Shesangherpraises，insistedthathersonmustcallonher，expressedawishtoseeheroften，butyetalwaysbecameill—humoredwhenshebegantotalkabouther。
Nicholastriedtokeepsilencewhenhismotherspokeoftheprincess，buthissilenceirritatedher。
\"Sheisaveryadmirableandexcellentyoungwoman，\"saidshe，\"andyoumustgoandcallonher。Youwouldatleastbeseeingsomebody，andIthinkitmustbedullforyouonlyseeingus。\"
\"ButIdon’tintheleastwantto，Mamma。\"
\"Youusedtowantto，andnowyoudon’t。ReallyIdon’tunderstandyou，mydear。Onedayyouaredull，andthenextyourefusetoseeanyone。\"
\"ButIneversaidIwasdull。\"
\"Why，yousaidyourselfyoudon’twanteventoseeher。Sheisaveryadmirableyoungwomanandyoualwayslikedher，butnowsuddenlyyouhavegotsomenotionorotherinyourhead。Youhideeverythingfromme。\"
\"Notatall，Mamma。\"
\"IfIwereaskingyoutodosomethingdisagreeablenow—butIonlyaskyoutoreturnacall。Onewouldthinkmerepolitenessrequiredit……Well，Ihaveaskedyou，andnowIwon’tinterfereanymoresinceyouhavesecretsfromyourmother。\"
\"Well，then，I’llgoifyouwishit。\"
\"Itdoesn’tmattertome。Ionlywishitforyoursake。\"
Nicholassighed，bithismustache，andlaidoutthecardsforapatience，tryingtodiverthismother’sattentiontoanothertopic。
Thesameconversationwasrepeatednextdayandthedayafter，andthedayafterthat。
AfterhervisittotheRostovsandherunexpectedlychillyreceptionbyNicholas，PrincessMaryconfessedtoherselfthatshehadbeenrightinnotwishingtobethefirsttocall。
\"Iexpectednothingelse，\"shetoldherself，callingherpridetoheraid。\"IhavenothingtodowithhimandIonlywantedtoseetheoldlady，whowasalwayskindtomeandtowhomIamundermanyobligations。\"
Butshecouldnotpacifyherselfwiththesereflections；afeelingakintoremorsetroubledherwhenshethoughtofhervisit。ThoughshehadfirmlyresolvednottocallontheRostovsagainandtoforgetthewholematter，shefeltherselfallthetimeinanawkwardposition。
Andwhensheaskedherselfwhatdistressedher，shehadtoadmitthatitwasherrelationtoRostov。Hiscold，politemannerdidnotexpresshisfeelingforhersheknewthatbutitconcealedsomething，anduntilshecoulddiscoverwhatthatsomethingwas，shefeltthatshecouldnotbeatease。
Onedayinmidwinterwhensittingintheschoolroomattendingtohernephew’slessons，shewasinformedthatRostovhadcalled。Withafirmresolutionnottobetrayherselfandnotshowheragitation，shesentforMademoiselleBourienneandwentwithhertothedrawingroom。
HerfirstglanceatNicholas’facetoldherthathehadonlycometofulfillthedemandsofpoliteness，andshefirmlyresolvedtomaintainthetoneinwhichheaddressedher。
Theyspokeofthecountess’health，oftheirmutualfriends，ofthelatestwarnews，andwhenthetenminutesrequiredbyproprietyhadelapsedafterwhichavisitormayrise，Nicholasgotuptosaygood—by。
WithMademoiselleBourienne’shelptheprincesshadmaintainedtheconversationverywell，butattheverylastmoment，justwhenherose，shewassotiredoftalkingofwhatdidnotinteresther，andhermindwassofullofthequestionwhyshealonewasgrantedsolittlehappinessinlife，thatinafitofabsent—mindednessshesatstill，herluminouseyesgazingfixedlybeforeher，notnoticingthathehadrisen。
Nicholasglancedatherand，wishingtoappearnottonoticeherabstraction，madesomeremarktoMademoiselleBourienneandthenagainlookedattheprincess。Shestillsatmotionlesswithalookofsufferingonhergentleface。Hesuddenlyfeltsorryforherandwasvaguelyconsciousthathemightbethecauseofthesadnessherfaceexpressed。Hewishedtohelpherandsaysomethingpleasant，butcouldthinkofnothingtosay。
\"Good—by，Princess！\"saidhe。
Shestarted，flushed，andsigheddeeply。
\"Oh，Ibegyourpardon，\"shesaidasifwakingup。\"Areyougoingalready，Count？Wellthen，good—by！Oh，butthecushionforthecountess！\"
\"Waitamoment，I’llfetchit，\"saidMademoiselleBourienne，andshelefttheroom。
Theybothsatsilent，withanoccasionalglanceatoneanother。
\"Yes，Princess，\"saidNicholasatlastwithasadsmile，\"itdoesn’tseemlongagosincewefirstmetatBogucharovo，buthowmuchwaterhasflowedsincethen！Inwhatdistressweallseemedtobethen，yetIwouldgivemuchtobringbackthattime……butthere’snobringingitback。\"
PrincessMarygazedintentlyintohiseyeswithherownluminousonesashesaidthis。Sheseemedtobetryingtofathomthehiddenmeaningofhiswordswhichwouldexplainhisfeelingforher。
\"Yes，yes，\"saidshe，\"butyouhavenoreasontoregretthepast，Count。AsIunderstandyourpresentlife，Ithinkyouwillalwaysrecallitwithsatisfaction，becausetheself—sacrificethatfillsitnow……\"
\"Icannotacceptyourpraise，\"heinterruptedherhurriedly。\"OnthecontraryIcontinuallyreproachmyself……Butthisisnotatallaninterestingorcheerfulsubject。\"
Hisfaceagainresumeditsformerstiffandcoldexpression。Buttheprincesshadcaughtaglimpseofthemanshehadknownandloved，anditwastohimthatshenowspoke。
\"Ithoughtyouwouldallowmetotellyouthis，\"shesaid。\"Ihadcomesoneartoyou……andtoallyourfamilythatIthoughtyouwouldnotconsidermysympathymisplaced，butIwasmistaken，\"andsuddenlyhervoicetrembled。\"Idon’tknowwhy，\"shecontinued，recoveringherself，\"butyouusedtobedifferent，and……\"
\"Thereareathousandreasonswhy，\"layingspecialemphasisonthewhy。\"Thankyou，Princess，\"headdedsoftly。\"Sometimesitishard。\"
\"Sothat’swhy！That’swhy！\"avoicewhisperedinPrincessMary’ssoul。\"No，itwasnotonlythatgay，kind，andfranklook，notonlythathandsomeexterior，thatIlovedinhim。Idivinedhisnoble，resolute，self—sacrificingspirittoo，\"shesaidtoherself。\"Yes，heispoornowandIamrich……Yes，that’stheonlyreason……
Yes，wereitnotforthat……\"Andrememberinghisformertenderness，andlookingnowathiskind，sorrowfulface，shesuddenlyunderstoodthecauseofhiscoldness。
\"Butwhy，Count，why？\"shealmostcried，unconsciouslymovingclosertohim。\"Why？Tellme。Youmusttellme！\"
Hewassilent。
\"Idon’tunderstandyourwhy，Count，\"shecontinued，\"butit’shardforme……Iconfessit。Forsomereasonyouwishtodeprivemeofourformerfriendship。Andthathurtsme。\"Thereweretearsinhereyesandinhervoice。\"Ihavehadsolittlehappinessinlifethateverylossishardformetobear……Excuseme，good—by！\"andsuddenlyshebegantocryandwashurryingfromtheroom。
\"Princess，forGod’ssake！\"heexclaimed，tryingtostopher。
\"Princess！\"
Sheturnedround。Forafewsecondstheygazedsilentlyintooneanother’seyes—andwhathadseemedimpossibleandremotesuddenlybecamepossible，inevitable，andverynear。
EP1CH7
CHAPTERVII
Inthewinterof1813NicholasmarriedPrincessMaryandmovedtoBaldHillswithhiswife，hismother，andSonya。
Withinfouryearshehadpaidoffallhisremainingdebtswithoutsellinganyofhiswife’sproperty，andhavingreceivedasmallinheritanceonthedeathofacousinhepaidhisdebttoPierreaswell。
Inanotherthreeyears，by1820，hehadsomanagedhisaffairsthathewasabletobuyasmallestateadjoiningBaldHillsandwasnegotiatingtobuybackOtradnoe—thatbeinghispetdream。
Havingstartedfarmingfromnecessity，hesoongrewsodevotedtoitthatitbecamehisfavoriteandalmosthissoleoccupation。Nicholaswasaplainfarmer：hedidnotlikeinnovations，especiallytheEnglishonesthencomingintovogue。Helaughedattheoreticaltreatisesonestatemanagement，dislikedfactories，theraisingofexpensiveproducts，andthebuyingofexpensiveseedcorn，anddidnotmakeahobbyofanyparticularpartoftheworkonhisestate。Healwayshadbeforehismind’seyetheestateasawholeandnotanyparticularpartofit。Thechiefthinginhiseyeswasnotthenitrogeninthesoil，northeoxygenintheair，normanures，norspecialplows，butthatmostimportantagentbywhichnitrogen，oxygen，manure，andplowweremadeeffective—thepeasantlaborer。
WhenNicholasfirstbeganfarmingandbegantounderstanditsdifferentbranches，itwastheserfwhoespeciallyattractedhisattention。Thepeasantseemedtohimnotmerelyatool，butalsoajudgeoffarmingandanendinhimself。Atfirsthewatchedtheserfs，tryingtounderstandtheiraimsandwhattheyconsideredgoodandbad，andonlypretendedtodirectthemandgiveorderswhileinrealitylearningfromthemtheirmethods，theirmannerofspeech，andtheirjudgmentofwhatwasgoodandbad。Onlywhenhehadunderstoodthepeasants’tastesandaspirations，hadlearnedtotalktheirlanguage，tograspthehiddenmeaningoftheirwords，andfeltakintothemdidhebeginboldlytomanagehisserfs，thatis，toperformtowardthemthedutiesdemandedofhim。AndNicholas’managementproducedverybrilliantresults。
Guidedbysomegiftofinsight，ontakingupthemanagementoftheestatesheatonceunerringlyappointedasbailiff，villageelder，anddelegate，theverymentheserfswouldthemselveshavechosenhadtheyhadtherighttochoose，andthesepostsneverchangedhands。Beforeanalyzingthepropertiesofmanure，beforeenteringintothedebitandcreditasheironicallycalledit，hefoundouthowmanycattlethepeasantshadandincreasedthenumberbyallpossiblemeans。Hekeptthepeasantfamiliestogetherinthelargestgroupspossible，notallowingthefamilygroupstodivideintoseparatehouseholds。Hewashardalikeonthelazy，thedepraved，andtheweak，andtriedtogetthemexpelledfromthecommune。
Hewasascarefulofthesowingandreapingofthepeasants’hayandcornasofhisown，andfewlandownershadtheircropssownandharvestedsoearlyandsowell，orgotsogoodareturn，asdidNicholas。
Hedislikedhavinganythingtodowiththedomesticserfs—the\"drones\"ashecalledthem—andeveryonesaidhespoiledthembyhislaxity。Whenadecisionhadtobetakenregardingadomesticserf，especiallyifonehadtobepunished，healwaysfeltundecidedandconsultedeverybodyinthehouse；butwhenitwaspossibletohaveadomesticserfconscriptedinsteadofalandworkerhedidsowithouttheleasthesitation。Heneverfeltanyhesitationindealingwiththepeasants。Heknewthathiseverydecisionwouldbeapprovedbythemallwithveryfewexceptions。
Hedidnotallowhimselfeithertobehardonorpunishaman，ortomakethingseasyfororrewardanyone，merelybecausehefeltinclinedtodoso。Hecouldnothavesaidbywhatstandardhejudgedwhatheshouldorshouldnotdo，butthestandardwasquitefirmanddefiniteinhisownmind。
Often，speakingwithvexationofsomefailureorirregularity，hewouldsay：\"WhatcanonedowithourRussianpeasants？\"andimaginedthathecouldnotbearthem。
Yetheloved\"ourRussianpeasants\"andtheirwayoflifewithhiswholesoul，andforthatveryreasonhadunderstoodandassimilatedtheonewayandmanneroffarmingwhichproducedgoodresults。
CountessMarywasjealousofthispassionofherhusband’sandregrettedthatshecouldnotshareit；butshecouldnotunderstandthejoysandvexationshederivedfromthatworld，tohersoremoteandalien。Shecouldnotunderstandwhyhewassoparticularlyanimatedandhappywhen，aftergettingupatdaybreakandspendingthewholemorninginthefieldsoronthethreshingfloor，hereturnedfromthesowingormowingorreapingtohaveteawithher。Shedidnotunderstandwhyhespokewithsuchadmirationanddelightofthefarmingofthethriftyandwell—to—dopeasantMatthewErmishin，whowithhisfamilyhadcartedcornallnight；orofthefactthathisNicholas’sheaveswerealreadystackedbeforeanyoneelsehadhisharvestin。Shedidnotunderstandwhyhesteppedoutfromthewindowtotheverandaandsmiledunderhismustacheandwinkedsojoyfully，whenwarmsteadyrainbegantofallonthedryandthirstyshootsoftheyoungoats，orwhywhenthewindcarriedawayathreateningcloudduringthehayharvesthewouldreturnfromthebarn，flushed，sunburned，andperspiring，withasmellofwormwoodandgentianinhishairand，gleefullyrubbinghishands，wouldsay：
\"Well，onemoredayandmygrainandthepeasants’willallbeundercover。\"
Stilllessdidsheunderstandwhyhe，kindheartedandalwaysreadytoanticipateherwishes，shouldbecomealmostdesperatewhenshebroughthimapetitionfromsomepeasantmenorwomenwhohadappealedtohertobeexcusedsomework；whyhe，thatkindNicholas，shouldobstinatelyrefuseher，angrilyaskinghernottointerfereinwhatwasnotherbusiness。Shefelthehadaworldapart，whichhelovedpassionatelyandwhichhadlawsshehadnotfathomed。
Sometimeswhen，tryingtounderstandhim，shespokeofthegoodworkhewasdoingforhisserfs，hewouldbevexedandreply：\"Notintheleast；itneverenteredmyheadandIwouldn’tdothatfortheirgood！
That’sallpoetryandoldwives’talk—allthatdoinggoodtoone’sneighbor！WhatIwantisthatourchildrenshouldnothavetogobegging。ImustputouraffairsinorderwhileIamalive，that’sall。
Andtodothat，orderandstrictnessareessential……That’sallaboutit！\"saidhe，clenchinghisvigorousfist。\"Andfairness，ofcourse，\"headded，\"forifthepeasantisnakedandhungryandhasonlyonemiserablehorse，hecandonogoodeitherforhimselforforme。\"
AndallNicholasdidwasfruitful—probablyjustbecauseherefusedtoallowhimselftothinkthathewasdoinggoodtoothersforvirtue’ssake。Hismeansincreasedrapidly；serfsfromneighboringestatescametobeghimtobuythem，andlongafterhisdeaththememoryofhisadministrationwasdevoutlypreservedamongtheserfs。
\"Hewasamaster……thepeasants’affairsfirstandthenhisown。Ofcoursehewasnottobetrifledwitheither—inaword，hewasarealmaster！\"
EP1CH8
CHAPTERVIII
OnematterconnectedwithhismanagementsometimesworriedNicholas，andthatwashisquicktempertogetherwithhisoldhussarhabitofmakingfreeuseofhisfists。Atfirsthesawnothingreprehensibleinthis，butinthesecondyearofhismarriagehisviewofthatformofpunishmentsuddenlychanged。
OnceinsummerhehadsentforthevillageelderfromBogucharovo，amanwhohadsucceededtothepostwhenDrondiedandwhowasaccusedofdishonestyandvariousirregularities。Nicholaswentoutintotheporchtoquestionhim，andimmediatelyaftertheelderhadgivenafewrepliesthesoundofcriesandblowswereheard。OnreturningtolunchNicholaswentuptohiswife，whosatwithherheadbentlowoverherembroideryframe，andasusualbegantotellherwhathehadbeendoingthatmorning。AmongotherthingshespokeoftheBogucharovoelder。CountessMaryturnedredandthenpale，butcontinuedtositwithheadbowedandlipscompressedandgaveherhusbandnoreply。
\"Suchaninsolentscoundrel！\"hecried，growinghotagainatthemererecollectionofhim。\"Ifhehadtoldmehewasdrunkanddidnotsee……Butwhatisthematterwithyou，Mary？\"hesuddenlyasked。
CountessMaryraisedherheadandtriedtospeak，buthastilylookeddownagainandherlipspuckered。
\"Why，whateveristhematter，mydearest？\"
ThelooksoftheplainCountessMaryalwaysimprovedwhenshewasintears。Shenevercriedfrompainorvexation，butalwaysfromsorroworpity，andwhensheweptherradianteyesacquiredanirresistiblecharm。
ThemomentNicholastookherhandshecouldnolongerrestrainherselfandbegantocry。
\"Nicholas，Isawit……hewastoblame，butwhydoyou……Nicholas！\"
andshecoveredherfacewithherhands。
Nicholassaidnothing。Heflushedcrimson，leftherside，andpacedupanddowntheroom。Heunderstoodwhatshewasweepingabout，butcouldnotinhisheartatonceagreewithherthatwhathehadregardedfromchildhoodasquiteaneverydayeventwaswrong。
\"Isitjustsentimentality，oldwives’tales，orissheright？\"heaskedhimself。Beforehehadsolvedthatpointheglancedagainatherfacefilledwithloveandpain，andhesuddenlyrealizedthatshewasrightandthathehadlongbeensinningagainsthimself。
\"Mary，\"hesaidsoftly，goinguptoher，\"itwillneverhappenagain；Igiveyoumyword。Never，\"herepeatedinatremblingvoicelikeaboyaskingforforgiveness。
Thetearsflowedfasterstillfromthecountess’eyes。Shetookhishandandkissedit。
\"Nicholas，whenwhendidyoubreakyourcameo？\"sheaskedtochangethesubject，lookingathisfingeronwhichheworearingwithacameoofLaocoon’shead。
\"Today—itwasthesameaffair。Oh，Mary，don’tremindmeofit！\"
andagainheflushed。\"Igiveyoumywordofhonoritshan’toccuragain，andletthisalwaysbearemindertome，\"andhepointedtothebrokenring。
Afterthat，whenindiscussionswithhisvillageeldersorstewardsthebloodrushedtohisfaceandhisfistsbegantoclench，Nicholaswouldturnthebrokenringonhisfingerandwoulddrophiseyesbeforethemanwhowasmakinghimangry。Buthedidforgethimselfonceortwicewithinatwelvemonth，andthenhewouldgoandconfesstohiswife，andwouldagainpromisethatthisshouldreallybetheverylasttime。
\"Mary，youmustdespiseme！\"hewouldsay。\"Ideserveit。\"
\"Youshouldgo，goawayatonce，ifyoudon’tfeelstrongenoughtocontrolyourself，\"shewouldreplysadly，tryingtocomfortherhusband。
AmongthegentryoftheprovinceNicholaswasrespectedbutnotliked。Hedidnotconcernhimselfwiththeinterestsofhisownclass，andconsequentlysomethoughthimproudandothersthoughthimstupid。
Thewholesummer，fromspringsowingtoharvest，hewasbusywiththeworkonhisfarm。Inautumnhegavehimselfuptohuntingwiththesamebusinesslikeseriousness—leavinghomeforamonth，oreventwo，withhishunt。Inwinterhevisitedhisothervillagesorspenthistimereading。Thebookshereadwerechieflyhistorical，andonthesehespentacertainsumeveryyear。Hewascollecting，ashesaid，aseriouslibrary，andhemadeitaruletoreadthroughallthebookshebought。Hewouldsitinhisstudywithagraveair，reading—ataskhefirstimposeduponhimselfasaduty，butwhichafterwardsbecameahabitaffordinghimaspecialkindofpleasureandaconsciousnessofbeingoccupiedwithseriousmatters。Inwinter，exceptforbusinessexcursions，hespentmostofhistimeathomemakinghimselfonewithhisfamilyandenteringintoallthedetailsofhischildren’srelationswiththeirmother。Theharmonybetweenhimandhiswifegrewcloserandcloserandhedailydiscoveredfreshspiritualtreasuresinher。
FromthetimeofhismarriageSonyahadlivedinhishouse。Beforethat，NicholashadtoldhiswifeallthathadpassedbetweenhimselfandSonya，blaminghimselfandcommendingher。HehadaskedPrincessMarytobegentleandkindtohiscousin。ShethoroughlyrealizedthewronghehaddoneSonya，feltherselftoblametowardher，andimaginedthatherwealthhadinfluencedNicholas’choice。ShecouldnotfindfaultwithSonyainanywayandtriedtobefondofher，butoftenfeltill—willtowardherwhichshecouldnotovercome。
OnceshehadatalkwithherfriendNatashaaboutSonyaandaboutherowninjusticetowardher。
\"Youknow，\"saidNatasha，\"youhavereadtheGospelsagreatdeal—
thereisapassageinthemthatjustfitsSonya。\"
\"What？\"askedCountessMary，surprised。
\"’Tohimthathathshallbegiven，andfromhimthathathnotshallbetakenaway。’Youremember？Sheisonethathathnot；why，I
don’tknow。Perhapsshelacksegotism，Idon’tknow，butfromheristakenaway，andeverythinghasbeentakenaway。SometimesIamdreadfullysorryforher。FormerlyIverymuchwantedNicholastomarryher，butIalwayshadasortofpresentimentthatitwouldnotcomeoff。Sheisasterileflower，youknow—likesomestrawberryblossoms。SometimesIamsorryforher，andsometimesIthinkshedoesn’tfeelitasyouorIwould。\"
ThoughCountessMarytoldNatashathatthosewordsintheGospelmustbeunderstooddifferently，yetlookingatSonyasheagreedwithNatasha’sexplanation。ItreallyseemedthatSonyadidnotfeelherpositiontrying，andhadgrownquitereconciledtoherlotasasterileflower。Sheseemedtobefondnotsomuchofindividualsasofthefamilyasawhole。Likeacat，shehadattachedherselfnottothepeoplebuttothehome。Shewaitedontheoldcountess，pettedandspoiledthechildren，wasalwaysreadytorenderthesmallservicesforwhichshehadagift，andallthiswasunconsciouslyacceptedfromherwithinsufficientgratitude。
ThecountryseatatBaldHillshadbeenrebuilt，thoughnotonthesamescaleasundertheoldprince。
Thebuildings，begununderstraitenedcircumstances，weremorethansimple。Theimmensehouseontheoldstonefoundationswasofwood，plasteredonlyinside。Ithadbaredealfloorsandwasfurnishedwithverysimplehardsofas，armchairs，tables，andchairsmadebytheirownserfcarpentersoutoftheirownbirchwood。Thehousewasspaciousandhadroomsforthehouseserfsandapartmentsforvisitors。WholefamiliesoftheRostovs’andBolkonskis’relationssometimescametoBaldHillswithsixteenhorsesanddozensofservantsandstayedformonths。Besidesthat，fourtimesayear，onthenamedaysandbirthdaysofthehosts，asmanyasahundredvisitorswouldgatherthereforadayortwo。Therestoftheyearlifepursueditsunbrokenroutinewithitsordinaryoccupations，anditsbreakfasts，lunches，dinners，andsuppers，providedoutoftheproduceoftheestate。
EP1CH9
CHAPTERIX
ItwastheeveofSt。Nicholas，thefifthofDecember，1820。Natashahadbeenstayingatherbrother’swithherhusbandandchildrensinceearlyautumn。PierrehadgonetoPetersburgonbusinessofhisownforthreeweeksashesaid，buthadremainedtherenearlysevenweeksandwasexpectedbackeveryminute。
BesidestheBezukhovfamily，Nicholas’oldfriendtheretiredGeneralVasiliDmitrichDenisovwasstayingwiththeRostovsthisfifthofDecember。
Onthesixth，whichwashisnamedaywhenthehousewouldbefullofvisitors，NicholasknewhewouldhavetoexchangehisTartartunicforatailcoat，andputonnarrowbootswithpointedtoes，anddrivetothenewchurchhehadbuilt，andthenreceivevisitorswhowouldcometocongratulatehim，offerthemrefreshments，andtalkabouttheelectionsofthenobility；butheconsideredhimselfentitledtospendtheeveofthatdayinhisusualway。Heexaminedthebailiff’saccountsofthevillageinRyazanwhichbelongedtohiswife’snephew，wrotetwobusinessletters，andwalkedovertothegranaries，cattleyardsandstablesbeforedinner。Havingtakenprecautionsagainstthegeneraldrunkennesstobeexpectedonthemorrowbecauseitwasagreatsaint’sday，hereturnedtodinner，andwithouthavingtimeforaprivatetalkwithhiswifesatdownatthelongtablelaidfortwentypersons，atwhichthewholehouseholdhadassembled。Atthattablewerehismother，hismother’soldladycompanionBelova，hiswife，theirthreechildrenwiththeirgovernessandtutor，hiswife’snephewwithhistutor，Sonya，Denisov，Natasha，herthreechildren，theirgoverness，andoldMichaelIvanovich，thelateprince’sarchitect，whowaslivingoninretirementatBaldHills。
CountessMarysatattheotherendofthetable。Whenherhusbandtookhisplacesheconcluded，fromtherapidmannerinwhichaftertakinguphistablenapkinhepushedbackthetumblerandwineglassstandingbeforehim，thathewasoutofhumor，aswassometimesthecasewhenhecameintodinnerstraightfromthefarm—especiallybeforethesoup。CountessMarywellknewthatmoodofhis，andwhensheherselfwasinagoodframeofmindquietlywaitedtillhehadhadhissoupandthenbegantotalktohimandmakehimadmitthattherewasnocauseforhisill—humor。Buttodayshequiteforgotthatandwashurtthatheshouldbeangrywithherwithoutanyreason，andshefeltunhappy。Sheaskedhimwherehehadbeen。Hereplied。Sheagaininquiredwhethereverythingwasgoingwellonthefarm。Herunnaturaltonemadehimwinceunpleasantlyandherepliedhastily。
\"ThenI’mnotmistaken，\"thoughtCountessMary。\"Whyishecrosswithme？\"Sheconcludedfromhistonethathewasvexedwithherandwishedtoendtheconversation。Sheknewherremarkssoundedunnatural，butcouldnotrefrainfromaskingsomemorequestions。
ThankstoDenisovtheconversationattablesoonbecamegeneralandlively，andshedidnottalktoherhusband。Whentheyleftthetableandwentasusualtothanktheoldcountess，CountessMaryheldoutherhandandkissedherhusband，andaskedhimwhyhewasangrywithher。
\"Youalwayshavesuchstrangefancies！Ididn’teventhinkofbeingangry，\"hereplied。
Butthewordalwaysseemedtohertoimply：\"Yes，IamangrybutI
won’ttellyouwhy。\"
NicholasandhiswifelivedtogethersohappilythatevenSonyaandtheoldcountess，whofeltjealousandwouldhavelikedthemtodisagree，couldfindnothingtoreproachthemwith；buteventheyhadtheirmomentsofantagonism。Occasionally，anditwasalwaysjustaftertheyhadbeenhappiesttogether，theysuddenlyhadafeelingofestrangementandhostility，whichoccurredmostfrequentlyduringCountessMary’spregnancies，andthiswassuchatime。
\"Well，messieursetmesdames，\"saidNicholasloudlyandwithapparentcheerfulnessitseemedtoCountessMarythathediditonpurposetovexher，\"Ihavebeenonmyfeetsincesixthismorning。
TomorrowIshallhavetosuffer，sotodayI’llgoandrest。\"
Andwithoutawordtohiswifehewenttothelittlesittingroomandlaydownonthesofa。
\"That’salwaystheway，\"thoughtCountessMary。\"Hetalkstoeveryoneexceptme。Isee……IseethatIamrepulsivetohim，especiallywhenIaminthiscondition。\"Shelookeddownatherexpandedfigureandintheglassatherpale，sallow，emaciatedfaceinwhichhereyesnowlookedlargerthanever。
Andeverythingannoyedher—Denisov’sshoutingandlaughter，Natasha’stalk，andespeciallyaquickglanceSonyagaveher。
SonyawasalwaysthefirstexcuseCountessMaryfoundforfeelingirritated。
Havingsatawhilewithhervisitorswithoutunderstandinganythingofwhattheyweresaying，shesoftlylefttheroomandwenttothenursery。
Thechildrenwereplayingat\"goingtoMoscow\"inacarriagemadeofchairsandinvitedhertogowiththem。Shesatdownandplayedwiththemalittle，butthethoughtofherhusbandandhisunreasonablecrossnessworriedher。Shegotupand，walkingontiptoewithdifficulty，wenttothesmallsittingroom。
\"Perhapsheisnotasleep；I’llhaveanexplanationwithhim，\"shesaidtoherself。LittleAndrew，hereldestboy，imitatinghismother，followedherontiptoe。Shenotnoticehim。
\"Mary，dear，Ithinkheisasleep—hewassotired，\"saidSonya，meetingherinthelargesittingroomitseemedtoCountessMarythatshecrossedherpatheverywhere。\"Andrewmaywakehim。\"
CountessMarylookedround，sawlittleAndrewfollowingher，feltthatSonyawasright，andforthatveryreasonflushedandwithevidentdifficultyrefrainedfromsayingsomethingharsh。Shemadenoreply，buttoavoidobeyingSonyabeckonedtoAndrewtofollowherquietlyandwenttothedoor。Sonyawentawaybyanotherdoor。
FromtheroominwhichNicholaswassleepingcamethesoundofhisevenbreathing，everyslightesttoneofwhichwasfamiliartohiswife。Asshelistenedtoitshesawbeforeherhissmoothhandsomeforehead，hismustache，andhiswholeface，asshehadsooftenseenitinthestillnessofthenightwhenheslept。Nicholassuddenlymovedandclearedhisthroat。AndatthatmomentlittleAndrewshoutedfromoutsidethedoor：\"Papa！Mamma’sstandinghere！\"CountessMaryturnedpalewithfrightandmadesignstotheboy。Hegrewsilent，andquietensuedforamoment，terribletoCountessMary。SheknewhowNicholasdislikedbeingwaked。ThenthroughthedoorsheheardNicholasclearinghisthroatagainandstirring，andhisvoicesaidcrossly：
\"Ican’tgetamoment’speace……Mary，isthatyou？Whydidyoubringhimhere？\"
\"Ionlycameintolookanddidnotnotice……forgiveme……\"
Nicholascoughedandsaidnomore。CountessMarymovedawayfromthedoorandtooktheboybacktothenursery。Fiveminuteslaterlittleblack—eyedthree—year—oldNatasha，herfather’spet，havinglearnedfromherbrotherthatPapawasasleepandMammawasinthesittingroom，rantoherfatherunobservedbyhermother。Thedark—eyedlittlegirlboldlyopenedthecreakingdoor，wentuptothesofawithenergeticstepsofhersturdylittlelegs，andhavingexaminedthepositionofherfather，whowasasleepwithhisbacktoher，roseontiptoeandkissedthehandwhichlayunderhishead。Nicholasturnedwithatendersmileonhisface。
\"Natasha，Natasha！\"cameCountessMary’sfrightenedwhisperfromthedoor。\"Papawantstosleep。\"
\"No，Mamma，hedoesn’twanttosleep，\"saidlittleNatashawithconviction。\"He’slaughing。\"
Nicholasloweredhislegs，rose，andtookhisdaughterinhisarms。
\"Comein，Mary，\"hesaidtohiswife。
Shewentinandsatdownbyherhusband。
\"Ididnotnoticehimfollowingme，\"shesaidtimidly。\"Ijustlookedin。\"
Holdinghislittlegirlwithonearm，Nicholasglancedathiswifeand，seeingherguiltyexpression，puthisotherarmaroundherandkissedherhair。
\"MayIkissMamma？\"heaskedNatasha。
Natashasmiledbashfully。
\"Again！\"shecommanded，pointingwithaperemptorygesturetothespotwhereNicholashadplacedthekiss。
\"Idon’tknowwhyyouthinkIamcross，\"saidNicholas，replyingtothequestionheknewwasinhiswife’smind。
\"Youhavenoideahowunhappy，howlonely，Ifeelwhenyouarelikethat。Italwaysseemstome……\"
\"Mary，don’ttalknonsense。Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！\"hesaidgaily。
\"Itseemstobethatyoucan’tloveme，thatIamsoplain……
always……andnow……inthiscond……\"
\"Oh，howabsurdyouare！Itisnotbeautythatendears，it’slovethatmakesusseebeauty。ItisonlyMalvinasandwomenofthatkindwhoarelovedfortheirbeauty。ButdoIlovemywife？Idon’tloveher，but……Idon’tknowhowtoputit。Withoutyou，orwhensomethingcomesbetweenuslikethis，Iseemlostandcan’tdoanything。NowdoIlovemyfinger？Idon’tloveit，butjusttrytocutitoff！
\"I’mnotlikethatmyself，butIunderstand。Soyou’renotangrywithme？\"
\"Awfullyangry！\"hesaid，smilingandgettingup。Andsmoothinghishairhebegantopacetheroom。
\"Doyouknow，Mary，whatI’vebeenthinking？\"hebegan，immediatelythinkingaloudinhiswife’spresencenowthattheyhadmadeitup。
Hedidnotaskifshewasreadytolistentohim。Hedidnotcare。A
thoughthadoccurredtohimandsoitbelongedtoheralso。AndhetoldherofhisintentiontopersuadePierretostaywiththemtillspring。
CountessMarylistenedtillhehadfinished，madesomeremark，andinherturnbeganthinkingaloud。Herthoughtswereaboutthechildren。
\"Youcanseethewomaninheralready，\"shesaidinFrench，pointingtolittleNatasha。\"Youreproachuswomenwithbeingillogical。Hereisourlogic。Isay：’Papawantstosleep！’butshesays，’No，he’slaughing。’Andshewasright，\"saidCountessMarywithahappysmile。
\"Yes，yes。\"AndNicholas，takinghislittledaughterinhisstronghand，liftedherhigh，placedheronhisshoulder，heldherbythelegs，andpacedtheroomwithher。Therewasanexpressionofcarefreehappinessonthefacesofbothfatheranddaughter。
\"Butyouknowyoumaybeunfair。Youaretoofondofthisone，\"
hiswifewhisperedinFrench。
\"Yes，butwhatamItodo？……Itrynottoshow……\"
Atthatmomenttheyheardthesoundofthedoorpulleyandfootstepsinthehallandanteroom，asifsomeonehadarrived。
\"Somebodyhascome。\"
\"IamsureitisPierre。Iwillgoandsee，\"saidCountessMaryandlefttheroom。
InherabsenceNicholasallowedhimselftogivehislittledaughteragalloproundtheroom。Outofbreath，hetookthelaughingchildquicklyfromhisshoulderandpressedhertohisheart。
Hiscapersremindedhimofdancing，andlookingatthechild’sroundhappylittlefacehethoughtofwhatshewouldbelikewhenhewasanoldman，takingherintosocietyanddancingthemazurkawithherashisoldfatherhaddancedDanielCooperwithhisdaughter。
\"Itishe，itishe，Nicholas！\"saidCountessMary，re—enteringtheroomafewminuteslater。\"NowourNatashahascometolife。Youshouldhaveseenherecstasy，andhowhecaughtitforhavingstayedawaysolong。Well，comealongnow，quick，quick！It’stimeyoutwowereparted，\"sheadded，lookingsmilinglyatthelittlegirlwhoclungtoherfather。
Nicholaswentoutholdingthechildbythehand。
CountessMaryremainedinthesittingroom。
\"Ishouldnever，neverhavebelievedthatonecouldbesohappy，\"
shewhisperedtoherself。Asmilelitupherfacebutatthesametimeshesighed，andherdeepeyesexpressedaquietsadnessasthoughshefelt，throughherhappiness，thatthereisanothersortofhappinessunattainableinthislifeandofwhichsheinvoluntarilythoughtatthatinstant。
EP1CH10
CHAPTERX
Natashahadmarriedintheearlyspringof1813，andin1820alreadyhadthreedaughtersbesidesasonforwhomshehadlongedandwhomshewasnownursing。Shehadgrownstouterandbroader，sothatitwasdifficulttorecognizeinthisrobust，motherlywomantheslim，livelyNatashaofformerdays。Herfeaturesweremoredefinedandhadacalm，soft，andsereneexpression。Inherfacetherewasnoneoftheever—glowinganimationthathadformerlyburnedthereandconstituteditscharm。Nowherfaceandbodywereofallthatonesaw，andhersoulwasnotvisibleatall。Allthatstrucktheeyewasastrong，handsome，andfertilewoman。Theoldfireveryrarelykindledinherfacenow。Thathappenedonlywhen，aswasthecasethatday，herhusbandreturnedhome，orasickchildwasconvalescent，orwhensheandCountessMaryspokeofPrinceAndrewshenevermentionedhimtoherhusband，whosheimaginedwasjealousofPrinceAndrew’smemory，orontherareoccasionswhensomethinghappenedtoinducehertosing，apracticeshehadquiteabandonedsincehermarriage。Attheraremomentswhentheoldfiredidkindleinherhandsome，fullydevelopedbodyshewasevenmoreattractivethaninformerdays。
SincetheirmarriageNatashaandherhusbandhadlivedinMoscow，inPetersburg，ontheirestatenearMoscow，orwithhermother，thatistosay，inNicholas’house。TheyoungCountessBezukhovawasnotoftenseeninsociety，andthosewhomethertherewerenotpleasedwithherandfoundherneitherattractivenoramiable。NotthatNatashalikedsolitude—shedidnotknowwhethershelikeditornot，sheeventhoughtthatshedidnot—butwithherpregnancies，herconfinements，thenursingofherchildren，andsharingeverymomentofherhusband’slife，shehaddemandsonhertimewhichcouldbesatisfiedonlybyrenouncingsociety。AllwhohadknownNatashabeforehermarriagewonderedatthechangeinherasatsomethingextraordinary。OnlytheoldcountesswithhermaternalinstincthadrealizedthatallNatasha’soutburstshadbeenduetoherneedofchildrenandahusband—assheherselfhadonceexclaimedatOtradnoenotsomuchinfunasinearnest—andhermotherwasnowsurprisedatthesurpriseexpressedbythosewhohadneverunderstoodNatasha，andshekeptsayingthatshehadalwaysknownthatNatashawouldmakeanexemplarywifeandmother。
\"Onlysheletsherloveofherhusbandandchildrenoverflowallbounds，\"saidthecountess，\"sothatitevenbecomesabsurd。\"
Natashadidnotfollowthegoldenruleadvocatedbycleverfolk，especiallybytheFrench，whichsaysthatagirlshouldnotletherselfgowhenshemarries，shouldnotneglectheraccomplishments，shouldbeevenmorecarefulofherappearancethanwhenshewasunmarried，andshouldfascinateherhusbandasmuchasshedidbeforehebecameherhusband。Natashaonthecontraryhadatonceabandonedallherwitchery，ofwhichhersinginghadbeenanunusuallypowerfulpart。Shegaveitupjustbecauseitwassopowerfullyseductive。Shetooknopainswithhermannersorwithofspeech，orwithhertoilet，ortoshowherselftoherhusbandinhermostbecomingattitudes，ortoavoidinconveniencinghimbybeingtooexacting。Sheactedincontradictiontoallthoserules。Shefeltthattheallurementsinstincthadformerlytaughthertousewouldnowbemerelyridiculousintheeyesofherhusband，towhomshehadfromthefirstmomentgivenherselfupentirely—thatis，withherwholesoul，leavingnocornerofithiddenfromhim。Shefeltthatherunitywithherhusbandwasnotmaintainedbythepoeticfeelingsthathadattractedhimtoher，butbysomethingelse—indefinitebutfirmasthebondbetweenherownbodyandsoul。
Tofluffouthercurls，putonfashionabledresses，andsingromanticsongstofascinateherhusbandwouldhaveseemedasstrangeastoadornherselftoattractherself。Toadornherselfforothersmightperhapshavebeenagreeable—shedidnotknow—butshehadnotimeatallforit。Thechiefreasonfordevotingnotimeeithertosinging，todress，ortochoosingherwordswasthatshereallyhadnotimetospareforthesethings。
Weknowthatmanhasthefacultyofbecomingcompletelyabsorbedinasubjecthowevertrivialitmaybe，andthatthereisnosubjectsotrivialthatitwillnotgrowtoinfiniteproportionsifone’sentireattentionisdevotedtoit。
ThesubjectwhichwhollyengrossedNatasha’sattentionwasherfamily：thatis，herhusbandwhomshehadtokeepsothatheshouldbelongentirelytoherandtothehome，andthechildrenwhomshehadtobear，bringintotheworld，nurse，andbringup。
Andthedeepershepenetrated，notwithhermindonlybutwithherwholesoul，herwholebeing，intothesubjectthatabsorbedher，thelargerdidthatsubjectgrowandtheweakerandmoreinadequatedidherpowersappear，sothatsheconcentratedthemwhollyonthatonethingandyetwasunabletoaccomplishallthatsheconsiderednecessary。
Therewerethenasnowconversationsanddiscussionsaboutwomen’srights，therelationsofhusbandandwifeandtheirfreedomandrights，thoughthesethemeswerenotyettermedquestionsastheyarenow；butthesetopicswerenotmerelyuninterestingtoNatasha，shepositivelydidnotunderstandthem。
Thesequestions，thenasnow，existedonlyforthosewhoseenothinginmarriagebutthepleasuremarriedpeoplegetfromoneanother，thatis，onlythebeginningsofmarriageandnotitswholesignificance，whichliesinthefamily。
Discussionsandquestionsofthatkind，whicharelikethequestionofhowtogetthegreatestgratificationfromone’sdinner，didnotthenanddonotnowexistforthoseforwhomthepurposeofadinneristhenourishmentitaffords；andthepurposeofmarriageisthefamily。
Ifthepurposeofdinneristonourishthebody，amanwhoeatstwodinnersatoncemayperhapsgetmoreenjoymentbutwillnotattainhispurpose，forhisstomachwillnotdigestthetwodinners。
Ifthepurposeofmarriageisthefamily，thepersonwhowishestohavemanywivesorhusbandsmayperhapsobtainmuchpleasure，butinthatcasewillnothaveafamily。
Ifthepurposeoffoodisnourishmentandthepurposeofmarriageisthefamily，thewholequestionresolvesitselfintonoteatingmorethanonecandigest，andnothavingmorewivesorhusbandsthanareneededforthefamily—thatis，onewifeoronehusband。Natashaneededahusband。Ahusbandwasgivenherandhegaveherafamily。
Andshenotonlysawnoneedofanyotherorbetterhusband，butasallthepowersofhersoulwereintentonservingthathusbandandfamily，shecouldnotimagineandsawnointerestinimagininghowitwouldbeifthingsweredifferent。
Natashadidnotcareforsocietyingeneral，butprizedthemorethesocietyofherrelatives—CountessMary，andherbrother，hermother，andSonya。Shevaluedthecompanyofthosetowhomshecouldcomestridingdisheveledfromthenurseryinherdressinggown，andwithjoyfulfaceshowayellowinsteadofagreenstainonbaby’snapkin，andfromwhomshecouldhearreassuringwordstotheeffectthatbabywasmuchbetter。
TosuchanextenthadNatashaletherselfgothatthewayshedressedanddidherhair，herill—chosenwords，andherjealousy—
shewasjealousofSonya，ofthegoverness，andofeverywoman，prettyorplain—werehabitualsubjectsofjesttothoseabouther。ThegeneralopinionwasthatPierrewasunderhiswife’sthumb，whichwasreallytrue。FromtheveryfirstdaysoftheirmarriedlifeNatashahadannouncedherdemands。Pierrewasgreatlysurprisedbyhiswife’sview，tohimaperfectlynovelone，thateverymomentofhislifebelongedtoherandtothefamily。Hiswife’sdemandsastonishedhim，buttheyalsoflatteredhim，andhesubmittedtothem。
Pierre’ssubjectionconsistedinthefactthathenotonlydarednotflirtwith，butdarednotevenspeaksmilinglyto，anyotherwoman；
didnotdaredineattheClubasapastime，didnotdarespendmoneyawhim，anddidnotdareabsenthimselfforanylengthoftime，exceptonbusiness—inwhichhiswifeincludedhisintellectualpursuits，whichshedidnotintheleastunderstandbuttowhichsheattributedgreatimportance。Tomakeupforthis，athomePierrehadtherighttoregulatehislifeandthatofthewholefamilyexactlyashechose。AthomeNatashaplacedherselfinthepositionofaslavetoherhusband，andthewholehouseholdwentontiptoewhenhewasoccupied—thatis，wasreadingorwritinginhisstudy。Pierrehadbuttoshowapartialityforanythingtogetjustwhathelikeddonealways。HehadonlytoexpressawishandNatashawouldjumpupandruntofulfillit。
TheentirehouseholdwasgovernedaccordingtoPierre’ssupposedorders，thatis，byhiswisheswhichNatashatriedtoguess。Theirwayoflifeandplaceofresidence，theiracquaintancesandties，Natasha’soccupations，thechildren’supbringing，wereallselectednotmerelywithregardtoPierre’sexpressedwishes，buttowhatNatashafromthethoughtsheexpressedinconversationsupposedhiswishestobe。Andshededucedtheessentialsofhiswishesquitecorrectly，andhavingoncearrivedatthemclungtothemtenaciously。WhenPierrehimselfwantedtochangehismindshewouldfighthimwithhisownweapons。
Thusinatimeoftroubleevermemorabletohimafterthebirthoftheirfirstchildwhowasdelicate，whentheyhadtochangethewetnursethreetimesandNatashafellillfromdespair，PierreonedaytoldherofRousseau’sview，withwhichhequiteagreed，thattohaveawetnurseisunnaturalandharmful。Whenhernextbabywasborn，despitetheoppositionofhermother，thedoctors，andevenofherhusbandhimself—whowereallvigorouslyopposedtohernursingherbabyherself，athingthenunheardofandconsideredinjurious—
sheinsistedonhavingherownway，andafterthatnursedallherbabiesherself。
Itveryoftenhappenedthatinamomentofirritationhusbandandwifewouldhaveadispute，butlongafterwardsPierretohissurpriseanddelightwouldfindinhiswife’sideasandactionstheverythoughtagainstwhichshehadargued，butdivestedofeverythingsuperfluousthatintheexcitementofthedisputehehadaddedwhenexpressinghisopinion。
AftersevenyearsofmarriagePierrehadthejoyousandfirmconsciousnessthathewasnotabadman，andhefeltthisbecausehesawhimselfreflectedinhiswife。Hefeltthegoodandbadwithinhimselfinextricablymingledandoverlapping。Butonlywhatwasreallygoodinhimwasreflectedinhiswife，allthatwasnotquitegoodwasrejected。Andthiswasnottheresultoflogicalreasoningbutwasadirectandmysteriousreflection。
EP1CH11
CHAPTERXI
TwomonthspreviouslywhenPierrewasalreadystayingwiththeRostovshehadreceivedaletterfromPrinceTheodore，askinghimtocometoPetersburgtoconferonsomeimportantquestionsthatwerebeingdiscussedtherebyasocietyofwhichPierrewasoneoftheprincipalfounders。
Onreadingthatlettershealwaysreadherhusband’sletters
NatashaherselfsuggestedthatheshouldgotoPetersburg，thoughshewouldfeelhisabsenceveryacutely。Sheattributedimmenseimportancetoallherhusband’sintellectualandabstractintereststhoughshedidnotunderstandthem，andshealwaysdreadedbeingahindrancetohiminsuchmatters。ToPierre’stimidlookofinquiryafterreadingthelettersherepliedbyaskinghimtogo，buttofixadefinitedateforhisreturn。Hewasgivenfourweeks’leaveofabsence。
Eversincethatleaveofabsencehadexpired，morethanafortnightbefore，Natashahadbeeninaconstantstateofalarm，depression，andirritability。
Denisov，nowageneralontheretiredlistandmuchdissatisfiedwiththepresentstateofaffairs，hadarrivedduringthatfortnight。HelookedatNatashawithsorrowandsurpriseasatabadlikenessofapersononcedear。Adull，dejectedlook，randomreplies，andtalkaboutthenurserywasallhesawandheardfromhisformerenchantress。
Natashawassadandirritableallthattime，especiallywhenhermother，herbrother，Sonya，orCountessMaryintheireffortstoconsolehertriedtoexcusePierreandsuggestedreasonsforhisdelayinreturning。
\"It’sallnonsense，allrubbish—thosediscussionswhichleadtonothingandallthoseidioticsocieties！\"Natashadeclaredoftheveryaffairsintheimmenseimportanceofwhichshefirmlybelieved。
AndshewouldgotothenurserytonursePetya，heronlyboy。Nooneelsecouldtellheranythingsocomfortingorsoreasonableasthislittlethree—month—oldcreaturewhenhelayatherbreastandshewasconsciousofthemovementofhislipsandthesnufflingofhislittlenose。Thatcreaturesaid：\"Youareangry，youarejealous，youwouldliketopayhimout，youareafraid—buthereamI！AndIamhe……\"andthatwasunanswerable。Itwasmorethantrue。
DuringthatfortnightofanxietyNatasharesortedtothebabyforcomfortsooften，andfussedoverhimsomuch，thatsheoverfedhimandhefellill。Shewasterrifiedbyhisillness，andyetthatwasjustwhatsheneeded。Whileattendingtohimsheboretheanxietyaboutherhusbandmoreeasily。
ShewasnursingherboywhenthesoundofPierre’ssleighwasheardatthefrontdoor，andtheoldnurse—knowinghowtopleasehermistress—enteredtheroominaudiblybuthurriedlyandwithabeamingface。
\"Hashecome？\"Natashaaskedquicklyinawhisper，afraidtomovelestsheshouldrousethedozingbaby。
\"He’scome，ma’am，\"whisperedthenurse。
ThebloodrushedtoNatasha’sfaceandherfeetinvoluntarilymoved，butshecouldnotjumpupandrunout。Thebabyagainopenedhiseyesandlookedather。\"You’rehere？\"heseemedtobesaying，andagainlazilysmackedhislips。
Cautiouslywithdrawingherbreast，Natasharockedhimalittle，handedhimtothenurse，andwentwithrapidstepstowardthedoor。
Butatthedoorshestoppedasifherconsciencereproachedherforhavinginherjoyleftthechildtoosoon，andsheglancedround。
Thenursewithraisedelbowswasliftingtheinfantovertherailofhiscot。
\"Go，ma’am！Don’tworry，go！\"shewhispered，smiling，withthekindoffamiliaritythatgrowsupbetweenanurseandhermistress。
Natasharanwithlightfootstepstotheanteroom。
Denisov，whohadcomeoutofthestudyintothedancingroomwithhispipe，nowforthefirsttimerecognizedtheoldNatasha。Afloodofbrilliant，joyfullightpouredfromhertransfiguredface。
\"He’scome！\"sheexclaimedassheranpast，andDenisovfeltthathetoowasdelightedthatPierre，whomhedidnotmuchcarefor，hadreturned。
OnreachingthevestibuleNatashasawatallfigureinafurcoatunwindinghisscarf。\"It’she！It’sreallyhe！Hehascome！\"shesaidtoherself，andrushingathimembracedhim，pressedhisheadtoherbreast，andthenpushedhimbackandgazedathisruddy，happyface，coveredwithhoarfrost。\"Yes，itishe，happyandcontented……\"
Thenallatoncesherememberedthetorturesofsuspenseshehadexperiencedforthelastfortnight，andthejoythathadlitupherfacevanished；shefrownedandoverwhelmedPierrewithatorrentofreproachesandangrywords。
\"Yes，it’sallverywellforyou。Youarepleased，you’vehadagoodtime……Butwhataboutme？Youmightatleasthaveshownconsiderationforthechildren。Iamnursingandmymilkwasspoiled……Petyawasatdeath’sdoor。Butyouwereenjoyingyourself。
Yes，enjoying……\"
Pierreknewhewasnottoblame，forhecouldnothavecomesooner；heknewthisoutburstwasunseemlyandwouldblowoverinaminuteortwo；aboveallheknewthathehimselfwasbrightandhappy。
Hewantedtosmilebutdarednoteventhinkofdoingso。Hemadeapiteous，frightenedfaceandbentdown。
\"Icouldnot，onmyhonor。ButhowisPetya？\"
\"Allrightnow。Comealong！Iwonderyou’renotashamed！IfonlyyoucouldseewhatIwaslikewithoutyou，howIsuffered！\"
\"Youarewell？\"
\"Come，come！\"shesaid，notlettinggoofhisarm。Andtheywenttotheirrooms。
WhenNicholasandhiswifecametolookforPierrehewasinthenurseryholdinghisbabyson，whowasagainawake，onhishugerightpalmanddandlinghim。Ablissfulbrightsmilewasfixedonthebaby’sbroadfacewithitstoothlessopenmouth。Thestormwaslongsinceoverandtherewasbright，joyoussunshineonNatasha’sfaceasshegazedtenderlyatherhusbandandchild。
\"AndhaveyoutalkedeverythingwelloverwithPrinceTheodore？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，capitally。\"
\"Yousee，heholdsitup。\"Shemeantthebaby’shead。\"Buthowhedidfrightenme……You’veseentheprincess？Isittrueshe’sinlovewiththat……\"
\"Yes，justfancy……\"
AtthatmomentNicholasandCountessMarycamein。Pierrewiththebabyonhishandstooped，kissedthem，andrepliedtotheirinquiries。
Butinspiteofmuchthatwasinterestingandhadtobediscussed，thebabywiththelittlecaponitsunsteadyheadevidentlyabsorbedallhisattention。
\"Howsweet！\"saidCountessMary，lookingatandplayingwiththebaby。\"Now，Nicholas，\"sheadded，turningtoherhusband，\"Ican’tunderstandhowitisyoudon’tseethecharmofthesedeliciousmarvels。\"
\"Idon’tandcan’t，\"repliedNicholas，lookingcoldlyatthebaby。
\"Alumpofflesh。Comealong，Pierre！\"
\"Andyethe’ssuchanaffectionatefather，\"saidCountessMary，vindicatingherhusband，\"butonlyaftertheyareayearoldorso……\"
\"Now，Pierrenursesthemsplendidly，\"saidNatasha。\"Hesayshishandisjustmadeforababy’sseat。Justlook！\"
\"Onlynotforthis……\"Pierresuddenlyexclaimedwithalaugh，andshiftingthebabyhegavehimtothenurse。
EP1CH12
CHAPTERXII
Asineverylargehousehold，therewereatBaldHillsseveralperfectlydistinctworldswhichmergedintooneharmoniouswhole，thougheachretaineditsownpeculiaritiesandmadeconcessionstotheothers。Everyevent，joyfulorsad，thattookplaceinthathousewasimportanttoalltheseworlds，buteachhaditsownspecialreasonstorejoiceorgrieveoverthatoccurrenceindependentlyoftheothers。
Forinstance，Pierre’sreturnwasajoyfulandimportanteventandtheyallfeltittobeso。
Theservants—themostreliablejudgesoftheirmastersbecausetheyjudgenotbytheirconversationorexpressionsoffeelingbutbytheiractsandwayoflife—weregladofPierre’sreturnbecausetheyknewthatwhenhewasthereCountNicholaswouldceasegoingeverydayattendtotheestate，andwouldwouldbeinbetterspiritsandtemper，andalsobecausetheywouldallreceivehandsomepresentsfortheholidays。
ThechildrenandtheirgovernessesweregladofPierre’sreturnbecausenooneelsedrewthemintothesociallifeofthehouseholdashedid。Healonecouldplayontheclavichordthatecossaisehisonlypiecetowhich，ashesaid，allpossibledancescouldbedanced，andtheyfeltsurehehadbroughtpresentsforthemall。
YoungNicholas，nowaslimladoffifteen，delicateandintelligent，withcurlylight—brownhairandbeautifuleyes，wasdelightedbecauseUnclePierreashecalledhimwastheobjectofhisrapturousandpassionateaffection。NoonehadinstilledintohimthisloveforPierrewhomhesawonlyoccasionally。CountessMarywhohadbroughthimuphaddoneherutmosttomakehimloveherhusbandasshelovedhim，andlittleNicholasdidlovehisuncle，butlovedhimwithjustashadeofcontempt。Pierre，however，headored。HedidnotwanttobeanhussaroraKnightofSt。GeorgelikehisuncleNicholas；hewantedtobelearned，wise，andkindlikePierre。InPierre’spresencehisfacealwaysshonewithpleasureandheflushedandwasbreathlesswhenPierrespoketohim。Hedidnotmissasinglewordheuttered，andwouldafterwards，withDessallesorbyhimself，recallandreconsiderthemeaningofeverythingPierrehadsaid。Pierre’spastlifeandhisunhappinesspriorto1812ofwhichyoungNicholashadformedavaguepoeticpicturefromsomewordshehadoverheard，hisadventuresinMoscow，hiscaptivity，PlatonKarataevofwhomhehadheardfromPierre，hisloveforNatashaofwhomtheladwasalsoparticularlyfond，andespeciallyPierre’sfriendshipwiththefatherwhomNicholascouldnotremember—allthismadePierreinhiseyesaheroandasaint。
FrombrokenremarksaboutNatashaandhisfather，fromtheemotionwithwhichPierrespokeofthatdeadfather，andfromthecareful，reverenttendernesswithwhichNatashaspokeofhim，theboy，whowasonlyjustbeginningtoguesswhatloveis，derivedthenotionthathisfatherhadlovedNatashaandwhendyinghadlefthertohisfriend。Butthefatherwhomtheboydidnotrememberappearedtohimadivinitywhocouldnotbepictured，andofwhomheneverthoughtwithoutaswellingheartandtearsofsadnessandrapture。SotheboyalsowashappythatPierrehadarrived。
TheguestswelcomedPierrebecausehealwayshelpedtoenlivenanduniteanycompanyhewasin。
Thegrown—upmembersofthefamily，nottomentionhiswife，werepleasedtohavebackafriendwhosepresencemadeliferunmoresmoothlyandpeacefully。
Theoldladieswerepleasedwiththepresentshebroughtthem，andespeciallythatNatashawouldnowbeherselfagain。
Pierrefeltthedifferentoutlooksofthesevariousworldsandmadehastetosatisfyalltheirexpectations。
Thoughthemostabsent—mindedandforgetfulofmen，Pierre，withtheaidofalisthiswifedrewup，hadnowboughteverything，notforgettinghismother—andbrother—in—law’scommissions，northedressmaterialforapresenttoBelova，nortoysforhiswife’snephews。
Intheearlydaysofhismarriageithadseemedstrangetohimthathiswifeshouldexpecthimnottoforgettoprocureallthethingsheundertooktobuy，andhehadbeentakenabackbyherseriousannoyancewhenonhisfirsttripheforgoteverything。Butintimehegrewusedtothisdemand。KnowingthatNatashaaskednothingforherself，andgavehimcommissionsforothersonlywhenhehimselfhadofferedtoundertakethem，henowfoundanunexpectedandchildlikepleasureinthispurchaseofpresentsforeveryoneinthehouse，andneverforgotanything。IfhenowincurredNatasha’scensureitwasonlyforbuyingtoomanyandtooexpensivethings。Toherotherdefectsasmostpeoplethoughtthem，butwhichtoPierrewerequalitiesofuntidinessandneglectofherself，shenowaddedstinginess。
FromthetimethatPierrebeganlifeasafamilymanonafootingentailingheavyexpenditure，hehadnoticedtohissurprisethathespentonlyhalfasmuchasbefore，andthathisaffairs—whichhadbeenindisorderoflate，chieflybecauseofhisfirstwife’sdebts—
hadbeguntoimprove。
Lifewascheaperbecauseitwascircumscribed：thatmostexpensiveluxury，thekindoflifethatcanbechangedatanymoment，wasnolongerhisnordidhewishforit。Hefeltthathiswayoflifehadnowbeensettledonceforalltilldeathandthattochangeitwasnotinhispower，andsothatwayoflifeprovedeconomical。
Withamerry，smilingfacePierrewassortinghispurchases。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofthis？\"saidhe，unrollingapieceofstufflikeashopman。
Natasha，whowassittingoppositetohimwithhereldestdaughteronherlap，turnedhersparklingeyesswiftlyfromherhusbandtothethingsheshowedher。
\"That’sforBelova？Excellent！\"Shefeltthequalityofthematerial。\"Itwasarubleanarshin，Isuppose？\"
Pierretoldhertheprice。
\"Toodear！\"Natasharemarked。\"HowpleasedthechildrenwillbeandMammatoo！Onlyyouneednothaveboughtmethis，\"sheadded，unabletosuppressasmileasshegazedadmiringlyatagoldcombsetwithpearls，ofakindthenjustcomingintofashion。
\"Adeletemptedme：shekeptontellingmetobuyit，\"returnedPierre。
\"WhenamItowearit？\"andNatashastuckitinhercoilofhair。
\"WhenItakelittleMashaintosociety？Perhapstheywillbefashionableagainbythen。Well，let’sgonow。\"
Andcollectingthepresentstheywentfirsttothenurseryandthentotheoldcountess’rooms。
ThecountesswassittingwithhercompanionBelova，playinggrand—patienceasusual，whenPierreandNatashacameintothedrawingroomwithparcelsundertheirarms。
Thecountesswasnowoversixty，wasquitegray，andworeacapwithafrillthatsurroundedherface。Herfacehadshriveled，herupperliphadsunkin，andhereyesweredim。
Afterthedeathsofhersonandhusbandinsuchrapidsuccession，shefeltherselfabeingaccidentallyforgotteninthisworldandleftwithoutaimorobjectforherexistence。Sheate，drank，slept，orkeptawake，butdidnotlive。Lifegavehernonewimpressions。Shewantednothingfromlifebuttranquillity，andthattranquillityonlydeathcouldgiveher。Butuntildeathcameshehadtogoonliving，thatis，tousehervitalforces。Apeculiarityoneseesinveryyoungchildrenandveryoldpeoplewasparticularlyevidentinher。Herlifehadnoexternalaims—onlyaneedtoexercisehervariousfunctionsandinclinationswasapparent。Shehadtoeat，sleep，think，speak，weep，work，giveventtoheranger，andsoon，merelybecauseshehadastomach，abrain，muscles，nerves，andaliver。Shedidthesethingsnotunderanyexternalimpulseaspeopleinthefullvigoroflifedo，whenbehindthepurposeforwhichtheystrivethatofexercisingtheirfunctionsremainsunnoticed。Shetalkedonlybecauseshephysicallyneededtoexercisehertongueandlungs。Shecriedasachilddoes，becausehernosehadtobecleared，andsoon。Whatforpeopleintheirfullvigorisanaimwasforherevidentlymerelyapretext。
Thusinthemorning—especiallyifshehadeatenanythingrichthedaybefore—shefeltaneedofbeingangryandwouldchooseasthehandiestpretextBelova’sdeafness。
Shewouldbegintosaysomethingtoherinalowtonefromtheotherendoftheroom。
\"Itseemsalittlewarmertoday，mydear，\"shewouldmurmur。
AndwhenBelovareplied：\"Ohyes，they’vecome，\"shewouldmutterangrily：\"OLord！Howstupidanddeafsheis！\"
Anotherpretextwouldbehersnuff，whichwouldseemtoodryortoodampornotrubbedfineenough。Afterthesefitsofirritabilityherfacewouldgrowyellow，andhermaidsknewbyinfalliblesymptomswhenBelovawouldagainbedeaf，thesnuffdamp，andthecountess’faceyellow。Justassheneededtoworkoffherspleensoshehadsometimestoexerciseherstill—existingfacultyofthinking—andthepretextforthatwasagameofpatience。Whensheneededtocry，thedeceasedcountwouldbethepretext。Whenshewantedtobeagitated，Nicholasandhishealthwouldbethepretext，andwhenshefeltaneedtospeakspitefully，thepretextwouldbeCountessMary。Whenhervocalorgansneededexercise，whichwasusuallytowardseveno’clockwhenshehadhadanafter—dinnerrestinadarkenedroom，thepretextwouldbetheretellingofthesamestoriesoverandoveragaintothesameaudience。
Theoldlady’sconditionwasunderstoodbythewholehouseholdthoughnooneeverspokeofit，andtheyallmadeeverypossibleefforttosatisfyherneeds。OnlybyarareglanceexchangedwithasadsmilebetweenNicholas，Pierre，Natasha，andCountessMarywasthecommonunderstandingofherconditionexpressed。
Butthoseglancesexpressedsomethingmore：theysaidthatshehadplayedherpartinlife，thatwhattheynowsawwasnotherwholeself，thatwemustallbecomelikeher，andthattheyweregladtoyieldtoher，torestrainthemselvesforthisoncepreciousbeingformerlyasfulloflifeasthemselves，butnowsomuchtobepitied。\"Mementomori，\"saidtheseglances。
Onlythereallyheartless，thestupidonesofthathousehold，andthelittlechildrenfailedtounderstandthisandavoidedher。
EP1CH13
CHAPTERXIII
WhenPierreandhiswifeenteredthedrawingroomthecountesswasinoneofhercustomarystatesinwhichsheneededthementalexertionofplayingpatience，andso—thoughbyforceofhabitshegreetedhimwiththewordsshealwaysusedwhenPierreorhersonreturnedafteranabsence：\"Hightime，mydear，hightime！Wewereallwearyofwaitingforyou。Well，thankGod！\"andreceivedherpresentswithanothercustomaryremark：\"It’snotthegiftthat’sprecious，mydear，butthatyougiveittome，anoldwoman……\"—yetitwasevidentthatshewasnotpleasedbyPierre’sarrivalatthatmomentwhenitdivertedherattentionfromtheunfinishedgame。
Shefinishedhergameofpatienceandonlythenexaminedthepresents。Theyconsistedofaboxforcards，ofsplendidworkmanship，abright—blueSevresteacupwithshepherdessesdepictedonitandwithalid，andagoldsnuffboxwiththecount’sportraitonthelidwhichPierrehadhaddonebyaminiaturistinPetersburg。Thecountesshadlongwishedforsuchabox，butasshedidnotwanttocryjustthensheglancedindifferentlyattheportraitandgaveherattentionchieflytotheboxforcards。
\"Thankyou，mydear，youhavecheeredmeup，\"saidsheasshealwaysdid。\"Butbestofallyouhavebroughtyourselfback—forIneversawanythinglikeit，yououghttogiveyourwifeascolding！Whatarewetodowithher？Sheislikeamadwomanwhenyouareaway。
Doesn’tseeanything，doesn’trememberanything，\"shewenton，repeatingherusualphrases。\"Look，AnnaTimofeevna，\"sheaddedtohercompanion，\"seewhataboxforcardsmysonhasbroughtus！\"
Belovaadmiredthepresentsandwasdelightedwithherdressmaterial。
ThoughPierre，Natasha，Nicholas，CountessMary，andDenisovhadmuchtotalkaboutthattheycouldnotdiscussbeforetheoldcountess—notthatanythingwashiddenfromher，butbecauseshehaddroppedsofarbehindhandinmanythingsthathadtheybeguntoconverseinherpresencetheywouldhavehadtoanswerinopportunequestionsandtorepeatwhattheyhadalreadytoldhermanytimes：
thatso—and—sowasdeadandso—and—sowasmarried，whichshewouldagainbeunabletoremember—yettheysatattearoundthesamovarinthedrawingroomfromhabit，andPierreansweredthecountess’
questionsastowhetherPrinceVasilihadagedandwhetherCountessMaryAlexeevnahadsentgreetingsandstillthoughtofthem，andothermattersthatinterestednooneandtowhichsheherselfwasindifferent。
Conversationofthiskind，interestingtonooneyetunavoidable，continuedallthroughteatime。Allthegrown—upmembersofthefamilywereassembledneartheroundteatableatwhichSonyapresidedbesidethesamovar。Thechildrenwiththeirtutorsandgovernesseshadhadteaandtheirvoiceswereaudiblefromthenextroom。Atteaallsatintheiraccustomedplaces：Nicholasbesidethestoveatasmalltablewherehisteawashandedtohim；Milka，theoldgrayborzoibitchdaughterofthefirstMilka，withaquitegrayfaceandlargeblackeyesthatseemedmoreprominentthanever，layonthearmchairbesidehim；Denisov，whosecurlyhair，mustache，andwhiskershadturnedhalfgray，satbesidecountessMarywithhisgeneral’stunicunbuttoned；Pierresatbetweenhiswifeandtheoldcountess。Hespokeofwhatheknewmightinteresttheoldladyandthatshecouldunderstand。Hetoldherofexternalsocialeventsandofthepeoplewhohadformedthecircleofhercontemporariesandhadoncebeenareal，living，anddistinctgroup，butwhowerenowforthemostpartscatteredabouttheworldandlikeherselfweregarneringthelastearsoftheharveststheyhadsowninearlieryears。Buttotheoldcountessthosecontemporariesofhersseemedtobetheonlyseriousandrealsociety。NatashasawbyPierre’sanimationthathisvisithadbeeninterestingandthathehadmuchtotellthembutdarenotsayitbeforetheoldcountess。Denisov，notbeingamemberofthefamily，didnotunderstandPierre’scautionandbeing，asamalcontent，muchinterestedinwhatwasoccurringinPetersburg，kepturgingPierretotellthemaboutwhathadhappenedintheSemenovskregiment，thenaboutArakcheev，andthenabouttheBibleSociety。OnceortwicePierrewascarriedawayandbegantospeakofthesethings，butNicholasandNatashaalwaysbroughthimbacktothehealthofPrinceIvanandCountessMaryAlexeevna。
\"Well，andallthisidiocy—GossnerandTatawinova？\"Denisovasked。\"Isthatweallystillgoingon？\"
\"Goingon？\"Pierreexclaimed。\"Whymorethanever！TheBibleSocietyisthewholegovernmentnow！\"
\"Whatisthat，moncherami？\"askedthecountess，whohadfinishedherteaandevidentlyneededapretextforbeingangryafterhermeal。\"Whatareyousayingaboutthegovernment？Idon’tunderstand。\"
\"Well，youknow，Maman，\"Nicholasinterposed，knowinghowtotranslatethingsintohismother’slanguage，\"PrinceAlexanderGolitsynhasfoundedasocietyandinconsequencehasgreatinfluence，theysay。\"
\"ArakcheevandGolitsyn，\"incautiouslyremarkedPierre，\"arenowthewholegovernment！Andwhatagovernment！Theyseetreasoneverywhereandareafraidofeverything。\"
\"Well，andhowisPrinceAlexandertoblame？Heisamostestimableman。IusedtomeethimatMaryAntonovna’s，\"saidthecountessinanoffendedtone；andstillmoreoffendedthattheyallremainedsilent，shewenton：\"Nowadayseveryonefindsfault。AGospelSociety！Well，andwhatharmisthereinthat？\"andsheroseeverybodyelsegotuptooandwithasevereexpressionsailedbacktohertableinthesittingroom。
Themelancholysilencethatfollowedwasbrokenbythesoundsofthechildren’svoicesandlaughterfromthenextroom。Evidentlysomejollyexcitementwasgoingonthere。
\"Finished，finished！\"littleNatasha’sgleefulyellroseabovethemall。
PierreexchangedglanceswithCountessMaryandNicholasNatashaheneverlostsightofandsmiledhappily。
\"That’sdelightfulmusic！\"saidhe。
\"ItmeansthatAnnaMakarovnahasfinishedherstocking，\"saidCountessMary。
\"Oh，I’llgoandsee，\"saidPierre，jumpingup。\"Youknow，\"headded，stoppingatthedoor，\"whyI’mespeciallyfondofthatmusic？
Itisalwaysthefirstthingthattellsmealliswell。WhenIwasdrivingheretoday，thenearerIgottothehousethemoreanxiousI
grew。AsIenteredtheanteroomIheardAndrusha’spealsoflaughterandthatmeantthatallwaswell。\"
\"Iknow！Iknowthatfeeling，\"saidNicholas。\"ButImustn’tgothere—thosestockingsaretobeasurpriseforme。\"
Pierrewenttothechildren，andtheshoutingandlaughtergrewstilllouder。
\"Come，AnnaMakarovna，\"Pierre’svoicewasheardsaying，\"comehereintothemiddleoftheroomandatthewordofcommand，’One，two，’andwhenIsay’three’……Youstandhere，andyouinmyarms—
wellnow！One，two！……\"saidPierre，andasilencefollowed：
\"three！\"andarapturouslybreathlesscryofchildren’svoicesfilledtheroom。\"Two，two！\"theyshouted。
Thismeanttwostockings，whichbyasecretprocessknownonlytoherselfAnnaMakarovnausedtoknitatthesametimeonthesameneedles，andwhich，whentheywereready，shealwaystriumphantlydrew，oneoutoftheother，inthechildren’spresence。