfeelingdominatedeverythingelseandsoaredabovealltheiraffectedchatter。Jestsfellflat，newswasnotinteresting，andtheanimationwasevidentlyforced。Notonlytheguestsbuteventhefootmenwaitingattableseemedtofeelthis，andtheyforgottheirdutiesastheylookedatthebeautifulHelenewithherradiantfaceandatthered，broad，andhappythoughuneasyfaceofPierre。Itseemedasiftheverylightofthecandleswasfocusedonthosetwohappyfacesalone。
Pierrefeltthathethecenterofitall，andthisbothpleasedandembarrassedhim。Hewaslikeamanentirelyabsorbedinsomeoccupation。Hedidnotsee，hear，orunderstandanythingclearly。Onlynowandthendetachedideasandimpressionsfromtheworldofrealityshotunexpectedlythroughhismind。
\"Soitisallfinished！\"hethought。\"Andhowhasitallhappened？
Howquickly！NowIknowthatnotbecauseofheralone，norofmyselfalone，butbecauseofeveryone，itmustinevitablycomeabout。Theyareallexpectingit，theyaresosurethatitwillhappenthatI
cannot，Icannot，disappointthem。Buthowwillitbe？Idonotknow，butitwillcertainlyhappen！\"thoughtPierre，glancingatthosedazzlingshouldersclosetohiseyes。
Orhewouldsuddenlyfeelashamedofheknewnotwhat。Hefeltitawkwardtoattracteveryone’sattentionandtobeconsideredaluckymanand，withhisplainface，tobelookedonasasortofParispossessedofaHelen。\"Butnodoubtitalwaysisandmustbeso！\"heconsoledhimself。\"Andbesides，whathaveIdonetobringitabout？
Howdiditbegin？ItraveledfromMoscowwithPrinceVasili。Thentherewasnothing。SowhyshouldInotstayathishouse？ThenI
playedcardswithherandpickedupherreticuleanddroveoutwithher。Howdiditbegin，whendiditallcomeabout？\"Andherehewassittingbyhersideasherbetrothed，seeing，hearing，feelinghernearness，herbreathing，hermovements，herbeauty。Thenitwouldsuddenlyseemtohimthatitwasnotshebuthewassounusuallybeautiful，andthatthatwaswhytheyalllookedsoathim，andflatteredbythisgeneraladmirationhewouldexpandhischest，raisehishead，andrejoiceathisgoodfortune。Suddenlyheheardafamiliarvoicerepeatingsomethingtohimasecondtime。ButPierrewassoabsorbedthathedidnotunderstandwhatwassaid。
\"IamaskingyouwhenyoulastheardfromBolkonski，\"repeatedPrinceVasiliathirdtime。\"Howabsent—mindedyouare，mydearfellow。\"
PrinceVasilismiled，andPierrenoticedthateveryonewassmilingathimandHelene。\"Well，whatofit，ifyouallknowit？\"thoughtPierre。\"Whatofit？It’sthetruth！\"andhehimselfsmiledhisgentlechildlikesmile，andHelenesmiledtoo。
\"Whendidyougettheletter？WasitfromOlmutz？\"repeatedPrinceVasili，whopretendedtowanttoknowthisinordertosettleadispute。
\"Howcanonetalkorthinkofsuchtrifles？\"thoughtPierre。
\"Yes，fromOlmutz，\"heanswered，withasigh。
AftersupperPierrewithhispartnerfollowedtheothersintothedrawingroom。Theguestsbegantodisperse，somewithouttakingleaveofHelene。Some，asifunwillingtodistractherfromanimportantoccupation，cameuptoherforamomentandmadehastetogoaway，refusingtoletherseethemoff。Thediplomatistpreservedamournfulsilenceasheleftthedrawingroom。HepicturedthevanityofhisdiplomaticcareerincomparisonwithPierre’shappiness。Theoldgeneralgrumbledathiswifewhensheaskedhowhislegwas。
\"Oh，theoldfool，\"hethought。\"ThatPrincessHelenewillbebeautifulstillwhenshe’sfifty。\"
\"IthinkImaycongratulateyou，\"whisperedAnnaPavlovnatotheoldprincess，kissinghersoundly。\"IfIhadn’tthisheadacheI’dhavestayedlonger。\"
Theoldprincessdidnotreply，shewastormentedbyjealousyofherdaughter’shappiness。
WhiletheguestsweretakingtheirleavePierreremainedforalongtimealonewithHeleneinthelittledrawingroomwheretheyweresitting。Hehadoftenbefore，duringthelastsixweeks，remainedalonewithher，buthadneverspokentoheroflove。Nowhefeltthatitwasinevitable，buthecouldnotmakeuphismindtotakethefinalstep。Hefeltashamed；hefeltthathewasoccupyingsomeoneelse’splaceherebesideHelene。\"Thishappinessisnotforyou，\"someinnervoicewhisperedtohim。\"Thishappinessisforthosewhohavenotinthemwhatthereisinyou。\"
But，ashehadtosaysomething，hebeganbyaskingherwhethershewassatisfiedwiththeparty。Sherepliedinherusualsimplemannerthatthisnamedayofhershadbeenoneofthepleasantestshehadeverhad。
Someofthenearestrelativeshadnotyetleft。Theyweresittinginthelargedrawingroom。PrinceVasilicameuptoPierrewithlanguidfootsteps。Pierreroseandsaiditwasgettinglate。PrinceVasiligavehimalookofsterninquiry，asthoughwhatPierrehadjustsaidwassostrangethatonecouldnottakeitin。Butthentheexpressionofseveritychanged，andhedrewPierre’shanddownwards，madehimsitdown，andsmiledaffectionately。
\"Well，Lelya？\"heasked，turninginstantlytohisdaughterandaddressingherwiththecarelesstoneofhabitualtendernessnaturaltoparentswhohavepettedtheirchildrenfrombabyhood，butwhichPrinceVasilihadonlyacquiredbyimitatingotherparents。
AndheagainturnedtoPierre。
\"SergeyKuzmich—Fromallsides—\"hesaid，unbuttoningthetopbuttonofhiswaistcoat。
Pierresmiled，buthissmileshowedthatheknewitwasnotthestoryaboutSergeyKuzmichthatinterestedPrinceVasilijustthen，andPrinceVasilisawthatPierreknewthis。Hesuddenlymutteredsomethingandwentaway。ItseemedtoPierrethateventheprincewasdisconcerted。ThesightofthediscomposureofthatoldmanoftheworldtouchedPierre：helookedatHeleneandshetooseemeddisconcerted，andherlookseemedtosay：\"Well，itisyourownfault。\"
\"ThestepmustbetakenbutIcannot，Icannot！\"thoughtPierre，andheagainbeganspeakingaboutindifferentmatters，aboutSergeyKuzmich，askingwhatthepointofthestorywasashehadnothearditproperly。Heleneansweredwithasmilethatshetoohadmissedit。
WhenPrinceVasilireturnedtothedrawingroom，theprincess，hiswife，wastalkinginlowtonestotheelderlyladyaboutPierre。
\"Ofcourse，itisaverybrilliantmatch，buthappiness，mydear……\"
\"Marriagesaremadeinheaven，\"repliedtheelderlylady。
PrinceVasilipassedby，seemingnottoheartheladies，andsatdownonasofainafarcorneroftheroom。Heclosedhiseyesandseemedtobedozing。Hisheadsankforwardandthenherousedhimself。
\"Aline，\"hesaidtohiswife，\"goandseewhattheyareabout。\"
Theprincesswentuptothedoor，passedbyitwithadignifiedandindifferentair，andglancedintothelittledrawingroom。
PierreandHelenestillsattalkingjustasbefore。
\"Stillthesame，\"shesaidtoherhusband。
PrinceVasilifrowned，twistinghismouth，hischeeksquiveredandhisfaceassumedthecoarse，unpleasantexpressionpeculiartohim。
Shakinghimself，herose，threwbackhishead，andwithresolutestepswentpasttheladiesintothelittledrawingroom。WithquickstepshewentjoyfullyuptoPierre。HisfacewassounusuallytriumphantthatPierreroseinalarmonseeingit。
\"ThankGod！\"saidPrinceVasili。\"Mywifehastoldmeeverything！—
HeputonearmaroundPierreandtheotheraroundhisdaughter。—\"Mydearboy……Lelya……Iamverypleased。\"Hisvoicetrembled。\"I
lovedyourfather……andshewillmakeyouagoodwife……Godblessyou！……\"
Heembracedhisdaughter，andthenagainPierre，andkissedhimwithhismalodorousmouth。Tearsactuallymoistenedhischeeks。
\"Princess，comehere！\"heshouted。
Theoldprincesscameinandalsowept。Theelderlyladywasusingherhandkerchieftoo。Pierrewaskissed，andhekissedthebeautifulHelene’shandseveraltimes。Afterawhiletheywereleftaloneagain。
\"Allthishadtobeandcouldnotbeotherwise，\"thoughtPierre，\"soitisuselesstoaskwhetheritisgoodorbad。Itisgoodbecauseit’sdefiniteandoneisridoftheoldtormentingdoubt。\"Pierreheldthehandofhisbetrothedinsilence，lookingatherbeautifulbosomasitroseandfell。
\"Helene！\"hesaidaloudandpaused。
\"Somethingspecialisalwayssaidinsuchcases，\"hethought，butcouldnotrememberwhatitwasthatpeoplesay。Helookedatherface。
Shedrewnearertohim。Herfaceflushed。
\"Oh，takethoseoff……those……\"shesaid，pointingtohisspectacles。
Pierretookthemoff，andhiseyes，besidesthestrangelookeyeshavefromwhichspectacleshavejustbeenremoved，hadalsoafrightenedandinquiringlook。Hewasabouttostoopoverherhandandkissit，butwitharapid，almostbrutalmovementofherhead，sheinterceptedhislipsandmetthemwithherown。HerfacestruckPierre，byitsaltered，unpleasantlyexcitedexpression。
\"Itistoolatenow，it’sdone；besidesIloveher，\"thoughtPierre。
\"Jevousaime！\"*hesaid，rememberingwhathastobesaidatsuchmoments：buthiswordssoundedsoweakthathefeltashamedofhimself。
*\"Iloveyou。\"
Sixweekslaterhewasmarried，andsettledinCountBezukhov’slarge，newlyfurnishedPetersburghouse，thehappypossessor，aspeoplesaid，ofawifewhowasacelebratedbeautyandofmillionsofmoney。
BK3CH3
CHAPTERIII
OldPrinceNicholasBolkonskireceivedaletterfromPrinceVasiliinNovember，1805，announcingthatheandhissonwouldbepayinghimavisit。\"Iamstartingonajourneyofinspection，andofcourseIshallthinknothingofanextraseventymilestocomeandseeyouatthesametime，myhonoredbenefactor，\"wrotePrinceVasili。\"MysonAnatoleisaccompanyingmeonhiswaytothearmy，soIhopeyouwillallowhimpersonallytoexpressthedeeprespectthat，emulatinghisfather，hefeelsforyou。\"
\"ItseemsthattherewillbenoneedtobringMaryout，suitorsarecomingtousoftheirownaccord，\"incautiouslyremarkedthelittleprincessonhearingthenews。
PrinceNicholasfrowned，butsaidnothing。
AfortnightaftertheletterPrinceVasili’sservantscameoneeveninginadvanceofhim，andheandhissonarrivednextday。
OldBolkonskihadalwayshadapooropinionofPrinceVasili’scharacter，butmoresorecently，sinceinthenewreignsofPaulandAlexanderPrinceVasilihadrisentohighpositionandhonors。Andnow，fromthehintscontainedinhisletterandgivenbythelittleprincess，hesawwhichwaythewindwasblowing，andhislowopinionchangedintoafeelingofcontemptuousillwill。Hesnortedwheneverhementionedhim。OnthedayofPrinceVasili’sarrival，PrinceBolkonskiwasparticularlydiscontentedandoutoftemper。WhetherhewasinabadtemperbecausePrinceVasiliwascoming，orwhetherhisbeinginabadtempermadehimspeciallyannoyedatPrinceVasili’svisit，hewasinabadtemper，andinthemorningTikhonhadalreadyadvisedthearchitectnottogotheprincewithhisreport。
\"Doyouhearhowhe’swalking？\"saidTikhon，drawingthearchitect’sattentiontothesoundoftheprince’sfootsteps。\"Steppingflatonhisheels—weknowwhatthatmeans……\"
However，atnineo’clocktheprince，inhisvelvetcoatwithasablecollarandcap，wentoutforhisusualwalk。Ithadsnowedthedaybeforeandthepathtothehothouse，alongwhichtheprincewasinthehabitofwalking，hadbeenswept：themarksofthebroomwerestillvisibleinthesnowandashovelhadbeenleftstickinginoneofthesoftsnowbanksthatborderedbothsidesofthepath。Theprincewentthroughtheconservatories，theserfs’quarters，andtheoutbuildings，frowningandsilent。
\"Canasleighpass？\"heaskedhisoverseer，avenerableman，resemblinghismasterinmannersandlooks，whowasaccompanyinghimbacktothehouse。
\"Thesnowisdeep。Iamhavingtheavenueswept，yourhonor。\"
Theprincebowedhisheadandwentuptotheporch。\"Godbethanked，\"thoughttheoverseer，\"thestormhasblownover！\"
\"Itwouldhavebeenhardtodriveup，yourhonor，\"headded。\"I
heard，yourhonor，thataministeriscomingtovisityourhonor。\"
Theprinceturnedroundtotheoverseerandfixedhiseyesonhim，frowning。
\"What？Aminister？Whatminister？Whogaveorders？\"hesaidinhisshrill，harshvoice。\"Theroadisnotsweptfortheprincessmydaughter，butforaminister！Forme，therearenoministers！\"
\"Yourhonor，Ithought……\"
\"Youthought！\"shoutedtheprince，hiswordscomingmoreandmorerapidlyandindistinctly。\"Youthought！……Rascals！Blackgaurds！……
I’llteachyoutothink！\"andliftinghisstickheswungitandwouldhavehitAlpatych，theoverseer，hadnotthelatterinstinctivelyavoidedtheblow。\"Thought……Blackguards……\"shoutedtheprincerapidly。
ButalthoughAlpatych，frightenedathisowntemerityinavoidingthestroke，cameuptotheprince，bowinghisbaldheadresignedlybeforehim，orperhapsforthatveryreason，theprince，thoughhecontinuedtoshout：\"Blackgaurds！……Throwthesnowbackontheroad！\"
didnotlifthisstickagainbuthurriedintothehouse。
Beforedinner，PrincessMaryandMademoiselleBourienne，whoknewthattheprincewasinabadhumor，stoodawaitinghim；MademoiselleBouriennewitharadiantfacethatsaid：\"Iknownothing，Iamthesameasusual，\"andPrincessMarypale，frightened，andwithdowncasteyes。WhatshefoundhardesttobearwastoknowthatonsuchoccasionssheoughttobehavelikeMademoiselleBourienne，butcouldnot。Shethought：\"IfIseemnottonoticehewillthinkthatIdonotsympathizewithhim；ifIseemsadandoutofspiritsmyself，hewillsayashehasdonebeforethatI’minthedumps。\"
Theprincelookedathisdaughter’sfrightenedfaceandsnorted。
\"Fool……ordummy！\"hemuttered。
\"Andtheotheroneisnothere。They’vebeentellingtales，\"hethought—referringtothelittleprincesswhowasnotinthediningroom。
\"Whereistheprincess？\"heasked。\"Hiding？\"
\"Sheisnotverywell，\"answeredMademoiselleBouriennewithabrightsmile，\"soshewon’tcomedown。Itisnaturalinherstate。\"
\"Hm！Hm！\"mutteredtheprince，sittingdown。
Hisplateseemedtohimnotquiteclean，andpointingtoaspotheflungitaway。Tikhoncaughtitandhandedittoafootman。Thelittleprincesswasnotunwell，buthadsuchanoverpoweringfearoftheprincethat，hearinghewasinabadhumor，shehaddecidednottoappear。
\"Iamafraidforthebaby，\"shesaidtoMademoiselleBourienne：
\"Heavenknowswhatafrightmightdo。\"
IngeneralatBaldHillsthelittleprincesslivedinconstantfear，andwithasenseofantipathytotheoldprincewhichshedidnotrealizebecausethefearwassomuchthestrongerfeeling。Theprincereciprocatedthisantipathy，butitwasoverpoweredbyhiscontemptforher。WhenthelittleprincesshadgrownaccustomedtolifeatBaldHills，shetookaspecialfancytoMademoiselleBourienne，spentwholedayswithher，askedhertosleepinherroom，andoftentalkedwithherabouttheoldprinceandcriticizedhim。
\"Sowearetohavevisitors，monprince？\"remarkedMademoiselleBourienne，unfoldingherwhitenapkinwithherrosyfingers。\"HisExcellencyPrinceVasiliKuraginandhisson，Iunderstand？\"shesaidinquiringly。
\"Hm！—hisexcellencyisapuppy……Igothimhisappointmentintheservice，\"saidtheprincedisdainfully。\"WhyhissoniscomingIdon’tunderstand。PerhapsPrincessElizabethandPrincessMaryknow。Idon’twanthim。\"Helookedathisblushingdaughter。\"Areyouunwelltoday？Eh？Afraidofthe’minister’asthatidiotAlpatychcalledhimthismorning？\"
\"No，monpere。\"
ThoughMademoiselleBouriennehadbeensounsuccessfulinherchoiceofasubject，shedidnotstoptalking，butchatteredabouttheconservatoriesandthebeautyofaflowerthathadjustopened，andafterthesouptheprincebecamemoregenial。
Afterdinner，hewenttoseehisdaughter—in—law。Thelittleprincesswassittingatasmalltable，chatteringwithMasha，hermaid。Shegrewpaleonseeingherfather—in—law。
Shewasmuchaltered。Shewasnowplainratherthanpretty。Hercheekshadsunk，herlipwasdrawnup，andhereyesdrawndown。
\"Yes，Ifeelakindofoppression，\"shesaidinreplytotheprince’squestionastohowshefelt。
\"Doyouwantanything？\"
\"No，merci，monpere。\"
\"Well，allright，allright。\"
HelefttheroomandwenttothewaitingroomwhereAlpatychstoodwithbowedhead。
\"Hasthesnowbeenshoveledback？\"
\"Yes，yourexcellency。Forgivemeforheaven’ssake……Itwasonlymystupidity。\"
\"Allright，allright，\"interruptedtheprince，andlaughinghisunnaturalway，hestretchedouthishandforAlpatychtokiss，andthenproceededtohisstudy。
PrinceVasiliarrivedthatevening。Hewasmetintheavenuebycoachmenandfootmen，who，withloudshouts，draggedhissleighsuptooneofthelodgesovertheroadpurposelyladenwithsnow。
PrinceVasiliandAnatolehadseparateroomsassignedtothem。
Anatole，havingtakenoffhisovercoat，satwitharmsakimbobeforeatableonacornerofwhichhesmilinglyandabsent—mindedlyfixedhislargeandhandsomeeyes。Heregardedhiswholelifeasacontinualroundofamusementwhichsomeoneforsomereasonhadtoprovideforhim。Andhelookedonthisvisittoachurlisholdmanandarichanduglyheiressinthesameway。Allthismight，hethought，turnoutverywellandamusingly。\"Andwhynotmarryherifshereallyhassomuchmoney？Thatneverdoesanyharm，\"thoughtAnatole。
Heshavedandscentedhimselfwiththecareandelegancewhichhadbecomehabitualtohimand，hishandsomeheadheldhigh，enteredhisfather’sroomwiththegood—humoredandvictoriousairnaturaltohim。
PrinceVasili’stwovaletswerebusydressinghim，andhelookedroundwithmuchanimationandcheerfullynoddedtohissonasthelatterentered，asiftosay：\"Yes，that’showIwantyoutolook。\"
\"Isay，Father，jokingapart，issheveryhideous？\"Anatoleasked，asifcontinuingaconversationthesubjectofwhichhadoftenbeenmentionedduringthejourney。
\"Enough！Whatnonsense！Aboveall，trytoberespectfulandcautiouswiththeoldprince。\"
\"IfhestartsarowI’llgoaway，\"saidPrinceAnatole。\"Ican’tbearthoseoldmen！Eh？\"
\"Remember，foryoueverythingdependsonthis。\"
Inthemeantime，notonlywasitknowninthemaidservants’roomsthattheministerandhissonhadarrived，buttheappearanceofbothhadbeenminutelydescribed。PrincessMarywassittingaloneinherroom，vainlytryingtomasterheragitation。
\"Whydidtheywrite，whydidLisetellmeaboutit？Itcanneverhappen！\"shesaid，lookingatherselfintheglass。\"HowshallIenterthedrawingroom？EvenifIlikehimIcan’tnowbemyselfwithhim。\"Themerethoughtofherfather’slookfilledherwithterror。
ThelittleprincessandMademoiselleBouriennehadalreadyreceivedfromMasha，thelady’smaid，thenecessaryreportofhowhandsometheminister’ssonwas，withhisrosycheeksanddarkeyebrows，andwithwhatdifficultythefatherhaddraggedhislegsupstairswhilethesonhadfollowedhimlikeaneagle，threestepsatatime。
Havingreceivedthisinformation，thelittleprincessandMademoiselleBourienne，whosechatteringvoiceshadreachedherfromthecorridor，wentintoPrincessMary’sroom。
\"Youknowthey’vecome，Marie？\"saidthelittleprincess，waddlingin，andsinkingheavilyintoanarmchair。
Shewasnolongerintheloosegownshegenerallyworeinthemorning，buthadononeofherbestdresses。Herhairwascarefullydoneandherfacewasanimated，which，however，didnotconcealitssunkenandfadedoutlines。DressedassheusedtobeinPetersburgsociety，itwasstillmorenoticeablehowmuchplainershehadbecome。
SomeunobtrusivetouchhadbeenaddedtoMademoiselleBourienne’stoiletwhichrenderedherfreshandprettyfaceyetmoreattractive。
\"What！Areyougoingtoremainasyouare，dearprincess？\"shebegan。\"They’llbeannouncingthatthegentlemenareinthedrawingroomandweshallhavetogodown，andyouhavenotsmartenedyourselfupatall！\"
Thelittleprincessgotup，rangforthemaid，andhurriedlyandmerrilybegantodeviseandcarryoutaplanofhowPrincessMaryshouldbedressed。PrincessMary’sself—esteemwaswoundedbythefactthatthearrivalofasuitoragitatedher，andstillmoresobybothhercompanions’nothavingtheleastconceptionthatitcouldbeotherwise。Totellthemthatshefeltashamedforherselfandforthemwouldbetobetrayheragitation，whiletodeclinetheirofferstodressherwouldprolongtheirbanterandinsistence。Sheflushed，herbeautifuleyesgrewdim，redblotchescameonherface，andittookontheunattractivemartyrlikeexpressionitsooftenwore，asshesubmittedherselftoMademoiselleBourienneandLise。Boththesewomenquitesincerelytriedtomakeherlookpretty。Shewassoplainthatneitherofthemcouldthinkofherasarival，sotheybegandressingherwithperfectsincerity，andwiththenaiveandfirmconvictionwomenhavethatdresscanmakeafacepretty。
\"Noreally，mydear，thisdressisnotpretty，\"saidLise，lookingsidewaysatPrincessMaryfromalittledistance。\"Youhaveamaroondress，haveitfetched。Really！Youknowthefateofyourwholelifemaybeatstake。Butthisoneistoolight，it’snotbecoming！\"
Itwasnotthedress，butthefaceandwholefigureofPrincessMarythatwasnotpretty，butneitherMademoiselleBouriennenorthelittleprincessfeltthis；theystillthoughtthatifablueribbonwereplacedinthehair，thehaircombedup，andthebluescarfarrangedloweronthebestmaroondress，andsoon，allwouldbewell。Theyforgotthatthefrightenedfaceandthefigurecouldnotbealtered，andthathowevertheymightchangethesettingandadornmentofthatface，itwouldstillremainpiteousandplain。AftertwoorthreechangestowhichPrincessMarymeeklysubmitted，justasherhairhadbeenarrangedonthetopofherheadastylethatquitealteredandspoiledherlooksandshehadputonamaroondresswithapale—bluescarf，thelittleprincesswalkedtwiceroundher，nowadjustingafoldofthedresswithherlittlehand，nowarrangingthescarfandlookingatherwithherheadbentfirstononesideandthenontheother。
\"No，itwillnotdo，\"shesaiddecidedly，claspingherhands。\"No，Mary，reallythisdressdoesnotsuityou。Ipreferyouinyourlittlegrayeverydaydress。Nowplease，doitformysake。Katie，\"shesaidtothemaid，\"bringtheprincesshergraydress，andyou’llsee，MademoiselleBourienne，howIshallarrangeit，\"sheadded，smilingwithaforetasteofartisticpleasure。
ButwhenKatiebroughttherequireddress，PrincessMaryremainedsittingmotionlessbeforetheglass，lookingatherface，andsawinthemirrorhereyesfulloftearsandhermouthquivering，readytoburstintosobs。
\"Come，dearprincess，\"saidMademoiselleBourienne，\"justonemorelittleeffort。\"
Thelittleprincess，takingthedressfromthemaid，cameuptoPrincessMary。
\"Well，nowwe’llarrangesomethingquitesimpleandbecoming，\"shesaid。
Thethreevoices，hers，MademoiselleBourienne’s，andKatie’s，whowaslaughingatsomething，mingledinamerrysound，likethechirpingofbirds。
\"No，leavemealone，\"saidPrincessMary。
Hervoicesoundedsoseriousandsosadthatthechirpingofthebirdswassilencedatonce。Theylookedatthebeautiful，large，thoughtfuleyesfulloftearsandofthoughts，gazingshininglyandimploringlyatthem，andunderstoodthatitwasuselessandevencrueltoinsist。
\"Atleast，changeyourcoiffure，\"saidthelittleprincess。
\"Didn’tItellyou，\"shewenton，turningreproachfullytoMademoiselleBourienne，\"Mary’sisafacewhichsuchacoiffuredoesnotsuitintheleast。Notintheleast！Pleasechangeit。\"
\"Leavemealone，pleaseleavemealone！Itisallquitethesametome，\"answeredavoicestrugglingwithtears。
MademoiselleBourienneandthelittleprincesshadtoowntothemselvesthatPrincessMaryinthisguiselookedveryplain，worsethanusual，butitwastoolate。Shewaslookingatthemwithanexpressiontheybothknew，anexpressionthoughtfulandsad。ThisexpressioninPrincessMarydidnotfrightenthemsheneverinspiredfearinanyone，buttheyknewthatwhenitappearedonherface，shebecamemuteandwasnottobeshakeninherdetermination。
\"Youwillchangeit，won’tyou？\"saidLise。AndasPrincessMarygavenoanswer，shelefttheroom。
PrincessMarywasleftalone。ShedidnotcomplywithLise’srequest，shenotonlyleftherhairasitwas，butdidnotevenlookinherglass。Lettingherarmsfallhelplessly，shesatwithdowncasteyesandpondered。Ahusband，aman，astrongdominantandstrangelyattractivebeingroseinherimagination，andcarriedherintoatotallydifferenthappyworldofhisown。Shefanciedachild，herown—suchasshehadseenthedaybeforeinthearmsofhernurse’sdaughter—atherownbreast，thehusbandstandingbyandgazingtenderlyatherandthechild。\"Butno，itisimpossible，I
amtoougly，\"shethought。
\"Pleasecometotea。Theprincewillbeoutinamoment，\"camethemaid’svoiceatthedoor。
Sherousedherself，andfeltappalledatwhatshehadbeenthinking，andbeforegoingdownshewentintotheroomwheretheiconshungand，hereyesfixedonthedarkfaceofalargeiconoftheSaviourlitbyalamp，shestoodbeforeitwithfoldedhandsforafewmoments。
Apainfuldoubtfilledhersoul。Couldthejoyoflove，ofearthlyloveforaman，beforher？InherthoughtsofmarriagePrincessMarydreamedofhappinessandofchildren，butherstrongest，mostdeeplyhiddenlongingwasforearthlylove。Themoreshetriedtohidethisfeelingfromothersandevenfromherself，thestrongeritgrew。\"OGod，\"shesaid，\"howamItostifleinmyheartthesetemptationsofthedevil？HowamItorenounceforeverthesevilefancies，soaspeacefullytofulfillThywill？\"AndscarcelyhadsheputthatquestionthanGodgavehertheanswerinherownheart。
\"Desirenothingforthyself，seeknothing，benotanxiousorenvious。Man’sfutureandthyownfatemustremainhiddenfromthee，butlivesothatthoumayestbereadyforanything。IfitbeGod’swilltoprovetheeinthedutiesofmarriage，bereadytofulfillHiswill。\"WiththisconsolingthoughtbutyetwithahopeforthefulfillmentofherforbiddenearthlylongingPrincessMarysighed，andhavingcrossedherselfwentdown，thinkingneitherofhergownandcoiffurenorofhowshewouldgoinnorofwhatshewouldsay。WhatcouldallthatmatterincomparisonwiththewillofGod，withoutWhosecarenotahairofman’sheadcanfall？
BK3CH4
CHAPTERIV
WhenPrincessMarycamedown，PrinceVasiliandhissonwerealreadyinthedrawingroom，talkingtothelittleprincessandMademoiselleBourienne。Whensheenteredwithherheavystep，treadingonherheels，thegentlemenandMademoiselleBourienneroseandthelittleprincess，indicatinghertothegentlemen，said：\"VoilaMarie！\"
PrincessMarysawthemallandsawthemindetail。ShesawPrinceVasili’sface，seriousforaninstantatthesightofher，butimmediatelysmilingagain，andthelittleprincesscuriouslynotingtheimpression\"Marie\"producedonthevisitors。AndshesawMademoiselleBourienne，withherribbonandprettyface，andherunusuallyanimatedlookwhichwasfixedonhim，buthimshecouldnotsee，sheonlysawsomethinglarge，brilliant，andhandsomemovingtowardherassheenteredtheroom。PrinceVasiliapproachedfirst，andshekissedtheboldforeheadthatbentoverherhandandansweredhisquestionbysayingthat，onthecontrary，sherememberedhimquitewell。ThenAnatolecameuptoher。Shestillcouldnotseehim。Sheonlyfeltasofthandtakinghersfirmly，andshetouchedwithherlipsawhiteforehead，overwhichwasbeautifullight—brownhairsmellingofpomade。Whenshelookedupathimshewasstruckbyhisbeauty。Anatolestoodwithhisrightthumbunderabuttonofhisuniform，hischestexpandedandhisbackdrawnin，slightlyswingingonefoot，and，withhisheadalittlebent，lookedwithbeamingfaceattheprincesswithoutspeakingandevidentlynotthinkingaboutheratall。Anatolewasnotquick—witted，norreadyoreloquentinconversation，buthehadthefaculty，soinvaluableinsociety，ofcomposureandimperturbableself—possession。Ifamanlackinginself—confidenceremainsdumbonafirstintroductionandbetraysaconsciousnessoftheimproprietyofsuchsilenceandananxietytofindsomethingtosay，theeffectisbad。ButAnatolewasdumb，swunghisfoot，andsmilinglyexaminedtheprincess’hair。Itwasevidentthathecouldbesilentinthiswayforaverylongtime。\"Ifanyonefindsthissilenceinconvenient，lethimtalk，butIdon’twantto\"’heseemedtosay。Besidesthis，inhisbehaviortowomenAnatolehadamannerwhichparticularlyinspiresinthemcuriosity，awe，andevenlove—asuperciliousconsciousnessofhisownsuperiority。Itwaswasasifhesaidtothem：\"Iknowyou，Iknowyou，butwhyshouldIbotheraboutyou？You’dbeonlytooglad，ofcourse。\"Perhapshedidnotreallythinkthiswhenhemetwomen—
evenprobablyhedidnot，foringeneralhethoughtverylittle—buthislooksandmannergavethatimpression。Theprincessfeltthis，andasifwishingtoshowhimthatshedidnotevendareexpecttointeresthim，sheturnedtohisfather。Theconversationwasgeneralandanimated，thankstoPrincessLise’svoiceandlittledownylipthatliftedoverherwhiteteeth。ShemetPrinceVasiliwiththatplayfulmanneroftenemployedbylivelychattypeople，andconsistingintheassumptionthatbetweenthepersontheysoaddressandthemselvestherearesomesemi—private，long—establishedjokesandamusingreminiscences，thoughnosuchreminiscencesreallyexist—justasnoneexistedinthiscase。PrinceVasilireadilyadoptedhertoneandthelittleprincessalsodrewAnatole，whomshehardlyknew，intotheseamusingrecollectionsofthingsthathadneveroccurred。
MademoiselleBouriennealsosharedthemandevenPrincessMaryfeltherselfpleasantlymadetoshareinthesemerryreminiscences。
\"Hereatleastweshallhavethebenefitofyourcompanyalltoourselves，dearprince，\"saidthelittleprincessofcourse，inFrenchtoPrinceVasili。\"It’snotasatAnnette’s*receptionswhereyoualwaysranaway；youremembercettechereAnnette！\"
*AnnaPavlovna。
\"Ah，butyouwon’ttalkpoliticstomelikeAnnette！\"
\"Andourlittleteatable？\"
\"Oh，yes！\"
\"WhyisityouwereneveratAnnette’s？\"thelittleprincessaskedAnatole。\"Ah，Iknow，Iknow，\"shesaidwithaslyglance，\"yourbrotherHippolytetoldmeaboutyourgoingson。Oh！\"andsheshookherfingerathim，\"IhaveevenheardofyourdoingsinParis！\"
\"Anddidn’tHippolytetellyou？\"askedPrinceVasili，turningtohissonandseizingthelittleprincess’armasifshewouldhaverunawayandhehadjustmanagedtocatchher，\"didn’thetellyouhowhehimselfwaspiningforthedearprincess，andhowsheshowedhimthedoor？Oh，sheisapearlamongwomen，Princess，\"headded，turningtoPrincessMary。
WhenPariswasmentioned，MademoiselleBourienneforherpartseizedtheopportunityofjoininginthegeneralcurrentofrecollections。
ShetookthelibertyofinquiringwhetheritwaslongsinceAnatolehadleftParisandhowhehadlikedthatcity。AnatoleansweredtheFrenchwomanveryreadilyand，lookingatherwithasmile，talkedtoherabouthernativeland。WhenhesawtheprettylittleBourienne，AnatolecametotheconclusionthathewouldnotfindBaldHillsdulleither。\"Notatallbad！\"hethought，examiningher，\"notatallbad，thatlittlecompanion！Ihopeshewillbringheralongwithherwhenwe’remarried，lapetiteestgentille。\"*
*Thelittleoneischarming。
Theoldprincedressedleisurelyinhisstudy，frowningandconsideringwhathewastodo。Thecomingofthesevisitorsannoyedhim。\"WhatarePrinceVasiliandthatsonofhistome？PrinceVasiliisashallowbraggartandhisson，nodoubt，isafinespecimen，\"hegrumbledtohimself。Whatangeredhimwasthatthecomingofthesevisitorsrevivedinhismindanunsettledquestionhealwaystriedtostifle，oneaboutwhichhealwaysdeceivedhimself。
Thequestionwaswhetherhecouldeverbringhimselftopartfromhisdaughterandgivehertoahusband。Theprinceneverdirectlyaskedhimselfthatquestion，knowingbeforehandthathewouldhavetoansweritjustly，andjusticeclashednotonlywithhisfeelingsbutwiththeverypossibilityoflife。LifewithoutPrincessMary，littleasheseemedtovalueher，wasunthinkabletohim。\"Andwhyshouldshemarry？\"hethought。\"Tobeunhappyforcertain。There’sLise，marriedtoAndrew—abetterhusbandonewouldthinkcouldhardlybefoundnowadays—butisshecontentedwithherlot？AndwhowouldmarryMarieforlove？Plainandawkward！They’lltakeherforherconnectionsandwealth。Aretherenowomenlivingunmarried，andeventhehappierforit？\"SothoughtPrinceBolkonskiwhiledressing，andyetthequestionhewasalwaysputtingoffdemandedanimmediateanswer。PrinceVasilihadbroughthissonwiththeevidentintentionofproposing，andtodayortomorrowhewouldprobablyaskforananswer。Hisbirthandpositioninsocietywerenotbad。
\"Well，I’venothingagainstit，\"theprincesaidtohimself，\"buthemustbeworthyofher。Andthatiswhatweshallsee。\"
\"Thatiswhatweshallsee！Thatiswhatweshallsee！\"headdedaloud。
Heenteredthedrawingroomwithhisusualalertstep，glancingrapidlyroundthecompany。Henoticedthechangeinthelittleprincess’dress，MademoiselleBourienne’sribbon，PrincessMary’sunbecomingcoiffure，MademoiselleBourienne’sandAnatole’ssmiles，andthelonelinessofhisdaughteramidthegeneralconversation。\"Gotherselfuplikeafool！\"hethought，lookingirritablyather。\"Sheisshameless，andheignoresher！\"
HewentstraightuptoPrinceVasili。
\"Well！Howd’yedo？Howd’yedo？Gladtoseeyou！\"
\"Friendshiplaughsatdistance，\"beganPrinceVasiliinhisusualrapid，self—confident，familiartone。\"Hereismysecondson；pleaseloveandbefriendhim。\"
PrinceBolkonskisurveyedAnatole。
\"Fineyoungfellow！Fineyoungfellow！\"hesaid。\"Well，comeandkissme，\"andheofferedhischeek。
Anatolekissedtheoldman，andlookedathimwithcuriosityandperfectcomposure，waitingforadisplayoftheeccentricitieshisfatherhadtoldhimtoexpect。
PrinceBolkonskisatdowninhisusualplaceinthecornerofthesofaand，drawingupanarmchairforPrinceVasili，pointedtoitandbeganquestioninghimaboutpoliticalaffairsandnews。HeseemedtolistenattentivelytowhatPrinceVasilisaid，butkeptglancingatPrincessMary。
\"AndsotheyarewritingfromPotsdamalready？\"hesaid，repeatingPrinceVasili’slastwords。Thenrising，hesuddenlywentuptohisdaughter。
\"Isitforvisitorsyou’vegotyourselfuplikethat，eh？\"saidhe。\"Fine，veryfine！Youhavedoneupyourhairinthisnewwayforthevisitors，andbeforethevisitorsItellyouthatinfutureyouarenevertodaretochangeyourwayofdresswithoutmyconsent。\"
\"Itwasmyfault，monpere，\"intercededthelittleprincess，withablush。
\"Youmustdoasyouplease，\"saidPrinceBolkonski，bowingtohisdaughter—in—law，\"butsheneednotmakeafoolofherself，she’splainenoughasitis。\"
Andhesatdownagain，payingnomoreattentiontohisdaughter，whowasreducedtotears。
\"Onthecontrary，thatcoiffuresuitstheprincessverywell，\"
saidPrinceVasili。
\"Nowyou，youngprince，what’syourname？\"saidPrinceBolkonski，turningtoAnatole，\"comehere，letustalkandgetacquainted。\"
\"Nowthefunbegins，\"thoughtAnatole，sittingdownwithasmilebesidetheoldprince。
\"Well，mydearboy，Ihearyou’vebeeneducatedabroad，nottaughttoreadandwritebythedeacon，likeyourfatherandme。Nowtellme，mydearboy，areyouservingintheHorseGuards？\"askedtheoldman，scrutinizingAnatolecloselyandintently。
\"No，Ihavebeentransferredtotheline，\"saidAnatole，hardlyabletorestrainhislaughter。
\"Ah！That’sagoodthing。So，mydearboy，youwishtoservetheTsarandthecountry？Itiswartime。Suchafinefellowmustserve。
Well，areyouofftothefront？\"
\"No，Prince，ourregimenthasgonetothefront，butIamattached……whatisitIamattachedto，Papa？\"saidAnatole，turningtohisfatherwithalaugh。
\"Asplendidsoldier，splendid！’WhatamIattachedto！’Ha，ha，ha！\"
laughedPrinceBolkonski，andAnatolelaughedstilllouder。SuddenlyPrinceBolkonskifrowned。
\"Youmaygo，\"hesaidtoAnatole。
Anatolereturnedsmilingtotheladies。
\"Andsoyou’vehadhimeducatedabroad，PrinceVasili，haven’tyou？\"
saidtheoldprincetoPrinceVasili。
\"Ihavedonemybestforhim，andIcanassureyoutheeducationthereismuchbetterthanours。\"
\"Yes，everythingisdifferentnowadays，everythingischanged。Thelad’safinefellow，afinefellow！Well，comewithmenow。\"HetookPrinceVasili’sarmandledhimtohisstudy。Assoonastheywerealonetogether，PrinceVasiliannouncedhishopesandwishestotheoldprince。
\"Well，doyouthinkIshallpreventher，thatIcan’tpartfromher？\"saidtheoldprinceangrily。\"Whatanidea！I’mreadyforittomorrow！Onlyletmetellyou，Iwanttoknowmyson—in—lawbetter。
Youknowmyprinciples—everythingaboveboard？Iwillaskhertomorrowinyourpresence；ifsheiswilling，thenhecanstayon。HecanstayandI’llsee。\"Theoldprincesnorted。\"Lethermarry，it’sallthesametome！\"hescreamedinthesamepiercingtoneaswhenpartingfromhisson。
\"Iwilltellyoufrankly，\"saidPrinceVasiliinthetoneofacraftymanconvincedofthefutilityofbeingcunningwithsokeen—sightedcompanion。\"Youknow，youseerightthroughpeople。
Anatoleisnogenius，butheisanhonest，goodheartedlad；anexcellentsonorkinsman。\"
\"Allright，allright，we’llsee！\"
Asalwayshappenswhenwomenleadlonelylivesforanylengthoftimewithoutmalesociety，onAnatole’sappearanceallthethreewomenofPrinceBolkonski’shouseholdfeltthattheirlifehadnotbeenrealtillthen。Theirpowersofreasoning，feeling，andobservingimmediatelyincreasedtenfold，andtheirlife，whichseemedtohavebeenpassedindarkness，wassuddenlylitupbyanewbrightness，fullofsignificance。
PrincessMarygrewquiteunconsciousofherfaceandcoiffure。Thehandsomeopenfaceofthemanwhomightperhapsbeherhusbandabsorbedallherattention。Heseemedtoherkind，brave，determined，manly，andmagnanimous。Shefeltconvincedofthat。
Thousandsofdreamsofafuturefamilylifecontinuallyroseinherimagination。Shedrovethemawayandtriedtoconcealthem。
\"ButamInottoocoldwithhim？\"thoughttheprincess。\"ItrytobereservedbecauseinthedepthofmysoulIfeeltooneartohimalready，butthenhecannotknowwhatIthinkofhimandmayimaginethatIdonotlikehim。\"
AndPrincessMarytried，butcouldnotmanage，tobecordialtohernewguest。\"Poorgirl，she’sdevilishugly！\"thoughtAnatole。
MademoiselleBourienne，alsorousedtogreatexcitementbyAnatole’sarrival，thoughtinanotherway。Ofcourse，she，ahandsomeyoungwomanwithoutanydefiniteposition，withoutrelationsorevenacountry，didnotintendtodevoteherlifetoservingPrinceBolkonski，toreadingaloudtohimandbeingfriendswithPrincessMary。MademoiselleBouriennehadlongbeenwaitingforaRussianprincewho，abletoappreciateataglancehersuperioritytotheplain，badlydressed，ungainlyRussianprincesses，wouldfallinlovewithherandcarryheroff；andhereatlastwasaRussianprince。MademoiselleBourienneknewastory，heardfromherauntbutfinishedinherownway，whichshelikedtorepeattoherself。Itwasthestoryofagirlwhohadbeenseduced，andtowhomherpoormothersapauvremereappeared，andreproachedherforyieldingtoamanwithoutbeingmarried。MademoiselleBouriennewasoftentouchedtotearsasinimaginationshetoldthisstorytohim，herseducer。Andnowhe，arealRussianprince，hadappeared。Hewouldcarryherawayandthensapauvremerewouldappearandhewouldmarryher。SoherfutureshapeditselfinMademoiselleBourienne’sheadattheverytimeshewastalkingtoAnatoleaboutParis。Itwasnotcalculationthatguidedhershedidnotevenforamomentconsiderwhatsheshoulddo，butallthishadlongbeenfamiliartoher，andnowthatAnatolehadappeareditjustgroupeditselfaroundhimandshewishedandtriedtopleasehimasmuchaspossible。
Thelittleprincess，likeanoldwarhorsethathearsthetrumpet，unconsciouslyandquiteforgettinghercondition，preparedforthefamiliargallopofcoquetry，withoutanyulteriormotiveoranystruggle，butwithnaiveandlightheartedgaiety。
AlthoughinfemalesocietyAnatoleusuallyassumedtheroleofamantiredofbeingrunafterbywomen，hisvanitywasflatteredbythespectacleofhispoweroverthesethreewomen。Besidesthat，hewasbeginningtofeelfortheprettyandprovocativeMademoiselleBouriennethatpassionateanimalfeelingwhichwasapttomasterhimwithgreatsuddennessandprompthimtothecoarsestandmostrecklessactions。
Aftertea，thecompanywentintothesittingroomandPrincessMarywasaskedtoplayontheclavichord。Anatole，laughingandinhighspirits，cameandleanedonhiselbows，facingherandbesideMademoiselleBourienne。PrincessMaryfelthislookwithapainfullyjoyousemotion。Herfavoritesonataboreherintoamostintimatelypoeticworldandthelookshefeltuponhermadethatworldstillmorepoetic。ButAnatole’sexpression，thoughhiseyeswerefixedonher，referrednottoherbuttothemovementsofMademoiselleBourienne’slittlefoot，whichhewasthentouchingwithhisownundertheclavichord。MademoiselleBouriennewasalsolookingatPrincessMary，andinherlovelyeyestherewasalookoffearfuljoyandhopethatwasalsonewtotheprincess。
\"Howshelovesme！\"thoughtPrincessMary。\"HowhappyIamnow，andhowhappyImaybewithsuchafriendandsuchahusband！Husband？
Canitbepossible？\"shethought，notdaringtolookathisface，butstillfeelinghiseyesgazingather。
Intheevening，aftersupper，whenallwereabouttoretire，AnatolekissedPrincessMary’shand。Shedidnotknowhowshefoundthecourage，butshelookedstraightintohishandsomefaceasitcameneartohershortsightedeyes。TurningfromPrincessMaryhewentupandkissedMademoiselleBourienne’shand。Thiswasnotetiquette，butthenhedideverythingsosimplyandwithsuchassurance！
MademoiselleBourienneflushed，andgavetheprincessafrightenedlook。
\"Whatdelicacy！\"thoughttheprincess。\"IsitpossiblethatAmelie\"
MademoiselleBourienne\"thinksIcouldbejealousofher，andnotvalueherpureaffectionanddevotiontome？\"Shewentuptoherandkissedherwarmly。Anatolewentuptokissthelittleprincess’hand。
\"No！No！No！WhenyourfatherwritestotellmethatyouarebehavingwellIwillgiveyoumyhandtokiss。Nottillthen！\"shesaid。Andsmilinglyraisingafingerathim，shelefttheroom。
BK3CH5
CHAPTERV
Theyallseparated，but，exceptAnatolewhofellasleepassoonashegotintobed，allkeptawakealongtimethatnight。
\"Ishereallytobemyhusband，thisstrangerwhoissokind—yes，kind，thatisthechiefthing，\"thoughtPrincessMary；andfear，whichshehadseldomexperienced，cameuponher。Shefearedtolookround，itseemedtoherthatsomeonewastherestandingbehindthescreeninthedarkcorner。Andthissomeonewashe—thedevil—andhewasalsothismanwiththewhiteforehead，blackeyebrows，andredlips。
Sherangforhermaidandaskedhertosleepinherroom。
MademoiselleBouriennewalkedupanddowntheconservatoryforalongtimethatevening，vainlyexpectingsomeone，nowsmilingatsomeone，nowworkingherselfuptotearswiththeimaginarywordsofherpauvremererebukingherforherfall。
Thelittleprincessgrumbledtohermaidthatherbedwasbadlymade。Shecouldnotlieeitheronherfaceoronherside。Everypositionwasawkwardanduncomfortable，andherburdenoppressedhernowmorethaneverbecauseAnatole’spresencehadvividlyrecalledtoherthetimewhenshewasnotlikethatandwheneverythingwaslightandgay。ShesatinanarmchairinherdressingjacketandnightcapandKatie，sleepyanddisheveled，beatandturnedtheheavyfeatherbedforthethirdtime，mutteringtoherself。
\"Itoldyouitwasalllumpsandholes！\"thelittleprincessrepeated。\"Ishouldbegladenoughtofallasleep，soit’snotmyfault！\"andhervoicequiveredlikethatofachildabouttocry。
Theoldprincedidnotsleepeither。Tikhon，halfasleep，heardhimpacingangrilyaboutandsnorting。Theoldprincefeltasthoughhehadbeeninsultedthroughhisdaughter。Theinsultwasthemorepointedbecauseitconcernednothimselfbutanother，hisdaughter，whomhelovedmorethanhimself。Hekepttellinghimselfthathewouldconsiderthewholematteranddecidewhatwasrightandhowheshouldact，butinsteadofthatheonlyexcitedhimselfmoreandmore。
\"Thefirstmanthatturnsup—sheforgetsherfatherandeverythingelse，runsupstairsanddoesupherhairandwagshertailandisunlikeherself！Gladtothrowherfatherover！AndsheknewIshouldnoticeit。Fr……fr……fr！Anddon’tIseethatthatidiothadeyesonlyforBourienne—Ishallhavetogetridofher。Andhowisitshehasnotprideenoughtoseeit？Ifshehasnoprideforherselfshemightatleasthavesomeformysake！ShemustbeshownthattheblockheadthinksnothingofherandlooksonlyatBourienne。No，shehasnopride……butI’lllethersee……\"
TheoldprinceknewthatifhetoldhisdaughtershewasmakingamistakeandthatAnatolemeanttoflirtwithMademoiselleBourienne，PrincessMary’sself—esteemwouldbewoundedandhispointnottobepartedfromherwouldbegained，sopacifyinghimselfwiththisthought，hecalledTikhonandbegantoundress。
\"Whatdevilbroughtthemhere？\"thoughthe，whileTikhonwasputtingthenightshirtoverhisdried—upoldbodyandgray—hairedchest。\"I
neverinvitedthem。Theycametodisturbmylife—andthereisnotmuchofitleft。\"
\"Deviltake’em！\"hemuttered，whilehisheadwasstillcoveredbytheshirt。
Tikhonknewhismaster’shabitofsometimesthinkingaloud，andthereforemetwithunalteredlookstheangrilyinquisitiveexpressionofthefacethatemergedfromtheshirt。
\"Gonetobed？\"askedtheprince。
Tikhon，likeallgoodvalets，instinctivelyknewthedirectionofhismaster’sthoughts。HeguessedthatthequestionreferredtoPrinceVasiliandhisson。
\"Theyhavegonetobedandputouttheirlights，yourexcellency。\"
\"Nogood……nogood……\"saidtheprincerapidly，andthrustinghisfeetintohisslippersandhisarmsintothesleevesofhisdressinggown，hewenttothecouchonwhichheslept。
ThoughnowordshadpassedbetweenAnatoleandMademoiselleBourienne，theyquiteunderstoodoneanotherastothefirstpartoftheirromance，uptotheappearanceofthepauvremere；theyunderstoodthattheyhadmuchtosaytooneanotherinprivateandsotheyhadbeenseekinganopportunitysincemorningtomeetoneanotheralone。WhenPrincessMarywenttoherfather’sroomattheusualhour，MademoiselleBourienneandAnatolemetintheconservatory。
PrincessMarywenttothedoorofthestudywithspecialtrepidation。Itseemedtoherthatnotonlydideverybodyknowthatherfatewouldbedecidedthatday，butthattheyalsoknewwhatshethoughtaboutit。ShereadthisinTikhon’sfaceandinthatofPrinceVasili’svalet，whomadeheralowbowwhenshemethiminthecorridorcarryinghotwater。
Theoldprincewasveryaffectionateandcarefulinhistreatmentofhisdaughterthatmorning。PrincessMarywellknewthispainstakingexpressionofherfather’s。Hisfaceworethatexpressionwhenhisdryhandsclenchedwithvexationathernotunderstandingasuminarithmetic，whenrisingfromhischairhewouldwalkawayfromher，repeatinginalowvoicethesamewordsseveraltimesover。
Hecametothepointatonce，treatingherceremoniously。
\"Ihavehadapropositionmademeconcerningyou，\"hesaidwithanunnaturalsmile。\"IexpectyouhaveguessedthatPrinceVasilihasnotcomeandbroughthispupilwithhim\"forsomereasonPrinceBolkonskireferredtoAnatoleasa\"pupil\"\"forthesakeofmybeautifuleyes。Lastnightapropositionwasmademeonyouraccountand，asyouknowmyprinciples，Ireferittoyou。\"
\"HowamItounderstandyou，monpere？\"saidtheprincess，growingpaleandthenblushing。
\"Howunderstandme！\"criedherfatherangrily。\"PrinceVasilifindsyoutohistasteasadaughter—in—lawandmakesaproposaltoyouonhispupil’sbehalf。That’showit’stobeunderstood！’Howunderstandit’！……AndIaskyou！\"
\"Idonotknowwhatyouthink，Father，\"whisperedtheprincess。
\"I？I？Whatofme？Leavemeoutofthequestion。I’mnotgoingtogetmarried。Whataboutyou？That’swhatIwanttoknow。\"
Theprincesssawthatherfatherregardedthematterwithdisapproval，butatthatmomentthethoughtoccurredtoherthatherfatewouldbedecidednowornever。Sheloweredhereyessoasnottoseethegazeunderwhichshefeltthatshecouldnotthink，butwouldonlybeabletosubmitfromhabit，andshesaid：\"Iwishonlytodoyourwill，butifIhadtoexpressmyowndesire……\"Shehadnotimetofinish。Theoldprinceinterruptedher。
\"That’sadmirable！\"heshouted。\"HewilltakeyouwithyourdowryandtakeMademoiselleBourienneintothebargain。She’llbethewife，whileyou……\"
Theprincestopped。Hesawtheeffectthesewordshadproducedonhisdaughter。Sheloweredherheadandwasreadytoburstintotears。
\"Nowthen，nowthen，I’monlyjoking！\"hesaid。\"Rememberthis，Princess，Iholdtotheprinciplethatamaidenhasafullrighttochoose。Igiveyoufreedom。Onlyrememberthatyourlife’shappinessdependsonyourdecision。Nevermindme！\"
\"ButIdonotknow，Father！\"
\"There’snoneedtotalk！Hereceiveshisordersandwillmarryyouoranybody；butyouarefreetochoose……Gotoyourroom，thinkitover，andcomebackinanhourandtellmeinhispresence：
yesorno。Iknowyouwillprayoverit。Well，prayifyoulike，butyouhadbetterthinkitover。Go！Yesorno，yesorno，yesorno！\"hestillshoutedwhentheprincess，asiflostinafog，hadalreadystaggeredoutofthestudy。
Herfatewasdecidedandhappilydecided。ButwhatherfatherhadsaidaboutMademoiselleBouriennewasdreadful。Itwasuntruetobesure，butstillitwasterrible，andshecouldnothelpthinkingofit。Shewasgoingstraightonthroughtheconservatory，neitherseeingnorhearinganything，whensuddenlythewell—knownwhisperingofMademoiselleBouriennearousedher。Sheraisedhereyes，andtwostepsawaysawAnatoleembracingtheFrenchwomanandwhisperingsomethingtoher。Withahorrifiedexpressiononhishandsomeface，AnatolelookedatPrincessMary，butdidnotatoncetakehisarmfromthewaistofMademoiselleBouriennewhohadnotyetseenher。
\"Who’sthat？Why？Waitamoment！\"Anatole’sfaceseemedtosay。
PrincessMarylookedattheminsilence。Shecouldnotunderstandit。AtlastMademoiselleBouriennegaveascreamandranaway。AnatolebowedtoPrincessMarywithagaysmile，asifinvitinghertojoininalaughatthisstrangeincident，andthenshrugginghisshoulderswenttothedoorthatledtohisownapartments。
Anhourlater，TikhoncametocallPrincessMarytotheoldprince；headdedthatPrinceVasiliwasalsothere。WhenTikhoncametoherPrincessMarywassittingonthesofainherroom，holdingtheweepingMademoiselleBourienneinherarmsandgentlystrokingherhair。Theprincess’beautifuleyeswithalltheirformercalmradiancewerelookingwithtenderaffectionandpityatMademoiselleBourienne’sprettyface。
\"No，Princess，Ihavelostyouraffectionforever！\"saidMademoiselleBourienne。
\"Why？Iloveyoumorethanever，\"saidPrincessMary，\"andIwilltrytodoallIcanforyourhappiness。\"
\"Butyoudespiseme。Youwhoaresopurecanneverunderstandbeingsocarriedawaybypassion。Oh，onlymypoormother……\"
\"Iquiteunderstand，\"answeredPrincessMary，withasadsmile。
\"Calmyourself，mydear。Iwillgotomyfather，\"shesaid，andwentout。
PrinceVasili，withonelegthrownhighovertheotherandasnuffboxinhishand，wassittingtherewithasmileofdeepemotiononhisface，asifstirredtohisheart’scoreandhimselfregrettingandlaughingathisownsensibility，whenPrincessMaryentered。Hehurriedlytookapinchofsnuff。
\"Ah，mydear，mydear！\"hebegan，risingandtakingherbybothhands。Then，sighing，headded：\"Myson’sfateisinyourhands。
Decide，mydear，good，gentleMarie，whomIhavealwayslovedasadaughter！\"
Hedrewbackandarealtearappearedinhiseye。
\"Fr……fr……\"snortedPrinceBolkonski。\"Theprinceismakingapropositiontoyouinhispupil’s—Imean，hisson’s—name。DoyouwishornottobePrinceAnatoleKuragin’swife？Reply：yesorno，\"heshouted，\"andthenIshallreservetherighttostatemyopinionalso。
Yes，myopinion，andonlymyopinion，\"addedPrinceBolkonski，turningtoPrinceVasiliandansweringhisimploringlook。\"Yes，orno？\"
\"Mydesireisnevertoleaveyou，Father，nevertoseparatemylifefromyours。Idon’twishtomarry，\"sheansweredpositively，glancingatPrinceVasiliandatherfatherwithherbeautifuleyes。
\"Humbug！Nonsense！Humbug，humbug，humbug！\"criedPrinceBolkonski，frowningandtakinghisdaughter’shand；hedidnotkissher，butonlybendinghisforeheadtohersjusttouchedit，andpressedherhandsothatshewincedandutteredacry。
PrinceVasilirose。
\"Mydear，ImusttellyouthatthisisamomentIshallnever，neverforget。But，mydear，willyounotgiveusalittlehopeoftouchingthisheart，sokindandgenerous？Say’perhaps’……Thefutureissolong。Say’perhaps。’\"
\"Prince，whatIhavesaidisallthereisinmyheart。Ithankyouforthehonor，butIshallneverbeyourson’swife。\"
\"Well，sothat’sfinished，mydearfellow！Iamverygladtohaveseenyou。Veryglad！Gobacktoyourrooms，Princess。Go！\"saidtheoldprince。\"Very，verygladtogladtohaveseenyou，\"repeatedhe，embracingPrinceVasili。
\"Myvocationisadifferentone，\"thoughtPrincessMary。\"Myvocationistobehappywithanotherkindofhappiness，thehappinessofloveandself—sacrifice。Andcostwhatitmay，IwillarrangepoorAmelie’shappiness，sheloveshimsopassionately，andsopassionatelyrepents。IwilldoallIcantoarrangethematchbetweenthem。IfheisnotrichIwillgiveherthemeans；IwillaskmyfatherandAndrew。Ishallbesohappywhensheishiswife。Sheissounfortunate，astranger，alone，helpless！And，ohGod，howpassionatelyshemustlovehimifshecouldsofarforgetherself！
PerhapsImighthavedonethesame！……\"thoughtPrincessMary。
BK3CH6
CHAPTERVI
ItwaslongsincetheRostovshadnewsofNicholas。Nottillmidwinterwasthecountatlasthandedaletteraddressedinhisson’shandwriting。Onreceivingit，heranontiptoetohisstudyinalarmandhaste，tryingtoescapenotice，closedthedoor，andbegantoreadtheletter。
AnnaMikhaylovna，whoalwayskneweverythingthatpassedinthehouse，onhearingofthearrivaloftheletterwentsoftlyintotheroomandfoundthecountwithitinhishand，sobbingandlaughingatthesametime。
AnnaMikhaylovna，thoughhercircumstanceshadimproved，wasstilllivingwiththeRostovs。
\"Mydearfriend？\"saidshe，inatoneofpatheticinquiry，preparedtosympathizeinanyway。
Thecountsobbedyetmore。
\"Nikolenka……aletter……wa……a……s……wounded……mydarlingboy……thecountess……promotedtobeanofficer……thankGod……Howtellthelittlecountess！\"
AnnaMikhaylovnasatdownbesidehim，withherownhandkerchiefwipedthetearsfromhiseyesandfromtheletter，thenhavingdriedherowneyesshecomfortedthecount，anddecidedthatatdinnerandtillteatimeshewouldpreparethecountess，andaftertea，withGod’shelp，wouldinformher。
AtdinnerAnnaMikhaylovnatalkedthewholetimeaboutthewarnewsandaboutNikolenka，twiceaskedwhenthelastletterhadbeenreceivedfromhim，thoughsheknewthatalready，andremarkedthattheymightverylikelybegettingaletterfromhimthatday。EachtimethatthesehintsbegantomakethecountessanxiousandsheglanceduneasilyatthecountandatAnnaMikhaylovna，thelatterveryadroitlyturnedtheconversationtoinsignificantmatters。Natasha，who，ofthewholefamily，wasthemostgiftedwithacapacitytofeelanyshadesofintonation，look，andexpression，prickedupherearsfromthebeginningofthemealandwascertainthattherewassomesecretbetweenherfatherandAnnaMikhaylovna，thatithadsomethingtodowithherbrother，andthatAnnaMikhaylovnawaspreparingthemforit。Boldasshewas，Natasha，whoknewhowsensitivehermotherwastoanythingrelatingtoNikolenka，didnotventuretoaskanyquestionsatdinner，butshewastooexcitedtoeatanythingandkeptwrigglingaboutonherchairregardlessofhergoverness’remarks。Afterdinner，sherushedheadlongafterAnnaMikhaylovnaand，dashingather，flungherselfonherneckassoonassheovertookherinthesittingroom。
\"Auntie，darling，dotellmewhatitis！\"
\"Nothing，mydear。\"
\"No，dearest，sweetone，honey，Iwon’tgiveup—Iknowyouknowsomething。\"
AnnaMikhaylovnashookherhead。
\"Youarealittleslyboots，\"shesaid。
\"AletterfromNikolenka！I’msureofit！\"exclaimedNatasha，readingconfirmationinAnnaMikhaylovna’sface。
\"ButforGod’ssake，becareful，youknowhowitmayaffectyourmamma。\"
\"Iwill，Iwill，onlytellme！Youwon’t？ThenIwillgoandtellatonce。\"
AnnaMikhaylovna，inafewwords，toldherthecontentsoftheletter，onconditionthatsheshouldtellnoone。
\"No，onmytruewordofhonor，\"saidNatasha，crossingherself，\"I
won’ttellanyone！\"andsheranoffatoncetoSonya。
\"Nikolenka……wounded……aletter，\"sheannouncedingleefultriumph。
\"Nicholas！\"wasallSonyasaid，instantlyturningwhite。
Natasha，seeingtheimpressiontheofherbrother’swoundproducedonSonya，feltforthefirsttimethesorrowfulsideofthenews。
SherushedtoSonya，huggedher，andbegantocry。
\"Alittlewound，buthehasbeenmadeanofficer；heiswellnow，hewrotehimself，\"saidshethroughhertears。
\"Therenow！It’struethatallyouwomenarecrybabies，\"remarkedPetya，pacingtheroomwithlarge，resolutestrides。\"NowI’mveryglad，verygladindeed，thatmybrotherhasdistinguishedhimselfso。Youareallblubberersandunderstandnothing。\"
Natashasmiledthroughhertears。
\"Youhaven’treadtheletter？\"askedSonya。
\"No，butshesaidthatitwasalloverandthathe’snowanofficer。\"
\"ThankGod！\"saidSonya，crossingherself。\"Butperhapsshedeceivedyou。LetusgotoMamma。\"
Petyapacedtheroominsilenceforatime。
\"IfI’dbeeninNikolenka’splaceIwouldhavekilledevenmoreofthoseFrenchmen，\"hesaid。\"Whatnastybrutestheyare！I’dhavekilledsomanythatthere’dhavebeenaheapofthem。\"
\"Holdyourtongue，Petya，whatagooseyouare！\"
\"I’mnotagoose，buttheyarewhocryabouttrifles，\"saidPetya。
\"Doyourememberhim？\"Natashasuddenlyasked，afteramoment’ssilence。
Sonyasmiled。
\"DoIrememberNicholas？\"
\"No，Sonya，butdoyouremembersothatyourememberhimperfectly，remembereverything？\"saidNatasha，withanexpressivegesture，evidentlywishingtogiveherwordsaverydefinitemeaning。\"IrememberNikolenkatoo，Irememberhimwell，\"shesaid。
\"ButIdon’trememberBoris。Idon’trememberhimabit。\"
\"What！Youdon’trememberBoris？\"askedSonyainsurprise。
\"It’snotthatIdon’tremember—Iknowwhatheislike，butnotasIrememberNikolenka。Him—Ijustshutmyeyesandremember，butBoris……No！\"Sheshuthereyes。\"No！there’snothingatall。\"
\"Oh，Natasha！\"saidSonya，lookingecstaticallyandearnestlyatherfriendasifshedidnotconsiderherworthytohearwhatshemeanttosayandasifsheweresayingittosomeoneelse，withwhomjokingwasoutofthequestion，\"Iaminlovewithyourbrotheronceforalland，whatevermayhappentohimortome，shallneverceasetolovehimaslongasIlive。\"
NatashalookedatSonyawithwonderingandinquisitiveeyes，andsaidnothing。ShefeltthatSonyawasspeakingthetruth，thattherewassuchloveasSonyawasspeakingof。ButNatashahadnotyetfeltanythinglikeit。Shebelieveditcouldbe，butdidnotunderstandit。
\"Shallyouwritetohim？\"sheasked。
Sonyabecamethoughtful。ThequestionofhowtowritetoNicholas，andwhethersheoughttowrite，tormentedher。Nowthathewasalreadyanofficerandawoundedhero，woulditberighttoremindhimofherselfand，asitmightseem，oftheobligationstoherhehadtakenonhimself？
\"Idon’tknow。Ithinkifhewrites，Iwillwritetoo，\"shesaid，blushing。
\"Andyouwon’tfeelashamedtowritetohim？\"
Sonyasmiled。
\"No。\"
\"AndIshouldbeashamedtowritetoBoris。I’mnotgoingto。\"
\"Whyshouldyoubeashamed？\"
\"Well，Idon’tknow。It’sawkwardandwouldmakemeashamed。\"
\"AndIknowwhyshe’dbeashamed，\"saidPetya，offendedbyNatasha’spreviousremark。\"It’sbecauseshewasinlovewiththatfatoneinspectacles\"thatwashowPetyadescribedhisnamesake，thenewCountBezukhov\"andnowshe’sinlovewiththatsinger\"hemeantNatasha’sItaliansingingmaster，\"that’swhyshe’sashamed！\"
\"Petya，you’reastupid！\"saidNatasha。
\"Notmorestupidthanyou，madam，\"saidthenine—year—oldPetya，withtheairofanoldbrigadier。
ThecountesshadbeenpreparedbyAnnaMikhaylovna’shintsatdinner。Onretiringtoherownroom，shesatinanarmchair，hereyesfixedonaminiatureportraitofhersononthelidofasnuffbox，whilethetearskeptcomingintohereyes。AnnaMikhaylovna，withtheletter，cameontiptoetothecountess’doorandpaused。
\"Don’tcomein，\"shesaidtotheoldcountwhowasfollowingher。
\"Comelater。\"Andshewentin，closingthedoorbehindher。
Thecountputhiseartothekeyholeandlistened。
Atfirstheheardthesoundofindifferentvoices，thenAnnaMikhaylovna’svoicealoneinalongspeech，thenacry，thensilence，thenbothvoicestogetherwithgladintonations，andthenfootsteps。AnnaMikhaylovnaopenedthedoor。Herfaceworetheproudexpressionofasurgeonwhohasjustperformedadifficultoperationandadmitsthepublictoappreciatehisskill。
\"Itisdone！\"shesaidtothecount，pointingtriumphantlytothecountess，whosatholdinginonehandthesnuffboxwithitsportraitandintheothertheletter，andpressingthemalternatelytoherlips。
Whenshesawthecount，shestretchedoutherarmstohim，embracedhisbaldhead，overwhichsheagainlookedattheletterandtheportrait，andinordertopressthemagaintoherlips，sheslightlypushedawaythebaldhead。Vera，Natasha，Sonya，andPetyanowenteredtheroom，andthereadingoftheletterbegan。Afterabriefdescriptionofthecampaignandthetwobattlesinwhichhehadtakenpart，andhispromotion，Nicholassaidthathekissedhisfather’sandmother’shandsaskingfortheirblessing，andthathekissedVera，Natasha，andPetya。Besidesthat，hesentgreetingstoMonsieurSchelling，MadameSchoss，andhisoldnurse，andaskedthemtokissforhim\"dearSonya，whomhelovedandthoughtofjustthesameasever。\"WhensheheardthisSonyablushedsothattearscameintohereyesand，unabletobearthelooksturneduponher，ranawayintothedancinghall，whirledrounditatfullspeedwithherdresspuffedoutlikeaballoon，and，flushedandsmiling，plumpeddownonthefloor。Thecountesswascrying。
\"Whyareyoucrying，Mamma？\"askedVera。\"Fromallhesaysoneshouldbegladandnotcry。\"
Thiswasquitetrue，butthecount，thecountess，andNatashalookedatherreproachfully。\"Andwhoisitshetakesafter？\"thoughtthecountess。
Nicholas’letterwasreadoverhundredsoftimes，andthosewhowereconsideredworthytohearithadtocometothecountess，forshedidnotletitoutofherhands。Thetutorscame，andthenurses，andDmitri，andseveralacquaintances，andthecountessrereadthelettereachtimewithfreshpleasureandeachtimediscoveredinitfreshproofsofNikolenka’svirtues。Howstrange，howextraordinary，howjoyfulitseemed，thatherson，thescarcelyperceptiblemotionofwhosetinylimbsshehadfelttwentyyearsagowithinher，thatsonaboutwhomsheusedtohavequarrelswiththetooindulgentcount，thatsonwhohadfirstlearnedtosay\"pear\"andthen\"granny，\"thatthissonshouldnowbeawayinaforeignlandamidstrangesurroundings，amanlywarriordoingsomekindofman’sworkofhisown，withouthelporguidance。Theuniversalexperienceofages，showingthatchildrendogrowimperceptiblyfromthecradletomanhood，didnotexistforthecountess。Herson’sgrowthtowardmanhood，ateachofitsstages，hadseemedasextraordinarytoherasiftherehadneverexistedthemillionsofhumanbeingswhogrewupinthesameway。Astwentyyearsbefore，itseemedimpossiblethatthelittlecreaturewholivedsomewhereunderherheartwouldevercry，suckherbreast，andbegintospeak，sonowshecouldnotbelievethatthatlittlecreaturecouldbethisstrong，braveman，thismodelsonandofficerthat，judgingbythisletter，henowwas。
\"Whatastyle！Howcharminglyhedescribes！\"saidshe，readingthedescriptivepartoftheletter。\"Andwhatasoul！Notawordabouthimself……Notaword！AboutsomeDenisovorother，thoughhehimself，Idaresay，isbraverthananyofthem。Hesaysnothingabouthissufferings。Whataheart！Howlikehimitis！Andhowhehasrememberedeverybody！Notforgettinganyone。Ialwayssaidwhenhewasonlysohigh—Ialwayssaid……\"
Formorethanaweekpreparationswerebeingmade，roughdraftsofletterstoNicholasfromallthehouseholdwerewrittenandcopiedout，whileunderthesupervisionofthecountessandthesolicitudeofthecount，moneyandallthingsnecessaryfortheuniformandequipmentofthenewlycommissionedofficerwerecollected。AnnaMikhaylovna，practicalwomanthatshewas，hadevenmanagedbyfavorwitharmyauthoritiestosecureadvantageousmeansofcommunicationforherselfandherson。ShehadopportunitiesofsendingherletterstotheGrandDukeConstantinePavlovich，whocommandedtheGuards。TheRostovssupposedthatTheRussianGuards，Abroad，wasquiteadefiniteaddress，andthatifaletterreachedtheGrandDukeincommandoftheGuardstherewasnoreasonwhyitshouldnotreachthePavlogradregiment，whichwaspresumablysomewhereinthesameneighborhood。AndsoitwasdecidedtosendthelettersandmoneybytheGrandDuke’scouriertoBorisandBoriswastoforwardthemtoNicholas。Theletterswerefromtheoldcount，thecountess，Petya，Vera，Natasha，andSonya，andfinallythereweresixthousandrublesforhisoutfitandvariousotherthingstheoldcountsenttohisson。