Therewereintheroomachild’scot，twoboxes，twoarmchairs，atable，achild’stable，andthelittlechaironwhichPrinceAndrewwassitting。Thecurtainsweredrawn，andasinglecandlewasburningonthetable，screenedbyaboundmusicbooksothatthelightdidnotfallonthecot。
\"Mydear，\"saidPrincessMary，addressingherbrotherfrombesidethecotwhereshewasstanding，\"betterwaitabit……later……\"
\"Oh，leaveoff，youalwaystalknonsenseandkeepputtingthingsoff—andthisiswhatcomesofit！\"saidPrinceAndrewinanexasperatedwhisper，evidentlymeaningtowoundhissister。
\"Mydear，really……it’sbetternottowakehim……he’sasleep，\"
saidtheprincessinatoneofentreaty。
PrinceAndrewgotupandwentontiptoeuptothelittlebed，wineglassinhand。
\"Perhapswe’dreallybetternotwakehim，\"hesaidhesitating。
\"Asyouplease……really……Ithinkso……butasyouplease，\"saidPrincessMary，evidentlyintimidatedandconfusedthatheropinionhadprevailed。Shedrewherbrother’sattentiontothemaidwhowascallinghiminawhisper。
Itwasthesecondnightthatneitherofthemhadslept，watchingtheboywhowasinahighfever。Theselastdays，mistrustingtheirhouseholddoctorandexpectinganotherforwhomtheyhadsenttotown，theyhadbeentryingfirstoneremedyandthenanother。Wornoutbysleeplessnessandanxietytheythrewtheirburdenofsorrowononeanotherandreproachedanddisputedwitheachother。
\"Petrushahascomewithpapersfromyourfather，\"whisperedthemaid。
PrinceAndrewwentout。
\"Deviltakethem！\"hemuttered，andafterlisteningtotheverbalinstructionshisfatherhadsentandtakingthecorrespondenceandhisfather’sletter，hereturnedtothenursery。
\"Well？\"heasked。
\"Stillthesame。Wait，forheaven’ssake。KarlIvanichalwayssaysthatsleepismoreimportantthananything，\"whisperedPrincessMarywithasigh。
PrinceAndrewwentuptothechildandfelthim。Hewasburninghot。
\"ConfoundyouandyourKarlIvanich！\"Hetooktheglasswiththedropsandagainwentuptothecot。
\"Andrew，don’t！\"saidPrincessMary。
Buthescowledatherangrilythoughalsowithsufferinginhiseyes，andstoopedglassinhandovertheinfant。
\"ButIwishit，\"hesaid。\"Ibegyou—giveithim！\"
PrincessMaryshruggedhershouldersbuttooktheglasssubmissivelyandcallingthenursebegangivingthemedicine。Thechildscreamedhoarsely。PrinceAndrewwincedand，clutchinghishead，wentoutandsatdownonasofainthenextroom。
Hestillhadallthelettersinhishand。Openingthemmechanicallyhebeganreading。Theoldprince，nowandthenusingabbreviations，wroteinhislargeelongatedhandonbluepaperasfollows：
Havejustthismomentreceivedbyspecialmessengerveryjoyfulnews—ifit’snotfalse。BennigsenseemstohaveobtainedacompletevictoryoverBuonaparteatEylau。InPetersburgeveryoneisrejoicing，andtherewardssenttothearmyareinnumerable。ThoughheisaGerman—Icongratulatehim！Ican’tmakeoutwhatthecommanderatKorchevo—acertainKhandrikov—isupto；tillnowtheadditionalmenandprovisionshavenotarrived。GallopofftohimatonceandsayI’llhavehisheadoffifeverythingisnothereinaweek。HavereceivedanotherletteraboutthePreussisch—EylaubattlefromPetenka—hetookpartinit—andit’salltrue。Whenmischief—makersdon’tmeddleevenaGermanbeatsBuonaparte。Heissaidtobefleeingingreatdisorder。MindyougallopofftoKorchevowithoutdelayandcarryoutinstructions！
PrinceAndrewsighedandbrokethesealofanotherenvelope。ItwasacloselywrittenletteroftwosheetsfromBilibin。Hefoldeditupwithoutreadingitandrereadhisfather’sletter，endingwiththewords：\"GallopofftoKorchevoandcarryoutinstructions！\"
\"No，pardonme，Iwon’tgonowtillthechildisbetter，\"thoughthe，goingtothedoorandlookingintothenursery。
PrincessMarywasstillstandingbythecot，gentlyrockingthebaby。
\"Ahyes，andwhatelsedidhesaythat’sunpleasant？\"thoughtPrinceAndrew，recallinghisfather’sletter。\"Yes，wehavegainedavictoryoverBonaparte，justwhenI’mnotserving。Yes，yes，he’salwayspokingfunatme……Ah，well！Lethim！\"AndhebeganreadingBilibin’sletterwhichwaswritteninFrench。Hereadwithoutunderstandinghalfofit，readonlytoforget，ifbutforamoment，whathehadtoolongbeenthinkingofsopainfullytotheexclusionofallelse。
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Bilibinwasnowatarmyheadquartersinadiplomaticcapacity，andthoughhewroteinFrenchandusedFrenchjestsandFrenchidioms，hedescribedthewholecampaignwithafearlessself—censureandself—derisiongenuinelyRussian。Bilibinwrotethattheobligationofdiplomaticdiscretiontormentedhim，andhewashappytohaveinPrinceAndrewareliablecorrespondenttowhomhecouldpouroutthebilehehadaccumulatedatthesightofallthatwasbeingdoneinthearmy。Theletterwasold，havingbeenwrittenbeforethebattleatPreussisch—Eylau。
\"SincethedayofourbrilliantsuccessatAusterlitz，\"wroteBilibin，\"asyouknow，mydearprince，Ineverleaveheadquarters。I
havecertainlyacquiredatasteforwar，anditisjustaswellforme；whatIhaveseenduringtheselastthreemonthsisincredible。
\"Ibeginabovo。’Theenemyofthehumanrace，’asyouknow，attacksthePrussians。ThePrussiansareourfaithfulallieswhohaveonlybetrayedusthreetimesinthreeyears。Wetakeuptheircause，butitturnsoutthat’theenemyofthehumanrace’paysnoheedtoourfinespeechesandinhisrudeandsavagewaythrowshimselfonthePrussianswithoutgivingthemtimetofinishtheparadetheyhadbegun，andintwotwistsofthehandhebreaksthemtosmithereensandinstallshimselfinthepalaceatPotsdam。
\"’Imostardentlydesire，’writestheKingofPrussiatoBonaparte，’thatYourMajestyshouldbereceivedandtreatedinmypalaceinamanneragreeabletoyourself，andinsofarascircumstancesallowed，Ihavehastenedtotakeallstepstothatend。MayIhavesucceeded！’ThePrussiangeneralspridethemselvesonbeingpolitetotheFrenchandlaydowntheirarmsatthefirstdemand。
\"TheheadofthegarrisonatGlogau，withtenthousandmen，askstheKingofPrussiawhatheistodoifheissummonedtosurrender……
Allthisisabsolutelytrue。
\"Inshort，hopingtosettlemattersbytakingupawarlikeattitude，itturnsoutthatwehavelandedourselvesinwar，andwhatismore，inwaronourownfrontiers，withandfortheKingofPrussia。Wehaveeverythinginperfectorder，onlyonelittlethingislacking，namely，acommanderinchief。AsitwasconsideredthattheAusterlitzsuccessmighthavebeenmoredecisivehadthecommanderinchiefnotbeensoyoung，allouroctogenarianswerereviewed，andofProzorovskiandKamenskithelatterwaspreferred。Thegeneralcomestous，Suvorov—like，inakibitka，andisreceivedwithacclamationsofjoyandtriumph。
\"Onthe4th，thefirstcourierarrivesfromPetersburg。Themailsaretakentothefieldmarshal’sroom，forhelikestodoeverythinghimself。Iamcalledintohelpsortthelettersandtakethosemeantforus。Thefieldmarshallooksonandwaitsforlettersaddressedtohim。Wesearch，butnonearetobefound。ThefieldmarshalgrowsimpatientandsetstoworkhimselfandfindslettersfromtheEmperortoCountT。，PrinceV。，andothers。Thenheburstsintooneofhiswildfuriesandragesateveryoneandeverything，seizestheletters，opensthem，andreadsthosefromtheEmperoraddressedtoothers。’Ah！Sothat’sthewaytheytreatme！Noconfidenceinme！Ah，orderedtokeepaneyeonme！Verywellthen！
Getalongwithyou！’SohewritesthefamousorderofthedaytoGeneralBennigsen：
’Iamwoundedandcannotrideandconsequentlycannotcommandthearmy。YouhavebroughtyourarmycorpstoPultusk，routed：hereitisexposed，andwithoutfuelorforage，sosomethingmustbedone，and，asyouyourselfreportedtoCountBuxhowdenyesterday，youmustthinkofretreatingtoourfrontier—whichdotoday。’
\"’Fromallmyriding，’hewritestotheEmperor，’Ihavegotasaddlesorewhich，comingafterallmypreviousjourneys，quitepreventsmyridingandcommandingsovastanarmy，soIhavepassedonthecommandtothegeneralnextinseniority，CountBuxhowden，havingsenthimmywholestaffandallthatbelongstoit，advisinghimifthereisalackofbread，tomovefartherintotheinteriorofPrussia，foronlyoneday’srationofbreadremains，andinsomeregimentsnoneatall，asreportedbythedivisioncommanders，OstermannandSedmoretzki，andallthatthepeasantshadhasbeeneatenup。ImyselfwillremaininhospitalatOstrolenkatillI
recover。InregardtowhichIhumblysubmitmyreport，withtheinformationthatifthearmyremainsinitspresentbivouacanotherfortnighttherewillnotbeahealthymanleftinitbyspring。
\"’Grantleavetoretiretohiscountryseattoanoldmanwhoisalreadyinanycasedishonoredbybeingunabletofulfillthegreatandglorioustaskforwhichhewaschosen。Ishallawaityourmostgraciouspermissionhereinhospital，thatImaynothavetoplaythepartofasecretaryratherthancommanderinthearmy。Myremovalfromthearmydoesnotproducetheslighteststir—ablindmanhasleftit。TherearethousandssuchasIinRussia。’
\"ThefieldmarshalisangrywiththeEmperorandhepunishesusall，isn’titlogical？
\"Thisisthefirstact。Thosethatfollowarenaturallyincreasinglyinterestingandentertaining。Afterthefieldmarshal’sdepartureitappearsthatwearewithinsightoftheenemyandmustgivebattle。
Buxhowdeniscommanderinchiefbyseniority，butGeneralBennigsendoesnotquiteseeit；moreparticularlyasitisheandhiscorpswhoarewithinsightoftheenemyandhewishestoprofitbytheopportunitytofightabattle’onhisownhand’astheGermanssay。Hedoesso。ThisisthebattleofPultusk，whichisconsideredagreatvictorybutinmyopinionwasnothingofthekind。Wecivilians，asyouknow，haveaverybadwayofdecidingwhetherabattlewaswonorlost。Thosewhoretreatafterabattlehavelostitiswhatwesay；
andaccordingtothatitiswewholostthebattleofPultusk。Inshort，weretreatafterthebattlebutsendacouriertoPetersburgwithnewsofavictory，andGeneralBennigsen，hopingtoreceivefromPetersburgthepostofcommanderinchiefasarewardforhisvictory，doesnotgiveupthecommandofthearmytoGeneralBuxhowden。Duringthisinterregnumwebeginaveryoriginalandinterestingseriesofmaneuvers。Ouraimisnolonger，asitshouldbe，toavoidorattacktheenemy，butsolelytoavoidGeneralBuxhowdenwhobyrightofseniorityshouldbeourchief。Soenergeticallydowepursuethisaimthataftercrossinganunfordableriverweburnthebridgestoseparateourselvesfromourenemy，whoatthemomentisnotBonapartebutBuxhowden。GeneralBuxhowdenwasallbutattackedandcapturedbyasuperiorenemyforceasaresultofoneofthesemaneuversthatenabledustoescapehim。Buxhowdenpursuesus—wescuttle。Hehardlycrossestherivertooursidebeforewerecrosstotheother。Atlastourenemy。
Buxhowden，catchesusandattacks。Bothgeneralsareangry，andtheresultisachallengeonBuxhowden’spartandanepilepticfitonBennigsen’s。ButatthecriticalmomentthecourierwhocarriedthenewsofourvictoryatPultusktoPetersburgreturnsbringingourappointmentascommanderinchief，andourfirstfoe，Buxhowden，isvanquished；wecannowturnourthoughtstothesecond，Bonaparte。Butasitturnsout，justatthatmomentathirdenemyrisesbeforeus—
namelytheOrthodoxRussiansoldiers，loudlydemandingbread，meat，biscuits，fodder，andwhatnot！Thestoresareempty，theroadsimpassable。TheOrthodoxbeginlooting，andinawayofwhichourlastcampaigncangiveyounoidea。Halftheregimentsformbandsandscourthecountrysideandputeverythingtofireandsword。Theinhabitantsaretotallyruined，thehospitalsoverflowwithsick，andfamineiseverywhere。Twicethemaraudersevenattackourheadquarters，andthecommanderinchiefhastoaskforabattaliontodispersethem。Duringoneoftheseattackstheycarriedoffmyemptyportmanteauandmydressinggown。TheEmperorproposestogiveallcommandersofdivisionstherighttoshootmarauders，butImuchfearthiswillobligeonehalfthearmytoshoottheother。\"
AtfirstPrinceAndrewreadwithhiseyesonly，butafterawhile，inspiteofhimselfalthoughheknewhowfaritwassafetotrustBilibin，whathehadreadbegantointeresthimmoreandmore。Whenhehadreadthusfar，hecrumpledtheletterupandthrewitaway。
Itwasnotwhathehadreadthatvexedhim，butthefactthatthelifeoutthereinwhichhehadnownopartcouldperturbhim。Heshuthiseyes，rubbedhisforeheadasiftoridhimselfofallinterestinwhathehadread，andlistenedtowhatwaspassinginthenursery。Suddenlyhethoughtheheardastrangenoisethroughthedoor。Hewasseizedwithalarmlestsomethingshouldhavehappenedtothechildwhilehewasreadingtheletter。Hewentontiptoetothenurserydoorandopenedit。
JustashewentinhesawthatthenursewashidingsomethingfromhimwithascaredlookandthatPrincessMarywasnolongerbythecot。
\"Mydear，\"heheardwhatseemedtohimherdespairingwhisperbehindhim。
Asoftenhappensafterlongsleeplessnessandlonganxiety，hewasseizedbyanunreasoningpanic—itoccurredtohimthatthechildwasdead。Allthathesawandheardseemedtoconfirmthisterror。
\"Allisover，\"hethought，andacoldsweatbrokeoutonhisforehead。Hewenttothecotinconfusion，surethathewouldfinditemptyandthatthenursehadbeenhidingthedeadbaby。Hedrewthecurtainasideandforsometimehisfrightened，restlesseyescouldnotfindthebaby。Atlasthesawhim：therosyboyhadtossedabouttillhelayacrossthebedwithhisheadlowerthanthepillow，andwassmackinghislipsinhissleepandbreathingevenly。
PrinceAndrewwasasgladtofindtheboylikethat，asifhehadalreadylosthim。Hebentoverhimand，ashissisterhadtaughthim，triedwithhislipswhetherthechildwasstillfeverish。Thesoftforeheadwasmoist。PrinceAndrewtouchedtheheadwithhishand；
eventhehairwaswet，soprofuselyhadthechildperspired。Hewasnotdead，butevidentlythecrisiswasoverandhewasconvalescent。
PrinceAndrewlongedtosnatchup，tosqueeze，toholdtohisheart，thishelplesslittlecreature，butdarednotdoso。Hestoodoverhim，gazingathisheadandatthelittlearmsandlegswhichshowedundertheblanket。Heheardarustlebehindhimandashadowappearedunderthecurtainofthecot。Hedidnotlookround，butstillgazingattheinfant’sfacelistenedtohisregularbreathing。
ThedarkshadowwasPrincessMary，whohadcomeuptothecotwithnoiselesssteps，liftedthecurtain，anddroppeditagainbehindher。PrinceAndrewrecognizedherwithoutlookingandheldouthishandtoher。Shepressedit。
\"Hehasperspired，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Iwascomingtotellyouso。\"
Thechildmovedslightlyinhissleep，smiled，andrubbedhisforeheadagainstthepillow。
PrinceAndrewlookedathissister。Inthedimshadowofthecurtainherluminouseyesshonemorebrightlythanusualfromthetearsofjoythatwereinthem。Sheleanedovertoherbrotherandkissedhim，slightlycatchingthecurtainofthecot。Eachmadetheotherawarninggestureandstoodstillinthedimlightbeneaththecurtainasifnotwishingtoleavethatseclusionwheretheythreewereshutofffromalltheworld。PrinceAndrewwasthefirsttomoveaway，rufflinghishairagainstthemuslinofthecurtain。
\"Yes，thisistheonethingleftmenow，\"hesaidwithasigh。
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SoonafterhisadmissiontotheMasonicBrotherhood，PierrewenttotheKievprovince，wherehehadthegreatestnumberofserfs，takingwithhimfulldirectionswhichhehadwrittendownforhisownguidanceastowhatheshoulddoonhisestates。
WhenhereachedKievhesentforallhisstewardstotheheadofficeandexplainedtothemhisintentionsandwishes。Hetoldthemthatstepswouldbetakenimmediatelytofreehisserfs—andthattillthentheywerenottobeoverburdenedwithlabor，womenwhilenursingtheirbabieswerenottobesenttowork，assistancewastobegiventotheserfs，punishmentsweretobeadmonitoryandnotcorporal，andhospitals，asylums，andschoolsweretobeestablishedonalltheestates。Someofthestewardsthereweresemiliterateforemenamongthemlistenedwithalarm，supposingthesewordstomeanthattheyoungcountwasdispleasedwiththeirmanagementandembezzlementofmoney，someaftertheirfirstfrightwereamusedbyPierre’slispandthenewwordstheyhadnotheardbefore，otherssimplyenjoyedhearinghowthemastertalked，whilethecleverestamongthem，includingthechiefsteward，understoodfromthisspeechhowtheycouldbesthandlethemasterfortheirownends。
ThechiefstewardexpressedgreatsympathywithPierre’sintentions，butremarkedthatbesidesthesechangesitwouldbenecessarytogointothegeneralstateofaffairswhichwasfarfromsatisfactory。
DespiteCountBezukhov’senormouswealth，sincehehadcomeintoanincomewhichwassaidtoamounttofivehundredthousandrublesayear，Pierrefelthimselffarpoorerthanwhenhisfatherhadmadehimanallowanceoftenthousandrubles。Hehadadimperceptionofthefollowingbudget：
About80，000wentinpaymentsonalltheestatestotheLandBank，about30，000wentfortheupkeepoftheestatenearMoscow，thetownhouse，andtheallowancetothethreeprincesses；about15，000wasgiveninpensionsandthesameamountforasylums；150，000alimonywassenttothecountess；about70，00wentforinterestondebts。Thebuildingofanewchurch，previouslybegun，hadcostabout10，000ineachofthelasttwoyears，andhedidnotknowhowtherest，about100，000rubles，wasspent，andalmosteveryyearhewasobligedtoborrow。Besidesthisthechiefstewardwroteeveryyeartellinghimoffiresandbadharvests，orofthenecessityofrebuildingfactoriesandworkshops。SothefirsttaskPierrehadtofacewasoneforwhichhehadverylittleaptitudeorinclination—practicalbusiness。
Hediscussedestateaffairseverydaywithhischiefsteward。Buthefeltthatthisdidnotforwardmattersatall。Hefeltthattheseconsultationsweredetachedfromrealaffairsanddidnotlinkupwiththemormakethemmove。Ontheonehand，thechiefstewardputthestateofthingstohimintheveryworstlight，pointingoutthenecessityofpayingoffthedebtsandundertakingnewactivitieswithserflabor，towhichPierredidnotagree。Ontheotherhand，Pierredemandedthatstepsshouldbetakentoliberatetheserfs，whichthestewardmetbyshowingthenecessityoffirstpayingofftheloansfromtheLandBank，andtheconsequentimpossibilityofaspeedyemancipation。
Thestewarddidnotsayitwasquiteimpossible，butsuggestedsellingtheforestsintheprovinceofKostroma，thelandlowerdowntheriver，andtheCrimeanestate，inordertomakeitpossible：allofwhichoperationsaccordingtohimwereconnectedwithsuchcomplicatedmeasures—theremovalofinjunctions，petitions，permits，andsoon—thatPierrebecamequitebewilderedandonlyreplied：
\"Yes，yes，doso。\"
Pierrehadnoneofthepracticalpersistencethatwouldhaveenabledhimtoattendtothebusinesshimselfandsohedislikeditandonlytriedtopretendtothestewardthathewasattendingtoit。Thestewardforhisparttriedtopretendtothecountthatheconsideredtheseconsultationsveryvaluablefortheproprietorandtroublesometohimself。
InKievPierrefoundsomepeopleheknew，andstrangershastenedtomakehisacquaintanceandjoyfullywelcomedtherichnewcomer，thelargestlandowneroftheprovince。TemptationstoPierre’sgreatestweakness—theonetowhichhehadconfessedwhenadmittedtotheLodge—weresostrongthathecouldnotresistthem。Againwholedays，weeks，andmonthsofhislifepassedinasgreatarushandwereasmuchoccupiedwitheveningparties，dinners，lunches，andballs，givinghimnotimeforreflection，asinPetersburg。
Insteadofthenewlifehehadhopedtoleadhestilllivedtheoldlife，onlyinnewsurroundings。
OfthethreepreceptsofFreemasonryPierrerealizedthathedidnotfulfilltheonewhichenjoinedeveryMasontosetanexampleofmorallife，andthatofthesevenvirtueshelackedtwo—moralityandtheloveofdeath。Heconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthathefulfilledanotheroftheprecepts—thatofreformingthehumanrace—
andhadothervirtues—loveofhisneighbor，andespeciallygenerosity。
Inthespringof1807hedecidedtoreturntoPetersburg。OnthewayheintendedtovisitallhisestatesandseeforhimselfhowfarhisordershadbeencarriedoutandinwhatstateweretheserfswhomGodhadentrustedtohiscareandwhomheintendedtobenefit。
Thechiefsteward，whoconsideredtheyoungcount’sattemptsalmostinsane—unprofitabletohimself，tothecount，andtotheserfs—madesomeconcessions。Continuingtorepresenttheliberationoftheserfsasimpracticable，hearrangedfortheerectionoflargebuildings—schools，hospitals，andasylums—onalltheestatesbeforethemasterarrived。EverywherepreparationsweremadenotforceremoniouswelcomeswhichheknewPierrewouldnotlike，butforjustsuchgratefullyreligiousones，withofferingsoficonsandthebreadandsaltofhospitality，as，accordingtohisunderstandingofhismaster，wouldtouchanddeludehim。
Thesouthernspring，thecomfortablerapidtravelinginaViennacarriage，andthesolitudeoftheroad，allhadagladdeningeffectonPierre。Theestateshehadnotbeforevisitedwereeachmorepicturesquethantheother；theserfseverywhereseemedthrivingandtouchinglygratefulforthebenefitsconferredonthem。Everywherewerereceptions，whichthoughtheyembarrassedPierreawakenedajoyfulfeelinginthedepthofhisheart。InoneplacethepeasantspresentedhimwithbreadandsaltandaniconofSaintPeterandSaintPaul，askingpermission，asamarkoftheirgratitudeforthebenefitshehadconferredonthem，tobuildanewchantrytothechurchattheirownexpenseinhonorofPeterandPaul，hispatronsaints。Inanotherplacethewomenwithinfantsinarmsmethimtothankhimforreleasingthemfromhardwork。Onathirdestatethepriest，bearingacross，cametomeethimsurroundedbychildrenwhom，bythecount’sgenerosity，hewasinstructinginreading，writing，andreligion。OnallhisestatesPierresawwithhisowneyesbrickbuildingserectedorincourseoferection，allononeplan，forhospitals，schools，andalmshouses，whichweresoontobeopened。
Everywherehesawthestewards’accounts，accordingtowhichtheserfs’manoriallaborhadbeendiminished，andheardthetouchingthanksofdeputationsofserfsintheirfull—skirtedbluecoats。
WhatPierredidnotknowwasthattheplacewheretheypresentedhimwithbreadandsaltandwishedtobuildachantryinhonorofPeterandPaulwasamarketvillagewhereafairwasheldonSt。Peter’sday，andthattherichestpeasantswhoformedthedeputationhadbegunthechantrylongbefore，butthatninetenthsofthepeasantsinthatvillageswereinastateofthegreatestpoverty。Hedidnotknowthatsincethenursingmotherswerenolongersenttoworkonhisland，theydidstillharderworkontheirownland。Hedidnotknowthatthepriestwhomethimwiththecrossoppressedthepeasantsbyhisexactions，andthatthepupils’parentsweptathavingtolethimtaketheirchildrenandsecuredtheirreleasebyheavypayments。
Hedidnotknowthatthebrickbuildings，builttoplan，werebeingbuiltbyserfswhosemanoriallaborwasthusincreased，thoughlessenedonpaper。Hedidnotknowthatwherethestewardhadshownhimintheaccountsthattheserfs’paymentshadbeendiminishedbyathird，theirobligatorymanorialworkhadbeenincreasedbyahalf。AndsoPierrewasdelightedwithhisvisittohisestatesandquiterecoveredthephilanthropicmoodinwhichhehadleftPetersburg，andwroteenthusiasticletterstohis\"brother—instructor\"
ashecalledtheGrandMaster。
\"Howeasyitis，howlittleeffortitneeds，todosomuchgood，\"
thoughtPierre，\"andhowlittleattentionwepaytoit！\"
Hewaspleasedatthegratitudehereceived，butfeltabashedatreceivingit。Thisgratituderemindedhimofhowmuchmorehemightdoforthesesimple，kindlypeople。
Thechiefsteward，averystupidbutcunningmanwhosawperfectlythroughthenaiveandintelligentcountandplayedwithhimaswithatoy，seeingtheeffecttheseprearrangedreceptionshadonPierre，pressedhimstillharderwithproofsoftheimpossibilityandabovealltheuselessnessoffreeingtheserfs，whowerequitehappyasitwas。
Pierreinhissecretsoulagreedwiththestewardthatitwouldbedifficulttoimaginehappierpeople，andthatGodonlyknewwhatwouldhappentothemwhentheywerefree，butheinsisted，thoughreluctantly，onwhathethoughtright。Thestewardpromisedtodoallinhispowertocarryoutthecount’swishes，seeingclearlythatnotonlywouldthecountneverbeabletofindoutwhetherallmeasureshadbeentakenforthesaleofthelandandforestsandtoreleasethemfromtheLandBank，butwouldprobablynevereveninquireandwouldneverknowthatthenewlyerectedbuildingswerestandingemptyandthattheserfscontinuedtogiveinmoneyandworkallthatotherpeople’sserfsgave—thatistosay，allthatcouldbegotoutofthem。
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ReturningfromhisjourneythroughSouthRussiainthehappieststateofmind，PierrecarriedoutanintentionhehadlonghadofvisitinghisfriendBolkonski，whomhehadnotseenfortwoyears。
Bogucharovolayinaflatuninterestingpartofthecountryamongfieldsandforestsoffirandbirch，whichwerepartlycutdown。Thehouselaybehindanewlydugpondfilledwithwatertothebrinkandwithbanksstillbareofgrass。Itwasattheendofavillagethatstretchedalongthehighroadinthemidstofayoungcopseinwhichwereafewfirtrees。
Thehomesteadconsistedofathreshingfloor，outhouses，stables，abathhouse，alodge，andalargebrickhousewithsemicircularfacadestillincourseofconstruction。Roundthehousewasagardennewlylaidout。Thefencesandgateswerenewandsolid；twofirepumpsandawatercart，paintedgreen，stoodinashed；thepathswerestraight，thebridgeswerestrongandhadhandrails。Everythingboreanimpressoftidinessandgoodmanagement。SomedomesticserfsPierremet，inreplytoinquiriesastowheretheprincelived，pointedoutasmallnewlybuiltlodgeclosetothepond。Anton，amanwhohadlookedafterPrinceAndrewinhisboyhood，helpedPierreoutofhiscarriage，saidthattheprincewasathome，andshowedhimintoacleanlittleanteroom。
PierrewasstruckbythemodestyofthesmallthoughcleanhouseafterthebrilliantsurroundingsinwhichhehadlastmethisfriendinPetersburg。
Hequicklyenteredthesmallreceptionroomwithitsstill—unplasteredwoodenwallsredolentofpine，andwouldhavegonefarther，butAntonranaheadontiptoeandknockedatadoor。
\"Well，whatisit？\"cameasharp，unpleasantvoice。
\"Avisitor，\"answeredAnton。
\"Askhimtowait，\"andthesoundwasheardofachairbeingpushedback。
PierrewentwithrapidstepstothedoorandsuddenlycamefacetofacewithPrinceAndrew，whocameoutfrowningandlookingold。Pierreembracedhimandliftinghisspectacleskissedhisfriendonthecheekandlookedathimclosely。
\"Well，Ididnotexpectyou，Iamveryglad，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
Pierresaidnothing；helookedfixedlyathisfriendwithsurprise。Hewasstruckbythechangeinhim。Hiswordswerekindlyandtherewasasmileonhislipsandface，buthiseyesweredullandlifelessandinspiteofhisevidentwishtodosohecouldnotgivethemajoyousandgladsparkle。PrinceAndrewhadgrownthinner，paler，andmoremanly—looking，butwhatamazedandestrangedPierretillhegotusedtoitwerehisinertiaandawrinkleonhisbrowindicatingprolongedconcentrationonsomeonethought。
Asisusuallythecasewithpeoplemeetingafteraprolongedseparation，itwaslongbeforetheirconversationcouldsettleonanything。Theyputquestionsandgavebriefrepliesaboutthingstheyknewoughttobetalkedoveratlength。Atlasttheconversationgraduallysettledonsomeofthetopicsatfirstlightlytouchedon：theirpastlife，plansforthefuture，Pierre’sjourneysandoccupations，thewar，andsoon。ThepreoccupationanddespondencywhichPierrehadnoticedinhisfriend’slookwasnowstillmoreclearlyexpressedinthesmilewithwhichhelistenedtoPierre，especiallywhenhespokewithjoyfulanimationofthepastorthefuture。ItwasasifPrinceAndrewwouldhavelikedtosympathizewithwhatPierrewassaying，butcouldnot。Thelatterbegantofeelthatitwasinbadtastetospeakofhisenthusiasms，dreams，andhopesofhappinessorgoodness，inPrinceAndrew’spresence。HewasashamedtoexpresshisnewMasonicviews，whichhadbeenparticularlyrevivedandstrengthenedbyhislatetour。Hecheckedhimself，fearingtoseemnaive，yethefeltanirresistibledesiretoshowhisfriendassoonaspossiblethathewasnowaquitedifferent，andbetter，PierrethanhehadbeeninPetersburg。
\"Ican’ttellyouhowmuchIhavelivedthroughsincethen。Ihardlyknowmyselfagain。\"
\"Yes，wehavealteredmuch，verymuch，sincethen，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Well，andyou？Whatareyourplans？\"
\"Plans！\"repeatedPrinceAndrewironically。\"Myplans？\"hesaid，asifastonishedattheword。\"Well，yousee，I’mbuilding。Imeantosettleherealtogethernextyear……\"
PierrelookedsilentlyandsearchinglyintoPrinceAndrew’sface，whichhadgrownmucholder。
\"No，Imeanttoask……\"Pierrebegan，butPrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
\"Butwhytalkofme？……Talktome，yes，tellmeaboutyourtravelsandallyouhavebeendoingonyourestates。\"
Pierrebegandescribingwhathehaddoneonhisestates，tryingasfaraspossibletoconcealhisownpartintheimprovementsthathadbeenmade。PrinceAndrewseveraltimespromptedPierre’sstoryofwhathehadbeendoing，asthoughitwereallanold—timestory，andhelistenednotonlywithoutinterestbutevenasifashamedofwhatPierrewastellinghim。
Pierrefeltuncomfortableandevendepressedinhisfriend’scompanyandatlastbecamesilent。
\"I’lltellyouwhat，mydearfellow，\"saidPrinceAndrew，whoevidentlyalsofeltdepressedandconstrainedwithhisvisitor，\"I
amonlybivouackinghereandhavejustcometolookround。Iamgoingbacktomysistertoday。Iwillintroduceyoutoher。Butofcourseyouknowheralready，\"hesaid，evidentlytryingtoentertainavisitorwithwhomhenowfoundnothingincommon。\"Wewillgoafterdinner。Andwouldyounowliketolookroundmyplace？\"
Theywentoutandwalkedabouttilldinnertime，talkingofthepoliticalnewsandcommonacquaintanceslikepeoplewhodonotknoweachotherintimately。PrinceAndrewspokewithsomeanimationandinterestonlyofthenewhomesteadhewasconstructinganditsbuildings，butevenhere，whileonthescaffolding，inthemidstofatalkexplainingthefuturearrangementsofthehouse，heinterruptedhimself：
\"However，thisisnotatallinteresting。Letushavedinner，andthenwe’llsetoff。\"
Atdinner，conversationturnedonPierre’smarriage。
\"IwasverymuchsurprisedwhenIheardofit，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
Pierreblushed，ashealwaysdidwhenitwasmentioned，andsaidhurriedly：\"Iwilltellyousometimehowitallhappened。Butyouknowitisallover，andforever。\"
\"Forever？\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"Nothing’sforever。\"
\"Butyouknowhowitallended，don’tyou？Youheardoftheduel？\"
\"Andsoyouhadtogothroughthattoo！\"
\"OnethingIthankGodforisthatIdidnotkillthatman，\"saidPierre。
\"Whyso？\"askedPrinceAndrew。\"Tokillaviciousdogisaverygoodthingreally。\"
\"No，tokillamanisbad—wrong。\"
\"Whyisitwrong？\"urgedPrinceAndrew。\"Itisnotgiventomantoknowwhatisrightandwhatiswrong。Menalwaysdidandalwayswillerr，andinnothingmorethaninwhattheyconsiderrightandwrong。\"
\"Whatdoesharmtoanotheriswrong，\"saidPierre，feelingwithpleasurethatforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalPrinceAndrewwasroused，hadbeguntotalk，andwantedtoexpresswhathadbroughthimtohispresentstate。
\"Andwhohastoldyouwhatisbadforanotherman？\"heasked。
\"Bad！Bad！\"exclaimedPierre。\"Weallknowwhatisbadforourselves。\"
\"Yes，weknowthat，buttheharmIamconsciousofinmyselfissomethingIcannotinflictonothers，\"saidPrinceAndrew，growingmoreandmoreanimatedandevidentlywishingtoexpresshisnewoutlooktoPierre。HespokeinFrench。\"Ionlyknowtwoveryrealevilsinlife：remorseandillness。Theonlygoodistheabsenceofthoseevils。Toliveformyselfavoidingthosetwoevilsismywholephilosophynow。\"
\"Andloveofone’sneighbor，andself—sacrifice？\"beganPierre。\"No，Ican’tagreewithyou！Toliveonlysoasnottodoevilandnottohavetorepentisnotenough。Ilivedlikethat，Ilivedformyselfandruinedmylife。AndonlynowwhenIamliving，oratleasttrying\"
Pierre’smodestymadehimcorrecthimself\"toliveforothers，onlynowhaveIunderstoodallthehappinessoflife。No，Ishallnotagreewithyou，andyoudonotreallybelievewhatyouaresaying。\"PrinceAndrewlookedsilentlyatPierrewithanironicsmile。
\"Whenyouseemysister，PrincessMary，you’llgetonwithher，\"
hesaid。\"Perhapsyouarerightforyourself，\"headdedafterashortpause，\"buteveryonelivesinhisownway。Youlivedforyourselfandsayyounearlyruinedyourlifeandonlyfoundhappinesswhenyoubeganlivingforothers。Iexperiencedjustthereverse。Ilivedforglory。—Andafterallwhatisglory？Thesameloveofothers，adesiretodosomethingforthem，adesirefortheirapproval。—SoIlivedforothers，andnotalmost，butquite，ruinedmylife。AndIhavebecomecalmersinceIbegantoliveonlyformyself。\"
\"Butwhatdoyoumeanbylivingonlyforyourself？\"askedPierre，growingexcited。\"Whataboutyourson，yoursister，andyourfather？\"
\"Butthat’sjustthesameasmyself—theyarenotothers，\"explainedPrinceAndrew。\"Theothers，one’sneighbors，leprochain，asyouandPrincessMarycallit，arethechiefsourceofallerrorandevil。
Leprochain—yourKievpeasantstowhomyouwanttodogood。\"
AndhelookedatPierrewithamocking，challengingexpression。Heevidentlywishedtodrawhimon。
\"Youarejoking，\"repliedPierre，growingmoreandmoreexcited。
\"Whaterrororevilcantherebeinmywishingtodogood，andevendoingalittle—thoughIdidverylittleanddiditverybadly？Whatevilcantherebeinitifunfortunatepeople，ourserfs，peoplelikeourselves，weregrowingupanddyingwithnoideaofGodandtruthbeyondceremoniesandmeaninglessprayersandarenowinstructedinacomfortingbeliefinfuturelife，retribution，recompense，andconsolation？Whatevilanderrorarethereinit，ifpeopleweredyingofdiseasewithouthelpwhilematerialassistancecouldsoeasilyberendered，andIsuppliedthemwithadoctor，ahospital，andanasylumfortheaged？Andisitnotapalpable，unquestionablegoodifapeasant，orawomanwithababy，hasnorestdayornightandIgivethemrestandleisure？\"saidPierre，hurryingandlisping。\"AndIhavedonethatthoughbadlyandtoasmallextent；butIhavedonesomethingtowarditandyoucannotpersuademethatitwasnotagoodaction，andmorethanthat，youcan’tmakemebelievethatyoudonotthinksoyourself。Andthemainthingis，\"hecontinued，\"thatI
know，andknowforcertain，thattheenjoymentofdoingthisgoodistheonlysurehappinessinlife。\"
\"Yes，ifyouputitlikethatit’squiteadifferentmatter，\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"Ibuildahouseandlayoutagarden，andyoubuildhospitals。Theoneandtheothermayserveasapastime。Butwhat’srightandwhat’sgoodmustbejudgedbyonewhoknowsall，butnotbyus。Well，youwantanargument，\"headded，comeonthen。\"
Theyrosefromthetableandsatdownintheentranceporchwhichservedasaveranda。
\"Come，let’sarguethen，\"saidPrinceAndrew，\"Youtalkofschools，\"
hewenton，crookingafinger，\"educationandsoforth；thatis，youwanttoraisehim\"pointingtoapeasantwhopassedbythemtakingoffhiscap\"fromhisanimalconditionandawakeninhimspiritualneeds，whileitseemstomethatanimalhappinessistheonlyhappinesspossible，andthatisjustwhatyouwanttodeprivehimof。Ienvyhim，butyouwanttomakehimwhatIam，withoutgivinghimmymeans。Thenyousay，’lightenhistoil。’ButasIseeit，physicallaborisasessentialtohim，asmuchaconditionofhisexistence，asmentalactivityistoyouorme。Youcan’thelpthinking。Igotobedaftertwointhemorning，thoughtscomeandI
can’tsleepbuttossabouttilldawn，becauseIthinkandcan’thelpthinking，justashecan’thelpplowingandmowing；ifhedidn’t，hewouldgotothedrinkshoporfallill。JustasIcouldnotstandhisterriblephysicallaborbutshoulddieofitinaweek，sohecouldnotstandmyphysicalidleness，butwouldgrowfatanddie。
Thethirdthing—whatelsewasityoutalkedabout？\"andPrinceAndrewcrookedathirdfinger。\"Ah，yes，hospitals，medicine。Hehasafit，heisdying，andyoucomeandbleedhimandpatchhimup。Hewilldragaboutasacripple，aburdentoeverybody，foranothertenyears。Itwouldbefareasierandsimplerforhimtodie。Othersarebeingbornandthereareplentyofthemasitis。Itwouldbedifferentifyougrudgedlosingalaborer—that’showIregardhim—butyouwanttocurehimfromloveofhim。Andhedoesnotwantthat。Andbesides，whatanotionthatmedicineevercuredanyone！Killedthem，yes！\"saidhe，frowningangrilyandturningawayfromPierre。
PrinceAndrewexpressedhisideassoclearlyanddistinctlythatitwasevidenthehadreflectedonthissubjectmorethanonce，andhespokereadilyandrapidlylikeamanwhohasnottalkedforalongtime。Hisglancebecamemoreanimatedashisconclusionsbecamemorehopeless。
\"Oh，thatisdreadful，dreadful！\"saidPierre。\"Idon’tunderstandhowonecanlivewithsuchideas。Ihadsuchmomentsmyselfnotlongago，inMoscowandwhentraveling，butatsuchtimesIcollapsedsothatIdon’tliveatall—everythingseemshatefultome……myselfmostofall。ThenIdon’teat，don’twash……andhowisitwithyou？……\"
\"Whynotwash？Thatisnotcleanly，\"saidPrinceAndrew；\"onthecontraryonemusttrytomakeone’slifeaspleasantaspossible。
I’malive，thatisnotmyfault，soImustliveoutmylifeasbestIcanwithouthurtingothers。\"
\"Butwithsuchideaswhatmotivehaveyouforliving？Onewouldsitwithoutmoving，undertakingnothing……\"
\"Lifeasitisleavesonenopeace。Ishouldbethankfultodonothing，buthereontheonehandthelocalnobilityhavedonemethehonortochoosemetobetheirmarshal；itwasallIcoulddotogetoutofit。TheycouldnotunderstandthatIhavenotthenecessaryqualificationsforit—thekindofgood—natured，fussyshallownessnecessaryfortheposition。Thenthere’sthishouse，whichmustbebuiltinordertohaveanookofone’sowninwhichtobequiet。Andnowthere’sthisrecruiting。\"
\"Whyaren’tyouservinginthearmy？\"
\"AfterAusterlitz！\"saidPrinceAndrewgloomily。\"No，thankyouverymuch！IhavepromisedmyselfnottoserveagainintheactiveRussianarmy。AndIwon’t—notevenifBonapartewerehereatSmolenskthreateningBaldHills—eventhenIwouldn’tserveintheRussianarmy！Well，asIwassaying，\"hecontinued，recoveringhiscomposure，\"nowthere’sthisrecruiting。MyfatherischiefincommandoftheThirdDistrict，andmyonlywayofavoidingactiveserviceistoserveunderhim。\"
\"Thenyouareserving？\"
\"Iam。\"
Hepausedalittlewhile。
\"Andwhydoyouserve？\"
\"Why，forthisreason！Myfatherisoneofthemostremarkablemenofhistime。Butheisgrowingold，andthoughnotexactlycruelhehastooenergeticacharacter。Heissoaccustomedtounlimitedpowerthatheisterrible，andnowhehasthisauthorityofacommanderinchiefoftherecruiting，grantedbytheEmperor。IfIhadbeentwohourslateafortnightagohewouldhavehadapaymaster’sclerkatYukhnovnahanged，\"saidPrinceAndrewwithasmile。\"SoI
amservingbecauseIalonehaveanyinfluencewithmyfather，andnowandthencansavehimfromactionswhichwouldtormenthimafterwards。\"
\"Well，thereyousee！\"
\"Yes，butitisnotasyouimagine，\"PrinceAndrewcontinued。\"Ididnot，anddonot，intheleastcareaboutthatscoundrelofaclerkwhohadstolensomebootsfromtherecruits；Ishouldevenhavebeenverygladtoseehimhanged，butIwassorryformyfather—thatagainisformyself。\"
PrinceAndrewgrewmoreandmoreanimated。HiseyesglitteredfeverishlywhilehetriedtoprovetoPierrethatinhisactionstherewasnodesiretodogoodtohisneighbor。
\"Therenow，youwishtoliberateyourserfs，\"hecontinued；\"thatisaverygoodthing，butnotforyou—Idon’tsupposeyoueverhadanyonefloggedorsenttoSiberia—andstilllessforyourserfs。Iftheyarebeaten，flogged，orsenttoSiberia，Idon’tsupposetheyareanytheworseoff。InSiberiatheyleadthesameanimallife，andthestripesontheirbodiesheal，andtheyarehappyasbefore。Butitisagoodthingforproprietorswhoperishmorally，bringremorseuponthemselves，stiflethisremorseandgrowcallous，asaresultofbeingabletoinflictpunishmentsjustlyandunjustly。ItisthosepeopleIpity，andfortheirsakeIshouldliketoliberatetheserfs。Youmaynothaveseen，butIhaveseen，howgoodmenbroughtupinthosetraditionsofunlimitedpower，intimewhentheygrowmoreirritable，becomecruelandharsh，areconsciousofit，butcannotrestrainthemselvesandgrowmoreandmoremiserable。\"
PrinceAndrewspokesoearnestlythatPierrecouldnothelpthinkingthatthesethoughtshadbeensuggestedtoPrinceAndrewbyhisfather’scase。
Hedidnotreply。
\"Sothat’swhatI’msorryfor—humandignity，peaceofmind，purity，andnottheserfs’backsandforeheads，which，beatandshaveasyoumay，alwaysremainthesamebacksandforeheads。\"
\"No，no！Athousandtimesno！Ishallneveragreewithyou，\"saidPierre。
BK5CH12
CHAPTERXII
IntheeveningAndrewandPierregotintotheopencarriageanddrovetoBaldHills。PrinceAndrew，glancingatPierre，brokethesilencenowandthenwithremarkswhichshowedthathewasinagoodtemper。
Pointingtothefields，hespokeoftheimprovementshewasmakinginhishusbandry。
Pierreremainedgloomilysilent，answeringinmonosyllablesandapparentlyimmersedinhisownthoughts。
HewasthinkingthatPrinceAndrewwasunhappy，hadgoneastray，didnotseethetruelight，andthathe，Pierre，oughttoaid，enlighten，andraisehim。Butassoonashethoughtofwhatheshouldsay，hefeltthatPrinceAndrewwithoneword，oneargument，wouldupsetallhisteaching，andheshrankfrombeginning，afraidofexposingtopossibleridiculewhattohimwaspreciousandsacred。
\"No，butwhydoyouthinkso？\"Pierresuddenlybegan，loweringhisheadandlookinglikeabullabouttocharge，\"whydoyouthinkso？
Youshouldnotthinkso。\"
\"Think？Whatabout？\"askedPrinceAndrewwithsurprise。
\"Aboutlife，aboutman’sdestiny。Itcan’tbeso。Imyselfthoughtlikethat，anddoyouknowwhatsavedme？Freemasonry！No，don’tsmile。Freemasonryisnotareligiousceremonialsect，asIthoughtitwas：Freemasonryisthebestexpressionofthebest，theeternal，aspectsofhumanity。\"
AndhebegantoexplainFreemasonryasheunderstoodittoPrinceAndrew。HesaidthatFreemasonryistheteachingofChristianityfreedfromthebondsofStateandChurch，ateachingofequality，brotherhood，andlove。
\"Onlyourholybrotherhoodhastherealmeaningoflife，alltherestisadream，\"saidPierre。\"Understand，mydearfellow，thatoutsidethisunionallisfilledwithdeceitandfalsehoodandIagreewithyouthatnothingisleftforanintelligentandgoodmanbuttoliveouthislife，likeyou，merelytryingnottoharmothers。Butmakeourfundamentalconvictionsyourown，joinourbrotherhood，giveyourselfuptous，letyourselfbeguided，andyouwillatoncefeelyourself，asIhavefeltmyself，apartofthatvastinvisiblechainthebeginningofwhichishiddeninheaven，\"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrew，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，listenedinsilencetoPierre’swords。Morethanonce，whenthenoiseofthewheelspreventedhiscatchingwhatPierresaid，heaskedhimtorepeatit，andbythepeculiarglowthatcameintoPrinceAndrew’seyesandbyhissilence，PierresawthathiswordswerenotinvainandthatPrinceAndrewwouldnotinterrupthimorlaughatwhathesaid。
Theyreachedariverthathadoverfloweditsbanksandwhichtheyhadtocrossbyferry。Whilethecarriageandhorseswerebeingplacedonit，theyalsosteppedontheraft。
PrinceAndrew，leaninghisarmsontheraftrailing，gazedsilentlyatthefloodingwatersglitteringinthesettingsun。
\"Well，whatdoyouthinkaboutit？\"Pierreasked。\"Whyareyousilent？\"
\"WhatdoIthinkaboutit？Iamlisteningtoyou。It’sallverywell……Yousay：joinourbrotherhoodandwewillshowyoutheaimoflife，thedestinyofman，andthelawswhichgoverntheworld。Butwhoarewe？Men。Howisityouknoweverything？WhydoIalonenotseewhatyousee？Youseeareignofgoodnessandtruthonearth，butI
don’tseeit。\"
Pierreinterruptedhim。
\"Doyoubelieveinafuturelife？\"heasked。
\"Afuturelife？\"PrinceAndrewrepeated，butPierre，givinghimnotimetoreply，tooktherepetitionforadenial，themorereadilyasheknewPrinceAndrew’sformeratheisticconvictions。
\"Yousayyoucan’tseeareignofgoodnessandtruthonearth。NorcouldI，anditcannotbeseenifonelooksonourlifehereastheendofeverything。Onearth，hereonthisearth\"Pierrepointedtothefields，\"thereisnotruth，allisfalseandevil；butintheuniverse，inthewholeuniversethereisakingdomoftruth，andwewhoarenowthechildrenofearthare—eternally—childrenofthewholeuniverse。Don’tIfeelinmysoulthatIampartofthisvastharmoniouswhole？Don’tIfeelthatIformonelink，onestep，betweenthelowerandhigherbeings，inthisvastharmoniousmultitudeofbeingsinwhomtheDeity—theSupremePowerifyouprefertheterm—ismanifest？IfIsee，clearlysee，thatladderleadingfromplanttoman，whyshouldIsupposeitbreaksoffatmeanddoesnotgofartherandfarther？IfeelthatIcannotvanish，sincenothingvanishesinthisworld，butthatIshallalwaysexistandalwayshaveexisted。Ifeelthatbeyondmeandabovemetherearespirits，andthatinthisworldthereistruth。\"
\"Yes，thatisHerder’stheory，\"saidPrinceAndrew，\"butitisnotthatwhichcanconvinceme，dearfriend—lifeanddeatharewhatconvince。Whatconvincesiswhenoneseesabeingdeartoone，boundupwithone’sownlife，beforewhomonewastoblameandhadhopedtomakeitright\"PrinceAndrew’svoicetrembledandheturnedaway，\"andsuddenlythatbeingisseizedwithpain，suffers，andceasestoexist……Why？Itcannotbethatthereisnoanswer。AndIbelievethereis……That’swhatconvinces，thatiswhathasconvincedme，\"
saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Yes，yes，ofcourse，\"saidPierre，\"isn’tthatwhatI’msaying？\"
\"No。AllIsayisthatitisnotargumentthatconvincesmeofthenecessityofafuturelife，butthis：whenyougohandinhandwithsomeoneandallatoncethatpersonvanishesthere，intonowhere，andyouyourselfareleftfacingthatabyss，andlookin。AndIhavelookedin……\"
\"Well，that’sitthen！YouknowthatthereisathereandthereisaSomeone？Thereisthefuturelife。TheSomeoneis—God。\"
PrinceAndrewdidnotreply。Thecarriageandhorseshadlongsincebeentakenoff，ontothefartherbank，andreharnessed。Thesunhadsunkhalfbelowthehorizonandaneveningfrostwasstarringthepuddlesneartheferry，butPierreandAndrew，totheastonishmentofthefootmen，coachmen，andferrymen，stillstoodontheraftandtalked。
\"IfthereisaGodandfuturelife，thereistruthandgood，andman’shighesthappinessconsistsinstrivingtoattainthem。Wemustlive，wemustlove，andwemustbelievethatwelivenotonlytodayonthisscrapofearth，buthavelivedandshallliveforever，there，intheWhole，\"saidPierre，andhepointedtothesky。
PrinceAndrewstoodleaningontherailingoftheraftlisteningtoPierre，andhegazedwithhiseyesfixedontheredreflectionofthesungleamingonthebluewaters。Therewasperfectstillness。
Pierrebecamesilent。Therafthadlongsincestoppedandonlythewavesofthecurrentbeatsoftlyagainstitbelow。PrinceAndrewfeltasifthesoundofthewaveskeptuparefraintoPierre’swords，whispering：
\"Itistrue，believeit。\"
Hesighed，andglancedwitharadiant，childlike，tenderlookatPierre’sface，flushedandrapturous，butyetshybeforehissuperiorfriend。
\"Yes，ifitonlywereso！\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"However，itistimetogeton，\"headded，and，steppingofftheraft，helookedupattheskytowhichPierrehadpointed，andforthefirsttimesinceAusterlitzsawthathigh，everlastingskyhehadseenwhilelyingonthatbattlefield；andsomethingthathadlongbeenslumbering，somethingthatwasbestwithinhim，suddenlyawoke，joyfulandyouthful，inhissoul。Itvanishedassoonashereturnedtothecustomaryconditionsofhislife，butheknewthatthisfeelingwhichhedidnotknowhowtodevelopexistedwithinhim。HismeetingwithPierreformedanepochinPrinceAndrew’slife。Thoughoutwardlyhecontinuedtoliveinthesameoldway，inwardlyhebegananewlife。
BK5CH13
CHAPTERXIII
ItwasgettingduskwhenPrinceAndrewandPierredroveuptothefrontentranceofthehouseatBaldHills。Astheyapproachedthehouse，PrinceAndrewwithasmiledrewPierre’sattentiontoacommotiongoingonatthebackporch。Awoman，bentwithage，withawalletonherback，andashort，long—haired，youngmaninablackgarmenthadrushedbacktothegateonseeingthecarriagedrivingup。
Twowomenranoutafterthem，andallfour，lookingroundatthecarriage，ranindismayupthestepsofthebackporch。
\"ThoseareMary’s’God’sfolk，’\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"Theyhavemistakenusformyfather。Thisistheonematterinwhichshedisobeyshim。Heordersthesepilgrimstobedrivenaway，butshereceivesthem。\"
\"Butwhatare’God’sfolk’？\"askedPierre。
PrinceAndrewhadnotimetoanswer。Theservantscameouttomeetthem，andheaskedwheretheoldprincewasandwhetherhewasexpectedbacksoon。
Theoldprincehadgonetothetownandwasexpectedbackanyminute。
PrinceAndrewledPierretohisownapartments，whichwerealwayskeptinperfectorderandreadinessforhiminhisfather’shouse；
hehimselfwenttothenursery。
\"Letusgoandseemysister，\"hesaidtoPierrewhenhereturned。
\"Ihavenotfoundheryet，sheishidingnow，sittingwithher’God’sfolk。’Itwillserveherright，shewillbeconfused，butyouwillseeher’God’sfolk。’It’sreallyverycurious。\"
\"Whatare’God’sfolk’？\"askedPierre。
\"Come，andyou’llseeforyourself。\"
PrincessMaryreallywasdisconcertedandredpatchescameonherfacewhentheywentin。Inhersnugroom，withlampsburningbeforetheiconstand，ayoungladwithalongnoseandlonghair，wearingamonk’scassock，satonthesofabesideher，behindasamovar。Nearthem，inanarmchair，satathin，shriveled，oldwoman，withameekexpressiononherchildlikeface。
\"Andrew，whydidn’tyouwarnme？\"saidtheprincess，withmildreproach，asshestoodbeforeherpilgrimslikeahenbeforeherchickens。
\"Charmeedevousvoir。Jesuistrescontentedevousvoir，\"*shesaidtoPierreashekissedherhand。Shehadknownhimasachild，andnowhisfriendshipwithAndrew，hismisfortunewithhiswife，andaboveallhiskindly，simplefacedisposedherfavorablytowardhim。Shelookedathimwithherbeautifulradianteyesandseemedtosay，\"Ilikeyouverymuch，butpleasedon’tlaughatmypeople。\"
Afterexchangingthefirstgreetings，theysatdown。
*\"Delightedtoseeyou。Iamverygladtoseeyou。\"
\"Ah，andIvanushkaisheretoo！\"saidPrinceAndrew，glancingwithasmileattheyoungpilgrim。
\"Andrew！\"saidPrincessMary，imploringly。\"Ilfautquevoussachiezquec’estunefemme，\"*saidPrinceAndrewtoPierre。
\"Andrew，aunomdeDieu！\"*[2]PrincessMaryrepeated。
*\"Youmustknowthatthisisawoman。\"
*[2]\"Forheaven’ssake。\"
ItwasevidentthatPrinceAndrew’sironicaltonetowardthepilgrimsandPrincessMary’shelplessattemptstoprotectthemweretheircustomarylong—establishedrelationsonthematter。
\"Mais，mabonneamie，\"saidPrinceAndrew，\"vousdevriezaucontrairem’etrereconnaissantedecequej’expliqueaPierrevotreintimiteaveccejeunehomme。\"*
*\"But，mydear，yououghtonthecontrarytobegratefultomeforexplainingtoPierreyourintimacywiththisyoungman。\"
\"Really？\"saidPierre，gazingoverhisspectacleswithcuriosityandseriousnessforwhichPrincessMarywasspeciallygratefultohim
intoIvanushka’sface，who，seeingthatshewasbeingspokenabout，lookedroundatthemallwithcraftyeyes。
PrincessMary’sembarrassmentonherpeople’saccountwasquiteunnecessary。Theywerenotintheleastabashed。Theoldwoman，loweringhereyesbutcastingsideglancesatthenewcomers，hadturnedhercupupsidedownandplacedanibbledbitofsugarbesideit，andsatquietlyinherarmchair，thoughhopingtobeofferedanothercupoftea。Ivanushka，sippingoutofhersaucer，lookedwithslywomanisheyesfromunderherbrowsattheyoungmen。
\"Wherehaveyoubeen？ToKiev？\"PrinceAndrewaskedtheoldwoman。
\"Ihave，goodsir，\"sheansweredgarrulously。\"JustatChristmastimeIwasdeemedworthytopartakeoftheholyandheavenlysacramentattheshrineofthesaint。AndnowI’mfromKolyazin，master，whereagreatandwonderfulblessinghasbeenrevealed。\"
\"AndwasIvanushkawithyou？\"
\"Igobymyself，benefactor，\"saidIvanushka，tryingtospeakinabassvoice。\"IonlycameacrossPelageyainYukhnovo……\"
Pelageyainterruptedhercompanion；sheevidentlywishedtotellwhatshehadseen。
\"InKolyazin，master，awonderfulblessinghasbeenrevealed。\"
\"Whatisit？Somenewrelics？\"askedPrinceAndrew。
\"Andrew，doleaveoff，\"saidPrincessMary。\"Don’ttellhim，Pelageya。\"
\"No……whynot，mydear，whyshouldn’tI？Ilikehim。Heiskind，heisoneofGod’schosen，he’sabenefactor，heoncegavemetenrubles，Iremember。WhenIwasinKiev，CrazyCyrilsaystomehe’soneofGod’sownandgoesbarefootsummerandwinter，hesays，’Whyareyounotgoingtotherightplace？GotoKolyazinwhereawonder—workingiconoftheHolyMotherofGodhasbeenrevealed。’OnhearingthosewordsIsaidgood—bytotheholyfolkandwent。\"
Allweresilent，onlythepilgrimwomanwentoninmeasuredtones，drawinginherbreath。
\"SoIcome，master，andthepeoplesaytome：’Agreatblessinghasbeenrevealed，holyoiltricklesfromthecheeksofourblessedMother，theHolyVirginMotherofGod’……\"
\"Allright，allright，youcantellusafterwards，\"saidPrincessMary，flushing。
\"Letmeaskher，\"saidPierre。\"Didyouseeityourselves？\"heinquired。
\"Oh，yes，master，Iwasfoundworthy。Suchabrightnessonthefacelikethelightofheaven，andfromtheblessedMother’scheekitdropsanddrops……\"
\"But，dearme，thatmustbeafraud！\"saidPierre，naively，whohadlistenedattentivelytothepilgrim。
\"Oh，master，whatareyousaying？\"exclaimedthehorrifiedPelageya，turningtoPrincessMaryforsupport。
\"Theyimposeonthepeople，\"herepeated。
\"LordJesusChrist！\"exclaimedthepilgrimwoman，crossingherself。\"Oh，don’tspeakso，master！Therewasageneralwhodidnotbelieve，andsaid，’Themonkscheat，’andassoonashe’dsaidithewentblind。AndhedreamedthattheHolyVirginMotheroftheKievcatacombscametohimandsaid，’BelieveinmeandIwillmakeyouwhole。’Sohebegged：’Takemetoher，takemetoher。’It’stherealtruthI’mtellingyou，Isawitmyself。Sohewasbrought，quiteblind，straighttoher，andhegoesuptoherandfallsdownandsays，’Makemewhole，’sayshe，’andI’llgivetheewhattheTsarbestowedonme。’Isawitmyself，master，thestarisfixedintotheicon。Well，andwhatdoyouthink？Hereceivedhissight！It’sasintospeakso。Godwillpunishyou，\"shesaidadmonishingly，turningtoPierre。
\"Howdidthestargetintotheicon？\"Pierreasked。
\"AndwastheHolyMotherpromotedtotherankofgeneral？\"saidPrinceAndrew，withasmile。
Pelageyasuddenlygrewquitepaleandclaspedherhands。
\"Oh，master，master，whatasin！Andyouwhohaveason！\"shebegan，herpallorsuddenlyturningtoavividred。\"Master，whathaveyousaid？Godforgiveyou！\"Andshecrossedherself。\"Lordforgivehim！Mydear，whatdoesitmean？……\"sheasked，turningtoPrincessMary。
Shegotupand，almostcrying，begantoarrangeherwallet。Sheevidentlyfeltfrightenedandashamedtohaveacceptedcharityinahousewheresuchthingscouldbesaid，andwasatthesametimesorrytohavenowtoforgothecharityofthishouse。
\"Now，whyneedyoudoit？\"saidPrincessMary。\"Whydidyoucometome？……\"
\"Come，Pelageya，Iwasjoking，\"saidPierre。\"Princesse，maparole，jen’aipasvoulul’offenser。*Ididnotmeananything，I
wasonlyjoking，\"hesaid，smilingshylyandtryingtoeffacehisoffense。\"Itwasallmyfault，andAndrewwasonlyjoking。\"
*\"Princess，onmyword，Ididnotwishtooffendher。\"
Pelageyastoppeddoubtfully，butinPierre’sfacetherewassuchalookofsincerepenitence，andPrinceAndrewglancedsomeeklynowatherandnowatPierre，thatshewasgraduallyreassured。
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Thepilgrimwomanwasappeasedand，beingencouragedtotalk，gavealongaccountofFatherAmphilochus，wholedsoholyalifethathishandssmelledofincense，andhowonherlastvisittoKievsomemonkssheknewletherhavethekeysofthecatacombs，andhowshe，takingsomedriedbreadwithher，hadspenttwodaysinthecatacombswiththesaints。\"I’dprayawhiletoone，ponderawhile，thengoontoanother。I’dsleepabitandthenagaingoandkisstherelics，andtherewassuchpeaceallaround，suchblessedness，thatonedon’twanttocomeout，evenintothelightofheavenagain。\"
Pierrelistenedtoherattentivelyandseriously。PrinceAndrewwentoutoftheroom，andthen，leaving\"God’sfolk\"tofinishtheirtea，PrincessMarytookPierreintothedrawingroom。
\"Youareverykind，\"shesaidtohim。
\"Oh，Ireallydidnotmeantohurtherfeelings。Iunderstandthemsowellandhavethegreatestrespectforthem。\"
PrincessMarylookedathimsilentlyandsmiledaffectionately。
\"Ihaveknownyoualongtime，yousee，andamasfondofyouasofabrother，\"shesaid。\"HowdoyoufindAndrew？\"sheaddedhurriedly，notgivinghimtimetoreplytoheraffectionatewords。
\"Iamveryanxiousabouthim。Hishealthwasbetterinthewinter，butlastspringhiswoundreopenedandthedoctorsaidheoughttogoawayforacure。AndIamalsoverymuchafraidforhimspiritually。Hehasnotacharacterlikeuswomenwho，whenwesuffer，canweepawayoursorrows。Hekeepsitallwithinhim。Todayheischeerfulandingoodspirits，butthatistheeffectofyourvisit—heisnotoftenlikethat。Ifyoucouldpersuadehimtogoabroad。Heneedsactivity，andthisquietregularlifeisverybadforhim。Othersdon’tnoticeit，butIseeit。\"
Towardteno’clockthemenservantsrushedtothefrontdoor，hearingthebellsoftheoldprince’scarriageapproaching。PrinceAndrewandPierrealsowentoutintotheporch。
\"Who’sthat？\"askedtheoldprince，noticingPierreashegotoutof，thecarriage。
\"Ah！Veryglad！Kissme，\"hesaid，havinglearnedwhotheyoungstrangerwas。
TheoldprincewasinagoodtemperandverygracioustoPierre。
Beforesupper，PrinceAndrew，comingbacktohisfather’sstudy，foundhimdisputinghotlywithhisvisitor。Pierrewasmaintainingthatatimewouldcomewhentherewouldbenomorewars。Theoldprincedisputeditchaffingly，butwithoutgettingangry。
\"Drainthebloodfrommen’sveinsandputinwaterinstead，thentherewillbenomorewar！Oldwomen’snonsense—oldwomen’snonsense！\"herepeated，butstillhepattedPierreaffectionatelyontheshoulder，andthenwentuptothetablewherePrinceAndrew，evidentlynotwishingtojoinintheconversation，waslookingoverthepapershisfatherhadbroughtfromtown。Theoldprincewentuptohimandbegantotalkbusiness。
\"Themarshal，aCountRostov，hasn’tsenthalfhiscontingent。Hecametotownandwantedtoinvitemetodinner—Igavehimaprettydinner！……Andthere，lookatthis……Well，myboy，\"theoldprincewenton，addressinghissonandpattingPierreontheshoulder。\"A
finefellow—yourfriend—Ilikehim！Hestirsmeup。Anothersayscleverthingsandonedoesn’tcaretolisten，butthisonetalksrubbishyetstirsanoldfellowup。Well，go！Getalong！PerhapsI’llcomeandsitwithyouatsupper。We’llhaveanotherdispute。Makefriendswithmylittlefool，PrincessMary，\"heshoutedafterPierre，throughthedoor。
Onlynow，onhisvisittoBaldHills，didPierrefullyrealizethestrengthandcharmofhisfriendshipwithPrinceAndrew。Thatcharmwasnotexpressedsomuchinhisrelationswithhimaswithallhisfamilyandwiththehousehold。Withthesternoldprinceandthegentle，timidPrincessMary，thoughhehadscarcelyknownthem，Pierreatoncefeltlikeanoldfriend。Theywereallfondofhimalready。
NotonlyPrincessMary，whohadbeenwonbyhisgentlenesswiththepilgrims，gavehimhermostradiantlooks，buteventheone—year—old\"PrinceNicholas\"ashisgrandfathercalledhimsmiledatPierreandlethimselfbetakeninhisarms，andMichaelIvanovichandMademoiselleBouriennelookedathimwithpleasantsmileswhenhetalkedtotheoldprince。
Theoldprincecameintosupper；thiswasevidentlyonPierre’saccount。Andduringthetwodaysoftheyoungman’svisithewasextremelykindtohimandtoldhimtovisitthemagain。
WhenPierrehadgoneandthemembersofthehouseholdmettogether，theybegantoexpresstheiropinionsofhimaspeoplealwaysdoafteranewacquaintancehasleft，butasseldomhappens，noonesaidanythingbutwhatwasgoodofhim。
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CHAPTERXV
Whenreturningfromhisleave，Rostovfelt，forthefirsttime，howclosewasthebondthatunitedhimtoDenisovandandthewholeregiment。
Onapproachingit，RostovfeltashehaddonewhenapproachinghishomeinMoscow。Whenhesawthefirsthussarwiththeunbuttoneduniformofhisregiment，whenherecognizedred—hairedDementyevandsawthepicketropesoftheroanhorses，whenLavrushkagleefullyshoutedtohismaster，\"Thecounthascome！\"andDenisov，whohadbeenasleeponhisbed，ranalldisheveledoutofthemudhuttoembracehim，andtheofficerscollectedroundtogreetthenewarrival，Rostovexperiencedthesamefeelinghismother，hisfather，andhissisterhadembracedhim，andtearsofjoychokedhimsothathecouldnotspeak。Theregimentwasalsoahome，andasunalterablydearandpreciousashisparents’house。
Whenhehadreportedhimselftothecommanderoftheregimentandhadbeenreassignedtohisformersquadron，hadbeenondutyandhadgoneoutforaging，whenhehadagainenteredintoallthelittleinterestsoftheregimentandfelthimselfdeprivedoflibertyandboundinonenarrow，unchangingframe，heexperiencedthesamesenseofpeace，ofmoralsupport，andthesamesensebeingathomehereinhisownplace，ashehadfeltundertheparentalroof。Butherewasnoneofallthatturmoiloftheworldatlarge，wherehedidnotknowhisrightplaceandtookmistakendecisions；herewasnoSonyawithwhomheought，oroughtnot，tohaveanexplanation；herewasnopossibilityofgoingthereornotgoingthere；heretherewerenottwenty—fourhoursinthedaywhichcouldbespentinsuchavarietyofways；therewasnotthatinnumerablecrowdofpeopleofwhomnotonewasnearertohimorfartherfromhimthananother；therewerenoneofthoseuncertainandundefinedmoneyrelationswithhisfather，andnothingtorecallthatterriblelosstoDolokhov。Here，intheregiment，allwasclearandsimple。Thewholeworldwasdividedintotwounequalparts：one，ourPavlogradregiment；theother，alltherest。Andtherestwasnoconcernofhis。Intheregiment，everythingwasdefinite：whowaslieutenant，whocaptain，whowasagoodfellow，whoabadone，andmostofall，whowasacomrade。Thecanteenkeepergaveonecredit，one’spaycameeveryfourmonths，therewasnothingtothinkoutordecide，youhadonlytodonothingthatwasconsideredbadinthePavlogradregimentand，whengivenanorder，todowhatwasclearly，distinctly，anddefinitelyordered—andallwouldbewell。
Havingoncemoreenteredintothedefiniteconditionsofthisregimentallife，Rostovfeltthejoyandreliefatiredmanfeelsonlyingdowntorest。Lifeintheregiment，duringthiscampaign，wasallthepleasanterforhim，because，afterhislosstoDolokhovforwhich，inspiteofallhisfamily’seffortstoconsolehim，hecouldnotforgivehimself，hehadmadeuphismindtoatoneforhisfaultbyserving，notashehaddonebefore，butreallywell，andbybeingaperfectlyfirst—ratecomradeandofficer—inaword，asplendidmanaltogether，athingwhichseemedsodifficultoutintheworld，butsopossibleintheregiment。
Afterhislosses，hehaddeterminedtopaybackhisdebttohisparentsinfiveyears。Hereceivedtenthousandrublesayear，butnowresolvedtotakeonlytwothousandandleavetheresttorepaythedebttohisparents。
Ourarmy，afterrepeatedretreatsandadvancesandbattlesatPultuskandPreussisch—Eylau，wasconcentratednearBartenstein。ItwasawaitingtheEmperor’sarrivalandthebeginningofanewcampaign。
ThePavlogradregiment，belongingtothatpartofthearmywhichhadservedinthe1805campaign，hadbeenrecruitinguptostrengthinRussia，andarrivedtoolatetotakepartinthefirstactionsofthecampaign。IthadbeenneitheratPultusknoratPreussisch—Eylauand，whenitjoinedthearmyinthefieldinthesecondhalfofthecampaign，wasattachedtoPlatov’sdivision。
Platov’sdivisionwasactingindependentlyofthemainarmy。SeveraltimespartsofthePavlogradregimenthadexchangedshotswiththeenemy，hadtakenprisoners，andoncehadevencapturedMarshalOudinot’scarriages。InAprilthePavlogradswerestationedimmovablyforsomeweeksnearatotallyruinedanddesertedGermanvillage。
Athawhadsetin，itwasmuddyandcold，theiceontheriverbroke，andtheroadsbecameimpassable。Fordaysneitherprovisionsforthemennorfodderforthehorseshadbeenissued。Asnotransportscouldarrive，themendispersedabouttheabandonedanddesertedvillages，searchingforpotatoes，butfoundfewevenofthese。
Everythinghadbeeneatenupandtheinhabitantshadallfled—ifanyremained，theywereworsethanbeggarsandnothingmorecouldbetakenfromthem；eventhesoldiers，usuallypitilessenough，insteadoftakinganythingfromthem，oftengavethemthelastoftheirrations。
ThePavlogradregimenthadhadonlytwomenwoundedinaction，buthadlostnearlyhalfitsmenfromhungerandsickness。Inthehospitals，deathwassocertainthatsoldierssufferingfromfever，ortheswellingthatcamefrombadfood，preferredtoremainonduty，andhardlyabletodragtheirlegswenttothefrontratherthantothehospitals。Whenspringcameon，thesoldiersfoundaplantjustshowingoutofthegroundthatlookedlikeasparagus，which，forsomereason，theycalled\"Mashka’ssweetroot。\"Itwasverybitter，buttheywanderedaboutthefieldsseekingitanddugitoutwiththeirsabersandateit，thoughtheywereorderednottodoso，asitwasanoxiousplant。Thatspringanewdiseasebrokeoutbrokeoutamongthesoldiers，aswellingofthearms，legs，andface，whichthedoctorsattributedtoeatingthisroot。Butinspiteofallthis，thesoldiersofDenisov’ssquadronfedchieflyon\"Mashka’ssweetroot，\"becauseitwasthesecondweekthatthelastofthebiscuitswerebeingdoledoutattherateofhalfapoundamanandthelastpotatoesreceivedhadsproutedandfrozen。
Thehorsesalsohadbeenfedforafortnightonstrawfromthethatchedroofsandhadbecometerriblythin，thoughstillcoveredwithtuftsoffeltywinterhair。
Despitethisdestitution，thesoldiersandofficerswentonlivingjustasusual。Despitetheirpaleswollenfacesandtattereduniforms，thehussarsformedlineforrollcall，keptthingsinorder，groomedtheirhorses，polishedtheirarms，broughtinstrawfromthethatchedroofsinplaceoffodder，andsatdowntodineroundthecaldronsfromwhichtheyroseuphungry，jokingabouttheirnastyfoodandtheirhunger。Asusual，intheirsparetime，theylitbonfires，steamedthemselvesbeforethemnaked；smoked，pickedoutandbakedsproutingrottenpotatoes，toldandlistenedtostoriesofPotemkin’sandSuvorov’scampaigns，ortolegendsofAleshatheSly，orthepriest’slaborerMikolka。