"ButIjustwishtosay，toavoidmisunderstandings，thatyouarequitemistakenifyoureckonmeormymotheramongsuchpeople。Weareverypoor，butformyownpartatanyrate，fortheveryreasonthatyourfatherisrich，Idon’tregardmyselfasarelationofhis，andneitherInormymotherwouldeveraskortakeanythingfromhim。"

ForalongtimePierrecouldnotunderstand，butwhenhedid，hejumpedupfromthesofa，seizedBorisundertheelbowinhisquick，clumsyway，and，blushingfarmorethanBoris，begantospeakwithafeelingofmingledshameandvexation。

"Well，thisisstrange！DoyousupposeI……whocouldthink？……I

knowverywell……"

ButBorisagaininterruptedhim。

"IamgladIhavespokenoutfully。Perhapsyoudidnotlikeit？Youmustexcuseme，"saidhe，puttingPierreateaseinsteadofbeingputateasebyhim，"butIhopeIhavenotoffendedyou。Ialwaysmakeitaruletospeakout……Well，whatansweramItotake？WillyoucometodinnerattheRostovs’？"

AndBoris，havingapparentlyrelievedhimselfofanonerousdutyandextricatedhimselffromanawkwardsituationandplacedanotherinit，becamequitepleasantagain。

"No，butIsay，"saidPierre，calmingdown，"youareawonderfulfellow！Whatyouhavejustsaidisgood，verygood。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowme。Wehavenotmetforsuchalongtime……notsincewewerechildren。YoumightthinkthatI……Iunderstand，quiteunderstand。Icouldnothavedoneitmyself，Ishouldnothavehadthecourage，butit’ssplendid。Iamverygladtohavemadeyouracquaintance。It’squeer，"headdedafterapause，"thatyoushouldhavesuspectedme！"Hebegantolaugh。"Well，whatofit！Ihopewe’llgetbetteracquainted，"andhepressedBoris’hand。"Doyouknow，I

havenotoncebeenintoseethecount。Hehasnotsentforme……I

amsorryforhimasaman，butwhatcanonedo？"

"AndsoyouthinkNapoleonwillmanagetogetanarmyacross？"askedBoriswithasmile。

PierresawthatBoriswishedtochangethesubject，andbeingofthesamemindhebeganexplainingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftheBoulogneexpedition。

AfootmancameintosummonBoris—theprincesswasgoing。Pierre，inordertomakeBoris’betteracquaintance，promisedtocometodinner，andwarmlypressinghishandlookedaffectionatelyoverhisspectaclesintoBoris’eyes。AfterhehadgonePierrecontinuedpacingupanddowntheroomforalongtime，nolongerpiercinganimaginaryfoewithhisimaginarysword，butsmilingattheremembranceofthatpleasant，intelligent，andresoluteyoungman。

Asoftenhappensinearlyyouth，especiallytoonewholeadsalonelylife，hefeltanunaccountabletendernessforthisyoungmanandmadeuphismindthattheywouldbefriends。

PrinceVasilisawtheprincessoff。Sheheldahandkerchieftohereyesandherfacewastearful。

"Itisdreadful，dreadful！"shewassaying，"butcostmewhatitmayIshalldomyduty。Iwillcomeandspendthenight。Hemustnotbeleftlikethis。Everymomentisprecious。Ican’tthinkwhyhisniecesputitoff。PerhapsGodwillhelpmetofindawaytopreparehim！……Adieu，Prince！MayGodsupportyou……"

"Adieu，mabonne，"answeredPrinceVasiliturningawayfromher。

"Oh，heisinadreadfulstate，"saidthemothertohersonwhentheywereinthecarriage。"Hehardlyrecognizesanybody。"

"Idon’tunderstand，Mamma—whatishisattitudetoPierre？"askedtheson。

"Thewillwillshowthat，mydear；ourfatealsodependsonit。"

"Butwhydoyouexpectthathewillleaveusanything？"

"Ah，mydear！Heissorich，andwearesopoor！"

"Well，thatishardlyasufficientreason，Mamma……"

"Oh，Heaven！Howillheis！"exclaimedthemother。

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CHAPTERXVII

AfterAnnaMikhaylovnahaddrivenoffwithhersontovisitCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov，CountessRostovasatforalongtimeallaloneapplyingherhandkerchieftohereyes。Atlastsherang。

"Whatisthematterwithyou，mydear？"shesaidcrosslytothemaidwhokeptherwaitingsomeminutes。"Don’tyouwishtoserveme？ThenI’llfindyouanotherplace。"

Thecountesswasupsetbyherfriend’ssorrowandhumiliatingpoverty，andwasthereforeoutofsorts，astateofmindwhichwithheralwaysfoundexpressionincallinghermaid"mydear"andspeakingtoherwithexaggeratedpoliteness。

"Iamverysorry，ma’am，"answeredthemaid。

"Askthecounttocometome。"

Thecountcamewaddlingintoseehiswifewitharatherguiltylookasusual。

"Well，littlecountess？Whatasauteofgameaumaderewearetohave，mydear！Itastedit。ThethousandrublesIpaidforTaraswerenotill—spent。Heisworthit！"

Hesatdownbyhiswife，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhishandsrufflinghisgrayhair。

"Whatareyourcommands，littlecountess？"

"Yousee，mydear……What’sthatmess？"shesaid，pointingtohiswaistcoat。"It’s，thesaute，mostlikely，"sheaddedwithasmile。

"Well，yousee，Count，Iwantsomemoney。"

Herfacebecamesad。

"Oh，littlecountess！"……andthecountbeganbustlingtogetouthispocketbook。

"Iwantagreatdeal，Count！Iwantfivehundredrubles，"andtakingouthercambrichandkerchiefshebeganwipingherhusband’swaistcoat。

"Yes，immediately，immediately！Hey，who’sthere？"hecalledoutinatoneonlyusedbypersonswhoarecertainthatthosetheycallwillrushtoobeythesummons。"SendDmitritome！"

Dmitri，amanofgoodfamilywhohadbeenbroughtupinthecount’shouseandnowmanagedallhisaffairs，steppedsoftlyintotheroom。

"ThisiswhatIwant，mydearfellow，"saidthecounttothedeferentialyoungmanwhohadentered。"Bringme……"hereflectedamoment，"yes，bringmesevenhundredrubles，yes！Butmind，don’tbringmesuchtatteredanddirtynotesaslasttime，butnicecleanonesforthecountess。"

"Yes，Dmitri，cleanones，please，"saidthecountess，sighingdeeply。

"Whenwouldyoulikethem，yourexcellency？"askedDmitri。"Allowmetoinformyou……But，don’tbeuneasy，"headded，noticingthatthecountwasbeginningtobreatheheavilyandquicklywhichwasalwaysasignofapproachinganger。"Iwasforgetting……Doyouwishitbroughtatonce？"

"Yes，yes；justso！Bringit。Giveittothecountess。"

"WhatatreasurethatDmitriis，"addedthecountwithasmilewhentheyoungmanhaddeparted。"Thereisneverany’impossible’withhim。That’sathingIhate！Everythingispossible。"

"Ah，money，Count，money！Howmuchsorrowitcausesintheworld，"

saidthecountess。"ButIamingreatneedofthissum。"

"You，mylittlecountess，areanotoriousspendthrift，"saidthecount，andhavingkissedhiswife’shandhewentbacktohisstudy。

WhenAnnaMikhaylovnareturnedfromCountBezukhov’sthemoney，allincleannotes，waslyingreadyunderahandkerchiefonthecountess’littletable，andAnnaMikhaylovnanoticedthatsomethingwasagitatingher。

"Well，mydear？"askedthecountess。

"Oh，whataterriblestateheisin！Onewouldnotknowhim，heissoill！Iwasonlythereafewmomentsandhardlysaidaword……"

"Annette，forheaven’ssakedon’trefuseme，"thecountessbegan，withablushthatlookedverystrangeonherthin，dignified，elderlyface，andshetookthemoneyfromunderthehandkerchief。

AnnaMikhaylovnainstantlyguessedherintentionandstoopedtobereadytoembracethecountessattheappropriatemoment。

"ThisisforBorisfromme，forhisoutfit。"

AnnaMikhaylovnawasalreadyembracingherandweeping。Thecountesswepttoo。Theyweptbecausetheywerefriends，andbecausetheywerekindhearted，andbecausethey—friendsfromchildhood—hadtothinkaboutsuchabasethingasmoney，andbecausetheiryouthwasover……

Butthosetearswerepleasanttothemboth。

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CHAPTERXVIII

CountessRostova，withherdaughtersandalargenumberofguests，wasalreadyseatedinthedrawingroom。ThecounttookthegentlemenintohisstudyandshowedthemhischoicecollectionofTurkishpipes。

Fromtimetotimehewentouttoask："Hasn’tshecomeyet？"TheywereexpectingMaryaDmitrievnaAkhrosimova，knowninsocietyasleterribledragon，aladydistinguishednotforwealthorrank，butforcommonsenseandfrankplainnessofspeech。MaryaDmitrievnawasknowntotheImperialfamilyaswellastoallMoscowandPetersburg，andbothcitieswonderedather，laughedprivatelyatherrudenesses，andtoldgoodstoriesabouther，whilenonethelessallwithoutexceptionrespectedandfearedher。

Inthecount’sroom，whichwasfulloftobaccosmoke，theytalkedofwarthathadbeenannouncedinamanifesto，andabouttherecruiting。Noneofthemhadyetseenthemanifesto，buttheyallknewithadappeared。Thecountsatonthesofabetweentwoguestswhoweresmokingandtalking。Heneithersmokednortalked，butbendinghisheadfirsttoonesideandthentotheotherwatchedthesmokerswithevidentpleasureandlistenedtotheconversationofhistwoneighbors，whomheeggedonagainsteachother。

Oneofthemwasasallow，clean—shavencivilianwithathinandwrinkledface，alreadygrowingold，thoughhewasdressedlikeamostfashionableyoungman。Hesatwithhislegsuponthesofaasifquiteathomeand，havingstuckanambermouthpiecefarintohismouth，wasinhalingthesmokespasmodicallyandscrewinguphiseyes。Thiswasanoldbachelor，Shinshin，acousinofthecountess’，amanwith"asharptongue"astheysaidinMoscowsociety。Heseemedtobecondescendingtohiscompanion。Thelatter，afresh，rosyofficeroftheGuards，irreproachablywashed，brushed，andbuttoned，heldhispipeinthemiddleofhismouthandwithredlipsgentlyinhaledthesmoke，lettingitescapefromhishandsomemouthinrings。ThiswasLieutenantBerg，anofficerintheSemenovregimentwithwhomBoriswastotraveltojointhearmy，andaboutwhomNatashahad，teasedhereldersisterVera，speakingofBergasher"intended。"

Thecountsatbetweenthemandlistenedattentively。Hisfavoriteoccupationwhennotplayingboston，acardgamehewasveryfondof，wasthatoflistener，especiallywhenhesucceededinsettingtwoloquacioustalkersatoneanother。

"Well，then，oldchap，montreshonorableAlphonseKarlovich，"

saidShinshin，laughingironicallyandmixingthemostordinaryRussianexpressionswiththechoicestFrenchphrases—whichwasapeculiarityofhisspeech。"Vouscomptezvousfairedesrentessurl’etat；*youwanttomakesomethingoutofyourcompany？"

*Youexpecttomakeanincomeoutofthegovernment。

"No，PeterNikolaevich；Ionlywanttoshowthatinthecavalrytheadvantagesarefarlessthanintheinfantry。Justconsidermyownpositionnow，PeterNikolaevich……"

Bergalwaysspokequietly，politely，andwithgreatprecision。Hisconversationalwaysrelatedentirelytohimself；hewouldremaincalmandsilentwhenthetalkrelatedtoanytopicthathadnodirectbearingonhimself。Hecouldremainsilentforhourswithoutbeingatallputoutofcountenancehimselformakingothersuncomfortable，butassoonastheconversationconcernedhimselfhewouldbegintotalkcircumstantiallyandwithevidentsatisfaction。

"Considermyposition，PeterNikolaevich。WereIinthecavalryI

shouldgetnotmorethantwohundredrubleseveryfourmonths，evenwiththerankoflieutenant；butasitisIreceivetwohundredandthirty，"saidhe，lookingatShinshinandthecountwithajoyful，pleasantsmile，asifitwereobvioustohimthathissuccessmustalwaysbethechiefdesireofeveryoneelse。

"Besidesthat，PeterNikolaevich，byexchangingintotheGuardsI

shallbeinamoreprominentposition，"continuedBerg，"andvacanciesoccurmuchmorefrequentlyintheFootGuards。Thenjustthinkwhatcanbedonewithtwohundredandthirtyrubles！Ievenmanagetoputalittleasideandtosendsomethingtomyfather，"hewenton，emittingasmokering。

"Labalanceyest……*AGermanknowshowtoskinaflint，astheproverbsays，"remarkedShinshin，movinghispipetotheothersideofhismouthandwinkingatthecount。

*Sothatsquaresmatters。

Thecountburstoutlaughing。TheotherguestsseeingthatShinshinwastalkingcameuptolisten。Berg，obliviousofironyorindifference，continuedtoexplainhowbyexchangingintotheGuardshehadalreadygainedasteponhisoldcomradesoftheCadetCorps；

howinwartimethecompanycommandermightgetkilledandhe，asseniorinthecompany，mighteasilysucceedtothepost；howpopularhewaswitheveryoneintheregiment，andhowsatisfiedhisfatherwaswithhim。Bergevidentlyenjoyednarratingallthis，anddidnotseemtosuspectthatothers，too，mighthavetheirowninterests。

Butallhesaidwassoprettilysedate，andthenaiveteofhisyouthfulegotismwassoobvious，thathedisarmedhishearers。

"Well，myboy，you’llgetalongwhereveryougo—footorhorse—thatI’llwarrant，"saidShinshin，pattinghimontheshoulderandtakinghisfeetoffthesofa。

Bergsmiledjoyously。Thecount，byhisguests，wentintothedrawingroom。

Itwasjustthemomentbeforeabigdinnerwhentheassembledguests，expectingthesummonstozakuska，*avoidengaginginanylongconversationbutthinkitnecessarytomoveaboutandtalk，inordertoshowthattheyarenotatallimpatientfortheirfood。Thehostandhostesslooktowardthedoor，andnowandthenglanceatoneanother，andthevisitorstrytoguessfromtheseglanceswho，orwhat，theyarewaitingfor—someimportantrelationwhohasnotyetarrived，oradishthatisnotyetready。

*Horsd’oeuvres。

Pierrehadcomejustatdinnertimeandwassittingawkwardlyinthemiddleofthedrawingroomonthefirstchairhehadcomeacross，blockingthewayforeveryone。Thecountesstriedtomakehimtalk，buthewentonnaivelylookingaroundthroughhisspectaclesasifinsearchofsomebodyandansweredallherquestionsinmonosyllables。Hewasinthewayandwastheonlyonewhodidnotnoticethefact。Mostoftheguests，knowingoftheaffairwiththebear，lookedwithcuriosityatthisbig，stout，quietman，wonderinghowsuchaclumsy，modestfellowcouldhaveplayedsuchaprankonapoliceman。

"Youhaveonlylatelyarrived？"thecountessaskedhim。

"Oui，madame，"repliedhe，lookingaroundhim。

"Youhavenotyetseenmyhusband？"

"Non，madame。"Hesmiledquiteinappropriately。

"YouhavebeeninParisrecently，Ibelieve？Isupposeit’sveryinteresting。"

"Veryinteresting。"

ThecountessexchangedglanceswithAnnaMikhaylovna。Thelatterunderstoodthatshewasbeingaskedtoentertainthisyoungman，andsittingdownbesidehimshebegantospeakabouthisfather；butheansweredher，ashehadthecountess，onlyinmonosyllables。Theotherguestswereallconversingwithoneanother。"TheRazumovskis……Itwascharming……Youareverykind……CountessApraksina……"washeardonallsides。Thecountessroseandwentintotheballroom。

"MaryaDmitrievna？"camehervoicefromthere。

"Herself，"cametheanswerinaroughvoice，andMaryaDmitrievnaenteredtheroom。

Alltheunmarriedladiesandeventhemarriedonesexcepttheveryoldestrose。MaryaDmitrievnapausedatthedoor。Tallandstout，holdinghighherfifty—year—oldheadwithitsgraycurls，shestoodsurveyingtheguests，andleisurelyarrangedherwidesleevesasifrollingthemup。MaryaDmitrievnaalwaysspokeinRussian。

"Healthandhappinesstoherwhosenamedaywearekeepingandtoherchildren，"shesaid，inherloud，full—tonedvoicewhichdrownedallothers。"Well，youoldsinner，"shewenton，turningtothecountwhowaskissingherhand，"you’refeelingdullinMoscow，I

daresay？Nowheretohuntwithyourdogs？Butwhatistobedone，oldman？Justseehowthesenestlingsaregrowingup，"andshepointedtothegirls。"Youmustlookforhusbandsforthemwhetheryoulikeitornot……"

Well，"saidshe，"how’smyCossack？"(MaryaDmitrievnaalwayscalledNatashaaCossack)andshestrokedthechild’sarmasshecameupfearlessandgaytokissherhand。"Iknowshe’sascampofagirl，butIlikeher。"

Shetookapairofpear—shapedrubyearringsfromherhugereticuleand，havinggiventhemtotherosyNatasha，whobeamedwiththepleasureofhersaint’s—dayfete，turnedawayatonceandaddressedherselftoPierre。

"Eh，eh，friend！Comehereabit，"saidshe，assumingasofthightoneofvoice。"Comehere，myfriend……"andsheominouslytuckeduphersleevesstillhigher。Pierreapproached，lookingatherinachildlikewaythroughhisspectacles。

"Comenearer，comenearer，friend！Iusedtobetheonlyonetotellyourfatherthetruthwhenhewasinfavor，andinyourcaseit’smyevidentduty。"Shepaused。Allweresilent，expectantofwhatwastofollow，forthiswasdearlyonlyaprelude。

"Afinelad！Myword！Afinelad！……Hisfatherliesonhisdeathbedandheamuseshimselfsettingapolicemanastrideabear！Forshame，sir，forshame！Itwouldbebetterifyouwenttothewar。"

Sheturnedawayandgaveherhandtothecount，whocouldhardlykeepfromlaughing。

"Well，Isupposeitistimewewereattable？"saidMaryaDmitrievna。

ThecountwentinfirstwithMaryaDmitrievna，thecountessfollowedonthearmofacolonelofhussars，amanofimportancetothembecauseNicholaswastogowithhimtotheregiment；thencameAnnaMikhaylovnawithShinshin。BerggavehisarmtoVera。ThesmilingJulieKaraginawentinwithNicholas。Afterthemothercouplesfollowed，fillingthewholedininghall，andlastofallthechildren，tutors，andgovernessesfollowedsingly。Thefootmenbeganmovingabout，chairsscraped，thebandstruckupinthegallery，andtheguestssettleddownintheirplaces。Thenthestrainsofthecount’shouseholdbandwerereplacedbytheclatterofknivesandforks，thevoicesofvisitors，andthesoftstepsofthefootmen。AtoneendofthetablesatthecountesswithMaryaDmitrievnaonherrightandAnnaMikhaylovnaonherleft，theotherladyvisitorswerefartherdown。Attheotherendsatthecount，withthehussarcolonelonhisleftandShinshinandtheothermalevisitorsonhisright。Midwaydownthelongtableononesidesatthegrownupyoungpeople：VerabesideBerg，andPierrebesideBoris；andontheotherside，thechildren，tutors，andgovernesses。Frombehindthecrystaldecantersandfruitvasesthecountkeptglancingathiswifeandhertallcapwithitslight—blueribbons，andbusilyfilledhisneighbors’glasses，notneglectinghisown。Thecountessinturn，withoutomittingherdutiesashostess，threwsignificantglancesfrombehindthepineapplesatherhusbandwhosefaceandbaldheadseemedbytheirrednesstocontrastmorethanusualwithhisgrayhair。Attheladies’

endanevenchatterofvoiceswasheardallthetime，atthemen’sendthevoicessoundedlouderandlouder，especiallythatofthecolonelofhussarswho，growingmoreandmoreflushed，ateanddranksomuchthatthecountheldhimupasapatterntotheotherguests。BergwithtendersmileswassayingtoVerathatloveisnotanearthlybutaheavenlyfeeling。BoriswastellinghisnewfriendPierrewhotheguestswereandexchangingglanceswithNatasha，whowassittingopposite。Pierrespokelittlebutexaminedthenewfaces，andateagreatdeal。Ofthetwosoupshechoseturtlewithsavorypattiesandwentontothegamewithoutomittingasingledishoroneofthewines。Theselatterthebutlerthrustmysteriouslyforward，wrappedinanapkin，frombehindthenextman’sshouldersandwhispered："DryMadeira"……"Hungarian"……or"Rhinewine"asthecasemightbe。Ofthefourcrystalglassesengravedwiththecount’smonogramthatstoodbeforehisplate，Pierreheldoutoneatrandomanddrankwithenjoyment，gazingwithever—increasingamiabilityattheotherguests。

Natasha，whosatopposite，waslookingatBorisasgirlsofthirteenlookattheboytheyareinlovewithandhavejustkissedforthefirsttime。SometimesthatsamelookfellonPierre，andthatfunnylivelylittlegirl’slookmadehiminclinedtolaughwithoutknowingwhy。

NicholassatatsomedistancefromSonya，besideJulieKaragina，towhomhewasagaintalkingwiththesameinvoluntarysmile。Sonyaworeacompanysmilebutwasevidentlytormentedbyjealousy；nowsheturnedpale，nowblushedandstrainedeverynervetooverhearwhatNicholasandJulieweresayingtooneanother。Thegovernesskeptlookingrounduneasilyasifpreparingtoresentanyslightthatmightbeputuponthechildren。TheGermantutorwastryingtorememberallthedishes，wines，andkindsofdessert，inordertosendafulldescriptionofthedinnertohispeopleinGermany；andhefeltgreatlyoffendedwhenthebutlerwithabottlewrappedinanapkinpassedhimby。Hefrowned，tryingtoappearasifhedidnotwantanyofthatwine，butwasmortifiedbecausenoonewouldunderstandthatitwasnottoquenchhisthirstorfromgreedinessthathewantedit，butsimplyfromaconscientiousdesireforknowledge。

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CHAPTERXIX

Atthemen’sendofthetablethetalkgrewmoreandmoreanimated。ThecoloneltoldthemthatthedeclarationofwarhadalreadyappearedinPetersburgandthatacopy，whichhehadhimselfseen，hadthatdaybeenforwardedbycouriertothecommanderinchief。

"AndwhythedeucearewegoingtofightBonaparte？"remarkedShinshin。"HehasstoppedAustria’scackleandIfearitwillbeourturnnext。"

Thecolonelwasastout，tall，plethoricGerman，evidentlydevotedtotheserviceandpatrioticallyRussian。HeresentedShinshin’sremark。

"Itisforthereasson，mygootsir，"saidhe，speakingwithaGermanaccent，"forthereassonzatzeEmperorknowszat。HedeclaresinzemanifesstozathecannotfiewwizindifferencezedangervreateningRussiaandzatzesafetyanddignityofzeEmpireasvellaszesanctityofitsalliances……"hespokethislastwordwithparticularemphasisasifinitlaythegistofthematter。

Thenwiththeunerringofficialmemorythatcharacterizedhimherepeatedfromtheopeningwordsofthemanifesto：……andthewish，whichconstitutestheEmperor’ssoleandabsoluteaim—toestablishpeaceinEuropeonfirmfoundations—hasnowdecidedhimtodespatchpartofthearmyabroadandtocreateanewconditionfortheattainmentofthatpurpose。

"Zat，mydearsir，isvy……"heconcluded，drinkingatumblerofwinewithdignityandlookingtothecountforapproval。

"Connaissez—vousleProverbe：*’Jerome，Jerome，donotroam，butturnspindlesathome！’？"saidShinshin，puckeringhisbrowsandsmiling。"Celanousconvientamerveille。*[2]Suvorovnow—heknewwhathewasabout；yettheybeathimaplatecouture，*[3]andwherearewetofindSuvorovsnow？Jevousdemandeunpeu，"*[4]saidhe，continuallychangingfromFrenchtoRussian。

*Doyouknowtheproverb？

*[2]Thatsuitsusdowntotheground。

*[3]Hollow。

*[4]Ijustaskyouthat。

"Vemustvighttothelasttr—r—opofourplood！"saidthecolonel，thumpingthetable；"andvemusttieforourEmperor，andzenallvillpevell。Andvemustdiscussitaslittleaspo—o—ossible"……

hedweltparticularlyonthewordpossible……"aspo—o—ossible，"heended，againturningtothecount。"Zatishowveoldhussarslookatit，andzere’sanendofit！Andhowdoyou，ayoungmanandayounghussar，howdoyoujudgeofit？"headded，addressingNicholas，whowhenheheardthatthewarwasbeingdiscussedhadturnedfromhispartnerwitheyesandearsintentonthecolonel。

"Iamquiteofyouropinion，"repliedNicholas，flamingup，turninghisplateroundandmovinghiswineglassesaboutwithasmuchdecisionanddesperationasthoughhewereatthatmomentfacingsomegreatdanger。"IamconvincedthatweRussiansmustdieorconquer，"heconcluded，conscious—aswereothers—afterthewordswereutteredthathisremarksweretooenthusiasticandemphaticfortheoccasionandwerethereforeawkward。

"Whatyousaidjustnowwassplendid！"saidhispartnerJulie。

SonyatrembledalloverandblushedtoherearsandbehindthemanddowntoherneckandshoulderswhileNicholaswasspeaking。

Pierrelistenedtothecolonel’sspeechandnoddedapprovingly。

"That’sfine，"saidhe。

"Theyoungman’sarealhussar！"shoutedthecolonel，againthumpingthetable。

"Whatareyoumakingsuchanoiseaboutoverthere？"MaryaDmitrievna’sdeepvoicesuddenlyinquiredfromtheotherendofthetable。"Whatareyouthumpingthetablefor？"shedemandedofthehussar，"andwhyareyouexcitingyourself？DoyouthinktheFrencharehere？"

"Iamspeakingzetruce，"repliedthehussarwithasmile。

"It’sallaboutthewar，"thecountshouteddownthetable。"Youknowmyson’sgoing，MaryaDmitrievna？Mysonisgoing。"

"IhavefoursonsinthearmybutstillIdon’tfret。ItisallinGod’shands。YoumaydieinyourbedorGodmayspareyouinabattle，"repliedMaryaDmitrievna’sdeepvoice，whicheasilycarriedthewholelengthofthetable。

"That’strue！"

Oncemoretheconversationsconcentrated，theladies’attheoneendandthemen’sattheother。

"Youwon’task，"Natasha’slittlebrotherwassaying；"Iknowyouwon’task！"

"Iwill，"repliedNatasha。

Herfacesuddenlyflushedwithrecklessandjoyousresolution。Shehalfrose，byaglanceinvitingPierre，whosatopposite，tolistentowhatwascoming，andturningtohermother：

"Mamma！"rangouttheclearcontraltonotesofherchildishvoice，audiblethewholelengthofthetable。

"Whatisit？"askedthecountess，startled；butseeingbyherdaughter’sfacethatitwasonlymischief，sheshookafingerathersternlywithathreateningandforbiddingmovementofherhead。

Theconversationwashushed。

"Mamma！Whatsweetsarewegoingtohave？"andNatasha’svoicesoundedstillmorefirmandresolute。

Thecountesstriedtofrown，butcouldnot。MaryaDmitrievnashookherfatfinger。

"Cossack！"shesaidthreateningly。

Mostoftheguests，uncertainhowtoregardthissally，lookedattheelders。

"Youhadbettertakecare！"saidthecountess。

"Mamma！Whatsweetsarewegoingtohave？"Natashaagaincriedboldly，withsaucygaiety，confidentthatherprankwouldbetakeningoodpart。

SonyaandfatlittlePetyadoubledupwithlaughter。

"Yousee！Ihaveasked，"whisperedNatashatoherlittlebrotherandtoPierre，glancingathimagain。

"Icepudding，butyouwon’tgetany，"saidMaryaDmitrievna。

NatashasawtherewasnothingtobeafraidofandsoshebravedevenMaryaDmitrievna。

"MaryaDmitrievna！Whatkindoficepudding？Idon’tlikeicecream。"

"Carrotices。"

"No！Whatkind，MaryaDmitrievna？Whatkind？"shealmostscreamed；

"Iwanttoknow！"

MaryaDmitrievnaandthecountessburstoutlaughing，andalltheguestsjoinedin。Everyonelaughed，notatMaryaDmitrievna’sanswerbutattheincredibleboldnessandsmartnessofthislittlegirlwhohaddaredtotreatMaryaDmitrievnainthisfashion。

Natashaonlydesistedwhenshehadbeentoldthattherewouldbepineappleice。Beforetheices，champagnewasservedround。Thebandagainstruckup，thecountandcountesskissed，andtheguests，leavingtheirseats，wentupto"congratulate"thecountess，andreachedacrossthetabletoclinkglasseswiththecount，withthechildren，andwithoneanother。Againthefootmenrushedabout，chairsscraped，andinthesameorderinwhichtheyhadenteredbutwithredderfaces，theguestsreturnedtothedrawingroomandtothecount’sstudy。

BK1|CH20

CHAPTERXX

Thecardtablesweredrawnout，setsmadeupforboston，andthecount’svisitorssettledthemselves，someinthetwodrawingrooms，someinthesittingroom，someinthelibrary。

Thecount，holdinghiscardsfanwise，kepthimselfwithdifficultyfromdroppingintohisusualafter—dinnernap，andlaughedateverything。Theyoungpeople，atthecountess’instigation，gatheredroundtheclavichordandharp。Juliebygeneralrequestplayedfirst。Aftershehadplayedalittleairwithvariationsontheharp，shejoinedtheotheryoungladiesinbeggingNatashaandNicholas，whowerenotedfortheirmusicaltalent，tosingsomething。Natasha，whowastreatedasthoughsheweregrownup，wasevidentlyveryproudofthisbutatthesametimefeltshy。

"Whatshallwesing？"shesaid。

"’TheBrook，’"suggestedNicholas。

"Well，then，let’sbequick。Boris，comehere，"saidNatasha。"ButwhereisSonya？"

Shelookedroundandseeingthatherfriendwasnotintheroomrantolookforher。

RunningintoSonya’sroomandnotfindingherthere，Natasharantothenursery，butSonyawasnotthereeither。Natashaconcludedthatshemustbeonthechestinthepassage。ThechestinthepassagewastheplaceofmourningfortheyoungerfemalegenerationintheRostovhousehold。AndthereinfactwasSonyalyingfacedownwardonNurse’sdirtyfeatherbedonthetopofthechest，crumplinghergauzypinkdressunderher，hidingherfacewithherslenderfingers，andsobbingsoconvulsivelythatherbarelittleshouldersshook。

Natasha’sface，whichhadbeensoradiantlyhappyallthatsaint’sday，suddenlychanged：hereyesbecamefixed，andthenashiverpasseddownherbroadneckandthecornersofhermouthdrooped。

"Sonya！Whatisit？Whatisthematter？……Oo……Oo……Oo……！"AndNatasha’slargemouthwidened，makingherlookquiteugly，andshebegantowaillikeababywithoutknowingwhy，exceptthatSonyawascrying。Sonyatriedtoliftherheadtoanswerbutcouldnot，andhidherfacestilldeeperinthebed。Natashawept，sittingontheblue—stripedfeatherbedandhuggingherfriend。WithaneffortSonyasatupandbeganwipinghereyesandexplaining。

"Nicholasisgoingawayinaweek’stime，his……papers……havecome……hetoldmehimself……butstillIshouldnotcry，"andsheshowedapapersheheldinherhand—withtheversesNicholashadwritten，"still，Ishouldnotcry，butyoucan’t……noonecanunderstand……whatasoulhehas！"

Andshebegantocryagainbecausehehadsuchanoblesoul。

"It’sallverywellforyou……Iamnotenvious……IloveyouandBorisalso，"shewenton，gainingalittlestrength；"heisnice……

therearenodifficultiesinyourway……ButNicholasismycousin……

onewouldhaveto……theMetropolitanhimself……andeventhenitcan’tbedone。Andbesides，ifshetellsMamma"(Sonyalookeduponthecountessashermotherandcalledherso)"thatIamspoilingNicholas’careerandamheartlessandungrateful，whiletruly……Godismywitness，"andshemadethesignofthecross，"Ilovehersomuch，andallofyou，onlyVera……Andwhatfor？WhathaveIdonetoher？IamsogratefultoyouthatIwouldwillinglysacrificeeverything，onlyIhavenothing……"

Sonyacouldnotcontinue，andagainhidherfaceinherhandsandinthefeatherbed。Natashabeganconsolingher，butherfaceshowedthatsheunderstoodallthegravityofherfriend’strouble。

"Sonya，"shesuddenlyexclaimed，asifshehadguessedthetruereasonofherfriend’ssorrow，"I’msureVerahassaidsomethingtoyousincedinner？Hasn’tshe？"

"Yes，theseversesNicholaswrotehimselfandIcopiedsomeothers，andshefoundthemonmytableandsaidshe’dshowthemtoMamma，andthatIwasungrateful，andthatMammawouldneverallowhimtomarryme，butthathe’llmarryJulie。Youseehowhe’sbeenwithherallday……Natasha，whathaveIdonetodeserveit？……"

Andagainshebegantosob，morebitterlythanbefore。Natashaliftedherup，huggedher，and，smilingthroughhertears，begancomfortingher。

"Sonya，don’tbelieveher，darling！Don’tbelieveher！DoyourememberhowweandNicholas，allthreeofus，talkedinthesittingroomaftersupper？Why，wesettledhoweverythingwastobe。Idon’tquiterememberhow，butdon’tyourememberthatitcouldallbearrangedandhowniceitallwas？There’sUncleShinshin’sbrotherhasmarriedhisfirstcousin。Andweareonlysecondcousins，youknow。

AndBorissaysitisquitepossible。YouknowIhavetoldhimallaboutit。Andheissocleverandsogood！"saidNatasha。"Don’tyoucry，Sonya，dearlove，darlingSonya！"andshekissedherandlaughed。

"Vera’sspiteful；nevermindher！Andallwillcomerightandshewon’tsayanythingtoMamma。Nicholaswilltellherhimself，andhedoesn’tcareatallforJulie。"

Natashakissedheronthehair。

Sonyasatup。Thelittlekittenbrightened，itseyesshone，anditseemedreadytoliftitstail，jumpdownonitssoftpaws，andbeginplayingwiththeballofworstedasakittenshould。

"Doyouthinkso？……Really？Truly？"shesaid，quicklysmoothingherfrockandhair。

"Really，truly！"answeredNatasha，pushinginacrisplockthathadstrayedfromunderherfriend’splaits。

Bothlaughed。

"Well，let’sgoandsing’TheBrook。’"

"Comealong！"

"Doyouknow，thatfatPierrewhosatoppositemeissofunny！"saidNatasha，stoppingsuddenly。"Ifeelsohappy！"

Andshesetoffatarunalongthepassage。

Sonya，shakingoffsomedownwhichclungtoherandtuckingawaytheversesinthebosomofherdressclosetoherbonylittlechest，ranafterNatashadownthepassageintothesittingroomwithflushedfaceandlight，joyoussteps。Atthevisitors’requesttheyoungpeoplesangthequartette，"TheBrook，"withwhicheveryonewasdelighted。

ThenNicholassangasonghehadjustlearned：

Atnighttimeinthemoon’sfairglowHowsweet，asfancieswanderfree，Tofeelthatinthisworldthere’soneWhostillisthinkingbutofthee！

ThatwhileherfingerstouchtheharpWaftingsweetmusicmusicthelea，Itisfortheethusswellsherheart，Sighingitsmessageouttothee……

Adayortwo，thenblissunspoilt，Butoh！tillthenIcannotlive！……

Hehadnotfinishedthelastversebeforetheyoungpeoplebegantogetreadytodanceinthelargehall，andthesoundofthefeetandthecoughingofthemusicianswereheardfromthegallery。

Pierrewassittinginthedrawing—roomwhereShinshinhadengagedhim，asamanrecentlyreturnedfromabroad，inapoliticalconversationinwhichseveralothersjoinedbutwhichboredPierre。

WhenthemusicbeganNatashacameinandwalkingstraightuptoPierresaid，laughingandblushing：

"Mammatoldmetoaskyoutojointhedancers。"

"Iamafraidofmixingthefigures，"Pierrereplied；"butifyouwillbemyteacher……"Andloweringhisbigarmheofferedittotheslenderlittlegirl。

Whilethecoupleswerearrangingthemselvesandthemusicianstuningup，Pierresatdownwithhislittlepartner。Natashawasperfectlyhappy；shewasdancingwithagrown—upman，whohadbeenabroad。Shewassittinginaconspicuousplaceandtalkingtohimlikeagrown—uplady。Shehadafaninherhandthatoneoftheladieshadgivenhertohold。Assumingquitetheposeofasocietywoman(heavenknowswhenandwhereshehadlearnedit)shetalkedwithherpartner，fanningherselfandsmilingoverthefan。

"Dear，dear！Justlookather！"exclaimedthecountessasshecrossedtheballroom，pointingtoNatasha。

Natashablushedandlaughed。

"Well，really，Mamma！Whyshouldyou？Whatistheretobesurprisedat？"

InthemidstofthethirdecossaisetherewasaclatterofchairsbeingpushedbackinthesittingroomwherethecountandMaryaDmitrievnahadbeenplayingcardswiththemajorityofthemoredistinguishedandoldervisitors。Theynow，stretchingthemselvesaftersittingsolong，andreplacingtheirpursesandpocketbooks，enteredtheballroom。FirstcameMaryaDmitrievnaandthecount，bothwithmerrycountenances。Thecount，withplayfulceremonysomewhatinballetstyle，offeredhisbentarmtoMaryaDmitrievna。Hedrewhimselfup，asmileofdebonairgallantrylituphisfaceandassoonasthelastfigureoftheecossaisewasended，heclappedhishandstothemusiciansandshouteduptotheirgallery，addressingthefirstviolin：

"Semen！DoyouknowtheDanielCooper？"

Thiswasthecount’sfavoritedance，whichhehaddancedinhisyouth。(Strictlyspeaking，DanielCooperwasonefigureoftheanglaise。)

"LookatPapa！"shoutedNatashatothewholecompany，andquiteforgettingthatshewasdancingwithagrown—uppartnershebenthercurlyheadtoherkneesandmadethewholeroomringwithherlaughter。

Andindeedeverybodyintheroomlookedwithasmileofpleasureatthejovialoldgentleman，whostandingbesidehistallandstoutpartner，MaryaDmitrievna，curvedhisarms，beattime，straightenedhisshoulders，turnedouthistoes，tappedgentlywithhisfoot，and，byasmilethatbroadenedhisroundfacemoreandmore，preparedtheonlookersforwhatwastofollow。AssoonastheprovocativelygaystrainsofDanielCooper(somewhatresemblingthoseofamerrypeasantdance)begantosound，allthedoorwaysoftheballroomweresuddenlyfilledbythedomesticserfs—themenononesideandthewomenontheother—whowithbeamingfaceshadcometoseetheirmastermakingmerry。

"Justlookatthemaster！Aregulareagleheis！"loudlyremarkedthenurse，asshestoodinoneofthedoorways。

Thecountdancedwellandknewit。Buthispartnercouldnotanddidnotwanttodancewell。Herenormousfigurestooderect，herpowerfularmshangingdown(shehadhandedherreticuletothecountess)，andonlyhersternbuthandsomefacereallyjoinedinthedance。Whatwasexpressedbythewholeofthecount’splumpfigure，inMaryaDmitrievnafoundexpressiononlyinhermoreandmorebeamingfaceandquiveringnose。Butifthecount，gettingmoreandmoreintotheswingofit，charmedthespectatorsbytheunexpectednessofhisadroitmaneuversandtheagilitywithwhichhecaperedaboutonhislightfeet，MaryaDmitrievnaproducednolessimpressionbyslightexertions—theleastefforttomovehershouldersorbendherarmswhenturning，orstampherfoot—whicheveryoneappreciatedinviewofhersizeandhabitualseverity。Thedancegrewlivelierandlivelier。Theothercouplescouldnotattractamoment’sattentiontotheirownevolutionsanddidnoteventrytodoso。AllwerewatchingthecountandMaryaDmitrievna。Natashakeptpullingeveryonebysleeveordress，urgingthemto"lookatPapa！"thoughasitwastheynevertooktheireyesoffthecouple。Intheintervalsofthedancethecount，breathingdeeply，wavedandshoutedtothemusicianstoplayfaster。Faster，faster，andfaster；lightly，morelightly，andyetmorelightlywhirledthecount，flyingroundMaryaDmitrievna，nowonhistoes，nowonhisheels；until，turninghispartnerroundtoherseat，heexecutedthefinalpas，raisinghissoftfootbackwards，bowinghisperspiringhead，smilingandmakingawidesweepwithhisarm，amidathunderofapplauseandlaughterledbyNatasha。Bothpartnersstoodstill，breathingheavilyandwipingtheirfaceswiththeircambrichandkerchiefs。

"That’showweusedtodanceinourtime，machere，"saidthecount。

"ThatwasaDanielCooper！"exclaimedMaryaDmitrievna，tuckinguphersleevesandpuffingheavily。

BK1|CH21

CHAPTERXXI

WhileintheRostovs’ballroomthesixthanglaisewasbeingdanced，toatuneinwhichthewearymusiciansblundered，andwhiletiredfootmenandcooksweregettingthesupper，CountBezukhovhadasixthstroke。Thedoctorspronouncedrecoveryimpossible。Afteramuteconfession，communionwasadministeredtothedyingman，preparationsmadeforthesacramentofunction，andinhishousetherewasthebustleandthrillofsuspenseusualatsuchmoments。Outsidethehouse，beyondthegates，agroupofundertakers，whohidwheneveracarriagedroveup，waitedinexpectationofanimportantorderforanexpensivefuneral。TheMilitaryGovernorofMoscow，whohadbeenassiduousinsendingaides—de—camptoinquireafterthecount’shealth，camehimselfthateveningtobidalastfarewelltothecelebratedgrandeeofCatherine’scourt，CountBezukhov。

Themagnificentreceptionroomwascrowded。EveryonestooduprespectfullywhentheMilitaryGovernor，havingstayedabouthalfanhouralonewiththedyingman，passedout，slightlyacknowledgingtheirbowsandtryingtoescapeasquicklyasfromtheglancesfixedonhimbythedoctors，clergy，andrelativesofthefamily。PrinceVasili，whohadgrownthinnerandpalerduringthelastfewdays，escortedhimtothedoor，repeatingsomethingtohimseveraltimesinlowtones。

WhentheMilitaryGovernorhadgone，PrinceVasilisatdownallaloneonachairintheballroom，crossingoneleghighovertheother，leaninghiselbowonhiskneeandcoveringhisfacewithhishand。Aftersittingsoforawhileherose，and，lookingabouthimwithfrightenedeyes，wentwithunusuallyhurriedstepsdownthelongcorridorleadingtothebackofthehouse，totheroomoftheeldestprincess。

Thosewhowereinthedimlylitreceptionroomspokeinnervouswhispers，and，wheneveranyonewentintoorcamefromthedyingman’sroom，grewsilentandgazedwitheyesfullofcuriosityorexpectancyathisdoor，whichcreakedslightlywhenopened。

"Thelimitsofhumanlife……arefixedandmaynotbeo’erpassed，"

saidanoldpriesttoaladywhohadtakenaseatbesidehimandwaslisteningnaivelytohiswords。

"Iwonder，isitnottoolatetoadministerunction？"askedthelady，addingthepriest’sclericaltitle，asifshehadnoopinionofherownonthesubject。

"Ah，madam，itisagreatsacrament，"repliedthepriest，passinghishandoverthethingrizzledstrandsofhaircombedbackacrosshisbaldhead。

"Whowasthat？TheMilitaryGovernorhimself？"wasbeingaskedattheothersideoftheroom。"Howyoung—lookingheis！"

"Yes，andheisoversixty。Ihearthecountnolongerrecognizesanyone。Theywishedtoadministerthesacramentofunction。"

"Iknewsomeonewhoreceivedthatsacramentseventimes。"

ThesecondprincesshadjustcomefromthesickroomwithhereyesredfromweepingandsatdownbesideDr。Lorrain，whowassittinginagracefulposeunderaportraitofCatherine，leaninghiselbowonatable。

"Beautiful，"saidthedoctorinanswertoaremarkabouttheweather。"Theweatherisbeautiful，Princess；andbesides，inMoscowonefeelsasifonewereinthecountry。"

"Yes，indeed，"repliedtheprincesswithasigh。"Sohemayhavesomethingtodrink？"

Lorrainconsidered。

"Hashetakenhismedicine？"

"Yes。"

Thedoctorglancedathiswatch。

"Takeaglassofboiledwaterandputapinchofcreamoftartar，"

andheindicatedwithhisdelicatefingerswhathemeantbyapinch。

"Derehasnefferbeenagase，"aGermandoctorwassayingtoanaide—de—camp，"datoneliffsafterdesirdstroke。"

"Andwhatawell—preservedmanhewas！"remarkedtheaide—de—camp。

"Andwhowillinherithiswealth？"headdedinawhisper。

"Itvon’tgobegging，"repliedtheGermanwithasmile。

Everyoneagainlookedtowardthedoor，whichcreakedasthesecondprincesswentinwiththedrinkshehadpreparedaccordingtoLorrain’sinstructions。TheGermandoctorwentuptoLorrain。

"Doyouthinkhecanlasttillmorning？"askedtheGerman，addressingLorraininFrenchwhichhepronouncedbadly。

Lorrain，pursinguphislips，wavedaseverelynegativefingerbeforehisnose。

"Tonight，notlater，"saidheinalowvoice，andhemovedawaywithadecoroussmileofself—satisfactionatbeingableclearlytounderstandandstatethepatient’scondition。

MeanwhilePrinceVasilihadopenedthedoorintotheprincess’room。

Inthisroomitwasalmostdark；onlytwotinylampswereburningbeforetheiconsandtherewasapleasantscentofflowersandburntpastilles。Theroomwascrowdedwithsmallpiecesoffurniture，whatnots，cupboards，andlittletables。Thequiltofahigh，whitefeatherbedwasjustvisiblebehindascreen。Asmalldogbegantobark。

"Ah，isityou，cousin？"

Sheroseandsmoothedherhair，whichwasasusualsoextremelysmooththatitseemedtobemadeofonepiecewithherheadandcoveredwithvarnish。

"Hasanythinghappened？"sheasked。"Iamsoterrified。"

"No，thereisnochange。Ionlycametohaveatalkaboutbusiness，Catiche，"*mutteredtheprince，seatinghimselfwearilyonthechairshehadjustvacated。"Youhavemadetheplacewarm，I

mustsay，"heremarked。"Well，sitdown：let’shaveatalk。"

*Catherine。

"Ithoughtperhapssomethinghadhappened，"shesaidwithherunchangingstonilysevereexpression；and，sittingdownoppositetheprince，shepreparedtolisten。

"Iwishedtogetanap，moncousin，butIcan’t。"

"Well，mydear？"saidPrinceVasili，takingherhandandbendingitdownwardsaswashishabit。

Itwasplainthatthis"well？"referredtomuchthattheybothunderstoodwithoutnaming。

Theprincess，whohadastraight，rigidbody，abnormallylongforherlegs，lookeddirectlyatPrinceVasiliwithnosignofemotioninherprominentgrayeyes。Thensheshookherheadandglancedupattheiconswithasigh。Thismighthavebeentakenasanexpressionofsorrowanddevotion，orofwearinessandhopeofrestingbeforelong。PrinceVasiliunderstooditasanexpressionofweariness。

"AndI？"hesaid；"doyouthinkitiseasierforme？Iamaswornoutasaposthorse，butstillImusthaveatalkwithyou，Catiche，averyserioustalk。"

PrinceVasilisaidnomoreandhischeeksbegantotwitchnervously，nowononeside，nowontheother，givinghisfaceanunpleasantexpressionwhichwasnevertobeseenonitinadrawingroom。Hiseyestooseemedstrange；atonemomenttheylookedimpudentlyslyandatthenextglancedroundinalarm。

Theprincess，holdingherlittledogonherlapwithherthinbonyhands，lookedattentivelyintoPrinceVasili’seyesevidentlyresolvednottobethefirsttobreaksilence，ifshehadtowaittillmorning。

"Well，yousee，mydearprincessandcousin，CatherineSemenovna，"

continuedPrinceVasili，returningtohistheme，apparentlynotwithoutaninnerstruggle；"atsuchamomentasthisonemustthinkofeverything。Onemustthinkofthefuture，ofallofyou……Iloveyouall，likechildrenofmyown，asyouknow。"

Theprincesscontinuedtolookathimwithoutmoving，andwiththesamedullexpression。

"Andthenofcoursemyfamilyhasalsotobeconsidered，"PrinceVasiliwenton，testilypushingawayalittletablewithoutlookingather。"Youknow，Catiche，thatwe—youthreesisters，Mamontov，andmywife—arethecount’sonlydirectheirs。Iknow，Iknowhowharditisforyoutotalkorthinkofsuchmatters。Itisnoeasierforme；

but，mydear，Iamgettingonforsixtyandmustbepreparedforanything。DoyouknowIhavesentforPierre？Thecount，"pointingtohisportrait，"definitelydemandedthatheshouldbecalled。"

PrinceVasililookedquestioninglyattheprincess，butcouldnotmakeoutwhethershewasconsideringwhathehadjustsaidorwhethershewassimplylookingathim。

"ThereisonethingIconstantlyprayGodtogrant，moncousin，"shereplied，"anditisthatHewouldbemercifultohimandwouldallowhisnoblesoulpeacefullytoleavethis……"

"Yes，yes，ofcourse，"interruptedPrinceVasiliimpatiently，rubbinghisbaldheadandangrilypullingbacktowardhimthelittletablethathehadpushedaway。"But……inshort，thefactis……youknowyourselfthatlastwinterthecountmadeawillbywhichheleftallhisproperty，nottoushisdirectheirs，buttoPierre。"

"Hehasmadewillsenough！"quietlyremarkedtheprincess。"ButhecannotleavetheestatetoPierre。Pierreisillegitimate。"

"But，mydear，"saidPrinceVasilisuddenly，clutchingthelittletableandbecomingmoreanimatedandtalkingmorerapidly："whatifaletterhasbeenwrittentotheEmperorinwhichthecountasksforPierre’slegitimation？Doyouunderstandthatinconsiderationofthecount’sservices，hisrequestwouldbegranted？……"

Theprincesssmiledaspeopledowhothinktheyknowmoreaboutthesubjectunderdiscussionthanthosetheyaretalkingwith。

"Icantellyoumore，"continuedPrinceVasili，seizingherhand，"thatletterwaswritten，thoughitwasnotsent，andtheEmperorknewofit。Theonlyquestionis，hasitbeendestroyedornot？Ifnot，thenassoonasallisover，"andPrinceVasilisighedtointimatewhathemeantbythewordsallisover，"andthecount’spapersareopened，thewillandletterwillbedeliveredtotheEmperor，andthepetitionwillcertainlybegranted。Pierrewillgeteverythingasthelegitimateson。"

"Andourshare？"askedtheprincesssmilingironically，asifanythingmighthappen，onlynotthat。

"But，mypoorCatiche，itisasclearasdaylight！Hewillthenbethelegalheirtoeverythingandyouwon’tgetanything。Youmustknow，mydear，whetherthewillandletterwerewritten，andwhethertheyhavebeendestroyedornot。Andiftheyhavesomehowbeenoverlooked，yououghttoknowwheretheyare，andmustfindthem，because……"

"Whatnext？"theprincessinterrupted，smilingsardonicallyandnotchangingtheexpressionofhereyes。"Iamawoman，andyouthinkweareallstupid；butIknowthis：anillegitimatesoncannotinherit……unbatard！"*sheadded，asifsupposingthatthistranslationofthewordwouldeffectivelyprovetoPrinceVasilitheinvalidityofhiscontention。

*Abastard。

"Well，really，Catiche！Can’tyouunderstand！Youaresointelligent，howisityoudon’tseethatifthecounthaswrittenalettertotheEmperorbegginghimtorecognizePierreaslegitimate，itfollowsthatPierrewillnotbePierrebutwillbecomeCountBezukhov，andwilltheninheriteverythingunderthewill？Andifthewillandletterarenotdestroyed，thenyouwillhavenothingbuttheconsolationofhavingbeendutifulettoutcequis’ensuit！*

That’scertain。"

*Andallthatfollowstherefrom。

"Iknowthewillwasmade，butIalsoknowthatitisinvalid；andyou，moncousin，seemtoconsidermeaperfectfool，"saidtheprincesswiththeexpressionwomenassumewhentheysupposetheyaresayingsomethingwittyandstinging。

"MydearPrincessCatherineSemenovna，"beganPrinceVasiliimpatiently，"Icameherenottowranglewithyou，buttotalkaboutyourinterestsaswithakinswoman，agood，kind，truerelation。AndI

tellyouforthetenthtimethatifthelettertotheEmperorandthewillinPierre’sfavorareamongthecount’spapers，then，mydeargirl，youandyoursistersarenotheiresses！Ifyoudon’tbelieveme，thenbelieveanexpert。IhavejustbeentalkingtoDmitriOnufrich"

(thefamilysolicitor)"andhesaysthesame。"

Atthisasuddenchangeevidentlytookplaceintheprincess’ideas；

herthinlipsgrewwhite，thoughhereyesdidnotchange，andhervoicewhenshebegantospeakpassedthroughsuchtransitionsassheherselfevidentlydidnotexpect。

"Thatwouldbeafinething！"saidshe。"IneverwantedanythingandIdon’tnow。"

Shepushedthelittledogoffherlapandsmoothedherdress。

"Andthisisgratitude—thisisrecognitionforthosewhohavesacrificedeverythingforhissake！"shecried。"It’ssplendid！

Fine！Idon’twantanything，Prince。"

"Yes，butyouarenottheonlyone。Thereareyoursisters……"

repliedPrinceVasili。

Buttheprincessdidnotlistentohim。

"Yes，Iknewitlongagobuthadforgotten。IknewthatIcouldexpectnothingbutmeanness，deceit，envy，intrigue，andingratitude—theblackestingratitude—inthishouse……"

"Doyouordoyounotknowwherethatwillis？"insistedPrinceVasili，hischeekstwitchingmorethanever。

"Yes，Iwasafool！Istillbelievedinpeople，lovedthem，andsacrificedmyself。Butonlythebase，thevilesucceed！Iknowwhohasbeenintriguing！"

Theprinceeswishedtorise，buttheprinceheldherbythehand。

Shehadtheairofonewhohassuddenlylostfaithinthewholehumanrace。Shegavehercompanionanangryglance。

"Thereisstilltime，mydear。Youmustremember，Catiche，thatitwasalldonecasuallyinamomentofanger，ofillness，andwasafterwardsforgotten。Ourduty，mydear，istorectifyhismistake，toeasehislastmomentsbynotlettinghimcommitthisinjustice，andnottolethimdiefeelingthatheisrenderingunhappythosewho……"

"Whosacrificedeverythingforhim，"chimedintheprincess，whowouldagainhaverisenhadnottheprincestillheldherfast，"thoughhenevercouldappreciateit。No，moncousin，"sheaddedwithasigh，"Ishallalwaysrememberthatinthisworldonemustexpectnoreward，thatinthisworldthereisneitherhonornorjustice。Inthisworldonehastobecunningandcruel。"

"Nowcome，come！Bereasonable。Iknowyourexcellentheart。"

"No，Ihaveawickedheart。"

"Iknowyourheart，"repeatedtheprince。"Ivalueyourfriendshipandwishyoutohaveasgoodanopinionofme。Don’tupsetyourself，andletustalksensiblywhilethereisstilltime，beitadayorbeitbutanhour……Tellmeallyouknowaboutthewill，andaboveallwhereitis。Youmustknow。Wewilltakeitatonceandshowittothecount。Hehas，nodoubt，forgottenitandwillwishtodestroyit。

Youunderstandthatmysoledesireisconscientiouslytocarryouthiswishes；thatismyonlyreasonforbeinghere。Icamesimplytohelphimandyou。"

"NowIseeitall！Iknowwhohasbeenintriguing—Iknow！"criedtheprincess。

"That’snotthepoint，mydear。"

"It’sthatprotegeofyours，thatsweetPrincessDrubetskaya，thatAnnaMikhaylovnawhomIwouldnottakeforahousemaid……theinfamous，vilewoman！"

"Donotletusloseanytime……"

"Ah，don’ttalktome！Lastwintershewheedledherselfinhereandtoldthecountsuchvile，disgracefulthingsaboutus，especiallyaboutSophie—Ican’trepeatthem—thatitmadethecountquiteillandhewouldnotseeusforawholefortnight。Iknowitwasthenhewrotethisvile，infamouspaper，butIthoughtthethingwasinvalid。"

"We’vegottoitatlast—whydidyounottellmeaboutitsooner？"

"It’sintheinlaidportfoliothathekeepsunderhispillow，"

saidtheprincess，ignoringhisquestion。"NowIknow！Yes；ifI

haveasin，agreatsin，itishatredofthatvilewoman！"almostshriekedtheprincess，nowquitechanged。"Andwhatdoesshecomewormingherselfinherefor？ButIwillgiveherapieceofmymind。

Thetimewillcome！"

BK1|CH22

CHAPTERXXII

Whiletheseconversationsweregoingoninthereceptionroomandtheprincess’room，acarriagecontainingPierre(whohadbeensentfor)andAnnaMikhaylovna(whofounditnecessarytoaccompanyhim)

wasdrivingintothecourtofCountBezukhov’shouse。Asthewheelsrolledsoftlyoverthestrawbeneaththewindows，AnnaMikhaylovna，havingturnedwithwordsofcomforttohercompanion，realizedthathewasasleepinhiscornerandwokehimup。Rousinghimself，PierrefollowedAnnaMikhaylovnaoutofthecarriage，andonlythenbegantothinkoftheinterviewwithhisdyingfatherwhichawaitedhim。

Henoticedthattheyhadnotcometothefrontentrancebuttothebackdoor。Whilehewasgettingdownfromthecarriagestepstwomen，wholookedliketradespeople，ranhurriedlyfromtheentranceandhidintheshadowofthewall。Pausingforamoment，Pierrenoticedseveralothermenofthesamekindhidingintheshadowofthehouseonbothsides。ButneitherAnnaMikhaylovnanorthefootmannorthecoachman，whocouldnothelpseeingthesepeople，tookanynoticeofthem。"Itseemstobeallright，"Pierreconcluded，andfollowedAnnaMikhaylovna。Shehurriedlyascendedthenarrowdimlylitstonestaircase，callingtoPierre，whowaslaggingbehind，tofollow。

Thoughhedidnotseewhyitwasnecessaryforhimtogotothecountatall，stilllesswhyhehadtogobythebackstairs，yetjudgingbyAnnaMikhaylovna’sairofassuranceandhaste，Pierreconcludedthatitwasallabsolutelynecessary。Halfwayupthestairstheywerealmostknockedoverbysomemenwho，carryingpails，camerunningdownstairs，theirbootsclattering。ThesemenpressedclosetothewalltoletPierreandAnnaMikhaylovnapassanddidnotevincetheleastsurpriseatseeingthemthere。

"Isthisthewaytotheprincesses’apartments？"askedAnnaMikhaylovnaofoneofthem。

"Yes，"repliedafootmaninaboldloudvoice，asifanythingwerenowpermissible；"thedoortotheleft，ma’am。"

"Perhapsthecountdidnotaskforme，"saidPierrewhenhereachedthelanding。"I’dbettergotomyownroom。"

AnnaMikhaylovnapausedandwaitedforhimtocomeup。

"Ah，myfriend！"shesaid，touchinghisarmasshehaddoneherson’swhenspeakingtohimthatafternoon，"believemeIsuffernolessthanyoudo，butbeaman！"

"Butreally，hadn’tIbettergoaway？"heasked，lookingkindlyatheroverhisspectacles。

"Ah，mydearfriend！Forgetthewrongsthatmayhavebeendoneyou。Thinkthatheisyourfather……perhapsintheagonyofdeath。"

Shesighed。"Ihavelovedyoulikeasonfromthefirst。Trustyourselftome，Pierre。Ishallnotforgetyourinterests。"

Pierredidnotunderstandaword，buttheconvictionthatallthishadtobegrewstronger，andhemeeklyfollowedAnnaMikhaylovnawhowasalreadyopeningadoor。

Thisdoorledintoabackanteroom。Anoldman，aservantoftheprincesses，satinacornerknittingastocking。Pierrehadneverbeeninthispartofthehouseanddidnotevenknowoftheexistenceoftheserooms。AnnaMikhaylovna，addressingamaidwhowashurryingpastwithadecanteronatrayas"mydear"and"mysweet，"askedabouttheprincess’healthandthenledPierrealongastonepassage。Thefirstdoorontheleftledintotheprincesses’apartments。Themaidwiththedecanterinherhastehadnotclosedthedoor(everythinginthehousewasdoneinhasteatthattime)，andPierreandAnnaMikhaylovnainpassinginstinctivelyglancedintotheroom，wherePrinceVasiliandtheeldestprincessweresittingclosetogethertalking。Seeingthempass，PrinceVasilidrewbackwithobviousimpatience，whiletheprincessjumpedupandwithagestureofdesperationslammedthedoorwithallhermight。

ThisactionwassounlikeherusualcomposureandthefeardepictedonPrinceVasili’sfacesooutofkeepingwithhisdignitythatPierrestoppedandglancedinquiringlyoverhisspectaclesathisguide。AnnaMikhaylovnaevincednosurprise，sheonlysmiledfaintlyandsighed，asiftosaythatthiswasnomorethanshehadexpected。

"Beaman，myfriend。Iwilllookafteryourinterests，"saidsheinreplytohislook，andwentstillfasteralongthepassage。

Pierrecouldnotmakeoutwhatitwasallabout，andstilllesswhat"watchingoverhisinterests"meant，buthedecidedthatallthesethingshadtobe。Fromthepassagetheywentintoalarge，dimlylitroomadjoiningthecount’sreceptionroom。ItwasoneofthosesumptuousbutcoldapartmentsknowntoPierreonlyfromthefrontapproach，buteveninthisroomtherenowstoodanemptybath，andwaterhadbeenspilledonthecarpet。Theyweremetbyadeaconwithacenserandbyaservantwhopassedoutontiptoewithoutheedingthem。

TheywentintothereceptionroomfamiliartoPierre，withtwoItalianwindowsopeningintotheconservatory，withitslargebustandfulllengthportraitofCatherinetheGreat。Thesamepeoplewerestillsittinghereinalmostthesamepositionsasbefore，whisperingtooneanother。Allbecamesilentandturnedtolookatthepaletear—wornAnnaMikhaylovnaassheentered，andatthebigstoutfigureofPierrewho，hanginghishead，meeklyfollowedher。

AnnaMikhaylovna’sfaceexpressedaconsciousnessthatthedecisivemomenthadarrived。WiththeairofapracticalPetersburgladyshenow，keepingPierreclosebesideher，enteredtheroomevenmoreboldlythanthatafternoon。Shefeltthatasshebroughtwithherthepersonthedyingmanwishedtosee，herownadmissionwasassured。

Castingarapidglanceatallthoseintheroomandnoticingthecount’sconfessorthere，sheglideduptohimwithasortofamble，notexactlybowingyetseemingtogrowsuddenlysmaller，andrespectfullyreceivedtheblessingfirstofoneandthenofanotherpriest。

"Godbethankedthatyouareintime，"saidshetooneofthepriests；"allwerelativeshavebeeninsuchanxiety。Thisyoungmanisthecount’sson，"sheaddedmoresoftly。"Whataterriblemoment！"

Havingsaidthisshewentuptothedoctor。

"Deardoctor，"saidshe，"thisyoungmanisthecount’sson。Isthereanyhope？"

Thedoctorcastarapidglanceupwardsandsilentlyshruggedhisshoulders。AnnaMikhaylovnawithjustthesamemovementraisedhershouldersandeyes，almostclosingthelatter，sighed，andmovedawayfromthedoctortoPierre。Tohim，inaparticularlyrespectfulandtenderlysadvoice，shesaid：

"TrustinHismercy！"andpointingoutasmallsofaforhimtositandwaitforher，shewentsilentlytowardthedoorthateveryonewaswatchinganditcreakedveryslightlyasshedisappearedbehindit。

Pierre，havingmadeuphismindtoobeyhismonitressimplicitly，movedtowardthesofashehadindicated。AssoonasAnnaMikhaylovnahaddisappearedhenoticedthattheeyesofallintheroomturnedtohimwithsomethingmorethancuriosityandsympathy。Henoticedthattheywhisperedtooneanother，castingsignificantlooksathimwithakindofaweandevenservility。Adeferencesuchashehadneverbeforereceivedwasshownhim。Astrangelady，theonewhohadbeentalkingtothepriests，roseandofferedhimherseat；anaide—de—camppickedupandreturnedaglovePierrehaddropped；thedoctorsbecamerespectfullysilentashepassedby，andmovedtomakewayforhim。AtfirstPierrewishedtotakeanotherseatsoasnottotroublethelady，andalsotopickuptheglovehimselfandtopassroundthedoctorswhowerenoteveninhisway；butallatoncehefeltthatthiswouldnotdo，andthattonighthewasapersonobligedtoperformsomesortofawfulritewhicheveryoneexpectedofhim，andthathewasthereforeboundtoaccepttheirservices。Hetookthegloveinsilencefromtheaide—de—camp，andsatdowninthelady’schair，placinghishugehandssymmetricallyonhiskneesinthenaiveattitudeofanEgyptianstatue，anddecidedinhisownmindthatallwasasitshouldbe，andthatinordernottolosehisheadanddofoolishthingshemustnotactonhisownideastonight，butmustyieldhimselfupentirelytothewillofthosewhowereguidinghim。

NottwominuteshadpassedbeforePrinceVasiliwithheaderectmajesticallyenteredtheroom。Hewaswearinghislongcoatwiththreestarsonhisbreast。Heseemedtohavegrownthinnersincethemorning；hiseyesseemedlargerthanusualwhenheglancedroundandnoticedPierre。Hewentuptohim，tookhishand(athingheneverusedtodo)，anddrewitdownwardsasifwishingtoascertainwhetheritwasfirmlyfixedon。

"Courage，courage，myfriend！Hehasaskedtoseeyou。Thatiswell！"andheturnedtogo。

ButPierrethoughtitnecessarytoask："Howis……"andhesitated，notknowingwhetheritwouldbepropertocallthedyingman"thecount，"yetashamedtocallhim"father。"

"Hehadanotherstrokeabouthalfanhourago。Courage，myfriend……"

Pierre’smindwasinsuchaconfusedstatethattheword"stroke"

suggestedtohimablowfromsomething。HelookedatPrinceVasiliinperplexity，andonlylatergraspedthatastrokewasanattackofillness。PrinceVasilisaidsomethingtoLorraininpassingandwentthroughthedoorontiptoe。Hecouldnotwalkwellontiptoeandhiswholebodyjerkedateachstep。Theeldestprincessfollowedhim，andthepriestsanddeaconsandsomeservantsalsowentinatthedoor。Throughthatdoorwasheardanoiseofthingsbeingmovedabout，andatlastAnnaMikhaylovna，stillwiththesameexpression，palebutresoluteinthedischargeofduty，ranoutandtouchingPierrelightlyonthearmsaid：

"Thedivinemercyisinexhaustible！Unctionisabouttobeadministered。Come。"

Pierrewentinatthedoor，steppingonthesoftcarpet，andnoticedthatthestrangelady，theaide—de—camp，andsomeoftheservants，allfollowedhimin，asiftherewerenownofurtherneedforpermissiontoenterthatroom。