\"Well，Mamma？……Well？……\"
\"Go，gotohim。Heisaskingforyourhand，\"saidthecountess，coldlyitseemedtoNatasha。\"Go……go，\"saidthemother，sadlyandreproachfully，withadeepsigh，asherdaughterranaway。
Natashaneverrememberedhowsheenteredthedrawingroom。Whenshecameinandsawhimshepaused。\"Isitpossiblethatthisstrangerhasnowbecomeeverythingtome？\"sheaskedherself，andimmediatelyanswered，\"Yes，everything！Healoneisnowdearertomethaneverythingintheworld。\"PrinceAndrewcameuptoherwithdowncasteyes。
\"IhavelovedyoufromtheveryfirstmomentIsawyou。MayIhope？\"
Helookedatherandwasstruckbytheseriousimpassionedexpressionofherface。Herfacesaid：\"Whyask？Whydoubtwhatyoucannotbutknow？Whyspeak，whenwordscannotexpresswhatonefeels？\"
Shedrewneartohimandstopped。Hetookherhandandkissedit。
\"Doyouloveme？\"
\"Yes，yes！\"Natashamurmuredasifinvexation。Thenshesighedloudlyand，catchingherbreathmoreandmorequickly，begantosob。
\"Whatisit？What’sthematter？\"
\"Oh，Iamsohappy！\"shereplied，smiledthroughhertears，bentoverclosertohim，pausedforaninstantasifaskingherselfwhethershemight，andthenkissedhim。
PrinceAndrewheldherhands，lookedintohereyes，anddidnotfindinhishearthisformerloveforher。Somethinginhimhadsuddenlychanged；therewasnolongertheformerpoeticandmysticcharmofdesire，buttherewaspityforherfeminineandchildishweakness，fearatherdevotionandtrustfulness，andanoppressiveyetjoyfulsenseofthedutythatnowboundhimtoherforever。Thepresentfeeling，thoughnotsobrightandpoeticastheformer，wasstrongerandmoreserious。
\"Didyourmothertellyouthatitcannotbeforayear？\"askedPrinceAndrew，stilllookingintohereyes。
\"IsitpossiblethatI—the’chitofagirl，’aseverybodycalledme，\"thoughtNatasha—\"isitpossiblethatIamnowtobethewifeandtheequalofthisstrange，dear，clevermanwhomevenmyfatherlooksupto？Canitbetrue？Canitbetruethattherecanbenomoreplayingwithlife，thatnowIamgrownup，thatonmenowliesaresponsibilityformyeverywordanddeed？Yes，butwhatdidheaskme？\"
\"No，\"shereplied，butshehadnotunderstoodhisquestion。
\"Forgiveme！\"hesaid。\"Butyouaresoyoung，andIhavealreadybeenthroughsomuchinlife。Iamafraidforyou，youdonotyetknowyourself。\"
Natashalistenedwithconcentratedattention，tryingbutfailingtotakeinthemeaningofhiswords。
\"Hardasthisyearwhichdelaysmyhappinesswillbe，\"continuedPrinceAndrew，\"itwillgiveyoutimetobesureofyourself。Iaskyoutomakemehappyinayear，butyouarefree：ourengagementshallremainasecret，andshouldyoufindthatyoudonotloveme，orshouldyoucometolove……\"saidPrinceAndrewwithanunnaturalsmile。
\"Whydoyousaythat？\"Natashainterruptedhim。\"YouknowthatfromtheverydayyoufirstcametoOtradnoeIhavelovedyou，\"shecried，quiteconvincedthatshespokethetruth。
\"Inayearyouwilllearntoknowyourself……\"
\"Awholeyear！\"Natasharepeatedsuddenly，onlynowrealizingthatthemarriagewastobepostponedforayear。\"Butwhyayear？Whyayear？……\"
PrinceAndrewbegantoexplaintoherthereasonsforthisdelay。
Natashadidnothearhim。
\"Andcan’titbehelped？\"sheasked。PrinceAndrewdidnotreply，buthisfaceexpressedtheimpossibilityofalteringthatdecision。
\"It’sawful！Oh，it’sawful！awful！\"Natashasuddenlycried，andagainburstintosobs。\"Ishalldie，waitingayear：it’simpossible，it’sawful！\"Shelookedintoherlover’sfaceandsawinitalookofcommiserationandperplexity。
\"No，no！I’lldoanything！\"shesaid，suddenlycheckinghertears。
\"Iamsohappy。\"
Thefatherandmothercameintotheroomandgavethebetrothedcoupletheirblessing。
FromthatdayPrinceAndrewbegantofrequenttheRostovs’asNatasha’saffiancedlover。
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CHAPTERXXIV
NobetrothalceremonytookplaceandNatasha’sengagementtoBolkonskiwasnotannounced；PrinceAndrewinsistedonthat。Hesaidthatashewasresponsibleforthedelayheoughttobearthewholeburdenofit；thathehadgivenhiswordandboundhimselfforever，butthathedidnotwishtobindNatashaandgaveherperfectfreedom。
Ifaftersixmonthsshefeltthatshedidnotlovehimshewouldhavefullrighttorejecthim。NaturallyneitherNatashanorherparentswishedtohearofthis，butPrinceAndrewwasfirm。HecameeverydaytotheRostovs’，butdidnotbehavetoNatashaasanaffiancedlover：hedidnotusethefamiliarthou，butsaidyoutoher，andkissedonlyherhand。Aftertheirengagement，quitedifferent，intimate，andnaturalrelationssprangupbetweenthem。
Itwasasiftheyhadnotknowneachothertillnow。Bothlikedtorecallhowtheyhadregardedeachotherwhenasyettheywerenothingtooneanother；theyfeltthemselvesnowquitedifferentbeings：thentheywereartificial，nownaturalandsincere。AtfirstthefamilyfeltsomeconstraintinintercoursewithPrinceAndrew；
heseemedamanfromanotherworld，andforalongtimeNatashatrainedthefamilytogetusedtohim，proudlyassuringthemallthatheonlyappearedtobedifferent，butwasreallyjustlikeallofthem，andthatshewasnotafraidofhimandnooneelseoughttobe。Afterafewdaystheygrewaccustomedtohim，andwithoutrestraintinhispresencepursuedtheirusualwayoflife，inwhichhetookhispart。Hecouldtalkaboutruraleconomywiththecount，fashionswiththecountessandNatasha，andaboutalbumsandfancyworkwithSonya。Sometimesthehouseholdbothamongthemselvesandinhispresenceexpressedtheirwonderathowithadallhappened，andattheevidentomenstherehadbeenofit：PrinceAndrew’scomingtoOtradnoeandtheircomingtoPetersburg，andthelikenessbetweenNatashaandPrinceAndrewwhichhernursehadnoticedonhisfirstvisit，andAndrew’sencounterwithNicholasin1805，andmanyotherincidentsbetokeningthatithadtobe。
Inthehousethatpoeticdullnessandquietreignedwhichalwaysaccompaniesthepresenceofabetrothedcouple。Oftenwhenallsittingtogethereveryonekeptsilent。Sometimestheotherswouldgetupandgoawayandthecouple，leftalone，stillremainedsilent。Theyrarelyspokeoftheirfuturelife。PrinceAndrewwasafraidandashamedtospeakofit。Natashasharedthisasshedidallhisfeelings，whichsheconstantlydivined。Onceshebeganquestioninghimabouthisson。PrinceAndrewblushed，asheoftendidnow—Natashaparticularlylikeditinhim—andsaidthathissonwouldnotlivewiththem。
\"Whynot？\"askedNatashainafrightenedtone。
\"Icannottakehimawayfromhisgrandfather，andbesides……\"
\"HowIshouldhavelovedhim！\"saidNatasha，immediatelyguessinghisthought；\"butIknowyouwishtoavoidanypretextforfindingfaultwithus。\"
Sometimestheoldcountwouldcomeup，kissPrinceAndrew，andaskhisadviceaboutPetya’seducationorNicholas’service。Theoldcountesssighedasshelookedatthem；Sonyawasalwaysgettingfrightenedlestsheshouldbeinthewayandtriedtofindexcusesforleavingthemalone，evenwhentheydidnotwishit。WhenPrinceAndrewspokehecouldtellastoryverywell，Natashalistenedtohimwithpride；whenshespokeshenoticedwithfearandjoythathegazedattentivelyandscrutinizinglyather。Sheaskedherselfinperplexity：\"Whatdoeshelookforinme？Heistryingtodiscoversomethingbylookingatme！Whatifwhatheseeksinmeisnotthere？\"
Sometimesshefellintooneofthemad，merrymoodscharacteristicofher，andthensheparticularlylovedtohearandseehowPrinceAndrewlaughed。Heseldomlaughed，butwhenhedidheabandonedhimselfentirelytohislaughter，andaftersuchalaughshealwaysfeltnearertohim。Natashawouldhavebeencompletelyhappyifthethoughtoftheseparationawaitingheranddrawingnearhadnotterrifiedher，justasthemerethoughtofitmadehimturnpaleandcold。
OntheeveofhisdeparturefromPetersburgPrinceAndrewbroughtwithhimPierre，whohadnotbeentotheRostovs’oncesincetheball。
Pierreseemeddisconcertedandembarrassed。Hewastalkingtothecountess，andNatashasatdownbesidealittlechesstablewithSonya，therebyinvitingPrinceAndrewtocometoo。Hedidso。
\"YouhaveknownBezukhovalongtime？\"heasked。\"Doyoulikehim？\"
\"Yes，he’sadear，butveryabsurd。\"
AndasusualwhenspeakingofPierre，shebegantotellanecdotesofhisabsent—mindedness，someofwhichhadevenbeeninventedabouthim。
\"DoyouknowIhaveentrustedhimwithoursecret？Ihaveknownhimfromchildhood。Hehasaheartofgold。Ibegyou，Natalie，\"
PrinceAndrewsaidwithsuddenseriousness—\"Iamgoingawayandheavenknowswhatmayhappen。Youmayceaseto……allright，IknowIamnottosaythat。Onlythis，then：whatevermayhappentoyouwhenIamnothere……\"
\"Whatcanhappen？\"
\"Whatevertroublemaycome，\"PrinceAndrewcontinued，\"Ibegyou，MademoiselleSophie，whatevermayhappen，toturntohimaloneforadviceandhelp！Heisamostabsent—mindedandabsurdfellow，buthehasaheartofgold。\"
Neitherherfather，norhermother，norSonya，norPrinceAndrewhimselfcouldhaveforeseenhowtheseparationfromherloverwouldactonNatasha。Flushedandagitatedshewentaboutthehouseallthatday，dry—eyed，occupiedwithmosttrivialmattersasifnotunderstandingwhatawaitedher。Shedidnotevencrywhen，ontakingleave，hekissedherhandforthelasttime。\"Don’tgo！\"shesaidinatonethatmadehimwonderwhetherhereallyoughtnottostayandwhichherememberedlongafterwards。Nordidshecrywhenhewasgone；
butforseveraldaysshesatinherroomdry—eyed，takingnointerestinanythingandonlysayingnowandthen，\"Oh，whydidhegoaway？\"
Butafortnightafterhisdeparture，tothesurpriseofthosearoundher，sherecoveredfromhermentalsicknessjustassuddenlyandbecameheroldselfagain，butwithachangeinhermoralphysiognomy，asachildgetsupafteralongillnesswithachangedexpressionofface。
BK6CH25
CHAPTERXXV
Duringthatyearafterhisson’sdeparture，PrinceNicholasBolkonski’shealthandtemperbecamemuchworse。Hegrewstillmoreirritable，anditwasPrincessMarywhogenerallyborethebruntofhisfrequentfitsofunprovokedanger。Heseemedcarefullytoseekouthertenderspotssoastotorturehermentallyasharshlyaspossible。
PrincessMaryhadtwopassionsandconsequentlytwojoys—hernephew，littleNicholas，andreligion—andthesewerethefavoritesubjectsoftheprince’sattacksandridicule。Whateverwasspokenofhewouldbringroundtothesuperstitiousnessofoldmaids，orthepettingandspoilingofchildren。\"Youwanttomakehim\"—littleNicholas—\"intoanoldmaidlikeyourself！Apity！PrinceAndrewwantsasonandnotanoldmaid，\"hewouldsay。Or，turningtoMademoiselleBourienne，hewouldaskherinPrincessMary’spresencehowshelikedourvillagepriestsandiconsandwouldjokeaboutthem。
HecontinuallyhurtPrincessMary’sfeelingsandtormentedher，butitcosthernoefforttoforgivehim。Couldhebetoblametowardher，orcouldherfather，whomsheknewlovedherinspiteofitall，beunjust？Andwhatisjustice？Theprincessneverthoughtofthatproudword\"justice。\"Allthecomplexlawsofmancenteredforherinoneclearandsimplelaw—thelawofloveandself—sacrificetaughtusbyHimwholovinglysufferedformankindthoughHeHimselfwasGod。Whathadshetodowiththejusticeorinjusticeofotherpeople？Shehadtoendureandlove，andthatshedid。
DuringthewinterPrinceAndrewhadcometoBaldHillsandhadbeengay，gentle，andmoreaffectionatethanPrincessMaryhadknownhimforalongtimepast。Shefeltthatsomethinghadhappenedtohim，buthesaidnothingtoherabouthislove。Beforehelefthehadalongtalkwithhisfatheraboutsomething，andPrincessMarynoticedthatbeforehisdeparturetheyweredissatisfiedwithoneanother。
SoonafterPrinceAndrewhadgone，PrincessMarywrotetoherfriendJulieKaraginainPetersburg，whomshehaddreamedasallgirlsdreamofmarryingtoherbrother，andwhowasatthattimeinmourningforherownbrother，killedinTurkey。
Sorrow，itseems，isourcommonlot，mydear，tenderfriendJulie。
YourlossissoterriblethatIcanonlyexplainittomyselfasaspecialprovidenceofGodwho，lovingyou，wishestotryyouandyourexcellentmother。Oh，myfriend！Religion，andreligionalone，can—Iwillnotsaycomfortus—butsaveusfromdespair。Religionalonecanexplaintouswhatwithoutitshelpmancannotcomprehend：
why，forwhatcause，kindandnoblebeingsabletofindhappinessinlife—notmerelyharmingnoonebutnecessarytothehappinessofothers—arecalledawaytoGod，whilecruel，useless，harmfulpersons，orsuchasareaburdentothemselvesandtoothers，areleftliving。ThefirstdeathIsaw，andoneIshallneverforget—thatofmydearsister—in—law—leftthatimpressiononme。Justasyouaskdestinywhyyoursplendidbrotherhadtodie，soIaskedwhythatangelLise，whonotonlyneverwrongedanyone，butinwhosesoultherewereneveranyunkindthoughts，hadtodie。Andwhatdoyouthink，dearfriend？Fiveyearshavepassedsincethen，andalreadyI，withmypettyunderstanding，begintoseeclearlywhyshehadtodie，andinwhatwaythatdeathwasbutanexpressionoftheinfinitegoodnessoftheCreator，whoseeveryaction，thoughgenerallyincomprehensibletous，isbutamanifestationofHisinfiniteloveforHiscreatures。Perhaps，Ioftenthink，shewastooangelicallyinnocenttohavethestrengthtoperformallamother’sduties。Asayoungwifeshewasirreproachable；perhapsshecouldnothavebeensoasamother。Asitis，notonlyhassheleftus，andparticularlyPrinceAndrew，withthepurestregretsandmemories，butprobablyshewilltherereceiveaplaceIdarenothopeformyself。Butnottospeakofheralone，thatearlyandterribledeathhashadthemostbeneficentinfluenceonmeandonmybrotherinspiteofallourgrief。Then，atthemomentofourloss，thesethoughtscouldnotoccurtome；Ishouldthenhavedismissedthemwithhorror，butnowtheyareveryclearandcertain。Iwriteallthistoyou，dearfriend，onlytoconvinceyouoftheGospeltruthwhichhasbecomeformeaprincipleoflife：notasinglehairofourheadswillfallwithoutHiswill。AndHiswillisgovernedonlybyinfiniteloveforus，andsowhateverbefallsusisforourgood。
YouaskwhetherweshallspendnextwinterinMoscow。Inspiteofmywishtoseeyou，Idonotthinksoanddonotwanttodoso。YouwillbesurprisedtohearthatthereasonforthisisBuonaparte！
Thecaseisthis：myfather’shealthisgrowingnoticeablyworse，hecannotstandanycontradictionandisbecomingirritable。Thisirritabilityis，asyouknow，chieflydirectedtopoliticalquestions。
HecannotendurethenotionthatBuonaparteisnegotiatingonequaltermswithallthesovereignsofEuropeandparticularlywithourown，thegrandsonoftheGreatCatherine！Asyouknow，Iamquiteindifferenttopolitics，butfrommyfather’sremarksandhistalkswithMichaelIvanovichIknowallthatgoesonintheworldandespeciallyaboutthehonorsconferredonBuonaparte，whoonlyatBaldHillsinthewholeworld，itseems，isnotacceptedasagreatman，stilllessasEmperorofFrance。Andmyfathercannotstandthis。
ItseemstomethatitischieflybecauseofhispoliticalviewsthatmyfatherisreluctanttospeakofgoingtoMoscow；forheforeseestheencountersthatwouldresultfromhiswayofexpressinghisviewsregardlessofanybody。AllthebenefithemightderivefromacourseoftreatmenthewouldloseasaresultofthedisputesaboutBuonapartewhichwouldbeinevitable。Inanycaseitwillbedecidedveryshortly。
OurfamilylifegoesonintheoldwayexceptformybrotherAndrew’sabsence。He，asIwroteyoubefore，haschangedverymuchoflate。Afterhissorrowheonlythisyearquiterecoveredhisspirits。HehasagainbecomeasIusedtoknowhimwhenachild：kind，affectionate，withthatheartofgoldtowhichIknownoequal。Hehasrealized，itseemstome，thatlifeisnotoverforhim。Buttogetherwiththismentalchangehehasgrownphysicallymuchweaker。Hehasbecomethinnerandmorenervous。Iamanxiousabouthimandgladheistakingthistripabroadwhichthedoctorsrecommendedlongago。Ihopeitwillcurehim。YouwritethatinPetersburgheisspokenofasoneofthemostactive，cultivated，andcapableoftheyoungmen。Forgivemyvanityasarelation，butIneverdoubtedit。
Thegoodhehasdonetoeverybodyhere，fromhispeasantsuptothegentry，isincalculable。OnhisarrivalinPetersburghereceivedonlyhisdue。IalwayswonderatthewayrumorsflyfromPetersburgtoMoscow，especiallysuchfalseonesasthatyouwriteabout—Imeanthereportofmybrother’sbetrothaltothelittleRostova。Idonotthinkmybrotherwillevermarryagain，andcertainlynother；andthisiswhy：first，Iknowthatthoughherarelyspeaksaboutthewifehehaslost，thegriefofthatlosshasgonetoodeepinhisheartforhimevertodecidetogiveherasuccessorandourlittleangelastepmother。Secondlybecause，asfarasIknow，thatgirlisnotthekindofgirlwhocouldpleasePrinceAndrew。Idonotthinkhewouldchooseherforawife，andfranklyIdonotwishit。ButIamrunningontoolongandamattheendofmysecondsheet。Good—by，mydearfriend。MayGodkeepyouinHisholyandmightycare。Mydearfriend，MademoiselleBourienne，sendsyoukisses。
MARY
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CHAPTERXXVI
InthemiddleofthesummerPrincessMaryreceivedanunexpectedletterfromPrinceAndrewinSwitzerlandinwhichhegaveherstrangeandsurprisingnews。HeinformedherofhisengagementtoNatashaRostova。Thewholeletterbreathedlovingraptureforhisbetrothedandtenderandconfidingaffectionforhissister。Hewrotethathehadneverlovedashedidnowandthatonlynowdidheunderstandandknowwhatlifewas。HeaskedhissistertoforgivehimfornothavingtoldherofhisresolvewhenhehadlastvisitedBaldHills，thoughhehadspokenofittohisfather。HehadnotdonesoforfearPrincessMaryshouldaskherfathertogivehisconsent，irritatinghimandhavingtobearthebruntofhisdispleasurewithoutattainingherobject。\"Besides，\"hewrote，\"thematterwasnotthensodefinitelysettledasitisnow。Myfathertheninsistedonadelayofayearandnowalreadysixmonths，halfofthatperiod，havepassed，andmyresolutionisfirmerthanever。IfthedoctorsdidnotkeepmehereatthespasIshouldbebackinRussia，butasitisIhavetopostponemyreturnforthreemonths。YouknowmeandmyrelationswithFather。Iwantnothingfromhim。Ihavebeenandalwaysshallbeindependent；buttogoagainsthiswillandarousehisanger，nowthathemayperhapsremainwithussuchashorttime，woulddestroyhalfmyhappiness。Iamnowwritingtohimaboutthesamequestion，andbegyoutochooseagoodmomenttohandhimtheletterandtoletmeknowhowhelooksatthewholematterandwhetherthereishopethathemayconsenttoreducethetermbyfourmonths。\"
Afterlonghesitations，doubts，andprayers，PrincessMarygavethelettertoherfather。Thenextdaytheoldprincesaidtoherquietly：
\"WriteandtellyourbrothertowaittillIamdead……Itwon’tbelong—Ishallsoonsethimfree。\"
Theprincesswasabouttoreply，butherfatherwouldnotletherspeakand，raisinghisvoicemoreandmore，cried：
\"Marry，marry，myboy！……Agoodfamily！……Cleverpeople，eh？Rich，eh？Yes，anicestepmotherlittleNicholaswillhave！Writeandtellhimthathemaymarrytomorrowifhelikes。ShewillbelittleNicholas’stepmotherandI’llmarryBourienne！……Ha，ha，ha！Hemustn’tbewithoutastepmothereither！Onlyonething，nomorewomenarewantedinmyhouse—lethimmarryandlivebyhimself。
Perhapsyouwillgoandlivewithhimtoo？\"headded，turningtoPrincessMary。\"Goinheavensname！Gooutintothefrost……thefrost……thefrost！
Afterthisoutbursttheprincedidnotspeakanymoreaboutthematter。Butrepressedvexationathisson’spoor—spiritedbehaviorfoundexpressioninhistreatmentofhisdaughter。Tohisformerpretextsforironyafreshonewasnowadded—allusionstostepmothersandamiabilitiestoMademoiselleBourienne。
\"Whyshouldn’tImarryher？\"heaskedhisdaughter。\"She’llmakeasplendidprincess！\"
Andlatterly，tohersurpriseandbewilderment，PrincessMarynoticedthatherfatherwasreallyassociatingmoreandmorewiththeFrenchwoman。ShewrotetoPrinceAndrewaboutthereceptionofhisletter，butcomfortedhimwithhopesofreconcilingtheirfathertotheidea。
LittleNicholasandhiseducation，herbrotherAndrew，andreligionwerePrincessMary’sjoysandconsolations；butbesidesthat，sinceeveryonemusthavepersonalhopes，PrincessMaryintheprofoundestdepthsofherhearthadahiddendreamandhopethatsuppliedthechiefconsolationofherlife。ThiscomfortingdreamandhopeweregivenherbyGod’sfolk—thehalf—wittedandotherpilgrimswhovisitedherwithouttheprince’sknowledge。Thelongershelived，themoreexperienceandobservationshehadoflife，thegreaterwasherwonderattheshort—sightednessofmenwhoseekenjoymentandhappinesshereonearth：toiling，suffering，struggling，andharmingoneanother，toobtainthatimpossible，visionary，sinfulhappiness。PrinceAndrewhadlovedhiswife，shedied，butthatwasnotenough：hewantedtobindhishappinesstoanotherwoman。
HerfatherobjectedtothisbecausehewantedamoredistinguishedandwealthiermatchforAndrew。Andtheyallstruggledandsufferedandtormentedoneanotherandinjuredtheirsouls，theireternalsouls，fortheattainmentofbenefitswhichendurebutforaninstant。Notonlydoweknowthisourselves，butChrist，theSonofGod，camedowntoearthandtoldusthatthislifeisbutforamomentandisaprobation；yetweclingtoitandthinktofindhappinessinit。
\"Howisitthatnoonerealizesthis？\"thoughtPrincessMary。\"NooneexceptthesedespisedGod’sfolkwho，walletonback，cometomebythebackdoor，afraidofbeingseenbytheprince，notforfearofill—usagebyhimbutforfearofcausinghimtosin。Toleavefamily，home，andallthecaresofworldlywelfare，inorderwithoutclingingtoanythingtowanderinhempenragsfromplacetoplaceunderanassumedname，doingnooneanyharmbutprayingforall—
forthosewhodriveoneawayaswellasforthosewhoprotectone：
higherthanthatlifeandtruththereisnolifeortruth！\"
Therewasonepilgrim，aquietpockmarkedlittlewomanoffiftycalledTheodosia，whoforoverthirtyyearshadgoneaboutbarefootandwornheavychains。PrincessMarywasparticularlyfondofher。
Once，wheninaroomwithalampdimlylitbeforetheiconTheodosiawastalkingofherlife，thethoughtthatTheodosiaalonehadfoundthetruepathoflifesuddenlycametoPrincessMarywithsuchforcethatsheresolvedtobecomeapilgrimherself。WhenTheodosiahadgonetosleepPrincessMarythoughtaboutthisforalongtime，andatlastmadeuphermindthat，strangeasitmightseem，shemustgoonapilgrimage。Shedisclosedthisthoughttonoonebuttoherconfessor，FatherAkinfi，themonk，andheapprovedofherintention。Underguiseofapresentforthepilgrims，PrincessMarypreparedapilgrim’scompletecostumeforherself：acoarsesmock，bastshoes，aroughcoat，andablackkerchief。Often，approachingthechestofdrawerscontainingthissecrettreasure，PrincessMarypaused，uncertainwhetherthetimehadnotalreadycometoputherprojectintoexecution。
Often，listeningtothepilgrims’tales，shewassostimulatedbytheirsimplespeech，mechanicaltothembuttohersofullofdeepmeaning，thatseveraltimesshewasonthepointofabandoningeverythingandrunningawayfromhome。InimaginationshealreadypicturedherselfbyTheodosia’sside，dressedincoarserags，walkingwithastaff，awalletonherback，alongthedustyroad，directingherwanderingsfromonesaint’sshrinetoanother，freefromenvy，earthlylove，ordesire，andreachingatlasttheplacewherethereisnomoresorroworsighing，buteternaljoyandbliss。
\"Ishallcometoaplaceandpraythere，andbeforehavingtimetogetusedtoitorgettingtoloveit，Ishallgofarther。Iwillgoontillmylegsfail，andI’llliedownanddiesomewhere，andshallatlastreachthateternal，quiethaven，wherethereisneithersorrownorsighing……\"thoughtPrincessMary。
Butafterwards，whenshesawherfatherandespeciallylittleKokoNicholas，herresolveweakened。Sheweptquietly，andfeltthatshewasasinnerwholovedherfatherandlittlenephewmorethanGod。
BOOKSEVEN：1810—11
CHAPTERI
TheBiblelegendtellsusthattheabsenceoflabor—idleness—wasaconditionofthefirstman’sblessednessbeforetheFall。Fallenmanhasretainedaloveofidleness，butthecurseweighsontheracenotonlybecausewehavetoseekourbreadinthesweatofourbrows，butbecauseourmoralnatureissuchthatwecannotbebothidleandatease。Aninnervoicetellsusweareinthewrongifweareidle。Ifmancouldfindastateinwhichhefeltthatthoughidlehewasfulfillinghisduty，hewouldhavefoundoneoftheconditionsofman’sprimitiveblessedness。Andsuchastateofobligatoryandirreproachableidlenessisthelotofawholeclass—
themilitary。Thechiefattractionofmilitaryservicehasconsistedandwillconsistinthiscompulsoryandirreproachableidleness。
NicholasRostovexperiencedthisblissfulconditiontothefullwhen，after1807，hecontinuedtoserveinthePavlogradregiment，inwhichhealreadycommandedthesquadronhehadtakenoverfromDenisov。
Rostovhadbecomeabluff，good—naturedfellow，whomhisMoscowacquaintanceswouldhaveconsideredratherbadform，butwhowaslikedandrespectedbyhiscomrades，subordinates，andsuperiors，andwaswellcontentedwithhislife。Oflate，in1809，hefoundinlettersfromhomemorefrequentcomplaintsfromhismotherthattheiraffairswerefallingintogreaterandgreaterdisorder，andthatitwastimeforhimtocomebacktogladdenandcomforthisoldparents。
Readingtheseletters，Nicholasfeltadreadoftheirwantingtotakehimawayfromsurroundingsinwhich，protectedfromalltheentanglementsoflife，hewaslivingsocalmlyandquietly。Hefeltthatsoonerorlaterhewouldhavetore—enterthatwhirlpooloflife，withitsembarrassmentsandaffairstobestraightenedout，itsaccountswithstewards，quarrels，andintrigues，itsties，society，andwithSonya’sloveandhispromisetoher。Itwasalldreadfullydifficultandcomplicated；andherepliedtohismotherincold，formallettersinFrench，beginning：\"MydearMamma，\"andending：
\"Yourobedientson，\"whichsaidnothingofwhenhewouldreturn。In1810hereceivedlettersfromhisparents，inwhichtheytoldhimofNatasha’sengagementtoBolkonski，andthattheweddingwouldbeinayear’stimebecausetheoldprincemadedifficulties。ThislettergrievedandmortifiedNicholas。InthefirstplacehewassorrythatNatasha，forwhomhecaredmorethanforanyoneelseinthefamily，shouldbelosttothehome；andsecondly，fromhishussarpointofview，heregrettednottohavebeentheretoshowthatfellowBolkonskithatconnectionwithhimwasnosuchgreathonorafterall，andthatifhelovedNatashahemightdispensewithpermissionfromhisdotardfather。ForamomenthehesitatedwhetherheshouldnotapplyforleaveinordertoseeNatashabeforeshewasmarried，butthencamethemaneuvers，andconsiderationsaboutSonyaandabouttheconfusionoftheiraffairs，andNicholasagainputitoff。
Butinthespringofthatyear，hereceivedaletterfromhismother，writtenwithouthisfather’sknowledge，andthatletterpersuadedhimtoreturn。Shewrotethatifhedidnotcomeandtakemattersinhand，theirwholepropertywouldbesoldbyauctionandtheywouldallhavetogobegging。Thecountwassoweak，andtrustedMitenkasomuch，andwassogood—natured，thateverybodytookadvantageofhimandthingsweregoingfrombadtoworse。\"ForGod’ssake，Iimploreyou，comeatonceifyoudonotwishtomakemeandthewholefamilywretched，\"wrotethecountess。
ThislettertouchedNicholas。Hehadthatcommonsenseofamatter—of—factmanwhichshowedhimwhatheoughttodo。
Therightthingnowwas，ifnottoretirefromtheservice，atanyratetogohomeonleave。Whyhehadtogohedidnotknow；butafterhisafter—dinnernaphegaveorderstosaddleMars，anextremelyviciousgraystallionthathadnotbeenriddenforalongtime，andwhenhereturnedwiththehorseallinalather，heinformedLavrushkaDenisov’sservantwhohadremainedwithhimandhiscomradeswhoturnedupintheeveningthathewasapplyingforleaveandwasgoinghome。Difficultandstrangeasitwasforhimtoreflectthathewouldgoawaywithouthavingheardfromthestaff—andthisinterestedhimextremely—whetherhewaspromotedtoacaptaincyorwouldreceivetheOrderofSt。Anneforthelastmaneuvers；strangeasitwastothinkthathewouldgoawaywithouthavingsoldhisthreeroanstothePolishCountGolukhovski，whowasbargainingforthehorsesRostovhadbettedhewouldsellfortwothousandrubles；incomprehensibleasitseemedthattheballthehussarsweregivinginhonorofthePolishMademoisellePrzazdzieckaoutofrivalrytotheUhlanswhohadgivenoneinhonoroftheirPolishMademoiselleBorzozowskawouldtakeplacewithouthim—heknewhemustgoawayfromthisgood，brightworldtosomewherewhereeverythingwasstupidandconfused。Aweeklaterheobtainedhisleave。Hishussarcomrades—notonlythoseofhisownregiment，butthewholebrigade—gaveRostovadinnertowhichthesubscriptionwasfifteenrublesahead，andatwhichthereweretwobandsandtwochoirsofsingers。RostovdancedtheTrepakwithMajorBasov；thetipsyofficerstossed，embraced，anddroppedRostov；thesoldiersofthethirdsquadrontossedhimtoo，andshouted\"hurrah！\"andthentheyputhiminhissleighandescortedhimasfarasthefirstpoststation。
Duringthefirsthalfofthejourney—fromKremenchugtoKiev—allRostov’sthoughts，asisusualinsuchcases，werebehindhim，withthesquadron；butwhenhehadgonemorethanhalfwayhebegantoforgethisthreeroansandDozhoyveyko，hisquartermaster，andtowonderanxiouslyhowthingswouldbeatOtradnoeandwhathewouldfindthere。Thoughtsofhomegrewstrongerthenearerheapproachedit—farstronger，asthoughthisfeelingofhiswassubjecttothelawbywhichtheforceofattractionisininverseproportiontothesquareofthedistance。AtthelastpoststationbeforeOtradnoehegavethedriverathree—rubletip，andonarrivingheranbreathlessly，likeaboy，upthestepsofhishome。
Aftertheraptureofmeeting，andafterthatoddfeelingofunsatisfiedexpectation—thefeelingthat\"everythingisjustthesame，sowhydidIhurry？\"—Nicholasbegantosettledowninhisoldhomeworld。Hisfatherandmotherweremuchthesame，onlyalittleolder。Whatwasnewinthemwasacertainuneasinessandoccasionaldiscord，whichthereusednottobe，andwhich，asNicholassoonfoundout，wasduetothebadstateoftheiraffairs。Sonyawasnearlytwenty；shehadstoppedgrowingprettierandpromisednothingmorethanshewasalready，butthatwasenough。SheexhaledhappinessandlovefromthetimeNicholasreturned，andthefaithful，unalterableloveofthisgirlhadagladdeningeffectonhim。PetyaandNatashasurprisedNicholasmost。Petyawasabighandsomeboyofthirteen，merry，witty，andmischievous，withavoicethatwasalreadybreaking。
AsforNatasha，foralongwhileNicholaswonderedandlaughedwheneverhelookedather。
\"You’renotthesameatall，\"hesaid。
\"How？AmIuglier？\"
\"Onthecontrary，butwhatdignity？Aprincess！\"hewhisperedtoher。
\"Yes，yes，yes！\"criedNatasha，joyfully。
ShetoldhimaboutherromancewithPrinceAndrewandofhisvisittoOtradnoeandshowedhimhislastletter。
\"Well，areyouglad？\"Natashaasked。\"Iamsotranquilandhappynow。\"
\"Veryglad，\"answeredNicholas。\"Heisanexcellentfellow……Andareyouverymuchinlove？\"
\"HowshallIputit？\"repliedNatasha。\"IwasinlovewithBoris，withmyteacher，andwithDenisov，butthisisquitedifferent。Ifeelatpeaceandsettled。Iknowthatnobettermanthanheexists，andIamcalmandcontentednow。Notatallasbefore。\"
Nicholasexpressedhisdisapprovalofthepostponementofthemarriageforayear；butNatashaattackedherbrotherwithexasperation，provingtohimthatitcouldnotbeotherwise，andthatitwouldbeabadthingtoenterafamilyagainstthefather’swill，andthatsheherselfwisheditso。
\"Youdon’tatallunderstand，\"shesaid。
Nicholaswassilentandagreedwithher。
Herbrotheroftenwonderedashelookedather。Shedidnotseematalllikeagirlinloveandpartedfromheraffiancedhusband。
Shewaseven—temperedandcalmandquiteascheerfulasofold。ThisamazedNicholasandevenmadehimregardBolkonski’scourtshipskeptically。Hecouldnotbelievethatherfatewassealed，especiallyashehadnotseenherwithPrinceAndrew。Italwaysseemedtohimthattherewassomethingnotquiterightaboutthisintendedmarriage。
\"Whythisdelay？Whynobetrothal？\"hethought。Once，whenhehadtouchedonthistopicwithhismother，hediscovered，tohissurpriseandsomewhattohissatisfaction，thatinthedepthofhersoulshetoohaddoubtsaboutthismarriage。
\"Youseehewrites，\"saidshe，showinghersonaletterofPrinceAndrew’s，withthatlatentgrudgeamotheralwayshasinregardtoadaughter’sfuturemarriedhappiness，\"hewritesthathewon’tcomebeforeDecember。Whatcanbekeepinghim？Illness，probably！Hishealthisverydelicate。Don’ttellNatasha。Anddon’tattachimportancetoherbeingsobright：that’sbecauseshe’slivingthroughthelastdaysofhergirlhood，butIknowwhatsheislikeeverytimewereceivealetterfromhim！However，Godgrantthateverythingturnsoutwell！\"Shealwaysendedwiththesewords。\"Heisanexcellentman！\"
BK7CH2
CHAPTERII
AfterreachinghomeNicholaswasatfirstseriousandevendull。
Hewasworriedbytheimpendingnecessityofinterferinginthestupidbusinessmattersforwhichhismotherhadcalledhimhome。Tothrowoffthisburdenasquicklyaspossible，onthethirddayafterhisarrivalhewent，angryandscowlingandwithoutansweringquestionsastowherehewasgoing，toMitenka’slodgeanddemandedanaccountofeverything。ButwhatanaccountofeverythingmightbeNicholasknewevenlessthanthefrightenedandbewilderedMitenka。TheconversationandtheexaminationoftheaccountswithMitenkadidnotlastlong。
Thevillageelder，apeasantdelegate，andthevillageclerk，whowerewaitinginthepassage，heardwithfearanddelightfirsttheyoungcount’svoiceroaringandsnappingandrisinglouderandlouder，andthenwordsofabuse，dreadfulwords，ejaculatedoneaftertheother。
\"Robber！……Ungratefulwretch！……I’llhackthedogtopieces！I’mnotmyfather！……Robbingus！……\"andsoon。
Thenwithnolessfearanddelighttheysawhowtheyoungcount，redinthefaceandwithbloodshoteyes，draggedMitenkaoutbythescruffoftheneckandappliedhisfootandkneetohimbehindwithgreatagilityatconvenientmomentsbetweenthewords，shouting，\"Beoff！
Neverletmeseeyourfacehereagain，youvillain！\"
Mitenkaflewheadlongdownthesixstepsandranawayintotheshrubbery。Thisshrubberywasawell—knownhavenofrefugeforculpritsatOtradnoe。Mitenkahimself，returningtipsyfromthetown，usedtohidethere，andmanyoftheresidentsatOtradnoe，hidingfromMitenka，knewofitsprotectivequalities。
Mitenka’swifeandsisters—in—lawthrusttheirheadsandfrightenedfacesoutofthedoorofaroomwhereabrightsamovarwasboilingandwherethesteward’shighbedsteadstoodwithitspatchworkquilt。
Theyoungcountpaidnoheedtothem，but，breathinghard，passedbywithresolutestridesandwentintothehouse。
Thecountess，whoheardatoncefromthemaidswhathadhappenedatthelodge，wascalmedbythethoughtthatnowtheiraffairswouldcertainlyimprove，butontheotherhandfeltanxiousastotheeffectthisexcitementmighthaveonherson。Shewentseveraltimestohisdoorontiptoeandlistened，ashelightedonepipeafteranother。
Nextdaytheoldcountcalledhissonasideand，withanembarrassedsmile，saidtohim：
\"Butyouknow，mydearboy，it’sapityyougotexcited！Mitenkahastoldmeallaboutit。\"
\"Iknew，\"thoughtNicholas，\"thatIshouldneverunderstandanythinginthiscrazyworld。\"
\"Youwereangrythathehadnotenteredthose700rubles。Buttheywerecarriedforward—andyoudidnotlookattheotherpage。\"
\"Papa，heisablackguardandathief！Iknowheis！AndwhatIhavedone，Ihavedone；but，ifyoulike，Iwon’tspeaktohimagain。\"
\"No，mydearboy\"thecount，too，feltembarrassed。Heknewhehadmismanagedhiswife’spropertyandwastoblametowardhischildren，buthedidnotknowhowtoremedyit。\"No，Ibegyoutoattendtothebusiness。Iamold。I……\"
\"No，Papa。ForgivemeifIhavecausedyouunpleasantness。I
understanditalllessthanyoudo。\"
\"Deviltakeallthesepeasants，andmoneymatters，andcarryingsforwardfrompagetopage，\"hethought。\"Iusedtounderstandwhata’corner’andthestakesatcardsmeant，butcarryingforwardtoanotherpageIdon’tunderstandatall，\"saidhetohimself，andafterthathedidnotmeddleinbusinessaffairs。ButoncethecountesscalledhersonandinformedhimthatshehadapromissorynotefromAnnaMikhaylovnafortwothousandrubles，andaskedhimwhathethoughtofdoingwithit。
\"This，\"answeredNicholas。\"Yousayitrestswithme。Well，I
don’tlikeAnnaMikhaylovnaandIdon’tlikeBoris，buttheywereourfriendsandpoor。Wellthen，this！\"andhetoreupthenote，andbysodoingcausedtheoldcountesstoweeptearsofjoy。Afterthat，youngRostovtooknofurtherpartinanybusinessaffairs，butdevotedhimselfwithpassionateenthusiasmtowhatwastohimanewpursuit—thechase—forwhichhisfatherkeptalargeestablishment。
BK7CH3
CHAPTERIII
Theweatherwasalreadygrowingwintryandmorningfrostscongealedanearthsaturatedbyautumnrains。Theverdurehadthickenedanditsbrightgreenstoodoutsharplyagainstthebrownishstripsofwinterryetroddendownbythecattle，andagainstthepale—yellowstubbleofthespringbuckwheat。Thewoodedravinesandthecopses，whichattheendofAugusthadstillbeengreenislandsamidblackfieldsandstubble，hadbecomegoldenandbright—redislandsamidthegreenwinterrye。Thehareshadalreadyhalfchangedtheirsummercoats，thefoxcubswerebeginningtoscatter，andtheyoungwolveswerebiggerthandogs。Itwasthebesttimeoftheyearforthechase。ThehoundsofthatardentyoungsportsmanRostovhadnotmerelyreachedhardwintercondition，butweresojadedthatatameetingofthehuntsmenitwasdecidedtogivethemathreedays’restandthen，onthesixteenthofSeptember，togoonadistantexpedition，startingfromtheoakgrovewheretherewasanundisturbedlitterofwolfcubs。
Allthatdaythehoundsremainedathome。Itwasfrostyandtheairwassharp，buttowardeveningtheskybecameovercastanditbegantothaw。Onthefifteenth，whenyoungRostov，inhisdressinggown，lookedoutofthewindow，hesawitwasanunsurpassablemorningforhunting：itwasasiftheskyweremeltingandsinkingtotheearthwithoutanywind。Theonlymotionintheairwasthatofthedripping，microscopicparticlesofdrizzlingmist。Thebaretwigsinthegardenwerehungwithtransparentdropswhichfellonthefreshlyfallenleaves。Theearthinthekitchengardenlookedwetandblackandglistenedlikepoppyseedandatashortdistancemergedintothedull，moistveilofmist。Nicholaswentoutintothewetandmuddyporch。Therewasasmellofdecayingleavesandofdog。Milka，ablack—spotted，broad—haunchedbitchwithprominentblackeyes，gotuponseeinghermaster，stretchedherhindlegs，laydownlikeahare，andthensuddenlyjumpedupandlickedhimrightonhisnoseandmustache。Anotherborzoi，adog，catchingsightofhismasterfromthegardenpath，archedhisbackand，rushingheadlongtowardtheporchwithliftedtail，beganrubbinghimselfagainsthislegs。
\"O—hoy！\"cameatthatmoment，thatinimitablehuntsman’scallwhichunitesthedeepestbasswiththeshrillesttenor，androundthecornercameDanieltheheadhuntsmanandheadkennelman，agray，wrinkledoldmanwithhaircutstraightoverhisforehead，Ukrainianfashion，alongbentwhipinhishand，andthatlookofindependenceandscornofeverythingthatisonlyseeninhuntsmen。HedoffedhisCircassiancaptohismasterandlookedathimscornfully。Thisscornwasnotoffensivetohismaster。NicholasknewthatthisDaniel，disdainfulofeverybodyandwhoconsideredhimselfabovethem，wasallthesamehisserfandhuntsman。
\"Daniel！\"Nicholassaidtimidly，consciousatthesightoftheweather，thehounds，andthehuntsmanthathewasbeingcarriedawaybythatirresistiblepassionforsportwhichmakesamanforgetallhispreviousresolutions，asaloverforgetsinthepresenceofhismistress。
\"Whatorders，yourexcellency？\"saidthehuntsmaninhisdeepbass，deepasaproto—deacon’sandhoarsewithhallooing—andtwoflashingblackeyesgazedfromunderhisbrowsathismaster，whowassilent。\"Canyouresistit？\"thoseeyesseemedtobeasking。
\"It’sagoodday，eh？Forahuntandagallop，eh？\"askedNicholas，scratchingMilkabehindtheears。
Danieldidnotanswer，butwinkedinstead。
\"IsentUvarkaatdawntolisten，\"hisbassboomedoutafteraminute’spause。\"Hesaysshe’smovedthemintotheOtradnoeenclosure。
Theywerehowlingthere。\"Thismeantthattheshe—wolf，aboutwhomtheybothknew，hadmovedwithhercubstotheOtradnoecopse，asmallplaceamileandahalffromthehouse。
\"Weoughttogo，don’tyouthinkso？\"saidNicholas。\"CometomewithUvarka。\"
\"Asyouplease。\"
\"Thenputofffeedingthem。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
FiveminuteslaterDanielandUvarkawerestandinginNicholas’
bigstudy。ThoughDanielwasnotabigman，toseehiminaroomwaslikeseeingahorseorabearontheflooramongthefurnitureandsurroundingsofhumanlife。Danielhimselffeltthis，andasusualstoodjustinsidethedoor，tryingtospeaksoftlyandnotmove，forfearofbreakingsomethinginthemaster’sapartment，andhehastenedtosayallthatwasnecessarysoastogetfromunderthatceiling，outintotheopenundertheskyoncemore。
HavingfinishedhisinquiriesandextortedfromDanielanopinionthatthehoundswerefitDanielhimselfwishedtogohunting，Nicholasorderedthehorsestobesaddled。ButjustasDanielwasabouttogoNatashacameinwithrapidsteps，nothavingdoneupherhairorfinisheddressingandwithheroldnurse’sbigshawlwrappedroundher。Petyaraninatthesametime。
\"Youaregoing？\"askedNatasha。\"Iknewyouwould！Sonyasaidyouwouldn’tgo，butIknewthattodayisthesortofdaywhenyoucouldn’thelpgoing。\"
\"Yes，wearegoing，\"repliedNicholasreluctantly，fortoday，asheintendedtohuntseriously，hedidnotwanttotakeNatashaandPetya。\"Wearegoing，butonlywolfhunting：itwouldbedullforyou。\"
\"Youknowitismygreatestpleasure，\"saidNatasha。\"It’snotfair；
youaregoingbyyourself，arehavingthehorsessaddledandsaidnothingtousaboutit。\"
\"’NobarrierbarsaRussian’spath’—we’llgo！\"shoutedPetya。
\"Butyoucan’t。Mammasaidyoumustn’t，\"saidNicholastoNatasha。
\"Yes，I’llgo。Ishallcertainlygo，\"saidNatashadecisively。
\"Daniel，tellthemtosaddleforus，andMichaelmustcomewithmydogs，\"sheaddedtothehuntsman。
ItseemedtoDanielirksomeandimpropertobeinaroomatall，buttohaveanythingtodowithayoungladyseemedtohimimpossible。
Hecastdownhiseyesandhurriedoutasifitwerenoneofhisbusiness，carefulashewentnottoinflictanyaccidentalinjuryontheyounglady。
BK7CH4
CHAPTERIV
Theoldcount，whohadalwayskeptupanenormoushuntingestablishmentbuthadnowhandeditallcompletelyovertohisson’scare，beinginverygoodspiritsonthisfifteenthofSeptember，preparedtogooutwiththeothers。
Inanhour’stimethewholehuntingpartywasattheporch。
Nicholas，withasternandseriousairwhichshowedthatnowwasnotimeforattendingtotrifles，wentpastNatashaandPetyawhoweretryingtotellhimsomething。Hehadalookatallthedetailsofthehunt，sentapackofhoundsandhuntsmenonaheadtofindthequarry，mountedhischestnutDonets，andwhistlingtohisownleashofborzois，setoffacrossthethreshinggroundtoafieldleadingtotheOtradnoewood。Theoldcount’shorse，asorrelgeldingcalledViflyanka，wasledbythegroominattendanceonhim，whilethecounthimselfwastodriveinasmalltrapstraighttoaspotreservedforhim。
Theyweretakingfifty—fourhounds，withsixhuntattendantsandwhippers—in。Besidesthefamily，therewereeightborzoikennelmenandmorethanfortyborzois，sothat，withtheborzoisontheleashbelongingtomembersofthefamily，therewereaboutahundredandthirtydogsandtwentyhorsemen。
Eachdogknewitsmasteranditscall。Eachmaninthehuntknewhisbusiness。hisplace，whathehadtodo。Assoonastheyhadpassedthefencetheyallspreadoutevenlyandquietly，withoutnoiseortalk，alongtheroadandfieldleadingtotheOtradnoecovert。
Thehorsessteppedoverthefieldasoverathickcarpet，nowandthensplashingintopuddlesastheycrossedaroad。Themistyskystillseemedtodescendevenlyandimperceptiblytowardtheearth，theairwasstill，warm，andsilent。Occasionallythewhistleofahuntsman，thesnortofahorse，thecrackofawhip，orthewhineofastragglinghoundcouldbeheard。
Whentheyhadgonealittlelessthanamile，fivemoreriderswithdogsappearedoutofthemist，approachingtheRostovs。Infrontrodeafresh—looking，handsomeoldmanwithalargegraymustache。
\"Goodmorning，Uncle！\"saidNicholas，whentheoldmandrewnear。
\"That’sit。Comeon！……Iwassureofit，\"began\"Uncle。\"HewasadistantrelativeoftheRostovs’，amanofsmallmeans，andtheirneighbor。\"Iknewyouwouldn’tbeabletoresistitandit’sagoodthingyou’regoing。That’sit！Comeon！Thiswas\"Uncle’s\"favoriteexpression。\"Takethecovertatonce，formyGirchiksaystheIlaginsareatKornikiwiththeirhounds。That’sit。Comeon！……They’lltakethecubsfromunderyourverynose。\"
\"That’swhereI’mgoing。Shallwejoinupourpacks？\"askedNicholas。
Thehoundswerejoinedintoonepack，and\"Uncle\"andNicholasrodeonsidebyside。Natasha，muffledupinshawlswhichdidnothidehereagerfaceandshiningeyes，gallopeduptothem。ShewasfollowedbyPetyawhoalwayskeptclosetoher，byMichael，ahuntsman，andbyagroomappointedtolookafterher。Petya，whowaslaughing，whippedandpulledathishorse。NatashasateasilyandconfidentlyonherblackArabchikandreinedhiminwithouteffortwithafirmhand。
\"Uncle\"lookedrounddisapprovinglyatPetyaandNatasha。Hedidnotliketocombinefrivolitywiththeseriousbusinessofhunting。
\"Goodmorning，Uncle！Wearegoingtoo！\"shoutedPetya。
\"Goodmorning，goodmorning！Butdon’tgooverridingthehounds，\"
said\"Uncle\"sternly。
\"Nicholas，whatafinedogTrunilais！Heknewme，\"saidNatasha，referringtoherfavoritehound。
\"Inthefirstplace，Trunilaisnota’dog，’butaharrier，\"thoughtNicholas，andlookedsternlyathissister，tryingtomakeherfeelthedistancethatoughttoseparatethematthatmoment。Natashaunderstoodit。
\"Youmustn’tthinkwe’llbeinanyone’sway，Uncle，\"shesaid。
\"We’llgotoourplacesandwon’tbudge。\"
\"Agoodthingtoo，littlecountess，\"said\"Uncle，\"\"onlymindyoudon’tfalloffyourhorse，\"headded，\"because—that’sit，comeon！—
you’venothingtoholdonto。\"
TheoasisoftheOtradnoecovertcameinsightafewhundredyardsoff，thehuntsmenwerealreadynearingit。Rostov，havingfinallysettledwith\"Uncle\"wheretheyshouldsetonthehounds，andhavingshownNatashawhereshewastostand—aspotwherenothingcouldpossiblyrunout—wentroundabovetheravine。
\"Well，nephew，you’regoingforabigwolf，\"said\"Uncle。\"\"Mindanddon’tletherslip！\"
\"That’sasmayhappen，\"answeredRostov。\"Karay，here！\"heshouted，answering\"Uncle’s\"remarkbythiscalltohisborzoi。
Karaywasashaggyolddogwithahangingjowl，famousforhavingtackledabigwolfunaided。Theyalltookuptheirplaces。
Theoldcount，knowinghisson’sardorinthehunt，hurriedsoasnottobelate，andthehunstmenhadnotyetreachedtheirplaceswhenCountIlyaRostov，cheerful，flushed，andwithquiveringcheeks，droveupwithhisblackhorsesoverthewinterryetotheplacereservedforhim，whereawolfmightcomeout。Havingstraightenedhiscoatandfastenedonhishuntingknivesandhorn，hemountedhisgood，sleek，well—fed，andcomfortablehorse，Viflyanka，whichwasturninggray，likehimself。Hishorsesandtrapweresenthome。CountIlyaRostov，thoughnotatheartakeensportsman，knewtherulesofthehuntwell，androdetothebushyedgeoftheroadwherehewastostand，arrangedhisreins，settledhimselfinthesaddle，and，feelingthathewasready，lookedaboutwithasmile。
BesidehimwasSimonChekmar，hispersonalattendant，anoldhorsemannowsomewhatstiffinthesaddle。Chekmarheldinleashthreeformidablewolfhounds，whohad，however，grownfatliketheirmasterandhishorse。Twowiseolddogslaydownunleashed。SomehundredpacesfartheralongtheedgeofthewoodstoodMitka，thecount’sothergroom，adaringhorsemanandkeenridertohounds。Beforethehunt，byoldcustom，thecounthaddrunkasilvercupfulofmulledbrandy，takenasnack，andwasheditdownwithhalfabottleofhisfavoriteBordeaux。
Hewassomewhatflushedwiththewineandthedrive。Hiseyeswererathermoistandglitteredmorethanusual，andashesatinhissaddle，wrappedupinhisfurcoat，helookedlikeachildtakenoutforanouting。
Thethin，hollow—cheekedChekmar，havinggoteverythingready，keptglancingathismasterwithwhomhehadlivedonthebestoftermsforthirtyyears，andunderstandingthemoodhewasinexpectedapleasantchat。Athirdpersonrodeupcircumspectlythroughthewooditwasplainthathehadhadalessonandstoppedbehindthecount。Thispersonwasagray—beardedoldmaninawoman’scloak，withatallpeakedcaponhishead。Hewasthebuffoon，whowentbyawoman’sname，NastasyaIvanovna。
\"Well，NastasyaIvanovna！\"whisperedthecount，winkingathim。
\"Ifyouscareawaythebeast，Daniel’llgiveityou！\"
\"Iknowathingortwomyself！\"saidNastasyaIvanovna。
\"Hush！\"whisperedthecountandturnedtoSimon。\"Haveyouseentheyoungcountess？\"heasked。\"Whereisshe？\"
\"WithyoungCountPeter，bytheZharovrankgrass，\"answeredSimon，smiling。\"Thoughshe’salady，she’sveryfondofhunting。\"
\"Andyou’resurprisedatthewaysherides，Simon，eh？\"saidthecount。\"She’sasgoodasmanyaman！\"
\"Ofcourse！It’smarvelous。Sobold，soeasy！\"
\"AndNicholas？Whereishe？BytheLyadovupland，isn’the？\"
\"Yes，sir。Heknowswheretostand。HeunderstandsthemattersowellthatDanielandIareoftenquiteastounded，\"saidSimon，wellknowingwhatwouldpleasehismaster。
\"Rideswell，eh？Andhowwellhelooksonhishorse，eh？\"
\"Aperfectpicture！HowhechasedafoxoutoftherankgrassbytheZavarzinskthickettheotherday！Leapedafearfulplace；whatasightwhentheyrushedfromthecovert……thehorseworthathousandrublesandtheriderbeyondallprice！Yes，onewouldhavetosearchfartofindanotherassmart。\"
\"Tosearchfar……\"repeatedthecount，evidentlysorrySimonhadnotsaidmore。\"Tosearchfar，\"hesaid，turningbacktheskirtofhiscoattogetathissnuffbox。
\"TheotherdaywhenhecameoutfromMassinfulluniform，MichaelSidorych……\"Simondidnotfinish，foronthestillairhehaddistinctlycaughtthemusicofthehuntwithonlytwoorthreehoundsgivingtongue。Hebentdownhisheadandlistened，shakingawarningfingerathismaster。\"Theyareonthescentofthecubs……
\"hewhispered，\"straighttotheLyadovuplands。\"
Thecount，forgettingtosmoothoutthesmileonhisface，lookedintothedistancestraightbeforehim，downthenarrowopenspace，holdingthesnuffboxinhishandbutnottakingany。AfterthecryofthehoundscamethedeeptonesofthewolfcallfromDaniel’shuntinghorn；thepackjoinedthefirstthreehoundsandtheycouldbeheardinfullcry，withthatpeculiarliftinthenotethatindicatesthattheyareafterawolf。Thewhippers—innolongersetonthehounds，butchangedtothecryofulyulyu，andabovetheothersroseDaniel’svoice，nowadeepbass，nowpiercinglyshrill。Hisvoiceseemedtofillthewholewoodandcarriedfarbeyondoutintotheopenfield。
Afterlisteningafewmomentsinsilence，thecountandhisattendantconvincedthemselvesthatthehoundshadseparatedintotwopacks：thesoundofthelargerpack，eagerlygivingtongue，begantodieawayinthedistance，theotherpackrushedbythewoodpastthecount，anditwaswiththisthatDaniel’svoicewasheardcallingulyulyu。Thesoundsofbothpacksmingledandbrokeapartagain，butbothwerebecomingmoredistant。
Simonsighedandstoopedtostraightentheleashayoungborzoihadentangled；thecounttoosighedand，noticingthesnuffboxinhishand，openeditandtookapinch。\"Back！\"criedSimontoaborzoithatwaspushingforwardoutofthewood。Thecountstartedanddroppedthesnuffbox。NastasyaIvanovnadismountedtopickitup。
ThecountandSimonwerelookingathim。
Then，unexpectedly，asoftenhappens，thesoundofthehuntsuddenlyapproached，asifthehoundsinfullcryandDanielulyulyuingwerejustinfrontofthem。
ThecountturnedandsawonhisrightMitkastaringathimwitheyesstartingoutofhishead，raisinghiscapandpointingbeforehimtotheotherside。
\"Lookout！\"heshouted，inavoiceplainlyshowingthathehadlongfrettedtoutterthatword，andlettingtheborzoissliphegallopedtowardthecount。
ThecountandSimongallopedoutofthewoodandsawontheirleftawolfwhich，softlyswayingfromsidetoside，wascomingataquietlopefarthertothelefttotheveryplacewheretheywerestanding。
Theangryborzoiswhinedandgettingfreeoftheleashrushedpastthehorses’feetatthewolf。
Thewolfpaused，turneditsheavyforeheadtowardthedogsawkwardly，likeamansufferingfromthequinsy，and，stillslightlyswayingfromsidetoside，gaveacoupleofleapsandwithaswishofitstaildisappearedintotheskirtofthewood。Atthesameinstant，withacrylikeawail，firstonehound，thenanother，andthenanother，spranghelter—skelterfromthewoodoppositeandthewholepackrushedacrossthefieldtowardtheveryspotwherethewolfhaddisappeared。ThehazelbushespartedbehindthehoundsandDaniel’schestnuthorseappeared，darkwithsweat。OnitslongbacksatDaniel，hunchedforward，capless，hisdisheveledgrayhairhangingoverhisflushed，perspiringface。
\"Ulyulyulyu！ulyulyu！……\"hecried。Whenhecaughtsightofthecounthiseyesflashedlightning。
\"Blastyou！\"heshouted，holdinguphiswhipthreateninglyatthecount。
\"You’veletthewolfgo！……Whatsportsmen！andasifscorningtosaymoretothefrightenedandshamefacedcount，helashedtheheavingflanksofhissweatingchestnutgeldingwithalltheangerthecounthadarousedandflewoffafterthehounds。Thecount，likeapunishedschoolboy，lookedround，tryingbyasmiletowinSimon’ssympathyforhisplight。ButSimonwasnolongerthere。Hewasgallopingroundbythebusheswhilethefieldwascominguponbothsides，alltryingtoheadthewolf，butitvanishedintothewoodbeforetheycoulddoso。
BK7CH5
CHAPTERV
NicholasRostovmeanwhileremainedathispost，waitingforthewolf。Bythewaythehuntapproachedandreceded，bythecriesofthedogswhosenoteswerefamiliartohim，bythewaythevoicesofthehuntsmenapproached，receded，androse，herealizedwhatwashappeningatthecopse。Heknewthatyoungandoldwolveswerethere，thatthehoundshadseparatedintotwopacks，thatsomewhereawolfwasbeingchased，andthatsomethinghadgonewrong。Heexpectedthewolftocomehiswayanymoment。Hemadethousandsofdifferentconjecturesastowhereandfromwhatsidethebeastwouldcomeandhowhewouldsetuponit。Hopealternatedwithdespair。
SeveraltimesheaddressedaprayertoGodthatthewolfshouldcomehisway。Heprayedwiththatpassionateandshame—facedfeelingwithwhichmenprayatmomentsofgreatexcitementarisingfromtrivialcauses。\"WhatwoulditbetoTheetodothisforme？\"hesaidtoGod。\"IknowThouartgreat，andthatitisasintoaskthisofThee，butforGod’ssakedolettheoldwolfcomemywayandletKarayspringatit—insightof’Uncle’whoiswatchingfromoverthere—andseizeitbythethroatinadeathgrip！\"Athousandtimesduringthathalf—hourRostovcasteagerandrestlessglancesovertheedgeofthewood，withthetwoscraggyoaksrisingabovetheaspenundergrowthandthegullywithitswater—wornsideand\"Uncle’s\"capjustvisibleabovethebushonhisright。
\"No，Ishan’thavesuchluck，\"thoughtRostov，\"yetwhatwouldn’titbeworth！Itisnottobe！Everywhere，atcardsandinwar，Iamalwaysunlucky。\"MemoriesofAusterlitzandofDolokhovflashedrapidlyandclearlythroughhismind。\"Onlyonceinmylifetogetanoldwolf，Iwantonlythat！\"thoughthe，strainingeyesandearsandlookingtotheleftandthentotherightandlisteningtotheslightestvariationofnoteinthecriesofthedogs。
Againhelookedtotherightandsawsomethingrunningtowardhimacrossthedesertedfield。\"No，itcan’tbe！\"thoughtRostov，takingadeepbreath，asamandoesatthecomingofsomethinglonghopedfor。Theheightofhappinesswasreached—andsosimply，withoutwarning，ornoise，ordisplay，thatRostovcouldnotbelievehiseyesandremainedindoubtforoverasecond。Thewolfranforwardandjumpedheavilyoveragullythatlayinherpath。Shewasanoldanimalwithagraybackandbigreddishbelly。Sheranwithouthurry，evidentlyfeelingsurethatnoonesawher。Rostov，holdinghisbreath，lookedroundattheborzois。Theystoodorlaynotseeingthewolforunderstandingthesituation。OldKarayhadturnedhisheadandwasangrilysearchingforfleas，baringhisyellowteethandsnappingathishindlegs。
\"Ulyulyulyu！\"whisperedRostov，poutinghislips。Theborzoisjumpedup，jerkingtheringsoftheleashesandprickingtheirears。Karayfinishedscratchinghishindquartersand，cockinghisears，gotupwithquiveringtailfromwhichtuftsofmattedhairhungdown。
\"ShallIloosethemornot？\"Nicholasaskedhimselfasthewolfapproachedhimcomingfromthecopse。Suddenlythewolf’swholephysiognomychanged：sheshuddered，seeingwhatshehadprobablyneverseenbefore—humaneyesfixeduponher—andturningherheadalittletowardRostov，shepaused。
\"Backorforward？Eh，nomatter，forward……\"thewolfseemedtosaytoherself，andshemovedforwardwithoutagainlookingroundandwithaquiet，long，easyyetresolutelope。
\"Ulyulyu！\"criedNicholas，inavoicenothisown，andofitsownaccordhisgoodhorsedartedheadlongdownhill，leapingovergulliestoheadoffthewolf，andtheborzoispassedit，runningfasterstill。
Nicholasdidnothearhisowncrynorfeelthathewasgalloping，norseetheborzois，northegroundoverwhichhewent：hesawonlythewolf，who，increasingherspeed，boundedoninthesamedirectionalongthehollow。ThefirsttocomeintoviewwasMilka，withherblackmarkingsandpowerfulquarters，gaininguponthewolf。Nearerandnearer……nowshewasaheadofit；butthewolfturneditsheadtofaceher，andinsteadofputtingonspeedassheusuallydidMilkasuddenlyraisedhertailandstiffenedherforelegs。
\"Ulyulyulyulyu！\"shoutedNicholas。
ThereddishLyubimrushedforwardfrombehindMilka，sprangimpetuouslyatthewolf，andseizeditbyitshindquarters，butimmediatelyjumpedasideinterror。Thewolfcrouched，gnashedherteeth，andagainroseandboundedforward，followedatthedistanceofacoupleoffeetbyalltheborzois，whodidnotgetanyclosertoher。
\"She’llgetaway！No，it’simpossible！\"thoughtNicholas，stillshoutingwithahoarsevoice。
\"Karay，ulyulyu！……\"heshouted，lookingroundfortheoldborzoiwhowasnowhisonlyhope。Karay，withallthestrengthagehadlefthim，stretchedhimselftotheutmostand，watchingthewolf，gallopedheavilyasidetointerceptit。Butthequicknessofthewolf’slopeandtheborzoi’sslowerpacemadeitplainthatKarayhadmiscalculated。Nicholascouldalreadyseenotfarinfrontofhimthewoodwherethewolfwouldcertainlyescapeshouldshereachit。But，comingtowardhim，hesawhoundsandahuntsmangallopingalmoststraightatthewolf。Therewasstillhope。Along，yellowishyoungborzoi，oneNicholasdidnotknow，fromanotherleash，rushedimpetuouslyatthewolffrominfrontandalmostknockedherover。Butthewolfjumpedupmorequicklythananyonecouldhaveexpectedand，gnashingherteeth，flewattheyellowishborzoi，which，withapiercingyelp，fellwithitsheadontheground，bleedingfromagashinitsside。
\"Karay？Oldfellow！……\"wailedNicholas。
Thankstothedelaycausedbythiscrossingofthewolf’spath，theolddogwithitsfeltedhairhangingfromitsthighwaswithinfivepacesofit。Asifawareofherdanger，thewolfturnedhereyesonKaray，tuckedhertailyetfurtherbetweenherlegs，andincreasedherspeed。ButhereNicholasonlysawthatsomethinghappenedtoKaray—theborzoiwassuddenlyonthewolf，andtheyrolledtogetherdownintoagullyjustinfrontofthem。
Thatinstant，whenNicholassawthewolfstrugglinginthegullywiththedogs，whilefromunderthemcouldbeseenhergrayhairandoutstretchedhindlegandherfrightenedchokinghead，withherearslaidbackKaraywaspinningherbythethroat，wasthehappiestmomentofhislife。Withhishandonhissaddlebow，hewasreadytodismountandstabthewolf，whenshesuddenlythrustherheadupfromamongthatmassofdogs，andthenherforepawswereontheedgeofthegully。SheclickedherteethKaraynolongerhadherbythethroat，leapedwithamovementofherhindlegsoutofthegully，andhavingdisengagedherselffromthedogs，withtailtuckedinagain，wentforward。Karay，hishairbristling，andprobablybruisedorwounded，climbedwithdifficultyoutofthegully。
\"OhmyGod！Why？\"Nicholascriedindespair。
\"Uncle’s\"huntsmanwasgallopingfromtheothersideacrossthewolf’spathandhisborzoisoncemorestoppedtheanimal’sadvance。
Shewasagainhemmedin。
Nicholasandhisattendant，with\"Uncle\"andhishuntsman，wereallridingroundthewolf，crying\"ulyulyu！\"shoutingandpreparingtodismounteachmomentthatthewolfcrouchedback，andstartingforwardagaineverytimesheshookherselfandmovedtowardthewoodwhereshewouldbesafe。
Already，atthebeginningofthischase，Daniel，hearingtheulyulyuing，hadrushedoutfromthewood。HesawKarayseizethewolf，andcheckedhishorse，supposingtheaffairtobeover。Butwhenhesawthatthehorsemendidnotdismountandthatthewolfshookherselfandranforsafety，Danielsethischestnutgalloping，notatthewolfbutstraighttowardthewood，justasKarayhadruntocuttheanimaloff。Asaresultofthis，hegallopeduptothewolfjustwhenshehadbeenstoppedasecondtimeby\"Uncle’s\"borzois。
Danielgallopedupsilently，holdinganakeddaggerinhislefthandandthrashingthelaboringsidesofhischestnuthorsewithhiswhipasifitwereaflail。
NicholasneithersawnorheardDanieluntilthechestnut，breathingheavily，pantedpasthim，andheheardthefallofabodyandsawDaniellyingonthewolf’sbackamongthedogs，tryingtoseizeherbytheears。Itwasevidenttothedogs，thehunters，andtothewolfherselfthatallwasnowover。Theterrifiedwolfpressedbackherearsandtriedtorise，buttheborzoisstucktoher。
Danielrosealittle，tookastep，andwithhiswholeweight，asiflyingdowntorest，fellonthewolf，seizingherbytheears。
Nicholaswasabouttostabher，butDanielwhispered，\"Don’t！We’llgagher！\"and，changinghisposition，sethisfootonthewolf’sneck。
Astickwasthrustbetweenherjawsandshewasfastenedwithaleash，asifbridled，herlegswereboundtogether，andDanielrolledheroveronceortwicefromsidetoside。
Withhappy，exhaustedfaces，theylaidtheoldwolf，alive，onashyingandsnortinghorseand，accompaniedbythedogsyelpingather，tookhertotheplacewheretheywerealltomeet。Thehoundshadkilledtwoofthecubsandtheborzoisthree。Thehuntsmenassembledwiththeirbootyandtheirstories，andallcametolookatthewolf，which，withherbroad—browedheadhangingdownandthebittenstickbetweenherjaws，gazedwithgreatglassyeyesatthiscrowdofdogsandmensurroundingher。Whenshewastouched，shejerkedherboundlegsandlookedwildlyyetsimplyateverybody。OldCountRostovalsorodeupandtouchedthewolf。
\"Oh，whataformidableone！\"saidhe。\"Aformidableone，eh？\"heaskedDaniel，whowasstandingnear。
\"Yes，yourexcellency，\"answeredDaniel，quicklydoffinghiscap。
ThecountrememberedthewolfhehadletslipandhisencounterwithDaniel。
\"Ah，butyouareacrustyfellow，friend！\"saidthecount。
ForsolereplyDanielgavehimashy，childlike，meek，andamiablesmile。
BK7CH6
CHAPTERVI
Theoldcountwenthome，andNatashaandPetyapromisedtoreturnverysoon，butasitwasstillearlythehuntwentfarther。Atmiddaytheyputthehoundsintoaravinethicklyovergrownwithyoungtrees。Nicholasstandinginafallowfieldcouldseeallhiswhips。
Facinghimlayafieldofwinterrye，therehisownhuntsmanstoodaloneinahollowbehindahazelbush。ThehoundshadscarcelybeenloosedbeforeNicholasheardoneheknew，Voltorn，givingtongueatintervals；otherhoundsjoinedin，nowpausingandnowagaingivingtongue。Amomentlaterheheardacryfromthewoodedravinethatafoxhadbeenfound，andthewholepack，joiningtogether，rushedalongtheravinetowardtheryefieldandawayfromNicholas。
Hesawthewhipsintheirredcapsgallopingalongtheedgeoftheravine，heevensawthehounds，andwasexpectingafoxtoshowitselfatanymomentontheryefieldopposite。
Thehuntsmanstandinginthehollowmovedandloosedhisborzois，andNicholassawaqueer，short—leggedredfoxwithafinebrushgoinghardacrossthefield。Theborzoisboredownonit……Nowtheydrewclosetothefoxwhichbegantododgebetweenthefieldinsharperandsharpercurves，trailingitsbrush，whensuddenlyastrangewhiteborzoidashedinfollowedbyablackone，andeverythingwasinconfusion；theborzoisformedastar—shapedfigure，scarcelyswayingtheirbodiesandwithtailsturnedawayfromthecenterofthegroup。Twohuntsmengallopeduptothedogs；oneinaredcap，theother，astranger，inagreencoat。
\"What’sthis？\"thoughtNicholas。\"Where’sthathuntsmanfrom？Heisnot’Uncle’s’man。\"
Thehuntsmengotthefox，butstayedtherealongtimewithoutstrappingittothesaddle。Theirhorses，bridledandwithhighsaddles，stoodnearthemandtheretoothedogswerelying。Thehuntsmenwavedtheirarmsanddidsomethingtothefox。Thenfromthatspotcamethesoundofahorn，withthesignalagreedonincaseofafight。
\"That’sIlagin’shuntsmanhavingarowwithourIvan，\"saidNicholas’groom。
NicholassentthemantocallNatashaandPetyatohim，androdeatafootpacetotheplacewherethewhipsweregettingthehoundstogether。Severalofthefieldgallopedtothespotwherethefightwasgoingon。
Nicholasdismounted，andwithNatashaandPetya，whohadriddenup，stoppednearthehounds，waitingtoseehowthematterwouldend。Outofthebushescamethehuntsmanwhohadbeenfightingandrodetowardhisyoungmaster，withthefoxtiedtohiscrupper。
Whilestillatadistancehetookoffhiscapandtriedtospeakrespectfully，buthewaspaleandbreathlessandhisfacewasangry。
Oneofhiseyeswasblack，butheprobablywasnotevenawareofit。
\"Whathashappened？\"askedNicholas。
\"Alikelything，killingafoxourdogshadhunted！Anditwasmygraybitchthatcaughtit！Gotolaw，indeed！……Hesnatchesatthefox！Igavehimonewiththefox。Hereitisonmysaddle！Doyouwantatasteofthis？……\"saidthehuntsman，pointingtohisdaggerandprobablyimagininghimselfstillspeakingtohisfoe。
Nicholas，notstoppingtotalktotheman，askedhissisterandPetyatowaitforhimandrodetothespotwheretheenemy’s，Ilagin’s，huntingpartywas。
Thevictorioushuntsmanrodeofftojointhefield，andthere，surroundedbyinquiringsympathizers，recountedhisexploits。
ThefactswerethatIlagin，withwhomtheRostovshadaquarrelandwereatlaw，huntedoverplacesthatbelongedbycustomtotheRostovs，andhadnow，asifpurposely，senthismentotheverywoodstheRostovswerehuntingandlethismansnatchafoxtheirdogshadchased。