\"Andbecause，\"Pierrecontinued，\"onlyonewhobelievesthatthereisaGodrulinguscanbearalosssuchashersand……yours。\"
Natashahadalreadyopenedhermouthtospeakbutsuddenlystopped。PierrehurriedlyturnedawayfromherandagainaddressedPrincessMary，askingabouthisfriend’slastdays。
Pierre’sconfusionhadnowalmostvanished，butatthesametimehefeltthathisfreedomhadalsocompletelygone。Hefeltthattherewasnowajudgeofhiseverywordandactionwhosejudgmentmatteredmoretohimthanthatofalltherestoftheworld。AshespokenowhewasconsideringwhatimpressionhiswordswouldmakeonNatasha。Hedidnotpurposelysaythingstopleaseher，butwhateverhewassayingheregardedfromherstandpoint。
PrincessMary—reluctantlyasisusualinsuchcases—begantellingoftheconditioninwhichshehadfoundPrinceAndrew。ButPierre’sfacequiveringwithemotion，hisquestionsandhiseagerrestlessexpression，graduallycompelledhertogointodetailswhichshefearedtorecallforherownsake。
\"Yes，yes，andso……？\"Pierrekeptsayingasheleanedtowardherwithhiswholebodyandeagerlylistenedtoherstory。\"Yes，yes……sohegrewtranquilandsoftened？Withallhissoulhehadalwayssoughtonething—tobeperfectlygood—sohecouldnotbeafraidofdeath。Thefaultshehad—ifhehadany—werenotofhismaking。Sohedidsoften？……Whatahappythingthathesawyouagain，\"headded，suddenlyturningtoNatashaandlookingatherwitheyesfulloftears。
Natasha’sfacetwitched。Shefrownedandloweredhereyesforamoment。Shehesitatedforaninstantwhethertospeakornot。
\"Yes，thatwashappiness，\"shethensaidinherquietvoicewithitsdeepchestnotes。\"Formeitcertainlywashappiness。\"Shepaused。
\"Andhe……he……hesaidhewaswishingforitattheverymomentI
enteredtheroom……\"
Natasha’svoicebroke。Sheblushed，pressedherclaspedhandsonherknees，andthencontrollingherselfwithanevidenteffortliftedherheadandbegantospeakrapidly。
\"WeknewnothingofitwhenwestartedfromMoscow。Ididnotdaretoaskabouthim。ThensuddenlySonyatoldmehewastravelingwithus。Ihadnoideaandcouldnotimaginewhatstatehewasin，allI
wantedwastoseehimandbewithhim，\"shesaid，trembling，andbreathingquickly。
Andnotlettingtheminterrupthershewentontotellwhatshehadneveryetmentionedtoanyone—allshehadlivedthroughduringthosethreeweeksoftheirjourneyandlifeatYaroslavl。
Pierrelistenedtoherwithlipspartedandeyesfixeduponherfulloftears。AshelistenedhedidnotthinkofPrinceAndrew，norofdeath，norofwhatshewastelling。Helistenedtoherandfeltonlypityforher，forwhatshewassufferingnowwhileshewasspeaking。
PrincessMary，frowninginherefforttoholdbackhertears，satbesideNatasha，andheardforthefirsttimethestoryofthoselastdaysofherbrother’sandNatasha’slove。
EvidentlyNatashaneededtotellthatpainfulyetjoyfultale。
Shespoke，minglingmosttriflingdetailswiththeintimatesecretsofhersoul，anditseemedasifshecouldneverfinish。
Severaltimessherepeatedthesamethingtwice。
Dessalles’voicewasheardoutsidethedooraskingwhetherlittleNicholasmightcomeintosaygoodnight。
\"Well，that’sall—everything，\"saidNatasha。
ShegotupquicklyjustasNicholasentered，almostrantothedoorwhichwashiddenbycurtains，struckherheadagainstit，andrushedfromtheroomwithamoaneitherofpainorsorrow。
Pierregazedatthedoorthroughwhichshehaddisappearedanddidnotunderstandwhyhesuddenlyfeltallaloneintheworld。
PrincessMaryrousedhimfromhisabstractionbydrawinghisattentiontohernephewwhohadenteredtheroom。
AtthatmomentofemotionaltendernessyoungNicholas’face，whichresembledhisfather’s，affectedPierresomuchthatwhenhehadkissedtheboyhegotupquickly，tookouthishandkerchief，andwenttothewindow。HewishedtotakeleaveofPrincessMary，butshewouldnotlethimgo。
\"No，NatashaandIsometimesdon’tgotosleeptillaftertwo，sopleasedon’tgo。Iwillordersupper。Godownstairs，wewillcomeimmediately。\"
BeforePierrelefttheroomPrincessMarytoldhim：\"Thisisthefirsttimeshehastalkedofhimlikethat。\"
BK15CH17
CHAPTERXVII
Pierrewasshownintothelarge，brightlylitdiningroom；afewminuteslaterheheardfootstepsandPrincessMaryenteredwithNatasha。Natashawascalm，thoughasevereandgraveexpressionhadagainsettledonherface。Theyallthreeofthemnowexperiencedthatfeelingofawkwardnesswhichusuallyfollowsafteraseriousandheartfelttalk。Itisimpossibletogobacktothesameconversation，totalkoftriflesisawkward，andyetthedesiretospeakisthereandsilenceseemslikeaffectation。Theywentsilentlytotable。Thefootmendrewbackthechairsandpushedthemupagain。Pierreunfoldedhiscoldtablenapkinand，resolvingtobreakthesilence，lookedatNatashaandatPrincessMary。Theyhadevidentlybothformedthesameresolution；theeyesofbothshonewithsatisfactionandaconfessionthatbesidessorrowlifealsohasjoy。
\"Doyoutakevodka，Count？\"askedPrincessMary，andthosewordssuddenlybanishedtheshadowsofthepast。\"Nowtellusaboutyourself，\"saidshe。\"Onehearssuchimprobablewondersaboutyou。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedPierrewiththesmileofmildironynowhabitualtohim。\"TheyeventellmewondersImyselfneverdreamedof！MaryAbramovnainvitedmetoherhouseandkepttellingmewhathadhappened，oroughttohavehappened，tome。StepanStepanychalsoinstructedmehowIoughttotellofmyexperiences。IngeneralIhavenoticedthatitisveryeasytobeaninterestingmanIamaninterestingmannow；peopleinvitemeoutandtellmeallaboutmyself。\"
Natashasmiledandwasonthepointofspeaking。
\"Wehavebeentold，\"PrincessMaryinterruptedher，\"thatyoulosttwomillionsinMoscow。Isthattrue？\"
\"ButIamthreetimesasrichasbefore，\"returnedPierre。
Thoughthepositionwasnowalteredbyhisdecisiontopayhiswife’sdebtsandtorebuildhishouses，Pierrestillmaintainedthathehadbecomethreetimesasrichasbefore。
\"WhatIhavecertainlygainedisfreedom，\"hebeganseriously，butdidnotcontinue，noticingthatthisthemewastooegotistic。
\"Andareyoubuilding？\"
\"Yes。SavelichsaysImust！\"
\"Tellme，youdidnotknowofthecountess’deathwhenyoudecidedtoremaininMoscow？\"askedPrincessMaryandimmediatelyblushed，noticingthatherquestion，followinghismentionoffreedom，ascribedtohiswordsameaninghehadperhapsnotintended。
\"No，\"answeredPierre，evidentlynotconsideringawkwardthemeaningPrincessMaryhadgiventohiswords。\"IheardofitinOrelandyoucannotimaginehowitshockedme。Wewerenotanexemplarycouple，\"headdedquickly，glancingatNatashaandnoticingonherfacecuriosityastohowhewouldspeakofhiswife，\"butherdeathshockedmeterribly。Whentwopeoplequarreltheyarealwaysbothinfault，andone’sownguiltsuddenlybecomesterriblyseriouswhentheotherisnolongeralive。Andthensuchadeath……withoutfriendsandwithoutconsolation！Iamvery，verysorryforher，\"heconcluded，andwaspleasedtonoticealookofgladapprovalonNatasha’sface。
\"Yes，andsoyouareoncemoreaneligiblebachelor，\"saidPrincessMary。
PierresuddenlyflushedcrimsonandforalongtimetriednottolookatNatasha。Whenheventuredtoglanceherwayagainherfacewascold，stern，andhefanciedevencontemptuous。
\"AnddidyoureallyseeandspeaktoNapoleon，aswehavebeentold？\"saidPrincessMary。
Pierrelaughed。
\"No，notonce！EverybodyseemstoimaginethatbeingtakenprisonermeansbeingNapoleon’sguest。NotonlydidIneverseehimbutIheardnothingabouthim—Iwasinmuchlowercompany！\"
Supperwasover，andPierrewhoatfirstdeclinedtospeakabouthiscaptivitywasgraduallyledontodoso。
\"Butit’struethatyouremainedinMoscowtokillNapoleon？\"
Natashaaskedwithaslightsmile。\"IguesseditthenwhenwemetattheSukharevtower，doyouremember？\"
Pierreadmittedthatitwastrue，andfromthatwasgraduallyledbyPrincessMary’squestionsandespeciallybyNatasha’sintogivingadetailedaccountofhisadventures。
Atfirsthespokewiththeamusedandmildironynowcustomarywithhimtowardeverybodyandespeciallytowardhimself，butwhenhecametodescribethehorrorsandsufferingshehadwitnessedhewasunconsciouslycarriedawayandbeganspeakingwiththesuppressedemotionofamanre—experiencinginrecollectionstrongimpressionshehaslivedthrough。
PrincessMarywithagentlesmilelookednowatPierreandnowatNatasha。InthewholenarrativeshesawonlyPierreandhisgoodness。Natasha，leaningonherelbow，theexpressionofherfaceconstantlychangingwiththenarrative，watchedPierrewithanattentionthatneverwandered—evidentlyherselfexperiencingallthathedescribed。Notonlyherlook，butherexclamationsandthebriefquestionssheput，showedPierrethatsheunderstoodjustwhathewishedtoconvey。Itwasclearthatsheunderstoodnotonlywhathesaidbutalsowhathewishedto，butcouldnot，expressinwords。
TheaccountPierregaveoftheincidentwiththechildandthewomanforprotectingwhomhewasarrestedwasthis：\"Itwasanawfulsight—childrenabandoned，someintheflames……Onewassnatchedoutbeforemyeyes……andtherewerewomenwhohadtheirthingssnatchedoffandtheirearringstornout……\"heflushedandgrewconfused。\"Thenapatrolarrivedandallthemen—allthosewhowerenotlooting，thatis—werearrested，andIamongthem。\"
\"Iamsureyou’renottellinguseverything；Iamsureyoudidsomething……\"saidNatashaandpausingadded，\"somethingfine？\"
Pierrecontinued。Whenhespokeoftheexecutionhewantedtopassoverthehorribledetails，butNatashainsistedthatheshouldnotomitanything。
PierrebegantotellaboutKarataev，butpaused。Bythistimehehadrisenfromthetableandwaspacingtheroom，Natashafollowinghimwithhereyes。Thenheadded：
\"No，youcan’tunderstandwhatIlearnedfromthatilliterateman—
thatsimplefellow。\"
\"Yes，yes，goon！\"saidNatasha。\"Whereishe？\"
\"Theykilledhimalmostbeforemyeyes。\"
AndPierre，hisvoicetremblingcontinually，wentontotellofthelastdaysoftheirretreat，ofKarataev’sillnessandhisdeath。
Hetoldofhisadventuresashehadneveryetrecalledthem。Henow，asitwere，sawanewmeaninginallhehadgonethrough。NowthathewastellingitalltoNatashaheexperiencedthatpleasurewhichamanhaswhenwomenlistentohim—notcleverwomenwhowhenlisteningeithertrytorememberwhattheyheartoenrichtheirmindsandwhenopportunityofferstoretellit，orwhowishtoadoptittosomethoughtoftheirownandpromptlycontributetheirownclevercommentspreparedintheirlittlementalworkshop—butthepleasuregivenbyrealwomengiftedwithacapacitytoselectandabsorbtheverybestamanshowsofhimself。Natashawithoutknowingitwasallattention：shedidnotloseaword，nosinglequiverinPierre’svoice，nolook，notwitchofamuscleinhisface，norasinglegesture。Shecaughttheunfinishedwordinitsflightandtookitstraightintoheropenheart，diviningthesecretmeaningofallPierre’smentaltravail。
PrincessMaryunderstoodhisstoryandsympathizedwithhim，butshenowsawsomethingelsethatabsorbedallherattention。ShesawthepossibilityofloveandhappinessbetweenNatashaandPierre，andthefirstthoughtofthisfilledherheartwithgladness。
Itwasthreeo’clockinthemorning。Thefootmencameinwithsadandsternfacestochangethecandles，butnoonenoticedthem。
Pierrefinishedhisstory。Natashacontinuedtolookathimintentlywithbright，attentive，andanimatedeyes，asiftryingtounderstandsomethingmorewhichhehadperhapsleftuntold。Pierreinshamefacedandhappyconfusionglancedoccasionallyather，andtriedtothinkwhattosaynexttointroduceafreshsubject。PrincessMarywassilent。Itoccurredtononeofthemthatitwasthreeo’clockandtimetogotobed。
\"Peoplespeakofmisfortunesandsufferings，\"remarkedPierre，\"butifatthismomentIwereasked：’Wouldyouratherbewhatyouwerebeforeyouweretakenprisoner，orgothroughallthisagain？’
thenforheaven’ssakeletmeagainhavecaptivityandhorseflesh！
Weimaginethatwhenwearethrownoutofourusualrutsallislost，butitisonlythenthatwhatisnewandgoodbegins。Whilethereislifethereishappiness。Thereismuch，muchbeforeus。Isaythistoyou，\"headded，turningtoNatasha。
\"Yes，yes，\"shesaid，answeringsomethingquitedifferent。\"Itooshouldwishnothingbuttoreliveitallfromthebeginning。\"
Pierrelookedintentlyather。
\"Yes，andnothingmore。\"saidNatasha。
\"It’snottrue，nottrue！\"criedPierre。\"Iamnottoblameforbeingaliveandwishingtolive—noryoueither。\"
SuddenlyNatashabentherhead，coveredherfacewithherhands，andbegantocry。
\"Whatisit，Natasha？\"saidPrincessMary。
\"Nothing，nothing。\"ShesmiledatPierrethroughhertears。\"Goodnight！Itistimeforbed。\"
Pierreroseandtookhisleave。
PrincessMaryandNatashametasusualinthebedroom。TheytalkedofwhatPierrehadtoldthem。PrincessMarydidnotexpressheropinionofPierrenordidNatashaspeakofhim。
\"Well，goodnight，Mary！\"saidNatasha。\"Doyouknow，Iamoftenafraidthatbynotspeakingofhim\"shemeantPrinceAndrew\"forfearofnotdoingjusticetoourfeelings，weforgethim。\"
PrincessMarysigheddeeplyandtherebyacknowledgedthejusticeofNatasha’sremark，butshedidnotexpressagreementinwords。
\"Isitpossibletoforget？\"saidshe。
\"Itdidmesomuchgoodtotellallaboutittoday。Itwashardandpainful，butgood，verygood！\"saidNatasha。\"Iamsurehereallylovedhim。ThatiswhyItoldhim……Wasitallright？\"sheadded，suddenlyblushing。
\"TotellPierre？Oh，yes。Whatasplendidmanheis！\"saidPrincessMary。
\"Doyouknow，Mary……\"NatashasuddenlysaidwithamischievoussmilesuchasPrincessMaryhadnotseenonherfaceforalongtime，\"hehassomehowgrownsoclean，smooth，andfresh—asifhehadjustcomeoutofaRussianbath；doyouunderstand？Outofamoralbath。Isn’tittrue？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedPrincessMary。\"Hehasgreatlyimproved。\"
\"Withashortcoatandhishaircropped；justasif，well，justasifhehadcomestraightfromthebath……Papausedto……\"
\"Iunderstandwhyhe\"PrinceAndrew\"likednoonesomuchashim，\"
saidPrincessMary。
\"Yes，andyetheisquitedifferent。Theysaymenarefriendswhentheyarequitedifferent。Thatmustbetrue。Reallyheisquiteunlikehim—ineverything。\"
\"Yes，buthe’swonderful。\"
\"Well，goodnight，\"saidNatasha。
Andthesamemischievoussmilelingeredforalongtimeonherfaceasifithadbeenforgottenthere。
BK15CH18
CHAPTERXVIII
ItwasalongtimebeforePierrecouldfallasleepthatnight。Hepacedupanddownhisroom，nowturninghisthoughtsonadifficultproblemandfrowning，nowsuddenlyshrugginghisshouldersandwincing，andnowsmilinghappily。
HewasthinkingofPrinceAndrew，ofNatasha，andoftheirlove，atonemomentjealousofherpast，thenreproachinghimselfforthatfeeling。Itwasalreadysixinthemorningandhestillpacedupanddowntheroom。
\"Well，what’stobedoneifitcannotbeavoided？What’stobedone？
Evidentlyithastobeso，\"saidhetohimself，andhastilyundressinghegotintobed，happyandagitatedbutfreefromhesitationorindecision。
\"Strangeandimpossibleassuchhappinessseems，ImustdoeverythingthatsheandImaybemanandwife，\"hetoldhimself。
AfewdayspreviouslyPierrehaddecidedtogotoPetersburgontheFriday。WhenheawokeontheThursday，Savelichcametoaskhimaboutpackingforthejourney。
\"What，toPetersburg？WhatisPetersburg？WhoisthereinPetersburg？\"heaskedinvoluntarily，thoughonlytohimself。\"Oh，yes，longagobeforethishappenedIdidforsomereasonmeantogotoPetersburg，\"hereflected。\"Why？ButperhapsIshallgo。Whatagoodfellowheisandhowattentive，andhowherememberseverything，\"hethought，lookingatSavelich’soldface，\"andwhatapleasantsmilehehas！\"
\"Well，Savelich，doyoustillnotwishtoacceptyourfreedom？\"
Pierreaskedhim。
\"What’sthegoodoffreedomtome，yourexcellency？Welivedunderthelatecount—thekingdomofheavenbehis！—andwehavelivedunderyoutoo，withouteverbeingwronged。\"
\"Andyourchildren？\"
\"Thechildrenwilllivejustthesame。Withsuchmastersonecanlive。\"
\"Butwhataboutmyheirs？\"saidPierre。\"SupposingIsuddenlymarry……itmighthappen，\"headdedwithaninvoluntarysmile。
\"IfImaytaketheliberty，yourexcellency，itwouldbeagoodthing。\"
\"Howeasyhethinksit，\"thoughtPierre。\"Hedoesn’tknowhowterribleitisandhowdangerous。Toosoonortoolate……itisterrible！\"
\"Sowhatareyourorders？Areyoustartingtomorrow？\"askedSavelich。
\"No，I’llputitoffforabit。I’lltellyoulater。YoumustforgivethetroubleIhaveputyouto，\"saidPierre，andseeingSavelichsmile，hethought：\"ButhowstrangeitisthatheshouldnotknowthatnowthereisnoPetersburgforme，andthatthatmustbesettledfirstofall！Butprobablyheknowsitwellenoughandisonlypretending。ShallIhaveatalkwithhimandseewhathethinks？\"
Pierrereflected。\"No，anothertime。\"
AtbreakfastPierretoldtheprincess，hiscousin，thathehadbeentoseePrincessMarythedaybeforeandhadtheremet—\"Whomdoyouthink？NatashaRostova！\"
TheprincessseemedtoseenothingmoreextraordinaryinthatthanifhehadseenAnnaSemenovna。
\"Doyouknowher？\"askedPierre。
\"Ihaveseentheprincess，\"shereplied。\"IheardthattheywerearrangingamatchforherwithyoungRostov。ItwouldbeaverygoodthingfortheRostovs，theyaresaidtobeutterlyruined。\"
\"No；ImeandoyouknowNatashaRostova？\"
\"Iheardaboutthataffairofhersatthetime。Itwasagreatpity。\"
\"No，sheeitherdoesn’tunderstandorispretending，\"thoughtPierre。\"Betternotsayanythingtohereither。\"
TheprincesstoohadpreparedprovisionsforPierre’sjourney。
\"Howkindtheyallare，\"thoughtPierre。\"Whatissurprisingisthattheyshouldtroubleaboutthesethingsnowwhenitcannolongerbeofinteresttothem。Andallforme！\"
OnthesamedaytheChiefofPolicecametoPierre，invitinghimtosendarepresentativetotheFacetedPalacetorecoverthingsthatweretobereturnedtotheirownersthatday。
\"Andthismantoo，\"thoughtPierre，lookingintothefaceoftheChiefofPolice。\"Whatafine，good—lookingofficerandhowkind。
Fancybotheringaboutsuchtrifiesnow！Andtheyactuallysayheisnothonestandtakesbribes。Whatnonsense！Besides，whyshouldn’thetakebribes？That’sthewayhewasbroughtup，andeverybodydoesit。Butwhatakind，pleasantfaceandhowhesmilesashelooksatme。\"
PierrewenttoPrincessMary’stodinner。
Ashedrovethroughthestreetspastthehousesthathadbeenburneddown，hewassurprisedbythebeautyofthoseruins。Thepicturesquenessofthechimneystacksandtumble—downwallsoftheburned—outquartersofthetown，stretchingoutandconcealingoneanother，remindedhimoftheRhineandtheColosseum。Thecabmenhemetandtheirpassengers，thecarpenterscuttingthetimberfornewhouseswithaxes，thewomenhawkers，andtheshopkeepers，alllookedathimwithcheerfulbeamingeyesthatseemedtosay：\"Ah，thereheis！Let’sseewhatwillcomeofit！\"
AttheentrancetoPrincessMary’shousePierrefeltdoubtfulwhetherhehadreallybeentherethenightbeforeandreallyseenNatashaandtalkedtoher。\"PerhapsIimaginedit；perhapsIshallgoinandfindnoonethere。\"Buthehadhardlyenteredtheroombeforehefeltherpresencewithhiswholebeingbythelossofhissenseoffreedom。Shewasinthesameblackdresswithsoftfoldsandherhairwasdonethesamewayasthedaybefore，yetshewasquitedifferent。Hadshebeenlikethiswhenheenteredthedaybeforehecouldnotforamomenthavefailedtorecognizeher。
ShewasashehadknownheralmostasachildandlateronasPrinceAndrew’sfiancee。Abrightquestioninglightshoneinhereyes，andonherfacewasafriendlyandstrangelyroguishexpression。
Pierredinedwiththemandwouldhavespentthewholeeveningthere，butPrincessMarywasgoingtovespersandPierreleftthehousewithher。
Nextdayhecameearly，dined，andstayedthewholeevening。
ThoughPrincessMaryandNatashawereevidentlygladtoseetheirvisitorandthoughallPierre’sinterestwasnowcenteredinthathouse，bytheeveningtheyhadtalkedovereverythingandtheconversationpassedfromonetrivialtopictoanotherandrepeatedlybrokeoff。HestayedsolongthatPrincessMaryandNatashaexchangedglances，evidentlywonderingwhenhewouldgo。Pierrenoticedthisbutcouldnotgo。Hefeltuneasyandembarrassed，butsatonbecausehesimplycouldnotgetupandtakehisleave。
PrincessMary，foreseeingnoendtothis，rosefirst，andcomplainingofaheadachebegantosaygoodnight。
\"SoyouaregoingtoPetersburgtomorrow？\"sheasked。
\"No，Iamnotgoing，\"Pierrerepliedhastily，inasurprisedtoneandasthoughoffended。\"Yes……no……toPetersburg？Tomorrow—butI
won’tsaygood—byyet。Iwillcallroundincaseyouhaveanycommissionsforme，\"saidhe，standingbeforePrincessMaryandturningred，butnottakinghisdeparture。
Natashagavehimherhandandwentout。PrincessMaryontheotherhandinsteadofgoingawaysankintoanarmchair，andlookedsternlyandintentlyathimwithherdeep，radianteyes。Thewearinessshehadplainlyshownbeforehadnowquitepassedoff。Withadeepandlong—drawnsighsheseemedtobepreparedforalengthytalk。
WhenNatashalefttheroomPierre’sconfusionandawkwardnessimmediatelyvanishedandwerereplacedbyeagerexcitement。HequicklymovedanarmchairtowardPrincessMary。
\"Yes，Iwantedtotellyou，\"saidhe，answeringherlookasifshehadspoken。\"Princess，helpme！WhatamItodo？CanIhope？Princess，mydearfriend，listen！Iknowitall。IknowIamnotworthyofher，Iknowit’simpossibletospeakofitnow。ButIwanttobeabrothertoher。No，notthat，Idon’t，Ican’t……\"
Hepausedandrubbedhisfaceandeyeswithhishands。
\"Well，\"hewentonwithanevidenteffortatself—controlandcoherence。\"Idon’tknowwhenIbegantoloveher，butIhavelovedherandheraloneallmylife，andIlovehersothatIcannotimaginelifewithouther。Icannotproposetoheratpresent，butthethoughtthatperhapsshemightsomedaybemywifeandthatImaybemissingthatpossibility……thatpossibility……isterrible。Tellme，canIhope？TellmewhatIamtodo，dearprincess！\"headdedafterapause，andtouchedherhandasshedidnotreply。
\"Iamthinkingofwhatyouhavetoldme，\"answeredPrincessMary。
\"ThisiswhatIwillsay。Youarerightthattospeaktoherofloveatpresent……\"
PrincessMarystopped。Shewasgoingtosaythattospeakoflovewasimpossible，butshestoppedbecauseshehadseenbythesuddenchangeinNatashatwodaysbeforethatshewouldnotonlynotbehurtifPierrespokeofhislove，butthatitwastheverythingshewishedfor。
\"Tospeaktohernowwouldn’tdo，\"saidtheprincessallthesame。
\"ButwhatamItodo？
\"Leaveittome，\"saidPrincessMary。\"Iknow……\"
PierrewaslookingintoPrincessMary’seyes。
\"Well？……Well？……\"hesaid。
\"Iknowthatsheloves……willloveyou，\"PrincessMarycorrectedherself。
Beforeherwordswereout，PierrehadsprungupandwithafrightenedexpressionseizedPrincessMary’shand。
\"Whatmakesyouthinkso？YouthinkImayhope？Youthink……？\"
\"Yes，Ithinkso，\"saidPrincessMarywithasmile。\"Writetoherparents，andleaveittome。IwilltellherwhenIcan。Iwishittohappenandmyhearttellsmeitwill。\"
\"No，itcannotbe！HowhappyIam！Butitcan’tbe……HowhappyI
am！No，itcan’tbe！\"PierrekeptsayingashekissedPrincessMary’shands。
\"GotoPetersburg，thatwillbebest。AndIwillwritetoyou，\"
shesaid。
\"ToPetersburg？Gothere？Verywell，I’llgo。ButImaycomeagaintomorrow？\"
NextdayPierrecametosaygood—by。Natashawaslessanimatedthanshehadbeenthedaybefore；butthatdayashelookedatherPierresometimesfeltasifhewasvanishingandthatneitherhenorsheexistedanylonger，thatnothingexistedbuthappiness。\"Isitpossible？No，itcan’tbe，\"hetoldhimselfateverylook，gesture，andwordthatfilledhissoulwithjoy。
Whenonsayinggood—byhetookherthin，slenderhand，hecouldnothelpholdingitalittlelongerinhisown。
\"Isitpossiblethatthishand，thatface，thoseeyes，allthistreasureoffemininecharmsostrangetomenow，isitpossiblethatitwillonedaybemineforever，asfamiliartomeasIamtomyself？……No，that’simpossible！……\"
\"Good—by，Count，\"shesaidaloud。\"Ishalllookforwardverymuchtoyourreturn，\"sheaddedinawhisper。
Andthesesimplewords，herlook，andtheexpressiononherfacewhichaccompaniedthem，formedfortwomonthsthesubjectofinexhaustiblememories，interpretations，andhappymeditationsforPierre。\"’Ishalllookforwardverymuchtoyourreturn……’Yes，yes，howdidshesayit？Yes，’Ishalllookforwardverymuchtoyourreturn。’Oh，howhappyIam！Whatishappeningtome？HowhappyIam！\"
saidPierretohimself。
BK15CH19
CHAPTERXIX
TherewasnothinginPierre’ssoulnowatalllikewhathadtroubleditduringhiscourtshipofHelene。
Hedidnotrepeattohimselfwithasickeningfeelingofshamethewordshehadspoken，orsay：\"Oh，whydidInotsaythat？\"and，\"Whatevermademesay’Jevousaime’？\"Onthecontrary，henowrepeatedinimaginationeverywordthatheorNatashahadspokenandpicturedeverydetailofherfaceandsmile，anddidnotwishtodiminishoraddanything，butonlytorepeatitagainandagain。Therewasnownotashadowofdoubtinhismindastowhetherwhathehadundertakenwasrightorwrong。Onlyoneterribledoubtsometimescrossedhismind：\"Wasn’titalladream？Isn’tPrincessMarymistaken？AmInottooconceitedandself—confident？Ibelieveallthis—andsuddenlyPrincessMarywilltellher，andshewillbesuretosmileandsay：’Howstrange！Hemustbedeludinghimself。Doesn’theknowthatheisaman，justaman，whileI……？Iamsomethingaltogetherdifferentandhigher。’\"
ThatwastheonlydoubtoftentroublingPierre。Hedidnotnowmakeanyplans。Thehappinessbeforehimappearedsoinconceivablethatifonlyhecouldattainit，itwouldbetheendofallthings。
Everythingendedwiththat。
Ajoyful，unexpectedfrenzy，ofwhichhehadthoughthimselfincapable，possessedhim。Thewholemeaningoflife—notforhimalonebutforthewholeworld—seemedtohimcenteredinhisloveandthepossibilityofbeinglovedbyher。Attimeseverybodyseemedtohimtobeoccupiedwithonethingonly—hisfuturehappiness。Sometimesitseemedtohimthatotherpeoplewereallaspleasedashewashimselfandmerelytriedtohidethatpleasurebypretendingtobebusywithotherinterests。Ineverywordandgesturehesawallusionstohishappiness。Heoftensurprisedthosehemetbyhissignificantlyhappylooksandsmileswhichseemedtoexpressasecretunderstandingbetweenhimandthem。Andwhenherealizedthatpeoplemightnotbeawareofhishappiness，hepitiedthemwithhiswholeheartandfeltadesiresomehowtoexplaintothemthatallthatoccupiedthemwasamerefrivoloustrifleunworthyofattention。
Whenitwassuggestedtohimthatheshouldenterthecivilservice，orwhenthewaroranygeneralpoliticalaffairswerediscussedontheassumptionthateverybody’swelfaredependedonthisorthatissueofevents，hewouldlistenwithamildandpityingsmileandsurprisepeoplebyhisstrangecomments。Butatthistimehesaweverybody—boththosewho，asheimagined，understoodtherealmeaningoflifethatis，whathewasfeelingandthoseunfortunateswhoevidentlydidnotunderstandit—inthebrightlightoftheemotionthatshonewithinhimself，andatoncewithoutanyeffortsawineveryonehemeteverythingthatwasgoodandworthyofbeingloved。
Whendealingwiththeaffairsandpapersofhisdeadwife，hermemoryarousedinhimnofeelingbutpitythatshehadnotknowntheblisshenowknew。PrinceVasili，whohavingobtainedanewpostandsomefreshdecorationswasparticularlyproudatthistime，seemedtohimapathetic，kindlyoldmanmuchtobepitied。
OfteninafterlifePierrerecalledthisperiodofblissfulinsanity。
Alltheviewsheformedofmenandcircumstancesatthistimeremainedtrueforhimalways。Henotonlydidnotrenouncethemsubsequently，butwhenhewasindoubtorinwardlyatvariance，hereferredtotheviewshehadheldatthistimeofhismadnessandtheyalwaysprovedcorrect。
\"Imayhaveappearedstrangeandqueerthen，\"hethought，\"butIwasnotsomadasIseemed。OnthecontraryIwasthenwiserandhadmoreinsightthanatanyothertime，andunderstoodallthatisworthunderstandinginlife，because……becauseIwashappy。\"
Pierre’sinsanityconsistedinnotwaiting，asheusedtodo，todiscoverpersonalattributeswhichhetermed\"goodqualities\"inpeoplebeforelovingthem；hisheartwasnowoverflowingwithlove，andbylovingpeoplewithoutcausehediscoveredindubitablecausesforlovingthem。
BK15CH20
CHAPTERXX
AfterPierre’sdeparturethatfirstevening，whenNatashahadsaidtoPrincessMarywithagailymockingsmile：\"Helooksjust，yes，justasifhehadcomeoutofaRussianbath—inashortcoatandwithhishaircropped，\"somethinghiddenandunknowntoherself，butirrepressible，awokeinNatasha’ssoul。
Everything：herface，walk，look，andvoice，wassuddenlyaltered。
Toherownsurpriseapoweroflifeandhopeofhappinessrosetothesurfaceanddemandedsatisfaction。Fromthateveningsheseemedtohaveforgottenallthathadhappenedtoher。Shenolongercomplainedofherposition，didnotsayawordaboutthepast，andnolongerfearedtomakehappyplansforthefuture。ShespokelittleofPierre，butwhenPrincessMarymentionedhimalong—extinguishedlightoncemorekindledinhereyesandherlipscurvedwithastrangesmile。
ThechangethattookplaceinNatashaatfirstsurprisedPrincessMary；butwhensheunderstooditsmeaningitgrievedher。\"Canshehavelovedmybrothersolittleastobeabletoforgethimsosoon？\"shethoughtwhenshereflectedonthechange。ButwhenshewaswithNatashashewasnotvexedwithheranddidnotreproachher。ThereawakenedpoweroflifethathadseizedNatashawassoevidentlyirrepressibleandunexpectedbyherthatinherpresencePrincessMaryfeltthatshehadnorighttoreproachhereveninherheart。
Natashagaveherselfupsofullyandfranklytothisnewfeelingthatshedidnottrytohidethefactthatshewasnolongersad，butbrightandcheerful。
WhenPrincessMaryreturnedtoherroomafterhernocturnaltalkwithPierre，Natashametheronthethreshold。
\"Hehasspoken？Yes？Hehasspoken？\"sherepeated。
AndajoyfulyetpatheticexpressionwhichseemedtobegforgivenessforherjoysettledonNatasha’sface。
\"Iwantedtolistenatthedoor，butIknewyouwouldtellme。\"
UnderstandableandtouchingasthelookwithwhichNatashagazedatherseemedtoPrincessMary，andsorryasshewastoseeheragitation，thesewordspainedherforamoment。Sherememberedherbrotherandhislove。
\"Butwhat’stobedone？Shecan’thelpit，\"thoughttheprincess。
AndwithasadandrathersternlookshetoldNatashaallthatPierrehadsaid。OnhearingthathewasgoingtoPetersburgNatashawasastounded。
\"ToPetersburg！\"sherepeatedasifunabletounderstand。
ButnoticingthegrievedexpressiononPrincessMary’sfacesheguessedthereasonofthatsadnessandsuddenlybegantocry。
\"Mary，\"saidshe，\"tellmewhatIshoulddo！Iamafraidofbeingbad。Whateveryoutellme，Iwilldo。Tellme……\"
\"Youlovehim？\"
\"Yes，\"whisperedNatasha。
\"Thenwhyareyoucrying？Iamhappyforyoursake，\"saidPrincessMary，whobecauseofthosetearsquiteforgaveNatasha’sjoy。
\"Itwon’tbejustyet—someday。ThinkwhatfunitwillbewhenI
amhiswifeandyoumarryNicholas！\"
\"Natasha，Ihaveaskedyounottospeakofthat。Letustalkaboutyou。\"
Theyweresilentawhile。
\"ButwhygotoPetersburg？\"Natashasuddenlyasked，andhastilyrepliedtoherownquestion。\"Butno，no，hemust……Yes，Mary，Hemust……\"
FIRSTEPILOGUE：1813—20
CHAPTERI
Sevenyearshadpassed。Thestorm—tossedseaofEuropeanhistoryhadsubsidedwithinitsshoresandseemedtohavebecomecalm。Butthemysteriousforcesthatmovehumanitymysteriousbecausethelawsoftheirmotionareunknowntouscontinuedtooperate。
Thoughthesurfaceoftheseaofhistoryseemedmotionless，themovementofhumanitywentonasunceasinglyastheflowoftime。
Variousgroupsofpeopleformedanddissolved，thecomingformationanddissolutionofkingdomsanddisplacementofpeopleswasincourseofpreparation。
Theseaofhistorywasnotdrivenspasmodicallyfromshoretoshoreaspreviously。Itwasseethinginitsdepths。Historicfigureswerenotbornebythewavesfromoneshoretoanotherasbefore。
Theynowseemedtorotateononespot。Thehistoricalfiguresattheheadofarmies，whoformerlyreflectedthemovementofthemassesbyorderingwars，campaigns，andbattles，nowreflectedtherestlessmovementbypoliticalanddiplomaticcombinations，laws，andtreaties。
Thehistorianscallthisactivityofthehistoricalfigures\"thereaction。\"
Indealingwiththisperiodtheysternlycondemnthehistoricalpersonageswho，intheiropinion，causedwhattheydescribeasthereaction。Allthewell—knownpeopleofthatperiod，fromAlexanderandNapoleontoMadamedeStael，Photius，Schelling，Fichte，Chateaubriand，andtherest，passbeforetheirsternjudgmentseatandareacquittedorcondemnedaccordingtowhethertheyconducedtoprogressortoreaction。
AccordingtotheiraccountsareactiontookplaceatthattimeinRussiaalso，andthechiefculpritwasAlexanderI，thesamemanwhoaccordingtothemwasthechiefcauseoftheliberalmovementatthecommencementofhisreign，beingthesaviorofRussia。
ThereisnooneinRussianliteraturenow，fromschoolboyessayisttolearnedhistorian，whodoesnotthrowhislittlestoneatAlexanderforthingshedidwrongatthisperiodofhisreign。
\"Heoughttohaveactedinthiswayandinthatway。Inthiscasehedidwellandinthatcasebadly。Hebehavedadmirablyatthebeginningofhisreignandduring1812，butactedbadlybygivingaconstitutiontoPoland，formingtheHolyAlliance，entrustingpowertoArakcheev，favoringGolitsynandmysticism，andafterwardsShishkovandPhotius。HealsoactedbadlybyconcerninghimselfwiththeactivearmyanddisbandingtheSemenovregiment。\"
Itwouldtakeadozenpagestoenumerateallthereproachesthehistoriansaddresstohim，basedontheirknowledgeofwhatisgoodforhumanity。
Whatdothesereproachesmean？
DonottheveryactionsforwhichthehistorianspraiseAlexanderItheliberalattemptsatthebeginningofhisreign，hisstrugglewithNapoleon，thefirmnesshedisplayedin1812andthecampaignof1813flowfromthesamesources—thecircumstancesofhisbirth，education，andlife—thatmadehispersonalitywhatitwasandfromwhichtheactionsforwhichtheyblamehimtheHolyAlliance，therestorationofPoland，andthereactionof1820andlateralsoflowed？
Inwhatdoesthesubstanceofthosereproacheslie？
ItliesinthefactthatanhistoriccharacterlikeAlexanderI，standingonthehighestpossiblepinnacleofhumanpowerwiththeblindinglightofhistoryfocuseduponhim；acharacterexposedtothosestrongestofallinfluences：theintrigues，flattery，andself—deceptioninseparablefrompower；acharacterwhoateverymomentofhislifefeltaresponsibilityforallthatwashappeninginEurope；andnotafictitiousbutalivecharacterwholikeeverymanhadhispersonalhabits，passions，andimpulsestowardgoodness，beauty，andtruth—thatthischaracter—thoughnotlackinginvirtuethehistoriansdonotaccusehimofthat—hadnotthesameconceptionofthewelfareofhumanityfiftyyearsagoasapresent—dayprofessorwhofromhisyouthupwardshasbeenoccupiedwithlearning：thatis，withbooksandlecturesandwithtakingnotesfromthem。
ButevenifweassumethatfiftyyearsagoAlexanderIwasmistakeninhisviewofwhatwasgoodforthepeople，wemustinevitablyassumethatthehistorianwhojudgesAlexanderwillalsoafterthelapseofsometimeturnouttobemistakeninhisviewofwhatisgoodforhumanity。Thisassumptionisallthemorenaturalandinevitablebecause，watchingthemovementofhistory，weseethateveryyearandwitheachnewwriter，opinionastowhatisgoodformankindchanges；sothatwhatonceseemedgood，tenyearslaterseemsbad，andviceversa。Andwhatismore，wefindatoneandthesametimequitecontradictoryviewsastowhatisbadandwhatisgoodinhistory：somepeopleregardgivingaconstitutiontoPolandandformingtheHolyAllianceaspraiseworthyinAlexander，whileothersregarditasblameworthy。
TheactivityofAlexanderorofNapoleoncannotbecalledusefulorharmful，foritisimpossibletosayforwhatitwasusefulorharmful。Ifthatactivitydispleasessomebody，thisisonlybecauseitdoesnotagreewithhislimitedunderstandingofwhatisgood。Whetherthepreservationofmyfather’shouseinMoscow，orthegloryoftheRussianarms，ortheprosperityofthePetersburgandotheruniversities，orthefreedomofPolandorthegreatnessofRussia，orthebalanceofpowerinEurope，oracertainkindofEuropeanculturecalled\"progress\"appeartometobegoodorbad，Imustadmitthatbesidesthesethingstheactionofeveryhistoriccharacterhasothermoregeneralpurposesinaccessibletome。
Butletusassumethatwhatiscalledsciencecanharmonizeallcontradictionsandpossessesanunchangingstandardofgoodandbadbywhichtotryhistoriccharactersandevents；letussaythatAlexandercouldhavedoneeverythingdifferently；letussaythatwithguidancefromthosewhoblamehimandwhoprofesstoknowtheultimateaimofthemovementofhumanity，hemighthavearrangedmattersaccordingtotheprogramhispresentaccuserswouldhavegivenhim—ofnationality，freedom，equality，andprogressthese，Ithink，covertheground。Letusassumethatthisprogramwaspossibleandhadthenbeenformulated，andthatAlexanderhadactedonit。Whatwouldthenhavebecomeoftheactivityofallthosewhoopposedthetendencythatthenprevailedinthegovernment—anactivitythatintheopinionofthehistorianswasgoodandbeneficent？Theiractivitywouldnothaveexisted：therewouldhavebeennolife，therewouldhavebeennothing。
Ifweadmitthathumanlifecanberuledbyreason，thepossibilityoflifeisdestroyed。
EP1CH2
CHAPTERII
Ifweassumeasthehistoriansdothatgreatmenleadhumanitytotheattainmentofcertainends—thegreatnessofRussiaorofFrance，thebalanceofpowerinEurope，thediffusionoftheideasoftheRevolutiongeneralprogressoranythingelse—thenitisimpossibletoexplainthefactsofhistorywithoutintroducingtheconceptionsofchanceandgenius。
IftheaimoftheEuropeanwarsatthebeginningofthenineteenthcenturyhadbeentheaggrandizementofRussia，thataimmighthavebeenaccomplishedwithoutalltheprecedingwarsandwithouttheinvasion。IftheaimwagtheaggrandizementofFrance，thatmighthavebeenattainedwithouttheRevolutionandwithouttheEmpire。Iftheaimwasthedisseminationofideas，theprintingpresscouldhaveaccomplishedthatmuchbetterthanwarfare。Iftheaimwastheprogressofcivilization，itiseasytoseethatthereareotherwaysofdiffusingcivilizationmoreexpedientthanbythedestructionofwealthandofhumanlives。
Whydidithappeninthisandnotinsomeotherway？
Becauseithappenedso！\"Chancecreatedthesituation；geniusutilizedit，\"sayshistory。
Butwhatischance？Whatisgenius？
Thewordschanceandgeniusdonotdenoteanyreallyexistingthingandthereforecannotbedefined。Thosewordsonlydenoteacertainstageofunderstandingofphenomena。Idonotknowwhyacertaineventoccurs；IthinkthatIcannotknowit；soIdonottrytoknowitandItalkaboutchance。Iseeaforceproducingeffectsbeyondthescopeofordinaryhumanagencies；IdonotunderstandwhythisoccursandItalkofgenius。
Toaherdoframs，theramtheherdsmandriveseacheveningintoaspecialenclosuretofeedandthatbecomestwiceasfatastheothersmustseemtobeagenius。Anditmustappearanastonishingconjunctionofgeniuswithawholeseriesofextraordinarychancesthatthisram，whoinsteadofgettingintothegeneralfoldeveryeveninggoesintoaspecialenclosurewherethereareoats—thatthisveryram，swellingwithfat，iskilledformeat。
Buttheramsneedonlyceasetosupposethatallthathappenstothemhappenssolelyfortheattainmentoftheirsheepishaims；theyneedonlyadmitthatwhathappenstothemmayalsohavepurposesbeyondtheirken，andtheywillatonceperceiveaunityandcoherenceinwhathappenedtotheramthatwasfattened。Eveniftheydonotknowforwhatpurposetheyarefattened，theywillatleastknowthatallthathappenedtotheramdidnothappenaccidentally，andwillnolongerneedtheconceptionsofchanceorgenius。
Onlybyrenouncingourclaimtodiscernapurposeimmediatelyintelligibletous，andadmittingtheultimatepurposetobebeyondourken，maywediscernthesequenceofexperiencesinthelivesofhistoriccharactersandperceivethecauseoftheeffecttheyproduceincommensurablewithordinaryhumancapabilities，andthenthewordschanceandgeniusbecomesuperfluous。
WeneedonlyconfessthatwedonotknowthepurposeoftheEuropeanconvulsionsandthatweknowonlythefacts—thatis，themurders，firstinFrance，theninItaly，inAfrica，inPrussia，inAustria，inSpain，andinRussia—andthatthemovementsfromthewesttotheeastandfromtheeasttothewestformtheessenceandpurposeoftheseevents，andnotonlyshallwehavenoneedtoseeexceptionalabilityandgeniusinNapoleonandAlexander，butweshallbeunabletoconsiderthemtobeanythingbutlikeothermen，andweshallnotbeobligedtohaverecoursetochanceforanexplanationofthosesmalleventswhichmadethesepeoplewhattheywere，butitwillbeclearthatallthosesmalleventswereinevitable。
Bydiscardingaclaimtoknowledgeoftheultimatepurpose，weshallclearlyperceivethatjustasonecannotimagineablossomorseedforanysingleplantbettersuitedtoitthanthoseitproduces，soitisimpossibletoimagineanytwopeoplemorecompletelyadapteddowntothesmallestdetailforthepurposetheyhadtofulfill，thanNapoleonandAlexanderwithalltheirantecedents。
EP1CH3
CHAPTERIII
ThefundamentalandessentialsignificanceoftheEuropeaneventsofthebeginningofthenineteenthcenturyliesinthemovementofthemassoftheEuropeanpeoplesfromwesttoeastandafterwardsfromeasttowest。Thecommencementofthatmovementwasthemovementfromwesttoeast。ForthepeoplesofthewesttobeabletomaketheirwarlikemovementtoMoscowitwasnecessary：1thattheyshouldformthemselvesintoamilitarygroupofasizeabletoendureacollisionwiththewarlikemilitarygroupoftheeast，2
thattheyshouldabandonallestablishedtraditionsandcustoms，and3thatduringtheirmilitarymovementtheyshouldhaveattheirheadamanwhocouldjustifytohimselfandtothemthedeceptions，robberies，andmurderswhichwouldhavetobecommittedduringthatmovement。
AndbeginningwiththeFrenchRevolutiontheoldinadequatelylargegroupwasdestroyed，aswellastheoldhabitsandtraditions，andstepbystepagroupwasformedoflargerdimensionswithnewcustomsandtraditions，andamanwasproducedwhowouldstandattheheadofthecomingmovementandbeartheresponsibilityforallthathadtobedone。
Amanwithoutconvictions，withouthabits，withouttraditions，withoutaname，andnotevenaFrenchman，emerges—bywhatseemthestrangestchances—fromamongalltheseethingFrenchparties，andwithoutjoininganyoneofthemisborneforwardtoaprominentposition。
Theignoranceofhiscolleagues，theweaknessandinsignificanceofhisopponents，thefranknessofhisfalsehoods，andthedazzlingandself—confidentlimitationsofthismanraisehimtotheheadofthearmy。ThebrilliantqualitiesofthesoldiersofthearmysenttoItaly，hisopponents’reluctancetofight，andhisownchildishaudacityandself—confidencesecurehimmilitaryfame。Innumerablesocalledchancesaccompanyhimeverywhere。ThedisfavorintowhichhefallswiththerulersofFranceturnstohisadvantage。Hisattemptstoavoidhispredestinedpathareunsuccessful：heisnotreceivedintotheRussianservice，andtheappointmentheseeksinTurkeycomestonothing。DuringthewarinItalyheisseveraltimesonthevergeofdestructionandeachtimeissavedinanunexpectedmanner。OwingtovariousdiplomaticconsiderationstheRussianarmies—justthosewhichmighthavedestroyedhisprestige—donotappearuponthescenetillheisnolongerthere。
OnhisreturnfromItalyhefindsthegovernmentinParisinaprocessofdissolutioninwhichallthosewhoareinitareinevitablywipedoutanddestroyed。AndbychanceanescapefromthisdangerouspositionpresentsitselfintheformofanaimlessandsenselessexpeditiontoAfrica。Againso—calledchanceaccompanieshim。
ImpregnableMaltasurrenderswithoutashot；hismostrecklessschemesarecrownedwithsuccess。Theenemy’sfleet，whichsubsequentlydidnotletasingleboatpass，allowshisentirearmytoeludeit。InAfricaawholeseriesofoutragesarecommittedagainstthealmostunarmedinhabitants。Andthemenwhocommitthesecrimes，especiallytheirleader，assurethemselvesthatthisisadmirable，thisisglory—
itresemblesCaesarandAlexandertheGreatandisthereforegood。
Thisidealofgloryandgrandeur—whichconsistsnotmerelyinconsideringnothingwrongthatonedoesbutinpridingoneselfoneverycrimeonecommits，ascribingtoitanincomprehensiblesupernaturalsignificance—thatideal，destinedtoguidethismanandhisassociates，hadscopeforitsdevelopmentinAfrica。
Whateverhedoessucceeds。Theplaguedoesnottouchhim。Thecrueltyofmurderingprisonersisnotimputedtohimasafault。Hischildishlyrash，uncalled—for，andignobledeparturefromAfrica，leavinghiscomradesindistress，issetdowntohiscredit，andagaintheenemy’sfleettwiceletshimslippast。When，intoxicatedbythecrimeshehascommittedsosuccessfully，hereachesParis，thedissolutionoftherepublicangovernment，whichayearearliermighthaveruinedhim，hasreacheditsextremelimit，andhispresencetherenowasanewcomerfreefrompartyentanglementscanonlyservetoexalthim—andthoughhehimselfhasnoplan，heisquitereadyforhisnewrole。
Hehadnoplan，hewasafraidofeverything，butthepartiessnatchedathimanddemandedhisparticipation。
Healone—withhisidealofgloryandgrandeurdevelopedinItalyandEgypt，hisinsaneself—adulation，hisboldnessincrimeandfranknessinlying—healonecouldjustifywhathadtobedone。
Heisneededfortheplacethatawaitshim，andsoalmostapartfromhiswillanddespitehisindecision，hislackofaplan，andallhismistakes，heisdrawnintoaconspiracythataimsatseizingpowerandtheconspiracyiscrownedwithsuccess。
Heispushedintoameetingofthelegislature。Inalarmhewishestoflee，consideringhimselflost。Hepretendstofallintoaswoonandsayssenselessthingsthatshouldhaveruinedhim。ButtheonceproudandshrewdrulersofFrance，feelingthattheirpartisplayedout，areevenmorebewilderedthanhe，anddonotsaythewordstheyshouldhavesaidtodestroyhimandretaintheirpower。
Chance，millionsofchances，givehimpower，andallmenasifbyagreementco—operatetoconfirmthatpower。ChanceformsthecharactersoftherulersofFrance，whosubmittohim；chanceformsthecharacterofPaulIofRussiawhorecognizeshisgovernment；
chancecontrivesaplotagainsthimwhichnotonlyfailstoharmhimbutconfirmshispower。ChanceputstheDucd’Enghieninhishandsandunexpectedlycauseshimtokillhim—therebyconvincingthemobmoreforciblythaninanyotherwaythathehadtheright，sincehehadthemight。ChancecontrivesthatthoughhedirectsallhiseffortstoprepareanexpeditionagainstEnglandwhichwouldinevitablyhaveruinedhimhenevercarriesoutthatintention，butunexpectedlyfallsuponMackandtheAustrians，whosurrenderwithoutabattle。
ChanceandgeniusgivehimthevictoryatAusterlitz；andbychanceallmen，notonlytheFrenchbutallEurope—exceptEnglandwhichdoesnottakepartintheeventsabouttohappen—despitetheirformerhorroranddetestationofhiscrimes，nowrecognizehisauthority，thetitlehehasgivenhimself，andhisidealofgrandeurandglory，whichseemsexcellentandreasonabletothemall。
Asifmeasuringthemselvesandpreparingforthecomingmovement，thewesternforcespushtowardtheeastseveraltimesin1805，1806，1807，and1809，gainingstrengthandgrowing。In1811thegroupofpeoplethathadformedinFranceunitesintoonegroupwiththepeoplesofCentralEurope。Thestrengthofthejustificationofthemanwhostandsattheheadofthemovementgrowswiththeincreasedsizeofthegroup。Duringtheten—yearpreparatoryperiodthismanhadformedrelationswithallthecrownedheadsofEurope。ThediscreditedrulersoftheworldcanopposenoreasonableidealtotheinsensateNapoleonicidealofgloryandgrandeur。Oneafteranothertheyhastentodisplaytheirinsignificancebeforehim。TheKingofPrussiasendshiswifetoseekthegreatman’smercy；theEmperorofAustriaconsidersitafavorthatthismanreceivesadaughtertheCaesarsintohisbed；thePope，theguardianofallthatthenationsholdsacred，utilizesreligionfortheaggrandizementofthegreatman。
ItisnotNapoleonwhoprepareshimselffortheaccomplishmentofhisrole，somuchasallthoseroundhimwhopreparehimtotakeonhimselfthewholeresponsibilityforwhatishappeningandhastohappen。Thereisnostep，nocrimeorpettyfraudhecommits，whichinthemouthsofthosearoundhimisnotatoncerepresentedasagreatdeed。ThemostsuitablefetetheGermanscandeviseforhimisacelebrationofJenaandAuerstadt。Notonlyishegreat，butsoarehisancestors，hisbrothers，hisstepsons，andhisbrothers—in—law。
Everythingisdonetodeprivehimoftheremainsofhisreasonandtopreparehimforhisterriblepart。Andwhenheisreadysotooaretheforces。
Theinvasionpusheseastwardandreachesitsfinalgoal—Moscow。
Thatcityistaken；theRussianarmysuffersheavierlossesthantheopposingarmieshadsufferedintheformerwarfromAusterlitztoWagram。Butsuddenlyinsteadofthosechancesandthatgeniuswhichhithertohadsoconsistentlyledhimbyanuninterruptedseriesofsuccessestothepredestinedgoal，aninnumerablesequenceofinversechancesoccur—fromthecoldinhisheadatBorodinotothesparkswhichsetMoscowonfire，andthefrosts—andinsteadofgenius，stupidityandimmeasurablebasenessbecomeevident。
Theinvadersflee，turnback，fleeagain，andallthechancesarenownotforNapoleonbutalwaysagainsthim。
Acountermovementisthenaccomplishedfromeasttowestwitharemarkableresemblancetotheprecedingmovementfromwesttoeast。
Attempteddrivesfromeasttowest—similartothecontrarymovementsof1805，1807，and1809—precedethegreatwestwardmovement；thereisthesamecoalescenceintoagroupofenormousdimensions；thesameadhesionofthepeopleofCentralEuropetothemovement；thesamehesitationmidway，andthesameincreasingrapidityasthegoalisapproached。
Paris，theultimategoal，isreached。TheNapoleonicgovernmentandarmyaredestroyed。Napoleonhimselfisnolongerofanyaccount；allhisactionsareevidentlypitifulandmean，butagainaninexplicablechanceoccurs。ThealliesdetestNapoleonwhomtheyregardasthecauseoftheirsufferings。Deprivedofpowerandauthority，hiscrimesandhiscraftexposed，heshouldhaveappearedtothemwhatheappearedtenyearspreviouslyandoneyearlater—anoutlawedbrigand。Butbysomestrangechancenooneperceivesthis。
Hispartisnotyetended。Themanwhotenyearsbeforeandayearlaterwasconsideredanoutlawedbrigandissenttoanislandtwodays’sailfromFrance，whichforsomereasonispresentedtohimashisdominion，andguardsaregiventohimandmillionsofmoneyarepaidhim。
EP1CH4
CHAPTERIV
Thefloodofnationsbeginstosubsideintoitsnormalchannels。Thewavesofthegreatmovementabate，andonthecalmsurfaceeddiesareformedinwhichfloatthediplomatists，whoimaginethattheyhavecausedthefloodstoabate。
Butthesmoothseaagainsuddenlybecomesdisturbed。Thediplomatiststhinkthattheirdisagreementsarethecauseofthisfreshpressureofnaturalforces；theyanticipatewarbetweentheirsovereigns；thepositionseemstotheminsoluble。Butthewavetheyfeeltoberisingdoesnotcomefromthequartertheyexpect。Itrisesagainfromthesamepointasbefore—Paris。Thelastbackwashofthemovementfromthewestoccurs：abackwashwhichservestosolvetheapparentlyinsuperablediplomaticdifficultiesandendsthemilitarymovementofthatperiodofhistory。
ThemanwhohaddevastatedFrancereturnstoFrancealone，withoutanyconspiracyandwithoutsoldiers。Anyguardmightarresthim，butbystrangechancenoonedoessoandallrapturouslygreetthemantheycursedthedaybeforeandwillcurseagainamonthlater。
Thismanisstillneededtojustifythefinalcollectiveact。
Thatactisperformed。
Thelastroleisplayed。Theactorisbiddentodisrobeandwashoffhispowderandpaint：hewillnotbewantedanymore。
Andsomeyearspassduringwhichheplaysapitifulcomedytohimselfinsolitudeonhisisland，justifyinghisactionsbyintriguesandlieswhenthejustificationisnolongerneeded，anddisplayingtothewholeworldwhatitwasthatpeoplehadmistakenforstrengthaslongasanunseenhanddirectedhisactions。
Themanagerhavingbroughtthedramatoacloseandstrippedtheactorshowshimtous。
\"Seewhatyoubelievedin！Thisishe！DoyounowseethatitwasnothebutIwhomovedyou？\"
Butdazedbytheforceofthemovement，itwaslongbeforepeopleunderstoodthis。
StillgreatercoherenceandinevitabilityisseeninthelifeofAlexanderI，themanwhostoodattheheadofthecountermovementfromeasttowest。
Whatwasneededforhimwho，overshadowingothers，stoodattheheadofthatmovementfromeasttowest？
WhatwasneededwasasenseofjusticeandasympathywithEuropeanaffairs，butaremotesympathynotdulledbypettyinterests；
amoralsuperiorityoverthosesovereignsofthedaywhoco—operatedwithhim；amildandattractivepersonality；andapersonalgrievanceagainstNapoleon。AndallthiswasfoundinAlexanderI；allthishadbeenpreparedbyinnumerableso—calledchancesinhislife：
hiseducation，hisearlyliberalism，theadviserswhosurroundedhim，andbyAusterlitz，andTilsit，andErfurt。
Duringthenationalwarhewasinactivebecausehewasnotneeded。
ButassoonasthenecessityforageneralEuropeanwarpresenteditselfheappearedinhisplaceatthegivenmomentand，unitingthenationsofEurope，ledthemtothegoal。
Thegoalisreached。Afterthefinalwarof1815Alexanderpossessesallpossiblepower。Howdoesheuseit？
AlexanderI—thepacifierofEurope，themanwhofromhisearlyyearshadstrivenonlyforhispeople’swelfare，theoriginatoroftheliberalinnovationsinhisfatherland—nowthatheseemedtopossesstheutmostpowerandthereforetohavethepossibilityofbringingaboutthewelfareofhispeoples—atthetimewhenNapoleoninexilewasdrawingupchildishandmendaciousplansofhowhewouldhavemademankindhappyhadheretainedpower—AlexanderI，havingfulfilledhismissionandfeelingthehandofGoduponhim，suddenlyrecognizestheinsignificanceofthatsupposedpower，turnsawayfromit，andgivesitintothehandsofcontemptiblemenwhomhedespises，sayingonly：
\"Notuntous，notuntous，butuntoThyName！……Itooamamanliketherestofyou。LetmelivelikeamanandthinkofmysoulandofGod。\"
Asthesunandeachatomofetherisaspherecompleteinitself，andyetatthesametimeonlyapartofawholetooimmenseformantocomprehend，soeachindividualhaswithinhimselfhisownaimsandyethasthemtoserveageneralpurposeincomprehensibletoman。
Abeesettlingonaflowerhasstungachild。Andthechildisafraidofbeesanddeclaresthatbeesexisttostingpeople。Apoetadmiresthebeesuckingfromthechaliceofaflowerandsaysitexiststosuckthefragranceofflowers。Abeekeeper，seeingthebeecollectpollenfromflowersandcarryittothehive，saysthatitexiststogatherhoney。Anotherbeekeeperwhohasstudiedthelifeofthehivemorecloselysaysthatthebeegatherspollendusttofeedtheyoungbeesandrearaqueen，andthatitexiststoperpetuateitsrace。Abotanistnoticesthatthebeeflyingwiththepollenofamaleflowertoapistilfertilizesthelatter，andseesinthisthepurposeofthebee’sexistence。Another，observingthemigrationofplants，noticesthatthebeehelpsinthiswork，andmaysaythatinthisliesthepurposeofthebee。Buttheultimatepurposeofthebeeisnotexhaustedbythefirst，thesecond，oranyoftheprocessesthehumanmindcandiscern。Thehigherthehumanintellectrisesinthediscoveryofthesepurposes，themoreobviousitbecomes，thattheultimatepurposeisbeyondourcomprehension。
Allthatisaccessibletomanistherelationofthelifeofthebeetoothermanifestationsoflife。Andsoitiswiththepurposeofhistoriccharactersandnations。
EP1CH5
CHAPTERV
Natasha’sweddingtoBezukhov，whichtookplacein1813，wasthelasthappyeventinthefamilyoftheoldRostovs。CountIlyaRostovdiedthatsameyearand，asalwayshappens，afterthefather’sdeaththefamilygroupbrokeup。
Theeventsofthepreviousyear：theburningofMoscowandtheflightfromit，thedeathofPrinceAndrew，Natasha’sdespair，Petya’sdeath，andtheoldcountess’grieffellblowafterblowontheoldcount’shead。Heseemedtobeunabletounderstandthemeaningofalltheseevents，andbowedhisoldheadinaspiritualsenseasifexpectingandinvitingfurtherblowswhichwouldfinishhim。Heseemednowfrightenedanddistraughtandnowunnaturallyanimatedandenterprising。
ThearrangementsforNatasha’smarriageoccupiedhimforawhile。Heordereddinnersandsuppersandobviouslytriedtoappearcheerful，buthischeerfulnesswasnotinfectiousasitusedtobe：onthecontraryitevokedthecompassionofthosewhoknewandlikedhim。
WhenPierreandhiswifehadleft，hegrewveryquietandbegantocomplainofdepression。Afewdayslaterhefellillandtooktohisbed。Herealizedfromthefirstthathewouldnotgetupagain，despitethedoctor’sencouragement。Thecountesspassedafortnightinanarmchairbyhispillowwithoutundressing。Everytimeshegavehimhismedicinehesobbedandsilentlykissedherhand。Onhislastday，sobbing，heaskedherandhisabsentsontoforgivehimforhavingdissipatedtheirproperty—thatbeingthechieffaultofwhichhewasconscious。Afterreceivingcommunionandunctionhequietlydied；andnextdayathrongofacquaintanceswhocametopaytheirlastrespectstothedeceasedfilledthehouserentedbytheRostovs。Alltheseacquaintances，whohadsooftendinedanddancedathishouseandhadsooftenlaughedathim，nowsaid，withacommonfeelingofself—reproachandemotion，asifjustifyingthemselves：
\"Well，whateverhemayhavebeenhewasamostworthyman。Youdon’tmeetsuchmennowadays……Andwhichofushasnotweaknessesofhisown？\"
Itwasjustwhenthecount’saffairshadbecomesoinvolvedthatitwasimpossibletosaywhatwouldhappenifhelivedanotheryearthatheunexpectedlydied。
NicholaswaswiththeRussianarmyinPariswhenthenewsofhisfather’sdeathreachedhim。Heatonceresignedhiscommission，andwithoutwaitingforittobeacceptedtookleaveofabsenceandwenttoMoscow。Thestateofthecount’saffairsbecamequiteobviousamonthafterhisdeath，surprisingeveryonebytheimmensetotalofsmalldebtstheexistenceofwhichnoonehadsuspected。Thedebtsamountedtodoublethevalueoftheproperty。
FriendsandrelationsadvisedNicholastodeclinetheinheritance。
Butheregardedsucharefusalasasluronhisfather’smemory，whichheheldsacred，andthereforewouldnothearofrefusingandacceptedtheinheritancetogetherwiththeobligationtopaythedebts。
Thecreditorswhohadsolongbeensilent，restrainedbyavaguebutpowerfulinfluenceexertedonthemwhilehelivedbythecount’scarelessgoodnature，allproceededtoenforcetheirclaimsatonce。
Asalwayshappensinsuchcasesrivalrysprangupastowhichshouldgetpaidfirst，andthosewholikeMitenkaheldpromissorynotesgiventhemaspresentsnowbecamethemostexactingofthecreditors。
Nicholaswasallowednorespiteandnopeace，andthosewhohadseemedtopitytheoldman—thecauseoftheirlossesiftheywerelosses—nowremorselesslypursuedtheyoungheirwhohadvoluntarilyundertakenthedebtsandwasobviouslynotguiltyofcontractingthem。
NotoneoftheplansNicholastriedsucceeded；theestatewassoldbyauctionforhalfitsvalue，andhalfthedebtsstillremainedunpaid。Nicholasacceptedthirtythousandrublesofferedhimbyhisbrother—in—lawBezukhovtopayoffdebtsheregardedasgenuinelydueforvaluereceived。Andtoavoidbeingimprisonedfortheremainder，asthecreditorsthreatened，here—enteredthegovernmentservice。
Hecouldnotrejointhearmywherehewouldhavebeenmadecolonelatthenextvacancy，forhismothernowclungtohimasheroneholdonlife；andsodespitehisreluctanttoremaininMoscowamongpeoplewhohadknownhimbefore，anddespitehisabhorrenceofthecivilservice，heacceptedapostinMoscowinthatservice，doffedtheuniformofwhichhewassofond，andmovedwithhismotherandSonyatoasmallhouseontheSivtsevVrazhek。
NatashaandPierrewerelivinginPetersburgatthetimeandhadnoclearideaofNicholas’circumstances。Havingborrowedmoneyfromhisbrother—in—law，Nicholastriedtohidehiswretchedconditionfromhim。Hispositionwasthemoredifficultbecausewithhissalaryoftwelvehundredrubleshehadnotonlytokeephimself，hismother，andSonya，buthadtoshieldhismotherfromknowledgeoftheirpoverty。
Thecountesscouldnotconceiveoflifewithouttheluxuriousconditionsshehadbeenusedtofromchildhoodand，unabletorealizehowharditwasforherson，keptdemandingnowacarriagewhichtheydidnotkeeptosendforafriend，nowsomeexpensivearticleoffoodforherself，orwineforherson，ormoneytobuyapresentasasurpriseforNatashaorSonya，orforNicholashimself。
Sonyakepthouse，attendedonheraunt，readtoher，putupwithherwhimsandsecretill—will，andhelpedNicholastoconcealtheirpovertyfromtheoldcountess。NicholasfelthimselfirredeemablyindebtedtoSonyaforallshewasdoingforhismotherandgreatlyadmiredherpatienceanddevotion，buttriedtokeepalooffromher。
Heseemedinhishearttoreproachherforbeingtooperfect，andbecausetherewasnothingtoreproachherwith。Shehadallthatpeoplearevaluedfor，butlittlethatcouldhavemadehimloveher。
Hefeltthatthemorehevaluedherthelesshelovedher。Hehadtakenheratherwordwhenshewrotegivinghimhisfreedomandnowbehavedasifallthathadpassedbetweenthemhadbeenlongforgottenandcouldneverinanycaseberenewed。
Nicholas’positionbecameworseandworse。Theideaofputtingsomethingasideoutofhissalaryprovedadream。Notonlydidhenotsaveanything，buttocomplywithhismother’sdemandsheevenincurredsomesmalldebts。Hecouldseenowayoutofthissituation。Theideaofmarryingsomerichwoman，whichwassuggestedtohimbyhisfemalerelations，wasrepugnanttohim。Theotherwayout—hismother’sdeath—neverenteredhishead。Hewishedfornothingandhopedfornothing，anddeepinhisheartexperiencedagloomyandsternsatisfactioninanuncomplainingenduranceofhisposition。Hetriedtoavoidhisoldacquaintanceswiththeircommiserationandoffensiveoffersofassistance；heavoidedalldistractionandrecreation，andevenathomedidnothingbutplaycardswithhismother，pacesilentlyupanddowntheroom，andsmokeonepipeafteranother。Heseemedcarefullytocherishwithinhimselfthegloomymoodwhichaloneenabledhimtoendurehisposition。
EP1CH6
CHAPTERVI
AtthebeginningofwinterPrincessMarycametoMoscow。FromreportscurrentintownshelearnedhowtheRostovsweresituated，andhow\"thesonhassacrificedhimselfforhismother，\"aspeopleweresaying。
\"Ineverexpectedanythingelseofhim，\"saidPrincessMarytoherself，feelingajoyoussenseofherloveforhim。RememberingherfriendlyrelationswithalltheRostovswhichhadmadeheralmostamemberofthefamily，shethoughtitherdutytogotoseethem。ButrememberingherrelationswithNicholasinVoronezhshewasshyaboutdoingso。MakingagreateffortshedidhowevergotocallonthemafewweeksafterherarrivalinMoscow。
Nicholaswasthefirsttomeether，asthecountess’roomcouldonlybereachedthroughhis。Butinsteadofbeinggreetedwithpleasureasshehadexpected，athisfirstglanceatherhisfaceassumedacold，stiff，proudexpressionshehadnotseenonitbefore。Heinquiredaboutherhealth，ledthewaytohismother，andhavingsatthereforfiveminuteslefttheroom。
Whentheprincesscameoutofthecountess’roomNicholasmetheragain，andwithmarkedsolemnityandstiffnessaccompaniedhertotheanteroom。Toherremarksabouthismother’shealthhemadenoreply。\"What’sthattoyou？Leavemeinpeace，\"hislooksseemedtosay。
\"Whydoesshecomeprowlinghere？Whatdoesshewant？Ican’tbeartheseladiesandallthesecivilities！\"saidhealoudinSonya’spresence，evidentlyunabletorepresshisvexation，aftertheprincess’carriagehaddisappeared。
\"Oh，Nicholas，howcanyoutalklikethat？\"criedSonya，hardlyabletoconcealherdelight。\"SheissokindandMammaissofondofher！\"
Nicholasdidnotreplyandtriedtoavoidspeakingoftheprincessanymore。Butafterhervisittheoldcountessspokeofherseveraltimesaday。