BK4CH16
CHAPTERXVI
ItwaslongsinceRostovhadfeltsuchenjoymentfrommusicashedidthatday。ButnosoonerhadNatashafinishedherbarcarollethanrealityagainpresenteditself。Hegotupwithoutsayingawordandwentdownstairstohisownroom。AquarterofanhourlatertheoldcountcameinfromhisClub，cheerfulandcontented。Nicholas，hearinghimdriveup，wenttomeethim。
\"Well—hadagoodtime？\"saidtheoldcount，smilinggailyandproudlyathisson。
Nicholastriedtosay\"Yes，\"butcouldnot：andhenearlyburstintosobs。Thecountwaslightinghispipeanddidnotnoticehisson’scondition。
\"Ah，itcan’tbeavoided！\"thoughtNicholas，forthefirstandlasttime。Andsuddenly，inthemostcasualtone，whichmadehimfeelashamedfeelofhimself，hesaid，asifmerelyaskinghisfathertolethimhavethecarriagetodrivetotown：
\"Papa，Ihavecomeonamatterofbusiness。Iwasnearlyforgetting。
Ineedsomemoney。\"
\"Dearme！\"saidhisfather，whowasinaspeciallygoodhumor。\"I
toldyouitwouldnotbeenough。Howmuch？\"
\"Verymuch，\"saidNicholasflushing，andwithastupidcarelesssmile，forwhichhewaslongunabletoforgivehimself，\"Ihavelostalittle，Imeanagooddeal，agreatdeal—fortythreethousand。\"
\"What！Towhom？……Nonsense！\"criedthecount，suddenlyreddeningwithanapoplecticflushoverneckandnapeasoldpeopledo。
\"Ipromisedtopaytomorrow，\"saidNicholas。
\"Well！……\"saidtheoldcount，spreadingouthisarmsandsinkinghelplesslyonthesofa。
\"Itcan’tbehelpedIthappenstoeveryone！\"saidtheson，withabold，free，andeasytone，whileinhissoulheregardedhimselfasaworthlessscoundrelwhosewholelifecouldnotatoneforhiscrime。Helongedtokisshisfather’shandsandkneeltobeghisforgiveness，butsaid，inacarelessandevenrudevoice，thatithappenstoeveryone！
Theoldcountcastdownhiseyesonhearinghisson’swordsandbeganbustlinglysearchingforsomething。
\"Yes，yes，\"hemuttered，\"itwillbedifficult，Ifear，difficulttoraise……happenstoeverybody！Yes，whohasnotdoneit？\"
Andwithafurtiveglanceathisson’sface，thecountwentoutoftheroom……Nicholashadbeenpreparedforresistance，buthadnotatallexpectedthis。
\"Papa！Pa—pa！\"hecalledafterhim，sobbing，\"forgiveme！\"Andseizinghisfather’shand，hepressedittohislipsandburstintotears。
Whilefatherandsonwerehavingtheirexplanation，themotheranddaughterwerehavingonenotlessimportant。Natashacamerunningtohermother，quiteexcited。
\"Mamma！……Mamma！……Hehasmademe……\"
\"Madewhat？\"
\"Made，mademeanoffer，Mamma！Mamma！\"sheexclaimed。
Thecountessdidnotbelieveherears。Denisovhadproposed。Towhom？Tothischitofagirl，Natasha，whonotsolongagowasplayingwithdollsandwhowasstillhavinglessons。
\"Don’t，Natasha！Whatnonsense！\"shesaid，hopingitwasajoke。
\"Nonsense，indeed！Iamtellingyouthefact，\"saidNatashaindignantly。\"Icometoaskyouwhattodo，andyoucallit’nonsense！’\"
Thecountessshruggedhershoulders。
\"IfittruethatMonsieurDenisovhasmadeyouaproposal，tellhimheisafool，that’sall！\"
\"No，he’snotafool！\"repliedNatashaindignantlyandseriously。
\"Wellthen，whatdoyouwant？You’reallinlovenowadays。Well，ifyouareinlove，marryhim！\"saidthecountess，withalaughofannoyance。\"Goodlucktoyou！\"
\"No，Mamma，I’mnotinlovewithhim，IsupposeI’mnotinlovewithhim。\"
\"Wellthen，tellhimso。\"
\"Mamma，areyoucross？Don’tbecross，dear！Isitmyfault？\"
\"No，butwhatisit，mydear？Doyouwantmetogoandtellhim？\"
saidthecountesssmiling。
\"No，Iwilldoitmyself，onlytellmewhattosay。It’sallverywellforyou，\"saidNatasha，witharesponsivesmile。\"Youshouldhaveseenhowhesaidit！Iknowhedidnotmeantosayit，butitcameoutaccidently。\"
\"Well，allthesame，youmustrefusehim。\"
\"No，Imustn’t。Iamsosorryforhim！He’ssonice。\"
\"Wellthen，accepthisoffer。It’shightimeforyoutobemarried，\"
answeredthecountesssharplyandsarcastically。
\"No，Mamma，butI’msosorryforhim。Idon’tknowhowI’mtosayit。\"
\"Andthere’snothingforyoutosay。Ishallspeaktohimmyself，\"
saidthecountess，indignantthattheyshouldhavedaredtotreatthislittleNatashaasgrownup。
\"No，notonanyaccount！Iwilltellhimmyself，andyou’lllistenatthedoor，\"andNatasharanacrossthedrawingroomtothedancinghall，whereDenisovwassittingonthesamechairbytheclavichordwithhisfaceinhishands。
Hejumpedupatthesoundofherlightstep。
\"Nataly，\"hesaid，movingwithrapidstepstowardher，\"decidemyfate。Itisinyourhands。\"
\"VasiliDmitrich，I’msosorryforyou！……No，butyouaresonice……butitwon’tdo……notthat……butasafriend，Ishallalwaysloveyou。\"
Denisovbentoverherhandandsheheardstrangesoundsshedidnotunderstand。Shekissedhisroughcurlyblackhead。Atthisinstant，theyheardthequickrustleofthecountess’dress。Shecameuptothem。
\"VasiliDmitrich，Ithankyouforthehonor，\"shesaid，withanembarrassedvoice，thoughitsoundedseveretoDenisov—\"butmydaughterissoyoung，andIthoughtthat，asmyson’sfriend，youwouldhaveaddressedyourselffirsttome。Inthatcaseyouwouldnothaveobligedmetogivethisrefusal。\"
\"Countess……\"saidDenisov，withdowncasteyesandaguiltyface。Hetriedtosaymore，butfaltered。
Natashacouldnotremaincalm，seeinghiminsuchaplight。Shebegantosobaloud。
\"Countess，Ihavedonew’ong，\"Denisovwentoninanunsteadyvoice，\"butbelieveme，IsoadoreyourdaughterandallyourfamilythatI
wouldgivemylifetwiceover……\"Helookedatthecountess，andseeingherseverefacesaid：\"Well，good—by，Countess，\"andkissingherhand，helefttheroomwithquickresolutestrides，withoutlookingatNatasha。
NextdayRostovsawDenisovoff。HenotwishtostayanotherdayinMoscow。AllDenisov’sMoscowfriendsgavehimafarewellentertainmentatthegypsies’，withtheresultthathehadnorecollectionofhowhewasputinthesleighorofthefirstthreestagesofhisjourney。
AfterDenisov’sdeparture，RostovspentanotherfortnightinMoscow，withoutgoingoutofthehouse，waitingforthemoneyhisfathercouldnotatonceraise，andhespentmostofhistimeinthegirls’room。
Sonyawasmoretenderanddevotedtohimthanever。Itwasasifshewantedtoshowhimthathislosseswereanachievementthatmadeherlovehimallthemore，butNicholasnowconsideredhimselfunworthyofher。
Hefilledthegirls’albumswithversesandmusic，andhavingatlastsentDolokhovthewholeforty—threethousandrublesandreceivedhisreceipt，heleftattheendofNovember，withouttakingleaveofanyofhisacquaintances，toovertakehisregimentwhichwasalreadyinPoland。
BOOKFIVE：1806—07
CHAPTERI
AfterhisinterviewwithhiswifePierreleftforPetersburg。AttheTorzhokpoststation，eithertherewerenohorsesorthepostmasterwouldnotsupplythem。Pierrewasobligedtowait。Withoutundressing，helaydownontheleathersofainfrontofaroundtable，puthisbigfeetintheiroverbootsonthetable，andbegantoreflect。
\"Willyouhavetheportmanteausbroughtin？Andabedgotready，andtea？\"askedhisvalet。
Pierregavenoanswer，forheneitherheardnorsawanything。Hehadbeguntothinkofthelaststationandwasstillponderingonthesamequestion—onesoimportantthathetooknonoticeofwhatwentonaroundhim。NotonlywasheindifferentastowhetherhegottoPetersburgearlierorlater，orwhetherhesecuredaccommodationatthisstation，butcomparedtothethoughtsthatnowoccupiedhimitwasamatterofindifferencewhetherheremainedthereforafewhoursorfortherestofhislife。
Thepostmaster，hiswife，thevalet，andapeasantwomansellingTorzhokembroiderycameintotheroomofferingtheirservices。Withoutchanginghiscarelessattitude，Pierrelookedatthemoverhisspectaclesunabletounderstandwhattheywantedorhowtheycouldgoonlivingwithouthavingsolvedtheproblemsthatsoabsorbedhim。HehadbeenengrossedbythesamethoughtseversincethedayhereturnedfromSokolnikiaftertheduelandhadspentthatfirstagonizing，sleeplessnight。Butnow，inthesolitudeofthejourney，theyseizedhimwithspecialforce。Nomatterwhathethoughtabout，healwaysreturnedtothesesamequestionswhichhecouldnotsolveandyetcouldnotceasetoaskhimself。Itwasasifthethreadofthechiefscrewwhichheldhislifetogetherwerestripped，sothatthescrewcouldnotgetinorout，butwentonturninguselesslyinthesameplace。
Thepostmastercameinandbeganobsequiouslytobeghisexcellencytowaitonlytwohours，when，comewhatmight，hewouldlethisexcellencyhavethecourierhorses。Itwasplainthathewaslyingandonlywantedtogetmoremoneyfromthetraveler。
\"Isthisgoodorbad？\"Pierreaskedhimself。\"Itisgoodforme，badforanothertraveler，andforhimselfit’sunavoidable，becauseheneedsmoneyforfood；themansaidanofficerhadoncegivenhimathrashingforlettingaprivatetravelerhavethecourierhorses。
Buttheofficerthrashedhimbecausehehadtogetonasquicklyaspossible。AndI，\"continuedPierre，\"shotDolokhovbecauseI
consideredmyselfinjured，andLouisXVIwasexecutedbecausetheyconsideredhimacriminal，andayearlatertheyexecutedthosewhoexecutedhim—alsoforsomereason。Whatisbad？Whatisgood？Whatshouldoneloveandwhathate？Whatdoesonelivefor？AndwhatamI？Whatislife，andwhatisdeath？Whatpowergovernsall？\"
Therewasnoanswertoanyofthesequestions，exceptone，andthatnotalogicalanswerandnotatallareplytothem。Theanswerwas：\"You’lldieandallwillend。You’lldieandknowall，orceaseasking。\"Butdyingwasalsodreadful。
TheTorzhokpeddlerwoman，inawhiningvoice，wentonofferingherwares，especiallyapairofgoatskinslippers。\"IhavehundredsofrublesIdon’tknowwhattodowith，andshestandsinhertatteredcloaklookingtimidlyatme，\"hethought。\"Andwhatdoesshewantthemoneyfor？Asifthatmoneycouldaddahair’sbreadthtohappinessorpeaceofmind。Cananythingintheworldmakeherormelessapreytoevilanddeath？—deathwhichendsallandmustcometodayortomorrow—atanyrate，inaninstantascomparedwitheternity。\"Andagainhetwistedthescrewwiththestrippedthread，andagainitturneduselesslyinthesameplace。
Hisservanthandedhimahalf—cutnovel，intheformofletters，byMadamedeSouza。HebeganreadingaboutthesufferingsandvirtuousstrugglesofacertainEmiliedeMansfeld。\"Andwhydidsheresistherseducerwhenshelovedhim？\"hethought。\"GodcouldnothaveputintoherheartanimpulsethatwasagainstHiswill。Mywife—assheoncewas—didnotstruggle，andperhapsshewasright。Nothinghasbeenfoundout，nothingdiscovered，\"Pierreagainsaidtohimself。
\"Allwecanknowisthatweknownothing。Andthat’stheheightofhumanwisdom。\"
Everythingwithinandaroundhimseemedconfused，senseless，andrepellent。YetinthisveryrepugnancetoallhiscircumstancesPierrefoundakindoftantalizingsatisfaction。
\"Imakeboldtoaskyourexcellencytomovealittleforthisgentleman，\"saidthepostmaster，enteringtheroomfollowedbyanothertraveler，alsodetainedforlackofhorses。
Thenewcomerwasashort，large—boned，yellow—faced，wrinkledoldman，withgraybushyeyebrowsoverhangingbrighteyesofanindefinitegrayishcolor。
Pierretookhisfeetoffthetable，stoodup，andlaydownonabedthathadbeengotreadyforhim，glancingnowandthenatthenewcomer，who，withagloomyandtiredface，waswearilytakingoffhiswrapswiththeaidofhisservant，andnotlookingatPierre。Withapairoffeltbootsonhisthinbonylegs，andkeepingonaworn，nankeen—covered，sheepskincoat，thetravelersatdownonthesofa，leanedbackhisbigheadwithitsbroadtemplesandclose—croppedhair，andlookedatBezukhov。Thestern，shrewd，andpenetratingexpressionofthatlookstruckPierre。Hefeltawishtospeaktothestranger，butbythetimehehadmadeuphismindtoaskhimaquestionabouttheroads，thetravelerhadclosedhiseyes。HisshriveledoldhandswerefoldedandonthefingerofoneofthemPierrenoticedalargecastironringwithasealrepresentingadeath’shead。Thestrangersatwithoutstirring，eitherrestingor，asitseemedtoPierre，sunkinprofoundandcalmmeditation。Hisservantwasalsoayellow，wrinkledoldman，withoutbeardormustache，evidentlynotbecausehewasshavenbutbecausetheyhadnevergrown。Thisactiveoldservantwasunpackingthetraveler’scanteenandpreparingtea。Hebroughtinaboilingsamovar。Wheneverythingwasready，thestrangeropenedhiseyes，movedtothetable，filledatumblerwithteaforhimselfandoneforthebeardlessoldmantowhomhepassedit。Pierrebegantofeelasenseofuneasiness，andtheneed，eventheinevitability，ofenteringintoconversationwiththisstranger。
Theservantbroughtbackhistumblerturnedupsidedown，*withanunfinishedbitofnibbledsugar，andaskedifanythingmorewouldbewanted。
*Toindicatehedidnotwantmoretea。
\"No。Givemethebook，\"saidthestranger。
TheservanthandedhimabookwhichPierretooktobeadevotionalwork，andthetravelerbecameabsorbedinit。Pierrelookedathim。
Allatoncethestrangerclosedthebook，puttinginamarker，andagain，leaningwithhisarmsonthebackofthesofa，satinhisformerpositionwithhiseyesshut。Pierrelookedathimandhadnottimetoturnawaywhentheoldman，openinghiseyes，fixedhissteadyandseveregazestraightonPierre’sface。
Pierrefeltconfusedandwishedtoavoidthatlook，butthebrightoldeyesattractedhimirresistibly。
BK5CH2
CHAPTERII
\"IhavethepleasureofaddressingCountBezukhov，ifIamnotmistaken，\"saidthestrangerinadeliberateandloudvoice。
Pierrelookedsilentlyandinquiringlyathimoverhisspectacles。
\"Ihaveheardofyou，mydearsir，\"continuedthestranger，\"andofyourmisfortune。\"Heseemedtoemphasizethelastword，asiftosay—\"Yes，misfortune！Callitwhatyouplease，IknowthatwhathappenedtoyouinMoscowwasamisfortune。\"—\"Iregretitverymuch，mydearsir。\"
Pierreflushedand，hurriedlyputtinghislegsdownfromthebed，bentforwardtowardtheoldmanwithaforcedandtimidsmile。
\"Ihavenotreferredtothisoutofcuriosity，mydearsir，butforgreaterreasons。\"
Hepaused，hisgazestillonPierre，andmovedasideonthesofabywayofinvitingtheothertotakeaseatbesidehim。Pierrefeltreluctanttoenterintoconversationwiththisoldman，but，submittingtohiminvoluntarily，cameupandsatdownbesidehim。
\"Youareunhappy，mydearsir，\"thestrangercontinued。\"YouareyoungandIamold。Ishouldliketohelpyouasfarasliesinmypower。\"
\"Oh，yes！\"saidPierre，withaforcedsmile。\"Iamverygratefultoyou。Whereareyoutravelingfrom？\"
Thestranger’sfacewasnotgenial，itwasevencoldandsevere，butinspiteofthis，boththefaceandwordsofhisnewacquaintancewereirresistiblyattractivetoPierre。
\"Butifforreasonyoudon’tfeelinclinedtotalktome，\"saidtheoldman，\"sayso，mydearsir。\"Andhesuddenlysmiled，inanunexpectedandtenderlypaternalway。
\"Ohno，notatall！Onthecontrary，Iamverygladtomakeyouracquaintance，\"saidPierre。Andagain，glancingatthestranger’shands，helookedmorecloselyatthering，withitsskull—aMasonicsign。
\"Allowmetoask，\"hesaid，\"areyouaMason？\"
\"Yes，IbelongtotheBrotherhoodoftheFreemasons，\"saidthestranger，lookingdeeperanddeeperintoPierre’seyes。\"AndintheirnameandmyownIholdoutabrotherlyhandtoyou。\"
\"Iamafraid，\"saidPierre，smiling，andwaveringbetweentheconfidencethepersonalityoftheFreemasoninspiredinhimandhisownhabitofridiculingtheMasonicbeliefs—\"IamafraidIamveryfarfromunderstanding—howamItoputit？—Iamafraidmywayoflookingattheworldissoopposedtoyoursthatweshallnotunderstandoneanother。\"
\"Iknowyouroutlook，\"saidtheMason，\"andtheviewoflifeyoumention，andwhichyouthinkistheresultofyourownmentalefforts，istheoneheldbythemajorityofpeople，andistheinvariablefruitofpride，indolence，andignorance。Forgiveme，mydearsir，butifIhadnotknownitIshouldnothaveaddressedyou。Yourviewoflifeisaregrettabledelusion。\"
\"JustasImaysupposeyoutobedeluded，\"saidPierre，withafaintsmile。
\"IshouldneverdaretosaythatIknowthetruth，\"saidtheMason，whosewordsstruckPierremoreandmorebytheirprecisionandfirmness。\"Noonecanattaintotruthbyhimself。Onlybylayingstoneonstonewiththecooperationofall，bythemillionsofgenerationsfromourforefatherAdamtoourowntimes，isthattemplerearedwhichistobeaworthydwellingplaceoftheGreatGod，\"headded，andclosedhiseyes。
\"IoughttotellyouthatIdonotbelieve……donotbelieveinGod，saidPierre，regretfullyandwithaneffort，feelingitessentialtospeakthewholetruth。
TheMasonlookedintentlyatPierreandsmiledasarichmanwithmillionsinhandmightsmileatapoorfellowwhotoldhimthathe，poorman，hadnotthefiverublesthatwouldmakehimhappy。
\"Yes，youdonotknowHim，mydearsir，\"saidtheMason。\"YoucannotknowHim。YoudonotknowHimandthatiswhyyouareunhappy。\"
\"Yes，yes，Iamunhappy，\"assentedPierre。\"ButwhatamItodo？\"
\"YouknowHimnot，mydearsir，andsoyouareveryunhappy。YoudonotknowHim，butHeishere，Heisinme，Heisinmywords，Heisinthee，andeveninthoseblasphemouswordsthouhastjustuttered！\"pronouncedtheMasoninasternandtremulousvoice。
Hepausedandsighed，evidentlytryingtocalmhimself。
\"IfHewerenot，\"hesaidquietly，\"youandIwouldnotbespeakingofHim，mydearsir。Ofwhat，ofwhom，arewespeaking？
Whomhastthoudenied？\"hesuddenlyaskedwithexultingausterityandauthorityinhisvoice。\"WhoinventedHim，ifHedidnotexist？
WhencecamethyconceptionoftheexistenceofsuchanincomprehensibleBeing？didstthou，andwhydidthewholeworld，conceivetheideaoftheexistenceofsuchanincomprehensibleBeing，aBeingall—powerful，eternal，andinfiniteinallHisattributes？……\"
Hestoppedandremainedsilentforalongtime。
Pierrecouldnotanddidnotwishtobreakthissilence。
\"Heexists，buttounderstandHimishard，\"theMasonbeganagain，lookingnotatPierrebutstraightbeforehim，andturningtheleavesofhisbookwithhisoldhandswhichfromexcitementhecouldnotkeepstill。\"IfitwereamanwhoseexistencethoudidstdoubtI
couldbringhimtothee，couldtakehimbythehandandshowhimtothee。ButhowcanI，aninsignificantmortal，showHisomnipotence，Hisinfinity，andallHismercytoonewhoisblind，orwhoshutshiseyesthathemaynotseeorunderstandHimandmaynotseeorunderstandhisownvilenessandsinfulness？\"Hepausedagain。\"Whoartthou？Thoudreamestthatthouartwisebecausethoucouldstutterthoseblasphemouswords，\"hewenton，withasomberandscornfulsmile。\"Andthouartmorefoolishandunreasonablethanalittlechild，who，playingwiththepartsofaskillfullymadewatch，darestosaythat，ashedoesnotunderstanditsuse，hedoesnotbelieveinthemasterwhomadeit。ToknowHimishard……Forages，fromourforefatherAdamtoourownday，welabortoattainthatknowledgeandarestillinfinitelyfarfromouraim；butinourlackofunderstandingweseeonlyourweaknessandHisgreatness……\"
Pierrelistenedwithswellingheart，gazingintotheMason’sfacewithshiningeyes，notinterruptingorquestioninghim，butbelievingwithhiswholesoulwhatthestrangersaid。WhetherheacceptedthewisereasoningcontainedintheMason’swords，orbelievedasachildbelieves，inthespeaker’stoneofconvictionandearnestness，orthetremorofthespeaker’svoice—whichsometimesalmostbroke—orthosebrilliantagedeyesgrownoldinthisconviction，orthecalmfirmnessandcertaintyofhisvocation，whichradiatedfromhiswholebeingandwhichstruckPierreespeciallybycontrastwithhisowndejectionandhopelessness—atanyrate，Pierrelongedwithhiswholesoultobelieveandhedidbelieve，andfeltajoyfulsenseofcomfort，regeneration，andreturntolife。
\"Heisnottobeapprehendedbyreason，butbylife，\"saidtheMason。
\"Idonotunderstand，\"saidPierre，feelingwithdismaydoubtsreawakening。Hewasafraidofanywantofclearness，anyweakness，intheMason’sarguments；hedreadednottobeabletobelieveinhim。
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"hesaid，\"howitisthatthemindofmancannotattaintheknowledgeofwhichyouspeak。\"
TheMasonsmiledwithhisgentlefatherlysmile。
\"Thehighestwisdomandtrutharelikethepurestliquidwemaywishtoimbibe，\"hesaid。\"CanIreceivethatpureliquidintoanimpurevesselandjudgeofitspurity？OnlybytheinnerpurificationofmyselfcanIretaininsomedegreeofpuritytheliquidIreceive。\"
\"Yes，yes，thatisso，\"saidPierrejoyfully。
\"Thehighestwisdomisnotfoundedonreasonalone，notonthoseworldlysciencesofphysics，history，chemistry，andthelike，intowhichintellectualknowledgeisdivided。Thehighestwisdomisone。
Thehighestwisdomhasbutonescience—thescienceofthewhole—
thescienceexplainingthewholecreationandman’splaceinit。Toreceivethatscienceitisnecessarytopurifyandrenewone’sinnerself，andsobeforeonecanknow，itisnecessarytobelieveandtoperfectone’sself。Andtoattainthisend，wehavethelightcalledconsciencethatGodhasimplantedinoursouls。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"assentedPierre。
\"Lookthenatthyinnerselfwiththeeyesofthespirit，andaskthyselfwhetherthouartcontentwiththyself。Whathastthouattainedrelyingonreasononly？Whatartthou？Youareyoung，youarerich，youareclever，youarewelleducated。Andwhathaveyoudonewithallthesegoodgifts？Areyoucontentwithyourselfandwithyourlife？\"
\"No，Ihatemylife，\"Pierremuttered，wincing。
\"Thouhatestit。Thenchangeit，purifythyself；andasthouartpurified，thouwiltgainwisdom。Lookatyourlife，mydearsir。Howhaveyouspentit？Inriotousorgiesanddebauchery，receivingeverythingfromsocietyandgivingnothinginreturn。Youhavebecomethepossessorofwealth。Howhaveyouusedit？Whathaveyoudoneforyourneighbor？Haveyoueverthoughtofyourtensofthousandsofslaves？Haveyouhelpedthemphysicallyandmorally？
No！Youhaveprofitedbytheirtoiltoleadaprofligatelife。Thatiswhatyouhavedone。Haveyouchosenapostinwhichyoumightbeofservicetoyourneighbor？No！Youhavespentyourlifeinidleness。
Thenyoumarried，mydearsir—tookonyourselfresponsibilityfortheguidanceofayoungwoman；andwhathaveyoudone？Youhavenothelpedhertofindthewayoftruth，mydearsir，buthavethrustherintoanabyssofdeceitandmisery。Amanoffendedyouandyoushothim，andyousayyoudonotknowGodandhateyourlife。Thereisnothingstrangeinthat，mydearsir！\"
Afterthesewords，theMason，asiftiredbyhislongdiscourse，againleanedhisarmsonthebackofthesofaandclosedhiseyes。
Pierrelookedatthataged，stern，motionless，almostlifelessfaceandmovedhislipswithoututteringasound。Hewishedtosay，\"Yes，avile，idle，viciouslife！\"butdarednotbreakthesilence。
TheMasonclearedhisthroathuskily，asoldmendo，andcalledhisservant。
\"Howaboutthehorses？\"heasked，withoutlookingatPierre。
\"Theexchangehorseshavejustcome，\"answeredtheservant。\"Willyounotresthere？\"
\"No，tellthemtoharness。\"
\"Canhereallybegoingawayleavingmealonewithouthavingtoldmeall，andwithoutpromisingtohelpme？\"thoughtPierre，risingwithdowncasthead；andhebegantopacetheroom，glancingoccasionallyattheMason。\"Yes，Ineverthoughtofit，butIhaveledacontemptibleandprofligatelife，thoughIdidnotlikeitanddidnotwantto，\"thoughtPierre。\"Butthismanknowsthetruthand，ifhewishedto，coulddiscloseittome。\"
PierrewishedtosaythistotheMason，butdidnotdareto。Thetraveler，havingpackedhisthingswithhispracticedhands，beganfasteninghiscoat。Whenhehadfinished，heturnedtoBezukhov，andsaidinatoneofindifferentpoliteness：
\"Whereareyougoingtonow，mydearsir？\"
\"I？……I’mgoingtoPetersburg，\"answeredPierre，inachildlike，hesitatingvoice。\"Ithankyou。Iagreewithallyouhavesaid。Butdonotsupposemetobesobad。WithmywholesoulIwishtobewhatyouwouldhavemebe，butIhaveneverhadhelpfromanyone……ButitisI，aboveall，whoamtoblameforeverything。Helpme，teachme，andperhapsImay……\"
Pierrecouldnotgoon。Hegulpedandturnedaway。
TheMasonremainedsilentforalongtime，evidentlyconsidering。
\"HelpcomesfromGodalone，\"hesaid，\"butsuchmeasureofhelpasourOrdercanbestowitwillrenderyou，mydearsir。YouaregoingtoPetersburg。HandthistoCountWillarski\"hetookouthisnotebookandwroteafewwordsonalargesheetofpaperfoldedinfour。
\"Allowmetogiveyouapieceofadvice。Whenyoureachthecapital，firstofalldevotesometimetosolitudeandself—examinationanddonotresumeyourformerwayoflife。AndnowIwishyouagoodjourney，mydearsir，\"headded，seeingthathisservanthadentered……\"andsuccess。\"
ThetravelerwasJosephAlexeevichBazdeev，asPierresawfromthepostmaster’sbook。Bazdeevhadbeenoneofthebest—knownFreemasonsandMartinists，eveninNovikov’stime。Foralongwhileafterhehadgone，Pierredidnotgotobedororderhorsesbutpacedupanddowntheroom，ponderingoverhisviciouspast，andwitharapturoussenseofbeginninganewpicturedtohimselftheblissful，irreproachable，virtuousfuturethatseemedtohimsoeasy。Itseemedtohimthathehadbeenviciousonlybecausehehadsomehowforgottenhowgooditistobevirtuous。Notatraceofhisformerdoubtsremainedinhissoul。Hefirmlybelievedinthepossibilityofthebrotherhoodofmenunitedintheaimofsupportingoneanotherinthepathofvirtue，andthatishowFreemasonrypresenteditselftohim。
BK5CH3
CHAPTERIII
OnreachingPetersburgPierredidnotletanyoneknowofhisarrival，hewentnowhereandspentwholedaysinreadingThomasaKempis，whosebookhadbeensenthimbysomeoneunknown。Onethinghecontinuallyrealizedashereadthatbook：thejoy，hithertounknowntohim，ofbelievinginthepossibilityofattainingperfection，andinthepossibilityofactivebrotherlyloveamongmen，whichJosephAlexeevichhadrevealedtohim。Aweekafterhisarrival，theyoungPolishcount，Willarski，whomPierrehadknownslightlyinPetersburgsociety，cameintohisroomoneeveningintheofficialandceremoniousmannerinwhichDolokhov’ssecondhadcalledonhim，and，havingclosedthedoorbehindhimandsatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnobodyelseintheroom，addressedPierre。
\"Ihavecometoyouwithamessageandanoffer，Count，\"hesaidwithoutsittingdown。\"ApersonofveryhighstandinginourBrotherhoodhasmadeapplicationforyoutobereceivedintoourOrderbeforetheusualtermandhasproposedtometobeyoursponsor。I
consideritasacreddutytofulfillthatperson’swishes。DoyouwishtoentertheBrotherhoodofFreemasonsundermysponsorship？\"
Thecold，austeretoneofthisman，whomhehadalmostalwaysbeforemetatballs，amiablysmilinginthesocietyofthemostbrilliantwomen，surprisedPierre。
\"Yes，Idowishit，\"saidhe。
Willarskibowedhishead。
\"Onemorequestion，Count，\"hesaid，\"whichbegyoutoanswerinallsincerity—notasafutureMasonbutasanhonestman：haveyourenouncedyourformerconvictions—doyoubelieveinGod？\"
Pierreconsidered。
\"Yes……yes，IbelieveinGod，\"hesaid。
\"Inthatcase……\"beganWillarski，butPierreinterruptedhim。
\"Yes，IdobelieveinGod，\"herepeated。
\"Inthatcasewecango，\"saidWillarski。\"Mycarriageisatyourservice。\"
Willarskiwassilentthroughoutthedrive。ToPierre’sinquiriesastowhathemustdoandhowheshouldanswer，WillarskionlyrepliedthatbrothersmoreworthythanhewouldtesthimandthatPierrehadonlytotellthetruth。
HavingenteredthecourtyardofalargehousewheretheLodgehaditsheadquarters，andhavingascendedadarkstaircase，theyenteredasmallwell—litanteroomwheretheytookofftheircloakswithouttheaidofaservant。Fromtheretheypassedintoanotherroom。Amaninstrangeattireappearedatthedoor。Willarski，steppingtowardhim，saidsomethingtohiminFrenchinanundertoneandthenwentuptoasmallwardrobeinwhichPierrenoticedgarmentssuchashehadneverseenbefore。Havingtakenakerchieffromthecupboard，WillarskiboundPierre’seyeswithitandtieditinaknotbehind，catchingsomehairspainfullyintheknot。Thenhedrewhisfacedown，kissedhim，andtakinghimbythehandledhimforward。ThehairstiedintheknothurtPierreandtherewerelinesofpainonhisfaceandashamefacedsmile。Hishugefigure，witharmshangingdownandwithapuckered，thoughsmilingface，movedafterWillarskiwithuncertain，timidsteps。
Havingledhimabouttenpaces，Willarskistopped。
\"Whateverhappenstoyou，\"hesaid，\"youmustbearitallmanfullyifyouhavefirmlyresolvedtojoinourBrotherhood。\"Pierrenoddedaffirmatively。\"Whenyouhearaknockatthedoor，youwilluncoveryoureyes，\"addedWillarski。\"Iwishyoucourageandsuccess，\"and，pressingPierre’shand，hewentout。
Leftalone，Pierrewentonsmilinginthesameway。Onceortwiceheshruggedhisandraisedhishandtothekerchief，asifwishingtotakeitoff，butletitdropagain。Thefiveminutesspentwithhiseyesbandagedseemedtohimanhour。Hisarmsfeltnumb，hislegsalmostgaveway，itseemedtohimthathewastiredout。Heexperiencedavarietyofmostcomplexsensations。Hefeltafraidofwhatwouldhappentohimandstillmoreafraidofshowinghisfear。Hefeltcurioustoknowwhatwasgoingtohappenandwhatwouldberevealedtohim；butmostofall，hefeltjoyfulthatthemomenthadcomewhenhewouldatlaststartonthatpathofregenerationandontheactivelyvirtuouslifeofwhichhehadbeendreamingsincehemetJosephAlexeevich。Loudknockswereheardatthedoor。Pierretookthebandageoffhiseyesandglancedaroundhim。Theroomwasinblackdarkness，onlyasmalllampwasburninginsidesomethingwhite。Pierrewentnearerandsawthatthelampstoodonablacktableonwhichlayanopenbook。ThebookwastheGospel，andthewhitethingwiththelampinsidewasahumanskullwithitscavitiesandteeth。AfterreadingthefirstwordsoftheGospel：\"InthebeginningwastheWordandtheWordwaswithGod，\"Pierrewentroundthetableandsawalargeopenboxfilledwithsomething。Itwasacoffinwithbonesinside。Hewasnotatallsurprisedbywhathesaw。Hopingtoenteronanentirelynewlifequiteunliketheoldone，heexpectedeverythingtobeunusual，evenmoreunusualthanwhathewasseeing。A
skull，acoffin，theGospel—itseemedtohimthathehadexpectedallthisandevenmore。Tryingtostimulatehisemotionshelookedaround。
\"God，death，love，thebrotherhoodofman，\"hekeptsayingtohimself，associatingthesewordswithvagueyetjoyfulideas。Thedooropenedandsomeonecamein。
Bythedimlight，towhichPierrehadalreadybecomeaccustomed，hesawrathershortman。Havingevidentlycomefromthelightintothedarkness，themanpaused，thenmovedwithcautiousstepstowardthetableandplacedonithissmallleather—glovedhands。
Thisshortmanhadonawhiteleatherapronwhichcoveredhischestandpartofhislegs；hehadonakindofnecklaceabovewhichroseahighwhiteruffle，outlininghisratherlongfacewhichwaslitupfrombelow。
\"Forwhathaveyoucomehither？\"askedthenewcomer，turninginPierre’sdirectionataslightrustlemadebythelatter。\"Whyhaveyou，whodonotbelieveinthetruthofthelightandwhohavenotseenthelight，comehere？Whatdoyouseekfromus？Wisdom，virtue，enlightenment？\"
Atthemomentthedooropenedandthestrangercamein，Pierrefeltasenseofaweandvenerationsuchashehadexperiencedinhisboyhoodatconfession；hefelthimselfinthepresenceofonesociallyacompletestranger，yetnearertohimthroughthebrotherhoodofman。
WithbatedbreathandbeatinghearthemovedtowardtheRhetorbywhichnamethebrotherwhopreparedaseekerforentranceintotheBrotherhoodwasknown。Drawingnearer，herecognizedintheRhetoramanheknew，Smolyaninov，anditmortifiedhimtothinkthatthenewcomerwasanacquaintance—hewishedhimsimplyabrotherandavirtuousinstructor。Foralongtimehecouldnotutteraword，sothattheRhetorhadtorepeathisquestion。
\"Yes……I……I……desireregeneration，\"Pierreutteredwithdifficulty。
\"Verywell，\"saidSmolyaninov，andwentonatonce：\"HaveyouanyideaofthemeansbywhichourholyOrderwillhelpyoutoreachyouraim？\"saidhequietlyandquickly。
\"I……hope……forguidance……help……inregeneration，\"saidPierre，withatremblingvoiceandsomedifficultyinutteranceduetohisexcitementandtobeingunaccustomedtospeakofabstractmattersinRussian。
\"WhatisyourconceptionofFreemasonry？\"
\"IimaginethatFreemasonryisthefraternityandequalityofmenwhohavevirtuousaims，\"saidPierre，feelingashamedoftheinadequacyofhiswordsforthesolemnityofthemoment，ashespoke。\"Iimagine……\"
\"Good！\"saidtheRhetorquickly，apparentlysatisfiedwiththisanswer。\"Haveyousoughtformeansofattainingyouraiminreligion？\"
\"No，Iconsiderediterroneousanddidnotfollowit，\"saidPierre，sosoftlythattheRhetordidnothearhimandaskedhimwhathewassaying。\"Ihavebeenanatheist，\"answeredPierre。
\"Youareseekingfortruthinordertofollowitslawsinyourlife，thereforeyouseekwisdomandvirtue。Isthatnotso？\"saidtheRhetor，afteramoment’spause。
\"Yes，yes，\"assentedPierre。
TheRhetorclearedhisthroat，crossedhisglovedhandsonhisbreast，andbegantospeak。
\"NowImustdisclosetoyouthechiefaimofourOrder，\"hesaid，\"andifthisaimcoincideswithyours，youmayenterourBrotherhoodwithprofit。ThefirstandchiefobjectofourOrder，thefoundationonwhichitrestsandwhichnohumanpowercandestroy，isthepreservationandhandingontoposterityofacertainimportantmystery……whichhascomedowntousfromtheremotestages，evenfromthefirstman—amysteryonwhichperhapsthefateofmankinddepends。
Butsincethismysteryisofsuchanaturethatnobodycanknoworuseitunlesshebepreparedbylonganddiligentself—purification，noteveryonecanhopetoattainitquickly。Hencewehaveasecondaryaim，thatofpreparingourmembersasmuchaspossibletoreformtheirhearts，topurifyandenlightentheirminds，bymeanshandedontousbytraditionfromthosewhohavestriventoattainthismystery，andtherebytorenderthemcapableofreceivingit。
\"Bypurifyingandregeneratingourmemberswetry，thirdly，toimprovethewholehumanrace，offeringitinourmembersanexampleofpietyandvirtue，andtherebytrywithallourmighttocombattheevilwhichswaystheworld。ThinkthisoverandIwillcometoyouagain。\"
\"Tocombattheevilwhichswaystheworld……\"Pierrerepeated，andamentalimageofhisfutureactivityinthisdirectionroseinhismind。Heimaginedmensuchashehadhimselfbeenafortnightago，andheaddressedanedifyingexhortationtothem。Heimaginedtohimselfviciousandunfortunatepeoplewhomhewouldassistbywordanddeed，imaginedoppressorswhosevictimshewouldrescue。OfthethreeobjectsmentionedbytheRhetor，thislast，thatofimprovingmankind，especiallyappealedtoPierre。TheimportantmysterymentionedbytheRhetor，thoughitarousedhiscuriosity，didnotseemtohimessential，andthesecondaim，thatofpurifyingandregeneratinghimself，didnotmuchinteresthimbecauseatthatmomenthefeltwithdelightthathewasalreadyperfectlycuredofhisformerfaultsandwasreadyforallthatwasgood。
Halfanhourlater，theRhetorreturnedtoinformtheseekerofthesevenvirtues，correspondingtothesevenstepsofSolomon’stemple，whicheveryFreemasonshouldcultivateinhimself。Thesevirtueswere：1。Discretion，thekeepingofthesecretsoftheOrder。
2。ObediencetothoseofhigherranksintheOrder。3。Morality。4。
Loveofmankind。5。Courage。6。Generosity。7。Theloveofdeath。
\"Intheseventhplace，try，bythefrequentthoughtofdeath，\"theRhetorsaid，\"tobringyourselftoregarditnotasadreadedfoe，butasafriendthatfreesthesoulgrownwearyinthelaborsofvirtuefromthisdistressfullife，andleadsittoitsplaceofrecompenseandpeace。\"
\"Yes，thatmustbeso，\"thoughtPierre，whenafterthesewordstheRhetorwentaway，leavinghimtosolitarymeditation。\"Itmustbeso，butIamstillsoweakthatIlovemylife，themeaningofwhichisonlynowgraduallyopeningbeforeme。\"ButfiveoftheothervirtueswhichPierrerecalled，countingthemonhisfingers，hefeltalreadyinhissoul：courage，generosity，morality，loveofmankind，andespeciallyobedience—whichdidnotevenseemtohimavirtue，butajoy。Henowfeltsogladtobefreefromhisownlawlessnessandtosubmithiswilltothosewhoknewtheindubitabletruth。Heforgotwhattheseventhvirtuewasandcouldnotrecallit。
ThethirdtimetheRhetorcamebackmorequicklyandaskedPierrewhetherhewasstillfirminhisintentionanddeterminedtosubmittoallthatwouldberequiredofhim。
\"Iamreadyforeverything，\"saidPierre。
\"Imustalsoinformyou，\"saidtheRhetor，\"thatourOrderdeliversitsteachingnotinwordsonlybutalsobyothermeans，whichmayperhapshaveastrongereffectonthesincereseekerafterwisdomandvirtuethanmerewords。Thischamberwithwhatyouseethereinshouldalreadyhavesuggestedtoyourheart，ifitissincere，morethanwordscoulddo。Youwillperhapsalsoseeinyourfurtherinitiationalikemethodofenlightenment。OurOrderimitatestheancientsocietiesthatexplainedtheirteachingbyhieroglyphics。A
hieroglyph，\"saidtheRhetor，\"isanemblemofsomethingnotcognizablebythesensesbutwhichpossessesqualitiesresemblingthoseofthesymbol。\"
Pierreknewverywellwhatahieroglyphwas，butdarednotspeak。HelistenedtotheRhetorinsilence，feelingfromallhesaidthathisordealwasabouttobegin。
\"Ifyouareresolved，Imustbeginyourinitiation，\"saidtheRhetorcomingclosertoPierre。\"IntokenofgenerosityIaskyoutogivemeallyourvaluables。\"
\"ButIhavenothinghere，\"repliedPierre，supposingthathewasaskedtogiveupallhepossessed。
\"Whatyouhavewithyou：watch，money，rings……\"
Pierrequicklytookouthispurseandwatch，butcouldnotmanageforsometimetogettheweddingringoffhisfatfinger。Whenthathadbeendone，theRhetorsaid：
\"Intokenofobedience，Iaskyoutoundress。\"
Pierretookoffhiscoat，waistcoat，andleftbootaccordingtotheRhetor’sinstructions。TheMasondrewtheshirtbackfromPierre’sleftbreast，andstoopingdownpulleduptheleftlegofhistrouserstoabovetheknee。Pierrehurriedlybegantakingoffhisrightbootalsoandwasgoingtotuckuptheothertrouserlegtosavethisstrangerthetrouble，buttheMasontoldhimthatwasnotnecessaryandgavehimaslipperforhisleftfoot。Withachildlikesmileofembarrassment，doubt，andself—derision，whichappearedonhisfaceagainsthiswill，Pierrestoodwithhisarmshangingdownandlegsapart，beforehisbrotherRhetor，andawaitedhisfurthercommands。
\"Andnow，intokenofcandor，Iaskyoutorevealtomeyourchiefpassion，\"saidthelatter。
\"Mypassion！Ihavehadsomany，\"repliedPierre。
\"Thatpassionwhichmorethanallotherscausedyoutowaveronthepathofvirtue，\"saidtheMason。
Pierrepaused，seekingareply。
\"Wine？Gluttony？Idleness？Laziness？Irritability？Anger？Women？\"Hewentoverhisvicesinhismind，notknowingtowhichofthemtogivethepre—eminence。
\"Women，\"hesaidinalow，scarcelyaudiblevoice。
TheMasondidnotmoveandforalongtimesaidnothingafterthisanswer。AtlasthemoveduptoPierreand，takingthekerchiefthatlayonthetable，againboundhiseyes。
\"ForthelasttimeIsaytoyou—turnallyourattentionuponyourself，putabridleonyoursenses，andseekblessedness，notinpassionbutinyourownheart。Thesourceofblessednessisnotwithoutusbutwithin……\"
Pierrehadalreadylongbeenfeelinginhimselfthatrefreshingsourceofblessednesswhichnowfloodedhisheartwithglademotion。
BK5CH4
CHAPTERIV
SoonafterthistherecameintothedarkchambertofetchPierre，nottheRhetorbutPierre’ssponsor，Willarski，whomherecognizedbyhisvoice。TofreshquestionsastothefirmnessofhisresolutionPierrereplied：\"Yes，yes，Iagree，\"andwithabeaming，childlikesmile，hisfatchestuncovered，steppingunevenlyandtimidlyinoneslipperedandonebootedfoot，headvanced，whileWillarskiheldaswordtohisbarechest。HewasconductedfromthatroomalongpassagesthatturnedbackwardsandforwardsandwasatlastbroughttothedoorsoftheLodge。Willarskicoughed，hewasansweredbytheMasonicknockwithmallets，thedoorsopenedbeforethem。AbassvoicePierrewasstillblindfoldquestionedhimastowhohewas，whenandwherehewasborn，andsoon。Thenhewasagainledsomewherestillblindfold，andastheywentalonghewastoldallegoriesofthetoilsofhispilgrimage，ofholyfriendship，oftheEternalArchitectoftheuniverse，andofthecouragewithwhichheshouldenduretoilsanddangers。Duringthesewanderings，Pierrenoticedthathewasspokenofnowasthe\"Seeker，\"nowasthe\"Sufferer，\"andnowasthe\"Postulant，\"totheaccompanimentofvariousknockingswithmalletsandswords。Ashewasbeingleduptosomeobjecthenoticedahesitationanduncertaintyamonghisconductors。Heheardthosearoundhimdisputinginwhispersandoneoftheminsistingthatheshouldbeledalongacertaincarpet。Afterthattheytookhisrighthand，placeditonsomething，andtoldhimtoholdapairofcompassestohisleftbreastwiththeotherhandandtorepeataftersomeonewhoreadaloudanoathoffidelitytothelawsoftheOrder。Thecandleswerethenextinguishedandsomespiritlighted，asPierreknewbythesmell，andhewastoldthathewouldnowseethelesserlight。Thebandagewastakenoffhiseyesand，bythefaintlightoftheburningspirit，Pierre，asinadream，sawseveralmenstandingbeforehim，wearingapronsliketheRhetor’sandholdingswordsintheirhandspointedathisbreast。Amongthemstoodamanwhosewhiteshirtwasstainedwithblood。Onseeingthis，Pierremovedforwardwithhisbreasttowardtheswords，meaningthemtopierceit。Buttheswordsweredrawnbackfromhimandhewasatonceblindfoldedagain。
\"Nowthouhastseenthelesserlight，\"utteredavoice。Thenthecandleswererelitandhewastoldthathewouldseethefulllight；
thebandagewasagainremovedandmorethantenvoicessaidtogether：\"Sictransitgloriamundi。\"
Pierregraduallybegantorecoverhimselfandlookedaboutattheroomandatthepeopleinit。Roundalongtablecoveredwithblacksatsometwelvemeningarmentslikethosehehadalreadyseen。SomeofthemPierrehadmetinPetersburgsociety。InthePresident’schairsatayoungmanhedidnotknow，withapeculiarcrosshangingfromhisneck。OnhisrightsattheItalianabbewhomPierrehadmetatAnnaPavlovna’stwoyearsbefore。TherewerealsopresentaverydistinguisheddignitaryandaSwisswhohadformerlybeentutorattheKuragins’。Allmaintainedasolemnsilence，listeningtothewordsofthePresident，whoheldamalletinhishand。Letintothewallwasastar—shapedlight。Atonesideofthetablewasasmallcarpetwithvariousfiguresworkeduponit，attheotherwassomethingresemblinganaltaronwhichlayaTestamentandaskull。Rounditstoodsevenlargecandlestickslikethoseusedinchurches。TwoofthebrothersledPierreuptothealtar，placedhisfeetatrightangles，andbadehimliedown，sayingthathemustprostratehimselfattheGatesoftheTemple。
\"Hemustfirstreceivethetrowel，\"whisperedoneofthebrothers。
\"Oh，hush，please！\"saidanother。
Pierre，perplexed，lookedroundwithhisshortsightedeyeswithoutobeying，andsuddenlydoubtsaroseinhismind。\"WhereamI？WhatamI
doing？Aren’ttheylaughingatme？Shan’tIbeashamedtorememberthis？\"Butthesedoubtsonlylastedamoment。Pierreglancedattheseriousfacesofthosearound，rememberedallhehadalreadygonethrough，andrealizedthathecouldnotstophalfway。Hewasaghastathishesitationand，tryingtoarousehisformerdevotionalfeeling，prostratedhimselfbeforetheGatesoftheTemple。Andreally，thefeelingofdevotionreturnedtohimevenmorestronglythanbefore。
Whenhehadlaintheresometime，hewastoldtogetup，andawhiteleatherapron，suchastheotherswore，wasputonhim：hewasgivenatrowelandthreepairsofgloves，andthentheGrandMasteraddressedhim。Hetoldhimthatheshouldtrytodonothingtostainthewhitenessofthatapron，whichsymbolizedstrengthandpurity；
thenoftheunexplainedtrowel，hetoldhimtotoilwithittocleansehisownheartfromvice，andindulgentlytosmoothwithittheheartofhisneighbor。Astothefirstpairofgloves，aman’s，hesaidthatPierrecouldnotknowtheirmeaningbutmustkeepthem。Thesecondpairofman’sgloveshewastowearatthemeetings，andfinallyofthethird，apairofwomen’sgloves，hesaid：\"Dearbrother，thesewoman’sglovesareintendedforyoutoo。Givethemtothewomanwhomyoushallhonormostofall。ThisgiftwillbeapledgeofyourpurityofhearttoherwhomyouselecttobeyourworthyhelpmeetinMasonry。\"Andafterapause，headded：\"Butbeware，dearbrother，thattheseglovesdonotdeckhandsthatareunclean。\"WhiletheGrandMastersaidtheselastwordsitseemedtoPierrethathegrewembarrassed。Pierrehimselfgrewstillmoreconfused，blushedlikeachildtilltearscametohiseyes，beganlookingabouthimuneasily，andanawkwardpausefollowed。
Thissilencewasbrokenbyoneofthebrethren，wholedPierreuptotherugandbeganreadingtohimfromamanuscriptbookanexplanationofallthefiguresonit：thesun，themoon，ahammer，aplumbline，atrowel，aroughstoneandasquaredstone，apillar，threewindows，andsoon。ThenaplacewasassignedtoPierre，hewasshownthesignsoftheLodge，toldthepassword，andatlastwaspermittedtositdown。TheGrandMasterbeganreadingthestatutes。Theywereverylong，andPierre，fromjoy，agitation，andembarrassment，wasnotinastatetounderstandwhatwasbeingread。Hemanagedtofollowonlythelastwordsofthestatutesandtheseremainedinhismind。
\"Inourtempleswerecognizenootherdistinctions，\"readtheGrandMaster，\"butthosebetweenvirtueandvice。Bewareofmakinganydistinctionswhichmayinfringeequality。Flytoabrother’saidwhoeverhemaybe，exhorthimwhogoethastray，raisehimthatfalleth，neverbearmaliceorenmitytowardthybrother。Bekindlyandcourteous。Kindleinallheartstheflameofvirtue。Sharethyhappinesswiththyneighbor，andmayenvyneverdimthepurityofthatbliss。Forgivethyenemy，donotavengethyselfexceptbydoinghimgood。Thusfulfillingthehighestlawthoushaltregaintracesoftheancientdignitywhichthouhastlost。\"
Hefinishedand，gettingup，embracedandkissedPierre，who，withtearsofjoyinhiseyes，lookedroundhim，notknowinghowtoanswerthecongratulationsandgreetingsfromacquaintancesthatmethimonallsides。Heacknowledgednoacquaintancesbutsawinallthesemenonlybrothers，andburnedwithimpatiencetosettoworkwiththem。
TheGrandMasterrappedwithhismallet。AlltheMasonssatdownintheirplaces，andoneofthemreadanexhortationonthenecessityofhumility。
TheGrandMasterproposedthatthelastdutyshouldbeperformed，andthedistinguisheddignitarywhoborethetitleof\"CollectorofAlms\"wentroundtoallthebrothers。Pierrewouldhavelikedtosubscribeallhehad，butfearingthatitmightlooklikepridesubscribedthesameamountastheothers。
Themeetingwasatanend，andonreachinghomePierrefeltasifhehadreturnedfromalongjourneyonwhichhehadspentdozensofyears，hadbecomecompletelychanged，andhadquiteleftbehindhisformerhabitsandwayoflife。
BK5CH5
CHAPTERV
ThedayafterhehadbeenreceivedintotheLodge，PierrewassittingathomereadingabookandtryingtofathomthesignificanceoftheSquare，onesideofwhichsymbolizedGod，anothermoralthings，athirdphysicalthings，andthefourthacombinationofthese。NowandthenhisattentionwanderedfromthebookandtheSquareandheformedinimaginationanewplanoflife。OnthepreviouseveningattheLodge，hehadheardthatarumorofhisduelhadreachedtheEmperorandthatitwouldbewiserforhimtoleavePetersburg。Pierreproposedgoingtohisestatesinthesouthandthereattendingtothewelfareofhisserfs。Hewasjoyfullyplanningthisnewlife，whenPrinceVasilisuddenlyenteredtheroom。
\"Mydearfellow，whathaveyoubeenuptoinMoscow？WhyhaveyouquarreledwithHelene，moncher？Youareunderadelusion，\"saidPrinceVasili，asheentered。\"Iknowallaboutit，andIcantellyoupositivelythatHeleneisasinnocentbeforeyouasChristwasbeforetheJews。\"
Pierrewasabouttoreply，butPrinceVasiliinterruptedhim。
\"Andwhydidn’tyousimplycomestraighttomeastoafriend？I
knowallaboutitandunderstanditall，\"hesaid。\"Youbehavedasbecomesamanvalueshishonor，perhapstoohastily，butwewon’tgointothat。Butconsiderthepositioninwhichyouareplacingherandmeintheeyesofsociety，andevenofthecourt，\"headded，loweringhisvoice。\"SheislivinginMoscowandyouarehere。
Remember，dearboy，\"andhedrewPierre’sarmdownwards，\"itissimplyamisunderstanding。Iexpectyoufeelitsoyourself。Letuswriteheraletteratonce，andshe’llcomehereandallwillbeexplained，orelse，mydearboy，letmetellyouit’squitelikelyyou’llhavetosufferforit。\"
PrinceVasiligavePierreasignificantlook。
\"IknowfromreliablesourcesthattheDowagerEmpressistakingakeeninterestinthewholeaffair。YouknowsheisverygracioustoHelene。\"
Pierretriedseveraltimestospeak，but，ononehand，PrinceVasilididnotlethimand，ontheother，Pierrehimselffearedtobegintospeakinthetoneofdecidedrefusalanddisagreementinwhichhehadfirmlyresolvedtoanswerhisfather—in—law。Moreover，thewordsoftheMasonicstatutes，\"bekindlyandcourteous，\"recurredtohim。
Heblinked，wentred，gotupandsatdownagain，strugglingwithhimselftodowhatwasforhimthemostdifficultthinginlife—tosayanunpleasantthingtoaman’sface，tosaywhattheother，whoeverhemightbe，didnotexpect。HewassousedtosubmittingtoPrinceVasili’stoneofcarelessself—assurancethathefelthewouldbeunabletowithstanditnow，buthealsofeltthatonwhathesaidnowhisfuturedepended—whetherhewouldfollowthesameoldroad，orthatnewpathsoattractivelyshownhimbytheMasons，onwhichhefirmlybelievedhewouldbereborntoanewlife。
\"Now，dearboy，\"saidPrinceVasiliplayfully，\"say’yes，’andI’llwritetohermyself，andwewillkillthefattedcalf。\"
ButbeforePrinceVasilihadfinishedhisplayfulspeech，Pierre，withoutlookingathim，andwithakindoffurythatmadehimlikehisfather，mutteredinawhisper：
\"Prince，Ididnotaskyouhere。Go，pleasego！\"Andhejumpedupandopenedthedoorforhim。
\"Go！\"herepeated，amazedathimselfandgladtoseethelookofconfusionandfearthatshoweditselfonPrinceVasili’sface。
\"What’sthematterwithyou？Areyouill？\"
\"Go！\"thequiveringvoicerepeated。AndPrinceVasilihadtogowithoutreceivinganyexplanation。
Aweeklater，Pierre，havingtakenleaveofhisnewfriends，theMasons，andleavinglargesumsofmoneywiththemforalms，wentawaytohisestates。HisnewbrethrengavehimletterstotheKievandOdessaMasonsandpromisedtowritetohimandguidehiminhisnewactivity。
BK5CH6
CHAPTERVI
TheduelbetweenPierreandDolokhovwashushedupand，inspiteoftheEmperor’sseverityregardingduelsatthattime，neithertheprincipalsnortheirsecondssufferedforit。Butthestoryoftheduel，confirmedbyPierre’srupturewithhiswife，wasthetalkofsociety。Pierrewhohadbeenregardedwithpatronizingcondescensionwhenhewasanillegitimateson，andpettedandextolledwhenhewasthebestmatchinRussia，hadsunkgreatlyintheesteemofsocietyafterhismarriage—whenthemarriageabledaughtersandtheirmothershadnothingtohopefromhim—especiallyashedidnotknowhow，anddidnotwish，tocourtsociety’sfavor。Nowhealonewasblamedforwhathadhappened，hewassaidtobeinsanelyjealousandsubjectlikehisfathertofitsofbloodthirstyrage。AndwhenafterPierre’sdepartureHelenereturnedtoPetersburg，shewasreceivedbyallheracquaintancesnotonlycordially，butevenwithashadeofdeferenceduetohermisfortune。WhenconversationturnedonherhusbandHeleneassumedadignifiedexpression，whichwithcharacteristictactshehadacquiredthoughshedidnotunderstanditssignificance。ThisexpressionsuggestedthatshehadresolvedtoendurehertroublesuncomplaininglyandthatherhusbandwasacrosslaiduponherbyGod。PrinceVasiliexpressedhisopinionmoreopenly。
HeshruggedhisshoulderswhenPierrewasmentionedand，pointingtohisforehead，remarked：
\"Abittouched—Ialwayssaidso。\"
\"Isaidfromthefirst，\"declaredAnnaPavlovnareferringtoPierre，\"Isaidatthetimeandbeforeanyoneelse\"sheinsistedonherpriority\"thatthatsenselessyoungmanwasspoiledbythedepravedideasofthesedays。Isaidsoevenatthetimewheneverybodywasinrapturesabouthim，whenhehadjustreturnedfromabroad，andwhen，ifyouremember，heposedasasortofMaratatoneofmysoirees。Andhowhasitended？Iwasagainstthismarriageeventhenandforetoldallthathashappened。\"
AnnaPavlovnacontinuedtogiveonfreeeveningsthesamekindofsoireesasbefore—suchasshealonehadthegiftofarranging—atwhichwastobefound\"thecreamofreallygoodsociety，thebloomoftheintellectualessenceofPetersburg，\"assheherselfputit。
BesidesthisrefinedselectionofsocietyAnnaPavlovna’sreceptionswerealsodistinguishedbythefactthatshealwayspresentedsomenewandinterestingpersontothevisitorsandthatnowhereelsewasthestateofthepoliticalthermometeroflegitimatePetersburgcourtsocietysodearlyanddistinctlyindicated。
Towardtheendof1806，whenallthesaddetailsofNapoleon’sdestructionofthePrussianarmyatJenaandAuerstadtandthesurrenderofmostofthePrussianfortresseshadbeenreceived，whenourtroopshadalreadyenteredPrussiaandoursecondwarwithNapoleonwasbeginning，AnnaPavlovnagaveoneofhersoirees。The\"creamofreallygoodsociety\"consistedofthefascinatingHelene，forsakenbyherhusband，Mortemart，thedelightfulPrinceHippolytewhohadjustreturnedfromVienna，twodiplomatists，theoldaunt，ayoungmanreferredtointhatdrawingroomas\"amanofgreatmerit\"
unhommedebeaucoupdemerite，anewlyappointedmaidofhonorandhermother，andseveralotherlessnoteworthypersons。
ThenoveltyAnnaPavlovnawassettingbeforehergueststhateveningwasBorisDrubetskoy，whohadjustarrivedasaspecialmessengerfromthePrussianarmyandwasaide—de—camptoaveryimportantpersonage。
Thetemperatureshownbythepoliticalthermometertothecompanythateveningwasthis：
\"WhatevertheEuropeansovereignsandcommandersmaydotocountenanceBonaparte，andtocauseme，andusingeneral，annoyanceandmortification，ouropinionofBonapartecannotalter。Weshallnotceasetoexpressoursincereviewsonthatsubject，andcanonlysaytotheKingPrussiaandothers：’Somuchtheworseforyou。Tul’asvoulu，GeorgeDandin，’that’sallwehavetosayaboutit！\"
WhenBoris，whowastobeserveduptotheguests，enteredthedrawingroom，almostallthecompanyhadassembled，andtheconversation，guidedbyAnnaPavlovna，wasaboutourdiplomaticrelationswithAustriaandthehopeofanalliancewithher。
Boris，grownmoremanlyandlookingfresh，rosyandself—possessed，enteredthedrawingroomelegantlydressedintheuniformofanaide—de—campandwasdulyconductedtopayhisrespectstotheauntandthenbroughtbacktothegeneralcircle。
AnnaPavlovnagavehimhershriveledhandtokissandintroducedhimtoseveralpersonswhomhedidnotknow，givinghimawhispereddescriptionofeach。
charged’affairesfromCopenhagen—aprofoundintellect，\"andsimply，\"Mr。Shitov—amanofgreatmerit\"—thisofthemanusuallysodescribed。
ThankstoAnnaMikhaylovna’sefforts，hisowntastes，andthepeculiaritiesofhisreservednature，Borishadmanagedduringhisservicetoplacehimselfveryadvantageously。Hewasaide—de—camptoaveryimportantpersonage，hadbeensentonaveryimportantmissiontoPrussia，andhadjustreturnedfromthereasaspecialmessenger。HehadbecomethoroughlyconversantwiththatunwrittencodewithwhichhehadbeensopleasedatOlmutzandaccordingtowhichanensignmightrankincomparablyhigherthanageneral，andaccordingtowhichwhatwasneededforsuccessintheservicewasnoteffortorwork，orcourage，orperseverance，butonlytheknowledgeofhowtogetonwiththosewhocangrantrewards，andhewashimselfoftensurprisedattherapidityofhissuccessandattheinabilityofotherstounderstandthesethings。Inconsequenceofthisdiscoveryhiswholemanneroflife，allhisrelationswitholdfriends，allhisplansforhisfuture，werecompletelyaltered。Hewasnotrich，butwouldspendhislastgroattobebetterdressedthanothers，andwouldratherdeprivehimselfofmanypleasuresthanallowhimselftobeseeninashabbyequipageorappearinthestreetsofPetersburginanolduniform。Hemadefriendswithandsoughttheacquaintanceofonlythoseabovehiminpositionandwhocouldthereforebeofusetohim。HelikedPetersburganddespisedMoscow。TheremembranceoftheRostovs’houseandofhischildishloveforNatashawasunpleasanttohimandhehadnotoncebeentoseetheRostovssincethedayofhisdepartureforthearmy。TobeinAnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroomheconsideredanimportantstepupintheservice，andheatonceunderstoodhisrole，lettinghishostessmakeuseofwhateverinteresthehadtooffer。Hehimselfcarefullyscannedeachface，appraisingthepossibilitiesofestablishingintimacywitheachofthosepresent，andtheadvantagesthatmightaccrue。HetooktheseatindicatedtohimbesidethefairHeleneandlistenedtothegeneralconversation。
\"Viennaconsidersthebasesoftheproposedtreatysounattainablethatnotevenacontinuityofmostbrilliantsuccesseswouldsecurethem，andshedoubtsthemeanswehaveofgainingthem。ThatistheactualphraseusedbytheViennacabinet，\"saidtheDanishcharged’affaires。
\"Thedoubtisflattering，\"said\"themanofprofoundintellect，\"
withasubtlesmile。
\"WemustdistinguishbetweentheViennacabinetandtheEmperorofAustria，\"saidMortemart。\"TheEmperorofAustriacanneverhavethoughtofsuchathing，itisonlythecabinetthatsaysit。\"
\"Ah，mydearvicomte，\"putinAnnaPavlovna，\"L’Urope\"forsomereasonshecalleditUropeasifthatwereaspeciallyrefinedFrenchpronunciationwhichshecouldallowherselfwhenconversingwithaFrenchman，\"L’Uropeneserajamaisnotreallieesincere。\"*
*\"Europewillneverbeoursincereally。\"
AfterthatAnnaPavlovnaleduptothecourageandfirmnessoftheKingofPrussia，inordertodrawBorisintotheconversation。
Borislistenedattentivelytoeachofthespeakers，awaitinghisturn，butmanagedmeanwhiletolookroundrepeatedlyathisneighbor，thebeautifulHelene，whoseeyesseveraltimesmetthoseofthehandsomeyoungaide—de—campwithasmile。
SpeakingofthepositionofPrussia，AnnaPavlovnaverynaturallyaskedBoristotellthemabouthisjourneytoGlogauandinwhatstatehefoundthePrussianarmy。Boris，speakingwithdeliberation，toldtheminpure，correctFrenchmanyinterestingdetailsaboutthearmiesandthecourt，carefullyabstainingfromexpressinganopinionofhisownaboutthefactshewasrecounting。Forsometimeheengrossedthegeneralattention，andAnnaPavlovnafeltthatthenoveltyshehadservedupwasreceivedwithpleasurebyallhervisitors。ThegreatestattentionofalltoBoris’narrativewasshownbyHelene。SheaskedhimseveralquestionsabouthisjourneyandseemedgreatlyinterestedinthestateofthePrussianarmy。Assoonashehadfinishedsheturnedtohimwithherusualsmile。
\"Youabsolutelymustcomeandseeme，\"shesaidinatonethatimpliedthat，forcertainconsiderationshecouldnotknowof，thiswasabsolutelynecessary。
\"OnTuesdaybetweeneightandnine。Itwillgivemegreatpleasure。\"
Borispromisedtofulfillherwishandwasabouttobeginaconversationwithher，whenAnnaPavlovnacalledhimawayonthepretextthatherauntwishedtohearhim。
\"Youknowherhusband，ofcourse？\"saidAnnaPavlovna，closinghereyesandindicatingHelenewithasorrowfulgesture。\"Ah，sheissuchanunfortunateandcharmingwoman！Don’tmentionhimbeforeher—pleasedon’t！Itistoopainfulforher！\"
BK5CH7
CHAPTERVII
WhenBorisandAnnaPavlovnareturnedtotheothersPrinceHippolytehadtheearofthecompany。
Bendingforwardinhisarmchairhesaid：\"LeRoidePrusse！\"andhavingsaidthislaughed。Everyoneturnedtowardhim。
\"LeRoidePrusse？\"Hippolytesaidinterrogatively，againlaughing，andthencalmlyandseriouslysatbackinhischair。AnnaPavlovnawaitedforhimtogoon，butasheseemedquitedecidedtosaynomoreshebegantotellofhowatPotsdamtheimpiousBonapartehadstolentheswordofFredericktheGreat。
\"ItistheswordofFredericktheGreatwhichI……\"shebegan，butHippolyteinterruptedherwiththewords：\"LeRoidePrusse……\"andagain，assoonassoonasallturnedtowardhim，excusedhimselfandsaidnomore。
AnnaPavlovnafrowned。Mortemart，Hippolyte’sfriend，addressedhimfirmly。
\"Comenow，whataboutyourRoidePrusse？\"
Hippolytelaughedasifashamedoflaughing。
\"Oh，it’snothing。Ionlywishedtosay……\"hewantedtorepeatajokehehadheardinViennaandwhichhehadbeentryingallthateveningtogetin\"IonlywishedtosaythatwearewrongtofightpourleRoidePrusse！\"
Borissmiledcircumspectly，sothatitmightbetakenasironicalorappreciativeaccordingtothewaythejokewasreceived。Everybodylaughed。
\"Yourjokeistoobad，it’swittybutunjust，\"saidAnnaPavlovna，shakingherlittleshriveledfingerathim。
\"WearenotfightingpourleRoidePrusse，butforrightprinciples。Oh，thatwickedPrinceHippolyte！\"shesaid。
Theconversationdidnotflagalleveningandturnedchieflyonthepoliticalnews。ItbecameparticularlyanimatedtowardtheendoftheeveningwhentherewardsbestowedbytheEmperorwerementioned。
\"YouknowN—N—receivedasnuffboxwiththeportraitlastyear？\"
said\"themanofprofoundintellect。\"\"Whyshouldn’tS—S—getthesamedistinction？\"
\"Pardonme！AsnuffboxwiththeEmperor’sportraitisarewardbutnotadistinction，\"saidthediplomatist—\"agift，rather。\"
\"Thereareprecedents，ImaymentionSchwarzenberg。\"
\"It’simpossible，\"repliedanother。
\"Willyoubet？Theribbonoftheorderisadifferentmatter……\"
Wheneverybodyrosetogo，HelenewhohadspokenverylittlealltheeveningagainturnedtoBoris，askinghiminatoneofcaressingsignificantcommandtocometoheronTuesday。
\"Itisofgreatimportancetome，\"shesaid，turningwithasmiletowardAnnaPavlovna，andAnnaPavlovna，withthesamesadsmilewithwhichshespokeofherexaltedpatroness，supportedHelene’swish。
ItseemedasiffromsomewordsBorishadspokenthateveningaboutthePrussianarmy，Helenehadsuddenlyfounditnecessarytoseehim。SheseemedtopromisetoexplainthatnecessitytohimwhenhecameonTuesday。
ButonTuesdayevening，havingcometoHelene’ssplendidsalon，Borisreceivednoclearexplanationofwhyithadbeennecessaryforhimtocome。Therewereotherguestsandthecountesstalkedlittletohim，andonlyashekissedherhandontakingleavesaidunexpectedlyandinawhisper，withastrangelyunsmilingface：
\"Cometodinnertomorrow……intheevening。Youmustcome……Come！\"
DuringthatstayinPetersburg，Borisbecameanintimateinthecountess’house。
BK5CH8
CHAPTERVIII
ThewarwasflamingupandnearingtheRussianfrontier。
EverywhereoneheardcursesonBonaparte，\"theenemyofmankind。\"
Militiamenandrecruitswerebeingenrolledinthevillages，andfromtheseatofwarcamecontradictorynews，falseasusualandthereforevariouslyinterpreted。ThelifeofoldPrinceBolkonski，PrinceAndrew，andPrincessMaryhadgreatlychangedsince1805。
In1806theoldprincewasmadeoneoftheeightcommandersinchiefthenappointedtosupervisetheenrollmentdecreedthroughoutRussia。Despitetheweaknessofage，whichhadbecomeparticularlynoticeablesincethetimewhenhethoughthissonhadbeenkilled，hedidnotthinkitrighttorefuseadutytowhichhehadbeenappointedbytheEmperorhimself，andthisfreshopportunityforactiongavehimnewenergyandstrength。Hewascontinuallytravelingthroughthethreeprovincesentrustedtohim，waspedanticinthefulfillmentofhisduties，severetocrueltywithhissubordinates，andwentintoeverythingdowntotheminutestdetailshimself。PrincessMaryhadceasedtakinglessonsinmathematicsfromherfather，andwhentheoldprincewasathomewenttohisstudywiththewetnurseandlittlePrinceNicholasashisgrandfathercalledhim。ThebabyPrinceNicholaslivedwithhiswetnurseandnurseSavishnainthelateprincess’roomsandPrincessMaryspentmostofthedayinthenursery，takingamother’splacetoherlittlenephewasbestshecould。MademoiselleBourienne，too，seemedpassionatelyfondoftheboy，andPrincessMaryoftendeprivedherselftogiveherfriendthepleasureofdandlingthelittleangel—asshecalledhernephew—andplayingwithhim。
NearthealtarofthechurchatBaldHillstherewasachapeloverthetombofthelittleprincess，andinthischapelwasamarblemonumentbroughtfromItaly，representinganangelwithoutspreadwingsreadytoflyupwards。Theangel’supperlipwasslightlyraisedasthoughabouttosmile，andonceoncomingoutofthechapelPrinceAndrewandPrincessMaryadmittedtooneanotherthattheangel’sfaceremindedthemstrangelyofthelittleprincess。Butwhatwasstillstranger，thoughofthisPrinceAndrewsaidnothingtohissister，wasthatintheexpressionthesculptorhadhappenedtogivetheangel’sface，PrinceAndrewreadthesamemildreproachhehadreadonthefaceofhisdeadwife：\"Ah，whyhaveyoudonethistome？\"
SoonafterPrinceAndrew’sreturntheoldprincemadeovertohimalargeestate，Bogucharovo，abouttwenty—fivemilesfromBaldHills。PartlybecauseofthedepressingmemoriesassociatedwithBaldHills，partlybecausePrinceAndrewdidnotalwaysfeelequaltobearingwithhisfather’speculiarities，andpartlybecauseheneededsolitude，PrinceAndrewmadeuseofBogucharovo，beganbuildingandspentmostofhistimethere。
AftertheAusterlitzcampaignPrinceAndrewhadfirmlyresolvednottocontinuehismilitaryservice，andwhenthewarrecommencedandeverybodyhadtoserve，hetookapostunderhisfatherintherecruitmentsoastoavoidactiveservice。Theoldprinceandhissonseemedtohavechangedrolessincethecampaignof1805。Theoldman，rousedbyactivity，expectedthebestresultsfromthenewcampaign，whilePrinceAndrewonthecontrary，takingnopartinthewarandsecretlyregrettingthis，sawonlythedarkside。
OnFebruary26，1807，theoldprincesetoffononeofhiscircuits。
PrinceAndrewremainedatBaldHillsasusualduringhisfather’sabsence。LittleNicholashadbeenunwellforfourdays。ThecoachmanwhohaddriventheoldprincetotownreturnedbringingpapersandlettersforPrinceAndrew。
NotfindingtheyoungprinceinhisstudythevaletwentwiththeletterstoPrincessMary’sapartments，butdidnotfindhimthere。
Hewastoldthattheprincehadgonetothenursery。
\"Ifyouplease，yourexcellency，Petrushahasbroughtsomepapers，\"saidoneofthenursemaidstoPrinceAndrewwhowassittingonachild’slittlechairwhile，frowningandwithtremblinghands，hepoureddropsfromamedicinebottleintoawineglasshalffullofwater。
\"Whatisit？\"hesaidcrossly，and，hishandshakingunintentionally，hepouredtoomanydropsintotheglass。Hethrewthemixtureontothefloorandaskedforsomemorewater。Themaidbroughtit。