Butitremainedanarmyonlyuntilitssoldiershaddispersedintotheirdifferentlodgings。Assoonasthemenofthevariousregimentsbegantodisperseamongthewealthyanddesertedhouses，thearmywaslostforeverandtherecameintobeingsomethingnondescript，neithercitizensnorsoldiersbutwhatareknownasmarauders。WhenfiveweekslaterthesesamemenleftMoscow，theynolongerformedanarmy。Theywereamobofmarauders，eachcarryingaquantityofarticleswhichseemedtohimvaluableoruseful。TheaimofeachmanwhenheleftMoscowwasnolonger，asithadbeen，toconquer，butmerelytokeepwhathehadacquired。Likeamonkeywhichputsitspawintothenarrowneckofajug，andhavingseizedahandfulofnutswillnotopenitsfistforfearoflosingwhatitholds，andthereforeperishes，theFrenchwhentheyleftMoscowhadinevitablytoperishbecausetheycarriedtheirlootwiththem，yettoabandonwhattheyhadstolenwasasimpossibleforthemasitisforthemonkeytoopenitspawandletgoofitsnuts。TenminutesaftereachregimenthadenteredaMoscowdistrict，notasoldierorofficerwasleft。
MeninmilitaryuniformsandHessianbootscouldbeseenthroughthewindows，laughingandwalkingthroughtherooms。Incellarsandstoreroomssimilarmenwerebusyamongtheprovisions，andintheyardsunlockingorbreakingopencoachhouseandstabledoors，lightingfiresinkitchensandkneadingandbakingbreadwithrolled—upsleeves，andcooking；orfrightening，amusing，orcaressingwomenandchildren。Thereweremanysuchmenbothintheshopsandhouses—buttherewasnoarmy。
OrderafterorderwasissuedbytheFrenchcommandersthatdayforbiddingthementodisperseaboutthetown，sternlyforbiddinganyviolencetotheinhabitantsoranylooting，andannouncingarollcallforthatveryevening。Butdespiteallthesemeasuresthemen，whohadtillthenconstitutedanarmy，flowedalloverthewealthy，desertedcitywithitscomfortsandplentifulsupplies。Asahungryherdofcattlekeepswelltogetherwhencrossingabarrenfield，butgetsoutofhandandatoncedispersesuncontrollablyassoonasitreachesrichpastures，sodidthearmydispersealloverthewealthycity。
NoresidentswereleftinMoscow，andthesoldiers—likewaterpercolatingthroughsand—spreadirresistiblythroughthecityinalldirectionsfromtheKremlinintowhichtheyhadfirstmarched。Thecavalry，onenteringamerchant’shousethathadbeenabandonedandfindingtherestablingmorethansufficientfortheirhorses，wenton，allthesame，tothenexthousewhichseemedtothembetter。Manyofthemappropriatedseveralhouses，chalkedtheirnamesonthem，andquarreledandevenfoughtwithothercompaniesforthem。Beforetheyhadhadtimetosecurequartersthesoldiersranoutintothestreetstoseethecityand，hearingthateverythinghadbeenabandoned，rushedtoplaceswherevaluablesweretobehadforthetaking。Theofficersfollowedtocheckthesoldiersandwereinvoluntarilydrawnintodoingthesame。InCarriageRowcarriageshadbeenleftintheshops，andgeneralsflockedtheretoselectcalechesandcoachesforthemselves。Thefewinhabitantswhohadremainedinvitedcommandingofficerstotheirhouses，hopingtherebytosecurethemselvesfrombeingplundered。Thereweremassesofwealthandthereseemednoendtoit。AllaroundthequartersoccupiedbytheFrenchwereotherregionsstillunexploredandunoccupiedwhere，theythought，yetgreaterrichesmightbefound。AndMoscowengulfedthearmyeverdeeperanddeeper。Whenwaterisspilledondrygroundboththedrygroundandthewaterdisappearandmudresults；andinthesamewaytheentryofthefamishedarmyintotherichanddesertedcityresultedinfiresandlootingandthedestructionofboththearmyandthewealthycity。
TheFrenchattributedtheFireofMoscowaupatriotismeferocedeRostopchine，*theRussianstothebarbarityoftheFrench。Inreality，however，itwasnot，andcouldnotbe，possibletoexplaintheburningofMoscowbymakinganyindividual，oranygroupofpeople，responsibleforit。Moscowwasburnedbecauseitfounditselfinapositioninwhichanytownbuiltofwoodwasboundtoburn，quiteapartfromwhetherithad，orhadnot，ahundredandthirtyinferiorfireengines。DesertedMoscowhadtoburnasinevitablyasaheapofshavingshastoburnonwhichsparkscontinuallyfallforseveraldays。Atownbuiltofwood，wherescarcelyadaypasseswithoutconflagrationswhenthehouseownersareinresidenceandapoliceforceispresent，cannothelpburningwhenitsinhabitantshaveleftitanditisoccupiedbysoldierswhosmokepipes，makecampfiresoftheSenatechairsintheSenateSquare，andcookthemselvesmealstwiceaday。Inpeacetimeitisonlynecessarytobillettroopsinthevillagesofanydistrictandthenumberoffiresinthatdistrictimmediatelyincreases。Howmuchthenmusttheprobabilityoffirebeincreasedinanabandoned，woodentownwhereforeigntroopsarequartered。\"LepatriotismeferocedeRostopchine\"andthebarbarityoftheFrenchwerenottoblameinthematter。Moscowwassetonfirebythesoldiers’pipes，kitchens，andcampfires，andbythecarelessnessofenemysoldiersoccupyinghousestheydidnotown。Eveniftherewasanyarsonwhichisverydoubtful，fornoonehadanyreasontoburnthehouses—inanycaseatroublesomeanddangerousthingtodo，arsoncannotberegardedasthecause，forthesamethingwouldhavehappenedwithoutanyincendiarism。
*ToRostopchin’sferociouspatriotism。
HowevertemptingitmightbefortheFrenchtoblameRostopchin’sferocityandforRussianstoblamethescoundrelBonaparte，orlaterontoplaceanheroictorchinthehandsoftheirownpeople，itisimpossiblenottoseethattherecouldbenosuchdirectcauseofthefire，forMoscowhadtoburnaseveryvillage，factory，orhousemustburnwhichisleftbyitsownersandinwhichstrangersareallowedtoliveandcooktheirporridge。Moscowwasburnedbyitsinhabitants，itistrue，butbythosewhohadabandoneditandnotbythosewhoremainedinit。MoscowwhenoccupiedbytheenemydidnotremainintactlikeBerlin，Vienna，andothertowns，simplybecauseitsinhabitantsabandoneditanddidnotwelcometheFrenchwithbreadandsalt，norbringthemthekeysofthecity。
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TheabsorptionoftheFrenchbyMoscow，radiatingstarwiseasitdid，onlyreachedthequarterwherePierrewasstayingbytheeveningofthesecondofSeptember。
Afterthelasttwodaysspentinsolitudeandunusualcircumstances，Pierrewasinastateborderingoninsanity。Hewascompletelyobsessedbyonepersistentthought。Hedidnotknowhoworwhenthisthoughthadtakensuchpossessionofhim，butherememberednothingofthepast，understoodnothingofthepresent，andallhesawandheardappearedtohimlikeadream。
Hehadlefthomeonlytoescapetheintricatetangleoflife’sdemandsthatenmeshedhim，andwhichinhispresentconditionhewasunabletounravel。HehadgonetoJosephAlexeevich’shouse，onthepleaofsortingthedeceased’sbooksandpapers，onlyinsearchofrestfromlife’sturmoil，forinhismindthememoryofJosephAlexeevichwasconnectedwithaworldofeternal，solemn，andcalmthoughts，quitecontrarytotherestlessconfusionintowhichhefelthimselfbeingdrawn。Hesoughtaquietrefuge，andinJosephAlexeevich’sstudyhereallyfoundit。Whenhesatwithhiselbowsonthedustywritingtableinthedeathlikestillnessofthestudy，calmandsignificantmemoriesofthelastfewdaysroseoneafteranotherinhisimagination，particularlyofthebattleofBorodinoandofthatvaguesenseofhisowninsignificanceandinsinceritycomparedwiththetruth，simplicity，andstrengthoftheclassofmenhementallyclassedasthey。WhenGerasimrousedhimfromhisreverietheideaoccurredtohimoftakingpartinthepopulardefenseofMoscowwhichheknewwasprojected。AndwiththatobjecthehadaskedGerasimtogethimapeasant’scoatandapistol，confidingtohimhisintentionsofremaininginJosephAlexeevich’shouseandkeepinghisnamesecret。ThenduringthefirstdayspentininactionandsolitudehetriedseveraltimestofixhisattentionontheMasonicmanuscripts，butwasunabletodosotheideathathadpreviouslyoccurredtohimofthecabalisticsignificanceofhisnameinconnectionwithBonaparte’smorethanoncevaguelypresenteditself。
Buttheideathathe，L’russeBesuhof，wasdestinedtosetalimittothepoweroftheBeastwasasyetonlyoneofthefanciesthatoftenpassedthroughhismindandleftnotracebehind。
When，havingboughtthecoatmerelywiththeobjectoftakingpartamongthepeopleinthedefenseofMoscow，PierrehadmettheRostovsandNatashahadsaidtohim：\"AreyouremaininginMoscow？……Howsplendid！\"thethoughtflashedintohismindthatitreallywouldbeagoodthing，evenifMoscowweretaken，forhimtoremainthereanddowhathewaspredestinedtodo。
Nextday，withthesoleideaofnotsparinghimselfandnotlagginginanywaybehindthem，PierrewenttotheThreeHillsgate。
ButwhenhereturnedtothehouseconvincedthatMoscowwouldnotbedefended，hesuddenlyfeltthatwhatbeforehadseemedtohimmerelyapossibilityhadnowbecomeabsolutelynecessaryandinevitable。HemustremaininMoscow，concealinghisname，andmustmeetNapoleonandkillhim，andeitherperishorputanendtothemiseryofallEurope—
whichitseemedtohimwassolelyduetoNapoleon。
PierreknewallthedetailsoftheattemptonBonaparte’slifein1809byaGermanstudentinVienna，andknewthatthestudenthadbeenshot。Andtherisktowhichhewouldexposehislifebycarryingouthisdesignexcitedhimstillmore。
TwoequallystrongfeelingsdrewPierreirresistiblytothispurpose。Thefirstwasafeelingofthenecessityofsacrificeandsufferinginviewofthecommoncalamity，thesamefeelingthathadcausedhimtogotoMozhayskonthetwenty—fifthandtomakehiswaytotheverythickofthebattleandhadnowcausedhimtorunawayfromhishomeand，inplaceoftheluxuryandcomforttowhichhewasaccustomed，tosleeponahardsofawithoutundressingandeatthesamefoodasGerasim。TheotherwasthatvagueandquiteRussianfeelingofcontemptforeverythingconventional，artificial，andhuman—foreverythingthemajorityofmenregardasthegreatestgoodintheworld。PierrehadfirstexperiencedthisstrangeandfascinatingfeelingattheSlobodaPalace，whenhehadsuddenlyfeltthatwealth，power，andlife—allthatmensopainstakinglyacquireandguard—ifithasanyworthhassoonlybyreasonthejoywithwhichitcanallberenounced。
Itwasthefeelingthatinducesavolunteerrecruittospendhislastpennyondrink，andadrunkenmantosmashmirrorsorglassesfornoapparentreasonandknowingthatitwillcosthimallthemoneyhepossesses：thefeelingwhichcausesamantoperformactionswhichfromanordinarypointofviewareinsane，totest，asitwere，hispersonalpowerandstrength，affirmingtheexistenceofahigher，nonhumancriterionoflife。
FromtheverydayPierrehadexperiencedthisfeelingforthefirsttimeattheSlobodaPalacehehadbeencontinuouslyunderitsinfluence，butonlynowfoundfullsatisfactionforit。Moreover，atthismomentPierrewassupportedinhisdesignandpreventedfromrenouncingitbywhathehadalreadydoneinthatdirection。IfhewerenowtoleaveMoscowlikeeveryoneelse，hisflightfromhome，thepeasantcoat，thepistol，andhisannouncementtotheRostovsthathewouldremaininMoscowwouldallbecomenotmerelymeaninglessbutcontemptibleandridiculous，andtothisPierrewasverysensitive。
Pierre’sphysicalcondition，asisalwaysthecase，correspondedtohismentalstate。Theunaccustomedcoarsefood，thevodkahedrankduringthosedays，theabsenceofwineandcigars，hisdirtyunchangedlinen，twoalmostsleeplessnightspassedonashortsofawithoutbedding—allthiskepthiminastateofexcitementborderingoninsanity。
Itwastwoo’clockintheafternoon。TheFrenchhadalreadyenteredMoscow。Pierreknewthis，butinsteadofactingheonlythoughtabouthisundertaking，goingoveritsminutestdetailsinhismind。InhisfancyhedidnotclearlypicturetohimselfeitherthestrikingofthebloworthedeathofNapoleon，butwithextraordinaryvividnessandmelancholyenjoymentimaginedhisowndestructionandheroicendurance。
\"Yes，alone，forthesakeofall，Imustdoitorperish！\"hethought。\"Yes，Iwillapproach……andthensuddenly……withpistolordagger？Butthatisallthesame！’ItisnotIbutthehandofProvidencethatpunishesthee，’Ishallsay，\"thoughthe，imaginingwhathewouldsaywhenkillingNapoleon。\"Wellthen，takemeandexecuteme！\"hewenton，speakingtohimselfandbowinghisheadwithasadbutfirmexpression。
WhilePierre，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，wastalkingtohimselfinthisway，thestudydooropenedandonthethresholdappearedthefigureofMakarAlexeevich，alwayssotimidbeforebutnowquitetransformed。
Hisdressinggownwasunfastened，hisfaceredanddistorted。Hewasobviouslydrunk。OnseeingPierrehegrewconfusedatfirst，butnoticingembarrassmentonPierre’sfaceimmediatelygrewboldand，staggeringonhisthinlegs，advancedintothemiddleoftheroom。
\"They’refrightened，\"hesaidconfidentiallyinahoarsevoice。\"I
sayIwon’tsurrender，Isay……AmInotright，sir？\"
Hepausedandthensuddenlyseeingthepistolonthetableseizeditwithunexpectedrapidityandranoutintothecorridor。
Gerasimandtheporter，whohadfollowedMakarAlexeevich，stoppedhiminthevestibuleandtriedtotakethepistolfromhim。Pierre，comingoutintothecorridor，lookedwithpityandrepulsionatthehalf—crazyoldman。MakarAlexeevich，frowningwithexertion，heldontothepistolandscreamedhoarsely，evidentlywithsomeheroicfancyinhishead。
\"Toarms！Boardthem！No，youshan’tgetit，\"heyelled。
\"Thatwilldo，please，thatwilldo。Havethegoodness—please，sir，toletgo！Please，sir……\"pleadedGerasim，tryingcarefullytosteerMakarAlexeevichbytheelbowsbacktothedoor。
\"Whoareyou？Bonaparte！……\"shoutedMakarAlexeevich。
\"That’snotright，sir。Cometoyourroom，please，andrest。Allowmetohavethepistol。\"
\"Beoff，thoubaseslave！Touchmenot！Seethis？\"shoutedMakarAlexeevich，brandishingthepistol。\"Boardthem！\"
\"Catchhold！\"whisperedGerasimtotheporter。
TheyseizedMakarAlexeevichbythearmsanddraggedhimtothedoor。
Thevestibulewasfilledwiththediscordantsoundsofastruggleandofatipsy，hoarsevoice。
Suddenlyafreshsound，apiercingfemininescream，reverberatedfromtheporchandthecookcamerunningintothevestibule。
\"It’sthem！Graciousheavens！OLord，fourofthem，horsemen！\"shecried。
GerasimandtheporterletMakarAlexeevichgo，andinthenowsilentcorridorthesoundofseveralhandsknockingatthefrontdoorcouldbeheard。
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Pierre，havingdecidedthatuntilhehadcarriedouthisdesignhewoulddiscloseneitherhisidentitynorhisknowledgeofFrench，stoodatthehalf—opendoorofthecorridor，intendingtoconcealhimselfassoonastheFrenchentered。ButtheFrenchenteredandstillPierredidnotretire—anirresistiblecuriositykepthimthere。
Thereweretwoofthem。Onewasanofficer—atall，soldierly，handsomeman—theotherevidentlyaprivateoranorderly，sunburned，short，andthin，withsunkencheeksandadullexpression。Theofficerwalkedinfront，leaningonastickandslightlylimping。Whenhehadadvancedafewstepshestopped，havingapparentlydecidedthattheseweregoodquarters，turnedroundtothesoldiersstandingattheentrance，andinaloudvoiceofcommandorderedthemtoputupthehorses。Havingdonethat，theofficer，liftinghiselbowwithasmartgesture，strokedhismustacheandlightlytouchedhishat。
\"Bonjour，lacompagnie！\"*saidhegaily，smilingandlookingabouthim。
*\"Goodday，everybody！\"
Noonegaveanyreply。
\"Vouseteslebourgeois？\"*theofficeraskedGerasim。
*\"Areyouthemasterhere？\"
Gerasimgazedattheofficerwithanalarmedandinquiringlook。
\"Quartier，quartier，logement！\"saidtheofficer，lookingdownatthelittlemanwithacondescendingandgood—naturedsmile。\"Lesfrancaissontdebonsenfants。Quediable！Voyons！Nenousfachonspas，monvieux！\"*addedhe，clappingthescaredandsilentGerasimontheshoulder。\"Well，doesnoonespeakFrenchinthisestablishment？\"heaskedagaininFrench，lookingaroundandmeetingPierre’seyes。Pierremovedawayfromthedoor。
*\"Quarters，quarters，lodgings！TheFrencharegoodfellows。Whatthedevil！There，don’tletusbecross，oldfellow！\"
AgaintheofficerturnedtoGerasimandaskedhimtoshowhimtheroomsinthehouse。
\"Master，nothere—don’tunderstand……me，you……\"saidGerasim，tryingtorenderhiswordsmorecomprehensiblebycontortingthem。
Stillsmiling，theFrenchofficerspreadouthishandsbeforeGerasim’snose，intimatingthathedidnotunderstandhimeither，andmoved，limping，tothedooratwhichPierrewasstanding。Pierrewishedtogoawayandconcealhimself，butatthatmomenthesawMakarAlexeevichappearingattheopenkitchendoorwiththepistolinhishand。Withamadman’scunning，MakarAlexeevicheyedtheFrenchman，raisedhispistol，andtookaim。
\"Boardthem！\"yelledthetipsyman，tryingtopressthetrigger。
Hearingtheyelltheofficerturnedround，andatthesamemomentPierrethrewhimselfonthedrunkard。JustwhenPierresnatchedatandstruckupthepistolMakarAlexeevichatlastgothisfingersonthetrigger，therewasadeafeningreport，andallwereenvelopedinacloudofsmoke。TheFrenchmanturnedpaleandrushedtothedoor。
ForgettinghisintentionofconcealinghisknowledgeofFrench，Pierre，snatchingawaythepistolandthrowingitdown，ranuptotheofficerandaddressedhiminFrench。
\"Youarenotwounded？\"heasked。
\"Ithinknot，\"answeredtheFrenchman，feelinghimselfover。\"ButIhavehadaluckyescapethistime，\"headded，pointingtothedamagedplasterofthewall。\"Whoisthatman？\"saidhe，lookingsternlyatPierre。
\"Oh，Iamreallyindespairatwhathasoccurred，\"saidPierrerapidly，quiteforgettingtheparthehadintendedtoplay。\"Heisanunfortunatemadmanwhodidnotknowwhathewasdoing。\"
TheofficerwentuptoMakarAlexeevichandtookhimbythecollar。
MakarAlexeevichwasstandingwithpartedlips，swaying，asifabouttofallasleep，asheleanedagainstthewall。
\"Brigand！Youshallpayforthis，\"saidtheFrenchman，lettinggoofhim。\"WeFrencharemercifulaftervictory，butwedonotpardontraitors，\"headded，withalookofgloomydignityandafineenergeticgesture。
Pierrecontinued，inFrench，topersuadetheofficernottoholdthatdrunkenimbeciletoaccount。TheFrenchmanlistenedinsilencewiththesamegloomyexpression，butsuddenlyturnedtoPierrewithasmile。Forafewsecondshelookedathiminsilence。Hishandsomefaceassumedamelodramaticallygentleexpressionandheheldouthishand。
\"Youhavesavedmylife。YouareFrench，\"saidhe。
ForaFrenchmanthatdeductionwasindubitable。OnlyaFrenchmancouldperformagreatdeed，andtosavehislife—thelifeofM。
Ramballe，captainofthe13thLightRegiment—wasundoubtedlyaverygreatdeed。
Buthoweverindubitablethatconclusionandtheofficer’sconvictionbaseduponit，Pierrefeltitnecessarytodisillusionhim。
\"IamRussian，\"hesaidquickly。
\"Tut，tut，tut！Tellthattoothers，\"saidtheofficer，wavinghisfingerbeforehisnoseandsmiling。\"Youshalltellmeallaboutthatpresently。Iamdelightedtomeetacompatriot。Well，andwhatarewetodowiththisman？\"headded，addressinghimselftoPierreastoabrother。
EvenifPierrewerenotaFrenchman，havingoncereceivedthatloftiestofhumanappellationshecouldnotrenounceit，saidtheofficer’slookandtone。InreplytohislastquestionPierreagainexplainedwhoMakarAlexeevichwasandhowjustbeforetheirarrivalthatdrunkenimbecilehadseizedtheloadedpistolwhichtheyhadnothadtimetorecoverfromhim，andbeggedtheofficertoletthedeedgounpunished。
TheFrenchmanexpandedhischestandmadeamajesticgesturewithhisarm。
\"Youhavesavedmylife！YouareFrench。Youaskhispardon？Igrantityou。Leadthatmanaway！\"saidhequicklyandenergetically，andtakingthearmofPierrewhomhehadpromotedtobeaFrenchmanforsavinghislife，hewentwithhimintotheroom。
Thesoldiersintheyard，hearingtheshot，cameintothepassageaskingwhathadhappened，andexpressedtheirreadinesstopunishtheculprits，buttheofficersternlycheckedthem。
\"Youwillbecalledinwhenyouarewanted，\"hesaid。
Thesoldierswentoutagain，andtheorderly，whohadmeanwhilehadtimetovisitthekitchen，cameuptohisofficer。
\"Captain，thereissoupandalegofmuttoninthekitchen，\"saidhe。\"ShallIservethemup？\"
\"Yes，andsomewine，\"answeredthecaptain。
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WhentheFrenchofficerwentintotheroomwithPierrethelatteragainthoughtithisdutytoassurehimthathewasnotFrenchandwishedtogoaway，buttheofficerwouldnothearofit。Hewassoverypolite，amiable，good—natured，andgenuinelygratefultoPierreforsavinghislifethatPierrehadnotthehearttorefuse，andsatdownwithhimintheparlor—thefirstroomtheyentered。ToPierre’sassurancesthathewasnotaFrenchman，thecaptain，evidentlynotunderstandinghowanyonecoulddeclinesoflatteringanappellation，shruggedhisshouldersandsaidthatifPierreabsolutelyinsistedonpassingforaRussianletitbeso，butforallthathewouldbeforeverboundtoPierrebygratitudeforsavinghislife。
Hadthismanbeenendowedwiththeslightestcapacityforperceivingthefeelingsofothers，andhadheatallunderstoodwhatPierre’sfeelingswere，thelatterwouldprobablyhavelefthim，buttheman’sanimatedobtusenesstoeverythingotherthanhimselfdisarmedPierre。
\"AFrenchmanoraRussianprinceincognito，\"saidtheofficer，lookingatPierre’sfinethoughdirtylinenandattheringonhisfinger。\"Iowemylifetoyouandofferyoumyfriendship。AFrenchmanneverforgetseitheraninsultoraservice。Iofferyoumyfriendship。ThatisallIcansay。\"
TherewassomuchgoodnatureandnobilityintheFrenchsenseofthewordintheofficer’svoice，intheexpressionofhisfaceandinhisgestures，thatPierre，unconsciouslysmilinginresponsetotheFrenchman’ssmile，pressedthehandheldouttohim。
\"CaptainRamballe，ofthe13thLightRegiment，ChevalieroftheLegionofHonorfortheaffairontheseventhofSeptember，\"heintroducedhimself，aself—satisfiedirrepressiblesmilepuckeringhislipsunderhismustache。\"WillyounowbesogoodastotellmewithwhomIhavethehonorofconversingsopleasantly，insteadofbeingintheambulancewiththatmaniac’sbulletinmybody？\"
Pierrerepliedthathecouldnottellhimhisnameand，blushing，begantotrytoinventanameandtosaysomethingabouthisreasonforconcealingit，buttheFrenchmanhastilyinterruptedhim。
\"Oh，please！\"saidhe。\"Iunderstandyourreasons。Youareanofficer……asuperiorofficerperhaps。Youhavebornearmsagainstus。
That’snotmybusiness。Ioweyoumylife。Thatisenoughforme。Iamquiteatyourservice。Youbelongtothegentry？\"heconcludedwithashadeofinquiryinhistone。Pierrebenthishead。\"Yourbaptismalname，ifyouplease。ThatisallIask。MonsieurPierre，yousay……That’sallIwanttoknow。\"
Whenthemuttonandanomelethadbeenservedandasamovarandvodkabrought，withsomewinewhichtheFrenchhadtakenfromaRussiancellarandbroughtwiththem，RamballeinvitedPierretosharehisdinner，andhimselfbegantoeatgreedilyandquicklylikeahealthyandhungryman，munchinghisfoodrapidlywithhisstrongteeth，continuallysmackinghislips，andrepeating—\"Excellent！
Delicious！\"Hisfacegrewredandwascoveredwithperspiration。
Pierrewashungryandsharedthedinnerwithpleasure。Morel，theorderly，broughtsomehotwaterinasaucepanandplacedabottleofclaretinit。Healsobroughtabottleofkvass，takenfromthekitchenforthemtotry。ThatbeveragewasalreadyknowntotheFrenchandhadbeengivenaspecialname。Theycalleditlimonadedecochonpig’slemonade，andMorelspokewellofthelimonadedecochonhehadfoundinthekitchen。ButasthecaptainhadthewinetheyhadtakenwhilepassingthroughMoscow，heleftthekvasstoMorelandappliedhimselftothebottleofBordeaux。HewrappedthebottleuptoitsneckinatablenapkinandpouredoutwineforhimselfandforPierre。Thesatisfactionofhishungerandthewinerenderedthecaptainstillmorelivelyandhechattedincessantlyallthroughdinner。
\"Yes，mydearMonsieurPierre，Ioweyouafinevotivecandleforsavingmefromthatmaniac……Yousee，Ihavebulletsenoughinmybodyalready。HereisoneIgotatWagram\"hetouchedhisside
\"andasecondatSmolensk\"—heshowedascaronhischeek—\"andthislegwhichasyouseedoesnotwanttomarch，IgotthatontheseventhatthegreatbattleoflaMoskowa。SacreDieu！Itwassplendid！Thatdelugeoffirewasworthseeing。Itwasatoughjobyousetusthere，myword！Youmaybeproudofit！Andonmyhonor，inspiteofthecoughIcaughtthere，Ishouldbereadytobeginagain。Ipitythosewhodidnotseeit。\"
\"Iwasthere，\"saidPierre。
\"Bah，really？Somuchthebetter！Youarecertainlybravefoes。
Thegreatredoubtheldoutwell，bymypipe！\"continuedtheFrenchman。
\"Andyoumadeuspaydearforit。Iwasatitthreetimes—sureasI
sithere。Threetimeswereachedthegunsandthreetimeswewerethrownbacklikecardboardfigures。Oh，itwasbeautiful，MonsieurPierre！Yourgrenadiersweresplendid，byheaven！Isawthemcloseuptheirrankssixtimesinsuccessionandmarchasifonparade。Finefellows！OurKingofNaples，whoknowswhat’swhat，cried’Bravo！’Ha，ha！Soyouareoneofussoldiers！\"headded，smiling，afteramomentarypause。\"Somuchthebetter，somuchthebetter，MonsieurPierre！Terribleinbattle……gallant……withthefair\"hewinkedandsmiled，\"that’swhattheFrenchare，MonsieurPierre，aren’tthey？\"
Thecaptainwassonaivelyandgood—humoredlygay，soreal，andsopleasedwithhimselfthatPierrealmostwinkedbackashelookedmerrilyathim。Probablytheword\"gallant\"turnedthecaptain’sthoughtstothestateofMoscow。
\"Apropos，tellmeplease，isittruethatthewomenhaveallleftMoscow？Whataqueeridea！Whathadtheytobeafraidof？\"
\"WouldnottheFrenchladiesleaveParisiftheRussiansenteredit？\"askedPierre。
\"Ha，ha，ha！\"TheFrenchmanemittedamerry，sanguinechuckle，pattingPierreontheshoulder。\"Whatathingtosay！\"heexclaimed。
\"Paris？……ButParis，Paris……\"
\"Paris—thecapitaloftheworld，\"Pierrefinishedhisremarkforhim。
ThecaptainlookedatPierre。Hehadahabitofstoppingshortinthemiddleofhistalkandgazingintentlywithhislaughing，kindlyeyes。
\"Well，ifyouhadn’ttoldmeyouwereRussian，IshouldhavewageredthatyouwereParisian！Youhavethat……Idon’tknowwhat，that……\"
andhavingutteredthiscompliment，heagaingazedathiminsilence。
\"IhavebeeninParis。Ispentyearsthere，\"saidPierre。
\"Ohyes，oneseesthatplainly。Paris！……Amanwhodoesn’tknowParisisasavage。YoucantellaParisiantwoleaguesoff。ParisisTalma，laDuchenois，Potier，theSorbonne，theboulevards，\"andnoticingthathisconclusionwasweakerthanwhathadgonebefore，headdedquickly：\"ThereisonlyoneParisintheworld。YouhavebeentoParisandhaveremainedRussian。Well，Idon’testeemyouthelessforit。\"
Undertheinfluenceofthewinehehaddrunk，andafterthedayshehadspentalonewithhisdepressingthoughts，Pierreinvoluntarilyenjoyedtalkingwiththischeerfulandgood—naturedman。
\"Toreturntoyourladies—Iheartheyarelovely。WhatawretchedideatogoandburythemselvesinthesteppeswhentheFrencharmyisinMoscow。Whatachancethosegirlshavemissed！Yourpeasants，now—that’sanotherthing；butyoucivilizedpeople，yououghttoknowusbetterthanthat。WetookVienna，Berlin，Madrid，Naples，Rome，Warsaw，alltheworld’scapitals……Wearefeared，butweareloved。Wearenicetoknow。AndthentheEmperor……\"hebegan，butPierreinterruptedhim。
\"TheEmperor，\"Pierrerepeated，andhisfacesuddenlybecamesadandembarrassed，\"istheEmperor……？\"
\"TheEmperor？Heisgenerosity，mercy，justice，order，genius—
that’swhattheEmperoris！ItisI，Ramballe，whotellyouso……I
assureyouIwashisenemyeightyearsago。Myfatherwasanemigrantcount……Butthatmanhasvanquishedme。Hehastakenholdofme。IcouldnotresistthesightofthegrandeurandglorywithwhichhehascoveredFrance。WhenIunderstoodwhathewanted—whenIsawthathewaspreparingabedoflaurelsforus，youknow，I
saidtomyself：’Thatisamonarch，’andIdevotedmyselftohim！Sothere！Ohyes，moncher，heisthegreatestmanoftheagespastorfuture。\"
\"IsheinMoscow？\"Pierrestammeredwithaguiltylook。
TheFrenchmanlookedathisguiltyfaceandsmiled。
\"No，hewillmakehisentrytomorrow，\"hereplied，andcontinuedhistalk。
TheirconversationwasinterruptedbythecriesofseveralvoicesatthegateandbyMorel，whocametosaythatsomeWurttemberghussarshadcomeandwantedtoputuptheirhorsesintheyardwherethecaptain’shorseswere。ThisdifficultyhadarisenchieflybecausethehussarsdidnotunderstandwhatwassaidtotheminFrench。
Thecaptainhadtheirseniorsergeantcalledin，andinasternvoiceaskedhimtowhatregimenthebelonged，whowashiscommandingofficer，andbywhatrightheallowedhimselftoclaimquartersthatwerealreadyoccupied。TheGermanwhoknewlittleFrench，answeredthetwofirstquestionsbygivingthenamesofhisregimentandofhiscommandingofficer，butinreplytothethirdquestionwhichhedidnotunderstandsaid，introducingbrokenFrenchintohisownGerman，thathewasthequartermasteroftheregimentandhiscommanderhadorderedhimtooccupyallthehousesoneafteranother。Pierre，whoknewGerman，translatedwhattheGermansaidtothecaptainandgavethecaptain’sreplytotheWurttemberghussarinGerman。Whenhehadunderstoodwhatwassaidtohim，theGermansubmittedandtookhismenelsewhere。Thecaptainwentoutintotheporchandgavesomeordersinaloudvoice。
WhenhereturnedtotheroomPierrewassittinginthesameplaceasbefore，withhisheadinhishands。Hisfaceexpressedsuffering。Hereallywassufferingatthatmoment。Whenthecaptainwentoutandhewasleftalone，suddenlyhecametohimselfandrealizedthepositionhewasin。ItwasnotthatMoscowhadbeentakenorthatthehappyconquerorsweremastersinitandwerepatronizinghim。
PainfulasthatwasitwasnotthatwhichtormentedPierreatthemoment。Hewastormentedbytheconsciousnessofhisownweakness。Thefewglassesofwinehehaddrunkandtheconversationwiththisgood—naturedmanhaddestroyedthemoodofconcentratedgloominwhichhehadspentthelastfewdaysandwhichwasessentialfortheexecutionofhisdesign。Thepistol，dagger，andpeasantcoatwereready。Napoleonwastoenterthetownnextday。Pierrestillconsideredthatitwouldbeausefulandworthyactiontoslaytheevildoer，butnowhefeltthathewouldnotdoit。Hedidnotknowwhy，buthefeltaforebodingthathewouldnotcarryouthisintention。Hestruggledagainsttheconfessionofhisweaknessbutdimlyfeltthathecouldnotovercomeitandthathisformergloomyframeofmind，concerningvengeance，killing，andself—sacrifice，hadbeendispersedlikedustbycontactwiththefirstmanhemet。
Thecaptainreturnedtotheroom，limpingslightlyandwhistlingatune。
TheFrenchman’schatterwhichhadpreviouslyamusedPierrenowrepelledhim。Thetunehewaswhistling，hisgait，andthegesturewithwhichhetwirledhismustache，allnowseemedoffensive。\"I
willgoawayimmediately。Iwon’tsayanotherwordtohim，\"thoughtPierre。Hethoughtthis，butstillsatinthesameplace。Astrangefeelingofweaknesstiedhimtothespot；hewishedtogetupandgoaway，butcouldnotdoso。
Thecaptain，ontheotherhand，seemedverycheerful。Hepacedupanddowntheroomtwice。Hiseyesshoneandhismustachetwitchedasifheweresmilingtohimselfatsomeamusingthought。
\"ThecolonelofthoseWurttembergersisdelightful，\"hesuddenlysaid。\"He’saGerman，butanicefellowallthesame……Buthe’saGerman。\"HesatdownfacingPierre。\"Bytheway，youknowGerman，then？\"
Pierrelookedathiminsilence。
\"WhatistheGermanfor’shelter’？\"
\"Shelter？\"Pierrerepeated。\"TheGermanforshelterisUnterkunft。\"
\"Howdoyousayit？\"thecaptainaskedquicklyanddoubtfully。
\"Unterkunft，\"Pierrerepeated。
\"Onterkoff，\"saidthecaptainandlookedatPierreforsomesecondswithlaughingeyes。\"TheseGermansarefirst—ratefools，don’tyouthinkso，MonsieurPierre？\"heconcluded。
\"Well，let’shaveanotherbottleofthisMoscowBordeaux，shallwe？Morelwillwarmusupanotherlittlebottle。Morel！\"hecalledoutgaily。
Morelbroughtcandlesandabottleofwine。ThecaptainlookedatPierrebythecandlelightandwasevidentlystruckbythetroubledexpressiononhiscompanion’sface。Ramballe，withgenuinedistressandsympathyinhisface，wentuptoPierreandbentoverhim。
\"Therenow，we’resad，\"saidhe，touchingPierre’shand。\"HaveI
upsetyou？No，really，haveyouanythingagainstme？\"heaskedPierre。
\"Perhapsit’sthestateofaffairs？\"
Pierredidnotanswer，butlookedcordiallyintotheFrenchman’seyeswhoseexpressionofsympathywaspleasingtohim。
\"Honestly，withoutspeakingofwhatIoweyou，Ifeelfriendshipforyou。CanIdoanythingforyou？Disposeofme。Itisforlifeanddeath。Isayitwithmyhandonmyheart！\"saidhe，strikinghischest。
\"Thankyou，\"saidPierre。
Thecaptaingazedintentlyathimashehaddonewhenhelearnedthat\"shelter\"wasUnterkunftinGerman，andhisfacesuddenlybrightened。
\"Well，inthatcase，Idrinktoourfriendship！\"hecriedgaily，fillingtwoglasseswithwine。
Pierretookoneoftheglassesandemptiedit。Ramballeemptiedhistoo，againpressedPierre’shand，andleanedhiselbowsonthetableinapensiveattitude。
\"Yes，mydearfriend，\"hebegan，\"suchisfortune’scaprice。WhowouldhavesaidthatIshouldbeasoldierandacaptainofdragoonsintheserviceofBonaparte，asweusedtocallhim？YethereIaminMoscowwithhim。Imusttellyou，moncher，\"hecontinuedinthesadandmeasuredtonesofamanwhointendstotellalongstory，\"thatournameisoneofthemostancientinFrance。\"
AndwithaFrenchman’seasyandnaivefranknessthecaptaintoldPierrethestoryofhisancestors，hischildhood，youth，andmanhood，andallabouthisrelationsandhisfinancialandfamilyaffairs，\"mapauvremere\"playingofcourseanimportantpartinthestory。
\"Butallthatisonlylife’ssetting，therealthingislove—
love！AmInotright，MonsieurPierre？\"saidhe，growinganimated。
\"Anotherglass？\"
Pierreagainemptiedhisglassandpouredhimselfoutathird。
\"Oh，women，women！\"andthecaptain，lookingwithglisteningeyesatPierre，begantalkingofloveandofhisloveaffairs。
Therewereverymanyofthese，asonecouldeasilybelieve，lookingattheofficer’shandsome，self—satisfiedface，andnotingtheeagerenthusiasmwithwhichhespokeofwomen。ThoughallRamballe’slovestorieshadthesensualcharacterwhichFrenchmenregardasthespecialcharmandpoetryoflove，yethetoldhisstorywithsuchsincereconvictionthathealonehadexperiencedandknownallthecharmofloveandhedescribedwomensoalluringlythatPierrelistenedtohimwithcuriosity。
Itwasplainthatl’amourwhichtheFrenchmanwassofondofwasnotthatlowandsimplekindthatPierrehadoncefeltforhiswife，norwasittheromanticlovestimulatedbyhimselfthatheexperiencedforNatasha。Ramballedespisedboththesekindsofloveequally：theoneheconsideredthe\"loveofclodhoppers\"andtheotherthe\"loveofsimpletons。\"L’amourwhichtheFrenchmanworshipedconsistedprincipallyintheunnaturalnessofhisrelationtothewomanandinacombinationofincongruitiesgivingthechiefcharmtothefeeling。
Thusthecaptaintouchinglyrecountedthestoryofhisloveforafascinatingmarquiseofthirty—fiveandatthesametimeforacharming，innocentchildofseventeen，daughterofthebewitchingmarquise。Theconflictofmagnanimitybetweenthemotherandthedaughter，endinginthemother’ssacrificingherselfandofferingherdaughterinmarriagetoherlover，evennowagitatedthecaptain，thoughitwasthememoryofadistantpast。Thenherecountedanepisodeinwhichthehusbandplayedthepartofthelover，andhe—thelover—assumedtheroleofthehusband，aswellasseveraldrollincidentsfromhisrecollectionsofGermany，where\"shelter\"
iscalledUnterkunftandwherethehusbandseatsauerkrautandtheyounggirlsare\"tooblonde。\"
Finally，thelatestepisodeinPolandstillfreshinthecaptain’smemory，andwhichhenarratedwithrapidgesturesandglowingface，wasofhowhehadsavedthelifeofaPoleingeneral，thesavingoflifecontinuallyoccurredinthecaptain’sstoriesandthePolehadentrustedtohimhisenchantingwifeparisiennedecoeurwhilehimselfenteringtheFrenchservice。Thecaptainwashappy，theenchantingPolishladywishedtoelopewithhim，but，promptedbymagnanimity，thecaptainrestoredthewifetothehusband，sayingashedidso：\"Ihavesavedyourlife，andIsaveyourhonor！\"Havingrepeatedthesewordsthecaptainwipedhiseyesandgavehimselfashake，asifdrivingawaytheweaknesswhichassailedhimatthistouchingrecollection。
Listeningtothecaptain’stales，Pierre—asoftenhappenslateintheeveningandundertheinfluenceofwine—followedallthatwastoldhim，understooditall，andatthesametimefollowedatrainofpersonalmemorieswhich，heknewnotwhy，suddenlyaroseinhismind。WhilelisteningtotheselovestorieshisownloveforNatashaunexpectedlyrosetohismind，andgoingoverthepicturesofthatloveinhisimaginationhementallycomparedthemwithRamballe’stales。Listeningtothestoryofthestrugglebetweenloveandduty，PierresawbeforehiseyeseveryminutestdetailofhislastmeetingwiththeobjectofhisloveattheSukharevwatertower。Atthetimeofthatmeetingithadnotproducedaneffectuponhim—hehadnotevenoncerecalledit。Butnowitseemedtohimthatthatmeetinghadhadinitsomethingveryimportantandpoetic。
\"PeterKirilovich，comehere！Wehaverecognizedyou，\"henowseemedtohearthewordsshehadutteredandtoseebeforehimhereyes，hersmile，hertravelinghood，andastraylockofherhair……andthereseemedtohimsomethingpatheticandtouchinginallthis。
HavingfinishedhistaleabouttheenchantingPolishlady，thecaptainaskedPierreifhehadeverexperiencedasimilarimpulsetosacrificehimselfforloveandafeelingofenvyofthelegitimatehusband。
ChallengedbythisquestionPierreraisedhisheadandfeltaneedtoexpressthethoughtsthatfilledhismind。Hebegantoexplainthatheunderstoodloveforawomensomewhatdifferently。Hesaidthatinallhislifehehadlovedandstilllovedonlyonewoman，andthatshecouldneverbehis。
\"Tiens！\"saidthecaptain。
Pierrethenexplainedthathehadlovedthiswomanfromhisearliestyears，butthathehadnotdaredtothinkofherbecauseshewastooyoung，andbecausehehadbeenanillegitimatesonwithoutaname。
Afterwardswhenhehadreceivedanameandwealthhedarednotthinkofherbecausehelovedhertoowell，placingherfaraboveeverythingintheworld，andespeciallythereforeabovehimself。
Whenhehadreachedthispoint，Pierreaskedthecaptainwhetherheunderstoodthat。
ThecaptainmadeagesturesignifyingthatevenifhedidnotunderstandithebeggedPierretocontinue。
\"Platoniclove，clouds……\"hemuttered。
Whetheritwasthewinehehaddrunk，oranimpulseoffrankness，orthethoughtthatthismandidnot，andneverwould，knowanyofthosewhoplayedapartinhisstory，orwhetheritwasallthesethingstogether，somethingloosenedPierre’stongue。Speakingthicklyandwithafarawaylookinhisshiningeyes，hetoldthewholestoryofhislife：hismarriage，Natasha’sloveforhisbestfriend，herbetrayalofhim，andallhisownsimplerelationswithher。
UrgedonbyRamballe’squestionshealsotoldwhathehadatfirstconcealed—hisownpositionandevenhisname。
MorethananythingelseinPierre’sstorythecaptainwasimpressedbythefactthatPierrewasveryrich，hadtwomansionsinMoscow，andthathehadabandonedeverythingandnotleftthecity，butremainedthereconcealinghisnameandstation。
Whenitwaslateatnighttheywentouttogetherintothestreet。
Thenightwaswarmandlight。TotheleftofthehouseonthePokrovkaafireglowed—thefirstofthosethatwerebeginninginMoscow。TotherightandhighupintheskywasthesickleofthewaningmoonandoppositetoithungthatbrightcometwhichwasconnectedinPierre’sheartwithhislove。AtthegatestoodGerasim，thecook，andtwoFrenchmen。Theirlaughterandtheirmutuallyincomprehensibleremarksintwolanguagescouldbeheard。Theywerelookingattheglowseeninthetown。
Therewasnothingterribleintheonesmall，distantfireintheimmensecity。
Gazingatthehighstarrysky，atthemoon，atthecomet，andattheglowfromthefire，Pierreexperiencedajoyfulemotion。\"Therenow，howgooditis，whatmoredoesoneneed？\"thoughthe。Andsuddenlyrememberinghisintentionhegrewdizzyandfeltsofaintthatheleanedagainstthefencetosavehimselffromfalling。
Withouttakingleaveofhisnewfriend，Pierreleftthegatewithunsteadystepsandreturningtohisroomlaydownonthesofaandimmediatelyfellasleep。
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TheglowofthefirstfirethatbeganonthesecondofSeptemberwaswatchedfromthevariousroadsbythefugitiveMuscovitesandbytheretreatingtroops，withmanydifferentfeelings。
TheRostovpartyspentthenightatMytishchi，fourteenmilesfromMoscow。TheyhadstartedsolateonthefirstofSeptember，theroadhadbeensoblockedbyvehiclesandtroops，somanythingshadbeenforgottenforwhichservantsweresentback，thattheyhaddecidedtospendthatnightataplacethreemilesoutofMoscow。ThenextmorningtheywokelateandwereagaindelayedsooftenthattheyonlygotasfarasGreatMytishchi。Atteno’clockthateveningtheRostovfamilyandthewoundedtravelingwiththemwerealldistributedintheyardsandhutsofthatlargevillage。TheRostovs’servantsandcoachmenandtheorderliesofthewoundedofficers，afterattendingtotheirmasters，hadsupper，fedthehorses，andcameoutintotheporches。
InaneighboringhutlayRaevski’sadjutantwithafracturedwrist。Theawfulpainhesufferedmadehimmoanincessantlyandpiteously，andhismoaningsoundedterribleinthedarknessoftheautumnnight。HehadspentthefirstnightinthesameyardastheRostovs。Thecountesssaidshehadbeenunabletoclosehereyesonaccountofhismoaning，andatMytishchishemovedintoaworsehutsimplytobefartherawayfromthewoundedman。
Inthedarknessofthenightoneoftheservantsnoticed，abovethehighbodyofacoachstandingbeforetheporch，thesmallglowofanotherfire。OneglowhadlongbeenvisibleandeverybodyknewthatitwasLittleMytishchiburning—setonfirebyMamonov’sCossacks。
\"Butlookhere，brothers，there’sanotherfire！\"remarkedanorderly。
Allturnedtheirattentiontotheglow。
\"ButtheytoldusLittleMytishchihadbeensetonfirebyMamonov’sCossacks。\"
\"Butthat’snotMytishchi，it’sfartheraway。\"
\"Look，itmustbeinMoscow！\"
Twoofthegazerswentroundtotheothersideofthecoachandsatdownonitssteps。
\"It’smoretotheleft，why，LittleMytishchiisoverthere，andthisisrightontheotherside。\"
Severalmenjoinedthefirsttwo。
\"Seehowit’sflaring，\"saidone。\"That’safireinMoscow：eitherintheSushchevskiortheRogozhskiquarter。\"
Noonerepliedtothisremarkandforsometimetheyallgazedsilentlyatthespreadingflamesofthesecondfireinthedistance。
OldDanielTerentich，thecount’svaletashewascalled，cameuptothegroupandshoutedatMishka。
\"Whatareyoustaringat，yougood—for—nothing？……Thecountwillbecallingandthere’snobodythere；goandgathertheclothestogether。\"
\"Ionlyranouttogetsomewater，\"saidMishka。
\"Butwhatdoyouthink，DanielTerentich？Doesn’titlookasifthatglowwereinMoscow？\"remarkedoneofthefootmen。
DanielTerentichmadenoreply，andagainforalongtimetheywereallsilent。Theglowspread，risingandfailing，fartherandfartherstill。
\"Godhavemercy……It’swindyanddry……\"saidanothervoice。
\"Justlook！Seewhatit’sdoingnow。OLord！Youcanevenseethecrowsflying。Lordhavemercyonussinners！\"
\"They’llputitout，nofear！\"
\"Who’stoputitout？\"DanielTerentich，whohadhithertobeensilent，washeardtosay。Hisvoicewascalmanddeliberate。\"Moscowitis，brothers，\"saidhe。\"MotherMoscow，thewhite……\"hisvoicefaltered，andhegavewaytoanoldman’ssob。
Anditwasasiftheyhadallonlywaitedforthistorealizethesignificanceforthemoftheglowtheywerewatching。Sighswereheard，wordsofprayer，andthesobbingofthecount’soldvalet。
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Thevalet，returningtothecottage，informedthecountthatMoscowwasburning。Thecountdonnedhisdressinggownandwentouttolook。SonyaandMadameSchoss，whohadnotyetundressed，wentoutwithhim。OnlyNatashaandthecountessremainedintheroom。Petyawasnolongerwiththefamily，hehadgoneonwithhisregimentwhichwasmakingforTroitsa。
Thecountess，onhearingthatMoscowwasonfire，begantocry。
Natasha，pale，withafixedlook，wassittingonthebenchundertheiconsjustwhereshehadsatdownonarrivingandpaidnoattentiontoherfather’swords。Shewaslisteningtotheceaselessmoaningoftheadjutant，threehousesoff。
\"Oh，howterrible，\"saidSonyareturningfromtheyardchilledandfrightened。\"IbelievethewholeofMoscowwillburn，there’sanawfulglow！Natasha，dolook！Youcanseeitfromthewindow，\"shesaidtohercousin，evidentlywishingtodistracthermind。
ButNatashalookedatherasifnotunderstandingwhatwassaidtoherandagainfixedhereyesonthecornerofthestove。Shehadbeeninthisconditionofstuporsincethemorning，whenSonya，tothesurpriseandannoyanceofthecountess，hadforsomeunaccountablereasonfounditnecessarytotellNatashaofPrinceAndrew’swoundandofhisbeingwiththeirparty。ThecountesshadseldombeensoangrywithanyoneasshewaswithSonya。Sonyahadcriedandbeggedtobeforgivenandnow，asiftryingtoatoneforherfault，paidunceasingattentiontohercousin。
\"Look，Natasha，howdreadfullyitisburning！\"saidshe。
\"What’sburning？\"askedNatasha。\"Oh，yes，Moscow。\"
AndasifinordernottooffendSonyaandtogetridofher，sheturnedherfacetothewindow，lookedoutinsuchawaythatitwasevidentthatshecouldnotseeanything，andagainsettleddowninherformerattitude。
\"Butyoudidn’tseeit！\"
\"Yes，reallyIdid，\"Natasharepliedinavoicethatpleadedtobeleftinpeace。
BoththecountessandSonyaunderstoodthat，naturally，neitherMoscownortheburningofMoscownoranythingelsecouldseemofimportancetoNatasha。
Thecountreturnedandlaydownbehindthepartition。ThecountesswentuptoherdaughterandtouchedherheadwiththebackofherhandasshewaswonttodowhenNatashawasill，thentouchedherforeheadwithherlipsasiftofeelwhethershewasfeverish，andfinallykissedher。
\"Youarecold。Youaretremblingallover。You’dbetterliedown，\"
saidthecountess。
\"Liedown？Allright，Iwill。I’llliedownatonce，\"saidNatasha。
WhenNatashahadbeentoldthatmorningthatPrinceAndrewwasseriouslywoundedandwastravelingwiththeirparty，shehadatfirstaskedmanyquestions：Wherewashegoing？Howwashewounded？Wasitserious？Andcouldsheseehim？Butaftershehadbeentoldthatshecouldnotseehim，thathewasseriouslywoundedbutthathislifewasnotindanger，sheceasedtoaskquestionsortospeakatall，evidentlydisbelievingwhattheytoldher，andconvincedthatsaywhatshemightshewouldstillbetoldthesame。Allthewayshehadsatmotionlessinacornerofthecoachwithwideopeneyes，andtheexpressioninthemwhichthecountessknewsowellandfearedsomuch，andnowshesatinthesamewayonthebenchwhereshehadseatedherselfonarriving。Shewasplanningsomethingandeitherdecidingorhadalreadydecidedsomethinginhermind。Thecountessknewthis，butwhatitmightbeshedidnotknow，andthisalarmedandtormentedher。
\"Natasha，undress，darling；liedownonmybed。\"
Abedhadbeenmadeonabedsteadforthecountessonly。MadameSchossandthetwogirlsweretosleeponsomehayonthefloor。
\"No，Mamma，Iwillliedownhereonthefloor，\"Natasharepliedirritablyandshewenttothewindowandopenedit。Throughtheopenwindowthemoansoftheadjutantcouldbeheardmoredistinctly。Sheputherheadoutintothedampnightair，andthecountesssawherslimneckshakingwithsobsandthrobbingagainstthewindowframe。
NatashaknewitwasnotPrinceAndrewwhowasmoaning。SheknewPrinceAndrewwasinthesameyardasthemselvesandinapartofthehutacrossthepassage；butthisdreadfulincessantmoaningmadehersob。ThecountessexchangedalookwithSonya。
\"Liedown，darling；liedown，mypet，\"saidthecountess，softlytouchingNatasha’sshoulders。\"Come，liedown。\"
\"Oh，yes……I’llliedownatonce，\"saidNatasha，andbeganhurriedlyundressing，tuggingatthetapesofherpetticoat。
Whenshehadthrownoffherdressandputonadressingjacket，shesatdownwithherfootunderheronthebedthathadbeenmadeuponthefloor，jerkedherthinandrathershortplaitofhairtothefront，andbeganreplaitingit。Herlong，thin，practicedfingersrapidlyunplaited，replaited，andtiedupherplait。Herheadmovedfromsidetosidefromhabit，buthereyes，feverishlywide，lookedfixedlybeforeher。Whenhertoiletforthenightwasfinishedshesankgentlyontothesheetspreadoverthehayonthesidenearestthedoor。
\"Natasha，you’dbetterlieinthemiddle，\"saidSonya。
\"I’llstayhere，\"mutteredNatasha。\"Doliedown，\"sheaddedcrossly，andburiedherfaceinthepillow。
Thecountess，MadameSchoss，andSonyaundressedhastilyandlaydown。Thesmalllampinfrontoftheiconswastheonlylightleftintheroom。ButintheyardtherewasalightfromthefireatLittleMytishchiamileandahalfaway，andthroughthenightcamethenoiseofpeopleshoutingatatavernMamonov’sCossackshadsetupacrossthestreet，andtheadjutant’sunceasingmoanscouldstillbeheard。
ForalongtimeNatashalistenedattentivelytothesoundsthatreachedherfrominsideandoutsidetheroomanddidnotmove。Firstsheheardhermotherprayingandsighingandthecreakingofherbedunderher，thenMadameSchoss’familiarwhistlingsnoreandSonya’sgentlebreathing。ThenthecountesscalledtoNatasha。Natashadidnotanswer。
\"Ithinkshe’sasleep，Mamma，\"saidSonyasoftly。
Aftershortsilencethecountessspokeagainbutthistimenoonereplied。
SoonafterthatNatashaheardhermother’sevenbreathing。Natashadidnotmove，thoughherlittlebarefoot，thrustoutfromunderthequilt，wasgrowingcoldonthebarefloor。
Asiftocelebrateavictoryovereverybody，acricketchirpedinacrackinthewall。Acockcrowedfaroffandanotherrepliednearby。Theshoutinginthetavernhaddieddown；onlythemoaningoftheadjutantwasheard。Natashasatup。
\"Sonya，areyouasleep？Mamma？\"shewhispered。
Noonereplied。Natasharoseslowlyandcarefully，crossedherself，andsteppedcautiouslyonthecoldanddirtyfloorwithherslim，supple，barefeet。Theboardsofthefloorcreaked。Steppingcautiouslyfromonefoottotheothersheranlikeakittenthefewstepstothedoorandgraspedthecolddoorhandle。
Itseemedtoherthatsomethingheavywasbeatingrhythmicallyagainstallthewallsoftheroom：itwasherownheart，sinkingwithalarmandterrorandoverflowingwithlove。
Sheopenedthedoorandsteppedacrossthethresholdandontothecold，dampearthenfloorofthepassage。Thecoldshefeltrefreshedher。Withherbarefeetshetouchedasleepingman，steppedoverhim，andopenedthedoorintothepartofthehutwherePrinceAndrewlay。Itwasdarkinthere。Inthefarthestcorner，onabenchbesideabedonwhichsomethingwaslying，stoodatallowcandlewithalong，thick，andsmolderingwick。
FromthemomentshehadbeentoldthatofPrinceAndrew’swoundandhispresencethere，Natashahadresolvedtoseehim。Shedidnotknowwhyshehadto，sheknewthemeetingwouldbepainful，butfeltthemoreconvincedthatitwasnecessary。
Alldayshehadlivedonlyinhopeofseeinghimthatnight。Butnowthatthemomenthadcomeshewasfilledwithdreadofwhatshemightsee。Howwashemaimed？Whatwasleftofhim？Washelikethatincessantmoaningoftheadjutant’s？Yes，hewasaltogetherlikethat。
Inherimaginationhewasthatterriblemoaningpersonified。Whenshesawanindistinctshapeinthecorner，andmistookhiskneesraisedunderthequiltforhisshoulders，sheimaginedahorriblebodythere，andstoodstillinterror。Butanirresistibleimpulsedrewherforward。Shecautiouslytookonestepandthenanother，andfoundherselfinthemiddleofasmallroomcontainingbaggage。Anotherman—
Timokhin—waslyinginacorneronthebenchesbeneaththeicons，andtwoothers—thedoctorandavalet—layonthefloor。
Thevaletsatupandwhisperedsomething。Timokhin，keptawakebythepaininhiswoundedleg，gazedwithwide—openeyesatthisstrangeapparitionofagirlinawhitechemise，dressingjacket，andnightcap。Thevalet’ssleepy，frightenedexclamation，\"Whatdoyouwant？What’sthematter？\"madeNatashaapproachmoreswiftlytowhatwaslyinginthecorner。Horriblyunlikeamanasthatbodylooked，shemustseehim。Shepassedthevalet，thesnufffellfromthecandlewick，andshesawPrinceAndrewclearlywithhisarmsoutsidethequilt，andsuchasshehadalwaysseenhim。
Hewasthesameasever，butthefeverishcolorofhisface，hisglitteringeyesrapturouslyturnedtowardher，andespeciallyhisneck，delicateasachild’s，revealedbytheturn—downcollarofhisshirt，gavehimapeculiarlyinnocent，childlikelook，suchasshehadneverseenonhimbefore。Shewentuptohimandwithaswift，flexible，youthfulmovementdroppedonherknees。
Hesmiledandheldouthishandtoher。
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CHAPTERXXXII
SevendayshadpassedsincePrinceAndrewfoundhimselfintheambulancestationonthefieldofBorodino。Hisfeverishstateandtheinflammationofhisbowels，whichwereinjured，wereinthedoctor’sopinionsuretocarryhimoff。Butontheseventhdayheatewithpleasureapieceofbreadwithsometea，andthedoctornoticedthathistemperaturewaslower。Hehadregainedconsciousnessthatmorning。
ThefirstnightaftertheyleftMoscowhadbeenfairlywarmandhehadremainedinthecaleche，butatMytishchithewoundedmanhimselfaskedtobetakenoutandgivensometea。Thepaincausedbyhisremovalintothehuthadmadehimgroanaloudandagainloseconsciousness。Whenhehadbeenplacedonhiscampbedhelayforalongtimemotionlesswithclosedeyes。Thenheopenedthemandwhisperedsoftly：\"Andthetea？\"Hisrememberingsuchasmalldetailofeverydaylifeastonishedthedoctor。HefeltPrinceAndrew’spulse，andtohissurpriseanddissatisfactionfoundithadimproved。Hewasdissatisfiedbecauseheknewbyexperiencethatifhispatientdidnotdienow，hewoulddosoalittlelaterwithgreatersuffering。
Timokhin，thered—nosedmajorofPrinceAndrew’sregiment，hadjoinedhiminMoscowandwasbeingtakenalongwithhim，havingbeenwoundedinthelegatthebattleofBorodino。Theywereaccompaniedbyadoctor，PrinceAndrew’svalet，hiscoach。man，andtwoorderlies。
TheygavePrinceAndrewsometea。Hedrankiteagerly，lookingwithfeverisheyesatthedoorinfrontofhimasiftryingtounderstandandremembersomething。
\"Idon’twantanymore。IsTimokhinhere？\"heasked。
Timokhincreptalongthebenchtohim。
\"Iamhere，yourexcellency。\"
\"How’syourwound？\"
\"Mine，sir？Allright。Buthowaboutyou？\"
PrinceAndrewagainponderedasiftryingtoremembersomething。
\"Couldn’tonegetabook？\"heasked。
\"Whatbook？\"
\"TheGospels。Ihaven’tone。\"
Thedoctorpromisedtoprocureitforhimandbegantoaskhowhewasfeeling。PrinceAndrewansweredallhisquestionsreluctantlybutreasonably，andthensaidhewantedabolsterplacedunderhimashewasuncomfortableandingreatpain。Thedoctorandvaletliftedthecloakwithwhichhewascoveredand，makingwryfacesatthenoisomesmellofmortifyingfleshthatcamefromthewound，beganexaminingthatdreadfulplace。Thedoctorwasverymuchdispleasedaboutsomethingandmadeachangeinthedressings，turningthewoundedmanoversothathegroanedagainandgrewunconsciousanddeliriousfromtheagony。Hekeptaskingthemtogethimthebookandputitunderhim。
\"Whattroublewoulditbetoyou？\"hesaid。\"Ihavenotgotone。
Pleasegetitformeandputitunderforamoment，\"hepleadedinapiteousvoice。
Thedoctorwentintothepassagetowashhishands。
\"Youfellowshavenoconscience，\"saidhetothevaletwhowaspouringwateroverhishands。\"ForjustonemomentIdidn’tlookafteryou……It’ssuchpain，youknow，thatIwonderhowhecanbearit。\"
\"BytheLordJesusChrist，Ithoughtwehadputsomethingunderhim！\"saidthevalet。
ThefirsttimePrinceAndrewunderstoodwherehewasandwhatwasthematterwithhimandrememberedbeingwoundedandhowwaswhenheaskedtobecarriedintothehutafterhiscalechehadstoppedatMytishchi。Aftergrowingconfusedfrompainwhilebeingcarriedintothehutheagainregainedconsciousness，andwhiledrinkingteaoncemorerecalledallthathadhappenedtohim，andaboveallvividlyrememberedthemomentattheambulancestationwhen，atthesightofthesufferingsofamanhedisliked，thosenewthoughtshadcometohimwhichpromisedhimhappiness。Andthosethoughts，thoughnowvagueandindefinite，againpossessedhissoul。HerememberedthathehadnowanewsourceofhappinessandthatthishappinesshadsomethingtodowiththeGospels。Thatwaswhyheaskedforacopyofthem。Theuncomfortablepositioninwhichtheyhadputhimandturnedhimoveragainconfusedhisthoughts，andwhenhecametohimselfathirdtimeitwasinthecompletestillnessofthenight。Everybodynearhimwassleeping。Acricketchirpedfromacrossthepassage；someonewasshoutingandsinginginthestreet；cockroachesrustledonthetable，ontheicons，andonthewalls，andabigflyfloppedattheheadofthebedandaroundthecandlebesidehim，thewickofwhichwascharredandhadshapeditselflikeamushroom。
Hismindwasnotinanormalstate。Ahealthymanusuallythinksof，feels，andremembersinnumerablethingssimultaneously，buthasthepowerandwilltoselectonesequenceofthoughtsoreventsonwhichtofixhiswholeattention。Ahealthymancantearhimselfawayfromthedeepestreflectionstosayacivilwordtosomeonewhocomesinandcanthenreturnagaintohisownthoughts。ButPrinceAndrew’smindwasnotinanormalstateinthatrespect。Allthepowersofhismindweremoreactiveandclearerthanever，buttheyactedapartfromhiswill。Mostdiversethoughtsandimagesoccupiedhimsimultaneously。Attimeshisbrainsuddenlybegantoworkwithavigor，clearness，anddepthithadneverreachedwhenhewasinhealth，butsuddenlyinthemidstofitsworkitwouldturntosomeunexpectedideaandhehadnotthestrengthtoturnitbackagain。
\"Yes，anewhappinesswasrevealedtomeofwhichmancannotbedeprived，\"hethoughtashelayinthesemi—darknessofthequiethut，gazingfixedlybeforehimwithfeverishwideopeneyes。\"Ahappinesslyingbeyondmaterialforces，outsidethematerialinfluencesthatactonman—ahappinessofthesoulalone，thehappinessofloving。
Everymancanunderstandit，buttoconceiveitandenjoinitwaspossibleonlyforGod。ButhowdidGodenjointhatlaw？AndwhywastheSon……？\"
Andsuddenlythesequenceofthesethoughtsbrokeoff，andPrinceAndrewheardwithoutknowingwhetheritwasadelusionorreality
asoftwhisperingvoiceincessantlyandrhythmicallyrepeating\"piti—piti—piti，\"andthen\"titi，\"andthenagain\"piti—piti—piti，\"
and\"ti—ti\"oncemore。Atthesametimehefeltthatabovehisface，abovetheverymiddleofit，somestrangeairystructurewasbeingerectedoutofslenderneedlesorsplinters，tothesoundofthiswhisperedmusic。Hefeltthathehadtobalancecarefullythoughitwasdifficultsothatthisairystructureshouldnotcollapse；butneverthelessitkeptcollapsingandagainslowlyrisingtothesoundofwhisperedrhythmicmusic—\"itstretches，stretches，spreadingoutandstretching，\"saidPrinceAndrewtohimself。Whilelisteningtothiswhisperingandfeelingthesensationofthisdrawingoutandtheconstructionofthisedificeofneedles，healsosawbyglimpsesaredhaloroundthecandle，andheardtherustleofthecockroachesandthebuzzingoftheflythatfloppedagainsthispillowandhisface。
Eachtimetheflytouchedhisfaceitgavehimaburningsensationandyettohissurpriseitdidnotdestroythestructure，thoughitknockedagainsttheveryregionofhisfacewhereitwasrising。Butbesidesthistherewassomethingelseofimportance。Itwassomethingwhitebythedoor—thestatueofasphinx，whichalsooppressedhim。
\"Butperhapsthat’smyshirtonthetable，\"hethought，\"andthat’smylegs，andthatisthedoor，butwhyisitalwaysstretchinganddrawingitselfout，and’piti—piti—piti’and’ti—ti’
and’piti—piti—piti’……？That’senough，pleaseleaveoff！\"PrinceAndrewpainfullyentreatedsomeone。Andsuddenlythoughtsandfeelingsagainswamtothesurfaceofhismindwithpeculiarclearnessandforce。
\"Yes—love，\"hethoughtagainquiteclearly。\"Butnotlovewhichlovesforsomething，forsomequality，forsomepurpose，orforsomereason，butthelovewhichI—whiledying—firstexperiencedwhenI
sawmyenemyandyetlovedhim。Iexperiencedthatfeelingoflovewhichistheveryessenceofthesoulanddoesnotrequireanobject。NowagainIfeelthatbliss。Toloveone’sneighbors，toloveone’senemies，toloveeverything，toloveGodinallHismanifestations。Itispossibletolovesomeonedeartoyouwithhumanlove，butanenemycanonlybelovedbydivinelove。ThatiswhyIexperiencedsuchjoywhenIfeltthatIlovedthatman。Whathasbecomeofhim？Ishealive？……
\"Whenlovingwithhumanloveonemaypassfromlovetohatred，butdivinelovecannotchange。No，neitherdeathnoranythingelsecandestroyit。Itistheveryessenceofthesoul。YethowmanypeoplehaveIhatedinmylife？Andofthemall，IlovedandhatednoneasIdidher。\"AndhevividlypicturedtohimselfNatasha，notashehaddoneinthepastwithnothingbuthercharmswhichgavehimdelight，butforthefirsttimepicturingtohimselfhersoul。Andheunderstoodherfeelings，hersufferings，shame，andremorse。Henowunderstoodforthefirsttimeallthecrueltyofhisrejectionofher，thecrueltyofhisrupturewithher。\"Ifonlyitwerepossibleformetoseeheroncemore！Justonce，lookingintothoseeyestosay……\"
\"Piti—piti—pitiandti—tiandpiti—piti—pitiboom！\"floppedthefly……Andhisattentionwassuddenlycarriedintoanotherworld，aworldofrealityanddeliriuminwhichsomethingparticularwashappening。Inthatworldsomestructurewasstillbeingerectedanddidnotfall，somethingwasstillstretchingout，andthecandlewithitsredhalowasstillburning，andthesameshirtlikesphinxlaynearthedoor；butbesidesallthissomethingcreaked，therewasawhiffoffreshair，andanewwhitesphinxappeared，standingatthedoor。AndthatsphinxhadthepalefaceandshiningeyesoftheveryNatashaofwhomhehadjustbeenthinking。
\"Oh，howoppressivethiscontinualdeliriumis，\"thoughtPrinceAndrew，tryingtodrivethatfacefromhisimagination。Butthefaceremainedbeforehimwiththeforceofrealityanddrewnearer。
PrinceAndrewwishedtoreturnthatformerworldofpurethought，buthecouldnot，anddeliriumdrewhimbackintoitsdomain。Thesoftwhisperingvoicecontinueditsrhythmicmurmur，somethingoppressedhimandstretchedout，andthestrangefacewasbeforehim。PrinceAndrewcollectedallhisstrengthinanefforttorecoverhissenses，hemovedalittle，andsuddenlytherewasaringinginhisears，adimnessinhiseyes，andlikeamanplungedintowaterhelostconsciousness。Whenhecametohimself，Natasha，thatsamelivingNatashawhomofallpeoplehemostlongedtolovewiththisnewpuredivinelovethathadbeenrevealedtohim，waskneelingbeforehim。HerealizedthatitwasthereallivingNatasha，andhewasnotsurprisedbutquietlyhappy。Natasha，motionlessonherkneesshewasunabletostir，withfrightenedeyesrivetedonhim，wasrestraininghersobs。Herfacewaspaleandrigid。Onlyinthelowerpartofitsomethingquivered。
PrinceAndrewsighedwithrelief，smiled，andheldouthishand。
\"You？\"hesaid。\"Howfortunate！\"
WitharapidbutcarefulmovementNatashadrewnearertohimonherkneesand，takinghishandcarefully，bentherfaceoveritandbegankissingit，justtouchingitlightlywithherlips。
\"Forgiveme！\"shewhispered，raisingherheadandglancingathim。
\"Forgiveme！\"
\"Iloveyou，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Forgive……！\"
\"Forgivewhat？\"heasked。
\"ForgivemeforwhatIha—vedo—ne！\"falteredNatashainascarcelyaudible，brokenwhisper，andbegankissinghishandmorerapidly，justtouchingitwithherlips。
\"Iloveyoumore，betterthanbefore，\"saidPrinceAndrew，liftingherfacewithhishandsoastolookintohereyes。
Thoseeyes，filledwithhappytears，gazedathimtimidly，compassionately，andwithjoyouslove。Natasha’sthinpaleface，withitsswollenlips，wasmorethanplain—itwasdreadful。ButPrinceAndrewdidnotseethat，hesawhershiningeyeswhichwerebeautiful。Theyheardthesoundofvoicesbehindthem。
Peterthevalet，whowasnowwideawake，hadrousedthedoctor。
Timokhin，whohadnotsleptatallbecauseofthepaininhisleg，hadlongbeenwatchingallthatwasgoingon，carefullycoveringhisbarebodywiththesheetashehuddleduponhisbench。
\"What’sthis？\"saidthedoctor，risingfromhisbed。\"Pleasegoaway，madam！\"
Atthatmomentamaidsentbythecountess，whohadnoticedherdaughter’sabsence，knockedatthedoor。
LikeasomnambulistarousedfromhersleepNatashawentoutoftheroomand，returningtoherhut，fellsobbingonherbed。
Fromthattime，duringalltherestoftheRostovs’journey，ateveryhaltingplaceandwherevertheyspentanight，NatashaneverleftthewoundedBolkonski，andthedoctorhadtoadmitthathehadnotexpectedfromayounggirleithersuchfirmnessorsuchskillinnursingawoundedman。
DreadfulasthecountessimagineditwouldbeshouldPrinceAndrewdieinherdaughter’sarmsduringthejourney—as，judgingbywhatthedoctorsaid，itseemedmighteasilyhappen—shecouldnotopposeNatasha。ThoughwiththeintimacynowestablishedbetweenthewoundedmanandNatashathethoughtoccurredthatshouldherecovertheirformerengagementwouldberenewed，noone—leastofallNatashaandPrinceAndrew—spokeofthis：theunsettledquestionoflifeanddeath，whichhungnotonlyoverBolkonskibutoverallRussia，shutoutallotherconsiderations。