首页 >出版文学> War And Peace(战争与和平·上)>第22章
  “Well,Sonya,yousaidallsortsofsillythingsabouthim,”Natashabeganinameekvoice,thevoiceinwhichchildrenspeakwhentheywanttobepraisedforbeinggood。“Ihavehaditalloutwithhimto—day。”
  “Well,whatdidhesay?Well?Come,whatdidhesay?Natasha,I’msogladyou’renotangrywithme。Tellmeeverything,allthetruth。Whatdidhesay?”
  Natashasankintothought。
  “OSonya,ifyouknewhimasIdo!Hesaid…HeaskedmewhatpromiseIhadgivenBolkonsky。HewassogladthatIwasfreetorefusehim。”
  Sonyasigheddejectedly。
  “Butyouhaven’trefusedBolkonsky,haveyou?”shesaid。
  “Oh,perhapsIhaverefusedhim!Perhapsit’sallatanendwithBolkonsky。Whydoyouthinksoillofme?”
  “Idon’tthinkanything,onlyIdon’tunderstandthis。…”
  “Waitalittle,Sonya,youwillunderstanditall。Youwillseethesortofmanheis。Don’tthinkillofme,orofhim。”
  “Idon’tthinkillofanyone;Ilikeeveryoneandamsorryforeveryone。ButwhatamItodo?”
  SonyawouldnotletherselfbewonoverbytheaffectionatetoneNatashatookwithher。ThesofterandthemoreingratiatingNatasha’sfacebecame,themoreseriousandsternbecamethefaceofSonya。
  “Natasha,”shesaid,“youaskedmenottospeaktoyou,andIhaven’tspoken;nowyouhavebegunyourself。Natasha,Idon’ttrusthim。Whythissecrecy?”
  “Again,again!”interruptedNatasha。
  “Natasha,Iamafraidforyou。”
  “Whatistheretobeafraidof?”
  “Iamafraidyouwillberuined,”saidSonyaresolutely,herselfhorrifiedatwhatshewassaying。
  Natasha’sfaceexpressedangeragain。
  “ThenIwillberuined,Iwill;I’llhastentomyruin。It’snotyourbusiness。It’snotyou,butI,willsufferforit。Leavemealone,leavemealone。Ihateyou!”
  “Natasha!”Sonyaappealedtoherindismay。
  “Ihateyou,Ihateyou!Andyou’remyenemyforever!”
  Natasharanoutoftheroom。
  NatashaavoidedSonyaanddidnotspeaktoheragain。Withthesameexpressionofagitatedwonderandguiltshewanderedabouttherooms,takingupfirstoneoccupationandthenanother,andthrowingthemasideagainatonce。
  HardasitwasforSonya,shekeptwatchoverherfriendandneverletheroutofhersight。
  Onthedaybeforethatfixedforthecount’sreturn,SonyanoticedthatNatashasatallthemorningatthedrawing—roomwindow,asthoughexpectingsomething,andthatshemadeasigntoanofficerwhopassedby,whomSonyatooktobeAnatole。
  Sonyabeganwatchingherfriendevenmoreattentively,andshenoticedthatalldinner—timeandintheeveningNatashawasinastrangeandunnaturalstate,unlikeherself。Shemadeirrelevantrepliestoquestionsaskedher,begansentencesanddidnotfinishthem,andlaughedateverything。
  AfterteaSonyasawthemaidtimidlywaitingforhertopassatNatasha’sdoor。Shelethergoin,andlisteningatthedoor,foundoutthatanotherletterhadbeengivenher。AndallatonceitwascleartoSonyathatNatashahadsomedreadfulplanforthatevening。Sonyaknockedatherdoor。Natashawouldnotletherin。
  “Sheisgoingtorunawaywithhim!”thoughtSonya。“Sheiscapableofanything。Therewassomethingparticularlypiteousanddeterminedinherfaceto—day。Shecriedasshesaidgood—byetouncle,”Sonyaremembered。“Yes,it’scertain,she’sgoingtorunawaywithhim;butwhatamItodo?”wonderedSonya,recallingnowallthesignsthatsoclearlybetokenedsomedreadfulresolutiononNatasha’spart。“Thecountisnothere。WhatamItodo?WritetoKuragin,demandinganexplanationfromhim?Butwhoistomakehimanswer?WritetoPierre,asPrinceAndreyaskedmetodoincaseoftrouble?…ButperhapsshereallyhasrefusedBolkonsky(shesentoffalettertoPrincessMaryayesterday)。Uncleisnothere。”
  TotellMaryaDmitryevna,whohadsuchfaithinNatasha,seemedtoSonyaafearfulsteptotake。
  “Butonewayoranother,”thoughtSonya,standinginthedarkcorridor,“noworneverthetimehascomeformetoshowthatIammindfulofallthebenefitsIhavereceivedfromtheirfamilyandthatIloveNikolay。No,ifIhavetogothreenightstogetherwithoutsleep;Iwon’tleavethiscorridor,andIwillpreventherpassingbyforce,andnotletdisgracecomeupontheirfamily,”shethought。
  Chapter16
  ANATOLEhadlatelymovedintoDolohov’squarters。TheplanfortheabductionofNatashaRostovhadbeenallplannedoutandpreparedseveraldaysbeforebyDolohov,andonthedaywhenSonyahadlistenedatNatasha’sdoorandresolvedtoprotecther,thatplanwastobeputintoexecution。NatashahadpromisedtocomeouttoKuraginatthebackentranceatteno’clockintheevening。Kuraginwastogetherintoasledgethatwastobeallreadywiththreehorsesinit,andtodriveheroffsixtyverstsfromMoscowtothevillageofKamenka,whereanunfrockedpriestwasinreadinesstoperformamarriageceremonyoverthem。AtKamenkaarelayofhorseswastobeinreadiness,whichwastotakethemasfarastheWarsawroad,andthencetheyweretohastenabroadbymeansofpost—horses。
  Anatolehadapassportandanorderforpost—horsesandtenthousandroublesborrowedfromhissister,andtenthousandmoreraisedbytheassistanceofDolohov。
  Thetwowitnessesofthemockmarriageceremony—Hvostikov,onceapettyofficial,amanofwhomDolohovmadeuseatcards,andMakarin,aretiredhussar,aweakandgood—naturedman,whosedevotiontoKuraginwasunbounded—weresittingovertheirteaintheouterroom。
  InDolohov’sbigstudy,decoratedfromthewallstotheceilingwithPersianrugs,bearskins,andweapons,Dolohovwassittinginatravellingtunicandhighbootsinfrontofanopenbureauonwhichlayaccountsandbundlesofbanknotes。Anatole,inanunbuttoneduniform,waswalkingtoandfrofromtheroomwherethewitnessesweresittingthroughthestudyintoaroombehind,wherehisFrenchvaletwithsomeotherservantswaspackingupthelastofhisbelongings。Dolohovwasreckoningupmoneyandnotingdownsums。
  “Well,”hesaid,“youwillhavetogiveHvostikovtwothousand。”
  “Well,giveithimthen,”saidAnatole。
  “Makarkanow”(theirnameforMakarin),“hewouldgothroughfireandwaterforyouwithnothingtogainbyit。Well,herethen,ouraccountsarefinished,”saidDolohov,showinghimthepaper。“That’sallright?”
  “Yes,ofcourse,it’sallright,”saidAnatole,evidentlynotattendingtoDolohov,andlookingstraightbeforehimwithasmilethatneverlefthisface。
  Dolohovshutthebureauwithaslam,andturnedtoAnatolewithaironicalsmile。
  “ButIsay,youdropitall;there’sstilltime!”hesaid。
  “Idiot!”saidAnatole。“Leaveofftalkingrubbish。Ifonlyyouknew。…Devilonlyknowswhatthismeanstome!”
  “You’dreallybetterdropit,”saidDolohov。“I’mspeakinginearnest。It’snojokingmatterthisschemeofyours。”
  “Why,teasingagain,again?Gotothedevil!Eh。…”saidAnatole,frowning。“Really,I’minnohumourforyourstupidjokes。”Andhewentoutoftheroom。
  DolohovsmiledacontemptuousandsupercilioussmilewhenAnatolehadgone。
  “Waitabit,”hecalledafterAnatole。“I’mnotjoking。I’minearnest。Comehere,comehere!”
  Anatolecamebackintotheroom,andtryingtoconcentratehisattention,lookedatDolohov,obviouslyobeyinghimunwillingly。
  “Listentome。I’mspeakingtoyouforthelasttime。WhatshouldIwanttojokewithyoufor?HaveIeverthwartedyou?Whowasitarrangeditallforyou?Whofoundyourpriest?Whotookyourpassport?Whogotyouyourmoney?Ithasallbeenmydoing。”
  “Well,andthankyouforit。DoyousupposeI’mnotgrateful?”AnatolesighedandembracedDolohov。
  “Ihavehelpedyou;butstillIoughttotellyouthetruth:it’sadangerousbusiness,andifyoucometothinkofit,it’sstupid。Come,youcarryheroff,wellandgood。Doyousupposethey’llletitrest?Itwillcomeoutthatyouaremarried。Why,theywillhaveyouuponacriminalcharge,youknow…”
  “Oh,nonsense,nonsense!”saidAnatole,frowningagain。“Why,didn’tIexplaintoyou?Eh?”andAnatole,withthatpeculiarpartiality(commoninpersonsofdullbrain),foranyconclusiontowhichtheyhavebeenledbytheirownmentalprocesses,repeatedtheargumenthehadrepeatedahundredtimesovertoDolohovalready。“Why,Iexplainedit,Isettledthat。Ifthismarriageisinvalid,”hesaid,crookinghisfinger,“thenitfollowsI’mnotanswerableforit。Well,andifitisvalid,itwon’tmatter。Noonewilleverknowofitabroad,so,yousee,it’sallright,isn’tit?Anddon’ttalktome;don’ttalktome;don’ttalktome!”
  “Really,youdropit。You’llgetyourselfintoamess…”
  “Yougotothedevil!”saidAnatole,andclutchingathishairhewentoffintothenextroom,butatoncereturninghesatwithhislegsuponanarm—chairclosetoDolohovandfacinghim。“Devilonlyknowswhat’sthematterwithme!Eh?Seehowitbeats。”HetookDolohov’shandandputitonhisheart。“Ah,whatafoot,mydearboy,whataglance!Agoddess!”hesaidinFrench。“Eh?”
  Dolohov,withacoldsmileandagleaminhishandsomeimpudenteyes,lookedathim,obviouslydisposedtogetalittlemoreamusementoutofhim。
  “Well,yourmoneywillbegone,whatthen?”
  “Whatthen?Eh?”repeatedAnatole,withgenuineperplexityatthethoughtofthefuture。“Whatthen?Idon’tknowwhatthen…Come,whytalknonsense?”Helookedathiswatch。“It’stime!”
  Anatolewentintothebackroom。
  “Well,willyousoonhavedone?You’redawdlingthere,”heshoutedattheservants。
  Dolohovputawaythemoney;andcallingaservanttogivehimordersaboutgettingsomethingtoeatanddrinkbeforethejourney,hewentintotheroomwhereHvostikovandMakarinweresitting。
  Anatolelaydownonthesofainthestudy,and,proppedonhiselbows,smiledpensivelyandmurmuredsomethingferventlytohimself。
  “Comeandhavesomethingtoeat。Here,haveadrink!”Dolohovshoutedtohimfromtheotherroom。
  “Idon’twantto,”answeredAnatole,stillsmiling。
  “Come,Balagaishere。”
  Anatolegotup,andwentintothedining—room。Balagawasawell—knowndriver,whohadknownDolohovandAnatoleforthelastsixyears,anddriventheminhisthree—horsesledges。Morethanonce,whenAnatole’sregimenthadbeenstationedatTver,hehaddrivenhimoutofTverintheevening,reachedMoscowbydawn,anddrivenhimbackthenextnight。MorethanoncehehaddrivenDolohovsafeawaywhenhewasbeingpursued。Manyatimehehaddriventhemaboutthetownwithgypsiesand“gayladies,”ashecalledthem。Morethanonehorsehadheruinedindrivingthem。MorethanoncehehaddrivenoverpeopleandupsetvehiclesinMoscow,andalwayshis“gentlemen,”ashecalledthem,hadgothimoutoftrouble。Manyatimehadtheybeatenhim,manyatimemadehimdrunkwithchampagneandmadeira,awineheloved,andmorethanoneexploitheknewofeachofthem,whichwouldlongagohavesentanyordinarymantoSiberia。TheyoftencalledBalagaintotheircarousals,madehimdrinkanddancewiththegypsies,andmanyathousandroublesoftheirmoneyhadpassedthroughhishands。Intheirservice,twentytimesayear,heriskedhislifeandhisskin,andworeoutmorehorsesthantheyrepaidhimforinmoney。Buthelikedthem,likedtheirfuriousdriving,eighteenverstsanhour,likedupsettingcoachmen,andrunningdownpeopleonfootinMoscow,andalwaysflewfullgallopalongtheMoscowstreets。Helikedtohearbehindhimthewildshoutofdrunkenvoices,“Geton;geton!”whenitwasimpossibletodrivefaster;likedtogivealashonthenecktoapassingpeasantwhowasalreadyhasteningoutofhiswaymoredeadthanalive。“Realgentlemen!”hethought。
  AnatoleandDolohovlikedBalaga,too,forhisspiriteddriving,andbecausehelikedthesamethingsthattheyliked。WithotherpeopleBalagadrovehardbargains;hewouldtakeasmuchastwenty—fiveroublesforatwohours’drive,andrarelydrovehimself,generallysendingoneofhisyoungmen。Butwithhisowngentlemen,ashecalledthem,healwaysdrovehimself,andneveraskedforanythingforthejob。
  Onlyafterlearningthroughtheirvaletswhenmoneywasplentiful,hewouldturnuponceeveryfewmonthsinthemorning;andsober,andbowinglow,wouldaskthemtohelphimoutofhisdifficulties。Thegentlemenalwaysmadehimsitdown。
  “Please,helpmeoutofascrape,FyodorIvanovitch,oryourexcellency,”hewouldsay。“I’mquiterunoutofhorses;lendmewhatyoucantogotothefair。”
  AndwhenevertheywereflushofmoneyAnatoleandDolohovwouldgivehimathousandortwo。
  Balagawasaflaxen—headed,squat,snub—nosedpeasantofsevenandtwenty,witharedfaceandaparticularlyred,thickneck,littlesparklingeyes,andalittlebeard。Heworeafinebluesilk—linedfullcoat,putonoverafurpelisse。
  Hecrossedhimself,facingtheoppositecorner,andwentuptoDolohov,holdingouthisblack,littlehand。
  “RespectstoFyodorIvanovitch!”saidhe,bowing
  “Good—daytoyou,brother。Well,herehecomes!”
  “Good—morning,yourexcellency!”hesaidtoAnatoleashecameinandtohim,too,heheldouthishand。
  “Isay,Balaga,”saidAnatole,layinghishandsonhisshoulders,“doyoucareformeornot?Eh?Now’sthetimetodomegoodservice。…Whatsortofhorseshaveyoucomewith?Eh?”
  “Asthemessengerbademe;yourfavouritebeasts,”saidBalaga。
  “Come,Balaga,doyouhear?Youmaykillallthreeofthem;onlygetthereinthreehours。Eh?”
  “IfIkillthem,howarewetogetthere?”saidBalaga,winking。
  “Noneofyourjokesnow。I’llsmashyourfacein!”criedAnatolesuddenly,rollinghiseyes。
  “Jokes!”saidthedriver,laughing。“DoIgrudgeanythingformygentlemen?Asfastaseverthehorsescangallopweshallgetthere。”
  “Ah!”saidAnatole。“Well,sitdown。”
  “Come,sitdown,”saidDolohov。
  “Oh,I’llstand,FyodorIvanovitch。”
  “Sitdown;nonsense!haveadrink,”saidAnatole,andhepouredhimoutabigglassofmadeira。Thedriver’seyessparkledatthesightofthewine。Refusingitatfirstformanners’sake,hetosseditoff,andwipedhismouthwitharedsilkhandkerchiefthatlayinhiscap。
  “Well,andwhenarewetostart,yourexcellency?”
  “Oh…”Anatolelookedathiswatch。“Wemustsetoffatonce。Nowmind,Balaga。Eh?You’llgetthereintime?”
  “Tobesure,ifwe’veluckingettingoff。Whyshouldn’twedoitinthetime?”saidBalaga。“WegotyoutoTver,andgotthereinsevenhours。Youremember,Ibet,yourexcellency!”
  “Doyouknow,IoncedrovefromTveratChristmastime,”saidAnatole,withasmileattherecollection,addressingMakarin,whowasgazingadmiringlyathim。“Wouldyoubelieveit,Makarka,onecouldhardlybreatheweflewsofast。Wedroveintoatrainofwagonsandroderightovertwoofthem!Eh?”
  “Theywerehorses,too,”Balagawenton。“I’dputtwoyounghorsesinthetraceswiththebayintheshafts”—heturnedtoDolohov—“and,wouldyoubelieveme,FyodorIvanovitch,sixtyverststhosebeastsgalloped。Therewasnoholdingthem,formyhandswerenumb;itwasafrost。Iflungdownthereins。“Youholdthemyourself,yourexcellency,”saidI,andIrolledupinsidethesledge。Noneedofdrivingthem。Why,wecouldn’tholdtheminwhenwegotthere。Inthreehoursthedevilsbroughtus。Onlytheleftonediedofit。”
  Chapter17
  ANATOLEwentoutoftheroom,andafewminuteslaterhecamebackwearingafurpelisse,girtwithasilverbelt,andasablecap,jauntilystuckononeside,andverybecomingtohishandsomeface。Lookingathimselfinthelooking—glass,andthenstandingbeforeDolohovinthesameattitudehehadtakenbeforethelooking—glass,hetookaglassofwine。
  “Well,Fedya,farewell;thanksforeverything,andfarewell,”saidAnatole。“Come,comrades,friends…”—hegrewpensive—“ofmyyouth…farewell,”heturnedtoMakarinandtheothers。
  Althoughtheywereallgoingwithhim,Anatoleevidentlywantedtomakeatouchingandsolemnceremonyofthisaddresstohiscomrades。Hespokeinaloud,deliberatevoice,squaringhischestandswingingoneleg。
  “Alltakeglasses;youtoo,Balaga。Well,lads,friendsofmyyouth,wehavehadjollyspreestogether。Eh?Now,whenshallwemeetagain?I’mgoingabroad!We’vehadagoodtime,andfarewell,lads。Here’stoourhealth!Hurrah!…”hesaid,tossingoffhisglass,andflingingitonthefloor。
  “Toyourhealth!”saidBalaga。He,too,emptiedhisglassandwipedhislipswithhishandkerchief。
  MakarinembracedAnatolewithtearsinhiseyes。
  “Ah,prince,howitgrievesmyhearttopartfromyou,”hesaid。
  “Start!start!”shoutedAnatole。
  Balagawasgoingoutoftheroom。
  “No;stay,”saidAnatole。“Shutthedoor;wemustsitdown。Likethis。”Theyshutthedoorandallsatdown。
  “Well,now,quick,march,lads!”saidAnatole,gettingup。
  Thevalet,Joseph,gaveAnatolehisknapsackandsword,andtheyallwentoutintothevestibule。
  “Butwhere’safurcloak?”saidDolohov。“Hey,Ignatka!RunintoMatryonaMatveyevna,andaskherforthesablecloak。I’veheardwhatelopementsarelike,”saidDolohov,winking。“She’llcomeskippingoutmoredeadthanalivejustinthethingsshehadonindoors;theslightestdelayandthentherearetears,anddearpapaanddearmamma,andshe’sfrozeninaminuteandforgoingbackagain—youwrapherupinacloakatonceandcarryhertothesledge。”
  Thevaletbroughtawoman’sfox—linedpelisse。
  “Fool,Itoldyouthesable。Hey,Matryoshka,thesable,”heshouted,sothathisvoicerangoutthroughtherooms。
  Ahandsome,thin,andpalegypsywoman,withshiningblackeyesandcurlyblackhair,withabluishshadeinit,ranout,wearingaredshawlandholdingasablecloakonherarm。
  “Here,Idon’tgrudgeit;takeit,”shesaid,invisiblefearofherlordandregretfulatlosingthecloak。
  Dolohov,makinghernoanswer,tookthecloak,flungitaboutMatryosha,andwrappedherupinit。
  “That’stheway,”saidDolohov。“Andthenthisistheway,”hesaidandheturnedthecollaruproundherhead,leavingitonlyalittleopenbeforetheface。“Andthenthisistheway,doyousee?”andhemovedAnatole’sheadforwardtomeettheopenspaceleftbythecollar,fromwhichMatryosha’sflashingsmilepeepedout。
  “Well,good—bye,Matryosha,”saidAnatole,kissingher。“Ah,allmyfunhereisover!GivemylovetoStyoshka。There,good—bye!Good—bye,Matryosha;wishmehappiness。”
  “Godgrantyougreathappiness,prince,”saidMatryosha,withhergypsyaccent。
  Atthestepsstoodtwothree—horsesledges;twostalwartyoungdriverswereholdingthem。Balagatookhisseatintheforemost,andholdinghiselbowshigh,begandeliberatelyarrangingthereinsinhishands。AnatoleandDolohovgotinwithhim。Makarin,Hvostikov,andthevaletgotintotheothersledge。
  “Ready,eh?”queriedBalaga。“Off!”heshouted,twistingthereinsroundhishands,andthesledgeflewatbreak—neckpacealongtheNikitskyBoulevard。
  “Tprroo!Hi!…Tproo!!”Balagaandtheyoungdriverontheboxwerecontinuallyshouting。
  InArbatskySquarethesledgecameintocollisionwithacarriage;therewasacrashandshouts,andthesledgeflewoffalongArbaty。TurningtwicealongPodnovinsky,Balagabegantopullup,andturningback,stoppedthehorsesattheOldEquerrys’crossing。
  Asmartyoungdriverjumpeddowntoholdthehorsesbythebridle;AnatoleandDolohovwalkedalongthepavement。Onreachingthegates,Dolohovwhistled。Thewhistlewasanswered,andamaid—servantranout。
  “Comeintothecourtyard,oryou’llbeseen;sheiscominginaminute,”shesaid。
  Dolohovstayedatthegate。Anatolefollowedthemaidintothecourtyard,turnedacorner,andranupthesteps。
  HewasmetbyGavrilo,MaryaDmitryevna’shugegroom。
  “Walkthiswaytothemistress,”saidthegroominhisbass,blockingupthedoorway。
  “Whatmistress?Andwhoareyou?”Anatoleaskedinabreathlesswhisper。
  “Walkin;myordersaretoshowyouin。”
  “Kuragin!back!”shoutedDolohov。“Treachery,back!”
  Dolohov,atthelittlebackgatewherehehadstopped,wasstrugglingwiththeporter,whowastryingtoshutthegateafterAnatoleasheranin。WithadesperateeffortDolohovshovedawaytheporter,andclutchingatAnatole,pulledhimthroughthegate,andranbackwithhimtothesledge。
  Chapter18
  MARYADMITRYEVNAcominguponSonyaweepinginthecorridorhadforcedhertoconfesseverything。SnatchingupNatasha’sletterandreadingit,MaryaDmitryevnawentintoNatasha,withtheletterinherhand。
  “Vilegirl,shamelesshussy!”shesaidtoher。“Iwon’thearaword!”PushingasideNatasha,whogazedatherwithamazedbuttearlesseyes,shelockedherintotheroom,andgivingorderstohergateportertoadmitthepersonswhowouldbecomingthatevening,butnottoallowthemtopassoutagain,andgivinghergroomsorderstoshowthosepersonsuptoher,sheseatedherselfinthedrawing—roomawaitingtheabductors。
  WhenGavrilocametoannouncetoMaryaDmitryevnathatthepersonswhohadcomehadrunaway,shegotupfrowning,andclaspingherhandsbehindher,walkedalongwhileupanddownthroughherrooms,ponderingwhatshewastodo。AtmidnightshewalkedtowardsNatasha’sroom,feelingthekeyinherpocket。Sonyawassittingsobbinginthecorridor,“MaryaDmitryevna,do,forGod’ssake,letmegointoher!”shesaid。
  MaryaDmitryevna,makinghernoreply,openedthedoorandwentin。“Hateful,disgusting,inmyhouse,thenastyhussy,onlyI’msorryforherfather!”MaryaDmitryevnawasthinking,tryingtoallayherwrath。“Hardasitmaybe,Iwillforbidanyonetospeakofit,andwillconcealitfromthecount。”MaryaDmitryevnawalkedwithresolutestepsintotheroom。
  Natashawaslyingonthesofa;shehadherheadhiddeninherhandsanddidnotstir。ShewaslyinginexactlythesamepositioninwhichMaryaDmitryevnahadlefther。
  “You’reanicegirl,averynicegirl!”saidMaryaDmitryevna。“Encouragingmeetingswithloversinmyhouse!There’snouseinhumbugging。YoulistenwhenIspeaktoyou。”MaryaDmitryevnatouchedheronthearm。“YoulistenwhenIspeak。You’vedisgracedyourselflikethelowestwench。Idon’tknowwhatIcouldn’tdotoyou,butIfeelforyourfather。Iwillhideitfromhim。”
  Natashadidnotchangeherposition,onlyherwholebodybegantowrithewithnoiseless,convulsivesobs,whichchokedher。MaryaDmitryevnalookedroundatSonya,andsatdownontheedgeofthesofabesideNatasha。
  “It’sluckyforhimthatheescapedme;butI’llgetholdofhim,”shesaidinhercoarsevoice。“DoyouhearwhatIsay,eh?”SheputherbighandunderNatasha’sface,andturnedittowardsher。BothMaryaDmitryevnaandSonyaweresurprisedwhentheysawNatasha’sface。Hereyeswereglitteringanddry;herlipstightlycompressed;hercheekslookedsunken。
  “Letmebe…whatdoI…Ishalldie。…”shearticulated,withangryeffort,toreherselfawayfromMaryaDmitryevna,andfellbackintothesameattitudeagain。
  “Natalya!…”saidMaryaDmitryevna。“Iwishforyourgood。Liestill;come,liestilllikethatthen,Iwon’ttouchyou,andlisten。…I’mnotgoingtotellyouhowwronglyyouhaveacted。Youknowthatyourself。Butnowyourfather’scomingbackto—morrow。WhatamItotellhim?Eh?”
  AgainNatasha’sbodyheavedwithsobs。
  “Well,hewillhearofit,yourbrother,yourbetrothed!”
  “Ihavenobetrothed;Ihaverefusedhim,”criedNatasha。
  “Thatmakesnodifference,”pursuedMaryaDmitryevna。“Well,theyhearofit。Doyousupposetheywillletthematterrest?Supposehe—yourfather,Iknowhim—ifhechallengeshimtoaduel,willthatbeallright?Eh?”
  “Oh,letmebe;whydidyouhindereverything!Why?why?whoaskedyouto?”criedNatasha,gettingupfromthesofa,andlookingvindictivelyatMaryaDmitryevna。
  “Butwhatwasityouwanted?”screamedMaryaDmitryevna,gettinghotagain。“Why,youweren’tshutup,wereyou?Whohinderedhiscomingtothehouse?Whycarryyouoff,likesomegypsywench?…Ifhehadcarriedyouoff,doyousupposetheywouldn’thavecaughthim?Yourfather,orbrother,orbetrothed?He’sawretch,ascoundrel,that’swhatheis!”
  “He’sbetterthananyofyou,”criedNatasha,gettingup。“Ifyouhadn’tmeddled…OmyGod,whatdoesitmean?Sonya,whydidyou?Goaway!…”Andshesobbedwithadespairwithwhichpeopleonlybewailatroubletheyfeeltheyhavebroughtonthemselves。
  MaryaDmitryevnawasbeginningtospeakagain;butNatashacried,“Goaway,goaway,youallhatemeanddespiseme!”Andsheflungherselfagainonthesofa。
  MaryaDmitryevnawentonforsometimelongerlecturingNatasha,andurgingonherthatitmustallbekeptfromthecount,thatnoonewouldknowanythingofitifNatashawouldonlyundertaketoforgetitall,andnottoshowasigntoanyoneofanythinghavinghappened。Natashamadenoanswer。Shedidnotsobanymore,butshewastakenwithshiveringfitsandtrembling。MaryaDmitryevnaputapillowunderherhead,laidtwoquiltsoverher,andbroughthersomelime—flowerwaterwithherownhands;butNatashamadenoresponsewhenshespoketoher。
  “Well,lethersleep,”saidMaryaDmitryevna,asshewentoutoftheroom,supposinghertobeasleep。ButNatashawasnotasleep,herwide—openeyesgazedstraightbeforeheroutofherpaleface。AllthatnightNatashadidnotsleep,anddidnotweep,andsaidnotawordtoSonya,whogotupseveraltimesandwentintoher。
  Nextday,atlunchtime,ashehadpromised,CountIlyaAndreitcharrivedfromhisestateintheenvirons。Hewasinverygoodspirits:hehadcometotermswiththepurchaser,andtherewasnothingnowtodetainhiminMoscowawayfromhiscountess,forwhomhewaspining。MaryaDmitryevnamethim,andtoldhimthatNatashahadbeenveryunwellonthepreviousday,thattheyhadsentforadoctor,andthatnowshewasbetter。Natashadidnotleaveherroomthatmorning。Withtightlyshut,parchedlips,anddry,staringeyes,shesatatthewindowuneasilywatchingthepassers—byalongthestreet,andhurriedlylookingroundatanyonewhoenteredherroom。Shewasobviouslyexpectingnewsofhim,expectingthathewouldcomehimselforwouldwritetoher。
  Whenthecountwentintoher,sheturneduneasilyatthesoundofhismanlytread,andherfaceresumeditspreviouscoldandevenvindictiveexpression。Shedidnotevengetuptomeethim。
  “Whatisit,myangel;areyouill?”askedthecount。
  Natashawassilentamoment。
  “Yes,Iamill,”sheanswered。
  Inanswertothecount’sinquirieswhyshewasdepressedandwhetheranythinghadhappenedwithherbetrothed,sheassuredhimthatnothinghad,andbeggedhimnottobeuneasy。MaryaDmitryevnaconfirmedNatasha’sassurancesthatnothinghadhappened。Fromthepretenceofillness,fromhisdaughter’sagitatedstate,andthetroubledfacesofSonyaandMaryaDmitryevna,thecountsawclearlythatsomethinghadhappenedinhisabsence。Butitwassoterribletohimtobelievethatanythingdisgracefulhadhappenedtohisbeloveddaughter,andhesoprizedhisowncheerfulserenity,thatheavoidedinquiriesandtriedtoassurehimselfthatitwasnothingveryoutoftheway,andonlygrievedthatherindispositionwoulddelaytheirreturntothecountry。
  Chapter19
  FROMTHEDAYofhiswife’sarrivalinMoscow,Pierrehadbeenintendingtogoawaysomewhereelse,simplynottobewithher。SoonaftertheRostovs’arrivalinMoscow,theimpressionmadeuponhimbyNatashahadimpelledhimtohastenincarryingouthisintention。HewenttoTvertoseethewidowofOsipAlexyevitch,whohadlongbeforepromisedtogivehimpapersofthedeceased’s。
  WhenPierrecamebacktoMoscow,hewashandedaletterfromMaryaDmitryevna,whosummonedhimtoheronamatterofgreatimportance,concerningAndreyBolkonskyandhisbetrothed。PierrehadbeenavoidingNatasha。Itseemedtohimthathehadforherafeelingstrongerthanamarriedmanshouldhaveforagirlbetrothedtohisfriend。Andsomefatewascontinuallythrowinghimintohercompany。
  “Whathashappened?Andwhatdotheywantwithme?”hethoughtashedressedtogotoMaryaDmitryevna’s。“IfonlyPrinceAndreywouldmakehastehomeandmarryher,”thoughtPierreonthewaytothehouse。
  IntheTverskoyBoulevardsomeoneshoutedhisname。
  “Pierre!Beenbacklong?”afamiliarvoicecalledtohim。Pierreraisedhishead。Anatole,withhiseverlastingcompanionMakarin,dashedbyinasledgewithapairofgreytrotting—horses,whowerekickingupthesnowontotheforepartofthesledge。Anatolewassittingintheclassicposeofmilitarydandies,thelowerpartofhisfacemuffledinhisbeavercollar,andhisheadbentalittleforward。Hisfacewasfreshandrosy;hishat,withitswhiteplume,wasstuckononeside,showinghiscurled,pomadedhair,sprinkledwithfinesnow。
  “Indeed,heistherealphilosopher!”thoughtPierre。“Heseesnothingbeyondthepresentmomentofpleasure;nothingworrieshim,andsoheisalwayscheerful,satisfied,andserene。WhatwouldInotgivetobejustlikehim!”Pierremusedwithenvy。
  InMaryaDmitryevna’sentrance—hallthefootman,ashetookoffPierre’sfurcoat,toldhimthathismistressbeggedhimtocometoherinherbedroom。
  Asheopenedthedoorintothereception—room,PierrecaughtsightofNatasha,sittingatthewindowwithathin,pale,andill—temperedface。Shelookedroundathim,frowned,andwithanexpressionoffrigiddignitywalkedoutoftheroom。
  “Whathashappened?”askedPierre,goingintoMaryaDmitryevna。
  “Finedoings,”answeredMaryaDmitryevna。“Fifty—eightyearsIhavelivedintheworld—neverhaveIseenanythingsodisgraceful。”AndexactingfromPierrehiswordofhonournottosayawordaboutallhewastohear,MaryaDmitryevnainformedhimthatNatashahadbrokenoffherengagementwithouttheknowledgeofherparents;thatthecauseofherdoingsowasAnatoleKuragin,withwhomPierre’swifehadthrownher,andwithwhomNatashahadattemptedtoelopeinherfather’sabsenceinordertobesecretlymarriedtohim。
  Pierre,withhunchedshouldersandopenmouth,listenedtowhatMaryaDmitryevnawassaying,hardlyabletobelievehisears。ThatPrinceAndrey’sfiancée,sopassionatelylovedbyhim,NatashaRostov,hithertosocharming,shouldgiveupBolkonskyforthatfoolAnatole,whowasmarriedalready(Pierreknewthesecretofhismarriage),andbesomuchinlovewithhimastoconsenttoelopewithhim—thatPierrecouldnotconceiveandcouldnotcomprehend。HecouldnotreconcilethesweetimpressionhehadinhissoulofNatasha,whomhehadknownfromchildhood,withthisnewconceptionofherbaseness,folly,andcruelty。Hethoughtofhiswife。“Theyareallalike,”hesaidtohimself,reflectinghewasnottheonlymanwhoseunhappyfateitwastobeboundtoalowwoman。ButstillhefeltreadytoweepwithsorrowforPrinceAndrey,withsorrowforhispride。Andthemorehefeltforhisfriend,thegreaterwasthecontemptandevenaversionwithwhichhethoughtofNatasha,whohadjustpassedhimwithsuchanexpressionofrigiddignity。HecouldnotknowthatNatasha’sheartwasfilledwithdespair,shame,andhumiliation,andthatitwasnotherfaultthatherfaceaccidentallyexpresseddignityandseverity。
  “What!getmarried?”criedPierreatMaryaDmitryevna’swords。“Hecan’tgetmarried;heismarried。”
  “Worseandworse,”saidMaryaDmitryevna。“He’saniceyouth。Aperfectscoundrel。Andshe’sexpectinghim;she’sbeenexpectinghimthesetwodays。Wemusttellher;atleastshewillleaveoffexpectinghim。”
  AfterlearningfromPierrethedetailsofAnatole’smarriage,andpouringoutherwrathagainsthiminabusiveepithets,MaryaDmitryevnainformedPierreofherobjectinsendingforhim。MaryaDmitryevnawasafraidthatthecountorBolkonsky,whomightarriveanymoment,mighthearoftheaffair,thoughsheintendedtoconcealitfromthem,andmightchallengeKuragin,andshethereforebeggedPierretobidhisbrother—in—lawfromhertoleaveMoscowandnottodaretoshowhimselfinherpresence。Pierrepromisedtodoasshedesiredhim,onlythengraspingthedangermenacingtheoldcount,andNikolay,andPrinceAndrey。Afterbrieflyandpreciselyexplainingtohimherwishes,shelethimgotothedrawing—room。
  “Mind,thecountknowsnothingofit。Youbehaveasthoughyouknownothing,”shesaidtohim。“AndI’llgoandtellherit’snouseforhertoexpecthim!Andstaytodinner,ifyoucareto,”MaryaDmitryevnacalledafterPierre。
  Pierremettheoldcount。Heseemedupsetandanxious。ThatmorningNatashahadtoldhimthatshehadbrokenoffherengagementtoBolkonsky。
  “I’mintrouble,introuble,mydearfellow,”hesaidtoPierre,“withthosegirlswithoutthemother。IdoregretnowthatIcame。Iwillbeopenwithyou。Haveyouheardshehasbrokenoffherengagementwithoutawordtoanyone?Ineverdid,I’lladmit,feelverymuchpleasedatthemarriage。He’sanexcellentman,ofcourse,butstilltherecouldbenohappinessagainstafather’swill,andNatashawillneverwantforsuitors。Stillithadbeengoingonsolong,andthensuchastep,withoutherfather’sorhermother’sknowledge!Andnowshe’sill,andGodknowswhatitis。It’sabadthing,count,abadthingtohaveadaughterawayfromhermother。…”Pierresawthecountwasgreatlytroubled,andtriedtochangetheconversationtosomeothersubject,butthecountwentbackagaintohistroubles。
  Sonyacameintothedrawing—roomwithanagitatedface。
  “Natashaisnotverywell;sheisinherroomandwouldliketoseeyou。MaryaDmitryevnaiswithherandsheasksyoutocometoo。”
  “Why,yes,you’resuchagreatfriendofBolkonsky’s;nodoubtshewantstosendhimsomemessage,”saidthecount。“Ah,myGod,myGod!Howhappyitallwas!”Andclutchingathissparselocks,thecountwentoutoftheroom。
  MaryaDmitryevnahadtoldNatashathatAnatolewasmarried。Natashawouldnotbelieveher,andinsistedonthestatementbeingconfirmedbyPierrehimself。SonyatoldPierrethisassheledhimacrossthecorridortoNatasha’sroom。
  Natasha,paleandstern,wassittingbesideMaryaDmitryevna,andshemetPierreatthedoorwitheyesoffeverishbrillianceandinquiry。Shedidnotsmilenornodtohim。Shesimplylookedhardathim,andthatlookaskedhimsimply:washeafriendoranenemyliketherest,asregardsAnatole?Pierreinhimselfhadevidentlynoexistenceforher。
  “Heknowseverything,”saidMaryaDmitryevna,addressingNatasha。“LethimtellyouwhetherIhavespokenthetruth。”
  Asahunted,woundedbeastlooksattheapproachingdogsandhunters,Natashalookedfromonetotheother。
  “NatalyaIlyinitchna,”Pierrebegan,droppinghiseyesandconsciousofafeelingofpityforherandloathingfortheoperationhehadtoperform,“whetheritistrueornotcannotaffectyousince…”
  “Thenitisnottruethatheismarried?”
  “No;itistrue。”
  “Hashebeenmarriedlong?”sheasked。“Onyourwordofhonour?”
  Pierretoldhersoonhiswordofhonour。
  “Ishestillhere?”sheaskedrapidly。
  “Yes,Ihavejustseenhim。”
  Shewasobviouslyincapableofspeaking;shemadeasignwithherhandsforthemtoleaveheralone。
  Chapter20
  PIERREdidnotstaytodinnerbutwentawayatonceonleavingNatasha’sroom。HedroveaboutthetownlookingforAnatoleKuragin,attheverythoughtofwhomthebloodrushedtohisheart,andhefeltadifficultyinbreathing。Ontheice—hills,atthegypsies’,atSomonenohewasnottobefound。Pierredrovetotheclub。Intheclubeverythingwasgoingonjustasusual:thememberswhohadcomeintodinnerweresittingingroups;theygreetedPierre,andtalkedofthenewsofthetown。Thefootman,aftergreetinghim,toldhim,asheknewhisfriendsandhishabits,thattherewasaplaceleftforhiminthelittledining—room,thatPrinceMihailZaharitchwasinthelibrary,andthatPavelTimofeitchhadnotcomeinyet。OneofPierre’sacquaintancesaskedhiminthemiddleofaconversationabouttheweather,whetherhehadheardofKuragin’selopementwithNatalieRostov,ofwhicheveryonewastalkinginthetown;wasittrue?Pierresaid,laughing,thatitwasallnonsense,forhehadjustcomefromtheRostovs’。HeaskedeveryoneaboutAnatole;onemantoldhimhehadnotcomeinyet;anothersaidhewastodinetherethatday。ItwasstrangetoPierretolookatthatcalm,indifferentcrowdofpeople,whoknewnothingofwhatwaspassinginhissoul。Hewalkedaboutthehall,waitedtilleveryonehadcomein,andstillseeingnothingofAnatole,hedidnotdine,butdrovehome。
  AnatolewasdiningthatdaywithDolohov,andconsultingwithhimhowtoachievetheexploitthathadmiscarried。ItseemedtohimessentialtoseeNatasha。Intheeveninghewenttohissister’s,todiscusswithhermeansforarrangingtheirmeeting。WhenPierre,aftervainlydrivingaboutallMoscow,returnedhome,hisvalettoldhimthatPrinceAnatoleVassilyevitchwaswiththecountess。Thedrawing—roomofthecountesswasfullofguests。
  Pierredidnotbestowagreetingonhiswife,whomhehadnotseensincehisreturn(shewasmorehatefultohimthaneveratthatmoment);hewalkedintothedrawing—room,andseeingAnatole,wentstraightuptohim。
  “Ah,Pierre,”saidthecountess,goinguptoherhusband,“youdon’tknowwhataplightourpoorAnatoleisin…”Shestoppedshort,seeinginherhusband’sbowedhead,inhisglitteringeyes,inhisresolutetread,thatterriblelookofrageandpower,whichsheknewandhadexperiencedinherowncaseaftertheduelwithDolohov。
  “Whereveryouare,thereisviceandwickedness,”saidPierretohiswife。“Anatole,comealong,Iwantawordwithyou,”hesaidinFrench。Anatolelookedroundathissister,andgotupobediently,preparedtofollowPierre。
  Pierretookhimbythearm,drewhimtohim,andwalkedoutoftheroom。
  “Ifyouallowyourselfinmydrawing—room…”Ellenwhispered;butPierrewalkedoutoftheroom,withoutansweringher。
  Anatolefollowedhim,withhisusualjauntyswagger。Buthisfacebetrayeduneasiness。Goingintohisownroom,Pierreshutthedoor,andaddressedAnatolewithoutlookingathim。“DidyoupromiseCountessRostovtomarryher?Didyoutrytoelopewithher?”
  “Mydearfellow,”answeredAnatole,inFrench(aswasthewholeconversation),“Idon’tconsidermyselfboundtoanswerquestionsputtomeinthattone。”
  Pierre’sface,whichhadbeenpalebefore,wasdistortedbyfury。WithhisbighandheclutchedAnatolebythecollarofhisuniform,andproceededtoshakehimfromsidetoside,tillAnatole’sfaceshowedasufficientdegreeofterror。
  “WhenIsayIwantawordwithyou…”Pierrerepeated。
  “Well,what?thisisstupid。Eh?”saidAnatole,feelingabuttonofhiscollarthathadbeentornoffwiththecloth。
  “You’reascoundrelandablackguard;andIdon’tknowwhatpreventsmefrompermittingmyselfthepleasureofbrainingyouwiththis,see,”saidPierre,expressinghimselfsoartificially,becausehewasspeakingFrench。Hetookupaheavypaper—weight,andlifteditinamenacingway,butatoncehurriedlyputitdowninitsplace。
  “Didyoupromisetomarryher?”
  “I,I,…I…didn’tthink…Ineverpromised,though,because…”
  Pierreinterruptedhim。
  “Haveyouanyofherletters?Haveyouanyletters?”Pierrerepeated,advancinguponAnatole。Anatoleglancedathim,andatoncethrusthishandinhispocket,andtookoutapocket—book。
  Pierretooktheletterhegavehim,andpushingawayatablethatstoodintheway,heplumpeddownonthesofa。
  “Iwon’tbeviolent,don’tbeafraid,”saidPierre,inresponsetoagestureofalarmfromAnatole。“Letters—one,”saidPierre,asthoughrepeatingalessontohimself。“Two”—afteramoment’ssilencehewenton,gettingupagainandbeginningtowalkabout—“to—morrowyouaretoleaveMoscow。”
  “ButhowcanI…?”
  “Three”—Pierrewenton,notheedinghim—“youarenevertosayawordofwhathaspassedbetweenyouandtheyoungcountess。ThatIknowIcan’tpreventyourdoing;butifyouhaveasparkofconscience…”Pierrewalkedseveraltimesupanddowntheroom。Anatolesatatthetable,scowlingandbitinghislips。
  “Yousurelymustunderstandthat,apartfromyourownpleasure,there’sthehappiness,thepeaceofotherpeople;thatyouareruiningawholelife,simplybecauseyouwanttoamuseyourself。Amuseyourselfwithwomenlikemywife—withthemyou’rewithinyourrights,theyknowwhatitisyouwantofthem。Theyarearmedagainstyoubythesameexperienceofvice;buttopromiseagirltomarryher…todeceive,tosteal…Surelyyoumustseethatit’sasbaseasattackinganoldmanorachild!…”
  PierrepausedandglancedatAnatole,morewithinquirynowthanwithwrath。
  “Idon’tknowaboutthat。Eh?”saidAnatole,growingbolderasPierregainedcontroloverhisrage。“Idon’tknowaboutthat,andIdon’twantto,”hesaid,lookingawayfromPierre,andspeakingwithaslightquiverofhislowerjaw,“butyouhavesaidwordstome,baseandallthatsortofthing,whichasamanofhonourIcan’tallowanyonetodo。”
  Pierrelookedathiminamazement,notabletounderstandwhatitwashewanted。
  “Thoughithasbeenonlytête—à—tête,”Anatolewenton,“stillIcan’t…”
  “What,doyouwantsatisfaction?”saidPierresarcastically。
  “Atanyrateyoumighttakebackyourwords。Eh?Ifyouwantmetodoasyouwish。Eh!”
  “I’lltakethemback,I’lltakethemback,”saidPierre,“andbegyoutoforgiveme。”Pierrecouldnothelpglancingattheloosebutton。“Andhere’smoneytoo,ifyouwantsomeforyourjourney。”
  Anatolesmiled。
  Theexpressionofthatbaseandcringingsmile,thatheknewsowellinhiswife,infuriatedPierre。“Oh,youvile,heartlesstribe!”hecried,andwalkedoutoftheroom。
  NextdayAnatoleleftforPetersburg。
  Chapter21
  PIERREdrovetoMaryaDmitryevna’storeporttohertheexecutionofhercommands,astoKuragin’sbanishmentfromMoscow。Thewholehousewasinexcitementandalarm。Natashawasveryill;andasMaryaDmitryevnatoldhiminsecret,shehadonthenightaftershehadbeentoldAnatolewasmarried,takenarsenic,whichshehadprocuredbystealth。Afterswallowingalittle,shehadbeensofrightenedthatshewakedSonya,andtoldherwhatshehaddone。Antidoteshadbeengivenintime,andnowshewasoutofdanger;butshewasstillsoweak,thattheycouldnotdreamofmovinghertothecountry,andthecountesshadbeensentfor。Pierresawthecountingreattrouble,andSonyaintears,buthecouldnotseeNatasha。
  ThatdayPierredinedattheclub,andheardoneverysidegossipabouttheattemptedabductionoftheyoungCountessRostov,andpersistentlydeniedthestory,assuringeveryonethattheonlyfoundationforitwasthathisbrother—in—lawhadmadetheyoungladyanofferandhadbeenrefused。ItseemedtoPierrethatitwaspartofhisdutytoconcealthewholeaffair,andtosavetheyoungcountess’sreputation。
  HewaslookingforwardwithterrortoPrinceAndrey’sreturn,anddroveroundeverydaytoaskfornewsofhimfromtheoldprince。
  PrinceNikolayAndreitchheardalltherumourscurrentinthetownthroughMademoiselleBourienne;andhehadreadthenotetoPrincessMarya,inwhichNatashahadbrokenoffherengagement。Heseemedinbetterspiritsthanusual,andlookedforwardwithimpatiencetoseeinghisson。
  AfewdaysafterAnatole’sdeparture,PierrereceivedanotefromPrinceAndreytoinformhimthathehadarrived,andtobeghimtogoandseehim。
  ThefirstminuteofPrinceAndrey’sarrivalinMoscow,hewashandedbyhisfatherNatasha’snotetoPrincessMarya,inwhichshebrokeoffherengagement(thenotehadbeenstolenfromPrincessMarya,andgiventotheoldprincebyMademoiselleBourienne)。Heheardfromhisfather’slipsthestoryofNatasha’selopement,withadditions。
  PrinceAndreyhadarrivedintheevening;Pierrecametoseehimthefollowingmorning。PierrehadexpectedtofindPrinceAndreyalmostinthesamestateasNatasha,andhewasthereforesurprisedwhenasheenteredthedrawing—roomheheardthesoundofPrinceAndrey’svoiceinthestudy,loudlyandeagerlydiscussingsomePetersburgintrigue。Theoldprinceandsomeothervoiceinterruptedhimfromtimetotime。PrincessMaryacameouttomeetPierre。Shesighed,turninghereyestowardsthedooroftheroom,wherePrinceAndreywas,plainlyintendingtoexpresshersympathywithhissorrow;butPierresawbyPrincessMarya’sfacethatshewasgladbothatwhathadhappenedandatthewayherbrotherhadtakenthenewsofhisfiancée’streachery。
  “Hesaidhehadexpectedit,”shesaid。“Iknowhispridewillnotallowhimtoexpresshisfeelings;butanyway,hehasborneitbetter,farbetter,thanIhadexpected。Itseemsitwastobeso…”
  “Butisitallreallyatanend?”saidPierre。
  PrincessMaryalookedathimwithsurprise。Shecouldnotunderstandhowonecouldasksuchaquestion。Pierrewentintothestudy。PrinceAndreywasverymuchchanged,andvisiblymuchmorerobust,buttherewasanewhorizontallinebetweenhisbrows。Hewasinciviliandress,andstandingfacinghisfatherandPrinceMeshtchersky,hewashotlyarguing,makingvigorousgesticulations。
  ThesubjectwasSperansky,ofwhosesuddendismissalandsupposedtreasonnewshadjustreachedMoscow。
  “Nowhe”(Speransky)“willbecriticisedandcondemnedbyallwhowereenthusiasticabouthimamonthago,”PrinceAndreywassaying,“andwereincapableofunderstandinghisaims。It’sveryeasytocondemnamanwhenhe’soutoffavour,andtothrowuponhimtheblameofallthemistakesofotherpeople。ButImaintainthatifanythingofvaluehasbeendoneinthepresentreign,ithasbeendonebyhim—byhimalone…”Hestopped,seeingPierre。Hisfacequivered,andatonceassumedavindictiveexpression。“Andposteritywilldohimjustice,”hefinished,andatonceturnedtoPierre。“Well,howareyou,stillgettingstouter?”hesaideagerly,butthenewlinewasstillmoredeeplyfurrowedonhisforehead。“Yes,I’mverywell,”heansweredtoPierre’squestion,andhesmiled。ItwascleartoPierrethathissmilemeant,“Iamwell,butmyhealthisofnousetoanyonenow。”
  AftersayingafewwordstoPierreoftheawfulroadfromthefrontiersofPoland,ofpeoplehehadmetinSwitzerlandwhoknewPierre,andofM。Dessalle,whomhehadbroughtbackfromSwitzerlandasatutorforhisson,PrinceAndreywarmlytookpartagainintheconversationaboutSperansky,whichhadbeenkeptupbetweenthetwooldgentlemen。
  “Iftherehadbeentreason,andtherewereproofsofhissecretrelationswithNapoleon,theywouldhavemadethempublic,”hesaid,withheatandhaste。“Idon’tandIdidn’tlikeSperanskypersonally,butIdolikejustice。”
  Pierrerecognizednowinhisfriendthatdesireheknewonlytoowell,forexcitementanddiscussionofsomethingapartfromhimself,simplyinordertostiflethoughtsthatweretoopainfulandtoonearhisheart。
  WhenPrinceMeshtcherskyhadgone,PrinceAndreytookPierre’sarm,andaskedhimtocometotheroomthathadbeenassignedhim。Inthatroomtherewasafoldingbedsteadandopentrunksandboxes。PrinceAndreywentuptooneofthemandtookoutacase。Outofthecasehetookapacketofletters。Hedidallthisinsilence,andveryrapidly。Hestoodupagainandclearedhisthroat。Hisfacewasfrowning,andhislipsset。
  “Forgiveme,ifI’mtroublingyou…”PierresawthatPrinceAndreywasgoingtospeakofNatasha,andhisbroadfaceshowedsympathyandpity。ThatexpressioninPierre’sfaceexasperatedPrinceAndrey。Hewentonresolutely,clearly,anddisagreeably:“IhavereceivedarefusalfromCountessRostov,andrumourshavereachedmeofyourbrother—in—law’sseekingherhand,orsomethingofthekind。Isthattrue?”
  “Bothtrueanduntrue,”beganPierre;butPrinceAndreycuthimshort。
  “Hereareherlettersandherportrait,”hesaid。HetookthepacketfromthetableandgaveittoPierre。
  “Givethattothecountess…ifyouwillseeher。”
  “Sheisveryill,”saidPierre。
  “Soshe’sstillhere?”saidPrinceAndrey。“AndPrinceKuragin?”heaskedquickly。
  “Hehasbeengonealongwhile。Shehasbeenatdeath’sdoor。”
  “Iamverysorrytohearofherillness,”saidPrinceAndrey。Helaughedacold,malignant,unpleasantlaughlikehisfather’s。
  “ButM。Kuragin,then,didnotdeigntobestowhishandonCountessRostov?”saidPrinceAndrey。Hesnortedseveraltimes。
  “Hecouldnothavemarriedher,becauseheismarried,”saidPierre。
  PrinceAndreylaughedunpleasantly,againrecallinghisfather。
  “Andwhereishenow,yourbrother—in—law,mayIask?”hesaid。
  “HewenttoPeter…but,really,Idon’tknow,”saidPierre。
  “Well,that’snomatter,”saidPrinceAndrey。“TellCountessRostovfrommethatshewasandisperfectlyfree,andthatIwishherallprosperity。”
  Pierretookthepacket。PrinceAndrey,asthoughreflectingwhetherhehadnotsomethingmoretosay,orwaitingforPierretosaysomething,lookedathimwithafixedgaze。
  “Listen。DoyourememberourdiscussioninPetersburg?”saidPierre。“Doyourememberabout—?”
  “Iremember,”PrinceAndreyansweredhurriedly。“Isaidthatafallenwomanshouldbeforgiven,butIdidnotsayIcouldforgiveone。Ican’t。”
  “Howcanyoucompareit?…”saidPierre。
  PrinceAndreycuthimshort。Hecriedharshly:“Yes,askherhandagain,bemagnanimous,andallthatsortofthing?…Oh,that’sallverynoble,butI’mnotequaltofollowinginthatgentleman’stracks。Ifyoucaretoremainmyfriend,neverspeaktomeofthat…ofallthisbusiness。Well,good—bye。Soyou’llgivethat?…”
  Pierrelefthim,andwentintotheoldprinceandPrincessMarya。
  Theoldmanseemedlivelierthanusual。PrincessMaryawasthesameasusual,butbehindhersympathyforherbrother,Pierredetectedherreliefthatherbrother’smarriagewasbrokenoff。Lookingatthem,PierrefeltwhatacontemptanddisliketheyallhadfortheRostovs;feltthatitwouldbeimpossibleintheirpresenceeventomentionthenameofthegirlwhocouldgiveupPrinceAndreyforanyoneintheworld。
  Atdinnertheytalkedofthecomingwar,ofwhichtherecouldnowbenodoubtinthenearfuture。PrinceAndreytalkedincessantly,andarguedfirstwithhisfather,andthenwithDessalle,theSwisstutor。Heseemedmoreeagerthanusual,withthateagernessofwhichPierreknewsowelltheinnercause。
  Chapter22
  THATEVENINGPierrewenttotheRostovs’tofulfilPrinceAndrey’scommission。Natashawasinbed,thecountwasattheclub,andPierre,aftergivingtheletterstoSonya,wentintoseeMaryaDmitryevna,whowasinterestedtoknowhowPrinceAndreyhadtakenthenews。Tenminuteslater,SonyacameintoMaryaDmitryevna。
  “NatashainsistsonseeingCountPyotrKirillitch,”shesaid。
  “Why,arewetotakehimuptoher,eh?Why,youareallinamuddlethere,”saidMaryaDmitryevna。
  “No,shehasdressedandgoneintothedrawing—room,”saidSonya。
  MaryaDmitryevnacouldonlyshrughershoulders。“Whenwillthecountesscome?Shehasquitewornmeout!Youmindnow,don’ttellhereverything,”shesaidtoPierre。“Onehasn’tthehearttoscoldher,she’ssopiteous,poorthing。”
  Natashawasstandinginthemiddleofthedrawing—room,lookingthinner,andwithapale,setface(notatallovercomewithshame,asPierrehadexpectedtoseeher)。WhenPierreappearedinthedoorway,shemadeahurriedmovement,evidentlyinuncertaintywhethertogotomeethim,ortowaitforhimtocometoher。
  Pierrewenthurriedlytowardsher。Hethoughtshewouldgivehimherhandasusual。Butcomingnearhimshestopped,breathinghard,andlettingherhandshanglifelessly,exactlyinthesameposeinwhichsheusedtostandinthemiddleoftheroomtosing,butwithanutterlydifferentexpression。
  “PyotrKirillitch,”shebegan,speakingquickly,“PrinceBolkonskywasyourfriend—heisyourfriend,”shecorrectedherself。(Itseemedtoherthateverythingwasinthepast,andnowallwaschanged。)“Hetoldmetoapplytoyou…”
  Pierrechokeddumblyashelookedather。Tillthenhehadinhisheartblamedher,andtriedtodespiseher;butnowhefeltsosorryforher,thattherewasnoroominhisheartforblame。
  “Heisherenow,tellhim…tofor…toforgiveme。”Shestoppedshortandbreathedevenmorequickly,butshedidnotweep。
  “Yes…Iwilltellhim,”saidPierre;“but…”Hedidnotknowwhattosay。
  NatashawasevidentlydismayedattheideathatmighthaveoccurredtoPierre。
  “No,Iknowthateverythingisover,”shesaidhurriedly。“No,thatcanneverbe。I’monlywretchedatthewrongIhavedonehim。OnlytellhimthatIbeghimtoforgive,toforgive,forgivemeforeverything…”Herwholebodywasheaving;shesatdownonachair。
  AfeelingofpityhehadneverknownbeforefloodedPierre’sheart。
  “Iwilltellhim,Iwilltellhimeverythingoncemore,”saidPierre;“but…Ishouldliketoknowonething…”
  “Toknowwhat?”Natasha’seyesasked。
  “Ishouldliketoknow,didyoulove…”PierredidnotknowwhattocallAnatole,andflushedatthethoughtofhim—“didyoulovethatbadman?”
  “Don’tcallhimbad,”saidNatasha。“ButIdon’t…know,Idon’tknow…”Shebegancryingagain,andPierrewasmorethaneveroverwhelmedwithpity,tenderness,andlove。Hefeltthetearstricklingunderhisspectacles,andhopedtheywouldnotbenoticed。
  “Wewon’ttalkanymoreofit,mydear,”hesaid。ItseemedsuddenlysostrangetoNatashatohearthegentle,tender,sympatheticvoiceinwhichhespoke。“Wewon’ttalkofit,mydear,I’lltellhimeverything。ButonethingIbegyou,lookonmeasyourfriend;andifyouwanthelp,advice,orsimplywanttoopenyourhearttosomeone—notnow,butwhenthingsareclearerinyourheart—thinkofme。”Hetookherhandandkissedit。“Ishallbehappy,ifIamable…”Pierrewasconfused。
  “Don’tspeaktomelikethat;I’mnotworthit!”criedNatasha,andshewouldhavelefttheroom,butPierreheldherhand。Heknewtherewassomethingmorehemustsaytoher。Butwhenhesaidit,hewassurprisedathisownwords。
  “Hush,hush,yourwholelifeliesbeforeyou,”hesaidtoher。
  “Beforeme!No!Allisoverforme,”shesaid,withshameandself—humiliation。
  “Allover?”herepeated。“IfIwerenotmyself,butthehandsomest,cleverest,bestmanintheworld,andifIwerefreeIwouldbeonmykneesthisminutetobegforyourhandandyourlove。”
  ForthefirsttimeformanydaysNatashaweptwithtearsofgratitudeandsoftenedfeeling,andglancingatPierre,shewentoutoftheroom。
  Pierrefollowedher,almostrunningintothevestibule,andrestrainingthetearsoftendernessandhappinessthatmadealumpinhisthroat。Heflungonhisfurcoat,unabletofindthearmholes,andgotintohissledge。
  “Nowwhere,yourexcellency?”askedthecoachman。
  “Where?”Pierreaskedhimself。“WherecanIgonow?Nottotheclubortopaycalls。”Allmenseemedtohimsopitiful,sopoorincomparisonwiththefeelingoftendernessandloveinhisheart,incomparisonwiththatsoftened,gratefulglanceshehadturneduponhimthatlastminutethroughhertears。
  “Home,”saidPierre,throwingopenthebearskincoatoverhisbroad,joyouslybreathingchestinspiteoftendegreesoffrost。
  Itwasclearandfrosty。Overthedirty,half—darkstreets,overtheblackroofswasadark,starlitsky。ItwasonlylookingattheskythatPierreforgotthemortifyingmeannessofallthingsearthlyincomparisonwiththeheighthissoulhadrisento。AshedroveintoArbatskySquare,theimmenseexpanseofdark,starlitskylayopenbeforePierre’seyes。AlmostinthecentreofitabovethePrechistenskyBoulevard,surroundedonallsidesbystars,butdistinguishedfromallbyitsnearnesstotheearth,itswhitelightandlong,upturnedtail,shonethehuge,brilliantcometof1812;thecometwhichbetokened,itwassaid,allmannerofhorrorsandtheendoftheworld。ButinPierre’sheartthatbrightcomet,withitslong,luminoustail,arousednofeelingofdread。Onthecontrary,hiseyeswetwithtears,Pierrelookedjoyouslyatthisbrightcomet,whichseemedasthoughafterflyingwithinconceivableswiftnessthroughinfinitespaceinaparabola,ithadsuddenly,likeanarrowpiercingtheearth,stuckfastatonechosenspotintheblacksky,andstayedthere,vigorouslytossingupitstail,shiningandplayingwithitswhitelightamongthecountlessothertwinklingstars。ItseemedtoPierrethatitwasinfullharmonywithwhatwasinhissoftenedandemboldenedheart,thathadgainedvigourtoblossomintoanewlife。
  PartNine
  Chapter1
  TOWARDSTHEENDoftheyear1811,therebegantobegreateractivityinlevyingtroopsandinconcentratingtheforcesofWesternEurope,andin1812theseforces—millionsofmen,reckoningthoseengagedinthetransportandfeedingofthearmy—movedfromthewesteastward,towardsthefrontiersofRussia,where,since1811,theRussianforceswerebeinginlikemannerconcentrated。
  Onthe12thofJunetheforcesofWesternEuropecrossedthefrontier,andthewarbegan,thatis,aneventtookplaceopposedtohumanreasonandallhumannature。Millionsofmenperpetratedagainstoneanothersogreatamassofcrime—fraud,swindling,robbery,forgery,issueofcounterfeitmoney,plunder,incendiarism,andmurder—thattheannalsofallthecriminalcourtsoftheworldcouldnotmustersuchasumofwickednessinwholecenturies,thoughthemenwhocommittedthosedeedsdidnotatthattimelookonthemascrimes。
  Whatledtothisextraordinaryevent?Whatwereitscauses?Historians,withsimple—heartedconviction,tellusthatthecausesofthiseventweretheinsultofferedtotheDukeofOldenburg,thefailuretomaintainthecontinentalsystem,theambitionofNapoleon,thefirmnessofAlexander,themistakesofthediplomatists,andsoon。
  Accordingtothem,ifonlyMetternich,Rumyantsev,orTalleyrandhad,intheintervalbetweenalevéeandacourtball,reallytakenpainsandwrittenamorejudiciousdiplomaticnote,orifonlyNapoleonhadwrittentoAlexander,“IconsenttorestoretheduchytotheDukeofOldenburg,”therewouldhavebeennowar。
  Wecanreadilyunderstandthatbeingtheconceptionofthewarthatpresenteditselftocontemporaries。WecanunderstandNapoleon’ssupposingthecauseofthewartobetheintriguesofEngland(ashesaid,indeed,inSt。Helena);wecanunderstandhowtothemembersoftheEnglishHouseofCommonsthecauseofthewarseemedtobeNapoleon’sambition;howtotheDukeofOldenburgthewarseemedduetotheoutragedonehim;howtothetradingclassthewarseemedduetothecontinentalsystemthatwasruiningEurope;totheoldsoldiersandgeneralsthechiefreasonforitseemedtheirneedofactiveservice;totheregimentsoftheperiod,thenecessityofre—establishinglesbonsprincipes;whilethediplomatistsofthetimesetitdowntotheallianceofRussiawithAustriain1809nothavingbeenwithsufficientcareconcealedfromNapoleon,andthememorandum,No。178,havingbeenawkwardlyworded。Wemaywellunderstandcontemporariesbelievinginthosecauses,andinacountless,endlessnumbermore,themultiplicityofwhichisduetotheinfinitevarietyofmen’spointsofview。Buttousofalatergeneration,contemplatinginallitsvastnesstheimmensityoftheaccomplishedfact,andseekingtopenetrateitssimpleandfearfulsignificance,thoseexplanationsmustappearinsufficient。TousitisinconceivablethatmillionsofChristianmenshouldhavekilledandtorturedeachother,becauseNapoleonwasambitious,Alexanderfirm,Englishpolicycrafty,andtheDukeofOldenburghardlytreated。Wecannotgrasptheconnectionbetweenthesecircumstancesandthebarefactofmurderandviolence,norwhytheduke’swrongsshouldinducethousandsofmenfromtheothersideofEuropetopillageandmurdertheinhabitantsoftheSmolenskandMoscowprovincesandtobeslaughteredbythem。
  Forusofalatergeneration,whoarenothistoriansledawaybytheprocessofresearch,andsocanlookatthefactswithcommon—senseunobscured,thecausesofthiswarappearinnumerableintheirmultiplicity。Themoredeeplywesearchoutthecausesthemoreofthemwediscover;andeverycause,andevenawholeclassofcausestakenseparately,strikesusasbeingequallytrueinitself,andequallydeceptivethroughitsinsignificanceincomparisonwiththeimmensityoftheresult,anditsinabilitytoproduce(withoutalltheothercausesthatconcurredwithit)theeffectthatfollowed。Suchacause,forinstance,occurstousasNapoleon’srefusaltowithdrawhistroopsbeyondtheVistula,andtorestoretheduchyofOldenburg;andthenagainwerememberthereadinessorthereluctanceofthefirstchanceFrenchcorporaltoserveonasecondcampaign;forhadhebeenunwillingtoserve,andasecondandathird,andthousandsofcorporalsandsoldiershadsharedthatreluctance,Napoleon’sarmywouldhavebeenshortofsomanymen,andthewarcouldnothavetakenplace。
  IfNapoleonhadnottakenoffenceattherequesttowithdrawbeyondtheVistula,andhadnotcommandedhistroopstoadvance,therewouldhavebeennowar。Butifallthesergeantshadbeenunwillingtoserveonanothercampaign,therecouldhavebeennowareither。
  AndthewarwouldnothavebeenhadtherebeennointriguesonthepartofEngland,noDukeofOldenburg,noresentmentonthepartofAlexander;norhadtherebeennoautocracyinRussia,noFrenchRevolutionandconsequentdictatorshipandempire,norallthatledtotheFrenchRevolution,andsoonfurtherback:withoutanyoneofthosecauses,nothingcouldhavehappened。Andsoallthosecauses—myriadsofcauses—coincidedtobringaboutwhathappened。Andconsequentlynothingwasexclusivelythecauseofthewar,andthewarwasboundtohappen,simplybecauseitwasboundtohappen。Millionsofmen,repudiatingtheircommon—senseandtheirhumanfeelings,wereboundtomovefromwesttoeast,andtoslaughtertheirfellows,justassomecenturiesbeforehordesofmenhadmovedfromeasttowesttoslaughtertheirfellows。
  TheactsofNapoleonandAlexander,onwhosewordsitseemedtodependwhetherthisshouldbedoneornot,wereaslittlevoluntaryastheactofeachsoldier,forcedtomarchoutbythedrawingofalotorbyconscription。Thiscouldnotbeotherwise,forinorderthatthewillofNapoleonandAlexander(onwhomthewholedecisionappearedtorest)shouldbeeffective,acombinationofinnumerablecircumstanceswasessential,withoutanyoneofwhichtheeffectcouldnothavefollowed。Itwasessentialthatthemillionsofmeninwhosehandstherealpowerlay—thesoldierswhofiredgunsandtransportedprovisionsandcannons—shouldconsenttocarryoutthewillofthosefeebleandisolatedpersons,andthattheyshouldhavebeenbroughttothisacquiescencebyaninfinitenumberofvariedandcomplicatedcauses。
  Weareforcedtofallbackuponfatalisminhistorytoexplainirrationalevents(thatisthoseofwhichwecannotcomprehendthereason)。Themorewetrytoexplainthoseeventsinhistoryrationally,themoreirrationalandincomprehensibletheyseemtous。Everymanlivesforhimself,makinguseofhisfree—willforattainmentofhisownobjects,andfeelsinhiswholebeingthathecandoornotdoanyaction。Butassoonashedoesanything,thatact,committedatacertainmomentintime,becomesirrevocableandisthepropertyofhistory,inwhichithasasignificance,predestinedandnotsubjecttofreechoice。
  Therearetwoaspectstothelifeofeveryman:thepersonallife,whichisfreeinproportionasitsinterestsareabstract,andtheelementallifeoftheswarm,inwhichamanmustinevitablyfollowthelawslaiddownforhim。
  Consciouslyamanlivesonhisownaccountinfreedomofwill,butheservesasanunconsciousinstrumentinbringingaboutthehistoricalendsofhumanity。Anacthehasoncecommittedisirrevocable,andthatactofhis,coincidingintimewithmillionsofactsofothers,hasanhistoricalvalue。Thehigheraman’splaceinthesocialscale,themoreconnectionshehaswithothers,andthemorepowerhehasoverthem,themoreconspicuousistheinevitabilityandpredestinationofeveryacthecommits。“TheheartsofkingsareinthehandofGod。”Thekingistheslaveofhistory。
  History—thatistheunconsciouslifeofhumanityintheswarm,inthecommunity—makeseveryminuteofthelifeofkingsitsown,asaninstrumentforattainingitsends。
  Althoughinthatyear,1812,Napoleonbelievedmorethaneverthattoshedornottoshedthebloodofhispeoplesdependedentirelyonhiswill(asAlexandersaidinhislastlettertohim),yetthen,andmorethanatanytime,hewasinbondagetothoselawswhichforcedhim,whiletohimselfheseemedtobeactingfreely,todowhatwasboundtobehisshareinthecommonedificeofhumanity,inhistory。
  Thepeopleofthewestmovedtotheeastformentokilloneanother。Andbythelawofthecoincidenceofcauses,thousandsofpettycausesbackedoneanotherupandcoincidedwiththateventtobringaboutthatmovementandthatwar:resentmentatthenon—observanceofthecontinentalsystem,andtheDukeofOldenburg,andthemassingoftroopsinPrussia—ameasureundertaken,asNapoleonsupposed,withtheobjectofsecuringarmedpeace—andtheFrenchEmperor’sloveofwar,towhichhehadgrownaccustomed,inconjunctionwiththeinclinationsofhispeople,whowerecarriedawaybythegrandiosescaleofthepreparations,andtheexpenditureonthosepreparations,andthenecessityofrecoupingthatexpenditure。ThentherewastheintoxicatingeffectofthehonourspaidtotheFrenchEmperorinDresden,andthenegotiationstooofthediplomatists,whoweresupposedbycontemporariestobeguidedbyagenuinedesiretosecurepeace,thoughtheyonlyinflamedtheamour—propreofbothsides;andmillionsuponmillionsofothercauses,chiminginwiththefatedeventandcoincidentwithit。
  Whentheappleisripeandfalls—whydoesitfall?Isitbecauseitisdrawnbygravitationtotheearth,becauseitsstalkiswithered,becauseitisdriedbythesun,becauseitgrowsheavier,becausethewindshakesit,orbecausetheboystandingunderthetreewantstoeatit?
  Notoneofthoseisthecause。Allthatsimplymakesuptheconjunctionofconditionsunderwhicheveryliving,organic,elementaleventtakesplace。Andthebotanistwhosaysthattheapplehasfallenbecausethecellsaredecomposing,andsoon,willbejustasrightastheboystandingunderthetreewhosaystheapplehasfallenbecausehewantedtoeatitandprayedforittofall。Thehistorian,whosaysthatNapoleonwenttoMoscowbecausehewantedto,andwasruinedbecauseAlexanderdesiredhisruin,willbejustasrightandaswrongasthemanwhosaysthatthemountainofmillionsoftons,totteringandundermined,hasbeenfelledbythelaststrokeofthelastworkingman’spick—axe。Inhistoricaleventsgreatmen—socalled—arebutthelabelsthatservetogiveanametoanevent,andlikelabels,theyhavetheleastpossibleconnectionwiththeeventitself。