\"Natasha，Idon’tunderstandyou。Andwhatareyousaying！ThinkofyourfatherandofNicholas。\"
\"Idon’twantanyone，Idon’tloveanyonebuthim。Howdareyousayheisdishonorable？Don’tyouknowthatIlovehim？\"screamedNatasha。\"Goaway，Sonya！Idon’twanttoquarrelwithyou，butgo，forGod’ssakego！YouseehowIamsuffering！\"Natashacriedangrily，inavoiceofdespairandrepressedirritation。Sonyaburstintosobsandranfromtheroom。
Natashawenttothetableandwithoutamoment’sreflectionwrotethatanswertoPrincessMarywhichshehadbeenunabletowriteallthemorning。Inthislettershesaidbrieflythatalltheirmisunderstandingswereatanend；thatavailingherselfofthemagnanimityofPrinceAndrewwhowhenhewentabroadhadgivenherhershebeggedPrincessMarytoforgeteverythingandforgiveherifshehadbeentoblametowardher，butthatshecouldnotbehiswife。Atthatmomentthisallseemedquiteeasy，simple，andcleartoNatasha。
OnFridaytheRostovsweretoreturntothecountry，butonWednesdaythecountwentwiththeprospectivepurchasertohisestatenearMoscow。
Onthedaythecountleft，SonyaandNatashawereinvitedtoabigdinnerpartyattheKaragins’，andMaryaDmitrievnatookthemthere。
AtthatpartyNatashaagainmetAnatole，andSonyanoticedthatshespoketohim，tryingnottobeoverheard，andthatallthroughdinnershewasmoreagitatedthanever。WhentheygothomeNatashawasthefirsttobegintheexplanationSonyaexpected。
\"There，Sonya，youweretalkingallsortsofnonsenseabouthim，\"
Natashabeganinamildvoicesuchaschildrenusewhentheywishtobepraised。\"Wehavehadanexplanationtoday。\"
\"Well，whathappened？Whatdidhesay？Natasha，howgladIamyou’renotangrywithme！Tellmeeverything—thewholetruth。Whatdidhesay？\"
Natashabecamethoughtful。
\"Oh，Sonya，ifyouknewhimasIdo！Hesaid……HeaskedmewhatI
hadpromisedBolkonski。HewasgladIwasfreetorefusehim。\"
Sonyasighedsorrowfully。
\"Butyouhaven’trefusedBolkonski？\"saidshe。
\"PerhapsIhave。PerhapsallisoverbetweenmeandBolkonski。Whydoyouthinksobadlyofme？\"
\"Idon’tthinkanything，onlyIdon’tunderstandthis……\"
\"Waitabit，Sonya，you’llunderstandeverything。You’llseewhatamanheis！Nowdon’tthinkbadlyofmeorofhim。Idon’tthinkbadlyofanyone：Iloveandpityeverybody。ButwhatamItodo？\"
SonyadidnotsuccumbtothetendertoneNatashausedtowardher。
ThemoreemotionalandingratiatingtheexpressionofNatasha’sfacebecame，themoreseriousandsterngrewSonya’s。
\"Natasha，\"saidshe，\"youaskedmenottospeaktoyou，andI
haven’tspoken，butnowyouyourselfhavebegun。Idon’ttrusthim，Natasha。Whythissecrecy？\"
\"Again，again！\"interruptedNatasha。
\"Natasha，Iamafraidforyou！\"
\"Afraidofwhat？\"
\"Iamafraidyou’regoingtoyourruin，\"saidSonyaresolutely，andwasherselfhorrifiedatwhatshehadsaid。
AngeragainshowedinNatasha’sface。
\"AndI’llgotomyruin，Iwill，assoonaspossible！It’snotyourbusiness！Itwon’tbeyou，butI，who’llsuffer。Leavemealone，leavemealone！Ihateyou！\"
Natasha！\"moanedSonya，aghast。
\"Ihateyou，Ihateyou！You’remyenemyforever！\"AndNatasharanoutoftheroom。
NatashadidnotspeaktoSonyaagainandavoidedher。Withthesameexpressionofagitatedsurpriseandguiltshewentaboutthehouse，takingupnowoneoccupation，nowanother，andatonceabandoningthem。
HardasitwasforSonya，shewatchedherfriendanddidnotletheroutofhersight。
Thedaybeforethecountwastoreturn，SonyanoticedthatNatashasatbythedrawingroomwindowallthemorningasifexpectingsomethingandthatshemadeasigntoanofficerwhodrovepast，whomSonyatooktobeAnatole。
SonyabeganwatchingherfriendstillmoreattentivelyandnoticedthatatdinnerandallthateveningNatashawasinastrangeandunnaturalstate。Sheansweredquestionsatrandom，begansentencesshedidnotfinish，andlaughedateverything。
AfterteaSonyanoticedahousemaidatNatasha’sdoortimidlywaitingtoletherpass。Sheletthegirlgoin，andthenlisteningatthedoorlearnedthatanotherletterhadbeendelivered。
ThensuddenlyitbecamecleartoSonyathatNatashahadsomedreadfulplanforthatevening。Sonyaknockedatherdoor。Natashadidnotletherin。
\"Shewillrunawaywithhim！\"thoughtSonya。\"Sheiscapableofanything。Therewassomethingparticularlypatheticandresoluteinherfacetoday。Shecriedasshesaidgood—bytoUncle，\"Sonyaremembered。\"Yes，that’sit，shemeanstoelopewithhim，butwhatamItodo？\"thoughtshe，recallingallthesignsthatclearlyindicatedthatNatashahadsometerribleintention。\"Thecountisaway。WhatamItodo？WritetoKuragindemandinganexplanation？
Butwhatistheretoobligehimtoreply？WritetoPierre，asPrinceAndrewaskedmetoincaseofsomemisfortune？……ButperhapsshereallyhasalreadyrefusedBolkonski—shesentalettertoPrincessMaryyesterday。AndUncleisaway……\"TotellMaryaDmitrievnawhohadsuchfaithinNatashaseemedtoSonyaterrible。\"Well，anyway，\"
thoughtSonyaasshestoodinthedarkpassage，\"noworneverImustprovethatIrememberthefamily’sgoodnesstomeandthatIloveNicholas。Yes！IfIdon’tsleepforthreenightsI’llnotleavethispassageandwillholdherbackbyforceandwillandnotletthefamilybedisgraced，\"thoughtshe。
BK8CH16
CHAPTERXVI
AnatolehadlatelymovedtoDolokhov’s。TheplanforNatalieRostova’sabductionhadbeenarrangedandthepreparationsmadebyDolokhovafewdaysbefore，andonthedaythatSonya，afterlisteningatNatasha’sdoor，resolvedtosafeguardher，itwastohavebeenputintoexecution。NatashahadpromisedtocomeouttoKuraginatthebackporchattenthatevening。KuraginwastoputherintoatroykahewouldhavereadyandtodriveherfortymilestothevillageofKamenka，whereanunfrockedpriestwasinreadinesstoperformamarriageceremonyoverthem。AtKamenkaarelayofhorseswastowaitwhichwouldtakethemtotheWarsawhighroad，andfromtheretheywouldhastenabroadwithposthorses。
Anatolehadapassport，anorderforposthorses，tenthousandrubleshehadtakenfromhissisterandanothertenthousandborrowedwithDolokhov’shelp。
Twowitnessesforthemockmarriage—Khvostikov，aretiredpettyofficialwhomDolokhovmadeuseofinhisgamblingtransactions，andMakarin，aretiredhussar，akindly，weakfellowwhohadanunboundedaffectionforKuragin—weresittingatteainDolokhov’sfrontroom。
Inhislargestudy，thewallsofwhichwerehungtotheceilingwithPersianrugs，bearskins，andweapons，satDolokhovinatravelingcloakandhighboots，atanopendeskonwhichlayabacusandsomebundlesofpapermoney。Anatole，withuniformunbuttoned，walkedtoandfrofromtheroomwherethewitnessesweresitting，throughthestudytotheroombehind，wherehisFrenchvaletandotherswerepackingthelastofhisthings。Dolokhovwascountingthemoneyandnotingsomethingdown。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Khvostikovmusthavetwothousand。\"
\"Giveittohim，then，\"saidAnatole。
\"Makarka\"theirnameforMakarin\"willgothroughfireandwaterforyoufornothing。Sohereareouraccountsallsettled，\"saidDolokhov，showinghimthememorandum。\"Isthatright？\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，\"returnedAnatole，evidentlynotlisteningtoDolokhovandlookingstraightbeforehimwithasmilethatdidnotleavehisface。
DolokhovbangeddowntheorofhisandturnedtoAnatolewithanironicsmile：
\"Doyouknow？You’dreallybetterdropitall。There’sstilltime！\"
\"Fool，\"retortedAnatole。\"Don’ttalknonsense！Ifyouonlyknew……it’sthedevilknowswhat！\"
\"No，really，giveitup！\"saidDolokhov。\"Iamspeakingseriously。
It’snojoke，thisplotyou’vehatched。\"
\"What，teasingagain？Gotothedevil！Eh？\"saidAnatole，makingagrimace。\"Reallyit’snotimeforyourstupidjokes，\"andhelefttheroom。
DolokhovsmiledcontemptuouslyandcondescendinglywhenAnatolehadgoneout。
\"Youwaitabit，\"hecalledafterhim。\"I’mnotjoking，I’mtalkingsense。Comehere，comehere！\"
AnatolereturnedandlookedatDolokhov，tryingtogivehimhisattentionandevidentlysubmittingtohiminvoluntarily。
\"Nowlistentome。I’mtellingyouthisforthelasttime。WhyshouldIjokeaboutit？DidIhinderyou？Whoarrangedeverythingforyou？Whofoundthepriestandgotthepassport？Whoraisedthemoney？Ididitall。\"
\"Well，thankyouforit。DoyouthinkIamnotgrateful？\"AndAnatolesighedandembracedDolokhov。
\"Ihelpedyou，butallthesameImusttellyouthetruth；itisadangerousbusiness，andifyouthinkaboutit—astupidbusiness。
Well，you’llcarryheroff—allright！Willtheyletitstopatthat？Itwillcomeoutthatyou’realreadymarried。Why，they’llhaveyouinthecriminalcourt……\"
\"Oh，nonsense，nonsense！\"Anatoleejaculatedandagainmadeagrimace。\"Didn’tIexplaintoyou？What？\"AndAnatole，withthepartialitydull—wittedpeoplehaveforanyconclusiontheyhavereachedbytheirownreasoning，repeatedtheargumenthehadalreadyputtoDolokhovahundredtimes。\"Didn’tIexplaintoyouthatI
havecometothisconclusion：ifthismarriageisinvalid，\"hewenton，crookingonefinger，\"thenIhavenothingtoanswerfor；butifitisvalid，nomatter！Abroadnoonewillknowanythingaboutit。
Isn’tthatso？Anddon’ttalktome，don’t，don’t。\"
\"Seriously，you’dbetterdropit！You’llonlygetyourselfintoamess！\"
\"Gotothedevil！\"criedAnatoleand，clutchinghishair，lefttheroom，butreturnedatonceanddroppedintoanarmchairinfrontofDolokhovwithhisfeetturnedunderhim。\"It’stheverydevil！What？
Feelhowitbeats！\"HetookDolokhov’shandandputitonhisheart。
\"Whatafoot，mydearfellow！Whataglance！Agoddess！\"headdedinFrench。\"What？\"
Dolokhovwithacoldsmileandagleaminhishandsomeinsolenteyeslookedathim—evidentlywishingtogetsomemoreamusementoutofhim。
\"Wellandwhenthemoney’sgone，whatthen？\"
\"Whatthen？Eh？\"repeatedAnatole，sincerelyperplexedbyathoughtofthefuture。\"Whatthen？……Then，Idon’tknow……Butwhytalknonsense！\"Heglancedathiswatch。\"It’stime！\"
Anatolewentintothebackroom。
\"Nowthen！Nearlyready？You’redawdling！\"heshoutedtotheservants。
Dolokhovputawaythemoney，calledafootmanwhomheorderedtobringsomethingforthemtoeatanddrinkbeforethejourney，andwentintotheroomwhereKhvostikovandMakarinweresitting。
Anatolelayonthesofainthestudyleaningonhiselbowandsmilingpensively，whilehishandsomelipsmutteredtenderlytohimself。
\"Comeandeatsomething。Haveadrink！\"Dolokhovshoutedtohimfromtheotherroom。
\"Idon’twantto，\"answeredAnatolecontinuingtosmile。
\"Come！Balagaishere。\"
Anatoleroseandwentintothediningroom。BalagawasafamoustroykadriverwhohadknownDolokhovandAnatolesomesixyearsandhadgiventhemgoodservicewithhistroykas。MorethanoncewhenAnatole’sregimentwasstationedatTverhehadtakenhimfromTverintheevening，broughthimtoMoscowbydaybreak，anddrivenhimbackagainthenextnight。MorethanoncehehadenabledDolokhovtoescapewhenpursued。Morethanoncehehaddriventhemthroughthetownwithgypsiesand\"ladykins\"ashecalledthecocottes。MorethanonceintheirservicehehadrunoverpedestriansandupsetvehiclesinthestreetsofMoscowandhadalwaysbeenprotectedfromtheconsequencesby\"mygentlemen\"ashecalledthem。Hehadruinedmorethanonehorseintheirservice。Morethanoncetheyhadbeatenhim，andmorethanoncetheyhadmadehimdrunkonchampagneandMadeira，whichheloved；andheknewmorethanonethingabouteachofthemwhichwouldlongagohavesentanordinarymantoSiberia。TheyoftencalledBalagaintotheirorgiesandmadehimdrinkanddanceatthegypsies’，andmorethanonethousandrublesoftheirmoneyhadpassedthroughhishands。Intheirserviceheriskedhisskinandhislifetwentytimesayear，andintheirservicehadlostmorehorsesthanthemoneyhehadfromthemwouldbuy。Buthelikedthem；
likedthatmaddrivingattwelvemilesanhour，likedupsettingadriverorrunningdownapedestrian，andflyingatfullgallopthroughtheMoscowstreets。Helikedtohearthosewild，tipsyshoutsbehindhim：\"Geton！Geton！\"whenitwasimpossibletogoanyfaster。Helikedgivingapainfullashonthenecktosomepeasantwho，moredeadthanalive，wasalreadyhurryingoutofhisway。\"Realgentlemen！\"
heconsideredthem。
AnatoleandDolokhovlikedBalagatooforhismasterlydrivingandbecausehelikedthethingstheyliked。WithothersBalagabargained，chargingtwenty—fiverublesforatwohours’drive，andrarelydrovehimself，generallylettinghisyoungmendoso。Butwith\"hisgentlemen\"healwaysdrovehimselfandneverdemandedanythingforhiswork。Onlyacoupleoftimesayear—whenheknewfromtheirvaletsthattheyhadmoneyinhand—hewouldturnupofamorningquitesoberandwithadeepbowwouldaskthemtohelphim。
Thegentlemenalwaysmadehimsitdown。
\"Dohelpmeout，TheodoreIvanych，sir，\"or\"yourexcellency，\"hewouldsay。\"Iamquiteoutofhorses。Letmehavewhatyoucantogotothefair。\"
AndAnatoleandDolokhov，whentheyhadmoney，wouldgivehimathousandoracoupleofthousandrubles。
Balagawasafair—haired，short，andsnub—nosedpeasantofabouttwenty—seven；red—faced，withaparticularlyredthickneck，glitteringlittleeyes，andasmallbeard。Heworeafine，dark—blue，silk—linedclothcoatoverasheepskin。
Onenteringtheroomnowhecrossedhimself，turningtowardthefrontcorneroftheroom，andwentuptoDolokhov，holdingoutasmall，blackhand。
\"TheodoreIvanych！\"hesaid，bowing。
\"Howd’youdo，friend？Well，hereheis！\"
\"Goodday，yourexcellency！\"hesaid，againholdingouthishandtoAnatolewhohadjustcomein。
\"Isay，Balaga，\"saidAnatole，puttinghishandsontheman’sshoulders，\"doyoucareformeornot？Eh？Now，domeaservice……
Whathorseshaveyoucomewith？Eh？\"
\"Asyourmessengerordered，yourspecialbeasts，\"repliedBalaga。
\"Well，listen，Balaga！Driveallthreetodeathbutgetmethereinthreehours。Eh？\"
\"Whentheyaredead，whatshallIdrive？\"saidBalagawithawink。
\"Mind，I’llsmashyourfacein！Don’tmakejokes！\"criedAnatole，suddenlyrollinghiseyes。
\"Whyjoke？\"saidthedriver，laughing。\"AsifI’dgrudgemygentlemenanything！Asfastaseverthehorsescangallop，sofastwe’llgo！\"
\"Ah！\"saidAnatole。\"Well，sitdown。\"
\"Yes，sitdown！\"saidDolokhov。
\"I’llstand，TheodoreIvanych。\"
\"Sitdown；nonsense！Haveadrink！\"saidAnatole，andfilledalargeglassofMadeiraforhim。
Thedriver’seyessparkledatthesightofthewine。Afterrefusingitformanners’sake，hedrankitandwipedhismouthwitharedsilkhandkerchiefhetookoutofhiscap。
\"Andwhenarewetostart，yourexcellency？\"
\"Well……\"Anatolelookedathiswatch。\"We’llstartatonce。Mind，Balaga！You’llgetthereintime？Eh？\"
\"Thatdependsonourluckinstarting，elsewhyshouldn’twebethereintime？\"repliedBalaga。\"Didn’twegetyoutoTverinsevenhours？Ithinkyourememberthat，yourexcellency？\"
\"Doyouknow，oneChristmasIdrovefromTver，\"saidAnatole，smilinglyattherecollectionandturningtoMakarinwhogazedrapturouslyathimwithwide—openeyes。\"Willyoubelieveit，Makarka，ittookone’sbreathaway，therateweflew。Wecameacrossatrainofloadedsleighsanddroverightovertwoofthem。Eh？\"
\"Thosewerehorses！\"Balagacontinuedthetale。\"ThattimeI’dharnessedtwoyoungsidehorseswiththebayintheshafts，\"hewenton，turningtoDolokhov。\"Willyoubelieveit，TheodoreIvanych，thoseanimalsflewfortymiles？Icouldn’tholdthemin，myhandsgrewnumbinthesharpfrostsothatIthrewdownthereins—’Catchholdyourself，yourexcellency！’saysI，andIjusttumbledonthebottomofthesleighandsprawledthere。Itwasn’tacaseofurgingthemon，therewasnoholdingthemintillwereachedtheplace。Thedevilstookusthereinthreehours！Onlythenearonediedofit。\"
BK8CH17
CHAPTERXVII
Anatolewentoutoftheroomandreturnedafewminuteslaterwearingafurcoatgirtwithasilverbelt，andasablecapjauntilysetononesideandverybecomingtohishandsomeface。Havinglookedinamirror，andstandingbeforeDolokhovinthesameposehehadassumedbeforeit，heliftedaglassofwine。
\"Well，good—by，Theodore。Thankyouforeverythingandfarewell！\"
saidAnatole。\"Well，comradesandfriends……\"heconsideredforamoment\"……ofmyyouth，farewell！\"hesaid，turningtoMakarinandtheothers。
Thoughtheywereallgoingwithhim，Anatoleevidentlywishedtomakesomethingtouchingandsolemnoutofthisaddresstohiscomrades。Hespokeslowlyinaloudvoiceandthrowingouthischestslightlyswayedoneleg。
\"Alltakeglasses；youtoo，Balaga。Well，comradesandfriendsofmyyouth，we’vehadourflingandlivedandreveled。Eh？Andnow，whenshallwemeetagain？Iamgoingabroad。Wehavehadagoodtime—nowfarewell，lads！Toourhealth！Hurrah！……\"hecried，andemptyinghisglassflungitonthefloor。
\"Toyourhealth！\"saidBalagawhoalsoemptiedhisglass，andwipedhismouthwithhishandkerchief。
MakarinembracedAnatolewithtearsinhiseyes。
\"Ah，Prince，howsorryIamtopartfromyou！
\"Let’sgo。Let’sgo！\"criedAnatole。
Balagawasabouttoleavetheroom。
\"No，stop！\"saidAnatole。\"Shutthedoor；wehavefirsttositdown。
That’stheway。\"
Theyshutthedoorandallsatdown。
\"Now，quickmarch，lads！\"saidAnatole，rising。
Joseph，hisvalet，handedhimhissabretacheandsaber，andtheyallwentoutintothevestibule。
\"Andwhere’sthefurcloak？\"askedDolokhov。\"Hey，Ignatka！GotoMatrenaMatrevnaandaskherforthesablecloak。Ihaveheardwhatelopementsarelike，\"continuedDolokhovwithawink。\"Why，she’llrushoutmoredeadthanalivejustinthethingssheiswearing；ifyoudelayatallthere’llbetearsand’Papa’and’Mamma，’andshe’sfrozeninaminuteandmustgoback—butyouwrapthefurcloakroundherfirstthingandcarryhertothesleigh。\"
Thevaletbroughtawoman’sfox—linedcloak。
\"Fool，Itoldyouthesableone！Hey，Matrena，thesable！\"heshoutedsothathisvoicerangfarthroughtherooms。
Ahandsome，slim，andpale—facedgypsygirlwithglitteringblackeyesandcurlyblue—blackhair，wearingaredshawl，ranoutwithasablemantleonherarm。
\"Here，Idon’tgrudgeit—takeit！\"shesaid，evidentlyafraidofhermasterandyetregretfulofhercloak。
Dolokhov，withoutanswering，tookthecloak，threwitoverMatrena，andwrappedherupinit。
\"That’stheway，\"saidDolokhov，\"andthenso！\"andheturnedthecollaruproundherhead，leavingonlyalittleofthefaceuncovered。
\"Andthenso，doyousee？\"andhepushedAnatole’sheadforwardtomeetthegapleftbythecollar，throughwhichMatrena’sbrilliantsmilewasseen。
\"Well，good—by，Matrena，\"saidAnatole，kissingher。\"Ah，myrevelshereareover。RemembermetoSteshka。There，good—by！Good—by，Matrena，wishmeluck！\"
\"Well，Prince，mayGodgiveyougreatluck！\"saidMatrenainhergypsyaccent。
Twotroykaswerestandingbeforetheporchandtwoyoungdriverswereholdingthehorses。Balagatookhisseatinthefrontoneandholdinghiselbowshigharrangedthereinsdeliberately。AnatoleandDolokhovgotinwithhim。Makarin，Khvostikov，andavaletseatedthemselvesintheothersleigh。
\"Well，areyouready？\"askedBalaga。
\"Go！\"hecried，twistingthereinsroundhishands，andthetroykatoredowntheNikitskiBoulevard。
\"Tproo！Getoutoftheway！Hi！……Tproo！……\"TheshoutingofBalagaandofthesturdyyoungfellowseatedontheboxwasallthatcouldbeheard。OntheArbatSquarethetroykacaughtagainstacarriage；
somethingcracked，shoutswereheard，andthetroykaflewalongtheArbatStreet。
AftertakingaturnalongthePodnovinskiBoulevard，Balagabegantoreinin，andturningbackdrewupatthecrossingoftheoldKonyushenyStreet。
TheyoungfellowontheboxjumpeddowntoholdthehorsesandAnatoleandDolokhovwentalongthepavement。WhentheyreachedthegateDolokhovwhistled。Thewhistlewasanswered，andamaidservantranout。
\"Comeintothecourtyardoryou’llbeseen；she’llcomeoutdirectly，\"saidshe。
Dolokhovstayedbythegate。Anatolefollowedthemaidintothecourtyard，turnedthecorner，andranupintotheporch。
HewasmetbyGabriel，MaryaDmitrievna’sgiganticfootman。
\"Cometothemistress，please，\"saidthefootmaninhisdeepbass，interceptinganyretreat。
\"TowhatMistress？Whoareyou？\"askedAnatoleinabreathlesswhisper。
\"Kindlystepin，myordersaretobringyouin。\"
\"Kuragin！Comeback！\"shoutedDolokhov。\"Betrayed！Back！\"
Dolokhov，afterAnatoleentered，hadremainedatthewicketgateandwasstrugglingwiththeyardporterwhowastryingtolockit。WithalastdesperateeffortDolokhovpushedtheporteraside，andwhenAnatoleranbackseizedhimbythearm，pulledhimthroughthewicket，andranbackwithhimtothetroyka。
BK8CH18
CHAPTERXVIII
MaryaDmitrievna，havingfoundSonyaweepinginthecorridor，madeherconfesseverything，andinterceptingthenotetoNatashashereaditandwentintoNatasha’sroomwithitinherhand。
\"Youshamelessgood—for—nothing！\"saidshe。\"Iwon’thearaword。\"
PushingbackNatashawholookedatherwithastonishedbuttearlesseyes，shelockedherin；andhavinggivenorderstotheyardportertoadmitthepersonswhowouldbecomingthatevening，butnottoletthemoutagain，andhavingtoldthefootmantobringthemuptoher，sheseatedherselfinthedrawingroomtoawaittheabductors。
WhenGabrielcametoinformherthatthemenwhohadcomehadrunawayagain，sherosefrowning，andclaspingherhandsbehindherpacedthroughtheroomsalongtimeconsideringwhatsheshoulddo。TowardmidnightshewenttoNatasha’sroomfingeringthekeyinherpocket。
Sonyawassittingsobbinginthecorridor。\"MaryaDmitrievna，forGod’ssakeletmeintoher！\"shepleaded，butMaryaDmitrievnaunlockedthedoorandwentinwithoutgivingherananswer……
\"Disgusting，abominable……Inmyhouse……horridgirl，hussy！I’monlysorryforherfather！\"thoughtshe，tryingtorestrainherwrath。
\"Hardasitmaybe，I’lltellthemalltoholdtheirtonguesandwillhideitfromthecount。\"Sheenteredtheroomwithresolutesteps。Natashalyingonthesofa，herheadhiddeninherhands，andshedidnotstir。ShewasinjustthesamepositioninwhichMaryaDmitrievnahadlefther。
\"Anicegirl！Verynice！\"saidMaryaDmitrievna。\"Arrangingmeetingswithloversinmyhouse！It’snousepretending：youlistenwhenI
speaktoyou！\"AndMaryaDmitrievnatouchedherarm。\"ListenwhenwhenIspeak！You’vedisgracedyourselflikethelowestofhussies。I’dtreatyoudifferently，butI’msorryforyourfather，soIwillconcealit。\"
Natashadidnotchangeherposition，butherwholebodyheavedwithnoiseless，convulsivesobswhichchokedher。MaryaDmitrievnaglancedroundatSonyaandseatedherselfonthesofabesideNatasha。
\"It’sluckyforhimthatheescapedme；butI’llfindhim！\"shesaidinherroughvoice。\"DoyouhearwhatIamsayingornot？\"sheadded。
SheputherlargehandunderNatasha’sfaceandturnedittowardher。BothMaryaDmitrievnaandSonyawereamazedwhentheysawhowNatashalooked。Hereyesweredryandglistening，herlipscompressed，hercheekssunken。
\"Letmebe！……Whatisittome？……Ishalldie！\"shemuttered，wrenchingherselffromMaryaDmitrievna’shandswithaviciouseffortandsinkingdownagainintoherformerposition。
\"Natalie！\"saidMaryaDmitrievna。\"Iwishforyourgood。Liestill，staylikethatthen，Iwon’ttouchyou。Butlisten。Iwon’ttellyouhowguiltyyouare。Youknowthatyourself。ButwhenyourfathercomesbacktomorrowwhatamItotellhim？Eh？\"
AgainNatasha’sbodyshookwithsobs。
\"Supposehefindsout，andyourbrother，andyourbetrothed？\"
\"Ihavenobetrothed：Ihaverefusedhim！\"criedNatasha。
\"That’sallthesame，\"continuedDmitrievna。\"Iftheyhearofthis，willtheyletitpass？He，yourfather，Iknowhim……ifhechallengeshimtoaduelwillthatbeallright？Eh？\"
\"Oh，letmebe！Whyhaveyouinterferedatall？Why？Why？Whoaskedyouto？\"shoutedNatasha，raisingherselfonthesofaandlookingmalignantlyatMaryaDmitrievna。
\"Butwhatdidyouwant？\"criedMaryaDmitrievna，growingangryagain。\"Wereyoukeptunderlockandkey？Whohinderedhiscomingtothehouse？Whycarryyouoffasifyouweresomegypsysinginggirl？……Well，ifhehadcarriedyouoff……doyouthinktheywouldn’thavefoundhim？Yourfather，orbrother，oryourbetrothed？Andhe’sascoundrel，awretch—that’safact！\"
\"Heisbetterthananyofyou！\"exclaimedNatashagettingup。\"Ifyouhadn’tinterfered……Oh，myGod！Whatisitall？Whatisit？
Sonya，why？……Goaway！\"
Andsheburstintosobswiththedespairingvehemencewithwhichpeoplebewaildisasterstheyfeeltheyhavethemselvesoccasioned。
MaryaDmitrievnawastospeakagainbutNatashacriedout：
\"Goaway！Goaway！Youallhateanddespiseme！\"andshethrewherselfbackonthesofa。
MaryaDmitrievnawentonadmonishingherforsometime，enjoiningonherthatitmustallbekeptfromherfatherandassuringherthatnobodywouldknowanythingaboutitifonlyNatashaherselfwouldundertaketoforgetitallandnotletanyoneseethatsomethinghadhappened。Natashadidnotreply，nordidshesobanylonger，butshegrewcoldandhadashiveringfit。MaryaDmitrievnaputapillowunderherhead，coveredherwithtwoquilts，andherselfbroughthersomelime—flowerwater，butNatashadidnotrespondtoher。
\"Well，lethersleep，\"saidMaryaDmitrievnaasshewentoftheroomsupposingNatashatobeasleep。
ButNatashawasnotasleep；withpalefaceandfixedwide—openeyesshelookedstraightbeforeher。AllthatnightshedidnotsleeporweepanddidnotspeaktoSonyawhogotupandwenttoherseveraltimes。
NextdayCountRostovreturnedfromhisestatenearMoscowintimeforlunchashehadpromised。Hewasinverygoodspirits；theaffairwiththepurchaserwasgoingonsatisfactorily，andtherewasnothingtokeephimanylongerinMoscow，awayfromthecountesswhomhemissed。MaryaDmitrievnamethimandtoldhimthatNatashahadbeenveryunwellthedaybeforeandthattheyhadsentforthedoctor，butthatshewasbetternow。Natashahadnotleftherroomthatmorning。Withcompressedandparchedlipsanddryfixedeyes，shesatatthewindow，uneasilywatchingthepeoplewhodrovepastandhurriedlyglancingroundatanyonewhoenteredtheroom。Shewasevidentlyexpectingnewsofhimandthathewouldcomeorwouldwritetoher。
Whenthecountcametoseehersheturnedanxiouslyroundatthesoundofaman’sfootstep，andthenherfaceresumeditscoldandmalevolentexpression。Shedidnotevengetuptogreethim。\"Whatisthematterwithyou，myangel？Areyouill？\"askedthecount。
Afteramoment’ssilenceNatashaanswered：\"Yes，ill。\"
Inreplytothecount’sanxiousinquiriesastowhyshewassodejectedandwhetheranythinghadhappenedtoherbetrothed，sheassuredhimthatnothinghadhappenedandaskedhimnottoworry。
MaryaDmitrievnaconfirmedNatasha’sassurancesthatnothinghadhappened。Fromthepretenseofillness，fromhisdaughter’sdistress，andbytheembarrassedfacesofSonyaandMaryaDmitrievna，thecountsawclearlythatsomethinghadgonewrongduringhisabsence，butitwassoterribleforhimtothinkthatanythingdisgracefulhadhappenedtohisbeloveddaughter，andhesoprizedhisowncheerfultranquillity，thatheavoidedinquiriesandtriedtoassurehimselfthatnothingparticularlyhadhappened；andhewasonlydissatisfiedthatherindispositiondelayedtheirreturntothecountry。
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FromthedayhiswifearrivedinMoscowPierrehadbeenintendingtogoawaysomewhere，soasnottobenearher。SoonaftertheRostovscametoMoscowtheeffectNatashahadonhimmadehimhastentocarryouthisintention。HewenttoTvertoseeJosephAlexeevich’swidow，whohadlongsincepromisedtohandovertohimsomepapersofherdeceasedhusband’s。
WhenhereturnedtoMoscowPierrewashandedaletterfromMaryaDmitrievnaaskinghimtocomeandseeheronamatterofgreatimportancerelatingtoAndrewBolkonskiandhisbetrothed。PierrehadbeenavoidingNatashabecauseitseemedtohimthathisfeelingforherwasstrongerthanamarriedman’sshouldbeforhisfriend’sfiancee。Yetsomefateconstantlythrewthemtogether。
\"Whatcanhavehappened？Andwhatcantheywantwithme？\"thoughtheashedressedtogotoMaryaDmitrievna’s。\"IfonlyPrinceAndrewwouldhurryupandcomeandmarryher！\"thoughtheonhiswaytothehouse。
OntheTverskoyBoulevardafamiliarvoicecalledtohim。
\"Pierre！Beenbacklong？\"someoneshouted。Pierreraisedhishead。
Inasleighdrawnbytwograytrotting—horsesthatwerebespatteringthedashboardwithsnow，AnatoleandhisconstantcompanionMakarindashedpast。Anatolewassittinguprightintheclassicposeofmilitarydandies，thelowerpartofhisfacehiddenbyhisbeavercollarandhisheadslightlybent。Hisfacewasfreshandrosy，hiswhite—plumedhat，tiltedtooneside，disclosedhiscurledandpomadedhairbesprinkledwithpowderysnow。
\"Yes，indeed，that’satruesage，\"thoughtPierre。\"Heseesnothingbeyondthepleasureofthemoment，nothingtroubleshimandsoheisalwayscheerful，satisfied，andserene。Whatwouldn’tIgivetobelikehim！\"hethoughtenviously。
InMaryaDmitrievna’santeroomthefootmanwhohelpedhimoffwithhisfurcoatsaidthatthemistressaskedhimtocometoherbedroom。
WhenheopenedtheballroomdoorPierresawNatashasittingatthewindow，withathin，pale，andspitefulface。Sheglancedroundathim，frowned，andlefttheroomwithanexpressionofcolddignity。
\"Whathashappened？\"askedPierre，enteringMaryaDmitrievna’sroom。
\"Finedoings！\"answeredDmitrievna。\"Forfifty—eightyearshaveI
livedinthisworldandneverknownanythingsodisgraceful！\"
Andhavingputhimonhishonornottorepeatanythingshetoldhim，MaryaDmitrievnainformedhimthatNatashahadrefusedPrinceAndrewwithoutherparents’knowledgeandthatthecauseofthiswasAnatoleKuraginintowhosesocietyPierre’swifehadthrownherandwithwhomNatashahadtriedtoelopeduringherfather’sabsence，inordertobemarriedsecretly。
Pierreraisedhisshouldersandlistenedopen—mouthedtowhatwastoldhim，scarcelyabletobelievehisownears。ThatPrinceAndrew’sdeeplylovedaffiancedwife—thesameNatashaRostovawhousedtobesocharming—shouldgiveupBolkonskiforthatfoolAnatolewhowasalreadysecretlymarriedasPierreknew，andshouldbesoinlovewithhimastoagreetorunawaywithhim，wassomethingPierrecouldnotconceiveandcouldnotimagine。
HecouldnotreconcilethecharmingimpressionhehadofNatasha，whomhehadknownfromachild，withthisnewconceptionofherbaseness，folly，andcruelty。Hethoughtofhiswife。\"Theyareallalike！\"hesaidtohimself，reflectingthathewasnottheonlymanunfortunateenoughtobetiedtoabadwoman。ButstillhepitiedPrinceAndrewtothepointoftearsandsympathizedwithhiswoundedpride，andthemorehepitiedhisfriendthemoredidhethinkwithcontemptandevenwithdisgustofthatNatashawhohadjustpassedhimintheballroomwithsuchalookofcolddignity。HedidnotknowthatNatasha’ssoulwasoverflowingwithdespair，shame，andhumiliation，andthatitwasnotherfaultthatherfacehappenedtoassumeanexpressionofcalmdignityandseverity。
\"Buthowgetmarried？\"saidPierre，inanswertoMaryaDmitrievna。
\"Hecouldnotmarry—heismarried！\"
\"Thingsgetworsefromhourtohour！\"ejaculatedMaryaDmitrievna。
\"Aniceyouth！Whatascoundrel！Andshe’sexpectinghim—expectinghimsinceyesterday。Shemustbetold！Thenatleastshewon’tgoonexpectinghim。\"
AfterhearingthedetailsofAnatole’smarriagefromPierre，andgivingventtoherangeragainstAnatoleinwordsofabuse，MaryaDmitrievnatoldPierrewhyshehadsentforhim。ShewasafraidthatthecountorBolkonski，whomightarriveatanymoment，iftheyknewofthisaffairwhichshehopedtohidefromthemmightchallengeAnatoletoaduel，andshethereforeaskedPierretotellhisbrother—in—lawinhernametoleaveMoscowandnotdaretoletherseteyesonhimagain。Pierre—onlynowrealizingthedangertotheoldcount，Nicholas，andPrinceAndrew—promisedtodoasshewished。
Havingbrieflyandexactlyexplainedherwishestohim，shelethimgotothedrawingroom。
\"Mind，thecountknowsnothing。Behaveasifyouknownothingeither，\"shesaid。\"AndIwillgoandtellheritisnouseexpectinghim！Andstaytodinnerifyoucareto！\"shecalledafterPierre。
Pierremettheoldcount，whoseemednervousandupset。ThatmorningNatashahadtoldhimthatshehadrejectedBolkonski。
\"Troubles，troubles，mydearfellow！\"hesaidtoPierre。\"Whattroublesonehaswiththesegirlswithouttheirmother！Idosoregrethavingcomehere……Iwillbefrankwithyou。Haveyouheardshehasbrokenoffherengagementwithoutconsultinganybody？It’struethisengagementneverwasmuchtomyliking。Ofcourseheisanexcellentman，butstill，withhisfather’sdisapprovaltheywouldn’thavebeenhappy，andNatashawon’tlacksuitors。Still，ithasbeengoingonsolong，andtotakesuchastepwithoutfather’sormother’sconsent！Andnowshe’sill，andGodknowswhat！It’shard，Count，hardtomanagedaughtersintheirmother’sabsence……\"
Pierresawthatthecountwasmuchupsetandtriedtochangethesubject，butthecountreturnedtohistroubles。
Sonyaenteredtheroomwithanagitatedface。
\"Natashaisnotquitewell；she’sinherroomandwouldliketoseeyou。MaryaDmitrievnaiswithherandshetooasksyoutocome。\"
\"Yes，youareagreatfriendofBolkonski’s，nodoubtshewantstosendhimamessage，\"saidthecount。\"Ohdear！Ohdear！Howhappyitallwas！\"
Andclutchingthesparegraylocksonhistemplesthecountlefttheroom。
WhenMaryaDmitrievnatoldNatashathatAnatolewasmarried，NatashadidnotwishtobelieveitandinsistedonhavingitconfirmedbyPierrehimself。SonyatoldPierrethisassheledhimalongthecorridortoNatasha’sroom。
Natasha，paleandstern，wassittingbesideMaryaDmitrievna，andhereyes，glitteringfeverishly，metPierrewithaquestioninglookthemomentheentered。Shedidnotsmileornod，butonlygazedfixedlyathim，andherlookaskedonlyonething：washeafriend，orliketheothersanenemyinregardtoAnatole？AsforPierre，heevidentlydidnotexistforher。
\"Heknowsallaboutit，\"saidMaryaDmitrievnapointingtoPierreandaddressingNatasha。\"LethimtellyouwhetherIhavetoldthetruth。\"
Natashalookedfromonetotheotherasahuntedandwoundedanimallooksattheapproachingdogsandsportsmen。
\"NatalyaIlynichna，\"Pierrebegan，droppinghiseyeswithafeelingofpityforherandloathingforthethinghehadtodo，\"whetheritistrueornotshouldmakenodifferencetoyou，because……\"
\"Thenitisnottruethathe’smarried！\"
\"Yes，itistrue。\"
\"Hashebeenmarriedlong？\"sheasked。\"Onyourhonor？……\"
Pierregavehiswordofhonor。
\"Ishestillhere？\"sheasked，quickly。
\"Yes，Ihavejustseenhim。\"
Shewasevidentlyunabletospeakandmadeasignwithherhandsthattheyshouldleaveheralone。
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Pierredidnotstayfordinner，butlefttheroomandwentawayatonce。HedrovethroughthetownseekingAnatoleKuragin，atthethoughtofwhomnowthebloodrushedtohisheartandhefeltadifficultyinbreathing。Hewasnotattheicehills，noratthegypsies’，noratKomoneno’s。PierredrovetotheClub。IntheCluballwasgoingonasusual。Thememberswhowereassemblingfordinnerweresittingaboutingroups；theygreetedPierreandspokeofthetownnews。Thefootmanhavinggreetedhim，knowinghishabitsandhisacquaintances，toldhimtherewasaplaceleftforhiminthesmalldiningroomandthatPrinceMichaelZakharychwasinthelibrary，butPaulTimofeevichhadnotyetarrived。OneofPierre’sacquaintances，whiletheyweretalkingabouttheweather，askedifhehadheardofKuragin’sabductionofRostovawhichwastalkedofinthetown，andwasittrue？PierrelaughedandsaiditwasnonsenseforhehadjustcomefromtheRostovs’。HeaskedeveryoneaboutAnatole。Onemantoldhimhehadnotcomeyet，andanotherthathewascomingtodinner。Pierrefeltitstrangetoseethiscalm，indifferentcrowdofpeopleunawareofwhatwasgoingoninhissoul。Hepacedthroughtheballroom，waitedtilleveryonehadcome，andasAnatolehadnotturnedupdidnotstayfordinnerbutdrovehome。
Anatole，forwhomPierrewaslooking，dinedthatdaywithDolokhov，consultinghimastohowtoremedythisunfortunateaffair。ItseemedtohimessentialtoseeNatasha。Intheeveninghedrovetohissister’stodiscusswithherhowtoarrangeameeting。
WhenPierrereturnedhomeaftervainlyhuntingalloverMoscow，hisvaletinformedhimthatPrinceAnatolewaswiththecountess。Thecountess’drawingroomwasfullofguests。
Pierrewithoutgreetinghiswifewhomhehadnotseensincehisreturn—atthatmomentshewasmorerepulsivetohimthanever—
enteredthedrawingroomandseeingAnatolewentuptohim。
\"Ah，Pierre，\"saidthecountessgoinguptoherhusband。\"Youdon’tknowwhataplightourAnatole……\"
Shestopped，seeingintheforwardthrustofherhusband’shead，inhisglowingeyesandhisresolutegait，theterribleindicationsofthatrageandstrengthwhichsheknewandhadherselfexperiencedafterhisduelwithDolokhov。
\"Whereyouare，thereisviceandevil！\"saidPierretohiswife。
\"Anatole，comewithme！Imustspeaktoyou，\"headdedinFrench。
Anatoleglancedroundathissisterandrosesubmissively，readytofollowPierre。Pierre，takinghimbythearm，pulledhimtowardhimselfandwasleadinghimfromtheroom。
\"Ifyouallowyourselfinmydrawingroom……\"whisperedHelene，butPierredidnotreplyandwentoutoftheroom。
Anatolefollowedhimwithhisusualjauntystepbuthisfacebetrayedanxiety。
HavingenteredhisstudyPierreclosedthedoorandaddressedAnatolewithoutlookingathim。
\"YoupromisedCountessRostovatomarryherandwereabouttoelopewithher，isthatso？\"
\"Moncher，\"answeredAnatoletheirwholeconversationwasinFrench，\"Idon’tconsidermyselfboundtoanswerquestionsputtomeinthattone。\"
Pierre’sface，alreadypale，becamedistortedbyfury。HeseizedAnatolebythecollarofhisuniformwithhisbighandandshookhimfromsidetosidetillAnatole’sfaceshowedasufficientdegreeofterror。
\"WhenItellyouthatImusttalktoyou！……\"repeatedPierre。
\"Comenow，thisisstupid。What？\"saidAnatole，fingeringabuttonofhiscollarthathadbeenwrenchedloosewithabitofthecloth。
\"You’reascoundrelandablackguard，andIdon’tknowwhatdeprivesmefromthepleasureofsmashingyourheadwiththis！\"saidPierre，expressinghimselfsoartificiallybecausehewastalkingFrench。
Hetookaheavypaperweightandlifteditthreateningly，butatonceputitbackinitsplace。
\"Didyoupromisetomarryher？\"
\"I……Ididn’tthinkofit。Ineverpromised，because……\"
Pierreinterruptedhim。
\"Haveyouanylettersofhers？Anyletters？\"hesaid，movingtowardAnatole。
Anatoleglancedathimandimmediatelythrusthishandintohispocketanddrewouthispocketbook。
PierretooktheletterAnatolehandedhimand，pushingasideatablethatstoodinhisway，threwhimselfonthesofa。
\"Ishan’tbeviolent，don’tbeafraid！\"saidPierreinanswertoafrightenedgestureofAnatole’s。\"First，theletters，\"saidhe，asifrepeatingalessontohimself。\"Secondly，\"hecontinuedafterashortpause，againrisingandagainpacingtheroom，\"tomorrowyoumustgetoutofMoscow。\"
\"ButhowcanI？……\"
\"Thirdly，\"Pierrecontinuedwithoutlisteningtohim，\"youmustneverbreatheawordofwhathaspassedbetweenyouandCountessRostova。IknowIcan’tpreventyourdoingso，butifyouhaveasparkofconscience……\"Pierrepacedtheroomseveraltimesinsilence。
Anatolesatatatablefrowningandbitinghislips。
\"Afterall，youmustunderstandthatbesidesyourpleasurethereissuchathingasotherpeople’shappinessandpeace，andthatyouareruiningawholelifeforthesakeofamusingyourself！Amuseyourselfwithwomenlikemywife—withthemyouarewithinyourrights，fortheyknowwhatyouwantofthem。Theyarearmedagainstyoubythesameexperienceofdebauchery；buttopromiseamaidtomarryher……todeceive，tokidnap……Don’tyouunderstandthatitisasmeanasbeatinganoldmanorachild？……\"
PierrepausedandlookedatAnatolenolongerwithanangrybutwithaquestioninglook。
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，eh？\"saidAnatole，growingmoreconfidentasPierremasteredhiswrath。\"Idon’tknowthatanddon’twantto，\"hesaid，notlookingatPierreandwithaslighttremorofhislowerjaw，\"butyouhaveusedsuchwordstome—’mean’andsoon—whichasamanofhonorIcan’tallowanyonetouse。\"
Pierreglancedathimwithamazement，unabletounderstandwhathewanted。
\"Thoughitwastete—a—tete，\"Anatolecontinued，\"stillIcan’t……\"
\"Isitsatisfactionyouwant？\"saidPierreironically。
\"Youcouldatleasttakebackyourwords。What？Ifyouwantmetodoasyouwish，eh？\"
\"Itakethemback，Itakethemback！\"saidPierre，\"andIaskyoutoforgiveme。\"Pierreinvoluntarilyglancedattheloosebutton。\"Andifyourequiremoneyforyourjourney……\"
Anatolesmiled。Theexpressionofthatbaseandcringingsmile，whichPierreknewsowellinhiswife，revoltedhim。
\"Oh，vileandheartlessbrood！\"heexclaimed，andlefttheroom。
NextdayAnatoleleftforPetersburg。
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PierredrovetoMaryaDmitrievna’stotellherofthefulfillmentofherwishthatKuraginshouldbebanishedfromMoscow。Thewholehousewasinastateofalarmandcommotion。Natashawasveryill，having，asMaryaDmitrievnatoldhiminsecret，poisonedherselfthenightaftershehadbeentoldthatAnatolewasmarried，withsomearsenicshehadstealthilyprocured。AfterswallowingalittleshehadbeensofrightenedthatshewokeSonyaandtoldherwhatshehaddone。
Thenecessaryantidoteshadbeenadministeredintimeandshewasnowoutofdanger，thoughstillsoweakthatitwasoutofthequestiontomovehertothecountry，andsothecountesshadbeensentfor。Pierresawthedistractedcount，andSonya，whohadatear—stainedface，buthecouldnotseeNatasha。
PierredinedattheclubthatdayandheardonallsidesgossipabouttheattemptedabductionofRostova。Heresolutelydeniedtheserumors，assuringeveryonethatnothinghadhappenedexceptthathisbrother—in—lawhadproposedtoherandbeenrefused。ItseemedtoPierrethatitwashisdutytoconcealthewholeaffairandre—establishNatasha’sreputation。
HewasawaitingPrinceAndrew’sreturnwithdreadandwenteverydaytotheoldprince’sfornewsofhim。
OldPrinceBolkonskiheardalltherumorscurrentinthetownfromMademoiselleBourienneandhadreadthenotetoPrincessMaryinwhichNatashahadbrokenoffherengagement。Heseemedinbetterspiritsthanusualandawaitedhissonwithgreatimpatience。
SomedaysafterAnatole’sdeparturePierrereceivedanotefromPrinceAndrew，informinghimofhisarrivalandaskinghimtocometoseehim。
AssoonashereachedMoscow，PrinceAndrewhadreceivedfromhisfatherNatasha’snotetoPrincessMarybreakingoffherengagementMademoiselleBouriennehadpurloineditfromPrincessMaryandgivenittotheoldprince，andheheardfromhimthestoryofNatasha’selopement，withadditions。
PrinceAndrewhadarrivedintheeveningandPierrecametoseehimnextmorning。PierreexpectedtofindPrinceAndrewinalmostthesamestateasNatashaandwasthereforesurprisedonenteringthedrawingroomtohearhiminthestudytalkinginaloudanimatedvoiceaboutsomeintriguegoingoninPetersburg。Theoldprince’svoiceandanothernowandtheninterruptedhim。PrincessMarycameouttomeetPierre。Shesighed，lookingtowardthedooroftheroomwherePrinceAndrewwas，evidentlyintendingtoexpresshersympathywithhissorrow，butPierresawbyherfacethatshewasgladbothatwhathadhappenedandatthewayherbrotherhadtakenthenewsofNatasha’sfaithlessness。
\"Hesaysheexpectedit，\"sheremarked。\"Iknowhispridewillnotlethimexpresshisfeelings，butstillhehastakenitbetter，farbetter，thanIexpected。Evidentlyithadtobe……\"
\"Butisitpossiblethatallisreallyended？\"askedPierre。
PrincessMarylookedathimwithastonishment。Shedidnotunderstandhowhecouldasksuchaquestion。Pierrewentintothestudy。PrinceAndrew，greatlychangedandplainlyinbetterhealth，butwithafreshhorizontalwrinklebetweenhisbrows，stoodinciviliandressfacinghisfatherandPrinceMeshcherski，warmlydisputingandvigorouslygesticulating。TheconversationwasaboutSperanski—thenewsofwhosesuddenexileandallegedtreacheryhadjustreachedMoscow。
\"Nowheiscensuredandaccusedbyallwhowereenthusiasticabouthimamonthago，\"PrinceAndrewwassaying，\"andbythosewhowereunabletounderstandhisaims。Tojudgeamanwhoisindisfavorandtothrowonhimalltheblameofothermen’smistakesisveryeasy，butImaintainthatifanythinggoodhasbeenaccomplishedinthisreignitwasdonebyhim，byhimalone。\"
HepausedatthesightofPierre。Hisfacequiveredandimmediatelyassumedavindictiveexpression。
\"Posteritywilldohimjustice，\"heconcluded，andatonceturnedtoPierre。
\"Well，howareyou？Stillgettingstouter？\"hesaidwithanimation，butthenewwrinkleonhisforeheaddeepened。\"Yes，Iamwell，\"hesaidinanswertoPierre’squestion，andsmiled。
ToPierrethatsmilesaidplainly：\"Iamwell，butmyhealthisnowofnousetoanyone。\"
AfterafewwordstoPierreabouttheawfulroadsfromthePolishfrontier，aboutpeoplehehadmetinSwitzerlandwhoknewPierre，andaboutM。Dessalles，whomhehadbroughtfromabroadtobehisson’stutor，PrinceAndrewagainjoinedwarmlyintheconversationaboutSperanskiwhichwasstillgoingonbetweenthetwooldmen。
\"Ifthereweretreason，orproofsofsecretrelationswithNapoleon，theywouldhavebeenmadepublic，\"hesaidwithwarmthandhaste。\"I
donot，andneverdid，likeSperanskipersonally，butIlikejustice！\"
Pierrenowrecognizedinhisfriendaneedwithwhichhewasonlytoofamiliar，togetexcitedandtohaveargumentsaboutextraneousmattersinordertostiflethoughtsthatweretoooppressiveandtoointimate。WhenPrinceMeshcherskihadleft，PrinceAndrewtookPierre’sarmandaskedhimintotheroomthathadbeenassignedhim。A
bedhadbeenmadeupthere，andsomeopenportmanteausandtrunksstoodabout。PrinceAndrewwenttooneandtookoutasmallcasket，fromwhichhedrewapacketwrappedinpaper。Hediditallsilentlyandveryquickly。Hestoodupandcoughed。Hisfacewasgloomyandhislipscompressed。
\"Forgivemefortroublingyou……\"
PierresawthatPrinceAndrewwasgoingtospeakofNatasha，andhisbroadfaceexpressedpityandsympathy。ThisexpressionirritatedPrinceAndrew，andinadetermined，ringing，andunpleasanttonehecontinued：
\"IhavereceivedarefusalfromCountessRostovaandhaveheardreportsofyourbrother—in—lawhavingsoughtherhand，orsomethingofthatkind。Isthattrue？\"
\"Bothtrueanduntrue，\"Pierrebegan；butPrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
\"Hereareherlettersandherportrait，\"saidhe。
HetookthepacketfromthetableandhandedittoPierre。
\"Givethistothecountess……ifyouseeher。\"
\"Sheisveryill，\"saidPierre。
\"Thensheisherestill？\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"AndPrinceKuragin？\"headdedquickly。
\"Heleftlongago。Shehasbeenatdeath’sdoor。\"
\"Imuchregretherillness，\"saidPrinceAndrew；andhesmiledlikehisfather，coldly，maliciously，andunpleasantly。
\"SoMonsieurKuraginhasnothonoredCountessRostovawithhishand？\"saidPrinceAndrew，andhesnortedseveraltimes。
\"Hecouldnotmarry，forhewasmarriedalready，\"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrewlaugheddisagreeably，againremindingoneofhisfather。
\"Andwhereisyourbrother—in—lawnow，ifImayask？\"hesaid。
\"HehasgonetoPeters……ButIdon’tknow，\"saidPierre。
\"Well，itdoesn’tmatter，\"saidPrinceAndrew。\"TellCountessRostovathatshewasandisperfectlyfreeandthatIwishherallthatisgood。\"
Pierretookthepacket。PrinceAndrew，asiftryingtorememberwhetherhehadsomethingmoretosay，orwaitingtoseeifPierrewouldsayanything，lookedfixedlyathim。
\"Isay，doyourememberourdiscussioninPetersburg？\"askedPierre，\"about……\"
\"Yes，\"returnedPrinceAndrewhastily。\"Isaidthatafallenwomanshouldbeforgiven，butIdidn’tsayIcouldforgiveher。Ican’t。\"
\"Butcanthisbecompared……？\"saidPierre。
PrinceAndrewinterruptedhimandcriedsharply：\"Yes，askherhandagain，bemagnanimous，andsoon？……Yes，thatwouldbeverynoble，butIamunabletofollowinthatgentleman’sfootsteps。Ifyouwishtobemyfriendneverspeaktomeofthat……ofallthat！Well，good—by。Soyou’llgiveherthepacket？\"
PierrelefttheroomandwenttotheoldprinceandPrincessMary。
Theoldmanseemedlivelierthanusual。PrincessMarywasthesameasalways，butbeneathhersympathyforherbrother，Pierrenoticedhersatisfactionthattheengagementhadbeenbrokenoff。LookingatthemPierrerealizedwhatcontemptandanimositytheyallfeltfortheRostovs，andthatitwasimpossibleintheirpresenceeventomentionthenameofherwhocouldgiveupPrinceAndrewforanyoneelse。
Atdinnerthetalkturnedonthewar，theapproachofwhichwasbecomingevident。PrinceAndrewtalkedincessantly，arguingnowwithhisfather，nowwiththeSwisstutorDessalles，andshowinganunnaturalanimation，thecauseofwhichPierresowellunderstood。
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ThatsameeveningPierrewenttotheRostovs’tofulfillthecommissionentrustedtohim。Natashawasinbed，thecountattheClub，andPierre，aftergivingtheletterstoSonya，wenttoMaryaDmitrievnawhowasinterestedtoknowhowPrinceAndrewhadtakenthenews。TenminuteslaterSonyacametoMaryaDmitrievna。
\"NatashainsistsonseeingCountPeterKirilovich，\"saidshe。
\"Buthow？Arewetotakehimuptoher？Theroomtherehasnotbeentidiedup。\"
\"No，shehasdressedandgoneintothedrawingroom，\"saidSonya。
MaryaDmitrievnaonlyshruggedhershoulders。
\"Whenwillhermothercome？Shehasworriedmetodeath！Nowmind，don’ttellhereverything！\"saidshetoPierre。\"Onehasn’tthehearttoscoldher，sheissomuchtobepitied，somuchtobepitied。\"
Natashawasstandinginthemiddleofthedrawingroom，emaciated，withapalesetface，butnotatallshamefacedasPierreexpectedtofindher。Whenheappearedatthedoorshegrewflurried，evidentlyundecidedwhethertogotomeethimortowaittillhecameup。
Pierrehastenedtoher。Hethoughtshewouldgivehimherhandasusual；butshe，steppinguptohim，stopped，breathingheavily，herarmshanginglifelesslyjustintheposesheusedtostandinwhenshewenttothemiddleoftheballroomtosing，butwithquiteadifferentexpressionofface。
\"PeterKirilovich，\"shebeganrapidly，\"PrinceBolkonskiwasyourfriend—isyourfriend，\"shecorrectedherself。Itseemedtoherthateverythingthathadoncebeenmustnowbedifferent。\"Hetoldmeoncetoapplytoyou……\"
Pierresniffedashelookedather，butdidnotspeak。Tillthenhehadreproachedherinhisheartandtriedtodespiseher，buthenowfeltsosorryforherthattherewasnoroominhissoulforreproach。
\"Heisherenow：tellhim……tofor……forgiveme！\"Shestoppedandbreathedstillmorequickly，butdidnotshedtears。
\"Yes……Iwilltellhim，\"answeredPierre；\"but……\"
Hedidnotknowwhattosay。
Natashawasevidentlydismayedatthethoughtofwhathemightthinkshehadmeant。
\"No，Iknowallisover，\"shesaidhurriedly。\"No，thatcanneverbe。I’monlytormentedbythewrongIhavedonehim。TellhimonlythatIbeghimtoforgive，forgive，forgivemeforeverything……\"
Shetrembledalloverandsatdownonachair。
AsenseofpityhehadneverbeforeknownoverflowedPierre’sheart。
\"Iwilltellhim，Iwilltellhimeverythingoncemore，\"saidPierre。\"But……Ishouldliketoknowonething……\"
\"Knowwhat？\"Natasha’seyesasked。
\"Ishouldliketoknow，didyoulove……\"PierredidnotknowhowtorefertoAnatoleandflushedatthethoughtofhim—\"didyoulovethatbadman？\"
\"Don’tcallhimbad！\"saidNatasha。\"ButIdon’tknow，don’tknowatall……\"
Shebegantocryandastillgreatersenseofpity，tenderness，andlovewelledupinPierre。Hefeltthetearstrickleunderhisspectaclesandhopedtheywouldnotbenoticed。
\"Wewon’tspeakofitanymore，mydear，\"saidPierre，andhisgentle，cordialtonesuddenlyseemedverystrangetoNatasha。
\"Wewon’tspeakofit，mydear—I’lltellhimeverything；butonethingIbegofyou，considermeyourfriendandifyouwanthelp，advice，orsimplytoopenyourhearttosomeone—notnow，butwhenyourmindisclearerthinkofme！\"Hetookherhandandkissedit。
\"Ishallbehappyifit’sinmypower……\"
Pierregrewconfused。
\"Don’tspeaktomelikethat。Iamnotworthit！\"exclaimedNatashaandturnedtoleavetheroom，butPierreheldherhand。
Heknewhehadsomethingmoretosaytoher。Butwhenhesaidithewasamazedathisownwords。
\"Stop，stop！Youhaveyourwholelifebeforeyou，\"saidhetoher。
\"Beforeme？No！Allisoverforme，\"sherepliedwithshameandself—abasement。
\"Allover？\"herepeated。\"IfIwerenotmyself，butthehandsomest，cleverest，andbestmanintheworld，andwerefree，Iwouldthismomentaskonmykneesforyourhandandyourlove！\"
ForthefirsttimeformanydaysNatashawepttearsofgratitudeandtenderness，andglancingatPierreshewentoutoftheroom。
Pierretoowhenshehadgonealmostranintotheanteroom，restrainingtearsoftendernessandjoythatchokedhim，andwithoutfindingthesleevesofhisfurcloakthrewitonandgotintohissleigh。
\"Wheretonow，yourexcellency？\"askedthecoachman。
\"Whereto？\"Pierreaskedhimself。\"WherecanIgonow？SurelynottotheClubortopaycalls？\"Allmenseemedsopitiful，sopoor，incomparisonwiththisfeelingoftendernessandloveheexperienced：incomparisonwiththatsoftened，grateful，lastlookshehadgivenhimthroughhertears。
\"Home！\"saidPierre，anddespitetwenty—twodegreesoffrostFahrenheithethrewopenthebearskincloakfromhisbroadchestandinhaledtheairwithjoy。
Itwasclearandfrosty。Abovethedirty，ill—litstreets，abovetheblackroofs，stretchedthedarkstarrysky。OnlylookingupattheskydidPierreceasetofeelhowsordidandhumiliatingwereallmundanethingscomparedwiththeheightstowhichhissoulhadjustbeenraised。AttheentrancetotheArbatSquareanimmenseexpanseofdarkstarryskypresenteditselftohiseyes。Almostinthecenterofit，abovethePrechistenkaBoulevard，surroundedandsprinkledonallsidesbystarsbutdistinguishedfromthemallbyitsnearnesstotheearth，itswhitelight，anditslongupliftedtail，shonetheenormousandbrilliantcometof18l2—thecometwhichwassaidtoportendallkindsofwoesandtheendoftheworld。InPierre，however，thatcometwithitslongluminoustailarousednofeelingoffear。Onthecontraryhegazedjoyfully，hiseyesmoistwithtears，atthisbrightcometwhich，havingtraveledinitsorbitwithinconceivablevelocitythroughimmeasurablespace，seemedsuddenly—
likeanarrowpiercingtheearth—toremainfixedinachosenspot，vigorouslyholdingitstailerect，shininganddisplayingitswhitelightamidcountlessotherscintillatingstars。ItseemedtoPierrethatthiscometfullyrespondedtowhatwaspassinginhisownsoftenedandupliftedsoul，nowblossomingintoanewlife。
BOOKNINE：1812
CHAPTERI
Fromthecloseoftheyear1811intensifiedarmingandconcentratingoftheforcesofWesternEuropebegan，andin1812theseforces—
millionsofmen，reckoningthosetransportingandfeedingthearmy—
movedfromthewesteastwardstotheRussianfrontier，towardwhichsince1811Russianforceshadbeensimilarlydrawn。OnthetwelfthofJune，1812，theforcesofWesternEuropecrossedtheRussianfrontierandwarbegan，thatis，aneventtookplaceopposedtohumanreasonandtohumannature。Millionsofmenperpetratedagainstoneanothersuchinnumerablecrimes，frauds，treacheries，thefts，forgeries，issuesoffalsemoney，burglaries，incendiarisms，andmurdersasinwholecenturiesarenotrecordedintheannalsofallthelawcourtsoftheworld，butwhichthosewhocommittedthemdidnotatthetimeregardasbeingcrimes。
Whatproducedthisextraordinaryoccurrence？Whatwereitscauses？
ThehistorianstelluswithnaiveassurancethatitscauseswerethewrongsinflictedontheDukeofOldenburg，thenonobservanceoftheContinentalSystem，theambitionofNapoleon，thefirmnessofAlexander，themistakesofthediplomatists，andsoon。
Consequently，itwouldonlyhavebeennecessaryforMetternich，Rumyantsev，orTalleyrand，betweenaleveeandaneveningparty，tohavetakenproperpainsandwrittenamoreadroitnote，orforNapoleontohavewrittentoAlexander：\"MyrespectedBrother，I
consenttorestoretheduchytotheDukeofOldenburg\"—andtherewouldhavebeennowar。
Wecanunderstandthatthematterseemedlikethattocontemporaries。ItnaturallyseemedtoNapoleonthatthewarwascausedbyEngland’sintriguesasinfacthesaidontheislandofSt。
Helena。ItnaturallyseemedtomembersoftheEnglishParliamentthatthecauseofthewarwasNapoleon’sambition；totheDukeofOldenburg，thatthecauseofthewarwastheviolencedonetohim；
tobusinessmenthatthecauseofthewaywastheContinentalSystemwhichwasruiningEurope；tothegeneralsandoldsoldiersthatthechiefreasonforthewarwasthenecessityofgivingthememployment；tothelegitimistsofthatdaythatitwastheneedofre—establishinglesbonsprincipes，andtothediplomatistsofthattimethatitallresultedfromthefactthatthealliancebetweenRussiaandAustriain1809hadnotbeensufficientlywellconcealedfromNapoleon，andfromtheawkwardwordingofMemorandumNo。178。
Itisnaturalthattheseandacountlessandinfinitequantityofotherreasons，thenumberdependingontheendlessdiversityofpointsofview，presentedthemselvestothemenofthatday；buttous，toposteritywhoviewthethingthathappenedinallitsmagnitudeandperceiveitsplainandterriblemeaning，thesecausesseeminsufficient。TousitisincomprehensiblethatmillionsofChristianmenkilledandtorturedeachothereitherbecauseNapoleonwasambitiousorAlexanderwasfirm，orbecauseEngland’spolicywasastuteortheDukeofOldenburgwronged。Wecannotgraspwhatconnectionsuchcircumstanceshavewiththeactualfactofslaughterandviolence：whybecausetheDukewaswronged，thousandsofmenfromtheothersideofEuropekilledandruinedthepeopleofSmolenskandMoscowandwerekilledbythem。
Tous，theirdescendants，whoarenothistoriansandarenotcarriedawaybytheprocessofresearchandcanthereforeregardtheeventwithuncloudedcommonsense，anincalculablenumberofcausespresentthemselves。Thedeeperwedelveinsearchofthesecausesthemoreofthemwefind；andeachseparatecauseorwholeseriesofcausesappearstousequallyvalidinitselfandequallyfalsebyitsinsignificancecomparedtothemagnitudeoftheevents，andbyitsimpotence—apartfromthecooperationofalltheothercoincidentcauses—tooccasiontheevent。Tous，thewishorobjectionofthisorthatFrenchcorporaltoserveasecondtermappearsasmuchacauseasNapoleon’srefusaltowithdrawhistroopsbeyondtheVistulaandtorestoretheduchyofOldenburg；forhadhenotwishedtoserve，andhadasecond，athird，andathousandthcorporalandprivatealsorefused，therewouldhavebeensomanylessmeninNapoleon’sarmyandthewarcouldnothaveoccurred。
HadNapoleonnottakenoffenseatthedemandthatheshouldwithdrawbeyondtheVistula，andnotorderedhistroopstoadvance，therewouldhavebeennowar；buthadallhissergeantsobjectedtoservingasecondtermthenalsotherecouldhavebeennowar。NorcouldtherehavebeenawarhadtherebeennoEnglishintriguesandnoDukeofOldenburg，andhadAlexandernotfeltinsulted，andhadtherenotbeenanautocraticgovernmentinRussia，oraRevolutioninFranceandasubsequentdictatorshipandEmpire，orallthethingsthatproducedtheFrenchRevolution，andsoon。Withouteachofthesecausesnothingcouldhavehappened。Soallthesecauses—myriadsofcauses—coincidedtobringitabout。Andsotherewasnoonecauseforthatoccurrence，butithadtooccurbecauseithadto。Millionsofmen，renouncingtheirhumanfeelingsandreason，hadtogofromwesttoeasttoslaytheirfellows，justassomecenturiespreviouslyhordesofmenhadcomefromtheeasttothewest，slayingtheirfellows。