Nicholas，thoughhehadneverseenIlagin，withhisusualabsenceofmoderationinjudgment，hatedhimcordiallyfromreportsofhisarbitrarinessandviolence，andregardedhimashisbitterestfoe。
Herodeinangryagitationtowardhim，firmlygraspinghiswhipandfullypreparedtotakethemostresoluteanddesperatestepstopunishhisenemy。
Hardlyhadhepassedanangleofthewoodbeforeastoutgentlemaninabeavercapcameridingtowardhimonahandsomeraven—blackhorse，accompaniedbytwohuntservants。
Insteadofanenemy，NicholasfoundinIlaginastatelyandcourteousgentlemanwhowasparticularlyanxioustomaketheyoungcount’sacquaintance。HavingriddenuptoNicholas，Ilaginraisedhisbeavercapandsaidhemuchregrettedwhathadoccurredandwouldhavethemanpunishedwhohadallowedhimselftoseizeafoxhuntedbysomeoneelse’sborzois。Hehopedtobecomebetteracquaintedwiththecountandinvitedhimtodrawhiscovert。
Natasha，afraidthatherbrotherwoulddosomethingdreadful，hadfollowedhiminsomeexcitement。Seeingtheenemiesexchangingfriendlygreetings，sherodeuptothem。IlaginliftedhisbeavercapstillhighertoNatashaandsaid，withapleasantsmile，thattheyoungcountessresembledDianainherpassionforthechaseaswellasinherbeauty，ofwhichhehadheardmuch。
Toexpiatehishuntsman’soffense，IlaginpressedtheRostovstocometoanuplandofhisaboutamileawaywhichheusuallykeptforhimselfandwhich，hesaid，swarmedwithhares。Nicholasagreed，andthehunt，nowdoubled，movedon。
ThewaytoIligin’suplandwasacrossthefields。Thehuntservantsfellintoline。Themastersrodetogether。\"Uncle，\"Rostov，andIlaginkeptstealthilyglancingatoneanother’sdogs，tryingnottobeobservedbytheircompanionsandsearchinguneasilyforrivalstotheirownborzois。
Rostovwasparticularlystruckbythebeautyofasmall，pure—bred，red—spottedbitchonIlagin’sleash，slenderbutwithmuscleslikesteel，adelicatemuzzle，andprominentblackeyes。HehadheardoftheswiftnessofIlagin’sborzois，andinthatbeautifulbitchsawarivaltohisownMilka。
InthemiddleofasoberconversationbegunbyIlaginabouttheyear’sharvest，Nicholaspointedtothered—spottedbitch。
\"Afinelittlebitch，that！\"saidheinacarelesstone。\"Issheswift？\"
\"Thatone？Yes，she’sagooddog，getswhatshe’safter，\"answeredIlaginindifferently，ofthered—spottedbitchErza，forwhich，ayearbefore，hehadgivenaneighborthreefamiliesofhouseserfs。\"Soinyourparts，too，theharvestisnothingtoboastof，Count？\"hewenton，continuingtheconversationtheyhadbegun。Andconsideringitpolitetoreturntheyoungcount’scompliment，IlaginlookedathisborzoisandpickedoutMilkawhoattractedhisattentionbyherbreadth。\"Thatblack—spottedoneofyoursisfine—wellshaped！\"
saidhe。
\"Yes，she’sfastenough，\"repliedNicholas，andthought：\"Ifonlyafull—grownharewouldcrossthefieldnowI’dshowyouwhatsortofborzoisheis，\"andturningtohisgroom，hesaidhewouldgivearubletoanyonewhofoundahare。
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"continuedIlagin，\"howsomesportsmencanbesojealousaboutgameanddogs。Formyself，Icantellyou，Count，I
enjoyridingincompanysuchasthis……whatcouldbebetter？\"heagainraisedhiscaptoNatasha\"butasforcountingskinsandwhatonetakes，Idon’tcareaboutthat。\"
\"Ofcoursenot！\"
\"Orbeingupsetbecausesomeoneelse’sborzoiandnotminecatchessomething。AllIcareaboutistoenjoyseeingthechase，isitnotso，Count？ForIconsiderthat……\"
\"A—tu！\"camethelong—drawncryofoneoftheborzoiwhippers—in，whohadhalted。Hestoodonaknollinthestubble，holdinghiswhipaloft，andagainrepeatedhislong—drawncry，\"A—tu！\"Thiscallandtheupliftedwhipmeantthathesawasittinghare。
\"Ah，hehasfoundone，Ithink，\"saidIlagincarelessly。\"Yes，wemustrideup……Shallwebothcourseit？\"answeredNicholas，seeinginErzaand\"Uncle’s\"redRugaytworivalshehadneveryethadachanceofpittingagainsthisownborzois。\"AndsupposetheyoutdomyMilkaatonce！\"hethoughtasherodewith\"Uncle\"andIlagintowardthehare。
\"Afull—grownone？\"askedIlaginasheapproachedthewhipwhohadsightedthehare—andnotwithoutagitationhelookedroundandwhistledtoErza。
\"Andyou，MichaelNikanorovich？\"hesaid，addressing\"Uncle。\"
Thelatterwasridingwithasullenexpressiononhisface。
\"HowcanIjoinin？Why，you’vegivenavillageforeachofyourborzois！That’sit，comeon！Yoursareworththousands。Tryyoursagainstoneanother，youtwo，andI’lllookon！\"
\"Rugay，hey，hey！\"heshouted。\"Rugayushka！\"headded，involuntarilybythisdiminutiveexpressinghisaffectionandthehopesheplacedonthisredborzoi。Natashasawandfelttheagitationthetwoelderlymenandherbrotherweretryingtoconceal，andwasherselfexcitedbyit。
Thehuntsmanstoodhalfwayuptheknollholdinguphiswhipandthegentlefolkrodeuptohimatafootpace；thehoundsthatwerefaroffonthehorizonturnedawayfromthehare，andthewhips，butnotthegentlefolk，alsomovedaway。Allweremovingslowlyandsedately。
\"Howisitpointing？\"askedNicholas，ridingahundredpacestowardthewhipwhohadsightedthehare。
Butbeforethewhipcouldreply，thehare，scentingthefrostcomingnextmorning，wasunabletorestandleapedup。Thepackonleashrusheddownhillinfullcryafterthehare，andfromallsidestheborzoisthatwerenotonleashdartedafterthehoundsandthehare。
Allthehunt，whohadbeenmovingslowly，shouted，\"Stop！\"callinginthehounds，whiletheborzoiwhips，withacryof\"A—tu！\"gallopedacrossthefieldsettingtheborzoisonthehare。ThetranquilIlagin，Nicholas，Natasha，and\"Uncle\"flew，recklessofwhereandhowtheywent，seeingonlytheborzoisandthehareandfearingonlytolosesightevenforaninstantofthechase。Theharetheyhadstartedwasastrongandswiftone。Whenhejumpeduphedidnotrunatonce，butprickedhisearslisteningtotheshoutingandtramplingthatresoundedfromallsidesatonce。Hetookadozenbounds，notveryquickly，lettingtheborzoisgainonhim，and，finallyhavingchosenhisdirectionandrealizedhisdanger，laidbackhisearsandrushedoffheadlong。Hehadbeenlyinginthestubble，butinfrontofhimwastheautumnsowingwherethegroundwassoft。Thetwoborzoisofthehuntsmanwhohadsightedhim，havingbeenthenearest，werethefirsttoseeandpursuehim，buttheyhadnotgonefarbeforeIlagin’sred—spottedErzapassedthem，gotwithinalength，flewattheharewithterribleswiftnessaimingathisscut，and，thinkingshehadseizedhim，rolledoverlikeaball。Theharearchedhisbackandboundedoffyetmoreswiftly。FrombehindErzarushedthebroad—haunched，black—spottedMilkaandbeganrapidlygainingonthehare。
\"Milashka，dear！\"roseNicholas’triumphantcry。ItlookedasifMilkawouldimmediatelypounceonthehare，butsheovertookhimandflewpast。Theharehadsquatted。AgainthebeautifulErzareachedhim，butwhenclosetothehare’sscutpausedasifmeasuringthedistance，soasnottomakeamistakethistimebutseizehishindleg。
\"Erza，darling！Ilaginwailedinavoiceunlikehisown。Erzadidnothearkentohisappeal。Attheverymomentwhenshewouldhaveseizedherprey，theharemovedanddartedalongthebalkbetweenthewinterryeandthestubble。AgainErzaandMilkawereabreast，runninglikeapairofcarriagehorses，andbegantoovertakethehare，butitwaseasierfortheharetorunonthebalkandtheborzoisdidnotovertakehimsoquickly。
\"Rugay，Rugayushka！That’sit，comeon！\"cameathirdvoicejustthen，and\"Uncle’s\"redborzoi，strainingandcurvingitsback，caughtupwiththetwoforemostborzois，pushedaheadofthemregardlessoftheterriblestrain，putonspeedclosetothehare，knockeditoffthebalkontotheryefield，againputonspeedstillmoreviciously，sinkingtohiskneesinthemuddyfield，andallonecouldseewashow，muddyinghisback，herolledoverwiththehare。Aringofborzoissurroundedhim。Amomentlatereveryonehaddrawnuproundthecrowdofdogs。Onlythedelighted\"Uncle\"dismounted，andcutoffapad，shakingthehareforthebloodtodripoff，andanxiouslyglancingroundwithrestlesseyeswhilehisarmsandlegstwitched。Hespokewithouthimselfknowingwhomtoorwhatabout。\"That’sit，comeon！That’sadog！……There，ithasbeatenthemall，thethousand—rubleaswellastheone—rubleborzois。That’sit，comeon！\"saidhe，pantingandlookingwrathfullyaroundasifhewereabusingsomeone，asiftheywereallhisenemiesandhadinsultedhim，andonlynowhadheatlastsucceededinjustifyinghimself。\"Thereareyourthousand—rubleones……That’sit，comeon！……\"
\"Rugay，here’sapadforyou！\"hesaid，throwingdownthehare’smuddypad。\"You’vedeservedit，that’sit，comeon！\"
\"She’dtiredherselfout，she’drunitdownthreetimesbyherself，\"
saidNicholas，alsonotlisteningtoanyoneandregardlessofwhetherhewereheardornot。
\"Butwhatisthereinrunningacrossitlikethat？\"saidIlagin’sgroom。
\"Onceshehadmisseditandturneditaway，anymongrelcouldtakeit，\"Ilaginwassayingatthesametime，breathlessfromhisgallopandhisexcitement。AtthesamemomentNatasha，withoutdrawingbreath，screamedjoyously，ecstatically，andsopiercinglythatitseteveryone’seartingling。Bythatshrieksheexpressedwhattheothersexpressedbyalltalkingatonce，anditwassostrangethatshemustherselfhavebeenashamedofsowildacryandeveryoneelsewouldhavebeenamazedatitatanyothertime。\"Uncle\"himselftwistedupthehare，threwitneatlyandsmartlyacrosshishorse’sbackasifbythatgesturehemeanttorebukeeverybody，and，withanairofnotwishingtospeaktoanyone，mountedhisbayandrodeoff。Theothersallfollowed，dispiritedandshamefaced，andonlymuchlaterweretheyabletoregaintheirformeraffectationofindifference。ForalongtimetheycontinuedtolookatredRugaywho，hisarchedbackspatteredwithmudandclankingtheringofhisleash，walkedalongjustbehind\"Uncle’s\"horsewiththesereneairofaconqueror。
\"Well，Iamlikeanyotherdogaslongasit’snotaquestionofcoursing。Butwhenitis，thenlookout！\"hisappearanceseemtoNicholastobesaying。
When，muchlater，\"Uncle\"rodeuptoNicholasandbegantalkingtohim，hefeltflatteredthat，afterwhathadhappened，\"Uncle\"
deignedtospeaktohim。
BK7CH7
CHAPTERVII
TowardeveningIlagintookleaveofNicholas，whofoundthattheyweresofarfromhomethatheaccepted\"Uncle’s\"offerthatthehuntingpartyshouldspendthenightinhislittlevillageofMikhaylovna。
\"Andifyouputupatmyhousethatwillbebetterstill。That’sit，comeon！\"said\"Uncle。\"\"Youseeit’sdampweather，andyoucouldrest，andthelittlecountesscouldbedrivenhomeinatrap。\"
\"Uncle’s\"offerwasaccepted。AhuntsmanwassenttoOtradnoeforatrap，whileNicholasrodewithNatashaandPetyato\"Uncle’s\"house。
Somefivemaledomesticserfs，bigandlittle，rushedouttothefrontporchtomeettheirmaster。Ascoreofwomenserfs，oldandyoung，aswellaschildren，poppedoutfromthebackentrancetohavealookatthehunterswhowerearriving。ThepresenceofNatasha—
awoman，alady，andonhorseback—raisedthecuriosityoftheserfstosuchadegreethatmanyofthemcameuptoher，staredherintheface，andunabashedbyherpresencemaderemarksaboutherasthoughsheweresomeprodigyonshowandnotahumanbeingabletohearorunderstandwhatwassaidabouther。
\"Arinka！Look，shesitssideways！Thereshesitsandherskirtdangles……See，she’sgotalittlehuntinghorn！\"
\"Goodnessgracious！Seeherknife？……\"
\"Isn’tsheaTartar！\"
\"Howisityoudidn’tgoheadoverheels？\"askedtheboldestofall，addressingNatashadirectly。
\"Uncle\"dismountedattheporchofhislittlewoodenhousewhichstoodinthemidstofanovergrowngardenand，afteraglanceathisretainers，shoutedauthoritativelythatthesuperfluousonesshouldtakethemselvesoffandthatallnecessarypreparationsshouldbemadetoreceivetheguestsandthevisitors。
Theserfsalldispersed。\"Uncle\"liftedNatashaoffherhorseandtakingherhandledherupthericketywoodenstepsoftheporch。
Thehouse，withitsbare，unplasteredlogwalls，wasnotoverclean—itdidnotseemthatthoselivinginitaimedatkeepingitspotless—butneitherwasitnoticeablyneglected。Intheentrytherewasasmelloffreshapples，andwolfandfoxskinshungabout。
\"Uncle\"ledthevisitorsthroughtheanteroomintoasmallhallwithafoldingtableandredchairs，thenintothedrawingroomwitharoundbirchwoodtableandasofa，andfinallyintohisprivateroomwheretherewasatatteredsofa，aworncarpet，andportraitsofSuvorov，ofthehost’sfatherandmother，andofhimselfinmilitaryuniform。Thestudysmeltstronglyoftobaccoanddogs。\"Uncle\"askedhisvisitorstositdownandmakethemselvesathome，andthenwentoutoftheroom。Rugay，hisbackstillmuddy，cameintotheroomandlaydownonthesofa，cleaninghimselfwithhistongueandteeth。
Leadingfromthestudywasapassageinwhichapartitionwithraggedcurtainscouldbeseen。Frombehindthiscamewomen’slaughterandwhispers。Natasha，Nicholas，andPetyatookofftheirwrapsandsatdownonthesofa。Petya，leaningonhiselbow，fellasleepatonce。NatashaandNicholasweresilent。Theirfacesglowed，theywerehungryandverycheerful。Theylookedatoneanothernowthatthehuntwasoverandtheywereinthehouse，Nicholasnolongerconsidereditnecessarytoshowhismanlysuperiorityoverhissister，Natashagavehimawink，andneitherrefrainedlongfromburstingintoapealofringinglaughterevenbeforetheyhadapretextreadytoaccountforit。
Afterawhile\"Uncle\"camein，inaCossackcoat，bluetrousers，andsmalltopboots。AndNatashafeltthatthiscostume，theveryoneshehadregardedwithsurpriseandamusementatOtradnoe，wasjusttherightthingandnotatallworsethanaswallow—tailorfrockcoat。
\"Uncle\"toowasinhighspiritsandfarfrombeingoffendedbythebrother’sandsister’slaughteritcouldneverenterhisheadthattheymightbelaughingathiswayoflifehehimselfjoinedinthemerriment。
\"That’sright，youngcountess，that’sit，comeon！Ineversawanyonelikeher！\"saidhe，offeringNicholasapipewithalongstemand，withapracticedmotionofthreefingers，takingdownanotherthathadbeencutshort。\"She’sriddenalldaylikeaman，andisasfreshasever！
Soonafter\"Uncle’s\"reappearancethedoorwasopened，evidentlyfromthesoundbyabarefootedgirl，andastout，rosy，good—lookingwomanofaboutforty，withadoublechinandfullredlips，enteredcarryingalargeloadedtray。Withhospitabledignityandcordialityinherglanceandineverymotion，shelookedatthevisitorsand，withapleasantsmile，bowedrespectfully。Inspiteofherexceptionalstoutness，whichcausedhertoprotrudeherchestandstomachandthrowbackherhead，thiswomanwhowas\"Uncle’s\"housekeepertrodverylightly。Shewenttothetable，setdownthetray，andwithherplumpwhitehandsdeftlytookfromitthebottlesandvarioushorsd’oeuvresanddishesandarrangedthemonthetable。Whenshehadfinished，shesteppedasideandstoppedatthedoorwithasmileonherface。\"HereIam。Iamshe！Nowdoyouunderstand’Uncle’？\"herexpressionsaidtoRostov。Howcouldonehelpunderstanding？NotonlyNicholas，butevenNatashaunderstoodthemeaningofhispuckeredbrowandthehappycomplacentsmilethatslightlypuckeredhislipswhenAnisyaFedorovnaentered。Onthetraywasabottleofherbwine，differentkindsofvodka，pickledmushrooms，ryecakesmadewithbuttermilk，honeyinthecomb，stillmeadandsparklingmead，apples，nutsrawandroasted，andnut—and—honeysweets。Afterwardsshebroughtafreshlyroastedchicken，ham，preservesmadewithhoney，andpreservesmadewithsugar。
AllthiswasthefruitofAnisyaFedorovna’shousekeeping，gatheredandpreparedbyher。ThesmellandtasteofitallhadasmackofAnisyaFedorovnaherself：asavorofjuiciness，cleanliness，whiteness，andpleasantsmiles。
\"Takethis，littleLady—Countess！\"shekeptsaying，assheofferedNatashafirstonethingandthenanother。
Natashaateofeverythingandthoughtshehadneverseenoreatensuchbuttermilkcakes，sucharomaticjam，suchhoney—and—nutsweets，orsuchachickenanywhere。AnisyaFedorovnalefttheroom。
Aftersupper，overtheircherrybrandy，Rostovand\"Uncle\"talkedofpastandfuturehunts，ofRugayandIlagin’sdogs，whileNatashasatuprightonthesofaandlistenedwithsparklingeyes。ShetriedseveraltimestowakePetyathathemighteatsomething，butheonlymutteredincoherentwordswithoutwakingup。Natashafeltsolightheartedandhappyinthesenovelsurroundingsthatsheonlyfearedthetrapwouldcomeforhertoosoon。Afteracasualpause，suchasoftenoccurswhenreceivingfriendsforthefirsttimeinone’sownhouse，\"Uncle，\"answeringathoughtthatwasinhisvisitors’mind，said：
\"This，yousee，ishowIamfinishingmydays……Deathwillcome。
That’sit，comeon！Nothingwillremain。Thenwhyharmanyone？\"
\"Uncle’s\"facewasverysignificantandevenhandsomeashesaidthis。InvoluntarilyRostovrecalledallthegoodhehadheardabouthimfromhisfatherandtheneighbors。Throughoutthewholeprovince\"Uncle\"hadthereputationofbeingthemosthonorableanddisinterestedofcranks。Theycalledhimintodecidefamilydisputes，chosehimasexecutor，confidedsecretstohim，electedhimtobeajusticeandtootherposts；buthealwayspersistentlyrefusedpublicappointments，passingtheautumnandspringinthefieldsonhisbaygelding，sittingathomeinwinter，andlyinginhisovergrowngardeninsummer。
\"Whydon’tyouentertheservice，Uncle？\"
\"Ididonce，butgaveitup。Iamnotfitforit。That’sit，comeon！Ican’tmakeheadortailofit。That’sforyou—Ihaven’tbrainsenough。Now，huntingisanothermatter—that’sit，comeon！
Openthedoor，there！\"heshouted。\"Whyhaveyoushutit？\"
Thedoorattheendofthepassageledtothehuntsmen’sroom，astheycalledtheroomforthehuntservants。
Therewasarapidpatterofbarefeet，andanunseenhandopenedthedoorintothehuntsmen’sroom，fromwhichcametheclearsoundsofabalalaykaonwhichsomeone，whowasevidentlyamasteroftheart，wasplaying。Natashahadbeenlisteningtothosestrainsforsometimeandnowwentoutintothepassagetohearbetter。
\"That’sMitka，mycoachman……Ihavegothimagoodbalalayka。
I’mfondofit，\"said\"Uncle。\"
ItwasthecustomforMitkatoplaythebalalaykainthehuntsmen’sroomwhen\"Uncle\"returnedfromthechase。\"Uncle\"wasfondofsuchmusic。
\"Howgood！Reallyverygood！\"saidNicholaswithsomeunintentionalsuperciliousness，asifashamedtoconfessthatthesoundspleasedhimverymuch。
\"Verygood？\"saidNatashareproachfully，noticingherbrother’stone。\"Not’verygood’it’ssimplydelicious！\"
Justas\"Uncle’s\"pickledmushrooms，honey，andcherrybrandyhadseemedtoherthebestintheworld，soalsothatsong，atthatmoment，seemedtohertheacmeofmusicaldelight。
\"More，please，more！\"criedNatashaatthedoorassoonasthebalalaykaceased。Mitkatunedupafresh，andrecommencedthrummingthebalalaykatotheairofMyLady，withtrillsandvariations。\"Uncle\"
satlistening，slightlysmiling，withhisheadononeside。Theairwasrepeatedahundredtimes。Thebalalaykawasretunedseveraltimesandthesamenoteswerethrummedagain，butthelistenersdidnotgrowwearyofitandwishedtohearitagainandagain。AnisyaFedorovnacameinandleanedherportlypersonagainstthedoorpost。
\"Youlikelistening？\"shesaidtoNatasha，withasmileextremelylike\"Uncle’s。\"\"That’sagoodplayerofours，\"sheadded。
\"Hedoesn’tplaythatpartright！\"said\"Uncle\"suddenly，withanenergeticgesture。\"Hereheoughttoburstout—that’sit，comeon！—
oughttoburstout。\"
\"Doyouplaythen？\"askedNatasha。
\"Uncle\"didnotanswer，butsmiled。
\"Anisya，goandseeifthestringsofmyguitarareallright。I
haven’ttoucheditforalongtime。That’sit—comeon！I’vegivenitup。\"
AnisyaFedorovna，withherlightstep，willinglywenttofulfillhererrandandbroughtbacktheguitar。
Withoutlookingatanyone，\"Uncle\"blewthedustoffitand，tappingthecasewithhisbonyfingers，tunedtheguitarandsettledhimselfinhisarmchair。Hetooktheguitaralittleabovethefingerboard，archinghisleftelbowwithasomewhattheatricalgesture，and，withawinkatAnisyaFedorovna，struckasinglechord，pureandsonorous，andthenquietly，smoothly，andconfidentlybeganplayinginveryslowtime，notMyLady，butthewell—knownsong：Cameamaidendownthestreet。Thetune，playedwithprecisionandinexacttime，begantothrillintheheartsofNicholasandNatasha，arousinginthemthesamekindofsobermirthasradiatedfromAnisyaFedorovna’swholebeing。AnisyaFedorovnaflushed，anddrawingherkerchiefoverherfacewentlaughingoutoftheroom。\"Uncle\"continuedtoplaycorrectly，carefully，withenergeticfirmness，lookingwithachangedandinspiredexpressionatthespotwhereAnisyaFedorovnahadjuststood。Somethingseemedtobelaughingalittleononesideofhisfaceunderhisgraymustaches，especiallyasthesonggrewbriskerandthetimequickerandwhen，hereandthere，asheranhisfingersoverthestrings，somethingseemedtosnap。
\"Lovely，lovely！Goon，Uncle，goon！\"shoutedNatashaassoonashehadfinished。Shejumpedupandhuggedandkissedhim。\"Nicholas，Nicholas！\"shesaid，turningtoherbrother，asifaskinghim：\"Whatisitmovesmeso？\"
Nicholastoowasgreatlypleasedby\"Uncle’s\"playing，and\"Uncle\"
playedthepieceoveragain。AnisyaFedorovna’ssmilingfacereappearedinthedoorwayandbehindhersotherfaces……
Fetchingwaterclearandsweet，Stop，dearmaiden，Ientreat—
played\"Uncle\"oncemore，runninghisfingersskillfullyoverthestrings，andthenhestoppedshortandjerkedhisshoulders。
\"Goon，Uncledear，\"Natashawailedinanimploringtoneasifherlifedependedonit。
\"Uncle\"rose，anditwasasifthereweretwomeninhim：oneofthemsmiledseriouslyatthemerryfellow，whilethemerryfellowstruckanaiveandpreciseattitudepreparatorytoafolkdance。
\"Nowthen，niece！\"heexclaimed，wavingtoNatashathehandthathadjuststruckachord。
Natashathrewofftheshawlfromhershoulders，ranforwardtoface\"Uncle，\"andsettingherarmsakimboalsomadeamotionwithhershouldersandstruckanattitude。
Where，how，andwhenhadthisyoungcountess，educatedbyanemigreeFrenchgoverness，imbibedfromtheRussianairshebreathedthatspiritandobtainedthatmannerwhichthepasdechale*would，onewouldhavesupposed，longagohaveeffaced？ButthespiritandthemovementswerethoseinimitableandunteachableRussianonesthat\"Uncle\"hadexpectedofher。Assoonasshehadstruckherpose，andsmiledtriumphantly，proudly，andwithslymerriment，thefearthathadatfirstseizedNicholasandtheothersthatshemightnotdotherightthingwasatanend，andtheywerealreadyadmiringher。
*TheFrenchshawldance。
Shedidtherightthingwithsuchprecision，suchcompleteprecision，thatAnisyaFedorovna，whohadatoncehandedherthehandkerchiefsheneededforthedance，hadtearsinhereyes，thoughshelaughedasshewatchedthisslim，gracefulcountess，rearedinsilksandvelvetsandsodifferentfromherself，whoyetwasabletounderstandallthatwasinAnisyaandinAnisya’sfatherandmotherandaunt，andineveryRussianmanandwoman。
\"Well，littlecountess；that’sit—comeon！\"cried\"Uncle，\"withajoyouslaugh，havingfinishedthedance。\"Welldone，niece！Nowafineyoungfellowmustbefoundashusbandforyou。That’sit—comeon！\"
\"He’schosenalready，\"saidNicholassmiling。
\"Oh？\"said\"Uncle\"insurprise，lookinginquiringlyatNatasha，whonoddedherheadwithahappysmile。
\"Andsuchaone！\"shesaid。Butassoonasshehadsaiditanewtrainofthoughtsandfeelingsaroseinher。\"WhatdidNicholas’smilemeanwhenhesaid’chosenalready’？Ishegladofitornot？ItisasifhethoughtmyBolkonskiwouldnotapproveoforunderstandourgaiety。Buthewouldunderstanditall。Whereishenow？\"shethought，andherfacesuddenlybecameserious。Butthislastedonlyasecond。
\"Don’tdaretothinkaboutit，\"shesaidtoherself，andsatdownagainsmilinglybeside\"Uncle，\"begginghimtoplaysomethingmore。
\"Uncle\"playedanothersongandavalse；thenafterapauseheclearedhisthroatandsanghisfavoritehuntingsong：
As’twasgrowingdarklastnightFellthesnowsosoftandlight……
\"Uncle\"sangaspeasantssing，withfullandnaiveconvictionthatthewholemeaningofasongliesinthewordsandthatthetunecomesofitself，andthatapartfromthewordsthereisnotune，whichexistsonlytogivemeasuretothewords。Asaresultofthistheunconsideredtune，likethesongofabird，wasextraordinarilygood。Natashawasinecstasiesover\"Uncle’s\"singing。Sheresolvedtogiveuplearningtheharpandtoplayonlytheguitar。Sheasked\"Uncle\"forhisguitarandatoncefoundthechordsofthesong。
Afternineo’clocktwotrapsandthreemountedmen，whohadbeensenttolookforthem，arrivedtofetchNatashaandPetya。Thecountandcountessdidnotknowwheretheywereandwereveryanxious，saidoneofthemen。
Petyawascarriedoutlikealogandlaidinthelargerofthetwotraps。NatashaandNicholasgotintotheother。\"Uncle\"wrappedNatashaupwarmlyandtookleaveofherwithquiteanewtenderness。
Heaccompaniedthemonfootasfarasthebridgethatcouldnotbecrossed，sothattheyhadtogoroundbytheford，andhesenthuntsmentorideinfrontwithlanterns。
\"Good—by，dearniece，\"hisvoicecalledoutofthedarkness—notthevoiceNatashahadknownpreviously，buttheonethathadsungAs’twasgrowingdarklastnight。
Inthevillagethroughwhichtheypassedtherewereredlightsandacheerfulsmellofsmoke。
\"WhatadarlingUncleis！\"saidNatasha，whentheyhadcomeoutontothehighroad。
\"Yes，\"returnedNicholas。\"You’renotcold？\"
\"No。I’mquite，quiteallright。Ifeelsocomfortable！\"answeredNatasha，almostperplexedbyherfeelings。Theyremainedsilentalongwhile。Thenightwasdarkanddamp。Theycouldnotseethehorses，butonlyheardthemsplashingthroughtheunseenmud。
Whatwaspassinginthatreceptivechildlikesoulthatsoeagerlycaughtandassimilatedallthediverseimpressionsoflife？Howdidtheyallfindplaceinher？Butshewasveryhappy。AstheywerenearinghomeshesuddenlystruckuptheairofAs’twasgrowingdarklastnight—thetuneofwhichshehadallthewaybeentryingtogetandhadatlastcaught。
\"Gotit？\"saidNicholas。
\"Whatwereyouthinkingaboutjustnow，Nicholas？\"inquiredNatasha。
Theywerefondofaskingoneanotherthatquestion。
\"I？\"saidNicholas，tryingtoremember。\"Well，yousee，firstI
thoughtthatRugay，theredhound，waslikeUncle，andthatifhewereamanhewouldalwayskeepUnclenearhim，ifnotforhisriding，thenforhismanner。WhatagoodfellowUncleis！Don’tyouthinkso？……
Well，andyou？\"
\"I？Waitabit，wait……Yes，firstIthoughtthatwearedrivingalongandimaginingthatwearegoinghome，butthatheavenknowswherewearereallygoinginthedarkness，andthatweshallarriveandsuddenlyfindthatwearenotinOtradnoe，butinFairyland。AndthenIthought……No，nothingelse。\"
\"Iknow，Iexpectyouthoughtofhim，\"saidNicholas，smilingasNatashaknewbythesoundofhisvoice。
\"No，\"saidNatasha，thoughshehadinrealitybeenthinkingaboutPrinceAndrewatthesametimeasoftherest，andofhowhewouldhaveliked\"Uncle。\"\"AndthenIwassayingtomyselfalltheway，’HowwellAnisyacarriedherself，howwell！’\"AndNicholasheardherspontaneous，happy，ringinglaughter。\"Anddoyouknow，\"shesuddenlysaid，\"IknowthatIshallneveragainbeashappyandtranquilasIamnow。\"
\"Rubbish，nonsense，humbug！\"exclaimedNicholas，andhethought：
\"HowcharmingthisNatashaofmineis！Ihavenootherfriendlikeherandnevershallhave。Whyshouldshemarry？Wemightalwaysdriveabouttogether！
\"WhatadarlingthisNicholasofmineis！\"thoughtNatasha。
\"Ah，therearestilllightsinthedrawingroom！\"shesaid，pointingtothewindowsofthehousethatgleamedinvitinglyinthemoistvelvetydarknessofthenight。
BK7CH8
CHAPTERVIII
CountIlyaRostovhadresignedthepositionofMarshaloftheNobilitybecauseitinvolvedhimintoomuchexpense，butstillhisaffairsdidnotimprove。NatashaandNicholasoftennoticedtheirparentsconferringtogetheranxiouslyandprivatelyandheardsuggestionsofsellingthefineancestralRostovhouseandestatenearMoscow。ItwasnotnecessarytoentertainsofreelyaswhenthecounthadbeenMarshal，andlifeatOtradnoewasquieterthaninformeryears，butstilltheenormoushouseanditslodgeswerefullofpeopleandmorethantwentysatdowntotableeveryday。Thesewerealltheirownpeoplewhohadsettleddowninthehousealmostasmembersofthefamily，orpersonswhowere，itseemed，obligedtoliveinthecount’shouse。SuchwereDimmlerthemusicianandhiswife，Vogelthedancingmasterandhisfamily，Belova，anoldmaidenlady，aninmateofthehouse，andmanyotherssuchasPetya’stutors，thegirls’formergoverness，andotherpeoplewhosimplyfounditpreferableandmoreadvantageoustoliveinthecount’shousethanathome。Theyhadnotasmanyvisitorsasbefore，buttheoldhabitsoflifewithoutwhichthecountandcountesscouldnotconceiveofexistenceremainedunchanged。TherewasstillthehuntingestablishmentwhichNicholashadevenenlarged，thesamefiftyhorsesandfifteengroomsinthestables，thesameexpensivepresentsanddinnerpartiestothewholedistrictonnamedays；
therewerestillthecount’sgamesofwhistandboston，atwhich—
spreadingouthiscardssothateverybodycouldseethem—helethimselfbeplunderedofhundredsofrubleseverydaybyhisneighbors，wholookeduponanopportunitytoplayarubberwithCountRostovasamostprofitablesourceofincome。
Thecountmovedinhisaffairsasinahugenet，tryingnottobelievethathewasentangledbutbecomingmoreandmoresoateverystep，andfeelingtoofeebletobreakthemeshesortosettoworkcarefullyandpatientlytodisentanglethem。Thecountess，withherlovingheart，feltthatherchildrenwerebeingruined，thatitwasnotthecount’sfaultforhecouldnothelpbeingwhathewas—thatthoughhetriedtohideithehimselfsufferedfromtheconsciousnessofhisownandhischildren’sruin，andshetriedtofindmeansofremedyingtheposition。Fromherfemininepointofviewshecouldseeonlyonesolution，namely，forNicholastomarryarichheiress。ShefeltthistobetheirlasthopeandthatifNicholasrefusedthematchshehadfoundforhim，shewouldhavetoabandonthehopeofevergettingmattersright。ThismatchwaswithJulieKaragina，thedaughterofexcellentandvirtuousparents，agirltheRostovshadknownfromchildhood，andwhohadnowbecomeawealthyheiressthroughthedeathofthelastofherbrothers。
ThecountesshadwrittendirecttoJulie’smotherinMoscowsuggestingamarriagebetweentheirchildrenandhadreceivedafavorableanswerfromher。Karaginahadrepliedthatforherpartshewasagreeable，andeverythingdependonherdaughter’sinclination。SheinvitedNicholastocometoMoscow。
Severaltimesthecountess，withtearsinhereyes，toldhersonthatnowbothherdaughtersweresettled，heronlywishwastoseehimmarried。Shesaidshecouldliedowninhergravepeacefullyifthatwereaccomplished。Thenshetoldhimthatsheknewofasplendidgirlandtriedtodiscoverwhathethoughtaboutmarriage。
AtothertimesshepraisedJulietohimandadvisedhimtogotoMoscowduringtheholidaystoamusehimself。Nicholasguessedwhathismother’sremarkswereleadingtoandduringoneoftheseconversationsinducedhertospeakquitefrankly。ShetoldhimthatheronlyhopeofgettingtheiraffairsdisentanglednowlayinhismarryingJulieKaragina。
\"But，Mamma，supposeIlovedagirlwhohasnofortune，wouldyouexpectmetosacrificemyfeelingsandmyhonorforthesakeofmoney？\"heaskedhismother，notrealizingthecrueltyofhisquestionandonlywishingtoshowhisnoble—mindedness。
\"No，youhavenotunderstoodme，\"saidhismother，notknowinghowtojustifyherself。\"Youhavenotunderstoodme，Nikolenka。ItisyourhappinessIwishfor，\"sheadded，feelingthatshewastellinganuntruthandwasbecomingentangled。Shebegantocry。
\"Mamma，don’tcry！Onlytellmethatyouwishit，andyouknowI
willgivemylife，anything，toputyouatease，\"saidNicholas。\"I
wouldsacrificeanythingforyou—evenmyfeelings。\"
Butthecountessdidnotwantthequestionputlikethat：shedidnotwantasacrificefromherson，sheherselfwishedtomakeasacrificeforhim。
\"No，youhavenotunderstoodme，don’tletustalkaboutit，\"shereplied，wipingawayhertears。
\"MaybeIdoloveapoorgirl，\"saidNicholastohimself。\"AmItosacrificemyfeelingsandmyhonorformoney？IwonderhowMammacouldspeaksotome。BecauseSonyaispoorImustnotloveher，\"hethought，\"mustnotrespondtoherfaithful，devotedlove？YetIshouldcertainlybehappierwithherthanwithsomedoll—likeJulie。Icanalwayssacrificemyfeelingsformyfamily’swelfare，\"hesaidtohimself，\"butIcan’tcoercemyfeelings。IfIloveSonya，thatfeelingisformestrongerandhigherthanallelse。\"
NicholasdidnotgotoMoscow，andthecountessdidnotrenewtheconversationwithhimaboutmarriage。Shesawwithsorrow，andsometimeswithexasperation，symptomsofagrowingattachmentbetweenhersonandtheportionlessSonya。Thoughsheblamedherselfforit，shecouldnotrefrainfromgrumblingatandworryingSonya，oftenpullingherupwithoutreason，addressingherstifflyas\"mydear，\"andusingtheformal\"you\"insteadoftheintimate\"thou\"inspeakingtoher。ThekindheartedcountesswasthemorevexedwithSonyabecausethatpoor，dark—eyednieceofherswassomeek，sokind，sodevotedlygratefultoherbenefactors，andsofaithfully，unchangingly，andunselfishlyinlovewithNicholas，thattherewerenogroundsforfindingfaultwithher。
Nicholaswasspendingthelastofhisleaveathome。AfourthletterhadcomefromPrinceAndrew，fromRome，inwhichhewrotethathewouldhavebeenonhiswaybacktoRussialongagohadnothiswoundunexpectedlyreopenedinthewarmclimate，whichobligedhimtodeferhisreturntillthebeginningofthenewyear。Natashawasstillasmuchinlovewithherbetrothed，foundthesamecomfortinthatlove，andwasstillasreadytothrowherselfintoallthepleasuresoflifeasbefore；butattheendofthefourthmonthoftheirseparationshebegantohavefitsofdepressionwhichshecouldnotmaster。Shefeltsorryforherself：sorrythatshewasbeingwastedallthistimeandofnousetoanyone—whileshefeltherselfsocapableoflovingandbeingloved。
ThingswerenotcheerfulintheRostovs’home。
BK7CH9
CHAPTERIX
ChristmascameandexceptfortheceremonialMass，thesolemnandwearisomeChristmascongratulationsfromneighborsandservants，andthenewdresseseveryoneputon，therewerenospecialfestivities，thoughthecalmfrostoftwentydegreesReaumur，thedazzlingsunshinebyday，andthestarlightofthewinternightsseemedtocallforsomespecialcelebrationoftheseason。
OnthethirddayofChristmasweek，afterthemiddaydinner，alltheinmatesofthehousedispersedtovariousrooms。Itwasthedullesttimeoftheday。Nicholas，whohadbeenvisitingsomeneighborsthatmorning，wasasleeponthesitting—roomsofa。Theoldcountwasrestinginhisstudy。Sonyasatinthedrawingroomattheroundtable，copyingadesignforembroidery。Thecountesswasplayingpatience。NastasyaIvanovnathebuffoonsatwithasadfaceatthewindowwithtwooldladies。Natashacameintotheroom，wentuptoSonya，glancedatwhatshewasdoing，andthenwentuptohermotherandstoodwithoutspeaking。
\"Whyareyouwanderingaboutlikeanoutcast？\"askedhermother。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Him……Iwanthim……now，thisminute！Iwanthim！\"saidNatasha，withglitteringeyesandnosignofasmile。
Thecountessliftedherheadandlookedattentivelyatherdaughter。
\"Don’tlookatme，Mamma！Don’tlook；Ishallcrydirectly。\"
\"Sitdownwithmealittle，\"saidthecountess。
\"Mamma，Iwanthim。WhyshouldIbewastedlikethis，Mamma？\"
Hervoicebroke，tearsgushedfromhereyes，andsheturnedquicklytohidethemandlefttheroom。
Shepassedintothesittingroom，stoodtherethinkingawhile，andthenwentintothemaids’room。Thereanoldmaidservantwasgrumblingatayounggirlwhostoodpanting，havingjustruninthroughthecoldfromtheserfs’quarters。
\"Stopplaying—there’satimeforeverything，\"saidtheoldwoman。
\"Letheralone，Kondratevna，\"saidNatasha。\"Go，Mavrushka，go。\"
HavingreleasedMavrushka，Natashacrossedthedancinghallandwenttothevestibule。Thereanoldfootmanandtwoyoungoneswereplayingcards。Theybrokeoffandroseassheentered。
\"WhatcanIdowiththem？\"thoughtNatasha。
\"Oh，Nikita，pleasego……wherecanIsendhim？……Yes，gototheyardandfetchafowl，please，acock，andyou，Misha，bringmesomeoats。\"
\"Justafewoats？\"saidMisha，cheerfullyandreadily。
\"Go，goquickly，\"theoldmanurgedhim。
\"Andyou，Theodore，getmeapieceofchalk。\"
Onherwaypastthebutler’spantryshetoldthemtosetasamovar，thoughitwasnotatallthetimefortea。
Foka，thebutler，wasthemostill—temperedpersoninthehouse。
Natashalikedtotestherpoweroverhim。Hedistrustedtheorderandaskedwhetherthesamovarwasreallywanted。
\"Ohdear，whatayounglady！\"saidFoka，pretendingtofrownatNatasha。
NooneinthehousesentpeopleaboutorgavethemasmuchtroubleasNatashadid。Shecouldnotseepeopleunconcernedly，buthadtosendthemonsomeerrand。Sheseemedtobetryingwhetheranyofthemwouldgetangryorsulkywithher；buttheserfsfulfillednoone’sorderssoreadilyastheydidhers。\"WhatcanIdo，wherecanIgo？\"thoughtshe，asshewentslowlyalongthepassage。
\"NastasyaIvanovna，whatsortofchildrenshallIhave？\"sheaskedthebuffoon，whowascomingtowardherinawoman’sjacket。
\"Why，fleas，crickets，grasshoppers，\"answeredthebuffoon。
\"OLord，OLord，it’salwaysthesame！Oh，whereamItogo？WhatamItodowithmyself？\"Andtappingwithherheels，sheranquicklyupstairstoseeVogelandhiswifewholivedontheupperstory。
TwogovernessesweresittingwiththeVogelsatatable，onwhichwereplatesofraisins，walnuts，andalmonds。ThegovernesseswerediscussingwhetheritwascheapertoliveinMoscoworOdessa。Natashasatdown，listenedtotheirtalkwithaseriousandthoughtfulair，andthengotupagain。
\"TheislandofMadagascar，\"shesaid，\"Ma—da—gas—car，\"sherepeated，articulatingeachsyllabledistinctly，and，notreplyingtoMadameSchosswhoaskedherwhatshewassaying，shewentoutoftheroom。
HerbrotherPetyawasupstairstoo；withthemaninattendanceonhimhewaspreparingfireworkstoletoffthatnight。
\"Petya！Petya！\"shecalledtohim。\"Carrymedownstairs。\"
Petyaranupandofferedherhisback。Shejumpedonit，puttingherarmsroundhisneck，andheprancedalongwithher。
\"No，don’t……theislandofMadagascar！\"shesaid，andjumpingoffhisbackshewentdownstairs。
Havingasitwerereviewedherkingdom，testedherpower，andmadesurethateveryonewassubmissive，butthatallthesameitwasdull，Natashabetookherselftotheballroom，pickedupherguitar，satdowninadarkcornerbehindabookcase，andbegantorunherfingersoverthestringsinthebass，pickingoutapassagesherecalledfromanoperashehadheardinPetersburgwithPrinceAndrew。
Whatshedrewfromtheguitarwouldhavehadnomeaningforotherlisteners，butinherimaginationawholeseriesofreminiscencesarosefromthosesounds。Shesatbehindthebookcasewithhereyesfixedonastreakoflightescapingfromthepantrydoorandlistenedtoherselfandpondered。Shewasinamoodforbroodingonthepast。
Sonyapassedtothepantrywithaglassinherhand。Natashaglancedatherandatthecrackinthepantrydoor，anditseemedtoherthatsherememberedthelightfailingthroughthatcrackoncebeforeandSonyapassingwithaglassinherhand。\"Yesitwasexactlythesame，\"thoughtNatasha。
\"Sonya，whatisthis？\"shecried，twangingathickstring。
\"Oh，youarethere！\"saidSonyawithastart，andcamenearandlistened。\"Idon’tknow。Astorm？\"sheventuredtimidly，afraidofbeingwrong。
\"There！That’sjusthowshestartedandjusthowshecameupsmilingtimidlywhenallthishappenedbefore，\"thoughtNatasha，\"andinjustthesamewayIthoughttherewassomethinglackinginher。\"
\"No，it’sthechorusfromTheWater—Carrier，listen！\"andNatashasangtheairofthechorussothatSonyashouldcatchit。\"Wherewereyougoing？\"sheasked。
\"Tochangethewaterinthisglass。Iamjustfinishingthedesign。\"
\"Youalwaysfindsomethingtodo，butIcan’t，\"saidNatasha。\"Andwhere’sNicholas？\"
\"Asleep，Ithink。\"
\"Sonya，goandwakehim，\"saidNatasha。\"TellhimIwanthimtocomeandsing。\"
Shesatawhile，wonderingwhatthemeaningofitallhavinghappenedbeforecouldbe，andwithoutsolvingthisproblem，oratallregrettingnothavingdoneso，sheagainpassedinfancytothetimewhenshewaswithhimandhewaslookingatherwithalover’seyes。
\"Oh，ifonlyhewouldcomequicker！Iamsoafraiditwillneverbe！
And，worstofall，Iamgrowingold—that’sthething！Therewon’tthenbeinmewhatthereisnow。Butperhapshe’llcometoday，willcomeimmediately。Perhapshehascomeandissittinginthedrawingroom。PerhapshecameyesterdayandIhaveforgottenit。\"Sherose，putdowntheguitar，andwenttothedrawingroom。
Allthedomesticcircle，tutors，governesses，andguests，werealreadyattheteatable。Theservantsstoodroundthetable—butPrinceAndrewwasnotthereandlifewasgoingonasbefore。
\"Ah，heresheis！\"saidtheoldcount，whenhesawNatashaenter。
\"Well，sitdownbyme。\"ButNatashastayedbyhermotherandglancedroundasiflookingforsomething。
\"Mamma！\"shemuttered，\"givehimtome，givehim，Mamma，quickly，quickly！\"andsheagainhaddifficultyinrepressinghersobs。
ShesatdownatthetableandlistenedtotheconversationbetweentheeldersandNicholas，whohadalsocometothetable。\"MyGod，myGod！Thesamefaces，thesametalk，Papaholdinghiscupandblowinginthesameway！\"thoughtNatasha，feelingwithhorrorasenseofrepulsionrisingupinherforthewholehousehold，becausetheywerealwaysthesame。
Aftertea，Nicholas，Sonya，andNatashawenttothesittingroom，totheirfavoritecornerwheretheirmostintimatetalksalwaysbegan。
BK7CH10
CHAPTERX
Doesiteverhappentoyou，\"saidNatashatoherbrother，whentheysettleddowninthesittingroom，\"doesiteverhappentoyoutofeelasiftherewerenothingmoretocome—nothing；thateverythinggoodispast？Andtofeelnotexactlydull，butsad？\"
\"Ishouldthinkso！\"hereplied。\"Ihavefeltlikethatwheneverythingwasallrightandeveryonewascheerful。ThethoughthascomeintomymindthatIwasalreadytiredofitall，andthatwemustalldie。OnceintheregimentIhadnotgonetosomemerrymakingwheretherewasmusic……andsuddenlyIfeltsodepressed……\"
\"Ohyes，Iknow，Iknow，Iknow！\"Natashainterruptedhim。\"WhenI
wasquitelittlethatusedtobesowithme。DoyourememberwhenI
waspunishedonceaboutsomeplums？Youwerealldancing，andIsatsobbingintheschoolroom？Ishallneverforgetit：Ifeltsadandsorryforeveryone，formyself，andforeveryone。AndIwasinnocent—thatwasthechiefthing，\"saidNatasha。\"Doyouremember？\"
\"Iremember，\"answeredNicholas。\"IrememberthatIcametoyouafterwardsandwantedtocomfortyou，butdoyouknow，Ifeltashamedto。Wewereterriblyabsurd。Ihadafunnydollthenandwantedtogiveittoyou。Doyouremember？\"
\"Anddoyouremember，\"Natashaaskedwithapensivesmile，\"howonce，long，longago，whenwewerequitelittle，Unclecalledusintothestudy—thatwasintheoldhouse—anditwasdark—wewentinandsuddenlytherestood……\"
\"ANegro，\"chimedinNicholaswithasmileofdelight。\"OfcourseIremember。EvennowIdon’tknowwhethertherereallywasaNegro，orifweonlydreameditorweretoldabouthim。\"
\"Hewasgray，youremember，andhadwhiteteeth，andstoodandlookedatus……\"
\"Sonya，doyouremember？\"askedNicholas。
\"Yes，yes，Idoremembersomethingtoo，\"Sonyaansweredtimidly。
\"YouknowIhaveaskedPapaandMammaaboutthatNegro，\"saidNatasha，\"andtheysaytherewasnoNegroatall。Butyousee，youremember！\"
\"OfcourseIdo，IrememberhisteethasifIhadjustseenthem。\"
\"Howstrangeitis！It’sasifitwereadream！Ilikethat。\"
\"Anddoyourememberhowwerolledhard—boiledeggsintheballroom，andsuddenlytwooldwomenbeganspinningroundonthecarpet？Wasthatrealornot？Doyourememberwhatfunitwas？\"
\"Yes，andyourememberhowPapainhisblueovercoatfiredagunintheporch？\"
Sotheywentthroughtheirmemories，smilingwithpleasure：notthesadmemoriesofoldage，butpoetic，youthfulones—thoseimpressionsofone’smostdistantpastinwhichdreamsandrealitiesblend—andtheylaughedwithquietenjoyment。
Sonya，asalways，didnotquitekeeppacewiththem，thoughtheysharedthesamereminiscences。
Muchthattheyrememberedhadslippedfromhermind，andwhatsherecalleddidnotarousethesamepoeticfeelingastheyexperienced。
Shesimplyenjoyedtheirpleasureandtriedtofitinwithit。
SheonlyreallytookpartwhentheyrecalledSonya’sfirstarrival。ShetoldthemhowafraidshehadbeenofNicholasbecausehehadonacordedjacketandhernursehadtoldherthatshe，too，wouldbesewnupwithcords。
\"AndIremembertheirtellingmethatyouhadbeenbornunderacabbage，\"saidNatasha，andIrememberthatIdarednotdisbelieveitthen，butknewthatitwasnottrue，andIfeltsouncomfortable。\"
Whiletheyweretalkingamaidthrustherheadinattheotherdoorofthesittingroom。
\"Theyhavebroughtthecock，Miss，\"shesaidinawhisper。
\"Itisn’twanted，Petya。Tellthemtotakeitaway，\"repliedNatasha。
Inthemiddleoftheirtalkinthesittingroom，Dimmlercameinandwentuptotheharpthatstoodthereinacorner。Hetookoffitsclothcovering，andtheharpgaveoutajarringsound。
\"Mr。Dimmler，pleaseplaymyfavoritenocturnebyField，\"cametheoldcountess’voicefromthedrawingroom。
Dimmlerstruckachordand，turningtoNatasha，Nicholas，andSonya，remarked：\"Howquietyouyoungpeopleare！\"
\"Yes，we’rephilosophizing，\"saidNatasha，glancingroundforamomentandthencontinuingtheconversation。Theywerenowdiscussingdreams。
Dimmlerbegantoplay；Natashawentontiptoenoiselesslytothetable，tookupacandle，carrieditout，andreturned，seatingherselfquietlyinherformerplace。Itwasdarkintheroomespeciallywheretheyweresittingonthesofa，butthroughthebigwindowsthesilverylightofthefullmoonfellonthefloor。Dimmlerhadfinishedthepiecebutstillsatsoftlyrunninghisfingersoverthestrings，evidentlyuncertainwhethertostoportoplaysomethingelse。
\"Doyouknow，\"saidNatashainawhisper，movingclosertoNicholasandSonya，\"thatwhenonegoesonandonrecallingmemories，oneatlastbeginstorememberwhathappenedbeforeonewasintheworld……\"
\"Thatismetempsychosis，\"saidSonya，whohadalwayslearnedwell，andrememberedeverything。\"TheEgyptiansbelievedthatoursoulshavelivedinanimals，andwillgobackintoanimalsagain。\"
\"No，Idon’tbelieveweeverwereinanimals，\"saidNatasha，stillinawhisperthoughthemusichadceased。\"ButIamcertainthatwewereangelssomewherethere，andhavebeenhere，andthatiswhyweremember……\"
\"MayIjoinyou？\"saidDimmlerwhohadcomeupquietly，andhesatdownbythem。
\"Ifwehavebeenangels，whyhavewefallenlower？\"saidNicholas。
\"No，thatcan’tbe！\"
\"Notlower，whosaidwewerelower？……HowdoIknowwhatIwasbefore？\"Natasharejoinedwithconviction。\"Thesoulisimmortal—wellthen，ifIshallalwaysliveImusthavelivedbefore，livedforawholeeternity。\"
\"Yes，butitishardforustoimagineeternity，\"remarkedDimmler，whohadjoinedtheyoungfolkwithamildlycondescendingsmilebutnowspokeasquietlyandseriouslyasthey。
\"Whyisithardtoimagineeternity？\"saidNatasha。\"Itisnowtoday，anditwillbetomorrow，andalways；andtherewasyesterday，andthedaybefore……\"
\"Natasha！Nowit’syourturn。Singmesomething，\"theyheardthecountesssay。\"Whyareyousittingtherelikeconspirators？\"
\"Mamma，Idon’tatallwantto，\"repliedNatasha，butallthesamesherose。
Noneofthem，noteventhemiddle—agedDimmler，wantedtobreakofftheirconversationandquitthatcornerinthesittingroom，butNatashagotupandNicholassatdownattheclavichord。Standingasusualinthemiddleofthehallandchoosingtheplacewheretheresonancewasbest，Natashabegantosinghermother’sfavoritesong。
Shehadsaidshedidnotwanttosing，butitwaslongsinceshehadsung，andlongbeforesheagainsang，asshedidthatevening。Thecount，fromhisstudywherehewastalkingtoMitenka，heardherand，likeaschoolboyinahurrytorunouttoplay，blunderedinhistalkwhilegivingorderstothesteward，andatlaststopped，whileMitenkastoodinfrontofhimalsolisteningandsmiling。
Nicholasdidnottakehiseyesoffhissisteranddrewbreathintimewithher。Sonya，asshelistened，thoughtoftheimmensedifferencetherewasbetweenherselfandherfriend，andhowimpossibleitwasforhertobeanythinglikeasbewitchingashercousin。Theoldcountesssatwithablissfulyetsadsmileandwithtearsinhereyes，occasionallyshakingherhead。ShethoughtofNatashaandofherownyouth，andofhowtherewassomethingunnaturalanddreadfulinthisimpendingmarriageofNatashaandPrinceAndrew。
Dimmler，whohadseatedhimselfbesidethecountess，listenedwithclosedeyes。
\"Ah，Countess，\"hesaidatlast，\"that’saEuropeantalent，shehasnothingtolearn—whatsoftness，tenderness，andstrength……\"
\"Ah，howafraidIamforher，howafraidIam！\"saidthecountess，notrealizingtowhomshewasspeaking。HermaternalinstincttoldherthatNatashahadtoomuchofsomething，andthatbecauseofthisshewouldnotbehappy。BeforeNatashahadfinishedsinging，fourteen—year—oldPetyarushedindelightedly，tosaythatsomemummershadarrived。
Natashastoppedabruptly。
\"Idiot！\"shescreamedatherbrotherand，runningtoachair，threwherselfonit，sobbingsoviolentlythatshecouldnotstopforalongtime。
\"It’snothing，Mamma，reallyit’snothing；onlyPetyastartledme，\"shesaid，tryingtosmile，buthertearsstillflowedandsobsstillchokedher。
Themummerssomeofthehouseserfsdressedupasbears，Turks，innkeepers，andladies—frighteningandfunny—bringinginwiththemthecoldfromoutsideandafeelingofgaiety，crowded，atfirsttimidly，intotheanteroom，thenhidingbehindoneanothertheypushedintotheballroomwhere，shylyatfirstandthenmoreandmoremerrilyandheartily，theystartedsinging，dancing，andplayingChristmasgames。Thecountess，whenshehadidentifiedthemandlaughedattheircostumes，wentintothedrawingroom。Thecountsatintheballroom，smilingradiantlyandapplaudingtheplayers。Theyoungpeoplehaddisappeared。
Halfanhourlaterthereappearedamongtheothermummersintheballroomanoldladyinahoopedskirt—thiswasNicholas。ATurkishgirlwasPetya。AclownwasDimmler。AnhussarwasNatasha，andaCircassianwasSonyawithburnt—corkmustacheandeyebrows。
Afterthecondescendingsurprise，nonrecognition，andpraise，fromthosewhowerenotthemselvesdressedup，theyoungpeopledecidedthattheircostumesweresogoodthattheyoughttobeshownelsewhere。
Nicholas，who，astheroadswereinsplendidcondition，wantedtotakethemallforadriveinhistroyka，proposedtotakewiththemaboutadozenoftheserfmummersanddriveto\"Uncle’s。\"
\"No，whydisturbtheoldfellow？\"saidthecountess。\"Besides，youwouldn’thaveroomtoturnroundthere。Ifyoumustgo，gototheMelyukovs’\"
Melyukovawasawidow，who，withherfamilyandtheirtutorsandgovernesses，livedthreemilesfromtheRostovs。
\"That’sright，mydear，\"chimedintheoldcount，thoroughlyaroused。\"I’lldressupatonceandgowiththem。I’llmakePashetteopenhereyes。\"
Butthecountesswouldnotagreetohisgoing；hehadhadabadlegalltheselastdays。Itwasdecidedthatthecountmustnotgo，butthatifLouisaIvanovnaMadameSchosswouldgowiththem，theyoungladiesmightgototheMelyukovs’，Sonya，generallysotimidandshy，moreurgentlythananyonebeggingLouisaIvanovnanottorefuse。
Sonya’scostumewasthebestofall。Hermustacheandeyebrowswereextraordinarilybecoming。Everyonetoldhershelookedveryhandsome，andshewasinaspiritedandenergeticmoodunusualwithher。Someinnervoicetoldherthatnoworneverherfatewouldbedecided，andinhermaleattiresheseemedquiteadifferentperson。
LouisaIvanovnaconsentedtogo，andinhalfanhourfourtroykasleighswithlargeandsmallbells，theirrunnerssqueakingandwhistlingoverthefrozensnow，droveuptotheporch。
Natashawasforemostinsettingamerryholidaytone，which，passingfromonetoanother，grewstrongerandstrongerandreacheditsclimaxwhentheyallcameoutintothefrostandgotintothesleighs，talking，callingtooneanother，laughing，andshouting。
Twoofthetroykasweretheusualhouseholdsleighs，thethirdwastheoldcount’swithatrotterfromtheOrlovstudasshafthorse，thefourthwasNicholas’ownwithashortshaggyblackshafthorse。
Nicholas，inhisoldlady’sdressoverwhichhehadbeltedhishussarovercoat，stoodinthemiddleofthesleigh，reinsinhand。
Itwassolightthathecouldseethemoonlightreflectedfromthemetalharnessdisksandfromtheeyesofthehorses，wholookedroundinalarmatthenoisypartyundertheshadowoftheporchroof。
Natasha，Sonya，MadameSchoss，andtwomaidsgotintoNicholas’
sleigh；Dimmler，hiswife，andPetya，intotheoldcount’s，andtherestofthemummersseatedthemselvesintheothertwosleighs。
\"Yougoahead，Zakhar！\"shoutedNicholastohisfather’scoachman，wishingforachancetoracepasthim。
Theoldcount’stroyka，withDimmlerandhisparty，startedforward，squeakingonitsrunnersasthoughfreezingtothesnow，itsdeep—tonedbellclanging。Thesidehorses，pressingagainsttheshaftsofthemiddlehorse，sankinthesnow，whichwasdryandglitteredlikesugar，andthrewitup。
Nicholassetoff，followingthefirstsleigh；behindhimtheothersmovednoisily，theirrunnerssqueaking。Atfirsttheydroveatasteadytrotalongthenarrowroad。Whiletheydrovepastthegardentheshadowsofthebaretreesoftenfellacrosstheroadandhidthebrilliantmoonlight，butassoonastheywerepastthefence，thesnowyplainbathedinmoonlightandmotionlessspreadoutbeforethemglitteringlikediamondsanddappledwithbluishshadows。Bang，bang！wentthefirstsleighoveracradleholeinthesnowoftheroad，andeachoftheothersleighsjoltedinthesameway，andrudelybreakingthefrost—boundstillness，thetroykasbegantospeedalongtheroad，oneaftertheother。
\"Ahare’strack，alotoftracks！\"rangoutNatasha’svoicethroughthefrost—boundair。
\"Howlightitis，Nicholas！\"cameSonya’svoice。
NicholasglancedroundatSonya，andbentdowntoseeherfacecloser。Quiteanew，sweetfacewithblackeyebrowsandmustachespeepedupathimfromhersablefurs—socloseandyetsodistant—
inthemoonlight。
\"ThatusedtobeSonya，\"thoughthe，andlookedathercloserandsmiled。
\"Whatisit，Nicholas？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidheandturnedagaintothehorses。
Whentheycameoutontothebeatenhighroad—polishedbysleighrunnersandcutupbyrough—shodhoofs，themarksofwhichwerevisibleinthemoonlight—thehorsesbegantotugatthereinsoftheirownaccordandincreasedtheirpace。Thenearsidehorse，archinghisheadandbreakingintoashortcanter，tuggedathistraces。Theshafthorseswayedfromsidetoside，movinghisearsasifasking：\"Isn’tittimetobeginnow？\"Infront，alreadyfaraheadthedeepbellofthesleighringingfartherandfartheroff，theblackhorsesdrivenbyZakharcouldbeclearlyseenagainstthewhitesnow。Fromthatsleighonecouldheartheshouts，laughter，andvoicesofthemummers。
\"Geeup，mydarlings！\"shoutedNicholas，pullingthereinstoonesideandflourishingthewhip。
Itwasonlybythekeenerwindthatmetthemandthejerksgivenbythesidehorseswhopulledharder—everincreasingtheirgallop—
thatonenoticedhowfastthetroykawasflying。Nicholaslookedback。
Withscreamssqueals，andwavingofwhipsthatcausedeventheshafthorsestogallop—theothersleighsfollowed。Theshafthorseswungsteadilybeneaththebowoveritshead，withnothoughtofslackeningpaceandreadytoputonspeedwhenrequired。
Nicholasovertookthefirstsleigh。Theyweredrivingdownhillandcomingoutuponabroadtroddentrackacrossameadow，nearariver。
\"Wherearewe？\"thoughthe。\"It’stheKosoymeadow，Isuppose。Butno—thisissomethingnewI’veneverseenbefore。Thisisn’ttheKosoymeadownortheDemkinhill，andheavenonlyknowswhatitis！Itissomethingnewandenchanted。Well，whateveritmaybe……\"Andshoutingtohishorses，hebegantopassthefirstsleigh。
Zakharheldbackhishorsesandturnedhisface，whichwasalreadycoveredwithhoarfrosttohiseyebrows。
Nicholasgavethehorsestherein，andZakhar，stretchingouthisarms，cluckedhistongueandlethishorsesgo。
\"Now，lookout，master！\"hecried。
Fasterstillthetwotroykasflewsidebyside，andfastermovedthefeetofthegallopingsidehorses。Nicholasbegantodrawahead。
Zakhar，whilestillkeepinghisarmsextended，raisedonehandwiththereins。
\"Noyouwon’t，master！\"heshouted。
NicholasputallhishorsestoagallopandpassedZakhar。Thehorsesshoweredthefinedrysnowonthefacesofthoseinthesleigh—
besidethemsoundedquickringingbellsandtheycaughtconfusedglimpsesofswiftlymovinglegsandtheshadowsofthetroykatheywerepassing。Thewhistlingsoundoftherunnersonthesnowandthevoicesofgirlsshriekingwereheardfromdifferentsides。
Againcheckinghishorses，Nicholaslookedaroundhim。Theywerestillsurroundedbythemagicplainbathedinmoonlightandspangledwithstars。
\"ZakharisshoutingthatIshouldturntotheleft，butwhytotheleft？\"thoughtNicholas。\"ArewegettingtotheMelyukovs’？IsthisMelyukovka？Heavenonlyknowswherewearegoing，andheavenknowswhatishappeningtous—butitisverystrangeandpleasantwhateveritis。\"Andhelookedroundinthesleigh。
\"Look，hismustacheandeyelashesareallwhite！\"saidoneofthestrange，pretty，unfamiliarpeople—theonewithfineeyebrowsandmustache。
\"IthinkthisusedtobeNatasha，\"thoughtNicholas，\"andthatwasMadameSchoss，butperhapsit’snot，andthisCircassianwiththemustacheIdon’tknow，butIloveher。\"
\"Aren’tyoucold？\"heasked。
Theydidnotanswerbutbegantolaugh。Dimmlerfromthesleighbehindshoutedsomething—probablysomethingfunny—buttheycouldnotmakeoutwhathesaid。
\"Yes，yes！\"somevoicesanswered，laughing。
\"Butherewasafairyforestwithblackmovingshadows，andaglitterofdiamondsandaflightofmarblestepsandthesilverroofsoffairybuildingsandtheshrillyellsofsomeanimals。AndifthisisreallyMelyukovka，itisstillstrangerthatwedroveheavenknowswhereandhavecometoMelyukovka，\"thoughtNicholas。
ItreallywasMelyukovka，andmaidsandfootmenwithmerryfacescamerunning，outtotheporchcarryingcandles。
\"Whoisit？\"askedsomeoneintheporch。
\"Themummersfromthecount’s。Iknowbythehorses，\"repliedsomevoices。
BK7CH11
CHAPTERXI
PelageyaDanilovnaMelyukova，abroadlybuilt，energeticwomanwearingspectacles，satinthedrawingroominaloosedress，surroundedbyherdaughterswhomshewastryingtokeepfromfeelingdull。Theywerequietlydroppingmeltedwaxintosnowandlookingattheshadowsthewaxfigureswouldthrowonthewall，whentheyheardthestepsandvoicesofnewarrivalsinthevestibule。
Hussars，ladies，witches，clowns，andbears，afterclearingtheirthroatsandwipingthehoarfrostfromtheirfacesinthevestibule，cameintotheballroomwherecandleswerehurriedlylighted。Theclown—Dimmler—andthelady—Nicholas—startedadance。Surroundedbythescreamingchildrenthemummers，coveringtheirfacesanddisguisingtheirvoices，bowedtotheirhostessandarrangedthemselvesabouttheroom。
\"Dearme！there’snorecognizingthem！AndNatasha！Seewhomshelookslike！Shereallyremindsmeofsomebody。ButHerrDimmler—isn’thegood！Ididn’tknowhim！Andhowhedances。Dearme，there’saCircassian。Really，howbecomingitistodearSonya。Andwhoisthat？
Well，youhavecheeredusup！NikitaandVanya—clearawaythetables！
Andweweresittingsoquietly。Ha，ha，ha！……Thehussar，thehussar！
Justlikeaboy！Andthelegs！……Ican’tlookathim……\"differentvoicesweresaying。
Natasha，theyoungMelyukovs’favorite，disappearedwiththemintothebackroomswhereacorkandvariousdressinggownsandmalegarmentswerecalledforandreceivedfromthefootmanbybaregirlisharmsfrombehindthedoor。Tenminuteslater，alltheyoungMelyukovsjoinedthemummers。
PelageyaDanilovna，havinggivenorderstocleartheroomsforthevisitorsandarrangedaboutrefreshmentsforthegentryandtheserfs，wentaboutamongthemummerswithoutremovingherspectacles，peeringintotheirfaceswithasuppressedsmileandfailingtorecognizeanyofthem。ItwasnotmerelyDimmlerandtheRostovsshefailedtorecognize，shedidnotevenrecognizeherowndaughters，orherlatehusband’s，dressinggownsanduniforms，whichtheyhadputon。
\"Andwhoisisthis？\"sheaskedhergoverness，peeringintothefaceofherowndaughterdressedupasaKazan—Tartar。\"IsupposeitisoneoftheRostovs！Well，Mr。Hussar，andwhatregimentdoyouservein？\"sheaskedNatasha。\"Here，handsomefruitjellytotheTurk！\"sheorderedthebutlerwhowashandingthingsround。\"That’snotforbiddenbyhislaw。\"
Sometimes，asshelookedatthestrangebutamusingcaperscutbythedancers，who—havingdecidedonceforallthatbeingdisguised，noonewouldrecognizethem—werenotatallshy，PelageyaDanilovnahidherfaceinherhandkerchief，andherwholestoutbodyshookwithirrepressible，kindly，elderlylaughter。
\"MylittleSasha！LookatSasha！\"shesaid。
AfterRussiancountrydancesandchorusdances，PelageyaDanilovnamadetheserfsandgentryjoininonelargecircle：aring，astring，andasilverrublewerefetchedandtheyallplayedgamestogether。
Inanhour，allthecostumeswerecrumpledanddisordered。Thecorkedeyebrowsandmustachesweresmearedovertheperspiring，flushed，andmerryfaces。PelageyaDanilovnabegantorecognizethemummers，admiredtheircleverlycontrivedcostumes，andparticularlyhowtheysuitedtheyoungladies，andshethankedthemallforhavingentertainedhersowell。Thevisitorswereinvitedtosupperinthedrawingroom，andtheserfshadsomethingservedtothemintheballroom。
\"Nowtotellone’sfortuneintheemptybathhouseisfrightening！\"
saidanoldmaidwholivedwiththeMelyukovs，duringsupper。
\"Why？\"saidtheeldestMelyukovgirl。
\"Youwouldn’tgo，ittakescourage……\"
\"I’llgo，\"saidSonya。
\"Tellwhathappenedtotheyounglady！\"saidthesecondMelyukovgirl。
\"Well，\"begantheoldmaid，\"ayoungladyoncewentout，tookacock，laidthetablefortwo，allproperly，andsatdown。Aftersittingawhile，shesuddenlyhearssomeonecoming……asleighdrivesupwithharnessbells；shehearshimcoming！Hecomesin，justintheshapeofaman，likeanofficer—comesinandsitsdowntotablewithher。\"
\"Ah！ah！\"screamedNatasha，rollinghereyeswithhorror。