Kutuzovlookedlongandintentlyatthesetwosoldiers。Hepuckeredhisface，screweduphiseyes，andpensivelyswayedhishead。
AtanotherspothenoticedaRussiansoldierlaughinglypattingaFrenchmanontheshoulder，sayingsomethingtohiminafriendlymanner，andKutuzovwiththesameexpressiononhisfaceagainswayedhishead。
\"Whatwereyousaying？\"heaskedthegeneral，whocontinuinghisreportdirectedthecommanderinchief’sattentiontosomestandardscapturedfromtheFrenchandstandinginfrontofthePreobrazhenskregiment。
\"Ah，thestandards！\"saidKutuzov，evidentlydetachinghimselfwithdifficultyfromthethoughtsthatpreoccupiedhim。
Helookedabouthimabsently。Thousandsofeyeswerelookingathimfromallsidesawaitingawordfromhim。
HestoppedinfrontofthePreobrazhenskregiment，sigheddeeply，andclosedhiseyes。Oneofhissuitebeckonedtothesoldierscarryingthestandardstoadvanceandsurroundthecommanderinchiefwiththem。Kutuzovwassilentforafewsecondsandthen，submittingwithevidentreluctancetothedutyimposedbyhisposition，raisedhisheadandbegantospeak。Athrongofofficerssurroundedhim。Helookedattentivelyaroundatthecircleofofficers，recognizingseveralofthem。
\"Ithankyouall！\"hesaid，addressingthesoldiersandthenagaintheofficers。Inthestillnessaroundhimhisslowlyutteredwordsweredistinctlyheard。\"Ithankyouallforyourhardandfaithfulservice。ThevictoryiscompleteandRussiawillnotforgetyou！Honortoyouforever。\"
Hepausedandlookedaround。
\"Loweritshead，lowerit！\"hesaidtoasoldierwhohadaccidentallyloweredtheFrencheaglehewasholdingbeforethePreobrazhenskstandards。\"Lower，lower，that’sit。Hurrahlads！\"headded，addressingthemenwitharapidmovementofhischin。
\"Hur—r—rah！\"roaredthousandsofvoices。
WhilethesoldierswereshoutingKutuzovleanedforwardinhissaddleandbowedhishead，andhiseyelitupwithamildandapparentlyironicgleam。
\"Yousee，brothers……\"saidhewhentheshoutshadceased……andallatoncehisvoiceandtheexpressionofhisfacechanged。Itwasnolongerthecommanderinchiefspeakingbutanordinaryoldmanwhowantedtotellhiscomradessomethingveryimportant。
Therewasastiramongthethrongofofficersandintheranksofthesoldiers，whomovedthattheymighthearbetterwhathewasgoingtosay。
\"Yousee，brothers，Iknowit’shardforyou，butitcan’tbehelped！Bearup；itwon’tbeforlongnow！We’llseeourvisitorsoffandthenwe’llrest。TheTsarwon’tforgetyourservice。Itishardforyou，butstillyouareathomewhilethey—youseewhattheyhavecometo，\"saidhe，pointingtotheprisoners。\"Worseoffthanourpoorestbeggars。Whiletheywerestrongwedidn’tspareourselves，butnowwemayevenpitythem。Theyarehumanbeingstoo。
Isn’titso，lads？\"
Helookedaround，andinthedirect，respectful，wonderinggazefixeduponhimhereadsympathywithwhathehadsaid。Hisfacegrewbrighterandbrighterwithanoldman’smildsmile，whichdrewthecornersofhislipsandeyesintoaclusterofwrinkles。Heceasedspeakingandbowedhisheadasifinperplexity。
\"Butafterallwhoaskedthemhere？Servesthemright，thebloodybastards！\"hecried，suddenlyliftinghishead。
Andflourishinghiswhipherodeoffatagallopforthefirsttimeduringthewholecampaign，andleftthebrokenranksofthesoldierslaughingjoyfullyandshouting\"Hurrah！\"
Kutuzov’swordswerehardlyunderstoodbythetroops。Noonecouldhaverepeatedthefieldmarshal’saddress，begunsolemnlyandthenchangingintoanoldman’ssimpleheartedtalk；buttheheartysincerityofthatspeech，thefeelingofmajestictriumphcombinedwithpityforthefoeandconsciousnessofthejusticeofourcause，exactlyexpressedbythatoldman’sgood—naturedexpletives，wasnotmerelyunderstoodbutlayinthesoulofeverysoldierandfoundexpressionintheirjoyousandlong—sustainedshouts。AfterwardswhenoneofthegeneralsaddressedKutuzovaskingwhetherhewishedhiscalechetobesentfor，Kutuzovinansweringunexpectedlygaveasob，beingevidentlygreatlymoved。
BK15CH7
CHAPTERVII
Whenthetroopsreachedtheirnight’shaltingplaceontheeighthofNovember，thelastdayoftheKrasnoebattles，itwasalreadygrowingdusk。Alldayithadbeencalmandfrostywithoccasionallightlyfallingsnowandtowardeveningitbegantoclear。Throughthefallingsnowapurple—blackandstarryskyshoweditselfandthefrostgrewkeener。
AninfantryregimentwhichhadleftTarutinothreethousandstrongbutnownumberedonlyninehundredwasoneofthefirsttoarrivethatnightatitshaltingplace—avillageonthehighroad。ThequartermasterswhomettheregimentannouncedthatallthehutswerefullofsickanddeadFrenchmen，cavalrymen，andmembersofthestaff。
Therewasonlyonehutavailablefortheregimentalcommander。
Thecommanderrodeuptohishut。Theregimentpassedthroughthevillageandstackeditsarmsinfrontofthelasthuts。
Likesomehugemany—limbedanimal，theregimentbegantoprepareitslairanditsfood。Onepartofitdispersedandwadedknee—deepthroughthesnowintoabirchforesttotherightofthevillage，andimmediatelythesoundofaxesandswords，thecrashingofbranches，andmerryvoicescouldbeheardfromthere。Anothersectionamidtheregimentalwagonsandhorseswhichwerestandinginagroupwasbusygettingoutcaldronsandryebiscuit，andfeedingthehorses。Athirdsectionscatteredthroughthevillagearrangingquartersforthestaffofficers，carryingouttheFrenchcorpsesthatwereinthehuts，anddraggingawayboards，drywood，andthatchfromtheroofs，forthecampfires，orwattlefencestoserveforshelter。
Somefifteenmenwithmerryshoutswereshakingdownthehighwattlewallofashed，theroofofwhichhadalreadybeenremoved。
\"Nowthen，alltogether—shove！\"criedthevoices，andthehugesurfaceofthewall，sprinkledwithsnowandcreakingwithfrost，wasseenswayinginthegloomofthenight。Thelowerstakescrackedmoreandmoreandatlastthewallfell，andwithitthemenwhohadbeenpushingit。Loud，coarselaughterandjoyousshoutsensued。
\"Nowthen，catchholdintwos！Handupthelever！That’sit……Whereareyoushovingto？\"
\"Now，alltogether！Butwaitamoment，boys……Withasong！\"
Allstoodsilent，andasoft，pleasantvelvetyvoicebegantosing。Attheendofthethirdverseasthelastnotediedaway，twentyvoicesroaredoutatonce：\"Oo—oo—oo—oo！That’sit。Alltogether！
Heaveaway，boys！……\"butdespitetheirunitedeffortsthewattlehardlymoved，andinthesilencethatfollowedtheheavybreathingofthemenwasaudible。
\"Here，youoftheSixthCompany！Devilsthatyouare！Lendahand……
willyou？Youmaywantusoneofthesedays。\"
SometwentymenoftheSixthCompanywhowereontheirwayintothevillagejoinedthehaulers，andthewattlewall，whichwasaboutthirty—fivefeetlongansevenfeethigh，movedforwardalongthevillagestreet，swaying，pressinguponandcuttingtheshouldersofthegaspingmen。
\"Getalong……Falling？Whatareyoustoppingfor？Therenow……\"
Merrysenselesswordsofabuseflowedfreely。
\"Whatareyouupto？\"suddenlycametheauthoritativevoiceofasergeantmajorwhocameuponthemenwhowerehaulingtheirburden。
\"Therearegentryhere；thegeneralhimselfisinthathut，andyoufoul—moutheddevils，youbrutes，I’llgiveittoyou！\"shoutedhe，hittingthefirstmanwhocameinhiswayaswingingblowontheback。
\"Can’tyoumakelessnoise？\"
Themenbecamesilent。Thesoldierwhohadbeenstruckgroanedandwipedhisface，whichhadbeenscratchedtillitbledbyhisfallingagainstthewattle。
\"There，howthatdevilhitsout！He’smademyfaceallbloody，\"saidheinafrightenedwhisperwhenthesergeantmajorhadpassedon。
\"Don’tyoulikeit？\"saidalaughingvoice，andmoderatingtheirtonesthemenmovedforward。
Whentheywereoutofthevillagetheybegantalkingagainasloudasbefore，interlardingtheirtalkwiththesameaimlessexpletives。
Inthehutwhichthemenhadpassed，thechiefofficershadgatheredandwereinanimatedtalkovertheirteaabouttheeventsofthedayandthemaneuverssuggestedfortomorrow。Itwasproposedtomakeaflankmarchtotheleft，cutofftheVice—KingMuratandcapturehim。
Bythetimethesoldiershaddraggedthewattlefencetoitsplacethecampfireswereblazingonallsidesreadyforcooking，thewoodcrackled，thesnowwasmelting，andblackshadowsofsoldiersflittedtoandfroallovertheoccupiedspacewherethesnowhadbeentroddendown。
Axesandchopperswerepliedallaround。Everythingwasdonewithoutanyordersbeinggiven。Storesofwoodwerebroughtforthenight，shelterswereriggedupfortheofficers，caldronswerebeingboiled，andmusketsandaccoutermentsputinorder。
ThewattlewallthemenhadbroughtwassetupinasemicirclebytheEighthCompanyasashelterfromthenorth，proppedupbymusketrests，andacampfirewasbuiltbeforeit。Theybeatthetattoo，calledtheroll，hadsupper，andsettleddownroundthefiresforthenight—somerepairingtheirfootgear，somesmokingpipes，andsomestrippingthemselvesnakedtosteamtheliceoutoftheirshirts。
BK15CH8
CHAPTERVIII
OnewouldhavethoughtthatunderthealmostincrediblywretchedconditionstheRussiansoldierswereinatthattime—lackingwarmbootsandsheepskincoats，withoutaroofovertheirheads，inthesnowwitheighteendegreesoffrost，andwithoutevenfullrationsthecommissariatdidnotalwayskeepupwiththetroops—theywouldhavepresentedaverysadanddepressingspectacle。
Onthecontrary，thearmyhadneverunderthebestmaterialconditionspresentedamorecheerfulandanimatedaspect。Thiswasbecauseallwhobegantogrowdepressedorwholoststrengthweresiftedoutofthearmydaybyday。Allthephysicallyormorallyweakhadlongsincebeenleftbehindandonlytheflowerofthearmy—physicallyandmentally—remained。
MoremencollectedbehindthewattlefenceoftheEighthCompanythananywhereelse。Twosergeantsmajorweresittingwiththemandtheircampfireblazedbrighterthanothers。Forleavetositbytheirwattletheydemandedcontributionsoffuel。
\"Eh，Makeev！Whathasbecomeofyou，yousonofabitch？Areyoulostorhavethewolveseatenyou？Fetchsomemorewood！\"shoutedared—hairedandred—facedman，screwinguphiseyesandblinkingbecauseofthesmokebutnotmovingbackfromthefire。\"Andyou，Jackdaw，goandfetchsomewood！\"saidhetoanothersoldier。
Thisred—hairedmanwasneitherasergeantnoracorporal，butbeingrobustheorderedaboutthoseweakerthanhimself。Thesoldiertheycalled\"Jackdaw，\"athinlittlefellowwithasharpnose，roseobedientlyandwasabouttogobutatthatinstanttherecameintothelightofthefiretheslender，handsomefigureofayoungsoldiercarryingaloadofwood。
\"Bringithere—that’sfine！\"
Theysplitupthewood，presseditdownonthefire，blewatitwiththeirmouths，andfanneditwiththeskirtsoftheirgreatcoats，makingtheflameshissandcrackle。Themendrewnearerandlittheirpipes。Thehandsomeyoungsoldierwhohadbroughtthewood，settinghisarmsakimbo，beganstampinghiscoldfeetrapidlyanddeftlyonthespotwherehestood。
\"Mother！Thedewiscoldbutclear……It’swellthatI’mamusketeer……\"hesang，pretendingtohiccoughaftereachsyllable。
\"Lookout，yoursoleswillflyoff！\"shoutedthered—hairedman，noticingthatthesoleofthedancer’sbootwashangingloose。\"Whatafellowyouarefordancing！\"
Thedancerstopped，pulledofftheloosepieceofleather，andthrewitonthefire。
\"Rightenough，friend，\"saidhe，and，havingsatdown，tookoutofhisknapsackascrapofblueFrenchcloth，andwrappeditroundhisfoot。\"It’sthesteamthatspoilsthem，\"headded，stretchingouthisfeettowardthefire。
\"They’llsoonbeissuingusnewones。Theysaythatwhenwe’vefinishedhammeringthem，we’retoreceivedoublekits！\"
\"AndthatsonofabitchPetrovhaslaggedbehindafterall，itseems，\"saidonesergeantmajor。
\"I’vehadaneyeonhimthislongwhile，\"saidtheother。
\"Well，he’sapoorsortofsoldier……\"
\"ButintheThirdCompanytheysayninemenweremissingyesterday。\"
\"Yes，it’sallverywell，butwhenaman’sfeetarefrozenhowcanhewalk？\"
\"Eh？Don’ttalknonsense！\"saidasergeantmajor。
\"Doyouwanttobedoingthesame？\"saidanoldsoldier，turningreproachfullytothemanwhohadspokenoffrozenfeet。
\"Well，youknow，\"saidthesharp—nosedmantheycalledJackdawinasqueakyandunsteadyvoice，raisinghimselfattheothersideofthefire，\"aplumpmangetsthin，butforathinoneit’sdeath。Takeme，now！I’vegotnostrengthleft，\"headded，withsuddenresolutionturningtothesergeantmajor。\"Tellthemtosendmetohospital；I’machingallover；anywayIshan’tbeabletokeepup。\"
\"That’lldo，that’lldo！\"repliedthesergeantmajorquietly。
Thesoldiersaidnomoreandthetalkwenton。
\"WhatalotofthoseFrenchiesweretakentoday，andthefactisthatnotoneofthemhadwhatyoumightcallrealbootson，\"saidasoldier，startinganewtheme。\"Theywerenomorethanmake—believes。\"
\"TheCossackshavetakentheirboots。Theywereclearingthehutforthecolonelandcarriedthemout。Itwaspitifultoseethem，boys，\"
putinthedancer。\"Astheyturnedthemoveroneseemedstillaliveand，wouldyoubelieveit，hejabberedsomethingintheirlingo。\"
\"Butthey’reacleanfolk，lads，\"thefirstmanwenton；\"hewaswhite—aswhiteasbirchbark—andsomeofthemaresuchfinefellows，youmightthinktheywerenobles。\"
\"Well，whatdoyouthink？Theymakesoldiersofallclassesthere。\"
\"Buttheydon’tunderstandourtalkatall，\"saidthedancerwithapuzzledsmile。\"Iaskedhimwhosesubjecthewas，andhejabberedinhisownway。Aqueerlot！\"
\"Butit’sstrange，friends，\"continuedthemanwhohadwonderedattheirwhiteness，\"thepeasantsatMozhayskweresayingthatwhentheybeganburyingthedead—wherethebattlewasyouknow—well，thosedeadhadbeenlyingtherefornearlyamonth，andsaysthepeasant，’theylieaswhiteaspaper，clean，andnotasmuchsmellasapuffofpowdersmoke。’\"
\"Wasitfromthecold？\"askedsomeone。
\"You’reacleverfellow！Fromthecoldindeed！Why，itwashot。Ifithadbeenfromthecold，ourswouldnothaverottedeither。’But，’
hesays，’gouptooursandtheyareallrottenandmaggoty。So，’hesays，’wetieourfacesupwithkerchiefsandturnourheadsawayaswedragthemoff：wecanhardlydoit。Buttheirs，’hesays，’arewhiteaspaperandnotsomuchsmellasawhiffofgunpowder。’\"
Allweresilent。
\"Itmustbefromtheirfood，\"saidthesergeantmajor。\"Theyusedtogobblethesamefoodasthegentry。\"
Noonecontradictedhim。
\"ThatpeasantnearMozhayskwherethebattlewassaidthemenwereallcalledupfromtenvillagesaroundandtheycartedfortwentydaysandstilldidn’tfinishcartingthedeadaway。Andasforthewolves，hesays……\"
\"Thatwasarealbattle，\"saidanoldsoldier。\"It’stheonlyoneworthremembering；butsincethat……it’sonlybeentormentingfolk。\"
\"Anddoyouknow，Daddy，thedaybeforeyesterdayweranatthemand，myword，theydidn’tletusgetnearbeforetheyjustthrewdowntheirmusketsandwentontheirknees。’Pardon！’theysay。That’sonlyonecase。TheysayPlatovtook’Poleonhimselftwice。Buthedidn’tknowtherightcharm。Hecatcheshimandcatcheshim—nogood！Heturnsintoabirdinhishandsandfliesaway。Andthere’snowayofkillinghimeither。\"
\"You’reafirst—classliar，Kiselev，whenIcometolookatyou！\"
\"Liar，indeed！It’stherealtruth。\"
\"Ifhefellintomyhands，whenI’dcaughthimI’dburyhiminthegroundwithanaspenstaketofixhimdown。Whatalotofmenhe’sruined！\"
\"Well，anyhowwe’regoingtoendit。Hewon’tcomehereagain，\"
remarkedtheoldsoldier，yawning。
Theconversationflagged，andthesoldiersbegansettlingdowntosleep。
\"Lookatthestars。It’swonderfulhowtheyshine！Youwouldthinkthewomenhadspreadouttheirlinen，\"saidoneofthemen，gazingwithadmirationattheMilkyWay。
\"That’sasignofagoodharvestnextyear。\"
\"Weshallwantsomemorewood。\"
\"Youwarmyourbackandyourbellygetsfrozen。That’squeer。\"
\"OLord！\"
\"Whatareyoupushingfor？Isthefireonlyforyou？Lookhowhe’ssprawling！\"
Inthesilencethatensued，thesnoringofthosewhohadfallenasleepcouldbeheard。Othersturnedoverandwarmedthemselves，nowandagainexchangingafewwords。Fromacampfireahundredpacesoffcameasoundofgeneral，merrylaughter。
\"HarkatthemroaringthereintheFifthCompany！\"saidoneofthesoldiers，andwhatalotofthemthereare！\"
OneofthemengotupandwentovertotheFifthCompany。
\"They’rehavingsuchfun，\"saidhe，comingback。\"TwoFrenchieshaveturnedup。One’squitefrozenandtheother’sanawfulswaggerer。He’ssingingsongs……\"
\"Oh，I’llgoacrossandhavealook……\"
AndseveralofthemenwentovertotheFifthCompany。
BK15CH9
CHAPTERIX
Thefifthcompanywasbivouackingattheveryedgeoftheforest。
Ahugecampfirewasblazingbrightlyinthemidstofthesnow，lightingupthebranchesoftreesheavywithhoarfrost。
Aboutmidnighttheyheardthesoundofstepsinthesnowoftheforest，andthecracklingofdrybranches。
\"Abear，lads，\"saidoneofthemen。
Theyallraisedtheirheadstolisten，andoutoftheforestintothebrightfirelightsteppedtwostrangelycladhumanfiguresclingingtooneanother。
TheseweretwoFrenchmenwhohadbeenhidingintheforest。Theycameuptothefire，hoarselyutteringsomethinginalanguageoursoldiersdidnotunderstand。Onewastallerthantheother；heworeanofficer’shatandseemedquiteexhausted。Onapproachingthefirehehadbeengoingtositdown，butfell。Theother，ashortsturdysoldierwithashawltiedroundhishead，wasstronger。Heraisedhiscompanionandsaidsomething，pointingtohismouth。ThesoldierssurroundedtheFrenchmen，spreadagreatcoatonthegroundforthesickman，andbroughtsomebuckwheatporridgeandvodkaforbothofthem。
TheexhaustedFrenchofficerwasRamballeandthemanwithhisheadwrappedintheshawlwasMorel，hisorderly。
WhenMorelhaddrunksomevodkaandfinishedhisbowlofporridgehesuddenlybecameunnaturallymerryandchatteredincessantlytothesoldiers，whocouldnotunderstandhim。Ramballerefusedfoodandrestinghisheadonhiselbowlaysilentbesidethecampfire，lookingattheRussiansoldierswithredandvacanteyes。Occasionallyheemittedalong—drawngroanandthenagainbecamesilent。Morel，pointingtohisshoulders，triedtoimpressonthesoldiersthefactthatRamballewasanofficerandoughttobewarmed。ARussianofficerwhohadcomeuptothefiresenttoaskhiscolonelwhetherhewouldnottakeaFrenchofficerintohishuttowarmhim，andwhenthemessengerreturnedandsaidthatthecolonelwishedtheofficertobebroughttohim，Ramballewastoldtogo。Heroseandtriedtowalk，butstaggeredandwouldhavefallenhadnotasoldierstandingbyheldhimup。
\"Youwon’tdoitagain，eh？\"saidoneofthesoldiers，winkingandturningmockinglytoRamballe。
\"Oh，youfool！Whytalkrubbish，loutthatyouare—arealpeasant！\"
camerebukesfromallsidesaddressedtothejestingsoldier。
TheysurroundedRamballe，liftedhimonthecrossedarmsoftwosoldiers，andcarriedhimtothehut。Ramballeputhisarmsaroundtheirneckswhiletheycarriedhimandbeganwailingplaintively：
\"Oh，youfinefellows，mykind，kindfriends！Thesearemen！Oh，mybrave，kindfriends，\"andheleanedhisheadagainsttheshoulderofoneofthemenlikeachild。
MeanwhileMorelwassittinginthebestplacebythefire，surroundedbythesoldiers。
Morel，ashortsturdyFrenchmanwithinflamedandstreamingeyes，waswearingawoman’scloakandhadashawltiedwomanfashionroundhisheadoverhiscap。Hewasevidentlytipsy，andwassingingaFrenchsonginahoarsebrokenvoice，withanarmthrownroundthenearestsoldier。Thesoldierssimplyheldtheirsidesastheywatchedhim。
\"Nowthen，nowthen，teachushowitgoes！I’llsoonpickitup。Howisit？\"saidtheman—asingerandawag—whomMorelwasembracing。
\"ViveHenriQuatre！Viveceroivaliant！\"sangMorel，winking。\"Cediableaquatre……\"*
*\"LongliveHenrytheFourth，thatvaliantking！Thatrowdydevil。\"
\"Vivarika！Vif—seruvaru！Sedyablyaka！\"repeatedthesoldier，flourishinghisarmandreallycatchingthetune。
\"Bravo！Ha，ha，ha！\"rosetheirrough，joyouslaughterfromallsides。
Morel，wrinklinguphisface，laughedtoo。
\"Well，goon，goon！\"
\"Quieutletripletalent，Deboire，debattre，Etd’etreunvertgalant。\"*
*WhohadatripletalentFordrinking，forfighting，Andforbeingagallantoldboy……
\"Itgoessmoothly，too。Well，now，Zaletaev！\"
\"Ke……\"Zaletaev，broughtoutwitheffort：\"ke—e—e—e，\"hedrawled，laboriouslypursinghislips，\"le—trip—ta—la—de—bu—de—ba，ede—tra—va—ga—la\"hesang。
\"Fine！JustliketheFrenchie！Oh，hoho！Doyouwantsomemoretoeat？\"
\"Givehimsomeporridge：ittakesalongtimetogetfilledupafterstarving。\"
TheygavehimsomemoreporridgeandMorelwithalaughsettoworkonhisthirdbowl。Alltheyoungsoldierssmiledgailyastheywatchedhim。Theoldermen，whothoughtitundignifiedtoamusethemselveswithsuchnonsense，continuedtolieattheoppositesideofthefire，butonewouldoccasionallyraisehimselfonanelbowandglanceatMorelwithasmile。
\"Theyarementoo，\"saidoneofthemashewrappedhimselfupinhiscoat。\"Evenwormwoodgrowsonitsownroot。\"
\"OLord，OLord！Howstarryitis！Tremendous！Thatmeansahardfrost……\"
Theyallgrewsilent。Thestars，asifknowingthatnoonewaslookingatthem，begantodisportthemselvesinthedarksky：nowflaringup，nowvanishing，nowtrembling，theywerebusywhisperingsomethinggladsomeandmysterioustooneanother。
BK15CH10
CHAPTERX
TheFrencharmymeltedawayattheuniformrateofamathematicalprogression；andthatcrossingoftheBerezinaaboutwhichsomuchhasbeenwrittenwasonlyoneintermediatestageinitsdestruction，andnotatallthedecisiveepisodeofthecampaign。IfsomuchhasbeenandstilliswrittenabouttheBerezina，ontheFrenchsidethisisonlybecauseatthebrokenbridgeacrossthatriverthecalamitiestheirarmyhadbeenpreviouslyenduringweresuddenlyconcentratedatonemomentintoatragicspectaclethatremainedineverymemory，andontheRussiansidemerelybecauseinPetersburg—farfromtheseatofwar—aplanagainoneofPfuel’shadbeendevisedtocatchNapoleoninastrategictrapattheBerezinaRiver。Everyoneassuredhimselfthatallwouldhappenaccordingtoplan，andthereforeinsistedthatitwasjustthecrossingoftheBerezinathatdestroyedtheFrencharmy。InrealitytheresultsofthecrossingweremuchlessdisastroustotheFrench—ingunsandmenlost—thanKrasnoehadbeen，asthefiguresshow。
ThesoleimportanceofthecrossingoftheBerezinaliesinthefactthatitplainlyandindubitablyprovedthefallacyofalltheplansforcuttingofftheenemy’sretreatandthesoundnessoftheonlypossiblelineofaction—theoneKutuzovandthegeneralmassofthearmydemanded—namely，simplytofollowtheenemyup。TheFrenchcrowdfledatacontinuallyincreasingspeedandallitsenergywasdirectedtoreachingitsgoal。Itfledlikeawoundedanimalanditwasimpossibletoblockitspath。Thiswasshownnotsomuchbythearrangementsitmadeforcrossingasbywhattookplaceatthebridges。Whenthebridgesbrokedown，unarmedsoldiers，peoplefromMoscowandwomenwithchildrenwhowerewiththeFrenchtransport，all—carriedonbyvisinertiae—pressedforwardintoboatsandintotheice—coveredwateranddidnot，surrender。
Thatimpulsewasreasonable。Theconditionoffugitivesandofpursuerswasequallybad。Aslongastheyremainedwiththeirownpeopleeachmighthopeforhelpfromhisfellowsandthedefiniteplaceheheldamongthem。Butthosewhosurrendered，whileremaininginthesamepitifulplight，wouldbeonalowerleveltoclaimashareinthenecessitiesoflife。TheFrenchdidnotneedtobeinformedofthefactthathalftheprisoners—withwhomtheRussiansdidnotknowwhattodo—perishedofcoldandhungerdespitetheircaptors’
desiretosavethem；theyfeltthatitcouldnotbeotherwise。ThemostcompassionateRussiancommanders，thosefavorabletotheFrench—andeventheFrenchmenintheRussianservice—coulddonothingfortheprisoners。TheFrenchperishedfromtheconditionstowhichtheRussianarmywasitselfexposed。ItwasimpossibletotakebreadandclothesfromourhungryandindispensablesoldierstogivetotheFrenchwho，thoughnotharmful，orhated，orguilty，weresimplyunnecessary。SomeRussiansevendidthat，buttheywereexceptions。
CertaindestructionlaybehindtheFrenchbutinfronttherewashope。Theirshipshadbeenburned，therewasnosalvationsaveincollectiveflight，andonthatthewholestrengthoftheFrenchwasconcentrated。
Thefarthertheyfledthemorewretchedbecametheplightoftheremnant，especiallyaftertheBerezina，onwhichinconsequenceofthePetersburgplanspecialhopeshadbeenplacedbytheRussians，andthekeenergrewthepassionsoftheRussiancommanders，blamedoneanotherandKutuzovmostofall。AnticipationthatthefailureofthePetersburgBerezinaplanwouldbeattributedtoKutuzovledtodissatisfaction，contempt，andridicule，moreandmorestronglyexpressed。Theridiculeandcontemptwereofcourseexpressedinarespectfulform，makingitimpossibleforhimtoaskwhereinhewastoblame。Theydidnottalkseriouslytohim；whenreportingtohimoraskingforhissanctiontheyappearedtobefulfillingaregrettableformality，buttheywinkedbehindhisbackandtriedtomisleadhimateveryturn。
Becausetheycouldnotunderstandhimallthesepeopleassumedthatitwasuselesstotalktotheoldman；thathewouldnevergrasptheprofundityoftheirplans，thathewouldanswerwithhisphraseswhichtheythoughtweremerephrasesabouta\"goldenbridge，\"abouttheimpossibilityofcrossingthefrontierwithacrowdoftatterdemalions，andsoforth。Theyhadheardallthatbefore。
Andallhesaid—thatitwasnecessarytoawaitprovisions，orthatthemenhadnoboots—wassosimple，whilewhattheyproposedwassocomplicatedandclever，thatitwasevidentthathewasoldandstupidandthatthey，thoughnotinpower，werecommandersofgenius。
AfterthejunctionwiththearmyofthebrilliantadmiralandPetersburgheroWittgenstein，thismoodandthegossipofthestaffreachedtheirmaximum。Kutuzovsawthisandmerelysighedandshruggedhisshoulders。Onlyonce，aftertheaffairoftheBerezina，didhegetangryandwritetoBennigsenwhoreportedseparatelytotheEmperorthefollowingletter：
\"Onaccountofyourspellsofillhealth，willyourexcellencypleasebesogoodastosetoffforKalugaonreceiptofthis，andthereawaitfurthercommandsandappointmentsfromHisImperialMajesty。\"
ButafterBennigsen’sdeparture，theGrandDukeTsarevichConstantinePavlovichjoinedthearmy。HehadtakenpartinthebeginningofthecampaignbuthadsubsequentlybeenremovedfromthearmybyKutuzov。Nowhavingcometothearmy，heinformedKutuzovoftheEmperor’sdispleasureatthepoorsuccessofourforcesandtheslownessoftheiradvance。TheEmperorintendedtojointhearmypersonallyinafewdays’time。
Theoldman，experiencedincourtaswellasinmilitaryaffairs—
thissameKutuzovwhoinAugusthadbeenchosencommanderinchiefagainstthesovereign’swishesandwhohadremovedtheGrandDukeandheir—apparentfromthearmy—whoonhisownauthorityandcontrarytotheEmperor’swillhaddecidedontheabandonmentofMoscow，nowrealizedatoncethathisdaywasover，thathispartwasplayed，andthatthepowerhewassupposedtoholdwasnolongerhis。Andheunderstoodthisnotmerelyfromtheattitudeofthecourt。
Hesawontheonehandthatthemilitarybusinessinwhichhehadplayedhispartwasendedandfeltthathismissionwasaccomplished；andatthesametimehebegantobeconsciousofthephysicalwearinessofhisagedbodyandofthenecessityofphysicalrest。
Onthetwenty—ninthofNovemberKutuzoventeredVilna—his\"dearVilna\"ashecalledit。TwiceduringhiscareerKutuzovhadbeengovernorofVilna。Inthatwealthytown，whichhadnotbeeninjured，hefoundoldfriendsandassociations，besidesthecomfortsoflifeofwhichhehadsolongbeendeprived。Andhesuddenlyturnedfromthecaresofarmyandstateand，asfarasthepassionsthatseethedaroundhimallowed，immersedhimselfinthequietlifetowhichhehadformerlybeenaccustomed，asifallthatwastakingplaceandallthathadstilltobedoneintherealmofhistorydidnotconcernhimatall。
Chichagov，oneofthemostzealous\"cutters—off\"and\"breakers—up，\"whohadfirstwantedtoeffectadiversioninGreeceandtheninWarsawbutneverwishedtogowherehewassent：
Chichagov，notedfortheboldnesswithwhichhespoketotheEmperor，andwhoconsideredKutuzovtobeunderanobligationtohimbecausewhenhewassenttomakepeacewithTurkeyin1811
independentlyofKutuzov，andfoundthatpeacehadalreadybeenconcluded，headmittedtotheEmperorthatthemeritofsecuringthatpeacewasreallyKutuzov’s；thisChichagovwasthefirsttomeetKutuzovatthecastlewherethelatterwastostay。Inundressnavaluniform，withadirk，andholdinghiscapunderhisarm，hehandedKutuzovagarrisonreportandthekeysofthetown。ThecontemptuouslyrespectfulattitudeoftheyoungermentotheoldmaninhisdotagewasexpressedinthehighestdegreebythebehaviorofChichagov，whoknewoftheaccusationsthatwerebeingdirectedagainstKutuzov。
WhenspeakingtoChichagov，KutuzovincidentallymentionedthatthevehiclespackedwithchinathathadbeencapturedfromhimatBorisovhadbeenrecoveredandwouldberestoredtohim。
\"YoumeantoimplythatIhavenothingtoeatoutof……Onthecontrary，Icansupplyyouwitheverythingevenifyouwanttogivedinnerparties，\"warmlyrepliedChichagov，whotriedbyeverywordhespoketoprovehisownrectitudeandthereforeimaginedKutuzovtobeanimatedbythesamedesire。
Kutuzov，shrugginghisshoulders，repliedwithhissubtlepenetratingsmile：\"ImeantmerelytosaywhatIsaid。\"
ContrarytotheEmperor’swishKutuzovdetainedthegreaterpartofthearmyatVilna。Thoseabouthimsaidthathebecameextraordinarilyslackandphysicallyfeebleduringhisstayinthattown。Heattendedtoarmyaffairsreluctantly，lefteverythingtohisgenerals，andwhileawaitingtheEmperor’sarrivalledadissipatedlife。
HavingleftPetersburgontheseventhofDecemberwithhissuite—
CountTolstoy，PrinceVolkonski，Arakcheev，andothers—theEmperorreachedVilnaontheeleventh，andinhistravelingsleighdrovestraighttothecastle。Inspiteoftheseverefrostsomehundredgeneralsandstaffofficersinfullparadeuniformstoodinfrontofthecastle，aswellasaguardofhonoroftheSemenovregiment。
Acourierwhogallopedtothecastleinadvance，inatroykawiththreefoam—fleckedhorses，shouted\"Coming！\"andKonovnitsynrushedintothevestibuletoinformKutuzov，whowaswaitinginthehallporter’slittlelodge。
Aminutelatertheoldman’slargestoutfigureinfull—dressuniform，hischestcoveredwithordersandascarfdrawnroundhisstomach，waddledoutintotheporch。Heputonhishatwithitspeakstothesidesand，holdinghisglovesinhishandandwalkingwithaneffortsidewaysdownthestepstothelevelofthestreet，tookinhishandthereporthehadpreparedfortheEmperor。
Therewasrunningtoandfroandwhispering；anothertroykafuriouslyup，andthenalleyeswereturnedonanapproachingsleighinwhichthefiguresoftheEmperorandVolkonskicouldalreadybedescried。
Fromthehabitoffiftyyearsallthishadaphysicallyagitatingeffectontheoldgeneral。Hecarefullyandhastilyfelthimselfallover，readjustedhishat，andpullinghimselftogetherdrewhimselfupand，attheverymomentwhentheEmperor，havingalightedfromthesleigh，liftedhiseyestohim，handedhimthereportandbeganspeakinginhissmooth，ingratiatingvoice。
TheEmperorwitharapidglancescannedKutuzovfromheadtofoot，frownedforaninstant，butimmediatelymasteringhimselfwentuptotheoldman，extendedhisarmsandembracedhim。Andthisembracetoo，owingtoalong—standingimpressionrelatedtohisinnermostfeelings，haditsusualeffectonKutuzovandhegaveasob。
TheEmperorgreetedtheofficersandtheSemenovguard，andagainpressingtheoldman’shandwentwithhimintothecastle。
WhenalonewiththefieldmarshaltheEmperorexpressedhisdissatisfactionattheslownessofthepursuitandatthemistakesmadeatKrasnoeandtheBerezina，andinformedhimofhisintentionsforafuturecampaignabroad。Kutuzovmadenorejoinderorremark。Thesamesubmissive，expressionlesslookwithwhichhehadlistenedtotheEmperor’scommandsonthefieldofAusterlitzsevenyearsbeforesettledonhisfacenow。
WhenKutuzovcameoutofthestudyandwithloweredheadwascrossingtheballroomwithhisheavywaddlinggait，hewasarrestedbysomeone’svoicesaying：
\"YourSereneHighness！\"
KutuzovraisedhisheadandlookedforalongwhileintotheeyesofCountTolstoy，whostoodbeforehimholdingasilversalveronwhichlayasmallobject。Kutuzovseemednottounderstandwhatwasexpectedofhim。
Suddenlyheseemedtoremember；ascarcelyperceptiblesmileflashedacrosshispuffyface，andbowinglowandrespectfullyhetooktheobjectthatlayonthesalver。ItwastheOrderofSt。GeorgeoftheFirstClass。
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NextdaythefieldmarshalgaveadinnerandballwhichtheEmperorhonoredbyhispresence。KutuzovhadreceivedtheOrderofSt。
GeorgeoftheFirstClassandtheEmperorshowedhimthehighesthonors，buteveryoneknewoftheimperialdissatisfactionwithhim。
TheproprietieswereobservedandtheEmperorwasthefirsttosetthatexample，buteverybodyunderstoodthattheoldmanwasblameworthyandgood—for—nothing。WhenKutuzov，conformingtoacustomofCatherine’sday，orderedthestandardsthathadbeencapturedtobeloweredattheEmperor’sfeetonhisenteringtheballroom，theEmperormadeawryfaceandmutteredsomethinginwhichsomepeoplecaughtthewords，\"theoldcomedian。\"
TheEmperor’sdispleasurewithKutuzovwasspeciallyincreasedatVilnabythefactthatKutuzovevidentlycouldnotorwouldnotunderstandtheimportanceofthecomingcampaign。
WhenonthefollowingmorningtheEmperorsaidtotheofficersassembledabouthim：\"YouhavenotonlysavedRussia，youhavesavedEurope！\"theyallunderstoodthatthewarwasnotended。
KutuzovalonewouldnotseethisandopenlyexpressedhisopinionthatnofreshwarcouldimprovethepositionoraddtothegloryofRussia，butcouldonlyspoilandlowerthegloriouspositionthatRussiahadgained。HetriedtoprovetotheEmperortheimpossibilityoflevyingfreshtroops，spokeofthehardshipsalreadyenduredbythepeople，ofthepossibilityoffailureandsoforth。
Thisbeingthefieldmarshal’sframeofmindhewasnaturallyregardedasmerelyahindranceandobstacletotheimpendingwar。
Toavoidunpleasantencounterswiththeoldman，thenaturalmethodwastodowhathadbeendonewithhimatAusterlitzandwithBarclayatthebeginningoftheRussiancampaign—totransfertheauthoritytotheEmperorhimself，thuscuttingthegroundfromunderthecommanderinchief’sfeetwithoutupsettingtheoldmanbyinforminghimofthechange。
WiththisobjecthisstaffwasgraduallyreconstructedanditsrealstrengthremovedandtransferredtotheEmperor。Toll，Konovnitsyn，andErmolovreceivedfreshappointments。Everyonespokeloudlyofthefieldmarshal’sgreatweaknessandfailinghealth。
Hishealthhadtobebadforhisplacetobetakenawayandgiventoanother。Andinfacthishealthwaspoor。
Sonaturally，simply，andgradually—justashehadcomefromTurkeytotheTreasuryinPetersburgtorecruitthemilitia，andthentothearmywhenhewasneededthere—nowwhenhispartwasplayedout，Kutuzov’splacewastakenbyanewandnecessaryperformer。
Thewar1812，besidesitsnationalsignificancedeartoeveryRussianheart，wasnowtoassumeanother，aEuropean，significance。
Themovementofpeoplesfromwesttoeastwastobesucceededbyamovementofpeoplesfromeasttowest，andforthisfreshwaranotherleaderwasnecessary，havingqualitiesandviewsdifferingfromKutuzov’sandanimatedbydifferentmotives。
AlexanderIwasasnecessaryforthemovementofthepeoplesfromeasttowestandfortherefixingofnationalfrontiersasKutuzovhadbeenforthesalvationandgloryofRussia。
KutuzovdidnotunderstandwhatEurope，thebalanceofpower，orNapoleonmeant。Hecouldnotunderstandit。FortherepresentativeoftheRussianpeople，aftertheenemyhadbeendestroyedandRussiahadbeenliberatedandraisedtothesummitofherglory，therewasnothinglefttodoasaRussian。Nothingremainedfortherepresentativeofthenationalwarbuttodie，andKutuzovdied。
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Asgenerallyhappens，Pierredidnotfeelthefulleffectsofthephysicalprivationandstrainhehadsufferedasprisoneruntilaftertheywereover。AfterhisliberationhereachedOrel，andonthethirddaythere，whenpreparingtogotoKiev，hefellillandwaslaidupforthreemonths。Hehadwhatthedoctorstermed\"biliousfever。\"Butdespitethefactthatthedoctorstreatedhim，bledhim，andgavehimmedicinestodrink，herecovered。
ScarcelyanyimpressionwasleftonPierre’smindbyallthathappenedtohimfromthetimeofhisrescuetillhisillness。Herememberedonlythedullgrayweathernowrainyandnowsnowy，internalphysicaldistress，andpainsinhisfeetandside。Herememberedageneralimpressionofthemisfortunesandsufferingsofpeopleandofbeingworriedbythecuriosityofofficersandgeneralswhoquestionedhim，healsorememberedhisdifficultyinprocuringaconveyanceandhorses，andaboveallherememberedhisincapacitytothinkandfeelallthattime。OnthedayofhisrescuehehadseenthebodyofPetyaRostov。ThatsamedayhehadlearnedthatPrinceAndrew，aftersurvivingthebattleofBorodinoformorethanamonthhadrecentlydiedintheRostovs’houseatYaroslavl，andDenisovwhotoldhimthisnewsalsomentionedHelene’sdeath，supposingthatPierrehadheardofitlongbefore。AllthisatthetimeseemedmerelystrangetoPierre：hefelthecouldnotgraspitssignificance。Justthenhewasonlyanxioustogetawayasquicklyaspossiblefromplaceswherepeoplewerekillingoneanother，tosomepeacefulrefugewherehecouldrecoverhimself，rest，andthinkoverallthestrangenewfactshehadlearned；butonreachingOrelheimmediatelyfellill。Whenhecametohimselfafterhisillnesshesawinattendanceonhimtwoofhisservants，TerentyandVaska，whohadcomefromMoscow；andalsohiscousintheeldestprincess，whohadbeenlivingonhisestateatEletsandhearingofhisrescueandillnesshadcometolookafterhim。
ItwasonlygraduallyduringhisconvalescencethatPierrelosttheimpressionshehadbecomeaccustomedtoduringthelastfewmonthsandgotusedtotheideathatnoonewouldobligehimtogoanywheretomorrow，thatnoonewoulddeprivehimofhiswarmbed，andthathewouldbesuretogethisdinner，tea，andsupper。Butforalongtimeinhisdreamshestillsawhimselfintheconditionsofcaptivity。Inthesamewaylittlebylittlehecametounderstandthenewshehadbeentoldafterhisrescue，aboutthedeathofPrinceAndrew，thedeathofhiswife，andthedestructionoftheFrench。
Ajoyousfeelingoffreedom—thatcompleteinalienablefreedomnaturaltomanwhichhehadfirstexperiencedatthefirsthaltoutsideMoscow—filledPierre’ssoulduringhisconvalescence。Hewassurprisedtofindthatthisinnerfreedom，whichwasindependentofexternalconditions，nowhadasitwereanadditionalsettingofexternalliberty。Hewasaloneinastrangetown，withoutacquaintances。Noonedemandedanythingofhimorsenthimanywhere。
Hehadallhewanted：thethoughtofhiswifewhichhadbeenacontinualtormenttohimwasnolongerthere，sinceshewasnomore。
\"Oh，howgood！Howsplendid！\"saidhetohimselfwhenacleanlylaidtablewasmoveduptohimwithsavorybeeftea，orwhenhelaydownforthenightonasoftcleanbed，orwhenherememberedthattheFrenchhadgoneandthathiswifewasnomore。\"Oh，howgood，howsplendid！\"
Andbyoldhabitheaskedhimselfthequestion：\"Well，andwhatthen？WhatamIgoingtodo？\"Andheimmediatelygavehimselftheanswer：\"Well，Ishalllive。Ah，howsplendid！\"
Theveryquestionthathadformerlytormentedhim，thethinghehadcontinuallysoughttofind—theaimoflife—nolongerexistedforhimnow。Thatsearchfortheaimoflifehadnotmerelydisappearedtemporarily—hefeltthatitnolongerexistedforhimandcouldnotpresentitselfagain。Andthisveryabsenceofanaimgavehimthecomplete，joyoussenseoffreedomwhichconstitutedhishappinessatthistime。
Hecouldnotseeanaim，forhenowhadfaith—notfaithinanykindofrule，orwords，orideas，butfaithinanever—living，ever—manifestGod。FormerlyhehadsoughtHiminaimshesethimself。ThatsearchforanaimhadbeensimplyasearchforGod，andsuddenlyinhiscaptivityhehadlearnednotbywordsorreasoningbutbydirectfeelingwhathisnursehadtoldhimlongago：thatGodishereandeverywhere。InhiscaptivityhehadlearnedthatinKarataevGodwasgreater，moreinfiniteandunfathomablethanintheArchitectoftheUniverserecognizedbytheFreemasons。Hefeltlikeamanwhoafterstraininghiseyestoseeintothefardistancefindswhathesoughtathisveryfeet。Allhislifehehadlookedovertheheadsofthemenaroundhim，whenheshouldhavemerelylookedinfrontofhimwithoutstraininghiseyes。
Inthepasthehadneverbeenabletofindthatgreatinscrutableinfinitesomething。Hehadonlyfeltthatitmustexistsomewhereandhadlookedforit。Ineverythingnearandcomprehensiblehehadonlywhatwaslimited，petty，commonplace，andsenseless。Hehadequippedhimselfwithamentaltelescopeandlookedintoremotespace，wherepettyworldlinesshidingitselfinmistydistancehadseemedtohimgreatandinfinitemerelybecauseitwasnotclearlyseen。
AndsuchhadEuropeanlife，politics，Freemasonry，philosophy，andphilanthropyseemedtohim。Buteventhen，atmomentsofweaknessashehadaccountedthem，hismindhadpenetratedtothosedistancesandhehadthereseenthesamepettiness，worldliness，andsenselessness。Now，however，hehadlearnedtoseethegreat，eternal，andinfiniteineverything，andtherefore—toseeitandenjoyitscontemplation—henaturallythrewawaythetelescopethroughwhichhehadtillnowgazedovermen’sheads，andgladlyregardedtheever—changing，eternallygreat，unfathomable，andinfinitelifearoundhim。Andthecloserhelookedthemoretranquilandhappyhebecame。
Thatdreadfulquestion，\"Whatfor？\"whichhadformerlydestroyedallhismentaledifices，nolongerexistedforhim。Tothatquestion，\"Whatfor？\"asimpleanswerwasnowalwaysreadyinhissoul：\"BecausethereisaGod，thatGodwithoutwhosewillnotonehairfallsfromaman’shead。\"
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InexternalwaysPierrehadhardlychangedatall。Inappearancehewasjustwhatheusedtobe。Asbeforehewasabsent—mindedandseemedoccupiednotwithwhatwasbeforehiseyesbutwithsomethingspecialofhisown。Thedifferencebetweenhisformerandpresentselfwasthatformerlywhenhedidnotgraspwhatlaybeforehimorwassaidtohim，hehadpuckeredhisforeheadpainfullyasifvainlyseekingtodistinguishsomethingatadistance。Atpresenthestillforgotwhatwassaidtohimandstilldidnotseewhatwasbeforehiseyes，buthenowlookedwithascarcelyperceptibleandseeminglyironicsmileatwhatwasbeforehimandlistenedtowhatwassaid，thoughevidentlyseeingandhearingsomethingquitedifferent。
Formerlyhehadappearedtobeakindheartedbutunhappyman，andsopeoplehadbeeninclinedtoavoidhim。Nowasmileatthejoyoflifealwaysplayedroundhislips，andsympathyforothers，shoneinhiseyeswithaquestioninglookastowhethertheywereascontentedashewas，andpeoplefeltpleasedbyhispresence。
Previouslyhehadtalkedagreatdeal，grewexcitedwhenhetalked，andseldomlistened；nowhewasseldomcarriedawayinconversationandknewhowtolistensothatpeoplereadilytoldhimtheirmostintimatesecrets。
Theprincess，whohadneverlikedPierreandhadbeenparticularlyhostiletohimsinceshehadfeltherselfunderobligationstohimaftertheoldcount’sdeath，nowafterstayingashorttimeinOrel—
whereshehadcomeintendingtoshowPierrethatinspiteofhisingratitudesheconsidereditherdutytonursehim—felttohersurpriseandvexationthatshehadbecomefondofhim。Pierredidnotinanywayseekherapproval，hemerelystudiedherwithinterest。
Formerlyshehadfeltthatheregardedherwithindifferenceandirony，andsohadshrunkintoherselfasshedidwithothersandhadshownhimonlythecombativesideofhernature；butnowheseemedtobetryingtounderstandthemostintimateplacesofherheart，and，mistrustfullyatfirstbutafterwardsgratefully，shelethimseethehidden，kindlysidesofhercharacter。
Themostcunningmancouldnothavecreptintoherconfidencemoresuccessfully，evokingmemoriesofthebesttimesofheryouthandshowingsympathywiththem。YetPierre’scunningconsistedsimplyinfindingpleasureindrawingoutthehumanqualitiesoftheembittered，hard，andinherownwayproudprincess。
\"Yes，heisavery，verykindmanwhenheisnotundertheinfluenceofbadpeoplebutofpeoplesuchasmyself，\"thoughtshe。
Hisservantstoo—TerentyandVaska—intheirownwaynoticedthechangethathadtakenplaceinPierre。Theyconsideredthathehadbecomemuch\"simpler。\"Terenty，whenhehadhelpedhimundressandwishedhimgoodnight，oftenlingeredwithhismaster’sbootsinhishandsandclothesoverhisarm，toseewhetherhewouldnotstartatalk。AndPierre，noticingthatTerentywantedachat，generallykepthimthere。
\"Well，tellme……now，howdidyougetfood？\"hewouldask。
AndTerentywouldbegintalkingofthedestructionofMoscow，andoftheoldcount，andwouldstandforalongtimeholdingtheclothesandtalking，orsometimeslisteningtoPierre’sstories，andthenwouldgooutintothehallwithapleasantsenseofintimacywithhismasterandaffectionforhim。
ThedoctorwhoattendedPierreandvisitedhimeveryday，thoughheconsideredithisdutyasadoctortoposeasamanwhoseeverymomentwasofvaluetosufferinghumanity，wouldsitforhourswithPierretellinghimhisfavoriteanecdotesandhisobservationsonthecharactersofhispatientsingeneral，andespeciallyoftheladies。
\"It’sapleasuretotalktoamanlikethat；heisnotlikeourprovincials，\"hewouldsay。
TherewereseveralprisonersfromtheFrencharmyinOrel，andthedoctorbroughtoneofthem，ayoungItalian，toseePierre。
ThisofficerbeganvisitingPierre，andtheprincessusedtomakefunofthetendernesstheItalianexpressedforhim。
TheItalianseemedhappyonlywhenhecouldcometoseePierre，talkwithhim，tellhimabouthispast，hislifeathome，andhislove，andpourouttohimhisindignationagainsttheFrenchandespeciallyagainstNapoleon。
\"IfallRussiansareintheleastlikeyou，itissacrilegetofightsuchanation，\"hesaidtoPierre。\"You，whohavesufferedsofromtheFrench，donotevenfeelanimositytowardthem。\"
PierrehadevokedthepassionateaffectionoftheItalianmerelybyevokingthebestsideofhisnatureandtakingapleasureinsodoing。
DuringthelastdaysofPierre’sstayinOrelhisoldMasonicacquaintanceCountWillarski，whohadintroducedhimtothelodgein1807，cametoseehim。WillarskiwasmarriedtoaRussianheiresswhohadalargeestateinOrelprovince，andheoccupiedatemporarypostinthecommissariatdepartmentinthattown。
HearingthatBezukhovwasinOrel，Willarski，thoughtheyhadneverbeenintimate，cametohimwiththeprofessionsoffriendshipandintimacythatpeoplewhomeetinadesertgenerallyexpressforoneanother。WillarskifeltdullinOrelandwaspleasedtomeetamanofhisowncircleand，ashesupposed，ofsimilarinterests。
ButtohissurpriseWillarskisoonnoticedthatPierrehadlaggedmuchbehindthetimes，andhadsunk，asheexpressedittohimself，intoapathyandegotism。
\"Youarelettingyourselfgo，mydearfellow，\"hesaid。
ButforallthatWillarskifounditpleasanternowthanithadbeenformerlytobewithPierre，andcametoseehimeveryday。ToPierreashelookedatandlistenedtoWillarski，itseemedstrangetothinkthathehadbeenlikethathimselfbutashorttimebefore。
Willarskiwasamarriedmanwithafamily，busywithhisfamilyaffairs，hiswife’saffairs，andhisofficialduties。Heregardedalltheseoccupationsashindrancestolife，andconsideredthattheywereallcontemptiblebecausetheiraimwasthewelfareofhimselfandhisfamily。Military，administrative，political，andMasonicinterestscontinuallyabsorbedhisattention。AndPierre，withouttryingtochangetheother’sviewsandwithoutcondemninghim，butwiththequiet，joyful，andamusedsmilenowhabitualtohim，wasinterestedinthisstrangethoughveryfamiliarphenomenon。
TherewasanewfeatureinPierre’srelationswithWillarski，withtheprincess，withthedoctor，andwithallthepeoplehenowmet，whichgainedforhimthegeneralgoodwill。Thiswashisacknowledgmentoftheimpossibilityofchangingaman’sconvictionsbywords，andhisrecognitionofthepossibilityofeveryonethinking，feeling，andseeingthingseachfromhisownpointofview。ThislegitimatepeculiarityofeachindividualwhichusedtoexciteandirritatePierrenowbecameabasisofthesympathyhefeltfor，andtheinteresthetookin，otherpeople。Thedifference，andsometimescompletecontradiction，betweenmen’sopinionsandtheirlives，andbetweenonemanandanother，pleasedhimanddrewfromhimanamusedandgentlesmile。
InpracticalmattersPierreunexpectedlyfeltwithinhimselfacenterofgravityhehadpreviouslylacked。Formerlyallpecuniaryquestions，especiallyrequestsformoneytowhich，asanextremelywealthyman，hewasveryexposed，producedinhimastateofhopelessagitationandperplexity。\"Togiveornottogive？\"hehadaskedhimself。\"Ihaveitandheneedsit。Butsomeoneelseneedsitstillmore。Whoneedsitmost？Andperhapstheyarebothimpostors？\"
Intheolddayshehadbeenunabletofindawayoutofallthesesurmisesandhadgiventoallwhoaskedaslongashehadanythingtogive。Formerlyhehadbeeninasimilarstateofperplexitywithregardtoeveryquestionconcerninghisproperty，whenonepersonadvisedonethingandanothersomethingelse。
Nowtohissurprisehefoundthathenolongerfelteitherdoubtorperplexityaboutthesequestions。Therewasnowwithinhimajudgewhobysomeruleunknowntohimdecidedwhatshouldorshouldnotbedone。
Hewasasindifferentasheretoforetomoneymatters，butnowhefeltcertainofwhatoughtandwhatoughtnottobedone。ThefirsttimehehadrecoursetohisnewjudgewaswhenaFrenchprisoner，acolonel，cametohimand，aftertalkingagreatdealabouthisexploits，concludedbymakingwhatamountedtoademandthatPierreshouldgivehimfourthousandfrancstosendtohiswifeandchildren。
Pierrerefusedwithouttheleastdifficultyoreffort，andwasafterwardssurprisedhowsimpleandeasyhadbeenwhatusedtoappearsoinsurmountablydifficult。Atthesametimethatherefusedthecolonel’sdemandhemadeuphismindthathemusthaverecoursetoartificewhenleavingOrel，toinducetheItalianofficertoacceptsomemoneyofwhichhewasevidentlyinneed。AfurtherprooftoPierreofhisownmoresettledoutlookonpracticalmatterswasfurnishedbyhisdecisionwithregardtohiswife’sdebtsandtotherebuildingofhishousesinandnearMoscow。
HisheadstewardcametohimatOrelandPierrereckonedupwithhimhisdiminishedincome。TheburningofMoscowhadcosthim，accordingtotheheadsteward’scalculation，abouttwomillionrubles。
ToconsolePierrefortheselossestheheadstewardgavehimanestimateshowingthatdespitetheselosseshisincomewouldnotbediminishedbutwouldevenbeincreasedifherefusedtopayhiswife’sdebtswhichhewasundernoobligationtomeet，anddidnotrebuildhisMoscowhouseandthecountryhouseonhisMoscowestate，whichhadcosthimeightythousandrublesayearandbroughtinnothing。
\"Yes，ofcoursethat’strue，\"saidPierrewithacheerfulsmile。
\"Idon’tneedallthatatall。BybeingruinedIhavebecomemuchricher。\"
ButinJanuarySavelichcamefromMoscowandgavehimanaccountofthestateofthingsthere，andspokeoftheestimateanarchitecthadmadeofthecostofrebuildingthetownandcountryhouses，speakingofthisasofasettledmatter。AboutthesametimehereceivedlettersfromPrinceVasiliandotherPetersburgacquaintancesspeakingofhiswife’sdebts。AndPierredecidedthatthesteward’sproposalswhichhadsopleasedhimwerewrongandthathemustgotoPetersburgandsettlehiswife’saffairsandmustrebuildinMoscow。
Whythiswasnecessaryhedidnotknow，butheknewforcertainthatitwasnecessary。Hisincomewouldbereducedbythreefourths，buthefeltitmustbedone。
WillarskiwasgoingtoMoscowandtheyagreedtotraveltogether。
DuringthewholetimeofhisconvalescenceinOrelPierrehadexperiencedafeelingofjoy，freedom，andlife；butwhenduringhisjourneyhefoundhimselfintheopenworldandsawhundredsofnewfaces，thatfeelingwasintensified。Throughouthisjourneyhefeltlikeaschoolboyonholiday。Everyone—thestagecoachdriver，thepost—houseoverseers，thepeasantsontheroadsandinthevillages—
hadanewsignificanceforhim。ThepresenceandremarksofWillarskiwhocontinuallydeploredtheignoranceandpovertyofRussiaanditsbackwardnesscomparedwithEuropeonlyheightenedPierre’spleasure。WhereWillarskisawdeadnessPierresawanextraordinarystrengthandvitality—thestrengthwhichinthatvastspaceamidthesnowsmaintainedthelifeofthisoriginal，peculiar，anduniquepeople。HedidnotcontradictWillarskiandevenseemedtoagreewithhim—anapparentagreementbeingthesimplestwaytoavoiddiscussionsthatcouldleadtonothing—andhesmiledjoyfullyashelistenedtohim。
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Itwouldbedifficulttoexplainwhyandwhitherantswhoseheaphasbeendestroyedarehurrying：somefromtheheapdraggingbitsofrubbish，larvae，andcorpses，othersbacktotheheap，orwhytheyjostle，overtakeoneanother，andfight，anditwouldbeequallydifficulttoexplainwhatcausedtheRussiansafterthedepartureoftheFrenchtothrongtotheplacethathadformerlybeenMoscow。Butwhenwewatchtheantsroundtheirruinedheap，thetenacity，energy，andimmensenumberofthedelvinginsectsprovethatdespitethedestructionoftheheap，somethingindestructible，whichthoughintangibleistherealstrengthofthecolony，stillexists；andsimilarly，thoughinMoscowinthemonthofOctobertherewasnogovernmentnochurches，shrines，riches，orhouses—itwasstilltheMoscowithadbeeninAugust。Allwasdestroyed，exceptsomethingintangibleyetpowerfulandindestructible。
ThemotivesofthosewhothrongedfromallsidestoMoscowafterithadbeenclearedoftheenemyweremostdiverseandpersonal，andatfirstforthemostpartsavageandbrutal。Onemotiveonlytheyallhadincommon：adesiretogettotheplacethathadbeencalledMoscow，toapplytheiractivitiesthere。
WithinaweekMoscowalreadyhadfifteenthousandinhabitants，inafortnighttwenty—fivethousand，andsoon。Bytheautumnof1813thenumber，everincreasingandincreasing，exceededwhatithadbeenin1812。
ThefirstRussianstoenterMoscowweretheCossacksofWintzingerode’sdetachment，peasantsfromtheadjacentvillages，andresidentswhohadfledfromMoscowandhadbeenhidinginitsvicinity。TheRussianswhoenteredMoscow，findingitplundered，plundereditintheirturn。TheycontinuedwhattheFrenchhadbegun。TrainsofpeasantcartscametoMoscowtocarryofftothevillageswhathadbeenabandonedintheruinedhousesandthestreets。
TheCossackscarriedoffwhattheycouldtotheircamps，andthehouseholdersseizedalltheycouldfindinotherhousesandmovedittotheirown，pretendingthatitwastheirproperty。
Butthefirstplundererswerefollowedbyasecondandathirdcontingent，andwithincreasingnumbersplunderingbecamemoreandmoredifficultandassumedmoredefiniteforms。
TheFrenchfoundMoscowabandonedbutwithalltheorganizationsofregularlife，withdiversebranchesofcommerceandcraftsmanship，withluxury，andgovernmentalandreligiousinstitutions。Theseformswerelifelessbutstillexisted。Therewerebazaars，shops，warehouses，marketstalls，granaries—forthemostpartstillstockedwithgoods—andtherewerefactoriesandworkshops，palacesandwealthyhousesfilledwithluxuries，hospitals，prisons，governmentoffices，churches，andcathedrals。ThelongertheFrenchremainedthemoretheseformsoftownlifeperished，untilfinallyallwasmergedintooneconfused，lifelesssceneofplunder。
ThemoretheplunderingbytheFrenchcontinued，themoreboththewealthofMoscowandthestrengthofitsplundererswasdestroyed。ButplunderingbytheRussians，withwhichthereoccupationofthecitybegan，hadanoppositeeffect：thelongeritcontinuedandthegreaterthenumberofpeopletakingpartinitthemorerapidlywasthewealthofthecityanditsregularliferestored。
Besidestheplunderers，veryvariouspeople，somedrawnbycuriosity，somebyofficialduties，somebyself—interest—houseowners，clergy，officialsofallkinds，tradesmen，artisans，andpeasants—streamedintoMoscowasbloodflowstotheheart。
Withinaweekthepeasantswhocamewithemptycartstocarryoffplunderwerestoppedbytheauthoritiesandmadetocartthecorpsesoutofthetown。Otherpeasants，havingheardoftheircomrades’
discomfiture，cametotownbringingrye，oats，andhay，andbeatdownoneanother’spricestobelowwhattheyhadbeeninformerdays。GangsofcarpentershopingforhighpayarrivedinMoscoweveryday，andonallsideslogswerebeinghewn，newhousesbuilt，andold，charredonesrepaired。Tradesmenbegantradinginbooths。
Cookshopsandtavernswereopenedinpartiallyburnedhouses。Theclergyresumedtheservicesinmanychurchesthathadnotbeenburned。
DonorscontributedChurchpropertythathadbeenstolen。Governmentclerkssetuptheirbaize—coveredtablesandtheirpigeonholesofdocumentsinsmallrooms。ThehigherauthoritiesandthepoliceorganizedthedistributionofgoodsleftbehindbytheFrench。Theownersofhousesinwhichmuchpropertyhadbeenleft，broughttherefromotherhouses，complainedoftheinjusticeoftakingeverythingtotheFacetedPalaceintheKremlin；othersinsistedthatastheFrenchhadgatheredthingsfromdifferenthousesintothisorthathouse，itwouldbeunfairtoallowitsownertokeepallthatwasfoundthere。Theyabusedthepoliceandbribedthem，madeoutestimatesattentimestheirvalueforgovernmentstoresthathadperishedinthefire，anddemandedrelief。AndCountRostopchinwroteproclamations。
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AttheendofJanuaryPierrewenttoMoscowandstayedinanannexofhishousewhichhadnotbeenburned。HecalledonCountRostopchinandonsomeacquaintanceswhowerebackinMoscow，andheintendedtoleaveforPetersburgtwodayslater。Everybodywascelebratingthevictory，everythingwasbubblingwithlifeintheruinedbutrevivingcity。EveryonewaspleasedtoseePierre，everyonewishedtomeethim，andeveryonequestionedhimaboutwhathehadseen。Pierrefeltparticularlywelldisposedtowardthemall，butwasnowinstinctivelyonhisguardforfearofbindinghimselfinanyway。Toallquestionsputtohim—whetherimportantorquitetrifling—suchas：Wherewouldhelive？Washegoingtorebuild？
WhenwashegoingtoPetersburgandwouldhemindtakingaparcelforsomeone？—hereplied：\"Yes，perhaps，\"or，\"Ithinkso，\"andsoon。
HehadheardthattheRostovswereatKostromabutthethoughtofNatashaseldomoccurredtohim。Ifitdiditwasonlyasapleasantmemoryofthedistantpast。Hefelthimselfnotonlyfreefromsocialobligationsbutalsofromthatfeelingwhich，itseemedtohim，hehadarousedinhimself。
OnthethirddayafterhisarrivalheheardfromtheDrubetskoysthatPrincessMarywasinMoscow。Thedeath，sufferings，andlastdaysofPrinceAndrewhadoftenoccupiedPierre’sthoughtsandnowrecurredtohimwithfreshvividness。HavingheardatdinnerthatPrincessMarywasinMoscowandlivinginherhouse—whichhadnotbeenburned—inVozdvizhenkaStreet，hedrovethatsameeveningtoseeher。
OnhiswaytothehousePierrekeptthinkingofPrinceAndrew，oftheirfriendship，ofhisvariousmeetingswithhim，andespeciallyofthelastoneatBorodino。
\"Isitpossiblethathediedinthebitterframeofmindhewasthenin？Isitpossiblethatthemeaningoflifewasnotdisclosedtohimbeforehedied？\"thoughtPierre。HerecalledKarataevandhisdeathandinvoluntarilybegantocomparethesetwomen，sodifferent，andyetsosimilarinthattheyhadbothlivedandbothdiedandinthelovehefeltforbothofthem。
Pierredroveuptothehouseoftheoldprinceinamostseriousmood。Thehousehadescapedthefire；itshowedsignsofdamagebutitsgeneralaspectwasunchanged。Theoldfootman，whometPierrewithasternfaceasifwishingtomakethevisitorfeelthattheabsenceoftheoldprincehadnotdisturbedtheorderofthingsinthehouse，informedhimthattheprincesshadgonetoherownapartments，andthatshereceivedonSundays。
\"Announceme。Perhapsshewillseeme，\"saidPierre。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidtheman。\"Pleasestepintotheportraitgallery。\"
AfewminuteslaterthefootmanreturnedwithDessalles，whobroughtwordfromtheprincessthatshewouldbeverygladtoseePierreifhewouldexcuseherwantofceremonyandcomeupstairstoherapartment。
Inaratherlowroomlitbyonecandlesattheprincessandwithheranotherpersondressedinblack。Pierrerememberedthattheprincessalwayshadladycompanions，butwhotheywereandwhattheywerelikeheneverkneworremembered。\"Thismustbeoneofhercompanions，\"hethought，glancingattheladyintheblackdress。
Theprincessrosequicklytomeethimandheldoutherhand。
\"Yes，\"shesaid，lookingathisalteredfaceafterhehadkissedherhand，\"sothisishowwemeetagain。Heofspokeofyouevenattheverylast，\"shewenton，turninghereyesfromPierretohercompanionwithashynessthatsurprisedhimforaninstant。
\"Iwassogladtohearofyoursafety。Itwasthefirstpieceofgoodnewswehadreceivedforalongtime。\"
Againtheprincessglancedroundathercompanionwithevenmoreuneasinessinhermannerandwasabouttoaddsomething，butPierreinterruptedher。
\"Justimagine—Iknewnothingabouthim！\"saidhe。\"Ithoughthehadbeenkilled。AllIknowIheardatsecondhandfromothers。IonlyknowthathefellinwiththeRostovs……Whatastrangecoincidence！\"
Pierrespokerapidlyandwithanimation。Heglancedonceatthecompanion’sface，sawherattentiveandkindlygazefixedonhim，and，asoftenhappenswhenoneistalking，feltsomehowthatthiscompanionintheblackdresswasagood，kind，excellentcreaturewhowouldnothinderhisconversingfreelywithPrincessMary。
ButwhenhementionedtheRostovs，PrincessMary’sfaceexpressedstillgreaterembarrassment。SheagainglancedrapidlyfromPierre’sfacetothatoftheladyintheblackdressandsaid：
\"Doyoureallynotrecognizeher？\"
Pierrelookedagainatthecompanion’spale，delicatefacewithitsblackeyesandpeculiarmouth，andsomethingneartohim，longforgottenandmorethansweet，lookedathimfromthoseattentiveeyes。
\"Butno，itcan’tbe！\"hethought。\"Thisstern，thin，palefacethatlookssomucholder！Itcannotbeshe。Itmerelyremindsmeofher。\"
ButatthatmomentPrincessMarysaid，\"Natasha！\"Andwithdifficulty，effort，andstress，liketheopeningofadoorgrownrustyonitshinges，asmileappearedonthefacewiththeattentiveeyes，andfromthatopeningdoorcameabreathoffragrancewhichsuffusedPierrewithahappinesshehadlongforgottenandofwhichhehadnotevenbeenthinking—especiallyatthatmoment。Itsuffusedhim，seizedhim，andenvelopedhimcompletely。Whenshesmileddoubtwasnolongerpossible，itwasNatashaandhelovedher。
AtthatmomentPierreinvoluntarilybetrayedtoher，toPrincessMary，andabovealltohimself，asecretofwhichhehimselfhadbeenunaware。Heflushedjoyfullyyetwithpainfuldistress。Hetriedtohidehisagitation。Butthemorehetriedtohideitthemoreclearly—clearerthananywordscouldhavedone—didhebetraytohimself，toher，andtoPrincessMarythathelovedher。
\"No，it’sonlytheunexpectednessofit，\"thoughtPierre。ButassoonashetriedtocontinuetheconversationhehadbegunwithPrincessMaryheagainglancedatNatasha，andastill—deeperflushsuffusedhisfaceandastill—strongeragitationofmingledjoyandfearseizedhissoul。Hebecameconfusedinhisspeechandstoppedinthemiddleofwhathewassaying。
PierrehadfailedtonoticeNatashabecausehedidnotatallexpecttoseeherthere，buthehadfailedtorecognizeherbecausethechangeinhersincehelastsawherwasimmense。Shehadgrownthinandpale，butthatwasnotwhatmadeherunrecognizable；shewasunrecognizableatthemomentheenteredbecauseonthatfacewhoseeyeshadalwaysshonewithasuppressedsmileofthejoyoflife，nowwhenhefirstenteredandglancedathertherewasnottheleastshadowofasmile：onlyhereyeswerekindlyattentiveandsadlyinterrogative。
Pierre’sconfusionwasnotreflectedbyanyconfusiononNatasha’spart，butonlybythepleasurethatjustperceptiblylitupherwholeface。
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\"Shehascometostaywithme，\"saidPrincessMary。\"Thecountandcountesswillbehereinafewdays。Thecountessisinadreadfulstate；butitwasnecessaryforNatashaherselftoseeadoctor。
Theyinsistedonhercomingwithme。\"
\"Yes，isthereafamilyfreefromsorrownow？\"saidPierre，addressingNatasha。\"Youknowithappenedtheverydaywewererescued。Isawhim。Whatadelightfulboyhewas！\"
Natashalookedathim，andbywayofanswertohiswordshereyeswidenedandlitup。
\"Whatcanonesayorthinkofasaconsolation？\"saidPierre。
\"Nothing！Whyhadsuchasplendidboy，sofulloflife，todie？\"
\"Yes，inthesedaysitwouldbehardtolivewithoutfaith……\"
remarkedPrincessMary。
\"Yes，yes，thatisreallytrue，\"Pierrehastilyinterruptedher。
\"Whyisittrue？\"Natashaasked，lookingattentivelyintoPierre’seyes。
\"Howcanyouaskwhy？\"saidPrincessMary。\"Thethoughtaloneofwhatawaits……\"
NatashawithoutwaitingforPrincessMarytofinishagainlookedinquiringlyatPierre。