"Iamfondofyou，especiallyasyouaretheonelivemanamongourwholeset。Yes，you’reallright！Choosewhatyouwill；it’sallthesame。You’llbeallrightanywhere。Butlookhere：giveupvisitingthoseKuraginsandleadingthatsortoflife。Itsuitsyousobadly—allthisdebauchery，dissipation，andtherestofit！"

"Whatwouldyouhave，mydearfellow？"answeredPierre，shrugginghisshoulders。"Women，mydearfellow；women！"

"Idon’tunderstandit，"repliedPrinceAndrew。"Womenwhoarecommeilfaut，that’sadifferentmatter；buttheKuragins’setofwomen，’womenandwine’Idon’tunderstand！"

PierrewasstayingatPrinceVasiliKuragin’sandsharingthedissipatedlifeofhissonAnatole，thesonwhomtheywereplanningtoreformbymarryinghimtoPrinceAndrew’ssister。

"Doyouknow？"saidPierre，asifsuddenlystruckbyahappythought，"seriously，Ihavelongbeenthinkingofit……LeadingsuchalifeIcan’tdecideorthinkproperlyaboutanything。One’sheadaches，andonespendsallone’smoney。Heaskedmefortonight，butIwon’tgo。"

"Yougivemeyourwordofhonornottogo？"

"Onmyhonor！"

BK1|CH9

CHAPTERIX

Itwaspastoneo’clockwhenPierrelefthisfriend。Itwasacloudless，northern，summernight。Pierretookanopencabintendingtodrivestraighthome。Butthenearerhedrewtothehousethemorehefelttheimpossibilityofgoingtosleeponsuchanight。Itwaslightenoughtoseealongwayinthedesertedstreetanditseemedmorelikemorningoreveningthannight。OnthewayPierrerememberedthatAnatoleKuraginwasexpectingtheusualsetforcardsthatevening，afterwhichtherewasgenerallyadrinkingbout，finishingwithvisitsofakindPierrewasveryfondof。

"IshouldliketogotoKuragin’s，"thoughthe。

ButheimmediatelyrecalledhispromisetoPrinceAndrewnottogothere。Then，ashappenstopeopleofweakcharacter，hedesiredsopassionatelyoncemoretoenjoythatdissipationhewassoaccustomedtothathedecidedtogo。ThethoughtimmediatelyoccurredtohimthathispromisetoPrinceAndrewwasofnoaccount，becausebeforehegaveithehadalreadypromisedPrinceAnatoletocometohisgathering；"besides，"thoughthe，"allsuch’wordsofhonor’areconventionalthingswithnodefinitemeaning，especiallyifoneconsidersthatbytomorrowonemaybedead，orsomethingsoextraordinarymayhappentoonethathonoranddishonorwillbeallthesame！"Pierreoftenindulgedinreflectionsofthissort，nullifyingallhisdecisionsandintentions。HewenttoKuragin’s。

ReachingthelargehouseneartheHorseGuards’barracks，inwhichAnatolelived，Pierreenteredthelightedporch，ascendedthestairs，andwentinattheopendoor。Therewasnooneintheanteroom；emptybottles，cloaks，andovershoeswerelyingabout；therewasasmellofalcohol，andsoundsofvoicesandshoutinginthedistance。

Cardsandsupperwereover，butthevisitorshadnotyetdispersed。Pierrethrewoffhiscloakandenteredthefirstroom，inwhichweretheremainsofsupper。Afootman，thinkingnoonesawhim，wasdrinkingontheslywhatwasleftintheglasses。Fromthethirdroomcamesoundsoflaughter，theshoutingoffamiliarvoices，thegrowlingofabear，andgeneralcommotion。Someeightornineyoungmenwerecrowdinganxiouslyroundanopenwindow。Threeotherswererompingwithayoungbear，onepullinghimbythechainandtryingtosethimattheothers。

"IbetahundredonStevens！"shoutedone。

"Mind，noholdingon！"criedanother。

"IbetonDolokhov！"criedathird。"Kuragin，youpartourhands。"

"There，leaveBruinalone；here’sabeton。"

"Atonedraught，orheloses！"shoutedafourth。

"Jacob，bringabottle！"shoutedthehost，atall，handsomefellowwhostoodinthemidstofthegroup，withoutacoat，andwithhisfinelinenshirtunfastenedinfront。"Waitabit，youfellows……HereisPetya！Goodman！"criedhe，addressingPierre。

Anothervoice，fromamanofmediumheightwithclearblueeyes，particularlystrikingamongallthesedrunkenvoicesbyitssoberring，criedfromthewindow："Comehere；partthebets！"ThiswasDolokhov，anofficeroftheSemenovregiment，anotoriousgamblerandduelist，whowaslivingwithAnatole。Pierresmiled，lookingabouthimmerrily。

"Idon’tunderstand。What’sitallabout？"

"Waitabit，heisnotdrunkyet！Abottlehere，"saidAnatole，takingaglassfromthetablehewentuptoPierre。

"Firstofallyoumustdrink！"

Pierredrankoneglassafteranother，lookingfromunderhisbrowsatthetipsyguestswhowereagaincrowdingroundthewindow，andlisteningtotheirchatter。AnatolekeptonrefillingPierre’sglasswhileexplainingthatDolokhovwasbettingwithStevens，anEnglishnavalofficer，thathewoulddrinkabottleofrumsittingontheouterledgeofthethirdfloorwindowwithhislegshangingout。

"Goon，youmustdrinkitall，"saidAnatole，givingPierrethelastglass，"orIwon’tletyougo！"

"No，Iwon’t，"saidPierre，pushingAnatoleaside，andhewentuptothewindow。

DolokhovwasholdingtheEnglishman’shandandclearlyanddistinctlyrepeatingthetermsofthebet，addressinghimselfparticularlytoAnatoleandPierre。

Dolokhovwasofmediumheight，withcurlyhairandlight—blueeyes。Hewasabouttwenty—five。Likeallinfantryofficersheworenomustache，sothathismouth，themoststrikingfeatureofhisface，wasclearlyseen。Thelinesofthatmouthwereremarkablyfinelycurved。Themiddleoftheupperlipformedasharpwedgeandclosedfirmlyonthefirmlowerone，andsomethingliketwodistinctsmilesplayedcontinuallyroundthetwocornersofthemouth；this，togetherwiththeresolute，insolentintelligenceofhiseyes，producedaneffectwhichmadeitimpossiblenottonoticehisface。

Dolokhovwasamanofsmallmeansandnoconnections。Yet，thoughAnatolespenttensofthousandsofrubles，Dolokhovlivedwithhimandhadplacedhimselfonsuchafootingthatallwhoknewthem，includingAnatolehimself，respectedhimmorethantheydidAnatole。Dolokhovcouldplayallgamesandnearlyalwayswon。Howevermuchhedrank，heneverlosthisclearheadedness。BothKuraginandDolokhovwereatthattimenotoriousamongtherakesandscapegracesofPetersburg。

Thebottleofrumwasbrought。Thewindowframewhichpreventedanyonefromsittingontheoutersillwasbeingforcedoutbytwofootmen，whowereevidentlyflurriedandintimidatedbythedirectionsandshoutsofthegentlemenaround。

Anatolewithhisswaggeringairstrodeuptothewindow。Hewantedtosmashsomething。Pushingawaythefootmenhetuggedattheframe，butcouldnotmoveit。Hesmashedapane。

"Youhaveatry，Hercules，"saidhe，turningtoPierre。

Pierreseizedthecrossbeam，tugged，andwrenchedtheoakframeoutwithacrash。

"Takeitrightout，orthey’llthinkI’mholdingon，"saidDolokhov。

"IstheEnglishmanbragging？……Eh？Isitallright？"saidAnatole。

"First—rate，"saidPierre，lookingatDolokhov，whowithabottleofruminhishandwasapproachingthewindow，fromwhichthelightofthesky，thedawnmergingwiththeafterglowofsunset，wasvisible。

Dolokhov，thebottleofrumstillinhishand，jumpedontothewindowsill。"Listen！"criedhe，standingthereandaddressingthoseintheroom。Allweresilent。

"Ibetfiftyimperials"—hespokeFrenchthattheEnglishmanmightunderstandhim，buthedid，notspeakitverywell—"Ibetfiftyimperials……ordoyouwishtomakeitahundred？"addedhe，addressingtheEnglishman。

"No，fifty，"repliedthelatter。

"Allright。Fiftyimperials……thatIwilldrinkawholebottleofrumwithouttakingitfrommymouth，sittingoutsidethewindowonthisspot"(hestoopedandpointedtotheslopingledgeoutsidethewindow)"andwithoutholdingontoanything。Isthatright？"

"Quiteright，"saidtheEnglishman。

AnatoleturnedtotheEnglishmanandtakinghimbyoneofthebuttonsofhiscoatandlookingdownathim—theEnglishmanwasshort—

beganrepeatingthetermsofthewagertohiminEnglish。

"Wait！"criedDolokhov，hammeringwiththebottleonthewindowsilltoattractattention。"Waitabit，Kuragin。Listen！Ifanyoneelsedoesthesame，Iwillpayhimahundredimperials。Doyouunderstand？"

TheEnglishmannodded，butgavenoindicationwhetherheintendedtoacceptthischallengeornot。Anatoledidnotreleasehim，andthoughhekeptnoddingtoshowthatheunderstood，AnatolewentontranslatingDolokhov’swordsintoEnglish。Athinyounglad，anhussaroftheLifeGuards，whohadbeenlosingthatevening，climbedonthewindowsill，leanedover，andlookeddown。

"Oh！Oh！Oh！"hemuttered，lookingdownfromthewindowatthestonesofthepavement。

"Shutup！"criedDolokhov，pushinghimawayfromthewindow。Theladjumpedawkwardlybackintotheroom，trippingoverhisspurs。

Placingthebottleonthewindowsillwherehecouldreachiteasily，Dolokhovclimbedcarefullyandslowlythroughthewindowandloweredhislegs。Pressingagainstbothsidesofthewindow，headjustedhimselfonhisseat，loweredhishands，movedalittletotherightandthentotheleft，andtookupthebottle。Anatolebroughttwocandlesandplacedthemonthewindowsill，thoughitwasalreadyquitelight。Dolokhov’sbackinhiswhiteshirt，andhiscurlyhead，werelitupfrombothsides。Everyonecrowdedtothewindow，theEnglishmaninfront。Pierrestoodsmilingbutsilent。Oneman，olderthantheotherspresent，suddenlypushedforwardwithascaredandangrylookandwantedtoseizeholdofDolokhov’sshirt。

"Isay，thisisfolly！He’llbekilled，"saidthismoresensibleman。

Anatolestoppedhim。

"Don’ttouchhim！You’llstartlehimandthenhe’llbekilled。

Eh？……Whatthen？……Eh？"

Dolokhovturnedroundand，againholdingonwithbothhands，arrangedhimselfonhisseat。

"Ifanyonecomesmeddlingagain，"saidhe，emittingthewordsseparatelythroughhisthincompressedlips，"Iwillthrowhimdownthere。Nowthen！"

Sayingthisheagainturnedround，droppedhishands，tookthebottleandliftedittohislips，threwbackhishead，andraisedhisfreehandtobalancehimself。OneofthefootmenwhohadstoopedtopickupsomebrokenglassremainedinthatpositionwithouttakinghiseyesfromthewindowandfromDolokhov’sback。Anatolestooderectwithstaringeyes。TheEnglishmanlookedonsideways，pursinguphislips。Themanwhohadwishedtostoptheaffairrantoacorneroftheroomandthrewhimselfonasofawithhisfacetothewall。Pierrehidhisface，fromwhichafaintsmileforgottofadethoughhisfeaturesnowexpressedhorrorandfear。Allwerestill。

Pierretookhishandsfromhiseyes。Dolokhovstillsatinthesameposition，onlyhisheadwasthrownfurtherbacktillhiscurlyhairtouchedhisshirtcollar，andthehandholdingthebottlewasliftedhigherandhigherandtrembledwiththeeffort。Thebottlewasemptyingperceptiblyandrisingstillhigherandhisheadtiltingyetfurtherback。"Whyisitsolong？"thoughtPierre。Itseemedtohimthatmorethanhalfanhourhadelapsed。SuddenlyDolokhovmadeabackwardmovementwithhisspine，andhisarmtremblednervously；

thiswassufficienttocausehiswholebodytoslipashesatontheslopingledge。Ashebeganslippingdown，hisheadandarmwaveredstillmorewiththestrain。Onehandmovedasiftoclutchthewindowsill，butrefrainedfromtouchingit。Pierreagaincoveredhiseyesandthoughthewouldneverneverthemagain。Suddenlyhewasawareofastirallaround。Helookedup：Dolokhovwasstandingonthewindowsill，withapalebutradiantface。

"It’sempty。"

HethrewthebottletotheEnglishman，whocaughtitneatly。

Dolokhovjumpeddown。Hesmeltstronglyofrum。

"Welldone！……Finefellow！……There’sabetforyou！……Deviltakeyou！"camefromdifferentsides。

TheEnglishmantookouthispurseandbegancountingoutthemoney。Dolokhovstoodfrowninganddidnotspeak。Pierrejumpeduponthewindowsill。

"Gentlemen，whowishestobetwithme？I’lldothesamething！"hesuddenlycried。"Evenwithoutabet，there！Tellthemtobringmeabottle。I’lldoit……Bringabottle！"

"Lethimdoit，lethimdoit，"saidDolokhov，smiling。

"Whatnext？Haveyougonemad？……Noonewouldletyou！……Why，yougogiddyevenonastaircase，"exclaimedseveralvoices。

"I’lldrinkit！Let’shaveabottleofrum！"shoutedPierre，bangingthetablewithadeterminedanddrunkengestureandpreparingtoclimboutofthewindow。

Theyseizedhimbyhisarms；buthewassostrongthateveryonewhotouchedhimwassentflying。

"No，you’llnevermanagehimthatway，"saidAnatole。"WaitabitandI’llgetroundhim……Listen！I’lltakeyourbettomorrow，butnowweareallgoingto—’s。"

"Comeonthen，"criedPierre。"Comeon！……Andwe’lltakeBruinwithus。"

Andhecaughtthebear，tookitinhisarms，lifteditfromtheground，andbegandancingroundtheroomwithit。

BK1|CH10

CHAPTERX

PrinceVasilikeptthepromisehehadgiventoPrincessDrubetskayawhohadspokentohimonbehalfofheronlysonBorisontheeveningofAnnaPavlovna’ssoiree。ThematterwasmentionedtotheEmperor，anexceptionmade，andBoristransferredintotheregimentofSemenovGuardswiththerankofcornet。Hereceived，however，noappointmenttoKutuzov’sstaffdespiteallAnnaMikhaylovna’sendeavorsandentreaties。SoonafterAnnaPavlovna’sreceptionAnnaMikhaylovnareturnedtoMoscowandwentstraighttoherrichrelations，theRostovs，withwhomshestayedwheninthetownandwhereandwhereherdarlingBory，whohadonlyjustenteredaregimentofthelineandwasbeingatoncetransferredtotheGuardsasacornet，hadbeeneducatedfromchildhoodandlivedforyearsatatime。TheGuardshadalreadyleftPetersburgonthetenthofAugust，andherson，whohadremainedinMoscowforhisequipment，wastojointhemonthemarchtoRadzivilov。

ItwasSt。Natalia’sdayandthenamedayoftwooftheRostovs—themotherandtheyoungestdaughter—bothnamedNataly。Eversincethemorning，carriageswithsixhorseshadbeencomingandgoingcontinually，bringingvisitorstotheCountessRostova’sbighouseonthePovarskaya，sowellknowntoallMoscow。Thecountessherselfandherhandsomeeldestdaughterwereinthedrawing—roomwiththevisitorswhocametocongratulate，andwhoconstantlysucceededoneanotherinrelays。

Thecountesswasawomanofaboutforty—five，withathinOrientaltypeofface，evidentlywornoutwithchildbearing—shehadhadtwelve。Alanguorofmotionandspeech，resultingfromweakness，gaveheradistinguishedairwhichinspiredrespect。PrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaDrubetskaya，whoasamemberofthehouseholdwasalsoseatedinthedrawingroom，helpedtoreceiveandentertainthevisitors。Theyoungpeoplewereinoneoftheinnerrooms，notconsideringitnecessarytotakepartinreceivingthevisitors。Thecountmettheguestsandsawthemoff，invitingthemalltodinner。

"Iamvery，verygratefultoyou，moncher，"or"machere"—hecalledeveryonewithoutexceptionandwithouttheslightestvariationinhistone，"mydear，"whethertheywereaboveorbelowhiminrank—"Ithankyouformyselfandforourtwodearoneswhosenamedaywearekeeping。ButmindyoucometodinnerorIshallbeoffended，machere！OnbehalfofthewholefamilyIbegyoutocome，moncher！"Thesewordsherepeatedtoeveryonewithoutexceptionorvariation，andwiththesameexpressiononhisfull，cheerful，clean—shavenface，thesamefirmpressureofthehandandthesamequick，repeatedbows。Assoonashehadseenavisitoroffhereturnedtooneofthosewhowerestillinthedrawingroom，drewachairtowardhimorher，andjauntilyspreadingouthislegsandputtinghishandsonhiskneeswiththeairofamanwhoenjoyslifeandknowshowtolive，heswayedtoandfrowithdignity，offeredsurmisesabouttheweather，ortouchedonquestionsofhealth，sometimesinRussianandsometimesinverybadbutself—confidentFrench；thenagain，likeamanwearybutunflinchinginthefulfillmentofduty，herosetoseesomevisitorsoffand，strokinghisscantygrayhairsoverhisbaldpatch，alsoaskedthemtodinner。Sometimesonhiswaybackfromtheanteroomhewouldpassthroughtheconservatoryandpantryintothelargemarbledininghall，wheretableswerebeingsetoutforeightypeople；andlookingatthefootmen，whowerebringinginsilverandchina，movingtables，andunfoldingdamasktablelinen，hewouldcallDmitriVasilevich，amanofgoodfamilyandthemanagerofallhisaffairs，andwhilelookingwithpleasureattheenormoustablewouldsay："Well，Dmitri，you’llseethatthingsareallastheyshouldbe？That’sright！Thegreatthingistheserving，that’sit。"

Andwithacomplacentsighhewouldreturntothedrawingroom。

"MaryaLvovnaKaraginaandherdaughter！"announcedthecountess’

giganticfootmaninhisbassvoice，enteringthedrawingroom。Thecountessreflectedamomentandtookapinchfromagoldsnuffboxwithherhusband’sportraitonit。

"I’mquitewornoutbythesecallers。However，I’llseeherandnomore。Sheissoaffected。Askherin，"shesaidtothefootmaninasadvoice，asifsaying："Verywell，finishmeoff。"

Atall，stout，andproud—lookingwoman，witharound—facedsmilingdaughter，enteredthedrawingroom，theirdressesrustling。

"DearCountess，whatanage……Shehasbeenlaidup，poorchild……

attheRazumovski’sball……andCountessApraksina……Iwassodelighted……"camethesoundsofanimatedfemininevoices，interruptingoneanotherandminglingwiththerustlingofdressesandthescrapingofchairs。Thenoneofthoseconversationsbeganwhichlastoutuntil，atthefirstpause，theguestsrisewitharustleofdressesandsay，"Iamsodelighted……Mamma’shealth……andCountessApraksina……andthen，againrustling，passintotheanteroom，putoncloaksormantles，anddriveaway。Theconversationwasonthechieftopicoftheday：theillnessofthewealthyandcelebratedbeauofCatherine’sday，CountBezukhov，andabouthisillegitimatesonPierre，theonewhohadbehavedsoimproperlyatAnnaPavlovna’sreception。

"Iamsosorryforthepoorcount，"saidthevisitor。"Heisinsuchbadhealth，andnowthisvexationabouthissonisenoughtokillhim！"

"Whatisthat？"askedthecountessasifshedidnotknowwhatthevisitoralludedto，thoughshehadalreadyheardaboutthecauseofCountBezukhov’sdistresssomefifteentimes。

"That’swhatcomesofamoderneducation，"exclaimedthevisitor。

"Itseemsthatwhilehewasabroadthisyoungmanwasallowedtodoasheliked，nowinPetersburgIhearhehasbeendoingsuchterriblethingsthathehasbeenexpelledbythepolice。"

"Youdon’tsayso！"repliedthecountess。

"Hechosehisfriendsbadly，"interposedAnnaMikhaylovna。"PrinceVasili’sson，he，andacertainDolokhovhave，itissaid，beenuptoheavenonlyknowswhat！Andtheyhavehadtosufferforit。

DolokhovhasbeendegradedtotheranksandBezukhov’ssonsentbacktoMoscow。AnatoleKuragin’sfathermanagedsomehowtogethisson’saffairhushedup，butevenhewasorderedoutofPetersburg。"

"Butwhathavetheybeenupto？"askedthecountess。

"Theyareregularbrigands，especiallyDolokhov，"repliedthevisitor。"HeisasonofMaryaIvanovnaDolokhova，suchaworthywoman，butthere，justfancy！Thosethreegotholdofabearsomewhere，putitinacarriage，andsetoffwithittovisitsomeactresses！Thepolicetriedtointerfere，andwhatdidtheyoungmendo？TheytiedapolicemanandthebearbacktobackandputthebearintotheMoykaCanal。Andtherewasthebearswimmingaboutwiththepolicemanonhisback！"

"Whatanicefigurethepolicemanmusthavecut，mydear！"shoutedthecount，dyingwithlaughter。

"Oh，howdreadful！Howcanyoulaughatit，Count？"

Yettheladiesthemselvescouldnothelplaughing。

"Itwasalltheycoulddotorescuethepoorman，"continuedthevisitor。"AndtothinkitisCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov’ssonwhoamuseshimselfinthissensiblemanner！Andhewassaidtobesowelleducatedandclever。Thisisallthathisforeigneducationhasdoneforhim！IhopethathereinMoscownoonewillreceivehim，inspiteofhismoney。Theywantedtointroducehimtome，butIquitedeclined：Ihavemydaughterstoconsider。"

"Whydoyousaythisyoungmanissorich？"askedthecountess，turningawayfromthegirls，whoatonceassumedanairofinattention。"Hischildrenareallillegitimate。IthinkPierrealsoisillegitimate。"

Thevisitormadeagesturewithherhand。

"Ishouldthinkhehasascoreofthem。"

PrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaintervenedintheconversation，evidentlywishingtoshowherconnectionsandknowledgeofwhatwentoninsociety。

"Thefactofthematteris，"saidshesignificantly，andalsoinahalfwhisper，"everyoneknowsCountCyril’sreputation……Hehaslostcountofhischildren，butthisPierrewashisfavorite。"

"Howhandsometheoldmanstillwasonlyayearago！"remarkedthecountess。"Ihaveneverseenahandsomerman。"

"Heisverymuchalterednow，"saidAnnaMikhaylovna。"Well，asI

wassaying，PrinceVasiliisthenextheirthroughhiswife，butthecountisveryfondofPierre，lookedafterhiseducation，andwrotetotheEmperorabouthim；sothatinthecaseofhisdeath—andheissoillthathemaydieatanymoment，andDr。LorrainhascomefromPetersburg—nooneknowswhowillinherithisimmensefortune，PierreorPrinceVasili。Fortythousandserfsandmillionsofrubles！IknowitallverywellforPrinceVasilitoldmehimself。

Besides，CyrilVladimirovichismymother’ssecondcousin。He’salsomyBory’sgodfather，"sheadded，asifsheattachednoimportanceatalltothefact。

"PrinceVasiliarrivedinMoscowyesterday。Ihearhehascomeonsomeinspectionbusiness，"remarkedthevisitor。

"Yes，butbetweenourselves，"saidtheprincess，thatisapretext。ThefactishehascometoseeCountCyrilVladimirovich，hearinghowillheis。"

"Butdoyouknow，mydear，thatwasacapitaljoke，"saidthecount；

andseeingthattheeldervisitorwasnotlistening，heturnedtotheyoungladies。"Icanjustimaginewhatafunnyfigurethatpolicemancut！"

Andashewavedhisarmstoimpersonatethepoliceman，hisportlyformagainshookwithadeepringinglaugh，thelaughofonewhoalwayseatswelland，inparticular，drinkswell。"Sodocomeanddinewithus！"hesaid。

BK1|CH11

CHAPTERXI

Silenceensued。Thecountesslookedathercallers，smilingaffably，butnotconcealingthefactthatshewouldnotbedistressediftheynowroseandtooktheirleave。Thevisitor’sdaughterwasalreadysmoothingdownherdresswithaninquiringlookathermother，whensuddenlyfromthenextroomwereheardthefootstepsofboysandgirlsrunningtothedoorandthenoiseofachairfallingover，andagirlofthirteen，hidingsomethinginthefoldsofhershortmuslinfrock，dartedinandstoppedshortinthemiddleoftheroom。Itwasevidentthatshehadnotintendedherflighttobringhersofar。

Behindherinthedoorwayappearedastudentwithacrimsoncoatcollar，anofficeroftheGuards，agirloffifteen，andaplumprosy—facedboyinashortjacket。

Thecountjumpedupand，swayingfromsidetoside，spreadhisarmswideandthrewthemroundthelittlegirlwhohadrunin。

"Ah，heresheis！"heexclaimedlaughing。"Mypet，whosenamedayitis。Mydearpet！"

"Machere，thereisatimeforeverything，"saidthecountesswithfeignedseverity。"Youspoilher，Ilya，"sheadded，turningtoherhusband。

"Howdoyoudo，mydear？Iwishyoumanyhappyreturnsofyournameday，"saidthevisitor。"Whatacharmingchild，"sheadded，addressingthemother。

Thisblack—eyed，wide—mouthedgirl，notprettybutfulloflife—

withchildishbareshoulderswhichafterherrunheavedandshookherbodice，withblackcurlstossedbackward，thinbarearms，littlelegsinlace—frilleddrawers，andfeetinlowslippers—wasjustatthatcharmingagewhenagirlisnolongerachild，thoughthechildisnotyetayoungwoman。Escapingfromherfathersherantohideherflushedfaceinthelaceofhermother’smantilla—notpayingtheleastattentiontohersevereremark—andbegantolaugh。Shelaughed，andinfragmentarysentencestriedtoexplainaboutadollwhichsheproducedfromthefoldsofherfrock。

"Doyousee？……Mydoll……Mimi……Yousee……"wasallNatashamanagedtoutter(tohereverythingseemedfunny)。Sheleanedagainsthermotherandburstintosuchaloud，ringingfitoflaughterthateventheprimvisitorcouldnothelpjoiningin。

"Nowthen，goawayandtakeyourmonstrositywithyou，"saidthemother，pushingawayherdaughterwithpretendedsternness，andturningtothevisitorsheadded："Sheismyyoungestgirl。"

Natasha，raisingherfaceforamomentfromhermother’smantilla，glancedupatherthroughtearsoflaughter，andagainhidherface。

Thevisitor，compelledtolookonatthisfamilyscene，thoughtitnecessarytotakesomepartinit。

"Tellme，mydear，"saidshetoNatasha，"isMimiarelationofyours？Adaughter，Isuppose？"

Natashadidnotlikethevisitor’stoneofcondescensiontochildishthings。Shedidnotreply，butlookedatherseriously。

Meanwhiletheyoungergeneration：Boris，theofficer，AnnaMikhaylovna’sson；Nicholas，theundergraduate，thecount’seldestson；Sonya，thecount’sfifteen—year—oldniece，andlittlePetya，hisyoungestboy，hadallsettleddowninthedrawingroomandwereobviouslytryingtorestrainwithintheboundsofdecorumtheexcitementandmirththatshoneinalltheirfaces。Evidentlyinthebackrooms，fromwhichtheyhaddashedoutsoimpetuously，theconversationhadbeenmoreamusingthanthedrawing—roomtalkofsocietyscandals，theweather，andCountessApraksina。Nowandthentheyglancedatoneanother，hardlyabletosuppresstheirlaughter。

Thetwoyoungmen，thestudentandtheofficer，friendsfromchildhood，wereofthesameageandbothhandsomefellows，thoughnotalike。Boriswastallandfair，andhiscalmandhandsomefacehadregular，delicatefeatures。Nicholaswasshortwithcurlyhairandanopenexpression。Darkhairswerealreadyshowingonhisupperlip，andhiswholefaceexpressedimpetuosityandenthusiasm。Nicholasblushedwhenheenteredthedrawingroom。Heevidentlytriedtofindsomethingtosay，butfailed。Borisonthecontraryatoncefoundhisfooting，andrelatedquietlyandhumorouslyhowhehadknowthatdollMimiwhenshewasstillquiteayounglady，beforehernosewasbroken；howshehadagedduringthefiveyearshehadknownher，andhowherheadhadcrackedrightacrosstheskull。HavingsaidthisheglancedatNatasha。Sheturnedawayfromhimandglancedatheryoungerbrother，whowasscrewinguphiseyesandshakingwithsuppressedlaughter，andunabletocontrolherselfanylonger，shejumpedupandrushedfromtheroomasfastashernimblelittlefeetwouldcarryher。Borisdidnotlaugh。

"Youweremeaningtogoout，weren’tyou，Mamma？Doyouwantthecarriage？"heaskedhismotherwithasmile。

"Yes，yes，goandtellthemtogetitready，"sheanswered，returninghissmile。

BorisquietlylefttheroomandwentinsearchofNatasha。Theplumpboyranafterthemangrily，asifvexedthattheirprogramhadbeendisturbed。

BK1|CH12

CHAPTERXII

Theonlyyoungpeopleremaininginthedrawingroom，notcountingtheyoungladyvisitorandthecountess’eldestdaughter(whowasfouryearsolderthanhersisterandbehavedalreadylikeagrown—upperson)，wereNicholasandSonya，theniece。Sonyawasaslenderlittlebrunettewithatenderlookinhereyeswhichwereveiledbylonglashes，thickblackplaitscoilingtwiceroundherhead，andatawnytintinhercomplexionandespeciallyinthecolorofherslenderbutgracefulandmusculararmsandneck。Bythegraceofhermovements，bythesoftnessandflexibilityofhersmalllimbs，andbyacertaincoynessandreserveofmanner，sheremindedoneofapretty，half—grownkittenwhichpromisestobecomeabeautifullittlecat。Sheevidentlyconsidereditpropertoshowaninterestinthegeneralconversationbysmiling，butinspiteofherselfhereyesundertheirthicklonglasheswatchedhercousinwhowasgoingtojointhearmy，withsuchpassionategirlishadorationthathersmilecouldnotforasingleinstantimposeuponanyone，anditwasclearthatthekittenhadsettleddownonlytospringupwithmoreenergyandagainplaywithhercousinassoonastheytoocould，likeNatashaandBoris，escapefromthedrawingroom。

"Ahyes，mydear，"saidthecount，addressingthevisitorandpointingtoNicholas，"hisfriendBorishasbecomeanofficer，andsoforfriendship’ssakeheisleavingtheuniversityandme，hisoldfather，andenteringthemilitaryservice，mydear。AndtherewasaplaceandeverythingwaitingforhimintheArchivesDepartment！

Isn’tthatfriendship？"remarkedthecountinaninquiringtone。

"Buttheysaythatwarhasbeendeclared，"repliedthevisitor。

"They’vebeensayingsoalongwhile，"saidthecount，"andthey’llsaysoagainandagain，andthatwillbetheendofit。Mydear，there’sfriendshipforyou，"herepeated。"He’sjoiningthehussars。"

Thevisitor，notknowingwhattosay，shookherhead。

"It’snotatallfromfriendship，"declaredNicholas，flaringupandturningawayasiffromashamefulaspersion。"Itisnotfromfriendshipatall；Isimplyfeelthatthearmyismyvocation。"

Heglancedathiscousinandtheyoungladyvisitor；andtheywerebothregardinghimwithasmileofapprobation。

"Schubert，thecolonelofthePavlogradHussars，isdiningwithustoday。HehasbeenhereonleaveandistakingNicholasbackwithhim。

Itcan’tbehelped！"saidthecount，shrugginghisshouldersandspeakingplayfullyofamatterthatevidentlydistressedhim。

"Ihavealreadytoldyou，Papa，"saidhisson，"thatifyoudon’twishtoletmego，I’llstay。ButIknowIamnouseanywhereexceptinthearmy；Iamnotadiplomatoragovernmentclerk。—Idon’tknowhowtohidewhatIfeel。"AshespokehekeptglancingwiththeflirtatiousnessofahandsomeyouthatSonyaandtheyoungladyvisitor。

Thelittlekitten，feastinghereyesonhim，seemedreadyatanymomenttostarthergambolsagainanddisplayherkittenishnature。

"Allright，allright！"saidtheoldcount。"Healwaysflaresup！

ThisBuonapartehasturnedalltheirheads；theyallthinkofhowherosefromanensignandbecameEmperor。Well，well，Godgrantit，"

headded，notnoticinghisvisitor’ssarcasticsmile。

TheeldersbegantalkingaboutBonaparte。JulieKaraginaturnedtoyoungRostov。

"Whatapityyouweren’tattheArkharovs’onThursday。Itwassodullwithoutyou，"saidshe，givinghimatendersmile。

Theyoungman，flattered，satdownnearertoherwithacoquettishsmile，andengagedthesmilingJulieinaconfidentialconversationwithoutatallnoticingthathisinvoluntarysmilehadstabbedtheheartofSonya，whoblushedandsmiledunnaturally。Inthemidstofhistalkheglancedroundather。Shegavehimapassionatelyangryglance，andhardlyabletorestrainhertearsandmaintaintheartificialsmileonherlips，shegotupandlefttheroom。AllNicholas’animationvanished。Hewaitedforthefirstpauseintheconversation，andthenwithadistressedfacelefttheroomtofindSonya。

"Howplainlyalltheseyoungpeopleweartheirheartsontheirsleeves！"saidAnnaMikhaylovna，pointingtoNicholasashewentout。"Cousinage—dangereuxvoisinage；"*sheadded。

*Cousinhoodisadangerousneighborhood。

"Yes，"saidthecountesswhenthebrightnesstheseyoungpeoplehadbroughtintotheroomhadvanished；andasifansweringaquestionnoonehadputbutwhichwasalwaysinhermind，"andhowmuchsuffering，howmuchanxietyonehashadtogothroughthatwemightrejoiceinthemnow！Andyetreallytheanxietyisgreaternowthanthejoy。Oneisalways，alwaysanxious！Especiallyjustatthisage，sodangerousbothforgirlsandboys。"

"Italldependsonthebringingup，"remarkedthevisitor。

"Yes，you’requiteright，"continuedthecountess。"TillnowI

havealways，thankGod，beenmychildren’sfriendandhadtheirfullconfidence，"saidshe，repeatingthemistakeofsomanyparentswhoimaginethattheirchildrenhavenosecretsfromthem。"IknowIshallalwaysbemydaughters’firstconfidante，andthatifNicholas，withhisimpulsivenature，doesgetintomischief(aboycan’thelpit)，hewillallthesameneverbelikethosePetersburgyoungmen。"

"Yes，theyaresplendid，splendidyoungsters，"chimedinthecount，whoalwayssolvedquestionsthatseemedtohimperplexingbydecidingthateverythingwassplendid。"Justfancy：wantstobeanhussar。What’sonetodo，mydear？"

"Whatacharmingcreatureyouryoungergirlis，"saidthevisitor；

"alittlevolcano！"

"Yes，aregularvolcano，"saidthecount。"Takesafterme！Andwhatavoiceshehas；thoughshe’smydaughter，ItellthetruthwhenIsayshe’llbeasinger，asecondSalomoni！WehaveengagedanItaliantogiveherlessons。"

"Isn’tshetooyoung？Ihaveheardthatitharmsthevoicetotrainitatthatage。"

"Ohno，notatalltooyoung！"repliedthecount。"Why，ourmothersusedtobemarriedattwelveorthirteen。"

"Andshe’sinlovewithBorisalready。Justfancy！"saidthecountesswithagentlesmile，lookingatBoris’andwenton，evidentlyconcernedwithathoughtthatalwaysoccupiedher："NowyouseeifI

weretobeseverewithherandtoforbidit……goodnessknowswhattheymightbeuptoonthesly"(shemeantthattheywouldbekissing)，"butasitis，Iknoweverywordsheutters。Shewillcomerunningtomeofherownaccordintheeveningandtellmeeverything。

PerhapsIspoilher，butreallythatseemsthebestplan。WithhereldersisterIwasstricter。"

"Yes，Iwasbroughtupquitedifferently，"remarkedthehandsomeelderdaughter，CountessVera，withasmile。

ButthesmiledidnotenhanceVera’sbeautyassmilesgenerallydo；onthecontraryitgaveheranunnatural，andthereforeunpleasant，expression。Verawasgood—looking，notatallstupid，quickatlearning，waswellbroughtup，andhadapleasantvoice；whatshesaidwastrueandappropriate，yet，strangetosay，everyone—

thevisitorsandcountessalike—turnedtolookatherasifwonderingwhyshehadsaidit，andtheyallfeltawkward。

"Peoplearealwaystoocleverwiththeireldestchildrenandtrytomakesomethingexceptionalofthem，"saidthevisitor。

"What’sthegoodofdenyingit，mydear？OurdearcountesswastoocleverwithVera，"saidthecount。"Well，whatofthat？She’sturnedoutsplendidlyallthesame，"headded，winkingatVera。

Theguestsgotupandtooktheirleave，promisingtoreturntodinner。

"Whatmanners！Ithoughttheywouldnevergo，"saidthecountess，whenshehadseenherguestsout。

BK1|CH13

CHAPTERXIII

WhenNatasharanoutofthedrawingroomsheonlywentasfarastheconservatory。Thereshepausedandstoodlisteningtotheconversationinthedrawingroom，waitingforBoristocomeout。Shewasalreadygrowingimpatient，andstampedherfoot，readytocryathisnotcomingatonce，whensheheardtheyoungman’sdiscreetstepsapproachingneitherquicklynorslowly。AtthisNatashadashedswiftlyamongtheflowertubsandhidthere。

Borispausedinthemiddleoftheroom，lookedround，brushedalittledustfromthesleeveofhisuniform，andgoinguptoamirrorexaminedhishandsomeface。Natasha，verystill，peeredoutfromherambush，waitingtoseewhathewoulddo。Hestoodalittlewhilebeforetheglass，smiled，andwalkedtowardtheotherdoor。Natashawasabouttocallhimbutchangedhermind。"Lethimlookforme，"

thoughtshe。HardlyhadBorisgonethanSonya，flushed，intears，andmutteringangrily，cameinattheotherdoor。Natashacheckedherfirstimpulsetorunouttoher，andremainedinherhidingplace，watching—asunderaninvisiblecap—toseewhatwentonintheworld。

Shewasexperiencinganewandpeculiarpleasure。Sonya，mutteringtoherself，keptlookingroundtowardthedrawing—roomdoor。ItopenedandNicholascamein。

"Sonya，whatisthematterwithyou？Howcanyou？"saidhe，runninguptoher。

"It’snothing，nothing；leavemealone！"sobbedSonya。

"Ah，Iknowwhatitis。"

"Well，ifyoudo，somuchthebetter，andyoucangobacktoher！"

"So—o—onya！Lookhere！Howcanyoutorturemeandyourselflikethat，foramerefancy？"saidNicholastakingherhand。

Sonyadidnotpullitaway，andleftoffcrying。Natasha，notstirringandscarcelybreathing，watchedfromherambushwithsparklingeyes。"Whatwillhappennow？"thoughtshe。

"Sonya！Whatisanyoneintheworldtome？Youaloneareeverything！"saidNicholas。"AndIwillproveittoyou。"

"Idon’tlikeyoutotalklikethat。"

"Well，then，Iwon’t；onlyforgiveme，Sonya！"Hedrewhertohimandkissedher。

"Oh，hownice，"thoughtNatasha；andwhenSonyaandNicholashadgoneoutoftheconservatoryshefollowedandcalledBoristoher。

"Boris，comehere，"saidshewithaslyandsignificantlook。"I

havesomethingtotellyou。Here，here！"andsheledhimintotheconservatorytotheplaceamongthetubswhereshehadbeenhiding。

Borisfollowedher，smiling。

"Whatisthesomething？"askedhe。

Shegrewconfused，glancedround，and，seeingthedollshehadthrowndownononeofthetubs，pickeditup。

"Kissthedoll，"saidshe。

Borislookedattentivelyandkindlyathereagerface，butdidnotreply。

"Don’tyouwantto？Well，then，comehere，"saidshe，andwentfurtherinamongtheplantsandthrewdownthedoll。"Closer，closer！"

shewhispered。

Shecaughttheyoungofficerbyhiscuffs，andalookofsolemnityandfearappearedonherflushedface。

"Andme？Wouldyouliketokissme？"shewhisperedalmostinaudibly，glancingupathimfromunderherbrows，smiling，andalmostcryingfromexcitement。

Borisblushed。

"Howfunnyyouare！"hesaid，bendingdowntoherandblushingstillmore，buthewaitedanddidnothing。

Suddenlyshejumpedupontoatubtobehigherthanhe，embracedhimsothatbothherslenderbarearmsclaspedhimabovehisneck，and，tossingbackherhair，kissedhimfullonthelips。

Thensheslippeddownamongtheflowerpotsontheothersideofthetubsandstood，hangingherhead。

"Natasha，"hesaid，"youknowthatIloveyou，but……"

"Youareinlovewithme？"Natashabrokein。

"Yes，Iam，butpleasedon’tletusdolikethat……Inanotherfouryears……thenIwillaskforyourhand。"

Natashaconsidered。

"Thirteen，fourteen，fifteen，sixteen，"shecountedonherslenderlittlefingers。"Allright！Thenit’ssettled？"

Asmileofjoyandsatisfactionlituphereagerface。

"Settled！"repliedBoris。

"Forever？"saidthelittlegirl。"Tilldeathitself？"

Shetookhisarmandwithahappyfacewentwithhimintotheadjoiningsittingroom。

BK1|CH14

CHAPTERXIV

Afterreceivinghervisitors，thecountesswassotiredthatshegaveorderstoadmitnomore，buttheporterwastoldtobesuretoinvitetodinnerallwhocame"tocongratulate。"Thecountesswishedtohaveatete—a—tetetalkwiththefriendofherchildhood，PrincessAnnaMikhaylovna，whomshehadnotseenproperlysinceshereturnedfromPetersburg。AnnaMikhaylovna，withhertear—wornbutpleasantface，drewherchairnearertothatofthecountess。

"WithyouIwillbequitefrank，"saidAnnaMikhaylovna。"Therearenotmanyleftofusoldfriends！That’swhyIsovalueyourfriendship。"

AnnaMikhaylovnalookedatVeraandpaused。Thecountesspressedherfriend’shand。

"Vera，"shesaidtohereldestdaughterwhowasevidentlynotafavorite，"howisityouhavesolittletact？Don’tyouseeyouarenotwantedhere？Gototheothergirls，or……"

ThehandsomeVerasmiledcontemptuouslybutdidnotseematallhurt。

"Ifyouhadtoldmesooner，Mamma，Iwouldhavegone，"sherepliedassherosetogotoherownroom。

Butasshepassedthesittingroomshenoticedtwocouplessitting，onepairateachwindow。Shestoppedandsmiledscornfully。

SonyawassittingclosetoNicholaswhowascopyingoutsomeversesforher，thefirsthehadeverwritten。BorisandNatashawereattheotherwindowandceasedtalkingwhenVeraentered。SonyaandNatashalookedatVerawithguilty，happyfaces。

Itwaspleasantandtouchingtoseetheselittlegirlsinlove；

butapparentlythesightofthemrousednopleasantfeelinginVera。

"HowoftenhaveIaskedyounottotakemythings？"shesaid。"Youhavearoomofyourown，"andshetooktheinkstandfromNicholas。

"Inaminute，inaminute，"hesaid，dippinghispen。

"Youalwaysmanagetodothingsatthewrongtime，"continuedVera。"Youcamerushingintothedrawingroomsothateveryonefeltashamedofyou。"

Thoughwhatshesaidwasquitejust，perhapsforthatveryreasonnoonereplied，andthefoursimplylookedatoneanother。Shelingeredintheroomwiththeinkstandinherhand。

"AndatyouragewhatsecretscantherebebetweenNatashaandBoris，orbetweenyoutwo？It’sallnonsense！"

"Now，Vera，whatdoesitmattertoyou？"saidNatashaindefense，speakingverygently。

Sheseemedthatdaytobemorethaneverkindandaffectionatetoeveryone。

"Verysilly，"saidVera。"Iamashamedofyou。Secretsindeed！"

"Allhavesecretsoftheirown，"answeredNatasha，gettingwarmer。

"Wedon’tinterferewithyouandBerg。"

"Ishouldthinknot，"saidVera，"becausetherecanneverbeanythingwronginmybehavior。ButI’lljusttellMammahowyouarebehavingwithBoris。"

"NatalyaIlynichnabehavesverywelltome，"remarkedBoris。"Ihavenothingtocomplainof。"

"Don’t，Boris！Youaresuchadiplomatthatitisreallytiresome，"saidNatashainamortifiedvoicethattrembledslightly。

(Sheusedtheword"diplomat，"whichwasjustthenmuchinvogueamongthechildren，inthespecialsensetheyattachedtoit。)"Whydoesshebotherme？"Andsheadded，turningtoVera，"You’llneverunderstandit，becauseyou’veneverlovedanyone。Youhavenoheart！YouareaMadamedeGenlisandnothingmore"(thisnickname，bestowedonVerabyNicholas，wasconsideredverystinging)，"andyourgreatestpleasureistobeunpleasanttopeople！GoandflirtwithBergasmuchasyouplease，"shefinishedquickly。

"Ishallatanyratenotrunafterayoungmanbeforevisitors……"

"Well，nowyou’vedonewhatyouwanted，"putinNicholas—"saidunpleasantthingstoeveryoneandupsetthem。Let’sgotothenursery。"

Allfour，likeaflockofscaredbirds，gotupandlefttheroom。

"Theunpleasantthingsweresaidtome，"remarkedVera，"Isaidnonetoanyone。"

"MadamedeGenlis！MadamedeGenlis！"shoutedlaughingvoicesthroughthedoor。

ThehandsomeVera，whoproducedsuchanirritatingandunpleasanteffectoneveryone，smiledand，evidentlyunmovedbywhathadbeensaidtoher，wenttothelookingglassandarrangedherhairandscarf。Lookingatherownhandsomefacesheseemedtobecomestillcolderandcalmer。

Inthedrawingroomtheconversationwasstillgoingon。

"Ah，mydear，"saidthecountess，"mylifeisnotallroseseither。Don’tIknowthatattheratewearelivingourmeanswon’tlastlong？It’salltheClubandhiseasygoingnature。Eveninthecountrydowegetanyrest？Theatricals，hunting，andheavenknowswhatbesides！Butdon’tlet’stalkaboutme；tellmehowyoumanagedeverything。Ioftenwonderatyou，Annette—howatyourageyoucanrushoffaloneinacarriagetoMoscow，toPetersburg，tothoseministersandgreatpeople，andknowhowtodealwiththemall！It’squiteastonishing。Howdidyougetthingssettled？Icouldn’tpossiblydoit。"

"Ah，mylove，"answeredAnnaMikhaylovna，"Godgrantyouneverknowwhatitistobeleftawidowwithoutmeansandwithasonyoulovetodistraction！Onelearnsmanythingsthen，"sheaddedwithacertainpride。"Thatlawsuittaughtmemuch。WhenIwanttoseeoneofthosebigpeopleIwriteanote：’PrincessSo—and—SodesiresaninterviewwithSoand—So，’andthenItakeacabandgomyselftwo，three，orfourtimes—tillIgetwhatIwant。Idon’tmindwhattheythinkofme。"

"Well，andtowhomdidyouapplyaboutBory？"askedthecountess。

"YouseeyoursisalreadyanofficerintheGuards，whilemyNicholasisgoingasacadet。There’snoonetointeresthimselfforhim。Towhomdidyouapply？"

"ToPrinceVasili。Hewassokind。Heatonceagreedtoeverything，andputthematterbeforetheEmperor，"saidPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaenthusiastically，quiteforgettingallthehumiliationshehadenduredtogainherend。

"HasPrinceVasiliagedmuch？"askedthecountess。"IhavenotseenhimsinceweactedtogetherattheRumyantsovs’theatricals。I

expecthehasforgottenme。Hepaidmeattentionsinthosedays，"saidthecountess，withasmile。

"Heisjustthesameasever，"repliedAnnaMikhaylovna，"overflowingwithamiability。Hispositionhasnotturnedhisheadatall。Hesaidtome，’IamsorryIcandosolittleforyou，dearPrincess。Iamatyourcommand。’Yes，heisafinefellowandaverykindrelation。But，Nataly，youknowmyloveformyson：Iwoulddoanythingforhishappiness！Andmyaffairsareinsuchabadwaythatmypositionisnowaterribleone，"continuedAnnaMikhaylovna，sadly，droppinghervoice。"MywretchedlawsuittakesallIhaveandmakesnoprogress。Wouldyoubelieveit，Ihaveliterallynotapennyanddon’tknowhowtoequipBoris。"Shetookoutherhandkerchiefandbegantocry。"Ineedfivehundredrubles，andhaveonlyonetwenty—five—rublenote。Iaminsuchastate……MyonlyhopenowisinCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov。Ifhewillnotassisthisgodson—youknowheisBory’sgodfather—andallowhimsomethingforhismaintenance，allmytroublewillhavebeenthrownaway……I

shallnotbeabletoequiphim。"

Thecountess’eyesfilledwithtearsandsheponderedinsilence。

"Ioftenthink，though，perhapsit’sasin，"saidtheprincess，"thatherelivesCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhovsorich，allalone……thattremendousfortune……andwhatishislifeworth？It’saburdentohim，andBory’slifeisonlyjustbeginning……"

"SurelyhewillleavesomethingtoBoris，"saidthecountess。

"Heavenonlyknows，mydear！Theserichgrandeesaresoselfish。

Still，IwilltakeBorisandgotoseehimatonce，andIshallspeaktohimstraightout。Letpeoplethinkwhattheywillofme，it’sreallyallthesametomewhenmyson’sfateisatstake。"Theprincessrose。"It’snowtwoo’clockandyoudineatfour。Therewilljustbetime。"

AndlikeapracticalPetersburgladywhoknowshowtomakethemostoftime，AnnaMikhaylovnasentsomeonetocallherson，andwentintotheanteroomwithhim。

"Good—by，mydear，"saidshetothecountesswhosawhertothedoor，andaddedinawhispersothathersonshouldnothear，"Wishmegoodluck。"

"AreyougoingtoCountCyrilVladimirovich，mydear？"saidthecountcomingoutfromthedininghallintotheanteroom，andheadded：

"Ifheisbetter，askPierretodinewithus。Hehasbeentothehouse，youknow，anddancedwiththechildren。Besuretoinvitehim，mydear。WewillseehowTarasdistinguisheshimselftoday。HesaysCountOrlovnevergavesuchadinnerasourswillbe！"

BK1|CH15

CHAPTERXV

"MydearBoris，"saidPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnatohersonasCountessRostova’scarriageinwhichtheywereseateddroveoverthestrawcoveredstreetandturnedintothewidecourtyardofCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov’shouse。"MydearBoris，"saidthemother，drawingherhandfrombeneathheroldmantleandlayingittimidlyandtenderlyonherson’sarm，"beaffectionateandattentivetohim。

CountCyrilVladimirovichisyourgodfatherafterall，yourfuturedependsonhim。Rememberthat，mydear，andbenicetohim，asyousowellknowhowtobe。"

"IfonlyIknewthatanythingbesideshumiliationwouldcomeofit……"answeredhersoncoldly。"ButIhavepromisedandwilldoitforyoursake。"

Althoughthehallportersawsomeone’scarriagestandingattheentrance，afterscrutinizingthemotherandson(whowithoutaskingtobeannouncedhadpassedstraightthroughtheglassporchbetweentherowsofstatuesinniches)andlookingsignificantlyatthelady’soldcloak，heaskedwhethertheywantedthecountortheprincesses，and，hearingthattheywishedtoseethecount，saidhisexcellencywasworsetoday，andthathisexcellencywasnotreceivinganyone。

"Wemayaswellgoback，"saidthesoninFrench。

"Mydear！"exclaimedhismotherimploringly，againlayingherhandonhisarmasifthattouchmightsootheorrousehim。

Borissaidnomore，butlookedinquiringlyathismotherwithouttakingoffhiscloak。

"Myfriend，"saidAnnaMikhaylovnaingentletones，addressingthehallporter，IknowCountCyrilVladimirovichisveryill……that’swhyIhavecome……Iamarelation。Ishallnotdisturbhim，myfriend……IonlyneedseePrinceVasiliSergeevich：heisstayinghere，ishenot？Pleaseannounceme。"

Thehallportersullenlypulledabellthatrangupstairs，andturnedaway。

"PrincessDrubetskayatoseePrinceVasiliSergeevich，"hecalledtoafootmandressedinkneebreeches，shoes，andaswallow—tailcoat，whorandownstairsandlookedoverfromthehalfwaylanding。

ThemothersmoothedthefoldsofherdyedsilkdressbeforealargeVenetianmirrorinthewall，andinhertrodden—downshoesbrisklyascendedthecarpetedstairs。

"Mydear，"shesaidtoherson，oncemorestimulatinghimbyatouch，"youpromisedme！"

Theson，loweringhiseyes，followedherquietly。

Theyenteredthelargehall，fromwhichoneofthedoorsledtotheapartmentsassignedtoPrinceVasili。

Justasthemotherandson，havingreachedthemiddleofthehall，wereabouttoasktheirwayofanelderlyfootmanwhohadsprungupastheyentered，thebronzehandleofoneofthedoorsturnedandPrinceVasilicameout—wearingavelvetcoatwithasinglestaronhisbreast，aswashiscustomwhenathome—takingleaveofagood—looking，dark—hairedman。ThiswasthecelebratedPetersburgdoctor，Lorrain。

"Thenitiscertain？"saidtheprince。

"Prince，humanumesterrare，*but……"repliedthedoctor，swallowinghisr’s，andpronouncingtheLatinwordswithaFrenchaccent。

*Toerrishuman。

"Verywell，verywell……"

SeeingAnnaMikhaylovnaandherson，PrinceVasilidismissedthedoctorwithabowandapproachedthemsilentlyandwithalookofinquiry。Thesonnoticedthatanexpressionofprofoundsorrowsuddenlycloudedhismother’sface，andhesmiledslightly。

"Ah，Prince！Inwhatsadcircumstanceswemeetagain！Andhowisourdearinvalid？"saidshe，asthoughunawareofthecoldoffensivelookfixedonher。

PrinceVasilistaredatherandatBorisquestioninglyandperplexed。Borisbowedpolitely。PrinceVasiliwithoutacknowledgingthebowturnedtoAnnaMikhaylovna，answeringherquerybyamovementoftheheadandlipsindicatingverylittlehopeforthepatient。

"Isitpossible？"exclaimedAnnaMikhaylovna。"Oh，howawful！Itisterribletothink……Thisismyson，"sheadded，indicatingBoris。

"Hewantedtothankyouhimself。"

Borisbowedagainpolitely。

"Believeme，Prince，amother’sheartwillneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforus。"

"IamgladIwasabletodoyouaservice，mydearAnnaMikhaylovna，"saidPrinceVasili，arranginghislacefrill，andintoneandmanner，hereinMoscowtoAnnaMikhaylovnawhomhehadplacedunderanobligation，assuminganairofmuchgreaterimportancethanhehaddoneinPetersburgatAnnaScherer’sreception。

"Trytoservewellandshowyourselfworthy，"addedhe，addressingBoriswithseverity。"Iamglad……Areyouhereonleave？"hewentoninhisusualtoneofindifference。

"Iamawaitingorderstojoinmynewregiment，yourexcellency，"

repliedBoris，betrayingneitherannoyanceattheprince’sbrusquemannernoradesiretoenterintoconversation，butspeakingsoquietlyandrespectfullythattheprincegavehimasearchingglance。

"Areyoulivingwithyourmother？"

"IamlivingatCountessRostova’s，"repliedBoris，againadding，"yourexcellency。"

"Thatis，withIlyaRostovwhomarriedNatalyShinshina，"saidAnnaMikhaylovna。

"Iknow，Iknow，"answeredPrinceVasiliinhismonotonousvoice。"I

nevercouldunderstandhowNatalymadeuphermindtomarrythatunlickedbear！Aperfectlyabsurdandstupidfellow，andagamblertoo，Iamtold。"

"Butaverykindman，Prince，"saidAnnaMikhaylovnawithapatheticsmile，asthoughshetooknewthatCountRostovdeservedthiscensure，butaskedhimnottobetoohardonthepooroldman。"Whatdothedoctorssay？"askedtheprincessafterapause，herwornfaceagainexpressingdeepsorrow。

"Theygivelittlehope，"repliedtheprince。

"AndIshouldsoliketothankUncleonceforallhiskindnesstomeandBoris。Heishisgodson，"sheadded，hertonesuggestingthatthisfactoughttogivePrinceVasilimuchsatisfaction。

PrinceVasilibecamethoughtfulandfrowned。AnnaMikhaylovnasawthathewasafraidoffindinginherarivalforCountBezukhov’sfortune，andhastenedtoreassurehim。

"IfitwerenotformysincereaffectionanddevotiontoUncle，"

saidshe，utteringthewordwithpeculiarassuranceandunconcern，"Iknowhischaracter：noble，upright……butyouseehehasnoonewithhimexcepttheyoungprincesses……Theyarestillyoung……"Shebentherheadandcontinuedinawhisper："Hasheperformedhisfinalduty，Prince？Howpricelessarethoselastmoments！Itcanmakethingsnoworse，anditisabsolutelynecessarytopreparehimifheissoill。Wewomen，Prince，"andshesmiledtenderly，"alwaysknowhowtosaythesethings。Iabsolutelymustseehim，howeverpainfulitmaybeforme。Iamusedtosuffering。"

Evidentlytheprinceunderstoodher，andalsounderstood，ashehaddoneatAnnaPavlovna’s，thatitwouldbedifficulttogetridofAnnaMikhaylovna。

"Wouldnotsuchameetingbetootryingforhim，dearAnnaMikhaylovna？"saidhe。"Letuswaituntilevening。Thedoctorsareexpectingacrisis。"

"Butonecannotdelay，Prince，atsuchamoment！Considerthatthewelfareofhissoulisatstake。Ah，itisawful：thedutiesofaChristian……"

Adoorofoneoftheinnerroomsopenedandoneoftheprincesses，thecount’sniece，enteredwithacold，sternface。Thelengthofherbodywasstrikinglyoutofproportiontohershortlegs。PrinceVasiliturnedtoher。

"Well，howishe？"

"Stillthesame；butwhatcanyouexpect，thisnoise……"saidtheprincess，lookingatAnnaMikhaylovnaasatastranger。

"Ah，mydear，Ihardlyknewyou，"saidAnnaMikhaylovnawithahappysmile，amblinglightlyuptothecount’sniece。"Ihavecome，andamatyourservicetohelpyounursemyuncle。Iimaginewhatyouhavegonethrough，"andshesympatheticallyturneduphereyes。

Theprincessgavenoreplyanddidnotevensmile，butlefttheroomatAnnaMikhaylovnatookoffherglovesand，occupyingthepositionshehadconquered，settleddowninanarmchair，invitingPrinceVasilitotakeaseatbesideher。

"Boris，"shesaidtohersonwithasmile，"Ishallgointoseethecount，myuncle；butyou，mydear，hadbettergotoPierremeanwhileanddon’tforgettogivehimtheRostovs’invitation。Theyaskhimtodinner。Isupposehewon’tgo？"shecontinued，turningtotheprince。

"Onthecontrary，"repliedtheprince，whohadplainlybecomedepressed，"Ishallbeonlytoogladifyourelievemeofthatyoungman……Hereheis，andthecounthasnotonceaskedforhim。"

Heshruggedhisshoulders。AfootmanconductedBorisdownoneflightofstairsandupanother，toPierre’srooms。

BK1|CH16

CHAPTERXVI

Pierre，afterall，hadnotmanagedtochooseacareerforhimselfinPetersburg，andhadbeenexpelledfromthereforriotousconductandsenttoMoscow。ThestorytoldabouthimatCountRostov’swastrue。

Pierrehadtakenpartintyingapolicemantoabear。HehadnowbeenforsomedaysinMoscowandwasstayingasusualathisfather’shouse。ThoughheexpectedthatthestoryofhisescapadewouldbealreadyknowninMoscowandthattheladiesabouthisfather—

whowereneverfavorablydisposedtowardhim—wouldhaveusedittoturnthecountagainsthim，heneverthelessonthedayofhisarrivalwenttohisfather’spartofthehouse。Enteringthedrawingroom，wheretheprincessesspentmostoftheirtime，hegreetedtheladies，twoofwhomweresittingatembroideryframeswhileathirdreadaloud。Itwastheeldestwhowasreading—theonewhohadmetAnnaMikhaylovna。Thetwoyoungeroneswereembroidering：bothwererosyandprettyandtheydifferedonlyinthatonehadalittlemoleonherlipwhichmadehermuchprettier。Pierrewasreceivedasifhewereacorpseoraleper。Theeldestprincesspausedinherreadingandsilentlystaredathimwithfrightenedeyes；thesecondassumedpreciselythesameexpression；whiletheyoungest，theonewiththemole，whowasofacheerfulandlivelydisposition，bentoverherframetohideasmileprobablyevokedbytheamusingscenesheforesaw。Shedrewherwooldownthroughthecanvasand，scarcelyabletorefrainfromlaughing，stoopedasiftryingtomakeoutthepattern。

"Howdoyoudo，cousin？"saidPierre。"Youdon’trecognizeme？"

"Irecognizeyouonlytoowell，toowell。"

"Howisthecount？CanIseehim？"askedPierre，awkwardlyasusual，butunabashed。

"Thecountissufferingphysicallyandmentally，andapparentlyyouhavedoneyourbesttoincreasehismentalsufferings。"

"CanIseethecount？"Pierreagainasked。

"Hm……Ifyouwishtokillhim，tokillhimoutright，youcanseehim……Olga，goandseewhetherUncle’sbeefteaisready—itisalmosttime，"sheadded，givingPierretounderstandthattheywerebusy，andbusymakinghisfathercomfortable，whileevidentlyhe，Pierre，wasonlybusycausinghimannoyance。

Olgawentout。Pierrestoodlookingatthesisters；thenhebowedandsaid："ThenIwillgotomyrooms。YouwillletmeknowwhenIcanseehim。"

Andhelefttheroom，followedbythelowbutringinglaughterofthesisterwiththemole。

NextdayPrinceVasilihadarrivedandsettledinthecount’shouse。

HesentforPierreandsaidtohim："Mydearfellow，ifyouaregoingtobehavehereasyoudidinPetersburg，youwillendverybadly；thatisallIhavetosaytoyou。Thecountisvery，veryill，andyoumustnotseehimatall。"

SincethenPierrehadnotbeendisturbedandhadspentthewholetimeinhisroomsupstairs。

WhenBorisappearedathisdoorPierrewaspacingupanddownhisroom，stoppingoccasionallyatacornertomakemenacinggesturesatthewall，asifrunningaswordthroughaninvisiblefoe，andglaringsavagelyoverhisspectacles，andthenagainresuminghiswalk，mutteringindistinctwords，shrugginghisshouldersandgesticulating。

"Englandisdonefor，"saidhe，scowlingandpointinghisfingeratsomeoneunseen。"Mr。Pitt，asatraitortothenationandtotherightsofman，issentencedto……"ButbeforePierre—whoatthatmomentimaginedhimselftobeNapoleoninpersonandtohavejusteffectedthedangerouscrossingoftheStraitsofDoverandcapturedLondon—couldpronouncePitt’ssentence，hesawawell—builtandhandsomeyoungofficerenteringhisroom。Pierrepaused。HehadleftMoscowwhenBoriswasaboyoffourteen，andhadquiteforgottenhim，butinhisusualimpulsiveandheartywayhetookBorisbythehandwithafriendlysmile。

"Doyourememberme？"askedBorisquietlywithapleasantsmile。

"Ihavecomewithmymothertoseethecount，butitseemsheisnotwell。"

"Yes，itseemsheisill。Peoplearealwaysdisturbinghim，"

answeredPierre，tryingtorememberwhothisyoungmanwas。

BorisfeltthatPierredidnotrecognizehimbutdidnotconsideritnecessarytointroducehimself，andwithoutexperiencingtheleastembarrassmentlookedPierrestraightintheface。

"CountRostovasksyoutocometodinnertoday，"saidhe，afteraconsiderablepausewhichmadePierrefeeluncomfortable。

"Ah，CountRostov！"exclaimedPierrejoyfully。"Thenyouarehisson，Ilya？Onlyfancy，Ididn’tknowyouatfirst。DoyourememberhowwewenttotheSparrowHillswithMadameJacquot？……It’ssuchanage……"

"Youaremistaken，"saidBorisdeliberately，withaboldandslightlysarcasticsmile。"IamBoris，sonofPrincessAnnaMikhaylovnaDrubetskaya。Rostov，thefather，isIlya，andhissonisNicholas。IneverknewanyMadameJacquot。"

Pierreshookhisheadandarmsasifattackedbymosquitoesorbees。

"Ohdear，whatamIthinkingabout？I’vemixedeverythingup。OnehassomanyrelativesinMoscow！SoyouareBoris？Ofcourse。Well，nowweknowwhereweare。AndwhatdoyouthinkoftheBoulogneexpedition？TheEnglishwillcomeoffbadly，youknow，ifNapoleongetsacrosstheChannel。Ithinktheexpeditionisquitefeasible。

IfonlyVilleneuvedoesn’tmakeamessofthings！

BorisknewnothingabouttheBoulogneexpedition；hedidnotreadthepapersanditwasthefirsttimehehadheardVilleneuve’sname。

"WehereinMoscowaremoreoccupiedwithdinnerpartiesandscandalthanwithpolitics，"saidheinhisquietironicaltone。"Iknownothingaboutitandhavenotthoughtaboutit。Moscowischieflybusywithgossip，"hecontinued。"Justnowtheyaretalkingaboutyouandyourfather。"

Pierresmiledinhisgood—naturedwayasifafraidforhiscompanion’ssakethatthelattermightsaysomethinghewouldafterwardsregret。ButBorisspokedistinctly，clearly，anddryly，lookingstraightintoPierre’seyes。

"Moscowhasnothingelsetodobutgossip，"Boriswenton。

"Everybodyiswonderingtowhomthecountwillleavehisfortune，thoughhemayperhapsoutliveusall，asIsincerelyhopehewill……"

"Yes，itisallveryhorrid，"interruptedPierre，"veryhorrid。"

Pierrewasstillafraidthatthisofficermightinadvertentlysaysomethingdisconcertingtohimself。

"Anditmustseemtoyou，"saidBorisflushingslightly，butnotchanginghistoneorattitude，"itmustseemtoyouthateveryoneistryingtogetsomethingoutoftherichman？"

"Soitdoes，"thoughtPierre。