CHAPTERI
　　"Well，Prince，soGenoaandLuccaarenowjustfamilyestatesoftheBuonapartes。ButIwarnyou，ifyoudon’ttellmethatthismeanswar，ifyoustilltrytodefendtheinfamiesandhorrorsperpetratedbythatAntichrist—IreallybelieveheisAntichrist—Iwillhavenothingmoretodowithyouandyouarenolongermyfriend，nolongermy’faithfulslave，’asyoucallyourself！Buthowdoyoudo？IseeIhavefrightenedyou—sitdownandtellmeallthenews。"
　　ItwasinJuly，1805，andthespeakerwasthewell—knownAnnaPavlovnaScherer，maidofhonorandfavoriteoftheEmpressMaryaFedorovna。WiththesewordsshegreetedPrinceVasiliKuragin，amanofhighrankandimportance，whowasthefirsttoarriveatherreception。AnnaPavlovnahadhadacoughforsomedays。Shewas，asshesaid，sufferingfromlagrippe；grippebeingthenanewwordinSt。Petersburg，usedonlybytheelite。
　　Allherinvitationswithoutexception，writteninFrench，anddeliveredbyascarlet—liveriedfootmanthatmorning，ranasfollows：
　　"Ifyouhavenothingbettertodo，Count[orPrince]，andiftheprospectofspendinganeveningwithapoorinvalidisnottooterrible，Ishallbeverycharmedtoseeyoutonightbetween7and10—
　　AnnetteScherer。"
　　"Heavens！whatavirulentattack！"repliedtheprince，notintheleastdisconcertedbythisreception。Hehadjustentered，wearinganembroideredcourtuniform，kneebreeches，andshoes，andhadstarsonhisbreastandasereneexpressiononhisflatface。HespokeinthatrefinedFrenchinwhichourgrandfathersnotonlyspokebutthought，andwiththegentle，patronizingintonationnaturaltoamanofimportancewhohadgrownoldinsocietyandatcourt。HewentuptoAnnaPavlovna，kissedherhand，presentingtoherhisbald，scented，andshininghead，andcomplacentlyseatedhimselfonthesofa。
　　"Firstofall，dearfriend，tellmehowyouare。Setyourfriend’smindatrest，"saidhewithoutalteringhistone，beneaththepolitenessandaffectedsympathyofwhichindifferenceandevenironycouldbediscerned。
　　"Canonebewellwhilesufferingmorally？Canonebecalmintimesliketheseifonehasanyfeeling？"saidAnnaPavlovna。"Youarestayingthewholeevening，Ihope？"
　　"AndthefeteattheEnglishambassador’s？TodayisWednesday。I
　　mustputinanappearancethere，"saidtheprince。"Mydaughteriscomingformetotakemethere。"
　　"Ithoughttoday’sfetehadbeencanceled。Iconfessallthesefestivitiesandfireworksarebecomingwearisome。"
　　"Iftheyhadknownthatyouwishedit，theentertainmentwouldhavebeenputoff，"saidtheprince，who，likeawound—upclock，byforceofhabitsaidthingshedidnotevenwishtobebelieved。
　　"Don’ttease！Well，andwhathasbeendecidedaboutNovosiltsev’sdispatch？Youknoweverything。"
　　"Whatcanonesayaboutit？"repliedtheprinceinacold，listlesstone。"Whathasbeendecided？TheyhavedecidedthatBuonapartehasburnthisboats，andIbelievethatwearereadytoburnours。"
　　PrinceVasilialwaysspokelanguidly，likeanactorrepeatingastalepart。AnnaPavlovnaSchereronthecontrary，despiteherfortyyears，overflowedwithanimationandimpulsiveness。Tobeanenthusiasthadbecomehersocialvocationand，sometimesevenwhenshedidnotfeellikeit，shebecameenthusiasticinordernottodisappointtheexpectationsofthosewhoknewher。Thesubduedsmilewhich，thoughitdidnotsuitherfadedfeatures，alwaysplayedroundherlipsexpressed，asinaspoiledchild，acontinualconsciousnessofhercharmingdefect，whichsheneitherwished，norcould，norconsidereditnecessary，tocorrect。
　　InthemidstofaconversationonpoliticalmattersAnnaPavlovnaburstout：
　　"Oh，don’tspeaktomeofAustria。PerhapsIdon’tunderstandthings，butAustrianeverhaswished，anddoesnotwish，forwar。
　　Sheisbetrayingus！RussiaalonemustsaveEurope。Ourgracioussovereignrecognizeshishighvocationandwillbetruetoit。ThatistheonethingIhavefaithin！Ourgoodandwonderfulsovereignhastoperformthenoblestroleonearth，andheissovirtuousandnoblethatGodwillnotforsakehim。Hewillfulfillhisvocationandcrushthehydraofrevolution，whichhasbecomemoreterriblethaneverinthepersonofthismurdererandvillain！Wealonemustavengethebloodofthejustone……Whom，Iaskyou，canwerelyon？……EnglandwithhercommercialspiritwillnotandcannotunderstandtheEmperorAlexander’sloftinessofsoul。ShehasrefusedtoevacuateMalta。Shewantedtofind，andstillseeks，somesecretmotiveinouractions。WhatanswerdidNovosiltsevget？None。
　　TheEnglishhavenotunderstoodandcannotunderstandtheself—abnegationofourEmperorwhowantsnothingforhimself，butonlydesiresthegoodofmankind。Andwhathavetheypromised？Nothing！Andwhatlittletheyhavepromisedtheywillnotperform！PrussiahasalwaysdeclaredthatBuonaparteisinvincible，andthatallEuropeispowerlessbeforehim……AndIdon’tbelieveawordthatHardenburgsays，orHaugwitzeither。ThisfamousPrussianneutralityisjustatrap。IhavefaithonlyinGodandtheloftydestinyofouradoredmonarch。HewillsaveEurope！"
　　Shesuddenlypaused，smilingatherownimpetuosity。
　　"Ithink，"saidtheprincewithasmile，"thatifyouhadbeensentinsteadofourdearWintzingerodeyouwouldhavecapturedtheKingofPrussia’sconsentbyassault。Youaresoeloquent。Willyougivemeacupoftea？"
　　"Inamoment。Apropos，"sheadded，becomingcalmagain，"Iamexpectingtwoveryinterestingmentonight，leVicomtedeMortemart，whoisconnectedwiththeMontmorencysthroughtheRohans，oneofthebestFrenchfamilies。Heisoneofthegenuineemigres，thegoodones。AndalsotheAbbeMorio。Doyouknowthatprofoundthinker？HehasbeenreceivedbytheEmperor。Hadyouheard？"
　　"Ishallbedelightedtomeetthem，"saidtheprince。"Buttellme，"
　　headdedwithstudiedcarelessnessasifithadonlyjustoccurredtohim，thoughthequestionhewasabouttoaskwasthechiefmotiveofhisvisit，"isittruethattheDowagerEmpresswantsBaronFunketobeappointedfirstsecretaryatVienna？Thebaronbyallaccountsisapoorcreature。"
　　PrinceVasiliwishedtoobtainthispostforhisson，butothersweretryingthroughtheDowagerEmpressMaryaFedorovnatosecureitforthebaron。
　　AnnaPavlovnaalmostclosedhereyestoindicatethatneithershenoranyoneelsehadarighttocriticizewhattheEmpressdesiredorwaspleasedwith。
　　"BaronFunkehasbeenrecommendedtotheDowagerEmpressbyhersister，"wasallshesaid，inadryandmournfultone。
　　AsshenamedtheEmpress，AnnaPavlovna’sfacesuddenlyassumedanexpressionofprofoundandsinceredevotionandrespectmingledwithsadness，andthisoccurredeverytimeshementionedherillustriouspatroness。SheaddedthatHerMajestyhaddeignedtoshowBaronFunkebeaucoupd’estime，andagainherfacecloudedoverwithsadness。
　　Theprincewassilentandlookedindifferent。But，withthewomanlyandcourtierlikequicknessandtacthabitualtoher，AnnaPavlovnawishedbothtorebukehimfordaringtospeakhehaddoneofamanrecommendedtotheEmpressandatthesametimetoconsolehim，soshesaid：
　　"Nowaboutyourfamily。Doyouknowthatsinceyourdaughtercameouteveryonehasbeenenrapturedbyher？Theysaysheisamazinglybeautiful。"
　　Theprincebowedtosignifyhisrespectandgratitude。
　　"Ioftenthink，"shecontinuedafterashortpause，drawingnearertotheprinceandsmilingamiablyathimasiftoshowthatpoliticalandsocialtopicswereendedandthetimehadcomeforintimateconversation—"Ioftenthinkhowunfairlysometimesthejoysoflifearedistributed。Whyhasfategivenyoutwosuchsplendidchildren？Idon’tspeakofAnatole，youryoungest。Idon’tlikehim，"sheaddedinatoneadmittingofnorejoinderandraisinghereyebrows。"Twosuchcharmingchildren。Andreallyyouappreciatethemlessthananyone，andsoyoudon’tdeservetohavethem。"
　　Andshesmiledherecstaticsmile。
　　"Ican’thelpit，"saidtheprince。"LavaterwouldhavesaidI
　　lackthebumpofpaternity。"
　　"Don’tjoke；Imeantohaveaserioustalkwithyou。DoyouknowI
　　amdissatisfiedwithyouryoungerson？Betweenourselves"andherfaceassumeditsmelancholyexpression，"hewasmentionedatHerMajesty’sandyouwerepitied……"
　　Theprinceanswerednothing，butshelookedathimsignificantly，awaitingareply。Hefrowned。
　　"Whatwouldyouhavemedo？"hesaidatlast。"YouknowIdidallafathercouldfortheireducation，andtheyhavebothturnedoutfools。Hippolyteisatleastaquietfool，butAnatoleisanactiveone。Thatistheonlydifferencebetweenthem。"Hesaidthissmilinginawaymorenaturalandanimatedthanusual，sothatthewrinklesroundhismouthveryclearlyrevealedsomethingunexpectedlycoarseandunpleasant。
　　"Andwhyarechildrenborntosuchmenasyou？IfyouwerenotafathertherewouldbenothingIcouldreproachyouwith，"saidAnnaPavlovna，lookinguppensively。
　　"IamyourfaithfulslaveandtoyoualoneIcanconfessthatmychildrenarethebaneofmylife。ItisthecrossIhavetobear。ThatishowIexplainittomyself。Itcan’tbehelped！"
　　Hesaidnomore，butexpressedhisresignationtocruelfatebyagesture。AnnaPavlovnameditated。
　　"HaveyouneverthoughtofmarryingyourprodigalsonAnatole？"
　　sheasked。"Theysayoldmaidshaveamaniaformatchmaking，andthoughIdon’tfeelthatweaknessinmyselfasyet，Iknowalittlepersonwhoisveryunhappywithherfather。Sheisarelationofyours，PrincessMaryBolkonskaya。"
　　PrinceVasilididnotreply，though，withthequicknessofmemoryandperceptionbefittingamanoftheworld，heindicatedbyamovementoftheheadthathewasconsideringthisinformation。
　　"Doyouknow，"hesaidatlast，evidentlyunabletocheckthesadcurrentofhisthoughts，"thatAnatoleiscostingmefortythousandrublesayear？And，"hewentonafterapause，"whatwillitbeinfiveyears，ifhegoesonlikethis？"Presentlyheadded："That’swhatwefathershavetoputupwith……Isthisprincessofyoursrich？"
　　"Herfatherisveryrichandstingy。Helivesinthecountry。Heisthewell—knownPrinceBolkonskiwhohadtoretirefromthearmyunderthelateEmperor，andwasnicknamed’theKingofPrussia。’Heisverycleverbuteccentric，andabore。Thepoorgirlisveryunhappy。Shehasabrother；Ithinkyouknowhim，hemarriedLiseMeinenlately。Heisanaide—de—campofKutuzov’sandwillbeheretonight。"
　　"Listen，dearAnnette，"saidtheprince，suddenlytakingAnnaPavlovna’shandandforsomereasondrawingitdownwards。"ArrangethataffairformeandIshallalwaysbeyourmostdevotedslave—
　　slafewighanf，asavillageelderofminewritesinhisreports。Sheisrichandofgoodfamilyandthat’sallIwant。"
　　Andwiththefamiliarityandeasygracepeculiartohim，heraisedthemaidofhonor’shandtohislips，kissedit，andswungittoandfroashelaybackinhisarmchair，lookinginanotherdirection。
　　"Attendez，"saidAnnaPavlovna，reflecting，"I’llspeaktoLise，youngBolkonski’swife，thisveryevening，andperhapsthethingcanbearranged。Itshallbeonyourfamily’sbehalfthatI’llstartmyapprenticeshipasoldmaid。"
　　BK1CH2
　　CHAPTERII
　　AnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroomwasgraduallyfilling。ThehighestPetersburgsocietywasassembledthere：peopledifferingwidelyinageandcharacterbutalikeinthesocialcircletowhichtheybelonged。
　　PrinceVasili’sdaughter，thebeautifulHelene，cametotakeherfathertotheambassador’sentertainment；sheworeaballdressandherbadgeasmaidofhonor。TheyouthfullittlePrincessBolkonskaya，knownaslafemmelaplusseduisantedePetersbourg，*wasalsothere。Shehadbeenmarriedduringthepreviouswinter，andbeingpregnantdidnotgotoanylargegatherings，butonlytosmallreceptions。PrinceVasili’sson，Hippolyte，hadcomewithMortemart，whomheintroduced。TheAbbeMorioandmanyothershadalsocome。
　　*ThemostfascinatingwomaninPetersburg。
　　ToeachnewarrivalAnnaPavlovnasaid，"Youhavenotyetseenmyaunt，"or"Youdonotknowmyaunt？"andverygravelyconductedhimorhertoalittleoldlady，wearinglargebowsofribboninhercap，whohadcomesailinginfromanotherroomassoonastheguestsbegantoarrive；andslowlyturninghereyesfromthevisitortoheraunt，AnnaPavlovnamentionedeachone’snameandthenleftthem。
　　Eachvisitorperformedtheceremonyofgreetingthisoldauntwhomnotoneofthemknew，notoneofthemwantedtoknow，andnotoneofthemcaredabout；AnnaPavlovnaobservedthesegreetingswithmournfulandsolemninterestandsilentapproval。Theauntspoketoeachoftheminthesamewords，abouttheirhealthandherown，andthehealthofHerMajesty，"who，thankGod，wasbettertoday。"Andeachvisitor，thoughpolitenesspreventedhisshowingimpatience，lefttheoldwomanwithasenseofreliefathavingperformedavexatiousdutyanddidnotreturntoherthewholeevening。
　　TheyoungPrincessBolkonskayahadbroughtsomeworkinagold—embroideredvelvetbag。Herprettylittleupperlip，onwhichadelicatedarkdownwasjustperceptible，wastooshortforherteeth，butitliftedallthemoresweetly，andwasespeciallycharmingwhensheoccasionallydrewitdowntomeetthelowerlip。Asisalwaysthecasewithathoroughlyattractivewoman，herdefect—theshortnessofherupperlipandherhalf—openmouth—seemedtobeherownspecialandpeculiarformofbeauty。Everyonebrightenedatthesightofthisprettyyoungwoman，sosoontobecomeamother，sofulloflifeandhealth，andcarryingherburdensolightly。Oldmenanddulldispiritedyoungoneswholookedather，afterbeinginhercompanyandtalkingtoheralittlewhile，feltasiftheytoowerebecoming，likeher，fulloflifeandhealth。Allwhotalkedtoher，andateachwordsawherbrightsmileandtheconstantgleamofherwhiteteeth，thoughtthattheywereinaspeciallyamiablemoodthatday。
　　Thelittleprincesswentroundthetablewithquick，short，swayingsteps，herworkbagonherarm，andgailyspreadingoutherdresssatdownonasofanearthesilversamovar，asifallshewasdoingwasapleasuretoherselfandtoallaroundher。"Ihavebroughtmywork，"saidsheinFrench，displayingherbagandaddressingallpresent。"Mind，Annette，Ihopeyouhavenotplayedawickedtrickonme，"sheadded，turningtoherhostess。"Youwrotethatitwastobequiteasmallreception，andjustseehowbadlyIamdressed。"
　　Andshespreadoutherarmstoshowhershort—waisted，lace—trimmed，daintygraydress，girdledwithabroadribbonjustbelowthebreast。
　　"Soyeztranquille，Lise，youwillalwaysbeprettierthananyoneelse，"repliedAnnaPavlovna。
　　"Youknow，"saidtheprincessinthesametoneofvoiceandstillinFrench，turningtoageneral，"myhusbandisdesertingme？Heisgoingtogethimselfkilled。Tellmewhatthiswretchedwarisfor？"sheadded，addressingPrinceVasili，andwithoutwaitingforananswersheturnedtospeaktohisdaughter，thebeautifulHelene。
　　"Whatadelightfulwomanthislittleprincessis！"saidPrinceVasilitoAnnaPavlovna。
　　Oneofthenextarrivalswasastout，heavilybuiltyoungmanwithclose—croppedhair，spectacles，thelight—coloredbreechesfashionableatthattime，averyhighruffle，andabrowndresscoat。ThisstoutyoungmanwasanillegitimatesonofCountBezukhov，awell—knowngrandeeofCatherine’stimewhonowlaydyinginMoscow。Theyoungmanhadnotyetenteredeitherthemilitaryorcivilservice，ashehadonlyjustreturnedfromabroadwherehehadbeeneducated，andthiswashisfirstappearanceinsociety。AnnaPavlovnagreetedhimwiththenodsheaccordedtothelowesthierarchyinherdrawingroom。
　　Butinspiteofthislowest—gradegreeting，alookofanxietyandfear，asatthesightofsomethingtoolargeandunsuitedtotheplace，cameoverherfacewhenshesawPierreenter。Thoughhewascertainlyratherbiggerthantheothermenintheroom，heranxietycouldonlyhavereferencetothecleverthoughshy，butobservantandnatural，expressionwhichdistinguishedhimfromeveryoneelseinthatdrawingroom。
　　"Itisverygoodofyou，MonsieurPierre，tocomeandvisitapoorinvalid，"saidAnnaPavlovna，exchanginganalarmedglancewithherauntassheconductedhimtoher。
　　Pierremurmuredsomethingunintelligible，andcontinuedtolookroundasifinsearchofsomething。Onhiswaytotheaunthebowedtothelittleprincesswithapleasedsmile，astoanintimateacquaintance。
　　AnnaPavlovna’salarmwasjustified，forPierreturnedawayfromtheauntwithoutwaitingtohearherspeechaboutHerMajesty’shealth。
　　AnnaPavlovnaindismaydetainedhimwiththewords："DoyouknowtheAbbeMorio？Heisamostinterestingman。"
　　"Yes，Ihaveheardofhisschemeforperpetualpeace，anditisveryinterestingbuthardlyfeasible。"
　　"Youthinkso？"rejoinedAnnaPavlovnainordertosaysomethingandgetawaytoattendtoherdutiesashostess。ButPierrenowcommittedareverseactofimpoliteness。Firsthehadleftaladybeforeshehadfinishedspeakingtohim，andnowhecontinuedtospeaktoanotherwhowishedtogetaway。Withhisheadbent，andhisbigfeetspreadapart，hebeganexplaininghisreasonsforthinkingtheabbe’splanchimerical。
　　"Wewilltalkofitlater，"saidAnnaPavlovnawithasmile。
　　Andhavinggotridofthisyoungmanwhodidnotknowhowtobehave，sheresumedherdutiesashostessandcontinuedtolistenandwatch，readytohelpatanypointwheretheconversationmighthappentoflag。Astheforemanofaspinningmill，whenhehassetthehandstowork，goesroundandnoticeshereaspindlethathasstoppedorthereonethatcreaksormakesmorenoisethanitshould，andhastenstocheckthemachineorsetitinpropermotion，soAnnaPavlovnamovedaboutherdrawingroom，approachingnowasilent，nowatoo—noisygroup，andbyawordorslightrearrangementkepttheconversationalmachineinsteady，proper，andregularmotion。ButamidthesecaresheranxietyaboutPierrewasevident。ShekeptananxiouswatchonhimwhenheapproachedthegrouproundMortemarttolistentowhatwasbeingsaidthere，andagainwhenhepassedtoanothergroupwhosecenterwastheabbe。
　　Pierrehadbeeneducatedabroad，andthisreceptionatAnnaPavlovna’swasthefirsthehadattendedinRussia。HeknewthatalltheintellectuallightsofPetersburgweregatheredthereand，likeachildinatoyshop，didnotknowwhichwaytolook，afraidofmissinganycleverconversationthatwastobeheard。Seeingtheself—confidentandrefinedexpressiononthefacesofthosepresenthewasalwaysexpectingtohearsomethingveryprofound。AtlasthecameuptoMorio。Heretheconversationseemedinterestingandhestoodwaitingforanopportunitytoexpresshisownviews，asyoungpeoplearefondofdoing。
　　BK1CH3
　　CHAPTERIII
　　AnnaPavlovna’sreceptionwasinfullswing。Thespindleshummedsteadilyandceaselesslyonallsides。Withtheexceptionoftheaunt，besidewhomsatonlyoneelderlylady，whowithherthincarewornfacewasratheroutofplaceinthisbrilliantsociety，thewholecompanyhadsettledintothreegroups。One，chieflymasculine，hadformedroundtheabbe。Another，ofyoungpeople，wasgroupedroundthebeautifulPrincessHelene，PrinceVasili’sdaughter，andthelittlePrincessBolkonskaya，veryprettyandrosy，thoughrathertooplumpforherage。ThethirdgroupwasgatheredroundMortemartandAnnaPavlovna。
　　Thevicomtewasanice—lookingyoungmanwithsoftfeaturesandpolishedmanners，whoevidentlyconsideredhimselfacelebritybutoutofpolitenessmodestlyplacedhimselfatthedisposalofthecircleinwhichhefoundhimself。AnnaPavlovnawasobviouslyservinghimupasatreattoherguests。Asaclevermaitred’hotelservesupasaspeciallychoicedelicacyapieceofmeatthatnoonewhohadseenitinthekitchenwouldhavecaredtoeat，soAnnaPavlovnaserveduptoherguests，firstthevicomteandthentheabbe，aspeculiarlychoicemorsels。ThegroupaboutMortemartimmediatelybegandiscussingthemurderoftheDucd’Enghien。ThevicomtesaidthattheDucd’Enghienhadperishedbyhisownmagnanimity，andthattherewereparticularreasonsforBuonaparte’shatredofhim。
　　"Ah，yes！Dotellusallaboutit，Vicomte，"saidAnnaPavlovna，withapleasantfeelingthattherewassomethingalaLouisXVinthesoundofthatsentence："Conteznouscela，Vicomte。"
　　Thevicomtebowedandsmiledcourteouslyintokenofhiswillingnesstocomply。AnnaPavlovnaarrangedagrouproundhim，invitingeveryonetolistentohistale。
　　"Thevicomteknewtheducpersonally，"whisperedAnnaPavlovnatooftheguests。"Thevicomteisawonderfulraconteur，"saidshetoanother。"Howevidentlyhebelongstothebestsociety，"saidshetoathird；andthevicomtewasserveduptothecompanyinthechoicestandmostadvantageousstyle，likeawell—garnishedjointofroastbeefonahotdish。
　　Thevicomtewishedtobeginhisstoryandgaveasubtlesmile。
　　"Comeoverhere，Helene，dear，"saidAnnaPavlovnatothebeautifulyoungprincesswhowassittingsomewayoff，thecenterofanothergroup。
　　Theprincesssmiled。Sherosewiththesameunchangingsmilewithwhichshehadfirstenteredtheroom—thesmileofaperfectlybeautifulwoman。Withaslightrustleofherwhitedresstrimmedwithmossandivy，withagleamofwhiteshoulders，glossyhair，andsparklingdiamonds，shepassedbetweenthemenwhomadewayforher，notlookingatanyofthembutsmilingonall，asifgraciouslyallowingeachtheprivilegeofadmiringherbeautifulfigureandshapelyshoulders，back，andbosom—whichinthefashionofthosedayswereverymuchexposed—andsheseemedtobringtheglamourofaballroomwithherasshemovedtowardAnnaPavlovna。Helenewassolovelythatnotonlydidshenotshowanytraceofcoquetry，butonthecontrarysheevenappearedshyofherunquestionableandalltoovictoriousbeauty。Sheseemedtowish，buttobeunable，todiminishitseffect。
　　"Howlovely！"saideveryonewhosawher；andthevicomteliftedhisshouldersanddroppedhiseyesasifstartledbysomethingextraordinarywhenshetookherseatoppositeandbeameduponhimalsowithherunchangingsmile。
　　"Madame，Idoubtmyabilitybeforesuchanaudience，"saidhe，smilinglyinclininghishead。
　　Theprincessrestedherbareroundarmonalittletableandconsideredareplyunnecessary。Shesmilinglywaited。Allthetimethestorywasbeingtoldshesatupright，glancingnowatherbeautifulroundarm，alteredinshapebyitspressureonthetable，nowatherstillmorebeautifulbosom，onwhichshereadjustedadiamondnecklace。Fromtimetotimeshesmoothedthefoldsofherdress，andwheneverthestoryproducedaneffectsheglancedatAnnaPavlovna，atonceadoptedjusttheexpressionshesawonthemaidofhonor’sface，andagainrelapsedintoherradiantsmile。
　　ThelittleprincesshadalsolefttheteatableandfollowedHelene。
　　"Waitamoment，I’llgetmywork……Nowthen，whatareyouthinkingof？"shewenton，turningtoPrinceHippolyte。"Fetchmemyworkbag。"
　　Therewasageneralmovementastheprincess，smilingandtalkingmerrilytoeveryoneatonce，satdownandgailyarrangedherselfinherseat。
　　"NowIamallright，"shesaid，andaskingthevicomtetobegin，shetookupherwork。
　　PrinceHippolyte，havingbroughttheworkbag，joinedthecircleandmovingachairclosetohersseatedhimselfbesideher。
　　LecharmantHippolytewassurprisingbyhisextraordinaryresemblancetohisbeautifulsister，butyetmorebythefactthatinspiteofthisresemblancehewasexceedinglyugly。Hisfeatureswerelikehissister’s，butwhileinhercaseeverythingwaslitupbyajoyous，self—satisfied，youthful，andconstantsmileofanimation，andbythewonderfulclassicbeautyofherfigure，hisfaceonthecontrarywasdulledbyimbecilityandaconstantexpressionofsullenself—confidence，whilehisbodywasthinandweak。Hiseyes，nose，andmouthallseemedpuckeredintoavacant，weariedgrimace，andhisarmsandlegsalwaysfellintounnaturalpositions。
　　"It’snotgoingtobeaghoststory？"saidhe，sittingdownbesidetheprincessandhastilyadjustinghislorgnette，asifwithoutthisinstrumenthecouldnotbegintospeak。
　　"Whyno，mydearfellow，"saidtheastonishednarrator，shrugginghisshoulders。
　　"BecauseIhateghoststories，"saidPrinceHippolyteinatonewhichshowedthatheonlyunderstoodthemeaningofhiswordsafterhehadutteredthem。
　　Hespokewithsuchself—confidencethathishearerscouldnotbesurewhetherwhathesaidwasverywittyorverystupid。Hewasdressedinadark—greendresscoat，kneebreechesofthecolorofcuissedenympheeffrayee，ashecalledit，shoes，andsilkstockings。
　　Thevicomtetoldhistaleveryneatly。Itwasananecdote，thencurrent，totheeffectthattheDucd’EnghienhadgonesecretlytoParistovisitMademoiselleGeorge；thatatherhousehecameuponBonaparte，whoalsoenjoyedthefamousactress’favors，andthatinhispresenceNapoleonhappenedtofallintooneofthefaintingfitstowhichhewassubject，andwasthusattheduc’smercy。Thelattersparedhim，andthismagnanimityBonapartesubsequentlyrepaidbydeath。
　　Thestorywasveryprettyandinteresting，especiallyatthepointwheretherivalssuddenlyrecognizedoneanother；andtheladieslookedagitated。
　　"Charming！"saidAnnaPavlovnawithaninquiringglanceatthelittleprincess。
　　"Charming！"whisperedthelittleprincess，stickingtheneedleintoherworkasiftotestifythattheinterestandfascinationofthestorypreventedherfromgoingonwithit。
　　Thevicomteappreciatedthissilentpraiseandsmilinggratefullypreparedtocontinue，butjustthenAnnaPavlovna，whohadkeptawatchfuleyeontheyoungmanwhosoalarmedher，noticedthathewastalkingtooloudlyandvehementlywiththeabbe，soshehurriedtotherescue。Pierrehadmanagedtostartaconversationwiththeabbeaboutthebalanceofpower，andthelatter，evidentlyinterestedbytheyoungman’ssimple—mindedeagerness，wasexplaininghispettheory。Bothweretalkingandlisteningtooeagerlyandtoonaturally，whichwaswhyAnnaPavlovnadisapproved。
　　"Themeansare……thebalanceofpowerinEuropeandtherightsofthepeople，"theabbewassaying。"ItisonlynecessaryforonepowerfulnationlikeRussia—barbaricassheissaidtobe—toplaceherselfdisinterestedlyattheheadofanalliancehavingforitsobjectthemaintenanceofthebalanceofpowerofEurope，anditwouldsavetheworld！"
　　"Buthowareyoutogetthatbalance？"Pierrewasbeginning。
　　AtthatmomentAnnaPavlovnacameupand，lookingseverelyatPierre，askedtheItalianhowhestoodRussianclimate。TheItalian’sfaceinstantlychangedandassumedanoffensivelyaffected，sugaryexpression，evidentlyhabitualtohimwhenconversingwithwomen。
　　"Iamsoenchantedbythebrilliancyofthewitandcultureofthesociety，moreespeciallyofthefemininesociety，inwhichIhavehadthehonorofbeingreceived，thatIhavenotyethadtimetothinkoftheclimate，"saidhe。
　　NotlettingtheabbeandPierreescape，AnnaPavlovna，themoreconvenientlytokeepthemunderobservation，broughtthemintothelargercircle。
　　BK1CH4
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Justthemanothervisitorenteredthedrawingroom：PrinceAndrewBolkonski，thelittleprincess’husband。Hewasaveryhandsomeyoungman，ofmediumheight，withfirm，clearcutfeatures。
　　Everythingabouthim，fromhisweary，boredexpressiontohisquiet，measuredstep，offeredamoststrikingcontrasttohisquiet，littlewife。Itwasevidentthathenotonlykneweveryoneinthedrawingroom，buthadfoundthemtobesotiresomethatitweariedhimtolookatorlistentothem。Andamongallthesefacesthathefoundsotedious，noneseemedtoborehimsomuchasthatofhisprettywife。
　　Heturnedawayfromherwithagrimacethatdistortedhishandsomeface，kissedAnnaPavlovna’shand，andscrewinguphiseyesscannedthewholecompany。
　　"Youareofftothewar，Prince？"saidAnnaPavlovna。
　　"GeneralKutuzov，"saidBolkonski，speakingFrenchandstressingthelastsyllableofthegeneral’snamelikeaFrenchman，"hasbeenpleasedtotakemeasanaide—de—camp……"
　　"AndLise，yourwife？"
　　"Shewillgotothecountry。"
　　"Areyounotashamedtodepriveusofyourcharmingwife？"
　　"Andre，"saidhiswife，addressingherhusbandinthesamecoquettishmannerinwhichshespoketoothermen，"thevicomtehasbeentellingussuchataleaboutMademoiselleGeorgeandBuonaparte！"
　　PrinceAndrewscreweduphiseyesandturnedaway。Pierre，whofromthemomentPrinceAndrewenteredtheroomhadwatchedhimwithglad，affectionateeyes，nowcameupandtookhisarm。BeforehelookedroundPrinceAndrewfrownedagain，expressinghisannoyancewithwhoeverwastouchinghisarm，butwhenhesawPierre’sbeamingfacehegavehimanunexpectedlykindandpleasantsmile。
　　"Therenow！……Soyou，too，areinthegreatworld？"saidhetoPierre。
　　"Iknewyouwouldbehere，"repliedPierre。"Iwillcometosupperwithyou。MayI？"headdedinalowvoicesoasnottodisturbthevicomtewhowascontinuinghisstory。
　　"No，impossible！"saidPrinceAndrew，laughingandpressingPierre’shandtoshowthattherewasnoneedtoaskthequestion。Hewishedtosaysomethingmore，butatthatmomentPrinceVasiliandhisdaughtergotuptogoandthetwoyoungmenrosetoletthempass。
　　"Youmustexcuseme，dearVicomte，"saidPrinceVasilitotheFrenchman，holdinghimdownbythesleeveinafriendlywaytopreventhisrising。"Thisunfortunatefeteattheambassador’sdeprivesmeofapleasure，andobligesmetointerruptyou。Iamverysorrytoleaveyourenchantingparty，"saidhe，turningtoAnnaPavlovna。
　　Hisdaughter，PrincessHelene，passedbetweenthechairs，lightlyholdingupthefoldsofherdress，andthesmileshonestillmoreradiantlyonherbeautifulface。Pierregazedatherwithrapturous，almostfrightened，eyesasshepassedhim。
　　"Verylovely，"saidPrinceAndrew。
　　"Very，"saidPierre。
　　InpassingPrinceVasiliseizedPierre’shandandsaidtoAnnaPavlovna："Educatethisbearforme！HehasbeenstayingwithmeawholemonthandthisisthefirsttimeIhaveseenhiminsociety。
　　Nothingissonecessaryforayoungmanasthesocietyofcleverwomen。"
　　AnnaPavlovnasmiledandpromisedtotakePierreinhand。SheknewhisfathertobeaconnectionofPrinceVasili’s。TheelderlyladywhohadbeensittingwiththeoldauntrosehurriedlyandovertookPrinceVasiliintheanteroom。Alltheaffectationofinterestshehadassumedhadleftherkindlyandtearwornfaceanditnowexpressedonlyanxietyandfear。
　　"HowaboutmysonBoris，Prince？"saidshe，hurryingafterhimintotheanteroom。"Ican’tremainanylongerinPetersburg。TellmewhatnewsImaytakebacktomypoorboy。"
　　AlthoughPrinceVasililistenedreluctantlyandnotverypolitelytotheelderlylady，evenbetrayingsomeimpatience，shegavehimaningratiatingandappealingsmile，andtookhishandthathemightnotgoaway。
　　"WhatwoulditcostyoutosayawordtotheEmperor，andthenhewouldbetransferredtotheGuardsatonce？"saidshe。
　　"Believeme，Princess，IamreadytodoallIcan，"answeredPrinceVasili，"butitisdifficultformetoasktheEmperor。I
　　shouldadviseyoutoappealtoRumyantsevthroughPrinceGolitsyn。
　　Thatwouldbethebestway。"
　　TheelderlyladywasaPrincessDrubetskaya，belongingtooneofthebestfamiliesinRussia，butshewaspoor，andhavinglongbeenoutofsocietyhadlostherformerinfluentialconnections。ShehadnowcometoPetersburgtoprocureanappointmentintheGuardsforheronlyson。Itwas，infact，solelytomeetPrinceVasilithatshehadobtainedaninvitationtoAnnaPavlovna’sreceptionandhadsatlisteningtothevicomte’sstory。PrinceVasili’swordsfrightenedher，anembitteredlookcloudedheroncehandsomeface，butonlyforamoment；thenshesmiledagainanddutchedPrinceVasili’sarmmoretightly。
　　"Listentome，Prince，"saidshe。"IhaveneveryetaskedyouforanythingandIneverwillagain，norhaveIeverremindedyouofmyfather’sfriendshipforyou；butnowIentreatyouforGod’ssaketodothisformyson—andIshallalwaysregardyouasabenefactor，"
　　sheaddedhurriedly。"No，don’tbeangry，butpromise！IhaveaskedGolitsynandhehasrefused。Bethekindheartedmanyoualwayswere，"shesaid，tryingtosmilethoughtearswereinhereyes。
　　"Papa，weshallbelate，"saidPrincessHelene，turningherbeautifulheadandlookingoverherclassicallymoldedshoulderasshestoodwaitingbythedoor。
　　Influenceinsociety，however，isacapitalwhichhastobeeconomizedifitistolast。PrinceVasiliknewthis，andhavingoncerealizedthatifheaskedonbehalfofallwhobeggedofhim，hewouldsoonbeunabletoaskforhimself，hebecamecharyofusinghisinfluence。ButinPrincessDrubetskaya’scasehefelt，afterhersecondappeal，somethinglikequalmsofconscience。Shehadremindedhimofwhatwasquitetrue；hehadbeenindebtedtoherfatherforthefirststepsinhiscareer。Moreover，hecouldseebyhermannersthatshewasoneofthosewomen—mostlymothers—who，havingoncemadeuptheirminds，willnotrestuntiltheyhavegainedtheirend，andarepreparedifnecessarytogooninsistingdayafterdayandhourafterhour，andeventomakescenes。Thislastconsiderationmovedhim。
　　"MydearAnnaMikhaylovna，"saidhewithhisusualfamiliarityandwearinessoftone，"itisalmostimpossibleformetodowhatyouask；
　　buttoprovemydevotiontoyouandhowIrespectyourfather’smemory，Iwilldotheimpossible—yoursonshallbetransferredtotheGuards。Hereismyhandonit。Areyousatisfied？"
　　"Mydearbenefactor！ThisiswhatIexpectedfromyou—Iknewyourkindness！"Heturnedtogo。
　　"Wait—justaword！WhenhehasbeentransferredtotheGuards……"
　　shefaltered。"YouareongoodtermswithMichaelIlarionovichKutuzov……recommendBoristohimasadjutant！ThenIshallbeatrest，andthen……"
　　PrinceVasilismiled。
　　"No，Iwon’tpromisethat。Youdon’tknowhowKutuzovispesteredsincehisappointmentasCommanderinChief。HetoldmehimselfthatalltheMoscowladieshaveconspiredtogivehimalltheirsonsasadjutants。"
　　"No，butdopromise！Iwon’tletyougo！Mydearbenefactor……"
　　"Papa，"saidhisbeautifuldaughterinthesametoneasbefore，"weshallbelate。"
　　"Well，aurevoir！Good—by！Youhearher？"
　　"ThentomorrowyouwillspeaktotheEmperor？"
　　"Certainly；butaboutKutuzov，Idon’tpromise。"
　　"Dopromise，dopromise，Vasili！"criedAnnaMikhaylovnaashewent，withthesmileofacoquettishgirl，whichatonetimeprobablycamenaturallytoher，butwasnowveryill—suitedtohercarewornface。
　　Apparentlyshehadforgottenherageandbyforceofhabitemployedalltheoldfemininearts。Butassoonastheprincehadgoneherfaceresumeditsformercold，artificialexpression。Shereturnedtothegroupwherethevicomtewasstilltalking，andagainpretendedtolisten，whilewaitingtillitwouldbetimetoleave。Hertaskwasaccomplished。
　　BK1CH5
　　CHAPTERV
　　"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthislatestcomedy，thecoronationatMilan？"askedAnnaPavlovna，"andofthecomedyofthepeopleofGenoaandLuccalayingtheirpetitionsbeforeMonsieurBuonaparte，andMonsieurBuonapartesittingonathroneandgrantingthepetitionsofthenations？Adorable！Itisenoughtomakeone’sheadwhirl！Itisasifthewholeworldhadgonecrazy。"
　　PrinceAndrewlookedAnnaPavlovnastraightinthefacewithasarcasticsmile。
　　"’Dieumeladonne，gareaquilatouche！’*Theysayhewasveryfinewhenhesaidthat，"heremarked，repeatingthewordsinItalian："’Diomil’hadato。Guaiachilatocchi！’"
　　*Godhasgivenittome，lethimwhotouchesitbeware！
　　"Ihopethiswillprovethelastdropthatwillmaketheglassrunover，"AnnaPavlovnacontinued。"Thesovereignswillnotbeabletoendurethismanwhoisamenacetoeverything。"
　　"Thesovereigns？IdonotspeakofRussia，"saidthevicomte，politebuthopeless："Thesovereigns，madame……WhathavetheydoneforLouisXVII，fortheQueen，orforMadameElizabeth？Nothing！"andhebecamemoreanimated。"Andbelieveme，theyarereapingtherewardoftheirbetrayaloftheBourboncause。Thesovereigns！Why，theyaresendingambassadorstocomplimenttheusurper。"
　　Andsighingdisdainfully，heagainchangedhisposition。
　　PrinceHippolyte，whohadbeengazingatthevicomteforsometimethroughhislorgnette，suddenlyturnedcompletelyroundtowardthelittleprincess，andhavingaskedforaneedlebegantracingtheCondecoatofarmsonthetable。Heexplainedthistoherwithasmuchgravityasifshehadaskedhimtodoit。
　　"Batondegueules，engreledegueulesd’azur—maisonConde，"saidhe。
　　Theprincesslistened，smiling。
　　"IfBuonaparteremainsonthethroneofFranceayearlonger，"thevicomtecontinued，withtheairofamanwho，inamatterwithwhichheisbetteracquaintedthananyoneelse，doesnotlistentoothersbutfollowsthecurrentofhisownthoughts，"thingswillhavegonetoofar。Byintrigues，violence，exile，andexecutions，Frenchsociety—ImeangoodFrenchsociety—willhavebeenforeverdestroyed，andthen……"
　　Heshruggedhisshouldersandspreadouthishands。Pierrewishedtomakearemark，fortheconversationinterestedhim，butAnnaPavlovna，whohadhimunderobservation，interrupted：
　　"TheEmperorAlexander，"saidshe，withthemelancholywhichalwaysaccompaniedanyreferenceofherstotheImperialfamily，"hasdeclaredthathewillleaveittotheFrenchpeoplethemselvestochoosetheirownformofgovernment；andIbelievethatoncefreefromtheusurper，thewholenationwillcertainlythrowitselfintothearmsofitsrightfulking，"sheconcluded，tryingtobeamiabletotheroyalistemigrant。
　　"Thatisdoubtful，"saidPrinceAndrew。"MonsieurleVicomtequiterightlysupposesthatmattershavealreadygonetoofar。Ithinkitwillbedifficulttoreturntotheoldregime。"
　　"FromwhatIhaveheard，"saidPierre，blushingandbreakingintotheconversation，"almostallthearistocracyhasalreadygoneovertoBonaparte’sside。"
　　"ItistheBuonapartistswhosaythat，"repliedthevicomtewithoutlookingatPierre。"AtthepresenttimeitisdifficulttoknowtherealstateofFrenchpublicopinion。
　　"Bonapartehassaidso，"remarkedPrinceAndrewwithasarcasticsmile。
　　Itwasevidentthathedidnotlikethevicomteandwasaiminghisremarksathim，thoughwithoutlookingathim。
　　"’Ishowedthemthepathtoglory，buttheydidnotfollowit，’"
　　PrinceAndrewcontinuedafterashortsilence，againquotingNapoleon’swords。"’Iopenedmyantechambersandtheycrowdedin。’I
　　donotknowhowfarhewasjustifiedinsayingso。"
　　"Notintheleast，"repliedthevicomte。"Afterthemurderoftheduceventhemostpartialceasedtoregardhimasahero。Iftosomepeople，"hewenton，turningtoAnnaPavlovna，"heeverwasahero，afterthemurderoftheductherewasonemartyrmoreinheavenandoneherolessonearth。"
　　BeforeAnnaPavlovnaandtheothershadtimetosmiletheirappreciationofthevicomte’sepigram，Pierreagainbrokeintotheconversation，andthoughAnnaPavlovnafeltsurehewouldsaysomethinginappropriate，shewasunabletostophim。
　　"TheexecutionoftheDucd’Enghien，"declaredMonsieurPierre，"wasapoliticalnecessity，anditseemstomethatNapoleonshowedgreatnessofsoulbynotfearingtotakeonhimselfthewholeresponsibilityofthatdeed。"
　　"Dieu！MonDieu！"mutteredAnnaPavlovnainaterrifiedwhisper。
　　"What，MonsieurPierre……Doyouconsiderthatassassinationshowsgreatnessofsoul？"saidthelittleprincess，smilinganddrawingherworknearertoher。
　　"Oh！Oh！"exclaimedseveralvoices。
　　"Capital！"saidPrinceHippolyteinEnglish，andbeganslappinghiskneewiththepalmofhishand。
　　Thevicomtemerelyshruggedhisshoulders。Pierrelookedsolemnlyathisaudienceoverhisspectaclesandcontinued。
　　"Isayso，"hecontinueddesperately，"becausetheBourbonsfledfromtheRevolutionleavingthepeopletoanarchy，andNapoleonaloneunderstoodtheRevolutionandquelledit，andsoforthegeneralgood，hecouldnotstopshortforthesakeofoneman’slife。"
　　"Won’tyoucomeovertotheothertable？"suggestedAnnaPavlovna。
　　ButPierrecontinuedhisspeechwithoutheedingher。
　　"No，"criedhe，becomingmoreandmoreeager，"NapoleonisgreatbecauseherosesuperiortotheRevolution，suppresseditsabuses，preservedallthatwasgoodinit—equalityofcitizenshipandfreedomofspeechandofthepress—andonlyforthatreasondidheobtainpower。"
　　"Yes，ifhavingobtainedpower，withoutavailinghimselfofittocommitmurderhehadrestoredittotherightfulking，Ishouldhavecalledhimagreatman，"remarkedthevicomte。
　　"Hecouldnotdothat。ThepeopleonlygavehimpowerthathemightridthemoftheBourbonsandbecausetheysawthathewasagreatman。TheRevolutionwasagrandthing！"continuedMonsieurPierre，betrayingbythisdesperateandprovocativepropositionhisextremeyouthandhiswishtoexpressallthatwasinhismind。
　　"What？Revolutionandregicideagrandthing？……Well，afterthat……
　　Butwon’tyoucometothisothertable？"repeatedAnnaPavlovna。
　　"Rousseau’sContratsocial，"saidthevicomtewithatolerantsmile。
　　"Iamnotspeakingofregicide，Iamspeakingaboutideas。"
　　"Yes：ideasofrobbery，murder，andregicide，"againinterjectedanironicalvoice。
　　"Thosewereextremes，nodoubt，buttheyarenotwhatismostimportant。Whatisimportantaretherightsofman，emancipationfromprejudices，andequalityofcitizenship，andalltheseideasNapoleonhasretainedinfullforce。"
　　"Libertyandequality，"saidthevicomtecontemptuously，asifatlastdecidingseriouslytoprovetothisyouthhowfoolishhiswordswere，"high—soundingwordswhichhavelongbeendiscredited。Whodoesnotlovelibertyandequality？EvenourSaviourpreachedlibertyandequality。HavepeoplesincetheRevolutionbecomehappier？
　　Onthecontrary。Wewantedliberty，butBuonapartehasdestroyedit。"
　　PrinceAndrewkeptlookingwithanamusedsmilefromPierretothevicomteandfromthevicomtetotheirhostess。InthefirstmomentofPierre’soutburstAnnaPavlovna，despitehersocialexperience，washorror—struck。ButwhenshesawthatPierre’ssacrilegiouswordshadnotexasperatedthevicomte，andhadconvincedherselfthatitwasimpossibletostophim，sheralliedherforcesandjoinedthevicomteinavigorousattackontheorator。
　　"But，mydearMonsieurPierre，"saidshe，"howdoyouexplainthefactofagreatmanexecutingaduc—orevenanordinarymanwho—isinnocentanduntried？"
　　"Ishouldlike，"saidthevicomte，"toaskhowmonsieurexplainsthe18thBrumaire；wasnotthatanimposture？Itwasaswindle，andnotatallliketheconductofagreatman！"
　　"AndtheprisonershekilledinAfrica？Thatwashorrible！"saidthelittleprincess，shrugginghershoulders。
　　"He’salowfellow，saywhatyouwill，"remarkedPrinceHippolyte。
　　Pierre，notknowingwhomtoanswer，lookedatthemallandsmiled。
　　Hissmilewasunlikethehalf—smileofotherpeople。Whenhesmiled，hisgrave，evenrathergloomy，lookwasinstantaneouslyreplacedbyanother—achildlike，kindly，evenrathersillylook，whichseemedtoaskforgiveness。
　　ThevicomtewhowasmeetinghimforthefirsttimesawclearlythatthisyoungJacobinwasnotsoterribleashiswordssuggested。
　　Allweresilent。
　　"Howdoyouexpecthimtoansweryouallatonce？"saidPrinceAndrew。"Besides，intheactionsofastatesmanonehastodistinguishbetweenhisactsasaprivateperson，asageneral，andasanemperor。
　　Soitseemstome。"
　　"Yes，yes，ofcourse！"Pierrechimedin，pleasedatthearrivalofthisreinforcement。
　　"Onemustadmit，"continuedPrinceAndrew，"thatNapoleonasamanwasgreatonthebridgeofArcola，andinthehospitalatJaffawherehegavehishandtotheplague—stricken；but……butthereareotheractswhichitisdifficulttojustify。"
　　PrinceAndrew，whohadevidentlywishedtotonedowntheawkwardnessofPierre’sremarks，roseandmadeasigntohiswifethatitwastimetogo。
　　SuddenlyPrinceHippolytestartedupmakingsignstoeveryonetoattend，andaskingthemalltobeseatedbegan：
　　"IwastoldacharmingMoscowstorytodayandmusttreatyoutoit。Excuseme，Vicomte—ImusttellitinRussianorthepointwillbelost……"AndPrinceHippolytebegantotellhisstoryinsuchRussianasaFrenchmanwouldspeakafterspendingaboutayearinRussia。
　　Everyonewaited，soemphaticallyandeagerlydidhedemandtheirattentiontohisstory。
　　"ThereisinMoscowalady，unedame，andsheisverystingy。Shemusthavetwofootmenbehindhercarriage，andverybigones。Thatwashertaste。Andshehadalady’smaid，alsobig。Shesaid……"
　　HerePrinceHippolytepaused，evidentlycollectinghisideaswithdifficulty。
　　"Shesaid……Ohyes！Shesaid，’Girl，’tothemaid，’putonalivery，getupbehindthecarriage，andcomewithmewhileImakesomecalls。’"
　　HerePrinceHippolytesplutteredandburstoutlaughinglongbeforehisaudience，whichproducedaneffectunfavorabletothenarrator。Severalpersons，amongthemtheelderlyladyandAnnaPavlovna，didhoweversmile。
　　"Shewent。Suddenlytherewasagreatwind。Thegirllostherhatandherlonghaircamedown……"Herehecouldcontainhimselfnolongerandwenton，betweengaspsoflaughter："Andthewholeworldknew……"
　　Andsotheanecdoteended。Thoughitwasunintelligiblewhyhehadtoldit，orwhyithadtobetoldinRussian，stillAnnaPavlovnaandtheothersappreciatedPrinceHippolyte’ssocialtactinsoagreeablyendingPierre’sunpleasantandunamiableoutburst。Aftertheanecdotetheconversationbrokeupintoinsignificantsmalltalkaboutthelastandnextballs，abouttheatricals，andwhowouldmeetwhom，andwhenandwhere。
　　BK1CH6
　　CHAPTERVI
　　HavingthankedAnnaPavlovnaforhercharmingsoiree，theguestsbegantotaketheirleave。
　　Pierrewasungainly。Stout，abouttheaverageheight，broad，withhugeredhands；hedidnotknow，asthesayingis，toenteradrawingroomandstilllesshowtoleaveone；thatis，howtosaysomethingparticularlyagreeablebeforegoingaway。Besidesthishewasabsent—minded。Whenherosetogo，hetookupinsteadofhisown，thegeneral’sthree—corneredhat，andheldit，pullingattheplume，tillthegeneralaskedhimtorestoreit。Allhisabsent—mindednessandinabilitytoenteraroomandconverseinitwas，however，redeemedbyhiskindly，simple，andmodestexpression。
　　AnnaPavlovnaturnedtowardhimand，withaChristianmildnessthatexpressedforgivenessofhisindiscretion，noddedandsaid："Ihopetoseeyouagain，butIalsohopeyouwillchangeyouropinions，mydearMonsieurPierre。"
　　Whenshesaidthis，hedidnotreplyandonlybowed，butagaineverybodysawhissmile，whichsaidnothing，unlessperhaps，"Opinionsareopinions，butyouseewhatacapital，good—naturedfellowIam。"
　　Andeveryone，includingAnnaPavlovna，feltthis。
　　PrinceAndrewhadgoneoutintothehall，and，turninghisshoulderstothefootmanwhowashelpinghimonwithhiscloak，listenedindifferentlytohiswife’schatterwithPrinceHippolytewhohadalsocomeintothehall。PrinceHippolytestoodclosetothepretty，pregnantprincess，andstaredfixedlyatherthroughhiseyeglass。
　　"Goin，Annette，oryouwillcatchcold，"saidthelittleprincess，takingleaveofAnnaPavlovna。"Itissettled，"sheaddedinalowvoice。
　　AnnaPavlovnahadalreadymanagedtospeaktoLiseaboutthematchshecontemplatedbetweenAnatoleandthelittleprincess’
　　sister—in—law。
　　"Irelyonyou，mydear，"saidAnnaPavlovna，alsoinalowtone。
　　"Writetoherandletmeknowhowherfatherlooksatthematter。Aurevoir！"—andsheleftthehall。
　　PrinceHippolyteapproachedthelittleprincessand，bendinghisfaceclosetoher，begantowhispersomething。
　　Twofootmen，theprincess’andhisown，stoodholdingashawlandacloak，waitingfortheconversationtofinish。TheylistenedtotheFrenchsentenceswhichtothemweremeaningless，withanairofunderstandingbutnotwishingtoappeartodoso。Theprincessasusualspokesmilinglyandlistenedwithalaugh。
　　"IamverygladIdidnotgototheambassador’s，"saidPrinceHippolyte"—sodull—。Ithasbeenadelightfulevening，hasitnot？
　　Delightful！"
　　"Theysaytheballwillbeverygood，"repliedtheprincess，drawingupherdownylittlelip。"Alltheprettywomeninsocietywillbethere。"
　　"Notall，foryouwillnotbethere；notall，"saidPrinceHippolytesmilingjoyfully；andsnatchingtheshawlfromthefootman，whomheevenpushedaside，hebeganwrappingitroundtheprincess。Eitherfromawkwardnessorintentionallynoonecouldhavesaidwhichaftertheshawlhadbeenadjustedhekepthisarmaroundherforalongtime，asthoughembracingher。
　　Stillsmiling，shegracefullymovedaway，turningandglancingatherhusband。PrinceAndrew’seyeswereclosed，sowearyandsleepydidheseem。
　　"Areyouready？"heaskedhiswife，lookingpasther。
　　PrinceHippolytehurriedlyputonhiscloak，whichinthelatestfashionreachedtohisveryheels，and，stumblinginit，ranoutintotheporchfollowingtheprincess，whomafootmanwashelpingintothecarriage。
　　"Princesse，aurevoir，"criedhe，stumblingwithhistongueaswellaswithhisfeet。
　　Theprincess，pickingupherdress，wastakingherseatinthedarkcarriage，herhusbandwasadjustinghissaber；PrinceHippolyte，underpretenseofhelping，wasineveryone’sway。
　　"Allowme，sir，"saidPrinceAndrewinRussianinacold，disagreeabletonetoPrinceHippolytewhowasblockinghispath。
　　"Iamexpectingyou，Pierre，"saidthesamevoice，butgentlyandaffectionately。
　　Thepostilionstarted，thecarriagewheelsrattled。PrinceHippolytelaughedspasmodicallyashestoodintheporchwaitingforthevicomtewhomhehadpromisedtotakehome。
　　"Well，moncher，"saidthevicomte，havingseatedhimselfbesideHippolyteinthecarriage，"yourlittleprincessisverynice，veryniceindeed，quiteFrench，"andhekissedthetipsofhisfingers。
　　Hippolyteburstoutlaughing。
　　"Doyouknow，youareaterriblechapforallyourinnocentairs，"
　　continuedthevicomte。"Ipitythepoorhusband，thatlittleofficerwhogiveshimselftheairsofamonarch。"
　　Hippolytesplutteredagain，andamidhislaughtersaid，"AndyouweresayingthattheRussianladiesarenotequaltotheFrench？Onehastoknowhowtodealwiththem。"
　　PierrereachingthehousefirstwentintoPrinceAndrew’sstudylikeonequiteathome，andfromhabitimmediatelylaydownonthesofa，tookfromtheshelfthefirstbookthatcametohishanditwasCaesar’sCommentaries，andrestingonhiselbow，beganreadingitinthemiddle。
　　"WhathaveyoudonetoMlleScherer？Shewillbequiteillnow，"
　　saidPrinceAndrew，asheenteredthestudy，rubbinghissmallwhitehands。
　　Pierreturnedhiswholebody，makingthesofacreak。HeliftedhiseagerfacetoPrinceAndrew，smiled，andwavedhishand。
　　"Thatabbeisveryinterestingbuthedoesnotseethethingintherightlight……Inmyopinionperpetualpeaceispossiblebut—I
　　donotknowhowtoexpressit……notbyabalanceofpoliticalpower……"
　　ItwasevidentthatPrinceAndrewwasnotinterestedinsuchabstractconversation。
　　"Onecan’teverywheresayallonethinks，moncher。Well，haveyouatlastdecidedonanything？Areyougoingtobeaguardsmanoradiplomatist？"askedPrinceAndrewafteramomentarysilence。
　　Pierresatuponthesofa，withhislegstuckedunderhim。
　　"Really，Idon’tyetknow。Idon’tlikeeithertheoneortheother。"
　　"Butyoumustdecideonsomething！Yourfatherexpectsit。"
　　Pierreattheageoftenhadbeensentabroadwithanabbeastutor，andhadremainedawaytillhewastwenty。WhenhereturnedtoMoscowhisfatherdismissedtheabbeandsaidtotheyoungman，"NowgotoPetersburg，lookround，andchooseyourprofession。Iwillagreetoanything。HereisalettertoPrinceVasili，andhereismoney。
　　Writetomeallaboutit，andIwillhelpyouineverything。"Pierrehadalreadybeenchoosingacareerforthreemonths，andhadnotdecidedonanything。ItwasaboutthischoicethatPrinceAndrewwasspeaking。Pierrerubbedhisforehead。
　　"ButhemustbeaFreemason，"saidhe，referringtotheabbewhomhehadmetthatevening。
　　"Thatisallnonsense。"PrinceAndrewagaininterruptedhim，"letustalkbusiness。HaveyoubeentotheHorseGuards？"
　　"No，Ihavenot；butthisiswhatIhavebeenthinkingandwantedtotellyou。ThereisawarnowagainstNapoleon。IfitwereawarforfreedomIcouldunderstanditandshouldbethefirsttoenterthearmy；buttohelpEnglandandAustriaagainstthegreatestmanintheworldisnotright。"
　　PrinceAndrewonlyshruggedhisshouldersatPierre’schildishwords。Heputontheairofonewhofindsitimpossibletoreplytosuchnonsense，butitwouldinfacthavebeendifficulttogiveanyotheranswerthantheonePrinceAndrewgavetothisnaivequestion。
　　"Ifnoonefoughtexceptonhisownconviction，therewouldbenowars，"hesaid。
　　"Andthatwouldbesplendid，"saidPierre。
　　PrinceAndrewsmiledironically。
　　"Verylikelyitwouldbesplendid，butitwillnevercomeabout……"
　　"Well，whyareyougoingtothewar？"askedPierre。
　　"Whatfor？Idon’tknow。Imust。BesidesthatIamgoing……"Hepaused。"IamgoingbecausethelifeIamleadingheredoesnotsuitme！"
　　BK1CH7
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Therustleofawoman’sdresswasheardinthenextroom。PrinceAndrewshookhimselfasifwakingup，andhisfaceassumedthelookithadhadinAnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroom。Pierreremovedhisfeetfromthesofa。Theprincesscamein。Shehadchangedhergownforahousedressasfreshandelegantastheother。PrinceAndrewroseandpolitelyplacedachairforher。
　　"Howisit，"shebegan，asusualinFrench，settlingdownbrisklyandfussilyintheeasychair，"howisitAnnettenevergotmarried？
　　Howstupidyoumenallarenottohavemarriedher！Excusemeforsayingso，butyouhavenosenseaboutwomen。Whatanargumentativefellowyouare，MonsieurPierre！"
　　"AndIamstillarguingwithyourhusband。Ican’tunderstandwhyhewantstogotothewar，"repliedPierre，addressingtheprincesswithnoneoftheembarrassmentsocommonlyshownbyyoungmenintheirintercoursewithyoungwomen。
　　Theprincessstarted。EvidentlyPierre’swordstouchedhertothequick。
　　"Ah，thatisjustwhatItellhim！"saidshe。"Idon’tunderstandit；Idon’tintheleastunderstandwhymencan’tlivewithoutwars。
　　Howisitthatwewomendon’twantanythingofthekind，don’tneedit？Nowyoushalljudgebetweenus。Ialwaystellhim：HereheisUncle’saide—de—camp，amostbrilliantposition。Heissowellknown，somuchappreciatedbyeveryone。TheotherdayattheApraksins’Iheardaladyasking，’IsthatthefamousPrinceAndrew？’Ididindeed。"Shelaughed。"Heissowellreceivedeverywhere。Hemighteasilybecomeaide—de—camptotheEmperor。YouknowtheEmperorspoketohimmostgraciously。AnnetteandIwerespeakingofhowtoarrangeit。Whatdoyouthink？"
　　Pierrelookedathisfriendand，noticingthathedidnotliketheconversation，gavenoreply。
　　"Whenareyoustarting？"heasked。
　　"Oh，don’tspeakofhisgoing，don’t！Iwon’thearitspokenof，"
　　saidtheprincessinthesamepetulantlyplayfultoneinwhichshehadspokentoHippolyteinthedrawingroomandwhichwassoplainlyill—suitedtothefamilycircleofwhichPierrewasalmostamember。
　　"TodaywhenIrememberedthatallthesedelightfulassociationsmustbebrokenoff……andthenyouknow，Andre……"shelookedsignificantlyatherhusband"I’mafraid，I’mafraid！"shewhispered，andashudderrandownherback。
　　HerhusbandlookedatherasifsurprisedtonoticethatsomeonebesidesPierreandhimselfwasintheroom，andaddressedherinatoneoffrigidpoliteness。
　　"Whatisityouareafraidof，Lise？Idon’tunderstand，"saidhe。
　　"There，whategotistsmenallare：all，allegotists！Justforawhimofhisown，goodnessonlyknowswhy，heleavesmeandlocksmeupaloneinthecountry。"
　　"Withmyfatherandsister，remember，"saidPrinceAndrewgently。
　　"Aloneallthesame，withoutmyfriends……Andheexpectsmenottobeafraid。"
　　Hertonewasnowquerulousandherlipdrawnup，givinghernotajoyful，butananimal，squirrel—likeexpression。ShepausedasifshefeltitindecoroustospeakofherpregnancybeforePierre，thoughthegistofthematterlayinthat。
　　"Istillcan’tunderstandwhatyouareafraidof，"saidPrinceAndrewslowly，nottakinghiseyesoffhiswife。
　　Theprincessblushed，andraisedherarmswithagestureofdespair。
　　"No，Andrew，Imustsayyouhavechanged。Oh，howyouhave……"
　　"Yourdoctortellsyoutogotobedearlier，"saidPrinceAndrew。
　　"Youhadbettergo。"
　　Theprincesssaidnothing，butsuddenlyhershortdownylipquivered。PrinceAndrewrose，shruggedhisshoulders，andwalkedabouttheroom。
　　Pierrelookedoverhisspectacleswithnaivesurprise，nowathimandnowather，movedasifabouttorisetoo，butchangedhismind。
　　"WhyshouldImindMonsieurPierrebeinghere？"exclaimedthelittleprincesssuddenly，herprettyfaceallatoncedistortedbyatearfulgrimace。"Ihavelongwantedtoaskyou，Andrew，whyyouhavechangedsotome？WhathaveIdonetoyou？Youaregoingtothewarandhavenopityforme。Whyisit？"
　　"Lise！"wasallPrinceAndrewsaid。Butthatonewordexpressedanentreaty，athreat，andaboveallconvictionthatshewouldherselfregretherwords。Butshewentonhurriedly：
　　"Youtreatmelikeaninvalidorachild。Iseeitall！Didyoubehavelikethatsixmonthsago？"
　　"Lise，Ibegyoutodesist，"saidPrinceAndrewstillmoreemphatically。
　　Pierre，whohadbeengrowingmoreandmoreagitatedashelistenedtoallthis，roseandapproachedtheprincess。Heseemedunabletobearthesightoftearsandwasreadytocryhimself。
　　"Calmyourself，Princess！Itseemssotoyoubecause……IassureyouImyselfhaveexperienced……andso……because……No，excuseme！Anoutsiderisoutofplacehere……No，don’tdistressyourself……
　　Good—by！"
　　PrinceAndrewcaughthimbythehand。
　　"No，wait，Pierre！Theprincessistookindtowishtodeprivemeofthepleasureofspendingtheeveningwithyou。"
　　"No，hethinksonlyofhimself，"mutteredtheprincesswithoutrestrainingherangrytears。
　　"Lise！"saidPrinceAndrewdryly，raisinghisvoicetothepitchwhichindicatesthatpatienceisexhausted。
　　Suddenlytheangry，squirrel—likeexpressionoftheprincess’prettyfacechangedintoawinningandpiteouslookoffear。Herbeautifuleyesglancedaskanceatherhusband’sface，andherownassumedthetimid，deprecatingexpressionofadogwhenitrapidlybutfeeblywagsitsdroopingtail。
　　"MonDieu，monDieu！"shemuttered，andliftingherdresswithonehandshewentuptoherhusbandandkissedhimontheforehead。
　　"Goodnight，Lise，"saidhe，risingandcourteouslykissingherhandashewouldhavedonetoastranger。
　　BK1CH8
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　Thefriendsweresilent。Neithercaredtobegintalking。PierrecontinuallyglancedatPrinceAndrew；PrinceAndrewrubbedhisforeheadwithhissmallhand。
　　"Letusgoandhavesupper，"hesaidwithasigh，goingtothedoor。
　　Theyenteredtheelegant，newlydecorated，andluxuriousdiningroom。Everythingfromthetablenapkinstothesilver，china，andglassborethatimprintofnewnessfoundinthehouseholdsofthenewlymarried。HalfwaythroughsupperPrinceAndrewleanedhiselbowsonthetableand，withalookofnervousagitationsuchasPierrehadneverbeforeseenonhisface，begantotalk—asonewhohaslonghadsomethingonhismindandsuddenlydeterminestospeakout。
　　"Never，nevermarry，mydearfellow！That’smyadvice：nevermarrytillyoucansaytoyourselfthatyouhavedoneallyouarecapableof，anduntilyouhaveceasedtolovethewomanofyourchoiceandhaveseenherplainlyassheis，orelseyouwillmakeacruelandirrevocablemistake。Marrywhenyouareoldandgoodfornothing—orallthatisgoodandnobleinyouwillbelost。Itwillallbewastedontrifles。Yes！Yes！Yes！Don’tlookatmewithsuchsurprise。
　　Ifyoumarryexpectinganythingfromyourselfinthefuture，youwillfeelateverystepthatforyouallisended，allisclosedexceptthedrawingroom，whereyouwillberangedsidebysidewithacourtlackeyandanidiot！……Butwhat’sthegood？……"andhewavedhisarm。
　　Pierretookoffhisspectacles，whichmadehisfaceseemdifferentandthegood—naturedexpressionstillmoreapparent，andgazedathisfriendinamazement。
　　"Mywife，"continuedPrinceAndrew，"isanexcellentwoman，oneofthoserarewomenwithwhomaman’shonorissafe；but，OGod，whatwouldInotgivenowtobeunmarried！YouarethefirstandonlyonetowhomImentionthis，becauseIlikeyou。"
　　AshesaidthisPrinceAndrewwaslessthaneverlikethatBolkonskiwhohadlolledinAnnaPavlovna’seasychairsandwithhalf—closedeyeshadutteredFrenchphrasesbetweenhisteeth。Everymuscleofhisthinfacewasnowquiveringwithnervousexcitement；hiseyes，inwhichthefireoflifehadseemedextinguished，nowflashedwithbrilliantlight。Itwasevidentthatthemorelifelessheseemedatordinarytimes，themoreimpassionedhebecameinthesemomentsofalmostmorbidirritation。
　　"Youdon’tunderstandwhyIsaythis，"hecontinued，"butitisthewholestoryoflife。YoutalkofBonaparteandhiscareer，"saidhethoughPierrehadnotmentionedBonaparte，"butBonapartewhenheworkedwentstepbysteptowardhisgoal。Hewasfree，hehadnothingbuthisaimtoconsider，andhereachedit。Buttieyourselfupwithawomanand，likeachainedconvict，youloseallfreedom！Andallyouhaveofhopeandstrengthmerelyweighsyoudownandtormentsyouwithregret。Drawingrooms，gossip，balls，vanity，andtriviality—thesearetheenchantedcircleIcannotescapefrom。I
　　amnowgoingtothewar，thegreatestwarthereeverwas，andIknownothingandamfitfornothing。Iamveryamiableandhaveacausticwit，"continuedPrinceAndrew，"andatAnnaPavlovna’stheylistentome。Andthatstupidsetwithoutwhommywifecannotexist，andthosewomen……Ifyouonlyknewwhatthosesocietywomenare，andwomeningeneral！Myfatherisright。Selfish，vain，stupid，trivialineverything—that’swhatwomenarewhenyouseethemintheirtruecolors！Whenyoumeettheminsocietyitseemsasifthereweresomethinginthem，butthere’snothing，nothing，nothing！No，don’tmarry，mydearfellow；don’tmarry！"concludedPrinceAndrew。
　　"Itseemsfunnytome，"saidPierre，"thatyou，youshouldconsideryourselfincapableandyourlifeaspoiledlife。Youhaveeverythingbeforeyou，everything。Andyou……"
　　Hedidnotfinishhissentence，buthistoneshowedhowhighlyhethoughtofhisfriendandhowmuchheexpectedofhiminthefuture。
　　"Howcanhetalklikethat？"thoughtPierre。HeconsideredhisfriendamodelofperfectionbecausePrinceAndrewpossessedinthehighestdegreejusttheveryqualitiesPierrelacked，andwhichmightbebestdescribedasstrengthofwill。PierrewasalwaysastonishedatPrinceAndrew’scalmmanneroftreatingeverybody，hisextraordinarymemory，hisextensivereadinghehadreadeverything，kneweverything，andhadanopinionabouteverything，butaboveallathiscapacityforworkandstudy。AndifPierrewasoftenstruckbyAndrew’slackofcapacityforphilosophicalmeditationtowhichhehimselfwasparticularlyaddicted，heregardedeventhisnotasadefectbutasasignofstrength。
　　Eveninthebest，mostfriendlyandsimplestrelationsoflife，praiseandcommendationareessential，justasgreaseisnecessarytowheelsthattheymayrunsmoothly。
　　"Mypartisplayedout，"saidPrinceAndrew。"What’stheuseoftalkingaboutme？Letustalkaboutyou，"headdedafterasilence，smilingathisreassuringthoughts。
　　ThatsmilewasimmediatelyreflectedonPierre’sface。
　　"Butwhatistheretosayaboutme？"saidPierre，hisfacerelaxingintoacareless，merrysmile。"WhatamI？Anillegitimateson！"Hesuddenlyblushedcrimson，anditwasplainthathehadmadeagreatefforttosaythis。"Withoutanameandwithoutmeans……Anditreally……"Buthedidnotsaywhat"itreally"was。"ForthepresentIamfreeandamallright。OnlyIhaven’ttheleastideawhatIamtodo；Iwantedtoconsultyouseriously。"
　　PrinceAndrewlookedkindlyathim，yethisglance—friendlyandaffectionateasitwas—expressedasenseofhisownsuperiority。