\"Yes？Andhow……didhespeak？\"
\"Yes，likeaman。Everythingquiteallright，andhebeganpersuadingher；andsheshouldhavekepthimtalkingtillcockcrow，butshegotfrightened，justgotfrightenedandhidherfaceinherhands。Thenhecaughtherup。Itwasluckythemaidsraninjustthen……\"
\"Now，whyfrightenthem？\"saidPelageyaDanilovna。
\"Mamma，youusedtotryyourfateyourself……\"saidherdaughter。
\"Andhowdoesonedoitinabarn？\"inquiredSonya。
\"Well，sayyouwenttothebarnnow，andlistened。Itdependsonwhatyouhear；hammeringandknocking—that’sbad；butasoundofshiftinggrainisgoodandonesometimeshearsthat，too。\"
\"Mamma，telluswhathappenedtoyouinthebarn。\"
PelageyaDanilovnasmiled。
\"Oh，I’veforgotten……\"shereplied。\"Butnoneofyouwouldgo？\"
\"Yes，Iwill；PelageyaDanilovna，letme！I’llgo，\"saidSonya。
\"Well，whynot，ifyou’renotafraid？\"
\"LouisaIvanovna，mayI？\"askedSonya。
Whethertheywereplayingtheringandstringgameortherublegameortalkingasnow，NicholasdidnotleaveSonya’sside，andgazedatherwithquiteneweyes。Itseemedtohimthatitwasonlytoday，thankstothatburnt—corkmustache，thathehadfullylearnedtoknowher。Andreally，thatevening，Sonyawasbrighter，moreanimated，andprettierthanNicholashadeverseenherbefore。
\"Sothat’swhatsheislike；whatafoolIhavebeen！\"hethoughtgazingathersparklingeyes，andunderthemustacheahappyrapturoussmiledimpledhercheeks，asmilehehadneverseenbefore。
\"I’mnotafraidofanything，\"saidSonya。\"MayIgoatonce？\"Shegotup。
Theytoldherwherethebarnwasandhowsheshouldstandandlisten，andtheyhandedherafurcloak。ShethrewthisoverherheadandshouldersandglancedatNicholas。
\"Whatadarlingthatgirlis！\"thoughthe。\"AndwhathaveIbeenthinkingoftillnow？\"
Sonyawentoutintothepassagetogotothebarn。Nicholaswenthastilytothefrontporch，sayinghefelttoohot。Thecrowdofpeoplereallyhadmadethehousestuffy。
Outside，therewasthesamecoldstillnessandthesamemoon，butevenbrighterthanbefore。Thelightwassostrongandthesnowsparkledwithsomanystarsthatonedidnotwishtolookupattheskyandtherealstarswereunnoticed。Theskywasblackanddreary，whiletheearthwasgay。
\"Iamafool，afool！whathaveIbeenwaitingfor？\"thoughtNicholas。andrunningoutfromtheporchhewentroundthecornerofthehouseandalongthepaththatledtothebackporch。HeknewSonyawouldpassthatway。Halfwaylaysomesnow—coveredpilesoffirewoodandacrossandalongthemanetworkofshadowsfromthebareoldlimetreesfellonthesnowandonthepath。Thispathledtothebarn。Thelogwallsofthebarnanditssnow—coveredroof，thatlookedasifhewnoutofsomepreciousstone，sparkledinthemoonlight。A
treeinthegardensnappedwiththefrost，andthenallwasagainperfectlysilent。Hisbosomseemedtoinhalenotairbutthestrengthofeternalyouthandgladness。
Fromthebackporchcamethesoundoffeetdescendingthesteps，thebottomstepuponwhichsnowhadfallengavearingingcreakandheheardthevoiceofanoldmaidservantsaying，\"Straight，straight，alongthepath，Miss。Only，don’tlookback。\"
\"Iamnotafraid，\"answeredSonya’svoice，andalongthepathtowardNicholascamethecrunching，whistlingsoundofSonya’sfeetinherthinshoes。
Sonyacamealong，wrappedinhercloak。Shewasonlyacoupleofpacesawaywhenshesawhim，andtohertoohewasnottheNicholasshehadknownandalwaysslightlyfeared。Hewasinawoman’sdress，withtousledhairandahappysmilenewtoSonya。Sheranrapidlytowardhim。
\"Quitedifferentandyetthesame，\"thoughtNicholas，lookingatherfacealllitupbythemoonlight。Heslippedhisarmsunderthecloakthatcoveredherhead，embracedher，pressedhertohim，andkissedheronthelipsthatworeamustacheandhadasmellofburntcork。Sonyakissedhimfullonthelips，anddisengagingherlittlehandspressedthemtohischeeks。
\"Sonya！……Nicholas！\"……wasalltheysaid。Theyrantothebarnandthenbackagain，re—entering，hebythefrontandshebythebackporch。
BK7CH12
CHAPTERXII
WhentheyalldrovebackfromPelageyaDanilovna’s，Natasha，whoalwayssawandnoticedeverything，arrangedthatsheandMadameSchossshouldgobackinthesleighwithDimmler，andSonyawithNicholasandthemaids。
OnthewaybackNicholasdroveatasteadypaceinsteadofracingandkeptpeeringbythatfantasticall—transforminglightintoSonya’sfaceandsearchingbeneaththeeyebrowsandmustacheforhisformerandhispresentSonyafromwhomhehadresolvednevertobepartedagain。HelookedandrecognizinginherboththeoldandthenewSonya，andbeingremindedbythesmellofburntcorkofthesensationofherkiss，inhaledthefrostyairwithafullbreastand，lookingatthegroundflyingbeneathhimandatthesparklingsky，felthimselfagaininfairyland。
\"Sonya，isitwellwiththee？\"heaskedfromtimetotime。
\"Yes！\"shereplied。\"Andwiththee？\"
WhenhalfwayhomeNicholashandedthereinstothecoachmanandranforamomenttoNatasha’ssleighandstoodonitswing。
\"Natasha！\"hewhisperedinFrench，\"doyouknowIhavemadeupmymindaboutSonya？\"
\"Haveyoutoldher？\"askedNatasha，suddenlybeamingalloverwithjoy。
\"Oh，howstrangeyouarewiththatmustacheandthoseeyebrows！……
Natasha—areyouglad？\"
\"Iamsoglad，soglad！Iwasbeginningtobevexedwithyou。I
didnottellyou，butyouhavebeentreatingherbadly。Whataheartshehas，Nicholas！Iamhorridsometimes，butIwasashamedtobehappywhileSonyawasnot，\"continuedNatasha。\"NowIamsoglad！
Well，runbacktoher。\"
\"No，waitabit……Oh，howfunnyyoulook！\"criedNicholas，peeringintoherfaceandfindinginhissistertoosomethingnew，unusual，andbewitchinglytenderthathehadnotseeninherbefore。
\"Natasha，it’smagical，isn’tit？\"
\"Yes，\"shereplied。\"Youhavedonesplendidly。\"
\"HadIseenherbeforeassheisnow，\"thoughtNicholas，\"Ishouldlongagohaveaskedherwhattodoandhavedonewhatevershetoldme，andallwouldhavebeenwell。\"
\"SoyouaregladandIhavedoneright？\"
\"Oh，quiteright！IhadaquarrelwithMammasometimeagoaboutit。
Mammasaidshewasanglingforyou。Howcouldshesaysuchathing！
InearlystormedatMamma。IwillneverletanyonesayanythingbadofSonya，forthereisnothingbutgoodinher。\"
\"Thenit’sallright？\"saidNicholas，againscrutinizingtheexpressionofhissister’sfacetoseeifshewasinearnest。Thenhejumpeddownand，hisbootsscrunchingthesnow，ranbacktohissleigh。Thesamehappy，smilingCircassian，withmustacheandbeamingeyeslookingupfromunderasablehood，wasstillsittingthere，andthatCircassianwasSonya，andthatSonyawascertainlyhisfuturehappyandlovingwife。
WhentheyreachedhomeandhadtoldtheirmotherhowtheyhadspenttheeveningattheMelyukovs’，thegirlswenttotheirbedroom。Whentheyhadundressed，butwithoutwashingoffthecorkmustaches，theysatalongtimetalkingoftheirhappiness。Theytalkedofhowtheywouldlivewhentheyweremarried，howtheirhusbandswouldbefriends，andhowhappytheywouldbe。OnNatasha’stablestoodtwolookingglasseswhichDunyashahadpreparedbeforehand。
\"Onlywhenwillallthatbe？Iamafraidnever……Itwouldbetoogood！\"saidNatasha，risingandgoingtothelookingglasses。
\"Sitdown，Natasha；perhapsyou’llseehim，\"saidSonya。
Natashalitthecandles，oneoneachsideofoneofthelookingglasses，andsatdown。
\"Iseesomeonewithamustache，\"saidNatasha，seeingherownface。
\"Youmustn’tlaugh，Miss，\"saidDunyasha。
WithSonya’shelpandthemaid’s，Natashagottheglasssheheldintotherightpositionoppositetheother；herfaceassumedaseriousexpressionandshesatsilent。Shesatalongtimelookingattherecedinglineofcandlesreflectedintheglassesandexpectingfromtalesshehadheardtoseeacoffin，orhim，PrinceAndrew，inthatlastdim，indistinctlyoutlinedsquare。Butreadyasshewastotakethesmallestspeckfortheimageofamanorofacoffin，shesawnothing。Shebeganblinkingrapidlyandmovedawayfromthelookingglasses。
\"WhyisitothersseethingsandIdon’t？\"shesaid。\"Yousitdownnow，Sonya。Youabsolutelymust，tonight！Doitforme……TodayI
feelsofrightened！\"
Sonyasatdownbeforetheglasses，gottherightposition，andbeganlooking。
\"Now，MissSonyaissuretoseesomething，\"whisperedDunyasha；
\"whileyoudonothingbutlaugh。\"
SonyaheardthisandNatasha’swhisper：
\"Iknowshewill。Shesawsomethinglastyear。\"
Foraboutthreeminutesallweresilent。
\"Ofcourseshewill！\"whisperedNatasha，butdidnotfinish……
suddenlySonyapushedawaytheglassshewasholdingandcoveredhereyeswithherhand。
\"Oh，Natasha！\"shecried。
\"Didyousee？Didyou？Whatwasit？\"exclaimedNatasha，holdingupthelookingglass。
Sonyahadnotseenanything，shewasjustwantingtoblinkandtogetupwhensheheardNatashasay，\"Ofcourseshewill！\"ShedidnotwishtodisappointeitherDunyashaorNatasha，butitwashardtositstill。Shedidnotherselfknowhoworwhytheexclamationescapedherwhenshecoveredhereyes。
\"Yousawhim？\"urgedNatasha，seizingherhand。
\"Yes。Waitabit……I……sawhim，\"Sonyacouldnothelpsaying，notyetknowingwhomNatashameantbyhim，NicholasorPrinceAndrew。
\"Butwhyshouldn’tIsayIsawsomething？Othersdosee！BesideswhocantellwhetherIsawanythingornot？\"flashedthroughSonya’smind。
\"Yes，Isawhim，\"shesaid。
\"How？Standingorlying？\"
\"No，Isaw……Atfirsttherewasnothing，thenIsawhimlyingdown。\"
\"Andrewlying？Isheill？\"askedNatasha，herfrightenedeyesfixedonherfriend。
\"No，onthecontrary，onthecontrary！Hisfacewascheerful，andheturnedtome。\"Andwhensayingthissheherselffanciedshehadreallyseenwhatshedescribed。
\"Well，andthen，Sonya？……\"
\"Afterthat，Icouldnotmakeoutwhattherewas；somethingblueandred……\"
\"Sonya！Whenwillhecomeback？WhenshallIseehim！O，God，howafraidIamforhimandformyselfandabouteverything！……\"Natashabegan，andwithoutreplyingtoSonya’swordsofcomfortshegotintobed，andlongafterhercandlewasoutlayopen—eyedandmotionless，gazingatthemoonlightthroughthefrostywindowpanes。
BK7CH13
CHAPTERXIII
SoonaftertheChristmasholidaysNicholastoldhismotherofhisloveforSonyaandofhisfirmresolvetomarryher。Thecountess，whohadlongnoticedwhatwasgoingonbetweenthemandwasexpectingthisdeclaration，listenedtohiminsilenceandthentoldhersonthathemightmarrywhomhepleased，butthatneithershenorhisfatherwouldgivetheirblessingtosuchamarriage。Nicholas，forthefirsttime，feltthathismotherwasdispleasedwithhimandthat，despiteherloveforhim，shewouldnotgiveway。Coldly，withoutlookingatherson，shesentforherhusbandand，whenhecame，triedbrieflyandcoldlytoinformhimofthefacts，inherson’spresence，butunabletorestrainherselfsheburstintotearsofvexationandlefttheroom。TheoldcountbeganirresolutelytoadmonishNicholasandbeghimtoabandonhispurpose。Nicholasrepliedthathecouldnotgobackonhisword，andhisfather，sighingandevidentlydisconcerted，verysoonbecamesilentandwentintothecountess。Inallhisencounterswithhisson，thecountwasalwaysconsciousofhisownguilttowardhimforhavingwastedthefamilyfortune，andsohecouldnotbeangrywithhimforrefusingtomarryanheiressandchoosingthedowerlessSonya。Onthisoccasion，hewasonlymorevividlyconsciousofthefactthatifhisaffairshadnotbeenindisorder，nobetterwifeforNicholasthanSonyacouldhavebeenwishedfor，andthatnoonebuthimselfwithhisMitenkaandhisuncomfortablehabitswastoblamefortheconditionofthefamilyfinances。
Thefatherandmotherdidnotspeakofthemattertotheirsonagain，butafewdayslaterthecountesssentforSonyaand，withacrueltyneitherofthemexpected，reproachedherniecefortryingtocatchNicholasandforingratitude。Sonyalistenedsilentlywithdowncasteyestothecountess’cruelwords，withoutunderstandingwhatwasrequiredofher。Shewasreadytosacrificeeverythingforherbenefactors。Self—sacrificewashermostcherishedideabutinthiscaseshecouldnotseewhatsheoughttosacrifice，orforwhom。ShecouldnothelplovingthecountessandthewholeRostovfamily，butneithercouldshehelplovingNicholasandknowingthathishappinessdependedonthatlove。Shewassilentandsadanddidnotreply。Nicholasfeltthesituationtobeintolerableandwenttohaveanexplanationwithhismother。HefirstimploredhertoforgivehimandSonyaandconsenttotheirmarriage，thenhethreatenedthatifshemolestedSonyahewouldatoncemarryhersecretly。
Thecountess，withacoldnesshersonhadneverseeninherbefore，repliedthathewasofage，thatPrinceAndrewwasmarryingwithouthisfather’sconsent，andhecoulddothesame，butthatshewouldneverreceivethatintriguerasherdaughter。
Explodingatthewordintriguer，Nicholas，raisinghisvoice，toldhismotherhehadneverexpectedhertotrytoforcehimtosellhisfeelings，butifthatwereso，hewouldsayforthelasttime……
Buthehadnotimetoutterthedecisivewordwhichtheexpressionofhisfacecausedhismothertoawaitwithterror，andwhichwouldperhapshaveforeverremainedacruelmemorytothemboth。Hehadnottimetosayit，forNatasha，withapaleandsetface，enteredtheroomfromthedooratwhichshehadbeenlistening。
\"Nicholas，youaretalkingnonsense！Bequiet，bequiet，bequiet，I
tellyou！……\"shealmostscreamed，soastodrownhisvoice。
\"Mammadarling，it’snotatallso……mypoor，sweetdarling，\"shesaidtohermother，whoconsciousthattheyhadbeenonthebrinkofarupturegazedathersonwithterror，butintheobstinacyandexcitementoftheconflictcouldnotandwouldnotgiveway。
\"Nicholas，I’llexplaintoyou。Goaway！Listen，Mammadarling，\"
saidNatasha。
Herwordswereincoherent，buttheyattainedthepurposeatwhichshewasaiming。
Thecountess，sobbingheavily，hidherfaceonherdaughter’sbreast，whileNicholasrose，clutchinghishead，andlefttheroom。
Natashasettoworktoeffectareconciliation，andsofarsucceededthatNicholasreceivedapromisefromhismotherthatSonyashouldnotbetroubled，whileheonhissidepromisednottoundertakeanythingwithouthisparents’knowledge。
Firmlyresolved，afterputtinghisaffairsinorderintheregiment，toretirefromthearmyandreturnandmarrySonya，Nicholas，serious，sorrowful，andatvariancewithhisparents，but，asitseemedtohim，passionatelyinlove，leftatthebeginningofJanuarytorejoinhisregiment。
AfterNicholashadgonethingsintheRostovhouseholdweremoredepressingthanever，andthecountessfellillfrommentalagitation。
SonyawasunhappyattheseparationfromNicholasandstillmoresoonaccountofthehostiletonethecountesscouldnothelpadoptingtowardher。Thecountwasmoreperturbedthaneverbytheconditionofhisaffairs，whichcalledforsomedecisiveaction。TheirtownhouseandestatenearMoscowhadinevitablytobesold，andforthistheyhadtogotoMoscow。Butthecountess’healthobligedthemtodelaytheirdeparturefromdaytoday。
Natasha，whohadbornethefirstperiodofseparationfromherbetrothedlightlyandevencheerfully，nowgrewmoreagitatedandimpatienteveryday。Thethoughtthatherbestdays，whichshewouldhaveemployedinlovinghim，werebeingvainlywasted，withnoadvantagetoanyone，tormentedherincessantly。Hislettersforthemostpartirritatedher。Ithurthertothinkthatwhileshelivedonlyinthethoughtofhim，hewaslivingareallife，seeingnewplacesandnewpeoplethatinterestedhim。Themoreinterestinghisletterswerethemorevexedshefelt。Herletterstohim，farfromgivingheranycomfort，seemedtoherawearisomeandartificialobligation。Shecouldnotwrite，becauseshecouldnotconceivethepossibilityofexpressingsincerelyinaletterevenathousandthpartofwhatsheexpressedbyvoice，smile，andglance。Shewrotetohimformal，monotonous，anddryletters，towhichsheattachednoimportanceherself，andintheroughcopiesofwhichthecountesscorrectedhermistakesinspelling。
Therewasstillnoimprovementinthecountess’health，butitwasimpossibletodeferthejourneytoMoscowanylonger。Natasha’strousseauhadtobeorderedandthehousesold。Moreover，PrinceAndrewwasexpectedinMoscow，whereoldPrinceBolkonskiwasspendingthewinter，andNatashafeltsurehehadalreadyarrived。
Sothecountessremainedinthecountry，andthecount，takingSonyaandNatashawithhim，wenttoMoscowattheendofJanuary。
BOOKEIGHT：1811—12
CHAPTERI
AfterPrinceAndrewsengagementtoNatasha，Pierrewithoutanyapparentcausesuddenlyfeltitimpossibletogoonlivingasbefore。Firmlyconvincedashewasofthetruthsrevealedtohimbyhisbenefactor，andhappyashehadbeeninperfectinghisinnerman，towhichhehaddevotedhimselfwithsuchardor—allthezestofsuchalifevanishedaftertheengagementofAndrewandNatashaandthedeathofJosephAlexeevich，thenewsofwhichreachedhimalmostatthesametime。Onlytheskeletonofliferemained：hishouse，abrilliantwifewhonowenjoyedthefavorsofaveryimportantpersonage，acquaintancewithallPetersburg，andhiscourtservicewithitsdullformalities。AndthislifesuddenlyseemedtoPierreunexpectedlyloathsome。Heceasedkeepingadiary，avoidedthecompanyoftheBrothers，begangoingtotheClubagain，drankagreatdeal，andcameoncemoreintouchwiththebachelorsets，leadingsuchalifethattheCountessHelenethoughtitnecessarytospeakseverelytohimaboutit。Pierrefeltthatsheright，andtoavoidcompromisingherwentawaytoMoscow。
InMoscowassoonasheenteredhishugehouseinwhichthefadedandfadingprincessesstilllived，withitsenormousretinue；assoonas，drivingthroughthetown，hesawtheIberianshrinewithinnumerabletapersburningbeforethegoldencoversoftheicons，theKremlinSquarewithitssnowundisturbedbyvehicles，thesleighdriversandhovelsoftheSivtsevVrazhok，thoseoldMoscoviteswhodesirednothing，hurriednowhere，andwereendingtheirdaysleisurely；whenhesawthoseoldMoscowladies，theMoscowballs，andtheEnglishClub，hefelthimselfathomeinaquiethaven。InMoscowhefeltatpeace，athome，warmanddirtyasinanolddressinggown。
Moscowsociety，fromtheoldwomendowntothechildren，receivedPierrelikealong—expectedguestwhoseplacewasalwaysreadyawaitinghim。ForMoscowsocietyPierrewasthenicest，kindest，mostintellectual，merriest，andmostmagnanimousofcranks，aheedless，genialnoblemanoftheoldRussiantype。Hispursewasalwaysemptybecauseitwasopentoeveryone。
Benefitperformances，poorpictures，statues，benevolentsocieties，gypsychoirs，schools，subscriptiondinners，sprees，Freemasons，churches，andbooks—nooneandnothingmetwitharefusalfromhim，andhaditnotbeenfortwofriendswhohadborrowedlargesumsfromhimandtakenhimundertheirprotection，hewouldhavegiveneverythingaway。TherewasneveradinnerorsoireeattheClubwithouthim。AssoonashesankintohisplaceonthesofaaftertwobottlesofMargauxhewassurrounded，andtalking，disputing，andjokingbegan。Whentherewerequarrels，hiskindlysmileandwell—timedjestsreconciledtheantagonists。TheMasonicdinnersweredullanddrearywhenhewasnotthere。
Whenafterabachelorsupperherosewithhisamiableandkindlysmile，yieldingtotheentreatiesofthefestivecompanytodriveoffsomewherewiththem，shoutsofdelightandtriumpharoseamongtheyoungmen。Atballshedancedifapartnerwasneeded。Youngladies，marriedandunmarried，likedhimbecausewithoutmakinglovetoanyofthem，hewasequallyamiabletoall，especiallyaftersupper。\"Ilestcharmant；iln’apasdesexe，\"*theysaidofhim。
*\"Heischarming；hehasnosex。\"
Pierrewasoneofthoseretiredgentlemen—in—waitingofwhomtherewerehundredsgood—humoredlyendingtheirdaysinMoscow。
Howhorrifiedhewouldhavebeensevenyearsbefore，whenhefirstarrivedfromabroad，hadhebeentoldthattherewasnoneedforhimtoseekorplananything，thathisruthadlongbeenshaped，eternallypredetermined，andthatwriggleashemight，hewouldbewhatallinhispositionwere。Hecouldnothavebelievedit！HadhenotatonetimelongedwithallhishearttoestablisharepublicinRussia；thenhimselftobeaNapoleon；thentobeaphilosopher；andthenastrategistandtheconquerorofNapoleon？Hadhenotseenthepossibilityof，andpassionatelydesired，theregenerationofthesinfulhumanrace，andhisownprogresstothehighestdegreeofperfection？Hadhenotestablishedschoolsandhospitalsandliberatedhisserfs？
Butinsteadofallthat—herehewas，thewealthyhusbandofanunfaithfulwife，aretiredgentleman—in—waiting，fondofeatinganddrinkingand，asheunbuttonedhiswaistcoat，ofabusingthegovernmentabit，amemberoftheMoscowEnglishClub，andauniversalfavoriteinMoscowsociety。ForalongtimehecouldnotreconcilehimselftotheideathathewasoneofthosesameretiredMoscowgentlemen—in—waitinghehadsodespisedsevenyearsbefore。
Sometimesheconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthathewasonlylivingthislifetemporarily；butthenhewasshockedbythethoughtofhowmany，likehimself，hadenteredthatlifeandthatClubtemporarily，withalltheirteethandhair，andhadonlyleftitwhennotasingletoothorhairremained。
Inmomentsofpride，whenhethoughtofhispositionitseemedtohimthathewasquitedifferentanddistinctfromthoseotherretiredgentlemen—in—waitinghehadformerlydespised：theywereempty，stupid，contentedfellows，satisfiedwiththeirposition，\"whileIamstilldiscontentedandwanttodosomethingformankind。
Butperhapsallthesecomradesofminestruggledjustlikemeandsoughtsomethingnew，apathinlifeoftheirown，andlikemewerebroughtbyforceofcircumstances，society，andrace—bythatelementalforceagainstwhichmanispowerless—totheconditionI
amin，\"saidhetohimselfinmomentsofhumility；andafterlivingsometimeinMoscowhenolongerdespised，butbegantogrowfondof，torespect，andtopityhiscomradesindestiny，ashepitiedhimself。
Pierrelongersufferedmomentsofdespair，hypochondria，anddisgustwithlife，butthemaladythathadformerlyfoundexpressioninsuchacuteattackswasdriveninwardsandneverlefthimforamoment。
\"Whatfor？Why？Whatisgoingonintheworld？\"hewouldaskhimselfinperplexityseveraltimesaday，involuntarilybeginningtoreflectanewonthemeaningofthephenomenaoflife；butknowingbyexperiencethattherewerenoanswerstothesequestionshemadehastetoturnawayfromthem，andtookupabook，orhurriedoftotheClubortoApollonNikolaevich’s，toexchangethegossipofthetown。
\"Helene，whohasnevercaredforanythingbutherownbodyandisoneofthestupidestwomenintheworld，\"thoughtPierre，\"isregardedbypeopleastheacmeofintelligenceandrefinement，andtheypayhomagetoher。NapoleonBonapartewasdespisedbyallaslongashewasgreat，butnowthathehasbecomeawretchedcomediantheEmperorFranciswantstoofferhimhisdaughterinanillegalmarriage。TheSpaniards，throughtheCatholicclergy，offerpraisetoGodfortheirvictoryovertheFrenchonthefourteenthofJune，andtheFrench，alsothroughtheCatholicclergy，offerpraisebecauseonthatsamefourteenthofJunetheydefeatedtheSpaniards。MybrotherMasonsswearbythebloodthattheyarereadytosacrificeeverythingfortheirneighbor，buttheydonotgivearubleeachtothecollectionsforthepoor，andtheyintrigue，theAstraeaLodgeagainsttheMannaSeekers，andfussaboutanauthenticScotchcarpetandacharterthatnobodyneeds，andthemeaningofwhichtheverymanwhowroteitdoesnotunderstand。WeallprofesstheChristianlawofforgivenessofinjuriesandloveofourneighbors，thelawinhonorofwhichwehavebuiltinMoscowfortytimesfortychurches—butyesterdayadeserterwasknoutedtodeathandaministerofthatsamelawofloveandforgiveness，apriest，gavethesoldieracrosstokissbeforehisexecution。\"SothoughtPierre，andthewholeofthisgeneraldeceptionwhicheveryoneaccepts，accustomedashewastoit，astonishedhimeachtimeasifitweresomethingnew。\"I
understandthedeceptionandconfusion，\"hethought，\"buthowamI
totellthemallthatIsee？Ihavetried，andhavealwaysfoundthattheytoointhedepthsoftheirsoulsunderstanditasIdo，andonlytrynottoseeit。Soitappearsthatitmustbeso！ButI—
whatistobecomeofme？\"thoughthe。Hehadtheunfortunatecapacitymanymen，especiallyRussians，haveofseeingandbelievinginthepossibilityofgoodnessandtruth，butofseeingtheevilandfalsehoodoflifetooclearlytobeabletotakeaseriouspartinit。
Everysphereofworkwasconnected，inhiseyes，withevilanddeception。Whateverhetriedtobe，whateverheengagedin，theevilandfalsehoodofitrepulsedhimandblockedeverypathofactivity。
Yethehadtoliveandtofindoccupation。Itwastoodreadfultobeundertheburdenoftheseinsolubleproblems，soheabandonedhimselftoanydistractioninordertoforgetthem。Hefrequentedeverykindofsociety，drankmuch，boughtpictures，engagedinbuilding，andaboveall—read。
Heread，andreadeverythingthatcametohand。Oncominghome，whilehisvaletswerestilltakingoffhisthings，hepickedupabookandbegantoread。Fromreadinghepassedtosleeping，fromsleepingtogossipindrawingroomsoftheClub，fromgossiptocarousalsandwomen；fromcarousalsbacktogossip，reading，andwine。Drinkingbecamemoreandmoreaphysicalandalsoamoralnecessity。Thoughthedoctorswarnedhimthatwithhiscorpulencewinewasdangerousforhim，hedrankagreatdeal。Hewasonlyquiteateasewhenhavingpouredseveralglassesofwinemechanicallyintohislargemouthhefeltapleasantwarmthinhisbody，anamiabilitytowardallhisfellows，andareadinesstorespondsuperficiallytoeveryideawithoutprobingitdeeply。Onlyafteremptyingabottleortwodidhefeeldimlythattheterriblytangledskeinoflifewhichpreviouslyhadterrifiedhimwasnotasdreadfulashehadthought。Hewasalwaysconsciousofsomeaspectofthatskein，aswithabuzzinginhisheadafterdinnerorsupperhechattedorlistenedtoconversationorread。Butundertheinfluenceofwinehesaidtohimself：\"Itdoesn’tmatter。I’llgetitunraveled。Ihaveasolutionready，buthavenotimenow—I’llthinkitalloutlateron！\"Butthelateronnevercame。
Inthemorning，onanemptystomach，alltheoldquestionsappearedasinsolubleandterribleasever，andPierrehastilypickedupabook，andifanyonecametoseehimhewasglad。
Sometimesherememberedhowhehadheardthatsoldiersinwarwhenentrenchedundertheenemy’sfire，iftheyhavenothingtodo，tryhardtofindsomeoccupationthemoreeasilytobearthedanger。ToPierreallmenseemedlikethosesoldiers，seekingrefugefromlife：
someinambition，someincards，someinframinglaws，someinwomen，someintoys，someinhorses，someinpolitics，someinsport，someinwine，andsomeingovernmentalaffairs。\"Nothingistrivial，andnothingisimportant，it’sallthesame—onlytosaveoneselffromitasbestonecan，\"thoughtPierre。\"Onlynottoseeit，thatdreadfulit！\"
BK8CH2
CHAPTERII
AtthebeginningofwinterPrinceNicholasBolkonskiandhisdaughtermovedtoMoscow。AtthattimeenthusiasmfortheEmperorAlexander’sregimehadweakenedandapatrioticandanti—Frenchtendencyprevailedthere，andthis，togetherwithhispastandhisintellectandhisoriginality，atoncemadePrinceNicholasBolkonskianobjectofparticularrespecttotheMoscovitesandthecenteroftheMoscowoppositiontothegovernment。
Theprincehadagedverymuchthatyear。Heshowedmarkedsignsofsenilitybyatendencytofallasleep，forgetfulnessofquiterecentevents，remembranceofremoteones，andthechildishvanitywithwhichheacceptedtheroleofheadoftheMoscowopposition。Inspiteofthistheoldmaninspiredinallhisvisitorsalikeafeelingofrespectfulveneration—especiallyofaneveningwhenhecameintoteainhisold—fashionedcoatandpowderedwigand，arousedbyanyone，toldhisabruptstoriesofthepast，orutteredyetmoreabruptandscathingcriticismsofthepresent。Forthemall，thatold—fashionedhousewithitsgiganticmirrors，pre—Revolutionfurniture，powderedfootmen，andthesternshrewdoldmanhimselfarelicofthepastcenturywithhisgentledaughterandtheprettyFrenchwomanwhowerereverentlydevotedtohimpresentedamajesticandagreeablespectacle。Butthevisitorsdidnotreflectthatbesidesthecoupleofhoursduringwhichtheysawtheirhost，therewerealsotwenty—twohoursinthedayduringwhichtheprivateandintimatelifeofthehousecontinued。
LatterlythatprivatelifehadbecomeverytryingforPrincessMary。
ThereinMoscowshewasdeprivedofhergreatestpleasures—talkswiththepilgrimsandthesolitudewhichrefreshedheratBaldHills—andshehadnoneoftheadvantagesandpleasuresofcitylife。Shedidnotgooutintosociety；everyoneknewthatherfatherwouldnotlethergoanywherewithouthim，andhisfailinghealthpreventedhisgoingouthimself，sothatshewasnotinvitedtodinnersandeveningparties。Shehadquiteabandonedthehopeofgettingmarried。Shesawthecoldnessandmalevolencewithwhichtheoldprincereceivedanddismissedtheyoungmen，possiblesuitors，whosometimesappearedattheirhouse。Shehadnofriends：duringthisvisittoMoscowshehadbeendisappointedinthetwowhohadbeennearesttoher。MademoiselleBourienne，withwhomshehadneverbeenabletobequitefrank，hadnowbecomeunpleasanttoher，andforvariousreasonsPrincessMaryavoidedher。Julie，withwhomshehadcorrespondedforthelastfiveyears，wasinMoscow，butprovedtobequitealientoherwhentheymet。JustthenJulie，whobythedeathofherbrothershadbecomeoneoftherichestheiressesinMoscow，wasinthefullwhirlofsocietypleasures。Shewassurroundedbyyoungmenwho，shefancied，hadsuddenlylearnedtoappreciateherworth。Juliewasatthatstageinthelifeofasocietywomanwhenshefeelsthatherlastchanceofmarryinghascomeandthatherfatemustbedecidednowornever。OnThursdaysPrincessMaryrememberedwithamournfulsmilethatshenowhadnoonetowriteto，sinceJulie—whosepresencegavehernopleasurewashereandtheymeteveryweek。Liketheoldemigrewhodeclinedtomarrytheladywithwhomhehadspenthiseveningsforyears，sheregrettedJulie’spresenceandhavingnoonetowriteto。InMoscowPrincessMaryhadnoonetotalkto，noonetowhomtoconfidehersorrow，andmuchsorrowfelltoherlotjustthen。ThetimeforPrinceAndrew’sreturnandmarriagewasapproaching，buthisrequesttohertopreparehisfatherforithadnotbeencarriedout；infact，itseemedasifmatterswerequitehopeless，forateverymentionoftheyoungCountessRostovatheoldprincewhoapartfromthatwasusuallyinabadtemperlostcontrolofhimself。Anotherlatelyaddedsorrowarosefromthelessonsshegavehersixyear—oldnephew。ToherconsternationshedetectedinherselfinrelationtolittleNicholassomesymptomsofherfather’sirritability。Howeveroftenshetoldherselfthatshemustnotgetirritablewhenteachinghernephew，almosteverytimethat，pointerinhand，shesatdowntoshowhimtheFrenchalphabet，shesolongedtopourherownknowledgequicklyandeasilyintothechild—whowasalreadyafraidthatAuntiemightatanymomentgetangry—thatathisslightestinattentionshetrembled，becameflusteredandheated，raisedhervoice，andsometimespulledhimbythearmandputhiminthecorner。Havingputhiminthecornershewouldherselfbegintocryoverhercruel，evilnature，andlittleNicholas，followingherexample，wouldsob，andwithoutpermissionwouldleavehiscorner，cometoher，pullherwethandsfromherface，andcomforther。Butwhatdistressedtheprincessmostofallwasherfather’sirritability，whichwasalwaysdirectedagainstherandhadoflateamountedtocruelty。Hadheforcedhertoprostrateherselftothegroundallnight，hadhebeatenherormadeherfetchwoodorwater，itwouldneverhaveenteredhermindtothinkherpositionhard；butthislovingdespot—themorecruelbecausehelovedherandforthatreasontormentedhimselfandher—knewhownotmerelytohurtandhumiliateherdeliberately，buttoshowherthatshewasalwaystoblameforeverything。OflatehehadexhibitedanewtraitthattormentedPrincessMarymorethananythingelse；thiswashisever—increasingintimacywithMademoiselleBourienne。Theideathatatthefirstmomentofreceivingthenewsofhisson’sintentionshadoccurredtohiminjest—thatifAndrewgotmarriedhehimselfwouldmarryBourienne—hadevidentlypleasedhim，andlatterlyhehadpersistently，andasitseemedtoPrincessMarymerelytooffendher，shownspecialendearmentstothecompanionandexpressedhisdissatisfactionwithhisdaughterbydemonstrationsofloveofBourienne。
OnedayinMoscowinPrincessMary’spresenceshethoughtherfatherdiditpurposelywhenshewastheretheoldprincekissedMademoiselleBourienne’shandand，drawinghertohim，embracedheraffectionately。PrincessMaryflushedandranoutoftheroom。AfewminuteslaterMademoiselleBouriennecameintoPrincessMary’sroomsmilingandmakingcheerfulremarksinheragreeablevoice。PrincessMaryhastilywipedawayhertears，wentresolutelyuptoMademoiselleBourienne，andevidentlyunconsciousofwhatshewasdoingbeganshoutinginangryhasteattheFrenchwoman，hervoicebreaking：\"It’shorrible，vile，inhuman，totakeadvantageoftheweakness……\"Shedidnotfinish。\"Leavemyroom，\"sheexclaimed，andburstintosobs。
Nextdaytheprincedidnotsayawordtohisdaughter，butshenoticedthatatdinnerhegaveordersthatMademoiselleBourienneshouldbeservedfirst。Afterdinner，whenthefootmanhandedcoffeeandfromhabitbeganwiththeprincess，theprincesuddenlygrewfurious，threwhisstickatPhilip，andinstantlygaveinstructionstohavehimconscriptedforthearmy。
\"Hedoesn’tobey……Isaidittwice……andhedoesn’tobey！Sheisthefirstpersoninthishouse；she’smybestfriend，\"criedtheprince。\"Andifyouallowyourself，\"hescreamedinafury，addressingPrincessMaryforthefirsttime，\"toforgetyourselfagainbeforeherasyoudaredtodoyesterday，Iwillshowyouwhoismasterinthishouse。Go！Don’tletmeseteyesonyou；begherpardon！\"
PrincessMaryaskedMademoiselleBourienne’spardon，andalsoherfather’spardonforherselfandforPhilipthefootman，whohadbeggedforherintervention。
Atsuchmomentssomethinglikeaprideofsacrificegatheredinhersoul。Andsuddenlythatfatherwhomshehadjudgedwouldlookforhisspectaclesinherpresence，fumblingnearthemandnotseeingthem，orwouldforgetsomethingthathadjustoccurred，ortakeafalsestepwithhisfailinglegsandturntoseeifanyonehadnoticedhisfeebleness，or，worstofall，atdinnerwhentherewerenovisitorstoexcitehimwouldsuddenlyfallasleep，lettinghisnapkindropandhisshakingheadsinkoverhisplate。\"Heisoldandfeeble，andIdaretocondemnhim！\"shethoughtatsuchmoments，withafeelingofrevulsionagainstherself。
BK8CH3
CHAPTERIII
In1811therewaslivinginMoscowaFrenchdoctor—Metivier—whohadrapidlybecomethefashion。Hewasenormouslytall，handsome，amiableasFrenchmenare，andwas，asallMoscowsaid，anextraordinarilycleverdoctor。Hewasreceivedinthebesthousesnotmerelyasadoctor，butasanequal。
PrinceNicholashadalwaysridiculedmedicine，butlatterlyonMademoiselleBourienne’sadvicehadallowedthisdoctortovisithimandhadgrownaccustomedtohim。Metiviercametoseetheprinceabouttwiceaweek。
OnDecember6—St。Nicholas’Dayandtheprince’snameday—allMoscowcametotheprince’sfrontdoorbuthegaveorderstoadmitnooneandtoinvitetodinneronlyasmallnumber，alistofwhomhegavetoPrincessMary。
Metivier，whocameinthemorningwithhisfelicitations，considereditproperinhisqualityofdoctordeforcerlaconsigne，*ashetoldPrincessMary，andwentintoseetheprince。Ithappenedthatonthatmorningofhisnamedaytheprincewasinoneofhisworstmoods。
Hehadbeengoingaboutthehouseallthemorningfindingfaultwitheveryoneandpretendingnottounderstandwhatwassaidtohimandnottobeunderstoodhimself。PrincessMarywellknewthismoodofquietabsorbedquerulousness，whichgenerallyculminatedinaburstofrage，andshewentaboutallthatmorningasthoughfacingacockedandloadedgunandawaitedtheinevitableexplosion。Untilthedoctor’sarrivalthemorninghadpassedoffsafely。Afteradmittingthedoctor，PrincessMarysatdownwithabookinthedrawingroomnearthedoorthroughwhichshecouldhearallthatpassedinthestudy。
*Toforcetheguard。
AtfirstsheheardonlyMetivier’svoice，thenherfather’s，thenbothvoicesbeganspeakingatthesametime，thedoorwasflungopen，andonthethresholdappearedthehandsomefigureoftheterrifiedMetivierwithhisshockofblackhair，andtheprinceinhisdressinggownandfez，hisfacedistortedwithfuryandthepupilsofhiseyesrolleddownwards。
\"Youdon’tunderstand？\"shoutedtheprince，\"butIdo！Frenchspy，slaveofBuonaparte，spy，getoutofmyhouse！Beoff，Itellyou……\"
Metivier，shrugginghisshoulders，wentuptoMademoiselleBouriennewhoatthesoundofshoutinghadruninfromanadjoiningroom。
\"Theprinceisnotverywell：bileandrushofbloodtothehead。
Keepcalm，Iwillcallagaintomorrow，\"saidMetivier；andputtinghisfingerstohislipshehastenedaway。
Throughthestudydoorcamethesoundofslipperedfeetandthecry：
\"Spies，traitors，traitorseverywhere！Notamoment’speaceinmyownhouse！\"
AfterMetivier’sdeparturetheoldprincecalledhisdaughterin，andthewholeweightofhiswrathfellonher。Shewastoblamethataspyhadbeenadmitted。Hadhenottoldher，yes，toldhertomakealist，andnottoadmitanyonewhowasnotonthatlist？Thenwhywasthatscoundreladmitted？Shewasthecauseofitall。Withher，hesaid，hecouldnothaveamoment’speaceandcouldnotdiequietly。
\"No，ma’am！Wemustpart，wemustpart！Understandthat，understandit！Icannotendureanymore，\"hesaid，andlefttheroom。Then，asifafraidshemightfindsomemeansofconsolation，hereturnedandtryingtoappearcalmadded：\"Anddon’timagineIhavesaidthisinamomentofanger。Iamcalm。Ihavethoughtitover，anditwillbecarriedout—wemustpart；sofindsomeplaceforyourself……\"Buthecouldnotrestrainhimselfandwiththevirulenceofwhichonlyonewholovesiscapable，evidentlysufferinghimself，heshookhisfistsatherandscreamed：
\"Ifonlysomefoolwouldmarryher！\"Thenheslammedthedoor，sentforMademoiselleBourienne，andsubsidedintohisstudy。
Attwoo’clockthesixchosenguestsassembledfordinner。
Theseguests—thefamousCountRostopchin，PrinceLopukhinwithhisnephew，GeneralChatrovanoldwarcomradeoftheprince’s，andoftheyoungergenerationPierreandBorisDrubetskoy—awaitedtheprinceinthedrawingroom。
Boris，whohadcometoMoscowonleaveafewdaysbefore，hadbeenanxioustobepresentedtoPrinceNicholasBolkonski，andhadcontrivedtoingratiatehimselfsowellthattheoldprinceinhiscasemadeanexceptiontotheruleofnotreceivingbachelorsinhishouse。
Theprince’shousedidnotbelongtowhatisknownasfashionablesociety，buthislittlecircle—thoughnotmuchtalkedaboutintown—wasoneitwasmoreflatteringtobereceivedinthananyother。
BorishadrealizedthistheweekbeforewhenthecommanderinchiefinhispresenceinvitedRostopchintodinneronSt。Nicholas’Day，andRostopchinhadrepliedthathecouldnotcome：
\"OnthatdayIalwaysgotopaymydevotionstotherelicsofPrinceNicholasBolkonski。\"
\"Oh，yes，yes！\"repliedthecommanderinchief。\"Howishe？……\"
Thesmallgroupthatassembledbeforedinnerintheloftyold—fashioneddrawingroomwithitsoldfurnitureresembledthesolemngatheringofacourtofjustice。Allweresilentortalkedinlowtones。PrinceNicholascameinseriousandtaciturn。PrincessMaryseemedevenquieterandmorediffidentthanusual。Theguestswerereluctanttoaddressher，feelingthatshewasinnomoodfortheirconversation。CountRostopchinalonekepttheconversationgoing，nowrelatingthelatesttownnews，andnowthelatestpoliticalgossip。
Lopukhinandtheoldgeneraloccasionallytookpartintheconversation。PrinceBolkonskilistenedasapresidingjudgereceivesareport，onlynowandthen，silentlyorbyabriefword，showingthathetookheedofwhatwasbeingreportedtohim。Thetoneoftheconversationwassuchasindicatedthatnooneapprovedofwhatwasbeingdoneinthepoliticalworld。Incidentswererelatedevidentlyconfirmingtheopinionthateverythingwasgoingfrombadtoworse，butwhethertellingastoryorgivinganopinionthespeakeralwaysstopped，orwasstopped，atthepointbeyondwhichhiscriticismmighttouchthesovereignhimself。
Atdinnerthetalkturnedonthelatestpoliticalnews：Napoleon’sseizureoftheDukeofOldenburg’sterritory，andtheRussianNote，hostiletoNapoleon，whichhadbeensenttoalltheEuropeancourts。
\"BonapartetreatsEuropeasapiratedoesacapturedvessel，\"saidCountRostopchin，repeatingaphrasehehadutteredseveraltimesbefore。\"Oneonlywondersatthelong—sufferingorblindnessofthecrownedheads。NowthePope’sturnhascomeandBonapartedoesn’tscrupletodeposetheheadoftheCatholicChurch—yetallkeepsilent！OursovereignalonehasprotestedagainsttheseizureoftheDukeofOldenburg’sterritory，andeven……\"CountRostopchinpaused，feelingthathehadreachedthelimitbeyondwhichcensurewasimpossible。
\"OtherterritorieshavebeenofferedinexchangefortheDuchyofOldenburg，\"saidPrinceBolkonski。\"HeshiftstheDukesaboutasI
mightmovemyserfsfromBaldHillstoBogucharovoormyRyazanestates。\"
\"TheDukeofOldenburgbearshismisfortuneswithadmirablestrengthofcharacterandresignation，\"remarkedBoris，joininginrespectfully。
HesaidthisbecauseonhisjourneyfromPetersburghehadhadthehonorofbeingpresentedtotheDuke。PrinceBolkonskiglancedattheyoungmanasifabouttosaysomethinginreply，butchangedhismind，evidentlyconsideringhimtooyoung。
\"IhavereadourprotestsabouttheOldenburgaffairandwassurprisedhowbadlytheNotewasworded，\"remarkedCountRostopchininthecasualtoneofamandealingwithasubjectquitefamiliartohim。
PierrelookedatRostopchinwithnaiveastonishment，notunderstandingwhyheshouldbedisturbedbythebadcompositionoftheNote。
\"Doesitmatter，Count，howtheNoteisworded，\"heasked，\"solongasitssubstanceisforcible？\"
\"Mydearfellow，withourfivehundredthousandtroopsitshouldbeeasytohaveagoodstyle，\"returnedCountRostopchin。
Pierrenowunderstoodthecount’sdissatisfactionwiththewordingoftheNote。
\"Onewouldhavethoughtquilldriversenoughhadsprungup，\"
remarkedtheoldprince。\"ThereinPetersburgtheyarealwayswriting—
notnotesonlybutevennewlaws。MyAndrewtherehaswrittenawholevolumeoflawsforRussia。Nowadaystheyarealwayswriting！\"
andhelaughedunnaturally。
Therewasamomentarypauseintheconversation；theoldgeneralclearedhisthroattodrawattention。
\"DidyouhearofthelasteventatthereviewinPetersburg？ThefigurecutbythenewFrenchambassador。\"
\"Eh？Yes，Iheardsomething：hesaidsomethingawkwardinHisMajesty’spresence。\"
\"HisMajestydrewattentiontotheGrenadierdivisionandtothemarchpast，\"continuedthegeneral，\"anditseemstheambassadortooknonoticeandallowedhimselftoreplythat：’WeinFrancepaynoattentiontosuchtrifles！’TheEmperordidnotcondescendtoreply。
Atthenextreview，theysay，theEmperordidnotoncedeigntoaddresshim。\"
Allweresilent。OnthisfactrelatingtotheEmperorpersonally，itwasimpossibletopassanyjudgment。
\"Impudentfellows！\"saidtheprince。\"YouknowMetivier？Iturnedhimoutofmyhousethismorning。Hewashere；theyadmittedhimspiteofmyrequestthattheyshouldletnoonein，\"hewenton，glancingangrilyathisdaughter。
AndhenarratedhiswholeconversationwiththeFrenchdoctorandthereasonsthatconvincedhimthatMetivierwasaspy。Thoughthesereasonswereveryinsufficientandobscure，noonemadeanyrejoinder。
Aftertheroast，champagnewasserved。Theguestsrosetocongratulatetheoldprince。PrincessMary，too，wentroundtohim。
Hegaveheracold，angrylookandofferedherhiswrinkled，clean—shavencheektokiss。Thewholeexpressionofhisfacetoldherthathehadnotforgottenthemorning’stalk，thathisdecisionremainedinforce，andonlythepresenceofvisitorshinderedhisspeakingofittohernow。
Whentheywentintothedrawingroomwherecoffeewasserved，theoldmensattogether。
PrinceNicholasgrewmoreanimatedandexpressedhisviewsontheimpendingwar。
HesaidthatourwarswithBonapartewouldbedisastroussolongaswesoughtallianceswiththeGermansandthrustourselvesintoEuropeanaffairs，intowhichwehadbeendrawnbythePeaceofTilsit。
\"WeoughtnottofighteitherfororagainstAustria。OurpoliticalinterestsareallintheEast，andinregardtoBonapartetheonlythingistohaveanarmedfrontierandafirmpolicy，andhewillneverdaretocrosstheRussianfrontier，aswasthecasein1807！\"
\"HowcanwefighttheFrench，Prince？\"saidCountRostopchin。\"Canwearmourselvesagainstourteachersanddivinities？Lookatouryouths，lookatourladies！TheFrenchareourGods：ParisisourKingdomofHeaven。\"
Hebeganspeakinglouder，evidentlytobeheardbyeveryone。
\"Frenchdresses，Frenchideas，Frenchfeelings！Therenow，youturnedMetivieroutbythescruffofhisneckbecauseheisaFrenchmanandascoundrel，butourladiescrawlafterhimontheirknees。Iwenttoapartylastnight，andthereoutoffiveladiesthreewereRomanCatholicsandhadthePope’sindulgencefordoingwoolworkonSundays。Andtheythemselvessittherenearlynaked，likethesignboardsatourPublicBathsifImaysayso。Ah，whenonelooksatouryoungpeople，Prince，onewouldliketotakePetertheGreat’soldcudgeloutofthemuseumandbelaborthemintheRussianwaytillallthenonsensejumpsoutofthem。\"
Allweresilent。TheoldprincelookedatRostopchinwithasmileandwaggedhisheadapprovingly。
\"Well，good—by，yourexcellency，keepwell！\"saidRostopchin，gettingupwithcharacteristicbrisknessandholdingouthishandtotheprince。
\"Good—by，mydearfellow……Hiswordsaremusic，Inevertireofhearinghim！\"saidtheoldprince，keepingholdofthehandandofferinghischeektobekissed。
FollowingRostopchin’sexampletheothersalsorose。
BK8CH4
CHAPTERIV
PrincessMaryasshesatlisteningtotheoldmen’stalkandfaultfinding，understoodnothingofwhatsheheard；sheonlywonderedwhethertheguestshadallobservedherfather’shostileattitudetowardher。ShedidnotevennoticethespecialattentionsandamiabilitiesshownherduringdinnerbyBorisDrubetskoy，whowasvisitingthemforthethirdtimealready。
PrincessMaryturnedwithabsent—mindedquestioninglooktoPierre，whohatinhandandwithasmileonhisfacewasthelastofthegueststoapproachheraftertheoldprincehadgoneoutandtheywereleftaloneinthedrawingroom。
\"MayIstayalittlelonger？\"hesaid，lettinghisstoutbodysinkintoanarmchairbesideher。
\"Ohyes，\"sheanswered。\"Younoticednothing？\"herlookasked。
Pierrewasinanagreeableafter—dinnermood。Helookedstraightbeforehimandsmiledquietly。
\"Haveyouknownthatyoungmanlong，Princess？\"heasked。
\"Who？\"
\"Drubetskoy。\"
\"No，notlong……\"
\"Doyoulikehim？\"
\"Yes，heisanagreeableyoungman……Whydoyouaskmethat？\"saidPrincessMary，stillthinkingofthatmorning’sconversationwithherfather。
\"BecauseIhavenoticedthatwhenayoungmancomesonleavefromPetersburgtoMoscowitisusuallywiththeobjectofmarryinganheiress。\"
\"Youhaveobservedthat？\"saidPrincessMary。
\"Yes，\"returnedPierrewithasmile，\"andthisyoungmannowmanagesmatterssothatwherethereisawealthyheiressthereheistoo。I
canreadhimlikeabook。Atpresentheishesitatingwhomtolaysiegeto—youorMademoiselleJulieKaragina。Heisveryattentivetoher。\"
\"Hevisitsthem？\"
\"Yes，veryoften。Anddoyouknowthenewwayofcourting？\"saidPierrewithanamusedsmile，evidentlyinthatcheerfulmoodofgoodhumoredrailleryforwhichhesooftenreproachedhimselfinhisdiary。
\"No，\"repliedPrincessMary。
\"TopleaseMoscowgirlsnowadaysonehastobemelancholy。HeisverymelancholywithMademoiselleKaragina，\"saidPierre。
\"Really？\"askedPrincessMary，lookingintoPierre’skindlyfaceandstillthinkingofherownsorrow。\"Itwouldbearelief，\"thoughtshe，\"ifIventuredtoconfidewhatIamfeelingtosomeone。IshouldliketotelleverythingtoPierre。Heiskindandgenerous。Itwouldbearelief。Hewouldgivemeadvice。\"
\"Wouldyoumarryhim？\"
\"Oh，myGod，Count，therearemomentswhenIwouldmarryanybody！\"
shecriedsuddenlytoherownsurpriseandwithtearsinhervoice。
\"Ah，howbitteritistolovesomeoneneartoyouandtofeelthat……\"
shewentoninatremblingvoice，\"thatyoucandonothingforhimbutgrievehim，andtoknowthatyoucannotalterthis。Thenthereisonlyonethingleft—togoaway，butwherecouldIgo？\"
\"Whatiswrong？Whatisit，Princess？\"
Butwithoutfinishingwhatshewassaying，PrincessMaryburstintotears。
\"Idon’tknowwhatisthematterwithmetoday。Don’ttakeanynotice—forgetwhatIhavesaid！\"
Pierre’sgaietyvanishedcompletely。Heanxiouslyquestionedtheprincess，askedhertospeakoutfullyandconfidehergrieftohim；
butsheonlyrepeatedthatshebeggedhimtoforgetwhatshehadsaid，thatshedidnotrememberwhatshehadsaid，andthatshehadnotroubleexcepttheoneheknewof—thatPrinceAndrew’smarriagethreatenedtocausearupturebetweenfatherandson。
\"HaveyouanynewsoftheRostovs？\"sheasked，tochangethesubject。\"Iwastoldtheyarecomingsoon。IamalsoexpectingAndrewanyday。Ishouldlikethemtomeethere。\"
\"Andhowdoeshenowregardthematter？\"askedPierre，referringtotheoldprince。
PrincessMaryshookherhead。
\"Whatistobedone？Inafewmonthstheyearwillbeup。Thethingisimpossible。IonlywishIcouldsparemybrotherthefirstmoments。Iwishtheywouldcomesooner。Ihopetobefriendswithher。
Youhaveknownthemalongtime，\"saidPrincessMary。\"Tellmehonestlythewholetruth：whatsortofgirlisshe，andwhatdoyouthinkofher？—Therealtruth，becauseyouknowAndrewisriskingsomuchdoingthisagainsthisfather’swillthatIshouldliketoknow……\"
AnundefinedinstincttoldPierrethattheseexplanations，andrepeatedrequeststobetoldthewholetruth，expressedill—willontheprincess’parttowardherfuturesister—in—lawandawishthatheshoulddisapproveofAndrew’schoice；butinreplyhesaidwhathefeltratherthanwhathethought。
\"Idon’tknowhowtoansweryourquestion，\"hesaid，blushingwithoutknowingwhy。\"Ireallydon’tknowwhatsortofgirlsheis；
Ican’tanalyzeheratall。Sheisenchanting，butwhatmakeshersoI
don’tknow。Thatisallonecansayabouther。\"
PrincessMarysighed，andtheexpressiononherfacesaid：\"Yes，that’swhatIexpectedandfeared。\"
\"Issheclever？\"sheasked。
Pierreconsidered。
\"Ithinknot，\"hesaid，\"andyet—yes。Shedoesnotdeigntobeclever……Ohno，sheissimplyenchanting，andthatisall。\"
PrincessMaryagainshookherheaddisapprovingly。
\"Ah，Isolongtolikeher！TellhersoifyouseeherbeforeIdo。\"
\"Iheartheyareexpectedverysoon，\"saidPierre。
PrincessMarytoldPierreofherplantobecomeintimatewithherfuturesister—in—lawassoonastheRostovsarrivedandtotrytoaccustomtheoldprincetoher。
BK8CH5
CHAPTERV
BorishadnotsucceededinmakingawealthymatchinPetersburg，sowiththesameobjectinviewhecametoMoscow。Therehewaveredbetweenthetworichestheiresses，JulieandPrincessMary。ThoughPrincessMarydespiteherplainnessseemedtohimmoreattractivethanJulie，he，withoutknowingwhy，feltawkwardaboutpayingcourttoher。Whentheyhadlastmetontheoldprince’snameday，shehadansweredatrandomallhisattemptstotalksentimentally，evidentlynotlisteningtowhathewassaying。
Julieonthecontraryacceptedhisattentionsreadily，thoughinamannerpeculiartoherself。
Shewastwenty—seven。Afterthedeathofherbrothersshehadbecomeverywealthy。Shewasbynowdecidedlyplain，butthoughtherselfnotmerelyasgood—lookingasbeforebutevenfarmoreattractive。Shewasconfirmedinthisdelusionbythefactthatshehadbecomeaverywealthyheiressandalsobythefactthattheoldershegrewthelessdangerousshebecametomen，andthemorefreelytheycouldassociatewithherandavailthemselvesofhersuppers，soirees，andtheanimatedcompanythatassembledatherhouse，withoutincurringanyobligation。Amanwhowouldhavebeenafraidtenyearsbeforeofgoingeverydaytothehousewhentherewasagirlofseventeenthere，forfearofcompromisingherandcommittinghimself，wouldnowgoboldlyeverydayandtreathernotasamarriageablegirlbutasasexlessacquaintance。
ThatwintertheKaragins’housewasthemostagreeableandhospitableinMoscow。Inadditiontotheformaleveninganddinnerparties，alargecompany，chieflyofmen，gatheredthereeveryday，suppingatmidnightandstayingtillthreeinthemorning。Julienevermissedaball，apromenade，oraplay。Herdresseswerealwaysofthelatestfashion。Butinspiteofthatsheseemedtobedisillusionedabouteverythingandtoldeveryonethatshedidnotbelieveeitherinfriendshiporinlove，oranyofthejoysoflife，andexpectedpeaceonly\"yonder。\"Sheadoptedthetoneofonewhohassufferedagreatdisappointment，likeagirlwhohaseitherlostthemanshelovedorbeencruellydeceivedbyhim。Thoughnothingofthekindhadhappenedtohershewasregardedinthatlight，andhadevenherselfcometobelievethatshehadsufferedmuchinlife。
Thismelancholy，whichdidnotpreventheramusingherself，didnothindertheyoungpeoplewhocametoherhousefrompassingthetimepleasantly。Everyvisitorwhocametothehousepaidhistributetothemelancholymoodofthehostess，andthenamusedhimselfwithsocietygossip，dancing，intellectualgames，andboutsrimes，whichwereinvogueattheKaragins’。Onlyafewoftheseyoungmen，amongthemBoris，enteredmoredeeplyintoJulie’smelancholy，andwiththeseshehadprolongedconversationsinprivateonthevanityofallworldlythings，andtothemsheshowedheralbumsfilledwithmournfulsketches，maxims，andverses。
ToBoris，Juliewasparticularlygracious：sheregrettedhisearlydisillusionmentwithlife，offeredhimsuchconsolationoffriendshipasshewhohadherselfsufferedsomuchcouldrender，andshowedhimheralbum。Borissketchedtwotreesinthealbumandwrote：
\"Rustictrees，yourdarkbranchesshedgloomandmelancholyuponme。\"
Onanotherpagehedrewatomb，andwrote：
Lamortestsecourableetlamortesttranquille。
Ah！contrelesdouleursiln’yapasd’autreasile。*
*Deathgivesreliefanddeathispeaceful。
Ah！fromsufferingthereisnootherrefuge。
Juliasaidthiswascharming\"Thereissomethingsoenchantinginthesmileofmelancholy，\"shesaidtoBoris，repeatingwordforwordapassageshehadcopiedfromabook。\"Itisarayoflightinthedarkness，ashadebetweensadnessanddespair，showingthepossibilityofconsolation。\"
InreplyBoriswrotetheselines：
Alimentdepoisond’uneametropsensible，Toi，sansquilebonheurmeseraitimpossible，Tendremelancholie，ah，viensmeconsoler，Vienscalmerlestourmentsdemasombreretraite，EtmeleunedouceursecreteAcespleursquejesenscouler。*
*Poisonousnourishmentofatoosensitivesoul，Thou，withoutwhomhappinesswouldformebeimpossible，Tendermelancholy，ah，cometoconsoleme，Cometocalmthetormentsofmygloomyretreat，AndmingleasecretsweetnessWiththesetearsthatIfeeltobeflowing。
ForBoris，Julieplayedmostdolefulnocturnesonherharp。BorisreadPoorLizaaloudtoher，andmorethanonceinterruptedthereadingbecauseoftheemotionsthatchokedhim。MeetingatlargegatheringsJulieandBorislookedononeanotherastheonlysoulswhounderstoodoneanotherinaworldofindifferentpeople。
AnnaMikhaylovna，whooftenvisitedtheKaragins，whileplayingcardswiththemothermadecarefulinquiriesastoJulie’sdowryshewastohavetwoestatesinPenzaandtheNizhegorodforests。
AnnaMikhaylovnaregardedtherefinedsadnessthatunitedhersontothewealthyJuliewithemotion，andresignationtotheDivinewill。
\"Youarealwayscharmingandmelancholy，mydearJulie，\"shesaidtothedaughter。\"Borissayshissoulfindsreposeatyourhouse。Hehassufferedsomanydisappointmentsandissosensitive，\"saidshetothemother。\"Ah，mydear，Ican’ttellyouhowfondIhavegrownofJulielatterly，\"shesaidtoherson。\"Butwhocouldhelplovingher？Sheisanangelicbeing！Ah，Boris，Boris！\"—shepaused。\"AndhowIpityhermother，\"shewenton；\"todaysheshowedmeheraccountsandlettersfromPenzatheyhaveenormousestatesthere，andshe，poorthing，hasnoonetohelpher，andtheydocheatherso！\"
Borissmiledalmostimperceptiblywhilelisteningtohismother。
Helaughedblandlyathernaivediplomacybutlistenedtowhatshehadtosay，andsometimesquestionedhercarefullyaboutthePenzaandNizhegorodestates。
Juliehadlongbeenexpectingaproposalfromhermelancholyadorerandwasreadytoacceptit；butsomesecretfeelingofrepulsionforher，forherpassionatedesiretogetmarried，forherartificiality，andafeelingofhorroratrenouncingthepossibilityofreallovestillrestrainedBoris。Hisleavewasexpiring。HespenteverydayandwholedaysattheKaragins’，andeverydayonthinkingthematterovertoldhimselfthathewouldproposetomorrow。ButinJulie’spresence，lookingatherredfaceandchinnearlyalwayspowdered，hermoisteyes，andherexpressionofcontinualreadinesstopassatoncefrommelancholytoanunnaturalraptureofmarriedbliss，Boriscouldnotutterthedecisivewords，thoughinimaginationhehadlongregardedhimselfasthepossessorofthosePenzaandNizhegorodestatesandhadapportionedtheuseoftheincomefromthem。JuliesawBoris’indecision，andsometimesthethoughtoccurredtoherthatshewasrepulsivetohim，butherfeminineself—deceptionimmediatelysuppliedherwithconsolation，andshetoldherselfthathewasonlyshyfromlove。Hermelancholy，however，begantoturntoirritability，andnotlongbeforeBoris’
departuresheformedadefiniteplanofaction。JustasBoris’leaveofabsencewasexpiring，AnatoleKuraginmadehisappearanceinMoscow，andofcourseintheKaragins’drawingroom，andJulie，suddenlyabandoninghermelancholy，becamecheerfulandveryattentivetoKuragin。
\"Mydear，\"saidAnnaMikhaylovnatoherson，\"IknowfromareliablesourcethatPrinceVasilihassenthissontoMoscowtogethimmarriedtoJulie。IamsofondofJuliethatIshouldbesorryforher。Whatdoyouthinkofit，mydear？\"
TheideaofbeingmadeafoolofandofhavingthrownawaythatwholemonthofarduousmelancholyservicetoJulie，andofseeingalltherevenuefromthePenzaestateswhichhehadalreadymentallyapportionedandputtoproperusefallintothehandsofanother，andespeciallyintothehandsofthatidiotAnatole，painedBoris。
HedrovetotheKaragins’withthefirmintentionofproposing。
Juliemethiminagay，carelessmanner，spokecasuallyofhowshehadenjoyedyesterday’sball，andaskedwhenhewasleaving。ThoughBorishadcomeintentionallytospeakofhisloveandthereforemeanttobetender，hebeganspeakingirritablyoffeminineinconstancy，ofhoweasilywomencanturnfromsadnesstojoy，andhowtheirmoodsdependsolelyonwhohappenstobepayingcourttothem。
Juliewasoffendedandrepliedthatitwastruethatawomanneedsvariety，andthesamethingoverandoveragainwouldwearyanyone。
\"ThenIshouldadviseyou……\"Borisbegan，wishingtostingher；butatthatinstantthegallingthoughtoccurredtohimthathemighthavetoleaveMoscowwithouthavingaccomplishedhisaim，andhavevainlywastedhisefforts—whichwasathingheneverallowedtohappen。
Hecheckedhimselfinthemiddleofthesentence，loweredhiseyestoavoidseeingherunpleasantlyirritatedandirresoluteface，andsaid：
\"Ididnotcomehereatalltoquarrelwithyou。Onthecontrary……\"
Heglancedathertomakesurethathemightgoon。Herirritabilityhadsuddenlyquitevanished，andheranxious，imploringeyeswerefixedonhimwithgreedyexpectation。\"Icanalwaysarrangesoasnottoseeheroften，\"thoughtBoris。\"Theaffairhasbeenbegunandmustbefinished！\"Heblushedhotly，raisedhiseyestohers，andsaid：
\"Youknowmyfeelingsforyou！\"
Therewasnoneedtosaymore：Julie’sfaceshonewithtriumphandself—satisfaction；butsheforcedBoristosayallthatissaidonsuchoccasions—thathelovedherandhadneverlovedanyotherwomanmorethanher。SheknewthatforthePenzaestatesandNizhegorodforestsshecoulddemandthis，andshereceivedwhatshedemanded。
Theaffiancedcouple，nolongeralludingtotreesthatshedgloomandmelancholyuponthem，plannedthearrangementsofasplendidhouseinPetersburg，paidcalls，andpreparedeverythingforabrilliantwedding。
BK8CH6
CHAPTERVI
AttheendofJanuaryoldCountRostovwenttoMoscowwithNatashaandSonya。Thecountesswasstillunwellandunabletotravelbutitwasimpossibletowaitforherrecovery。PrinceAndrewwasexpectedinMoscowanyday，thetrousseauhadtobeorderedandtheestatenearMoscowhadtobesold，besideswhichtheopportunityofpresentinghisfuturedaughter—in—lawtooldPrinceBolkonskiwhilehewasinMoscowcouldnotbemissed。TheRostovs’Moscowhousehadnotbeenheatedthatwinterand，astheyhadcomeonlyforashorttimeandthecountesswasnotwiththem，thecountdecidedtostaywithMaryaDmitrievnaAkhrosimova，whohadlongbeenpressingherhospitalityonthem。
LateoneeveningtheRostovs’foursleighsdroveintoMaryaDmitrievna’scourtyardintheoldKonyushenystreet。MaryaDmitrievnalivedalone。Shehadalreadymarriedoffherdaughter，andhersonswereallintheservice。
Sheheldherselfaserect，toldeveryoneheropinionascandidly，loudly，andbluntlyasever，andherwholebearingseemedareproachtoothersforanyweakness，passion，ortemptation—thepossibilityofwhichshedidnotadmit。Fromearlyinthemorning，wearingadressingjacket，sheattendedtoherhouseholdaffairs，andthenshedroveout：
onholydaystochurchandaftertheservicetojailsandprisonsonaffairsofwhichsheneverspoketoanyone。Onordinarydays，afterdressing，shereceivedpetitionersofvariousclasses，ofwhomtherewerealwayssome。Thenshehaddinner，asubstantialandappetizingmealatwhichtherewerealwaysthreeorfourguests；afterdinnersheplayedagameofboston，andatnightshehadthenewspapersoranewbookreadtoherwhilesheknitted。Sherarelymadeanexceptionandwentouttopayvisits，andthenonlytothemostimportantpersonsinthetown。
ShehadnotyetgonetobedwhentheRostovsarrivedandthepulleyofthehalldoorsqueakedfromthecoldasitletintheRostovsandtheirservants。MaryaDmitrievna，withherspectacleshangingdownonhernoseandherheadflungback，stoodinthehalldoorwaylookingwithastern，grimfaceatthenewarrivals。Onemighthavethoughtshewasangrywiththetravelersandwouldimmediatelyturnthemout，hadshenotatthesametimebeengivingcarefulinstructionstotheservantsfortheaccommodationofthevisitorsandtheirbelongings。
\"Thecount’sthings？Bringthemhere，\"shesaid，pointingtotheportmanteausandnotgreetinganyone。\"Theyoungladies’？Theretotheleft。Nowwhatareyoudawdlingfor？\"shecriedtothemaids。\"Getthesamovarready！……You’vegrownplumperandprettier，\"sheremarked，drawingNatashawhosecheekswereglowingfromthecoldtoherbythehood。\"Foo！Youarecold！Nowtakeoffyourthings，quick！\"sheshoutedtothecountwhowasgoingtokissherhand。\"You’rehalffrozen，I’msure！Bringsomerumfortea！……Bonjour，Sonyadear！\"sheadded，turningtoSonyaandindicatingbythisFrenchgreetingherslightlycontemptuousthoughaffectionateattitudetowardher。
Whentheycameintotea，havingtakenofftheiroutdoorthingsandtidiedthemselvesupaftertheirjourney，MaryaDmitrievnakissedthemallindueorder。
\"I’mheartilygladyouhavecomeandarestayingwithme。Itwashightime，\"shesaid，givingNatashaasignificantlook。\"Theoldmanishereandhisson’sexpectedanyday。You’llhavetomakehisaquaintance。Butwe’llspeakofthatlateron，\"sheadded，glancingatSonyawithalookthatshowedshedidnotwanttospeakofitinherpresence。\"Nowlisten，\"shesaidtothecount。\"Whatdoyouwanttomorrow？Whomwillyousendfor？Shinshin？\"shecrookedoneofherfingers。\"ThesnivelingAnnaMikhaylovna？That’stwo。She’sherewithherson。Thesonisgettingmarried！ThenBezukhov，eh？Heisheretoo，withhiswife。Heranawayfromherandshecamegallopingafterhim。HedinedwithmeonWednesday。Asforthem\"—andshepointedtothegirls—\"tomorrowI’lltakethemfirsttotheIberianshrineoftheMotherofGod，andthenwe’lldrivetotheSuper—Rogue’s。Isupposeyou’llhaveeverythingnew。Don’tjudgebyme：sleevesnowadaysarethissize！TheotherdayyoungPrincessIrinaVasilevnacametoseeme；shewasanawfulsight—lookedasifshehadputtwobarrelsonherarms。Youknownotadaypassesnowwithoutsomenewfashion……Andwhathaveyoutodoyourself？\"sheaskedthecountsternly。