“Mindthere’snoholdinghimup！”shoutedanother。

“I’mforDolohov！”shoutedathird。“Holdthestakes，Kuragin。”

“Isay，letMishkabe，we’rebetting。”

“Allatagoorthewager’slost！”criedafourth。

“Yakov，giveusabottle，Yakov！”shoutedAnatolehimself，atall，handsomefellow，standinginthemiddleoftheroom，innothingbutathinshirt，openoverhischest。“Stop，gentlemen。Hereheis，here’sPetrusha，thedearfellow。”HeturnedtoPierre。

Amanofmediumheightwithbrightblueeyes，especiallyremarkablefromlookingsoberinthemidstofthedrunkenuproar，shoutedfromthewindow:“Comehere。I’llexplainthebets！”ThiswasDolohov，anofficeroftheSemenovregiment，anotoriousgamblerandduellist，whowaslivingwithAnatole。Pierresmiled，lookinggood—humouredlyabouthim。

“Idon’tunderstand。What’sthepoint？”

“Waitaminute，he’snotdrunk。Abottlehere，”saidAnatole；andtakingaglassfromthetablehewentuptoPierre。

“Firstofall，youmustdrink。”

Pierrebegandrinkingoffglassafterglass，lookingfromunderhisbrowsatthedrunkengroup，whohadcrowdedaboutthewindowagain，andlisteningtotheirtalk。AnatolekepthisglassfilledandtoldhimthatDolohovhadmadeabetwithanEnglishman，Stevens，asailorwhowasstayinghere，thathe，Dolohov，woulddrinkabottleofrumsittinginthethirdstorywindowwithhislegshangingdownoutside。

“Come，emptythebottle，”saidAnatole，givingPierrethelastglass，“orIwon’tletyougo！”

“No，Idon’twantto，”saidPierre，shovingAnatoleaway；andhewentuptothewindow。

DolohovwasholdingtheEnglishman’shandandexplainingdistinctlythetermsofthebet，addressinghimselfprincipallytoAnatoleandPierre。

Dolohovwasamanofmediumheight，withcurlyhairandclearblueeyes。Hewasfive—and—twenty。Likeallinfantryofficersheworenomoustache，sothathismouth，themoststrikingfeatureinhisface，wasnotconcealed。Thelinesofthatmouthwereextremelydelicatelychiselled。Theupperlipclosedvigorouslyinasharpwedge—shapeonthefirmlowerone，andatthecornersthemouthalwaysformedsomethingliketwosmiles，oneateachside，andaltogether，especiallyinconjunctionwiththeresolute，insolent，shrewdlookofhiseyes，madesuchanimpressionthatitwasimpossibletooverlookhisface。Dolohovwasamanofsmallmeansandnoconnections。AndyetthoughAnatolewasspendingtenthousandayear，DolohovlivedwithhimandsucceededinsoregulatingthepositionthatAnatoleandallwhoknewthemrespectedDolohovmorethanAnatole。Dolohovplayedateverysortofgame，andalmostalwayswon。Howevermuchhedrank，hisbrainneverlostitsclearness。BothKuraginandDolohovwereatthattimenotoriousfiguresinthefastanddissipatedworldinPetersburg。

Thebottleofrumwasbrought:thewindow—frame，whichhinderedanyonesittingontheoutsidesillofthewindow，wasbeingbrokenoutbytwofootmen，obviouslyflurriedandintimidatedbytheshoutsanddirectionsgivenbythegentlemenaroundthem。

Anatolewithhisswaggeringaircameuptothewindow。Hewaslongingtobreaksomething。Heshovedthefootmenasideandpulledattheframe，buttheframedidnotgive。Hesmashedapane。

“Nowthen，you’rethestrongman，”heturnedtoPierre。Pierretookholdofthecrossbeam，tugged，andwithacrashwrenchedtheoakframeout。

“Allout，orthey’llthinkI’mholdingon，”saidDolohov。

“TheEnglishman’sbragging…it’safinefeat…eh？”saidAnatole。

“Fine，”saidPierre，lookingatDolohov，whowiththebottleinhishandhadgoneuptothewindow，fromwhichthelightoftheskycouldbeseenandtheglowofmorningandofeveningmeltingintoit。Dolohovjumpedupontothewindow，holdingthebottleofruminhishand。“Listen！”heshouted，standingonthesillandfacingtheroom。Everyonewassilent。

“Itakeabet”（hespokeinFrenchthattheEnglishmanmighthearhim，andspokeitnonetoowell）…“Itakeabetforfiftyimperials—liketomakeitahundred？”headded，turningtotheEnglishman。

“Nó，fifty，”saidtheEnglishman。

“Good，forfiftyimperials，thatI’lldrinkoffawholebottleofrumwithouttakingitfrommylips。I’lldrinkitsittingoutsidethewindow，hereonthisplace”（hebentdownandpointedtotheslopingprojectionofthewalloutsidethewindow）…“andwithoutholdingontoanything。…Thatright？”

“Allright，”saidtheEnglishman。

AnatoleturnedtotheEnglishmanandtakinghimbythebuttonofhiscoat，andlookingdownathim（theEnglishmanwasashortman），hebeganrepeatingthetermsofthewagerinEnglish。

“Waitaminute！”shoutedDolohov，strikingthebottleonthewindowtocallattention。“Waitaminute，Kuragin；listen:ifanyonedoesthesamething，I’llpayhimahundredimperials。Doyouunderstand？”

TheEnglishmannoddedwithoutmakingitplainwhetherbeintendedtotakethisnewbetornot。

AnatolepersistedinkeepingholdoftheEnglishman，andalthoughthelatter，nodding，gavehimtounderstandthathecomprehendedfully，AnatoletranslatedDolohov’swordsintoEnglish。Athin，youthfulhussar，whohadbeenlosingatcardsthatevening，slippeduptothewindow，pokedhisheadoutandlookeddown。

“Oo！…oo！…oo！”hesaidlookingoutofthewindowatthepavementbelow。

“Shutup！”criedDolohov，andhepushedtheofficeraway，sothat，trippingoverhisspurs，hewentskippingawkwardlyintotheroom。

Settingthebottleonthewindow—sill，soastohaveitwithinreach，Dolohovclimbedslowlyandcarefullyintothewindow。Loweringhislegsover，withbothhandsspreadopenonthewindow—ledge，hetriedtheposition，seatedhimself，lethishandsgo，movedalittletotheright，andthentotheleft，andtookthebottle。Anatolebroughttwocandles，andsetthemonthewindow—ledge，sothatitwasquitelight。Dolohov’sbackinhiswhiteshirtandhiscurlyheadwerelighteduponbothsides。Allcrowdedroundthewindow。TheEnglishmanstoodinfront。Pierresmiled，andsaidnothing。Oneoftheparty，ratherolderthantherest，suddenlycameforwardwithascaredandangryface，andtriedtoclutchDolohovbyhisshirt。

“Gentlemen，thisisidiocy；he’llbekilled，”saidthismoresensibleman。

Anatolestoppedhim。

“Don’ttouchhim；you’llstartlehimandhe’llbekilled。Eh？…Whatthen，eh？”

Dolohovturned，balancinghimself，andagainspreadinghishandsout。

“Ifanyonetakesholdofmeagain，”hesaid，lettinghiswordsdroponebyonethroughhisthin，tightlycompressedlips，“I’llthrowhimdownfromhere。Now…”

Saying“now，”heturnedagain，lethishandsdrop，tookthebottleandputittohislips，benthisheadbackandheldhisdisengagedhandupwardstokeephisbalance。Oneofthefootmenwhohadbegunclearingawaythebrokenglass，stoppedstillinastoopingposture，hiseyesfixedonthewindowandDolohov’sback。Anatolestoodupright，withwide—openeyes。TheEnglishmanstaredfromoneside，pursinguphislips。Themanwhohadtriedtostopit，hadretreatedtothecorneroftheroom，andlayonthesofawithhisfacetothewall。Pierrehidhisface，andasmilestrayedforgottenuponit，thoughitwasfullofterrorandfear。Allweresilent。Pierretookhishandsfromhiseyes；Dolohovwasstillsittinginthesameposition，onlyhisheadwassofarbentbackthathiscurlstouchedhisshirtcollar，andthehandwiththebottlerosehigherandhigher，tremblingwithevidenteffort。Evidentlythebottlewasnearlyempty，andsowastippedhigher，throwingtheheadback。“Whyisitsolong？”thoughtPierre。Itseemedtohimthatmorethanhalfanhourhadpassed。SuddenlyDolohovmadeabackwardmovementofthespine，andhisarmtremblednervously；thiswasenoughtodisplacehiswholebodyashesatontheslopingprojection。Hemovedallover，andhisarmandheadtrembledstillmoreviolentlywiththestrain。Onehandrosetoclutchatthewindow—ledge，butitdroppedagain。Pierreshuthiseyesoncemore，andsaidtohimselfthathewouldneveropenthemagain。Suddenlyhewasawareofageneralstirabouthim。Heglancedup，Dolohovwasstandingonthewindow—ledge，hisfacewaspaleandfullofmerriment。

“Empty！”

HetossedthebottletotheEnglishman，whocaughtitneatly。Dolohovjumpeddownfromthewindow。Hesmeltverystronglyofrum。

“Capital！Bravo！That’ssomethinglikeabet。You’readevilofafellow！”cameshoutsfromallsides。

TheEnglishmantookouthispurseandcountedoutthemoney。Dolohovfrownedanddidnotspeak。Pierredasheduptothewindow。

“Gentlemen。Who’lltakeabetwithme？I’lldothesame！”heshoutedsuddenly。“Idon’tcareaboutbetting；seehere，tellthemtogivemeabottle。I’lldoit。…Tellthemtogiveithere。”

“Lethim，lethim！”saidDolohov，smiling。

“What，areyoumad？Noonewouldletyou。Why，youturngiddygoingdownstairs，”variouspersonsprotested。

“I’lldrinkit；givemethebottleofrum，”roaredPierre，strikingthetablewitharesolute，drunkengesture，andheclimbedintothewindow。Theyclutchedathisarms；buthewassostrongthatheshovedeveryonefarawaywhocamenearhim。

“No，there’snomanaginghimlikethat，”saidAnatole。“Waitabit，I’llgetroundhim。…Listen，I’lltakeyourbet，butforto—morrow，forwe’reallgoingonnowto…”

“Yes，comealong，”shoutedPierre，“comealong。…AndtakeMishkawithus。”…Andhecaughtholdofthebear，andembracingitandliftingitup，beganwaltzingroundtheroomwithit。

Chapter7

PRINCEVASSILYkeptthepromisehehadmadeatAnnaPavlovna’ssoiréetoPrincessDrubetskoy，whohadpetitionedhiminfavourofheronlysonBoris。HiscasehadbeenlaidbeforetheEmperor，andthoughitwasnottobeaprecedentforothers，hereceivedacommissionassub—lieutenantintheGuardsoftheSemenovskyregiment。ButthepostofanadjutantorattachéinKutuzov’sservicewasnottobeobtainedforBorisbyallAnnaMihalovna’seffortsandentreaties。ShortlyafterthegatheringatAnnaPavlovna’s，AnnaMihalovnawentbacktoMoscowtoherrichrelativestheRostovs，withwhomshestayedinMoscow。ItwaswiththeserelationsthatheradoredBorinka，whohadonlyrecentlyenteredaregimentoftheline，andwasnowatoncetransferredtotheGuardsasasub—lieutenant，hadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodandhadlivedforyears。TheGuardshadalreadyleftPetersburgonthe10thofAugust，andherson，whowasremaininginMoscowtogethisequipment，wastoovertakethemontheroadtoRadzivilov。

TheRostovswerekeepingthename—dayofthemotherandtheyoungerdaughter，bothcalledNatalya。Eversincethemorning，coacheswithsixhorseshadbeenincessantlydrivingtoandfromtheCountessRostov’sbighouseinPovarsky，whichwasknowntoallMoscow。Thecountessandherhandsomesteldestdaughterweresittinginthedrawing—roomwiththeirvisitors，whocameincontinualsuccessiontopresenttheircongratulationstotheelderlady。

ThecountesswasawomanwithathinfaceofOrientalcast，forty—fiveyearsold，andobviouslyexhaustedbychild—bearing。Shehadhadtwelvechildren。Thedeliberateslownessofhermovementsandconversation，arisingfromweakhealth，gaveheranairofdignitywhichinspiredrespect。PrincessAnnaMihalovnaDrubetskoy，asanintimatefriendofthefamily，satwiththemassistingintheworkofreceivingandentertainingtheirguests。Theyoungermembersofthefamilywereinthebackrooms，notseeingfittotakepartinreceivingvisitors。Thecountmethisvisitorsandescortedthemtothedoor，invitingallofthemtodinner。

“Iamvery，verygratefultoyou，moncher”or“machère，”hesaidtoeveryonewithoutexception（makingnottheslightestdistinctionbetweenpersonsofhigheroroflowerstandingthanhisown），“formyselfandmytwodearoneswhosename—daywearekeeping。Mindyoucometodinner。Ishallbeoffendedifyoudon’t，moncher。Ibegyoumostsincerelyfromallthefamily，mydear。”Thesewords，invariablyaccompaniedbythesameexpressiononhisfull，good—humoured，clean—shavenface，andthesamewarmpressureofthehand，andrepeatedshortbows，hesaidtoallwithoutexceptionorvariation。Whenhehadescortedoneguesttothehall，thecountreturnedtothegentlemanorladywhowasstillinthedrawing—room。Movingupachair，andwiththeairofamanfondofsocietyandathomeinit，hewouldsitdown，hislegsjauntilyapart，andhishandsonhisknees，andswaytoandfrowithdignityasheprofferedsurmisesupontheweather，gaveadviceabouthealth，sometimesinRussian，sometimesinverybadbutcomplacentFrench。Thenagainhewouldgetup，andwiththeairofamanwearybutresoluteintheperformanceofhisduty，hewouldescortguestsout，strokinguphisgreyhairoverhisbaldpatch，andagainhewouldurgethemtocometodinner。Sometimesonhiswaybackfromthehall，hewouldpassthroughtheconservatoryandthebutler’sroomintoabigroomwithamarblefloor，wheretheyweresettingatableforeightyguests；andlookingatthewaiterswhowerebringinginthesilverandchina，settingouttablesandunfoldingdamasktablecloths，hewouldcallupDmitryVassilyevitch，ayoungmanofgoodfamily，whoperformedthedutiesofastewardinhishousehold，andwouldsay:“Nowthen，Mitenka，mindeverything’sright。That’sit，that’sit，”hewouldsay，lookingroundwithpleasureattheimmensetableopenedouttoitsfullextent；“thegreatthingistheservice。So，so。”…Andhewentoffagainwithasighofsatisfactiontothedrawing—room。

“MaryaLvovnaKaraginandherdaughter，”thecountess’shugefootmanannouncedinadeepbassatthedrawing—roomdoor。Thecountessthoughtamoment，andtookapinchfromagoldensnuff—boxwithherhusband’sportraitonit。

“I’mwornoutwiththesecallers，”shesaid；“well，thisisthelastoneI’llsee。She’ssoaffected。Showherup，”shesaidinadejectedtone，asthoughsheweresaying，“Verywell，finishmeoffentirely！”

Atall，stout，haughty—lookingladyandherround—faced，smilingdaughterwalkedwithrustlingskirtsintothedrawing—room。

“Dearcountess，itissuchalongtime…shehasbeenlaidup，poorchild…attheRazumovskys’ball，andtheCountessApraxin…Iwassoglad，”femininevoiceschatteredbriskly，interruptingoneanotherandminglingwiththesoundofrustlingskirtsandthescrapingofchairs。Conversationbeganofthesortwhichiskeptupjustlongenoughforthecallertogetupatthefirstpause，rustlingherskirtsandwithamurmurof“Iamsocharmed；mamma’shealth…andtheCountessApraxin…”walkoutagainwiththesamerustletothehalltoputoncloakorovercoatanddriveaway。Theconversationtouchedonthechiefitemsofnewsinthetown，ontheillnessofthewealthyoldCountBezuhov，amanwhohadbeenrenownedforhispersonalbeautyinthedaysofCatherine，andonhisillegitimateson，Pierre，whohadbehavedsoimproperlyatasoiréeatAnnaPavlovna’s。“Iamverysorryforthepoorcount，”declaredthevisitor；“hishealthinsuchaprecariousstate，andnowthisdistresscausedhimbyhisson；itwillbethedeathofhim！”

“Why，whathashappened？”askedthecountess，asthoughshedidnotknowwhatwasmeant，thoughshehadheardaboutthecauseofCountBezuhov’sdistressfifteentimesalready。

“Thisiswhatcomesofmoderneducation！Whenhewasabroad，”thevisitorpursued，“thisyoungmanwaslefttohisowndevices，andnowinPetersburg，theysay，hehasbeendoingsuchatrociousthingsthathehasbeensentawayunderpoliceescort。”

“Really！”saidthecountess。

“Hehasmadeabadchoiceofhiscompanions，”putinPrincessAnnaMihalovna。“PrinceVassily’sson—heandayoungmancalledDolohov，theysay—Godonlyknowsthedreadfulthingsthey’vebeendoing。Andbothhavesufferedforit。Dolohovhasbeendegradedtotherankofacommonsoldier，whileBezuhov’ssonhasbeenbanishedtoMoscow。AstoAnatoleKuragin…hisfathermanagedtohushitupsomehow。ButhehasbeensentoutofPetersburgtoo。”

“Why，whatdidtheydo？”askedthecountess。

“They’reperfectruffians，especiallyDolohov，”saidthevisitor。“He’sthesonofMaryaIvanovnaDolohov，suchaworthywoman，youknow，butthere！Onlyfancy，thethreeofthemhadgotholdofabearsomewhere，putitinacarriagewiththem，andweretakingittosomeactress’s。Thepoliceranuptostopthem。Theytookthepoliceofficer，tiedhimbacktobacktothebear，anddroppedthebearintotheMoika:thebearswamwiththepoliceofficeronhim。”

“Aprettyfigurehemusthavelooked，machère，”criedthecount，helplesswithlaughter。

“Ah，suchahorror！Whatistheretolaughatinit，count？”

Buttheladiescouldnothelplaughingatitthemselves。

“Itwasalltheycoulddotorescuetheunluckyman，”thevisitorwenton。“Andthat’stheintellectualsortofamusementthesonofCountKirillVladimirovitchBezuhovindulgesin！”sheadded。“Andpeoplesaidhewassowelleducatedandclever。That’showforeigneducationturnsout。Ihopenoonewillreceivehimhere，inspiteofhisgreatwealth。Theytriedtointroducehimtome。Igaveanabsoluterefusal:Ihavedaughters。”

“Whatmakesyousaytheyoungmanissowealthy？”askedthecountess，turningawayfromthegirls，whoatoncelookedasthoughtheydidnothear。“Hehasnonebutillegitimatechildren。Ibelievethat…Pierretooisillegitimate。”

Thevisitorwavedherhand。“Hehasascoreofthem，Isuppose。”

PrincessAnnaMihalovnainterposed，obviouslywishingtoshowherconnectionsandintimateknowledgewitheverydetailinsociety。

“Thisishowthematterstands，”shesaidmeaningly，speakinginahalfwhisper。“CountKirillVladimirovitch’sreputationweallknow。…Hehaslostcountofhisownchildren，indeed，butthisPierrewashisfavourite。”

“Howhandsometheoldmanwas，”saidthecountess，“onlylastyear！Afiner—lookingmanIhaveneverseen。”

“Nowhe’sverymuchaltered，”saidAnnaMihalovna。“Well，Iwasjustsaying，”shewenton，“thedirectheirtoallthepropertyisPrinceVassilythroughhiswife，butthefatherisveryfondofPierre，hastakentroubleoverhiseducation，andhehaswrittentotheEmperor…sothatnoonecantell，ifhedies（he’ssoillthatit’sexpectedanymoment，andLorrainhascomefromPetersburg），whomthatimmensepropertywillcometo，PierreorPrinceVassily。Fortythousandserfsandmillionsofmoney。Iknowthisforafact，forPrinceVassilyhimselftoldmeso。AndindeedKirillVladimirovitchhappenstobeathirdcousinofmineonmymother’sside，andhe’sBoris’sgodfathertoo，”sheadded，apparentlyattachingnoimportancetothiscircumstance。

“PrinceVassilyarrivedinMoscowyesterday。He’scomingonsomeinspectionbusiness，soIwastold，”saidthevisitor。

“Yes，betweenourselves，”saidtheprincess，“that’sapretext；hehascomesimplytoseePrinceKirillVladimirovitch，hearinghewasinsuchaseriousstate。”

“But，really，machère，thatwasacapitalpieceoffun，”saidthecount；andseeingthattheeldervisitordidnothearhim，heturnedtotheyoungladies。“Afunnyfigurethepoliceofficermusthavelooked；Icanjustfancyhim。”

Andshowinghowthepoliceofficerwavedhisarmsabout，hewentoffagainintohisrichbasslaugh，hissidesshakingwithmirth，aspeopledolaughwhoalwayseatand，stillmore，drinkwell。“Thendo，please，cometodinnerwithus，”hesaid。

Chapter8

ASILENCEfollowed。Thecountesslookedatherguest，smilingaffably，butstillnotdisguisingthefactthatshewouldnottakeitatallamissnowiftheguestweretogetupandgo。Thedaughterwasalreadyfingeringatthefoldsofhergownandlookinginterrogativelyathermother，whensuddenlytheyheardinthenextroomseveralgirlsandboysrunningtothedoor，andthegratingsoundofachairknockedoverandagirlofthirteenranin，hidingsomethinginhershortmuslinpetticoat，andstoppedshortinthemiddleoftheroom。Shehadevidentlyboundedsofarbymistake，unabletostopinherflight。Atthesameinstantthereappearedinthedoorwayastudentwithacrimsonbandonhiscollar，ayoungofficerintheGuards，agirloffifteen，andafat，rosy—cheekedboyinachild’ssmock。

Theprincejumpedup，andswayingfromsidetoside，heldhisarmsoutwideroundthelittlegirl。

“Ah，heresheis！”hecried，laughing。“Ourlittledarlingonherfêteday！”

“Mydear，thereisatimeforeverything，”saidthecountess，affectingseverity。“You’realwaysspoilingher，Elie，”sheaddedtoherhusband。

“Bonjour，machère，jevousfélicite，”saidthevisitor。“Quelledélicieuseenfant！”sheadded，turningtohermother。

Thedark—eyedlittlegirl，plain，butfulloflife，withherwidemouth，herchildishbareshoulders，whichshruggedandpantedinherbodicefromherrapidmotion，herblackhairbrushedback，herslenderbarearmsandlittlelegsinlace—edgedlongdrawersandopenslippers，wasatthatcharmingstagewhenthegirlisnolongerachild，whilethechildisnotyetayounggirl。Wrigglingawayfromherfather，sheranuptohermother，andtakingnonoticewhateverofhersevereremarks，shehidherflushedfaceinhermother’slacekerchiefandbrokeintolaughter。Asshelaughedsheutteredsomeincoherentphrasesaboutthedoll，whichwaspokingoutfromherpetticoat。

“Doyousee？…Mydoll…Mimi…yousee…”AndNatashacouldsaynomore，itallseemedtohersofunny。Shesankonhermother’slap，andwentoffintosuchaloudpealoflaughterthateveryone，eventheprimvisitor，couldnothelplaughingtoo。

“Come，runalong，runalongwithyourmonstrosity！”saidhermother，pushingherdaughteroffwithapretenceofanger。“Thisismyyoungergirl，”shesaidtothevisitor。Natasha，pullingherfaceawayfromhermother’slacekerchiefforaminute，peepeddownatherthroughtearsoflaughter，andhidherfaceagain。

Thevisitor，forcedtoadmirethisdomesticscene，thoughtitsuitabletotakesomepartinit。

“Tellme，mydear，”shesaid，addressingNatasha，“howdidyoucomebyyourMimi？Yourdaughter，Isuppose？”

Natashadidnotlikethetoneofcondescensiontochildishthingswithwhichthevisitorhadspokentoher。Shemadenoanswer，butstaredsolemnlyather。

Meanwhilealltheyoungergeneration，Boris，theofficer，AnnaMilhalovna’sson；Nikolay，thestudent，thecount’selderson；Sonya，thecount’sniece；andlittlePetya，hisyoungerson，hadallplacedthemselvesaboutthedrawing—room，andwereobviouslytryingtorestrainwithintheboundsofdecorumtheexcitementandmirthwhichwasbrimmingoverintheirfaces。Clearlyinthebackpartofthehouse，fromwhichtheyhaddashedoutsoimpetuously，theconversationhadbeenmoreamusingthanthesmall—talkinthedrawing—roomofthescandalofthetown，theweather，andCountessApraxin。Nowandthentheyglancedatoneanotherandcouldhardlysuppresstheirlaughter。

Thetwoyoungmen，thestudentandtheofficer，friendsfromchildhood，wereofthesameage，andbothgood—looking，butnotlikeeachother。Boriswasatall，fair—hairedladwithdelicate，regularfeatures，andalookofcomposureonhishandsomeface。Nikolaywasacurly—headedyouth，nottall，withanopenexpression。Onhisupperliptherewerealreadysignsofablackmoustachecoming，andhiswholefaceexpressedimpulsivenessandenthusiasm。Nikolayflushedredashecameintothedrawing—room。Hewasunmistakablytryingtofindsomethingtosay，andunabletofindanything。Boris，onthecontrary，wasathomeimmediatelyandtalkedeasilyandplayfullyofthedollMimi，sayingthathehadknownherasayounggirlbeforehernosewasbroken，andshehadgrownolderduringthefiveyearsherememberedher，andhowherheadwascrackedrightacrosstheskull。AshesaidthishelookedatNatasha。Natashaturnedawayfromhim，glancedatheryoungerbrother，who，withascowlonhisface，wasshakingwithnoiselesslaughter，andunabletorestrainherself，sheskippedupandflewoutoftheroomasquicklyasherswiftlittlelegscouldcarryher。Borisdidnotlaugh。

“Youweremeaningtogoout，mamma，weren’tyou？Doyouwantthecarriage？”hesaid，addressinghismotherwithasmile。

“Yes，goalongandtellthemtogetitready，”shesaid，smiling。BoriswalkedslowlytothedoorandwentafterNatasha。Thestoutboyranwrathfullyafterthem，asthoughresentingtheinterruptionofhispursuits。

Chapter9

OFTHEYOUNGPEOPLE，notreckoningthecountess’selderdaughter（whowasfouryearsolderthanhersisterandbehavedquitelikeagrown—upperson）andtheyoungladyvisitor，therewereleftinthedrawing—roomNikolayandSonya，theniece。Sonyawasaslender，miniaturebrunette，withsofteyesshadedbylonglashes，thickblackhairtwistedintwocoilsroundherhead，andaskinofasomewhatsallowtint，particularlymarkedonherbare，thin，butshapely，musculararmsandneck。Thesmoothnessofhermovements，thesoftnessandflexibilityofherlittlelimbs，andsomethingofslynessandreserveinhermanner，suggestedalovelyhalf—grownkitten，whichwouldonedaybeacharmingcat。Apparentlyshethoughtitonlypropertoshowaninterestinthegeneralconversationandtosmile。Butagainstherownwill，hereyesturnedundertheirthick，longlashestohercousin，whowasgoingawayintothearmy，withsuchgirlish，passionateadoration，thathersmilecouldnotforonemomentimposeuponanyone，anditwasclearthatthekittenhadonlyperchedtheretoskipoffmoreenergeticallythaneverandtoplaywithhercousinassoonastheycould，likeBorisandNatasha，getoutofthedrawing—room。

“Yes，machère，”saidtheoldcount，addressingthevisitorandpointingtohisNikolay；“herehisfriendBorishasreceivedhiscommissionasanofficer，andhe’ssofondofhimhedoesn’twanttobeleftbehind，andisgivinguptheuniversityandhispooroldfathertogointothearmy，machère。Andtherewasaplaceallreadyforhiminthearchivesdepartment，andall。Isn’tthatfriendshipnow？”saidthecountinterrogatively。

“Buttheydosaythatwarhasbeendeclared，youknow，”saidthevisitor。

“They’vebeensayingsoalongwhile，”saidthecount。“They’llsaysoagainandagain，andsoitwillremain。There’sfriendshipforyou，machère！”herepeated。“He’sgoingintothehussars。”

Thevisitor，notknowingwhattosay，shookherhead。

“It’snotfromfriendshipatall，”answeredNikolay，flushinghotly，anddenyingitasthoughitweresomedisgracefulimputation。“Notfriendshipatall，butsimplyIfeeldrawntothemilitaryservice。”

Helookedroundathiscousinandtheyoungladyvisitor；bothlookedathimwithasmileofapproval。

“Schubert’sdiningwithusto—night，thecolonelofthePavologradskyregimentofhussars。Hehasbeenhereonleave，andistakinghimwithhim。There’snohelpforit，”saidthecount，shrugginghisshoulderandspeakingplayfullyofwhatevidentlywasasourceofmuchdistresstohim。

“I’vetoldyoualready，papa，”saidhisson，“thatifyou’reunwillingtoletmego，I’llstay。ButIknowI’mnogoodforanythingexceptinthearmy。I’mnotadiplomatist，oragovernmentclerk。I’mnotcleveratdisguisingmyfeelings，”hesaid，glancingrepeatedlywiththecoquetryofhandsomeyouthatSonyaandtheyounglady。

Thekitten，hereyesrivetedonhim，seemedonthepointofbreakingintofrolic，andshowinghercat—likenature。

“Well，well，it’sall—right！”saidtheoldcount；“healwaysgetssohot。Bonaparte’sturnedalltheirheads；they’realldreamingofhowherosefromalieutenanttobeanemperor。Well，andsomayitturnoutagain，pleaseGod，”headded，notnoticingthevisitor’ssarcasticsmile。

WhiletheireldersbegantalkingaboutBonaparte，Julie，MadameKaragin’sdaughter，turnedtoyoungRostov。

“Whatapityyouweren’tattheArharovs’onThursday。Iwassodullwithoutyou，”shesaid，givinghimatendersmile。Theyouth，highlyflattered，movedwithacoquettishsmilenearerher，andenteredintoaconversationapartwiththesmilingJulie，entirelyunawarethathisunconscioussmilehaddealtajealousstabtotheheartofSonya，whowasflushingcrimsonandassumingaforcedsmile。InthemiddleofhistalkwithJulieheglancedroundather。Sonyagavehimanintenselyfuriouslook，and，hardlyabletorestrainhertears，thoughtherewasstillaconstrainedsmileonherlips，shegotupandwentoutoftheroom。AllNikolay’sanimationwasgone。Hewaitedforthefirstbreakintheconversation，and，withafaceofdistress，walkedoutoftheroomtolookforSonya。

“Howalltheyoungthingsweartheirheartsontheirsleeves！”saidAnnaMihalovna，pointingtoNikolay’sretreatingfigure。“Cousinage，dangereuxvoisinage，”sheadded。

“Yes，”saidthecountess，whenthesunshinethathadcomeintothedrawing—roomwiththeyoungpeoplehadvanished。Shewas，asitwere，replyingtoaquestionwhichnoonehadputtoher，butwhichwasalwaysinherthoughts:“Whatmiseries，whatanxietiesonehasgonethroughforthehappinessonehasinthemnow！Andevennowonefeelsreallymoredreadthanjoyoverthem。One’salwaysinterror！Atthisageparticularlywhentherearesomanydangersbothforgirlsandboys。”

“Everythingdependsonbringingup，”saidthevisitor。

“Yes，youareright，”thecountesswenton。“SofarIhavebeen，thankGod，mychildren’sfriendandhaveenjoyedtheirfullconfidence，”saidthecountess，repeatingtheerrorofsomanyparents，whoimaginetheirchildrenhavenosecretsfromthem。“IknowIshallalwaysbefirstinmychildren’sconfidence，andthatNikolay，if，withhisimpulsivecharacter，hedoesgetintomischief（boyswillbeboys）itwon’tbelikethesePetersburgyounggentlemen。”

“Yes，they’recapitalchildren，capitalchildren，”assentedthecount，whoalwayssolvedallperplexingquestionsbydecidingthateverythingwascapital。“Fancynow，histakingitintohisheadtobeanhussar！Butwhatcanoneexpect，machère？”

“Whatasweetlittlethingyouryoungergirlis！”saidthevisitor。“Fulloffunandmischief！”

“Yes，thatsheis，”saidthecount。“Shetakesafterme！Andsuchavoice；thoughshe’smydaughter，it’sthetruthI’mtellingyou，she’llbeasinger，anotherSalomini。We’veengagedanItaliantogiveherlessons。”

“Isn’tittooearly？Theysayitinjuresthevoicetotrainitatthatage。”

“Oh，no！Tooearly！”saidthecount。“Why，ourmothersusedtobemarriedattwelveandthirteen。”

“Well，she’sinlovewithBorisalready！Whatdoyousaytothat？”saidthecountess，smilingsoftlyandlookingatBoris’smother。Andapparentlyinreplytothequestionthatwasalwaysinhermind，shewenton:“Why，youknow，ifIwerestrictwithher，ifIweretoforbidher…Godknowswhattheymightnotbedoinginsecret”（thecountessmeantthattheymightkisseachother），“butasitisIknoweverywordsheutters。She’llcometomethiseveningandtellmeeverythingofherself。Ispoilher，perhaps，butIreallybelieveit’sthebestway。Ibroughtmyeldergirlupmorestrictly。”

“Yes，Iwasbroughtupquitedifferently，”saidtheeldergirl，thehandsomeyoungCountessVera；andshesmiled。ButthesmiledidnotimproveVera’sface；onthecontraryherfacelookedunnatural，andthereforeunpleasing。Verawasgood—looking；shewasnotstupid，wascleveratherlessons，andwelleducated；shehadapleasantvoice，andwhatshesaidwastrueandappropriate。But，strangetosay，everyone—boththevisitorandthecountess—lookedather，asthoughwonderingwhyshehadsaidit，andconsciousofacertainawkwardness。

“Peoplearealwaystoocleverwiththeirelderchildren；theytrytodosomethingexceptionalwiththem，”saidthevisitor。

“Wewon’tconcealourerrors，machère！MydearcountesswastoocleverwithVera，”saidthecount。“Butwhatofit？shehasturnedoutcapitallyallthesame，”headded，withawinkofapprovaltoVera。

Theguestsgotupandwentaway，promisingtocometodinner。

“Whatmanners！Stayingonandon！”saidthecountess，whenshehadseenherguestsout。

Chapter10

WHENNATASHAranoutofthedrawing—roomsheonlyranasfarastheconservatory。Thereshestoppedlisteningtothetalkinthedrawing—room，andwaitingforBoristocomeout。Shewasbeginningtogetimpatient，andstampingherfootwasalmostreadytocryathisnotcomingatonce，whensheheardtheyoungman’sfootstepscomingoutdiscreetly，nottooslowlynortooquickly。Natashadartedswiftlyawayandhidamongthetubsofshrubs。

Borisstoodstillinthemiddleoftheroom，lookedroundhim，brushedaspeckofdirtoffthesleeveofhisuniform，andgoinguptothelooking—glassexaminedhishandsomeface。Natasha，keepingquiet，peepedoutofherhiding—place，waitingtoseewhathewoulddo。Hestoodalittlewhilebeforetheglass，smiledathisreflection，andwalkedtowardstheotherdoor。Natashawasonthepointofcallingtohim，butshechangedhermind。“Lethimlookforme，”shesaidtoherself。Borishadonlyjustgoneout，whenattheotherdoorSonyacamein，flushedandmutteringsomethingangrilythroughhertears。Natashacheckedherfirstimpulsetorunouttoher，andremainedinherhiding—place，asitwereundertheinvisiblecap，lookingonatwhatwasgoingonintheworld。Shebegantofeelapeculiarnovelsortofenjoymentinit。Sonyawasmurmuringsomethingasshelookedtowardsthedrawing—roomdoor。ThedooropenedandNikolaycamein。

“Sonya！whatisthematter？howcanyou？”saidNikolay，runninguptoher。

“Nothing，nothing，leavemealone！”Sonyawassobbing。

“No，Iknowwhatitis。”

“Verywell，youdo，somuchthebetterthen，andyoucangobacktoher。”

“So—o—onya！oneword！Howcanyoutorturemeandyourselfforamerefancy？”saidNikolay，takingherhand。Sonyadidnotpullherhandaway，andleftoffcrying。

Natasha，notstirringandhardlybreathing，lookedwithshiningeyesfromherhiding—place。“What’scomingnow？”shethought。

“Sonya！Icarefornothinginthewholeworld！You’reeverythingtome，”saidNikolay。“I’llproveittoyou。”

“Idon’tlikeyoutotalklikethat。”

“Well，Iwon’tthen；come，forgiveme，Sonya。”Hedrewhertohimandkissedher。

“Oh，that’snice，”thoughtNatasha，andwhenSonyaandNikolayhadgoneoutoftheroomshefollowedthemandcalledBoristoher。

“Boris，comehere，”shesaidwithaslyandsignificantlook。“I’vesomethingIwanttotellyou。Here，here，”shesaid，andsheledhimintotheconservatory，totheplacewhereshehadhiddenbetweenthetubs。Borisfollowedher，smiling。

“Whatisthesomething？”heinquired。Shewasalittleembarrassed；shelookedroundher，andseeingherdollflungdownonatubshepickeditup。

“Kissthedoll，”shesaid。Borislookedwithobservant，affectionateeyesathereagerfaceandmadenoanswer。“Don’tyouwantto？Well，thencomehere，”shesaid，andwentfurtherinamongtheshrubsandtossedawaythedoll。“Closer，closer！”shewhispered。Shecaughtholdoftheyoungofficer’sarmsabovethecuff，andherflushedfacehadalookofsolemnityandawe。

“Wouldyouliketokissme？”shewhispered，hardlyaudibly，peepingupathimfromunderhereyelids，smilingandalmostcryingwithexcitement。

Borisreddened。“Howabsurdyouare！”hesaid，bendingdowntoher，flushingredderstill，butdoingnothing，waitingwhatwouldcomenext。Suddenlyshejumpedontoatub，sothatasshestoodshewastallerthanhe，flungbotharmsroundhimsothatherslender，barearmsclaspedhimabovehisneck，andflingingbackherhairwithatossofherhead，shekissedhimjustonhislips。

Sheslippedawayamongtheflower—potsontheotherside，andstoodwithhanginghead。

“Natasha，”hesaid，“youknowIloveyou，but—”

“You’reinlovewithme，”Natashabrokein。

“YesIam，but，please，don’tletusdolikethat。…Inanotherfouryears…ThenIshallaskforyourhand。”Natashaponderedamoment。

“Thirteen，fourteen，fifteen，sixteen…”shesaid，countingonherthinlittlefingers。

“Verywell。Thenit’ssettled？”Andherexcitedfacebeamedwithasmileofdelightandrelief。

“Settled！”saidBoris。

“Forever？”saidthelittlegirl。“Tilldeath？”Andtakinghisarm，withahappyfaceshewalkedquietlybesidehimintothenextroom。

Chapter11

THECOUNTESSwassotiredfromseeingvisitorsthatshegaveordersthatshewouldseenooneelse，andthedoorkeeperwastoldtobesureandinvitetodinnereveryonewhoshouldcallwithcongratulations。Thecountesswaslongingforatête—à—têtetalkwiththefriendofherchildhood，AnnaMihalovna，whomshehadnotseenproperlysinceshehadarrivedfromPetersburg。AnnaMihalovna，withhertear—wornandamiableface，movedcloseruptothecountess’seasy—chair。

“WithyouIwillbeperfectlyopen，”saidAnnaMihalovna。“Wehaven’tmanyoldfriendsleft。That’showitisIvalueyourfriendshipso。”

AnnaMihalovnalookedatVeraandstopped。Thecountesspressedherfriend’shand。

“Vera，”saidthecountesstohereldestdaughter，unmistakablynotherfavourite，“howisityouhavenonotionaboutanything？Don’tyoufeelthatyou’renotwantedhere？Gotoyoursisteror…”

Thehandsomeyoungcountesssmiledscornfully，apparentlynotintheleastmortified。

“Ifyouhadtoldme，mamma，Iwouldhavegoneawaylongago，”shesaid，andwentofftowardsherownroom。Butpassingthroughthedivan—room，shenoticedtwocouplessittingsymmetricallyinthetwowindows。Shestoppedandsmiledcontemptuouslyatthem。SonyawassittingclosebesideNikolay，whowascopyingoutsomeversesforher，thefirsthehadeverwritten。BorisandNatashaweresittingintheotherwindow，andweresilentwhenVeracamein。SonyaandNatashalookedatVerawithguilty，happyfaces。

Itwasanamusingandtouchingsighttoseetheselittlegirlsinlove，butthesightofthemdidnotapparentlyarouseanyagreeablefeelinginVera。“HowoftenhaveIaskedyou，”shesaid，“nottotakemythings？Youhavearoomofyourown。”ShetooktheinkstandawayfromNikolay。

“Oneminute，oneminute，”hesaid，dippinghispenin。

“Youalwaysmanagetodothingsjustatthewrongmoment，”saidVera。“Firstyouburstintothedrawing—roomsothateveryonewasashamedofyou。”Althoughorjustbecausewhatshesaidwasperfectlytrue，nooneanswered；allthefoursimplylookedatoneanother。Shelingeredintheroomwiththeinkstandinherhand。“Andwhatsortofsecretscanyouhaveatyourage，NatashaandBoris，andyoutwo！—it’sallsimplysillynonsense！”

“Well，whathasittodowithyou，Vera？”Natashasaidindefence，speakingverygently。Shewasevidentlymoregood—humouredandaffectionatethanusualthatdaywitheveryone。

“It’sverysilly，”saidVera；“Iamashamedofyou。Whatsortofsecret…”

“Everyonehassecrets。Wedon’tinterferewithyouandBerg，”saidNatasha，gettingwarmer。

“Ishouldthinkyoudidn’tinterfere，”saidVera，“becausetherecouldbenoharminanyconductofmine。ButIshalltellmammahowyoubehavewithBoris。”

“NatalyaIlyinishnabehavesverywelltome，”saidBoris。“Ihavenothingtocomplainof，”hesaid。

“Leaveoff，Boris，you’resuchadiplomatist”（theworlddiplomatistwasmuchinuseamongthechildreninthespecialsensetheyattachedtotheword）。“It’stiresome，really，”saidNatasha，inamortifiedandshakingvoice；“whydoesshesetuponme？”

“You’llneverunderstandit，”shesaid，addressingVera，“becauseyou’venevercaredforanyone；you’venoheart；you’resimplyMadamedeGenlis”（thisnickname，consideredmostoffensive，hadbeengiventoVerabyNikolay），“andyourgreatestdelightisingettingotherpeopleintotrouble。YoucanflirtwithBerg，asmuchasyoulike，”shesaidquickly。

“Well，I’mnotlikelytorunafterayoungmanbeforevisitors。…”

“Well，shehasgainedherobject！”Nikolayputin；“shehassaidsomethingnastytoeveryone，andupseteverybody。Let’sgointothenursery。”

Allfourrose，likeaflockofscaredbirds，andwentoutoftheroom。

“You’vesaidnastythingstome，andIsaidnothingtoanyone，”saidVera。

“MadamedeGenlis！MadamedeGenlis！”criedlaughingvoicesthroughthedoor。

Thehandsomegirlwhoproducedsuchanirritatingandunpleasanteffectoneveryonesmiled；and，obviouslyunaffectedbywhathadbeensaidtoher，shewentuptothelooking—glassandputherscarfandherhairtidy。Lookingatherhandsomeface，sheseemedtobecomecolderandmorecomposedthanever。

Inthedrawing—roomtheconversationwasstillgoingon。

“Ah，chère，”saidthecountess，“inmylife，too，everythingisnotrose—coloured。DoyousupposeIdon’tseethat，inthewaywearegoingon，ourfortunecan’tlastlong？Andit’salltheclubandhisgood—nature。Whenwe’reinthecountrywehavenorestfromit，—it’snothingbuttheatricals，huntingparties，andGodknowswhat。Butwewon’ttalkofme。Come，tellmehowyoumanageditall。Ioftenwonderatyou，Annette，thewayyougoracingoffalone，atyourage，toMoscow，andtoPetersburg，toalltheministers，andallthegreatpeople，andknowhowtogetroundthemalltoo。Iadmireyou，really！Well，howwasitarranged？Why，Icouldneverdoit。”

“Ah，mydear！”answeredPrincessAnnaMihalovna，“Godgrantthatyouneverknowwhatitistobeleftawidow，withnoonetosupportyou，andasonwhomyoulovetodistraction。Onelearnshowtodoanything，”shesaidwithsomepride。“Mylawsuittrainedmetoit。IfIwanttoseeoneofthesegreatpeople，Iwriteanote:‘Princessso—and—sowishestoseeso—and—so，’andIgomyselfinahiredcabtwoorthreetimes—four，ifneedbe—tillIgetwhatIwant。Idon’tmindwhattheythinkofme。”

“Well，tellme，then，whomdidyouinterviewforBorinka？”askedthecountess。“Here’syourboyanofficerintheGuards，whilemyNikolinka’sgoingasanensign。There’snoonetomanagethingsforhim。Whosehelpdidyouask？”

“PrinceVassily’s。Hewassokind。Agreedtodoeverythingimmediately；putthecasebeforetheEmperor，”saidPrincessAnnaMihalovnaenthusiastically，entirelyforgettingallthehumiliationshehadbeenthroughtoattainherobject。

“Andhowishe？beginningtogetold，PrinceVassily？”inquiredthecountess。“IhaveneverseenhimsinceourtheatricalsattheRumyantsovs’，andIdaresayhehasforgottenme。Hepaidmeattentions，”thecountessrecalledwithasmile。

“He’sjustthesame，”answeredAnnaMihalovna，“soaffable，brimmingover。Greatnesshasnotturnedhishead。‘IamsorryIcandosolittleforyou，Princess，’hesaidtome；‘I’matyourcommand。’Yes，he’sasplendidman，andverygoodtohisrelatives。Butyouknow，Natalie，myloveformyboy。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldnotdotomakehimhappy。Andmymeansaresoscanty，”pursuedAnnaMihalovna，droppinghervoicemournfully，“thatnowIaminamostawfulposition。MywretchedlawsuitiseatingupallIhave，andmakingnoprogress。Ihavenot，canyouconceiveit，literally，notsixpenceintheworld，andIdon’tknowhowtogetBoris’sequipment。”Shetookoutherhandkerchiefandshedtears。“Imusthavefivehundredroubles，andIhaveonlyatwenty—fiveroublenote。I’minsuchaposition。…MyonehopenowisinPrinceKirillVladimirovitchBezuhov。Ifhewillnotcometothehelpofhisgodson—youknowheisBoris’sgodfather—andallowhimsomethingforhismaintenance，allmyeffortswillhavebeeninvain；Ishallhavenothingtogethisequipmentwith。”

Thecountessdeliberatedintearfulsilence。

“Ioftenthink—perhapsit’sasinfulthought，”saidtheprincess—“butIoftenthink:hereisPrinceKirillVladimirovitchBezuhovlivingallalone…thatimmensefortune…andwhatishelivingfor？Lifeisaburdentohim，whileBorisisonlyjustbeginninglife。”

“HewillbesuretoleavesomethingtoBoris，”saidthecountess。

“Godknows，chèreamie！Thesewealthygrandpeoplearesuchegoists。ButstillI’mgoingtoseehimatoncewithBoris，andIwilltellhimplainlythestateofthecase。Peoplemaythinkwhattheychooseofme，Ireallydon’tcare，whenmyson’sfatedependsonit。”Theprincessgotup。“It’snowtwoo’clock，andyoudineatfour。Ishallhavetimetodrivethereandback。”

AndwiththeairofaPetersburglady，usedtobusiness，andknowinghowtomakeuseofeverymoment，AnnaMihalovnasentforherson，andwithhimwentoutintothehall。

“Good—bye，mydear，”shesaidtothecountess，whoaccompaniedhertothedoor。“Wishmegood—luck，”sheaddedinawhisperunheardbyherson。

“You’regoingtoPrinceKirillVladimirovich’s，machère？”saidthecount，comingoutofthedining—roomintothehall。“Ifhe’sbetter，invitePierretodinewithus。Hehasbeenhere；usedtodancewiththechildren。Besureyouinvitehim，machère。NowdocomeandlookhowTarashassurpassedhimselfto—day。HesaysCountOrlovneverhadsuchadinneraswe’regoingtohaveto—day。”

Chapter12

“MoncherBoris，”saidAnnaMihalovnaastheCountessRostov’scarriagedrovealongthestreetstrewnwithstrawandintothewidecourtyardofCountKirillVladimirovitchBezuhov’shouse。“MoncherBoris，”saidthemother，puttingherhandoutfromunderheroldmantle，andlayingitonherson’shandwithatimid，caressingmovement，“benice，beattentive。CountKirillVladimirovitchisafterallyourgodfather，andyourfuturedependsonhim。Rememberthat，moncher，becharming，asyouknowsowellhowtobe。…”

“IfIknewanythingwouldcomeofitbuthumiliation，”hersonansweredcoldly。“ButIhavepromised，andIwilldoitforyoursake。”

Althoughthecarriagewasstandingattheentrance，thehall—porter，scanningthemotherandson（theyhadnotsentintheirnames，buthadwalkedstraightinthroughtheglassdoorsbetweentworowsofstatuesinniches），andlookingsignificantlyattheoldmantle，inquiredwhomtheywanted，theprincessesorthecount；andhearingthattheywantedtoseethecount，saidthathisexcellencywasworseto—day，andhisexcellencycouldseenoone。

“Wemayaswellgoaway，”thesonsaidinFrench。

“Monami！”saidthemotherinavoiceofentreaty，againtouchingherson’shand，asthoughthecontactmightsootheorrousehim。Borissaidnomore，butwithouttakingoffhisovercoat，lookedinquiringlyathismother。

“Mygoodman，”AnnaMihalovnasaidingratiatingly，addressingthehall—porter，“IknowthatCountKirillVladimirovitchisveryill…thatiswhyIamhere…Iamarelation…Ishallnotdisturbhim，mygoodman…IneedonlyseePrinceVassilySergyevitch；he’sstayinghere，Iknow。Announceus，please。”

Thehall—portersullenlypulledthebell—ropethatrangupstairsandturnedaway。

“PrincessDrubetskoytoseePrinceVassilySergyevitch，”hecalledtoafootmaninstockings，slippersandafrockcoat，whorandownfromabove，andlookeddownfromtheturninthestaircase。

Themotherstraightenedoutthefoldsofherdyedsilkgown，lookedatherselfinthefull—lengthVenetianlooking—glassonthewall，andboldlywalkeduponthestaircarpetinhershabby，shapelessshoes。

“Mydear，youpromisedme，”sheturnedagaintoherson，rousinghimbyatouchonhisarm。Theson，withhiseyesonthedoor，walkedsubmissivelyafterher。

Theywentintoalargeroom，fromwhichadoorledtotheapartmentsthathadbeenassignedtoPrinceVassily。

Atthemomentwhenthemotherandsonreachedthemiddleoftheroomandwereabouttoasktheirwayofanoldfootman，whohaddartedoutattheirentrance，thebronzehandleofoneofthedoorsturned，andPrinceVassily，dressedinahousejacketofvelvet，withonestar，cameout，accompanyingahandsome，black—hairedman。ThismanwasthecelebratedPetersburgdoctor，Lorrain。

“Itispositive，then？”saidthePrince。

“Prince，errareesthumanum，”answeredthedoctor，lisping，andpronouncingtheLatinwordswithaFrenchaccent。

“Verywell，verywell…”

PerceivingAnnaMihalovnaandherson，PrinceVassilydismissedthedoctorwithabow，andinsilence，withanairofinquiry，advancedtomeetthem。Thesonnoticedhowanexpressionofintensegriefcameatonceintohismother’seyes，andhesmiledslightly。

“Yes，inwhatdistressingcircumstancesweweredestinedtomeetagain，prince。…Tellmehowisourdearpatient？”shesaid，apparentlynotobservingthefrigid，offensiveglancethatwasfixedonher。PrinceVassilystaredather，thenatBoriswithalookofinquirythatamountedtoperplexity。Borisbowedpolitely。PrinceVassily，withoutacknowledginghisbow，turnedawaytoAnnaMihalovna，andtoherquestionherepliedbyamovementoftheheadandlips，indicativeoftheworstfearsforthepatient。

“Isitpossible？”criedAnnaMihalovna。“Ah，thisisterrible！Itisdreadfultothink…Thisismyson，”sheadded，indicatingBoris。“Hewantedtothankyouinperson。”

Borisoncemoremadeapolitebow。

“Believeme，prince，amother’sheartwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforus。”

“IamgladIhavebeenabletodoyouanyservice，mydearAnnaMihalovna，”saidPrinceVassily，pullinghislacefrillstraight，andinvoiceandmannermanifestinghereinMoscow，beforeAnnaMihalovna，whowasunderobligationtohim，anevengreatersenseofhisowndignitythaninPetersburgatAnnaPavlovna’ssoirée。

“Trytodoyourdutyintheservice，andtobeworthyofit。”headded，turningseverelytohim。“Iamglad…youarehereonleave？”heaskedinhisexpressionlessvoice。

“Iamawaitingorders，yourexcellency，tojoinmynewregiment，”answeredBoris，showingnosigneitherofresentmentattheprince’sabruptmanner，norofdesiretogetintoconversation，butspeakingwithsuchrespectfulcomposurethattheprincelookedathimattentively。

“Youarelivingwithyourmother？”

“IamlivingatCountessRostov’s，”saidBoris，againadding:“yourexcellency。”

“TheIlyaRostov，whomarriedNatalieShinshin，”saidAnnaMihalovna。

“Iknow，Iknow，”saidPrinceVassilyinhismonotonousvoice。“IhaveneverbeenabletounderstandhowNatalieShinshincouldmakeuphermindtomarrythatunlickedbear。Acompletelystupidandridiculousperson。Andagamblertoo，Iamtold。”

“Butaveryworthyman，prince，”observedAnnaMihalovna，withapatheticsmile，asthoughshetoorecognisedthatCountRostovdeservedthiscriticism，butbeggedhimnottobetoohardonthepooroldfellow。“Whatdothedoctorssay？”askedtheprincess，afterabriefpause，andagaintheexpressionofdeepdistressreappearedonhertear—wornface。

“Thereislittlehope，”saidtheprince。

“And，IwassolongingtothankuncleoncemoreforallhiskindnesstomeandtoBoris。Heishisgodson，”sheaddedinatonethatsuggestedthatPrinceVassilywouldbehighlydelightedtohearthisfact。

PrinceVassilyponderedandfrowned。AnnaMihalovnasawhewasafraidoffindinginherarivalwithclaimsonCountBezuhov’swill。Shehastenedtoreassurehim。“Ifitwerenotformygenuineloveanddevotionforuncle，”shesaid，utteringthelastwordwithpeculiarassuranceandcarelessness，“Iknowhischaracter，—generous，upright；butwithonlytheprincessesabouthim。…Theyareyoung。…”Shebentherheadandaddedinawhisper:“Hasheperformedhislastduties，prince？Howpricelessaretheselastmoments！Heisasbadashecouldbe，itseems；itisabsolutelynecessarytopreparehim，ifheissoill。Wewomen，prince，”shesmiledtenderly，“alwaysknowhowtosaythesethings。Iabsolutelymustseehim。Hardasitwillbeforme，Iamusedtosuffering。”

Theprinceevidentlyunderstood，andunderstood，too，ashehadatAnnaPavlovna’s，thatitwasnoeasytasktogetridofAnnaMihalovna。

“Wouldnotthisinterviewbetryingforhim，chèreAnnaMihalovna？”hesaid。“Letuswaittilltheevening；thedoctorshavepredictedacrisis。”

“Butwaiting’soutofthequestion，prince，atsuchamoment。Think，itisaquestionofsavinghissoul。Ah！howterrible，thedutiesofaChristian。…”

Thedoorfromtheinnerroomsopened，andoneofthecount’sniecesenteredwithacoldandforbiddingface，andalongwaiststrikinglyoutofproportionwiththeshortnessofherlegs。

PrinceVassilyturnedtoher。“Well，howishe？”

“Stillthesame。Whatcanyouexpectwiththisnoise？…”saidtheprincess，scanningAnnaMihalovna，asastranger。

“Ah，dear，Ididnotrecogniseyou，”saidAnnaMihalovna，withadelightedsmile，andsheambledlightlyuptothecount’sniece。“Ihavejustcome，andIamatyourservicetohelpinnursingmyuncle。Iimaginewhatyouhavebeensuffering，”sheadded，sympatheticallyturninghereyesup。

Theprincessmadenoreply，shedidnotevensmile，butwalkedstraightaway。AnnaMihalovnatookoffhergloves，andentrenchedherselfasitwereinanarmchair，invitingPrinceVassilytositdownbesideher。

“Boris！”shesaidtoherson，andshesmiledathim，“Iamgoingintothecount，topooruncle，andyoucangotoPierre，monami，meanwhile，anddon’tforgettogivehimtheRostovs’invitation。Theyaskhimtodinner。Isupposehewon’tgo？”shesaidtotheprince。

“Onthecontrary，”saidtheprince，visiblycastdown。“Ishouldbeverygladifyouwouldtakethatyoungmanoffmyhands。…Hesticksonhere。Thecounthasnotonceaskedforhim。”

Heshruggedhisshoulders。AfootmanconductedtheyouthdownstairsandupanotherstaircasetotheapartmentsofPyotrKirillovitch。

Chapter13

PIERREhadnotsucceededinfixinguponacareerinPetersburg，andreallyhadbeenbanishedtoMoscowfordisorderlyconduct。ThestorytoldabouthimatCountRostov’swastrue。Pierrehadassistedintyingthepoliceofficertothebear。Hehadarrivedafewdayspreviously，stoppingashealwaysdidathisfather’shouse。ThoughhehadassumedthathisstorywouldbealreadyknownatMoscow，andthattheladieswhowereabouthisfather，alwaysunfavourablydisposedtohim，wouldprofitbythisopportunityofturningthecountagainsthim，hewentonthedayofhisarrivaltohisfather’spartofthehouse。Goingintothedrawing—room，wheretheprincessesusuallysat，hegreetedtheladies，twoofwhomweresittingattheirembroideryframes，whileonereadaloud。Therewerethreeofthem。Theeldest，atrim，long—waisted，severemaiden—lady，theonewhohadcomeouttoAnnaMihalovna，wasreading。Theyoungerones，bothrosyandpretty，wereonlytobedistinguishedbythefactthatoneofthemhadalittlemolewhichmadehermuchprettier。Theywerebothworkingattheirembroideryframes。Pierrewasreceivedlikeamanrisenfromthedeadorstrickenwithplague。Theeldestprincesspausedinherreadingandstaredathiminsilencewithdismayinhereyes。Thesecondassumedpreciselythesameexpression。Theyoungest，theonewiththemole，whowasofamirthfulandlaughingdisposition，bentoverherframe，toconcealasmile，probablyevokedbytheamusingscenesheforesawcoming。Shepulledherembroiderywooloutbelow，andbentdownasthoughexaminingthepattern，hardlyabletosuppressherlaughter。

“Goodmorning，cousin，”saidPierre。“Youdon’tknowme？”

“Iknowyouonlytoowell，onlytoowell。”

“Howisthecount？CanIseehim？”Pierreasked，awkwardlyasalways，butnotdisconcerted。

“Thecountissufferingbothphysicallyandmorally，andyouronlyanxietyseemstobetooccasionhimasmuchsufferingaspossible。”

“CanIseethecount？”repeatedPierre。

“Hm…ifyouwanttokillhim，tokillhimoutright，youcanseehim。Olga，goandseeifuncle’sbrothisready—itwillsoonbetimeforit，”sheadded，toshowPierretheywerebusy，andbusyinseeingafterhisfather’scomfort，whilehewasobviouslyonlybusyincausinghimdiscomfort。

Olgawentout。Pierrestoodstillamoment，lookedatthesistersandbowingsaid:“ThenIwillgotomyroom。WhenIcanseehim，youwilltellme。”Hewentawayandheardtheringingbutnotloudlaughofthesisterwiththemolebehindhim。

ThenextdayPrinceVassilyhadcomeandsettledinthecount’shouse。HesentforPierreandsaidtohim:

“Mydearfellow，ifyoubehavehereasyoudidatPetersburg，youwillcometoaverybadend；that’sallIhavetosaytoyou。Thecountisvery，veryill；youmustnotseehim。”

SincethenPierrehadnotbeendisturbed，andhespentthewholedayaloneinhisroomupstairs。

AtthemomentwhenBoriscamein，Pierrewaswalkingupanddownhisroom，stoppingnowandtheninthecorners，makingmenacinggesturesatthewall，asthoughthrustingsomeinvisibleenemythroughwithalance，thenhegazedsternlyoverhisspectacles，thenpacingupanddownagain，murmuringindistinctwords，shrugginghisshouldersandgesticulating。

“England’sdayisover！”hesaid，scowlingandpointingatsomeonewithhisfinger。“Mr。Pitt，asatraitortothenationandtotherightsofman，iscondemned…”hehadnottimetodeliverPitt’ssentence，imagininghimselfatthatmomentNapoleon，andhavinginthepersonofhisherosucceededinthedangerouscrossingoftheChannelandintheconquestofLondon，whenhesawagraceful，handsomeyoungofficercomein。Hestoodstill。PierrehadseenBorislastasaboyoffourteen，anddidnotrememberhimintheleast。Butinspiteofthathetookhishandinhischaracteristicallyquickandwarm—heartedmanner，andsmiledcordiallyathim。

“Yourememberme？”Borissaidcalmlywithapleasantsmile。“Ihavecomewithmymothertoseethecount，butitseemsheisnotquitewell。”

“Yes，heisill，itseems。Peoplearealwaysbotheringhim，”answeredPierre，tryingtorecallwhothisyouthmightbe。

BorisperceivedthatPierredidnotknowhim，butdidnotthinkfittomakehimselfknown，andwithouttheslightestembarrassmentlookedhimstraightintheface。

“CountRostovasksyoutocometodinnerwithhimto—day，”hesaid，afteraratherlongsilencesomewhatdisconcertingforPierre。

“Ah，CountRostov，”beganPierre，delighted。“Soyouarehisson，Ilya？Canyoubelieveit，forthefirstmomentIdidnotrecogniseyou。DoyourememberhowweusedtoslideontheSparrowHillswithMadameJacquot…longago？”

“Youaremistaken，”saidBoris，deliberately，withaboldandrathersarcasticsmile。“IamBoris，thesonofPrincessAnnaMihalovnaDrubetskoy。ItisthefatheroftheRostovswhoiscalledIlya，theson’sNikolay。AndIdon’tknowanyMadameJacquot。”

Pierreshookhishandsandhead，asthoughfliesorbeeswereswarminguponhim。

“Ah，howisit！I’vemixeditallup。TherearesuchalotofrelativesinMoscow！YouareBoris…yes。Well，now，wehavegotitclear。Tellme，whatdoyouthinkoftheBoulogneexpedition？ThingswillgobadlywiththeEnglish，youknow，ifNapoleongetsacrosstheChannel。Ibelievethattheexpeditionisverypossible。IfonlyVilleneuvedoesn’tmakeamessofit！”

BorisknewnothingatallabouttheBoulogneexpedition，anditwasthefirsttimehehadheardofVilleneuve。

“HereinMoscowwearemoreinterestedindinnerpartiesandscandalthaninpolitics，”hesaidinhisself—possessed，sarcastictone。“Iknownothingandthinknothingaboutit。Moscow’smoreengrossedinscandalthananything，”hewenton。“Justnowtheyarealltalkingaboutyouandaboutthecount。”

Pierresmiledhiskindlysmile，asthoughafraidforhiscompanion’ssakethathemightsaysomethinghewouldregret。ButBorisspokedistinctly，clearlyanddrily，lookingstraightintoPierre’sface。

“There’snothingelsetodoinMoscowbuttalkscandal，”hewenton。“Everyone’sabsorbedinthequestionwhomthecountwillleavehisfortuneto，thoughperhapshewilloutliveusall，asIsincerelyhopehemay。”

“Yes，allthat’sveryhorrid，”Pierreinterposed，“veryhorrid。”Pierrewasstillafraidthisofficerwouldinadvertentlydropintosomeremarkdisconcertingforhimself。

“Anditmustseemtoyou，”saidBoris，flushingslightly，butnotchanginghisvoiceorattitude，“itmustseemtoyouthateveryone’sthinkingofnothingbutgettingsomethingfromhim。”

“That’sjustit，”thoughtPierre。

“Andthat’sjustwhatIwanttosaytoyoutopreventmisunderstandings，thatyouareverymuchmistakenifyoureckonmeandmymotheramongthosepeople。Weareverypoor，butI—atleastIspeakformyself—justbecauseyourfatherisrich，Idon’tconsidermyselfarelationofhis，andneitherInormymotherwouldeveraskhimforanythingortakeanythingfromhim。”

ItwasalongwhilebeforePierreunderstood，but，whenhedidunderstand，hejumpedupfromthesofa，seizedBoris’shandwithhischaracteristicquicknessandawkwardness，andblushingfarmorethanBoris，beganspeakingwithamixedsensationofshameandannoyance。

“Well，thisisstrange！DoyousupposeI…howyoucouldthink…Iknowverywell…”

ButBorisagaininterruptedhim。

“IamgladIhavetoldyoueverythingfrankly。Perhapsyoudislikeit:youmustexcuseme，”hesaid，tryingtoputPierreathiseaseinsteadofbeingputathiseasebyhim；“butIhopeIhavenotoffendedyou。Imakeitaruletosayeverythingquiteplainly。…ThenwhatmessageamItotake？YouwillcometodinnerattheRostovs’？”AndBoris，withanevidentsenseofhavingdischargedanonerousduty，havingextricatedhimselffromanawkwardposition，andputsomebodyelseintoonebecameperfectlypleasantagain。

“No，letmetellyou，”saidPierre，regaininghiscomposure，“youareawonderfulperson。Whatyouhavejustsaidwasveryfine，veryfine。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowme，it’ssolongsincewe’veseeneachother…wewerechildren。…YoumightsupposeIshould…Iunderstand，Iquiteunderstand。Ishouldn’thavedoneit，Ishouldn’thavehadthecourage，butit’ssplendid。I’mverygladIhavemadeyouracquaintance。Aqueeridea，”headded，pausingandsmiling，“youmusthavehadofme。”Helaughed。“Butwhatofit？Letusknoweachotherbetter，please！”HepressedBoris’shand。“DoyouknowI’venotonceseenthecount？Hehasnotsentforme…Iamsorryforhim，asaman…Butwhatcanonedo？”

“AndsoyouthinkNapoleonwillsucceedingettinghisarmyacross？”Borisqueried，smiling。

PierresawthatBoriswastryingtochangetheconversation，andsohebeganexplainingtheadvantagesanddifficultiesoftheBoulogneexpedition。

AfootmancameintosummonBoristotheprincess。Theprincesswasgoing。PierrepromisedtocometodinnerinordertoseemoreofBoris，andpressedhishandwarmlyatparting，lookingaffectionatelyintohisfaceoverhisspectacles。

Whenhehadgone，Pierrewalkedforsometimelongerupanddownhisroom，notthrustingatanunseenfoe，butsmilingattherecollectionofthatcharming，intelligent，andresoluteyoungman。

Assooftenhappenswithyoungpeople，especiallyiftheyareinapositionofloneliness，hefeltanunreasonabletendernessforthisyouth，andhefirmlyresolvedtobecomefriendswithhim。

PrinceVassilyaccompaniedtheprincesstothehall。Theprincesswasholdingherhandkerchieftohereyes，andherfacewastearful。

“Itisterrible，terrible！”shesaid；“butwhateveritcostsme，Iwilldomyduty。Iwillcometostaythenight。Hecan’tbeleftlikethis。Everyminuteisprecious。Ican’tunderstandwhyhisniecesputitoff。MaybeGodwillhelpmetofindawaytopreparehim。Adieu，prince，mayGodsupportyou…”

“Adieu，mykindfriend，”answeredPrinceVassily，turningawayfromher。

“Oh，heisinanawfulposition！”saidthemothertoherson，whentheyweresittinginthecarriageagain。“Hescarcelyknowsanyone。”

“Idon’tunderstand，mamma，whathisattitudeisasregardsPierre。”

“Thewillwillmakeallthatplain，mydear；ourfate，too，hangsuponit。…”

“Butwhatmakesyouthinkhewillleaveusanything？”

“Oh，mydear！Heissorich，andwearesopoor。”

“Well，that’shardlyasufficientreason，mamma。”

“Oh，myGod，howillheis，howillheis！”criedhismother。

Chapter14

WHENANNAMIHALOVNAhaddrivenoffwithhersontoCountKirillVladimirovitchBezuhov’s，CountessRostovsatalongwhilealone，puttingherhandkerchieftohereyes。Atlastsherangthebell。

“Whatdoesitmean？”shesaidangrilytothemaid，whohadkeptherwaitingafewminutes；“don’tyoucareformyservice，eh？I’llfindyouanotherplace，ifso。”

Thecountesswasdistressedatthetroublesanddegradingpovertyofherfriend，andsooutofhumour，whichalwaysfoundexpressioninsuchremarkstoherservants。

“I’mverysorry，”saidthemaid。

“Askthecounttocometome。”

Thecountcamewaddlingintoseehiswife，looking，asusual，ratherguilty。

“Well，littlecountess！WhatasautéofwoodcocksandMadeirawe’retohave，machère！I’vetriedit；IdidwelltogiveathousandroublesforTaras。He’sworthit！”

Hesatdownbyhiswife，settinghiselbowjauntilyonhisknee，andrufflinguphisgreyhair。“Whatareyourcommands，littlecountess？”

“It’sthis，mydear—why，whatisthismessonyouhere？”shesaid，pointingtohiswaistcoat。“It’sthesauté，mostlikely，”sheadded，smiling。“It’sthis，mydear，Iwantsomemoney。”Herfacebecamegloomy。

“Ah，littlecountess！…”Andthecountfidgetedabout，pullingouthispocket—book。

“Iwantagreatdeal，count。Iwantfivehundredroubles。”Andtakingouthercambrichandkerchiefshewipedherhusband’swaistcoat。

“Thisminute，thisminute。Hey，who’sthere？”heshouted，asmenonlyshoutwhoarecertainthatthosetheycallwillrunheadlongattheirsummons。“SendMitenkatome！”

Mitenka，theyoungmanofnoblefamilywhohadbeenbroughtupinthecount’shouse，andnowhadchargeofallhismoneyaffairs，walkedsoftlyintotheroom。

“Here，mydearboy，”saidthecounttotheyoungman，whocameuprespectfully。“Bringme，”hethoughtamoment，“yes，sevenhundredroubles，yes。Andmind，don’tbringmesuchtornanddirtynotesaslasttime；niceonesnow，forthecountess。”

“Yes，Mitenka，cleanones，please，”saidthecountesswithadepressedsigh。

“Yourexcellency，whendoyoudesiremetogetthemoney？”saidMitenka。“Yourhonouroughttoknow…Butdon’ttrouble，”headded，noticingthatthecountwasbeginningtobreatherapidlyandheavily，whichwasalwaysthesignofapproachinganger。“Iwasforgetting…Thisminutedoyoudesiremetobringthem？”

“Yes，yes，justso，bringthem。Givethemtothecountess。WhatatreasurethatMitenkais，”addedthecount，smiling，whentheyoungmanhadgoneout。“Hedoesn’tknowthemeaningofimpossible。That’sathingIcan’tbear。Everything’spossible。”

“Ah，money，count，money，whatalotofsorrowitcausesintheworld！”saidthecountess。“ThismoneyIamingreatneedof。”

“Youareaterriblespendthrift，littlecountess，weallknow，”saidthecount，andkissinghiswife’shandhewentawayagaintohisownroom。