"Onethinghascomeontopofanother：herragstobuy，andnowapurchaserhasturnedupfortheMoscowestateandforthehouse。Ifyouwillbesokind，I’llfixatimeandgodowntotheestatejustforaday，andleavemylassieswithyou。"
"Allright。Allright。They’llbesafewithme，assafeasinChancery！I’lltakethemwheretheymustgo，scoldthemabit，andpetthemabit，"saidMaryaDmitrievna，touchinghergoddaughterandfavorite，Natasha，onthecheekwithherlargehand。
NextmorningMaryaDmitrievnatooktheyoungladiestotheIberianshrineoftheMotherofGodandtoMadameSuppert—Roguet，whowassoafraidofMaryaDmitrievnathatshealwaysletherhavecostumesatalossmerelytogetridofher。MaryaDmitrievnaorderedalmostthewholetrousseau。WhentheygothomesheturnedeverybodyoutoftheroomexceptNataisha，andthencalledherpettoherarmchair。
"Well，nowwe’lltalk。Icongratulateyouonyourbetrothed。
You’vehookedafinefellow！IamgladforyoursakeandI’veknownhimsincehewassohigh。"Sheheldherhandacoupleoffeetfromtheground。Natashablushedhappily。"Ilikehimandallhisfamily。Nowlisten！YouknowthatoldPrinceNicholasmuchdislikeshisson’smarrying。Theoldfellow’scrotchety！OfcoursePrinceAndrewisnotachildandcanshiftwithouthim，butit’snotnicetoenterafamilyagainstafather’swill。Onewantstodoitpeacefullyandlovingly。
You’reaclevergirlandyou’llknowhowtomanage。Bekind，anduseyourwits。Thenallwillbewell。"
Natasharemainedsilent，fromshynessMaryaDmitrievnasupposed，butreallybecauseshedislikedanyoneinterferinginwhattouchedherloveofPrinceAndrew，whichseemedtohersoapartfromallhumanaffairsthatnoonecouldunderstandit。ShelovedandknewPrinceAndrew，helovedheronly，andwastocomeoneofthesedaysandtakeher。Shewantednothingmore。
"YouseeIhaveknownhimalongtimeandamalsofondofMary，yourfuturesister—in—law。’Husbands’sistersbringupblisters，’butthisonewouldn’thurtafly。Shehasaskedmetobringyoutwotogether。Tomorrowyou’llgowithyourfathertoseeher。Beveryniceandaffectionatetoher：you’reyoungerthanshe。Whenhecomes，he’llfindyoualreadyknowhissisterandfatherandarelikedbythem。
AmIrightornot？Won’tthatbebest？"
"Yes，itwill，"Natashaansweredreluctantly。
BK8CH7
CHAPTERVII
Nextday，byMaryaDmitrievna’sadvice，CountRostovtookNatashatocallonPrinceNicholasBolkonski。Thecountdidnotsetoutcheerfullyonthisvisit，athearthefeltafraid。Hewellrememberedthelastinterviewhehadhadwiththeoldprinceatthetimeoftheenrollment，wheninreplytoaninvitationtodinnerhehadhadtolistentoanangryreprimandfornothavingprovidedhisfullquotaofmen。Natasha，ontheotherhand，havingputonherbestgown，wasinthehighestspirits。"Theycan’thelplikingme，"
shethought。"Everybodyalwayshaslikedme，andIamsowillingtodoanythingtheywish，soreadytobefondofhim—forbeinghisfather—andofher—forbeinghissister—thatthereisnoreasonforthemnottolikeme……"
TheydroveuptothegloomyoldhouseontheVozdvizhenkaandenteredthevestibule。
"Well，theLordhavemercyonus！"saidthecount，halfinjest，halfinearnest；butNatashanoticedthatherfatherwasflurriedonenteringtheanteroomandinquiredtimidlyandsoftlywhethertheprinceandprincesswereathome。
Whentheyhadbeenannouncedaperturbationwasnoticeableamongtheservants。Thefootmanwhohadgonetoannouncethemwasstoppedbyanotherinthelargehallandtheywhisperedtooneanother。Thenamaidservantranintothehallandhurriedlysaidsomething，mentioningtheprincess。Atlastanold，crosslookingfootmancameandannouncedtotheRostovsthattheprincewasnotreceiving，butthattheprincessbeggedthemtowalkup。ThefirstpersonwhocametomeetthevisitorswasMademoiselleBourienne。Shegreetedthefatheranddaughterwithspecialpolitenessandshowedthemtotheprincess’
room。Theprincess，lookingexcitedandnervous，herfaceflushedinpatches，ranintomeetthevisitors，treadingheavily，andvainlytryingtoappearcordialandatease。FromthefirstglancePrincessMarydidnotlikeNatasha。Shethoughthertoofashionablydressed，frivolouslygayandvain。Shedidnotatallrealizethatbeforehavingseenherfuturesister—in—lawshewasprejudicedagainstherbyinvoluntaryenvyofherbeauty，youth，andhappiness，aswellasbyjealousyofherbrother’sloveforher。Apartfromthisinsuperableantipathytoher，PrincessMarywasagitatedjustthenbecauseontheRostovs’beingannounced，theoldprincehadshoutedthathedidnotwishtoseethem，thatPrincessMarymightdosoifshechose，buttheywerenottobeadmittedtohim。Shehaddecidedtoreceivethem，butfearedlesttheprincemightatanymomentindulgeinsomefreak，asheseemedmuchupsetbytheRostovs’visit。
"There，mydearprincess，I’vebroughtyoumysongstress，"saidthecount，bowingandlookingrounduneasilyasifafraidtheoldprincemightappear。"Iamsogladyoushouldgettoknowoneanother……verysorrytheprinceisstillailing，"andafterafewmorecommonplaceremarksherose。"Ifyou’llallowmetoleavemyNatashainyourhandsforaquarterofanhour，Princess，I’lldriveroundtoseeAnnaSemenovna，it’squitenearintheDogs’Square，andthenI’llcomebackforher。"
Thecounthaddevisedthisdiplomaticruseasheafterwardstoldhisdaughtertogivethefuturesisters—in—lawanopportunitytotalktooneanotherfreely，butanothermotivewastoavoidthedangerofencounteringtheoldprince，ofwhomhewasafraid。Hedidnotmentionthistohisdaughter，butNatashanoticedherfather’snervousnessandanxietyandfeltmortifiedbyit。Sheblushedforhim，grewstillangrierathavingblushed，andlookedattheprincesswithaboldanddefiantexpressionwhichsaidthatshewasnotafraidofanybody。Theprincesstoldthecountthatshewouldbedelighted，andonlybeggedhimtostaylongeratAnnaSemenovna’s，andhedeparted。
DespitetheuneasyglancesthrownatherbyPrincessMary—whowishedtohaveatete—a—tetewithNatasha—MademoiselleBourienneremainedintheroomandpersistentlytalkedaboutMoscowamusementsandtheaters。Natashafeltoffendedbythehesitationshehadnoticedintheanteroom，byherfather’snervousness，andbytheunnaturalmanneroftheprincesswho—shethought—wasmakingafavorofreceivingher，andsoeverythingdispleasedher。ShedidnotlikePrincessMary，whomshethoughtveryplain，affected，anddry。NatashasuddenlyshrankintoherselfandinvoluntarilyassumedanoffhandairwhichalienatedPrincessMarystillmore。Afterfiveminutesofirksome，constrainedconversation，theyheardthesoundofslipperedfeetrapidlyapproaching。PrincessMarylookedfrightened。
Thedooropenedandtheoldprince，inadress，inggownandawhitenightcap，camein。
"Ah，madam！"hebegan。"Madam，Countess……CountessRostova，ifIamnotmistaken……Ibegyoutoexcuseme，toexcuseme……Ididnotknow，madam。Godismywitness，Ididnotknowyouhadhonoreduswithavisit，andIcameinsuchacostumeonlytoseemydaughter。Ibegyoutoexcuseme……Godismywitness，Ididn’tknow—"herepeated，stressingtheword"God"sounnaturallyandsounpleasantlythatPrincessMarystoodwithdowncasteyesnotdaringtolookeitheratherfatheroratNatasha。
Nordidthelatter，havingrisenandcurtsied，knowwhattodo。
MademoiselleBouriennealonesmiledagreeably。
"Ibegyoutoexcuseme，excuseme！Godismywitness，Ididnotknow，"mutteredtheoldman，andafterlookingNatashaoverfromheadtofoothewentout。
MademoiselleBouriennewasthefirsttorecoverherselfafterthisapparitionandbeganspeakingabouttheprince’sindisposition。
NatashaandPrincessMarylookedatoneanotherinsilence，andthelongertheydidsowithoutsayingwhattheywantedtosay，thegreatergrewtheirantipathytooneanother。
Whenthecountreturned，Natashawasimpolitelypleasedandhastenedtogetaway：atthatmomentshehatedthestiff，elderlyprincess，whocouldplaceherinsuchanembarrassingpositionandhadspenthalfanhourwithherwithoutoncementioningPrinceAndrew。"Icouldn’tbegintalkingabouthiminthepresenceofthatFrenchwoman，"thoughtNatasha。ThesamethoughtwasmeanwhiletormentingPrincessMary。
SheknewwhatsheoughttohavesaidtoNatasha，butshehadbeenunabletosayitbecauseMademoiselleBouriennewasintheway，andbecause，withoutknowingwhy，shefeltitverydifficulttospeakofthemarriage。Whenthecountwasalreadyleavingtheroom，PrincessMarywentuphurriedlytoNatasha，tookherbythehand，andsaidwithadeepsigh：
"Wait，Imust……"
Natashaglancedatherironicallywithoutknowingwhy。
"DearNatalie，"saidPrincessMary，"IwantyoutoknowthatIamgladmybrotherhasfoundhappiness……"
Shepaused，feelingthatshewasnottellingthetruth。Natashanoticedthisandguesseditsreason。
"Ithink，Princess，itisnotconvenienttospeakofthatnow，"
shesaidwithexternaldignityandcoldness，thoughshefeltthetearschokingher。
"WhathaveIsaidandwhathaveIdone？"thoughtshe，assoonasshewasoutoftheroom。
TheywaitedalongtimeforNatashatocometodinnerthatday。
Shesatinherroomcryinglikeachild，blowinghernoseandsobbing。
Sonyastoodbesideher，kissingherhair。
"Natasha，whatisitabout？"sheasked。"Whatdotheymattertoyou？
Itwillallpass，Natasha。"
"Butifyouonlyknewhowoffensiveitwas……asifI……"
"Don’ttalkaboutit，Natasha。Itwasn’tyourfaultsowhyshouldyoumind？Kissme，"saidSonya。
Natasharaisedherheadand，kissingherfriendonthelips，pressedherwetfaceagainsther。
"Ican’ttellyou，Idon’tknow。Noone’stoblame，"saidNatasha—
"It’smyfault。Butitallhurtsterribly。Oh，whydoesn’thecome？……"
Shecameintodinnerwithredeyes。MaryaDmitrievna，whoknewhowtheprincehadreceivedtheRostovs，pretendednottonoticehowupsetNatashawasandjestedresolutelyandloudlyattablewiththecountandtheotherguests。
BK8CH8
CHAPTERVIII
ThateveningtheRostovswenttotheOpera，forwhichMaryaDmitrievnahadtakenabox。
Natashadidnotwanttogo，butcouldnotrefuseMaryaDmitrievna’skindofferwhichwasintendedexpresslyforher。Whenshecamereadydressedintotheballroomtoawaitherfather，andlookinginthelargemirrortheresawthatshewaspretty，verypretty，shefeltevenmoresad，butitwasasweet，tendersadness。
"OGod，ifhewereherenowIwouldnotbehaveasIdidthen，butdifferently。Iwouldnotbesillyandafraidofthings，Iwouldsimplyembracehim，clingtohim，andmakehimlookatmewiththosesearchinginquiringeyeswithwhichhehassooftenlookedatme，andthenIwouldmakehimlaughasheusedtolaugh。Andhiseyes—howIseethoseeyes！"thoughtNatasha。"Andwhatdohisfatherandsistermattertome？Ilovehimalone，him，him，withthatfaceandthoseeyes，withhissmile，manlyandyetchildlike……No，Ihadbetternotthinkofhim；notthinkofhimbutforgethim，quiteforgethimforthepresent。Ican’tbearthiswaitingandIshallcryinaminute！"
andsheturnedawayfromtheglass，makinganeffortnottocry。
"AndhowcanSonyaloveNicholassocalmlyandquietlyandwaitsolongandsopatiently？"thoughtshe，lookingatSonya，whoalsocameinquiteready，withafaninherhand。"No，she’saltogetherdifferent。Ican’t！"
Natashaatthatmomentfeltsosoftenedandtenderthatitwasnotenoughforhertoloveandknowshewasbeloved，shewantednow，atonce，toembracethemansheloved，tospeakandhearfromhimwordsoflovesuchasfilledherheart。Whileshesatinthecarriagebesideherfather，pensivelywatchingthelightsofthestreetlampsflickeringonthefrozenwindow，shefeltstillsadderandmoreinlove，andforgotwhereshewasgoingandwithwhom。Havingfallenintothelineofcarriages，theRostovs’carriagedroveuptothetheater，itswheelssqueakingoverthesnow。NatashaandSonya，holdinguptheirdresses，jumpedoutquickly。Thecountgotouthelpedbythefootmen，and，passingamongmenandwomenwhowereenteringandtheprogramsellers，theyallthreewentalongthecorridortothefirstrowofboxes。Throughthecloseddoorsthemusicwasalreadyaudible。
"Natasha，yourhair！……"whisperedSonya。
Anattendantdeferentiallyandquicklyslippedbeforetheladiesandopenedthedooroftheirbox。Themusicsoundedlouderandthroughthedoorrowsofbrightlylitboxesinwhichladiessatwithbarearmsandshoulders，andnoisystallsbrilliantwithuniforms，glitteredbeforetheireyes。AladyenteringthenextboxshotaglanceoffeminineenvyatNatasha。Thecurtainhadnotyetrisenandtheoverturewasbeingplayed。Natasha，smoothinghergown，wentinwithSonyaandsatdown，scanningthebrillianttiersofboxesopposite。
Asensationshehadnotexperiencedforalongtime—thatofhundredsofeyeslookingatherbarearmsandneck—suddenlyaffectedherbothagreeablyanddisagreeablyandcalledupawholecrowdofmemories，desiresandemotionsassociatedwiththatfeeling。
Thetworemarkablyprettygirls，NatashaandSonya，withCountRostovwhohadnotbeenseeninMoscowforalongtime，attractedgeneralattention。Moreover，everybodyknewvaguelyofNatasha’sengagementtoPrinceAndrew，andknewthattheRostovshadlivedinthecountryeversince，andalllookedwithcuriosityatafianceewhowasmakingoneofthebestmatchesinRussia。
Natasha’slooks，aseveryonetoldher，hadimprovedinthecountry，andthateveningthankstoheragitationshewasparticularlypretty。Shestruckthosewhosawherbyherfullnessoflifeandbeauty，combinedwithherindifferencetoeverythingabouther。Herblackeyeslookedatthecrowdwithoutseekinganyone，andherdelicatearm，baretoabovetheelbow，layonthevelvetedgeofthebox，while，evidentlyunconsciously，sheopenedandclosedherhandintimetothemusic，crumplingherprogram。"Look，there’sAlenina，"
saidSonya，"withhermother，isn’tit？"
"Dearme，MichaelKirilovichhasgrownstillstouter！"remarkedthecount。
"LookatourAnnaMikhaylovna—whataheaddressshehason！"
"TheKaragins，Julie—andBoriswiththem。Onecanseeatoncethatthey’reengaged……"
"Drubetskoyhasproposed？"
"Ohyes，Iheardittoday，"saidShinshin，comingintotheRostovs’box。
Natashalookedinthedirectioninwhichherfather’seyeswereturnedandsawJuliesittingbesidehermotherwithahappylookonherfaceandastringofpearlsroundherthickredneck—whichNatashaknewwascoveredwithpowder。Behindthem，wearingasmileandleaningoverwithaneartoJulie’smouth，wasBoris’handsomesmoothlybrushedhead。HelookedtheRostovsfromunderhisbrowsandsaidsomething，smiling，tohisbetrothed。
"Theyaretalkingaboutus，aboutmeandhim！"thoughtNatasha。"Andhenodoubtiscalmingherjealousyofme。Theyneedn’ttroublethemselves！IfonlytheyknewhowlittleIamconcernedaboutanyofthem。"
BehindthemsatAnnaMikhaylovnawearingagreenheaddressandwithahappylookofresignationtothewillofGodonherface。TheirboxwaspervadedbythatatmosphereofanaffiancedcouplewhichNatashaknewsowellandlikedsomuch。Sheturnedawayandsuddenlyrememberedallthathadbeensohumiliatinginhermorning’svisit。
"Whatrighthashenottowishtoreceivemeintohisfamily？Oh，betternotthinkofit—nottillhecomesback！"shetoldherself，andbeganlookingatthefaces，somestrangeandsomefamiliar，inthestalls。Inthefront，intheverycenter，leaningbackagainsttheorchestrarail，stoodDolokhovinaPersiandress，hiscurlyhairbrushedupintoahugeshock。Hestoodinfullviewoftheaudience，wellawarethathewasattractingeveryone’sattention，yetasmuchateaseasthoughhewereinhisownroom。AroundhimthrongedMoscow’smostbrilliantyoungmen，whomheevidentlydominated。
Thecount，laughing，nudgedtheblushingSonyaandpointedtoherformeradorer。
"Doyourecognizehim？"saidhe。"Andwherehashesprungfrom？"
heasked，turningtoShinshin。"Didn’thevanishsomewhere？"
"Hedid，"repliedShinshin。"HewasintheCaucasusandranawayfromthere。TheysayhehasbeenactingasministertosomerulingprinceinPersia，wherehekilledtheShah’sbrother。NowalltheMoscowladiesaremadabouthim！It’s’DolokhovthePersian’thatdoesit！WeneverhearawordbutDolokhovismentioned。Theyswearbyhim，theyofferhimtoyouastheywouldadishofchoicesterlet。DolokhovandAnatoleKuraginhaveturnedallourladies’heads。"
Atall，beautifulwomanwithamassofplaitedhairandmuchexposedplumpwhiteshouldersandneck，roundwhichsheworeadoublestringoflargepearls，enteredtheadjoiningboxrustlingherheavysilkdressandtookalongtimesettlingintoherplace。
Natashainvoluntarilygazedatthatneck，thoseshoulders，andpearlsandcoiffure，andadmiredthebeautyoftheshouldersandthepearls。WhileNatashawasfixinghergazeonherforthesecondtimetheladylookedroundand，meetingthecount’seyes，noddedtohimandsmiled。ShewastheCountessBezukhova，Pierre’swife，andthecount，whokneweveryoneinsociety，leanedoverandspoketoher。
"Haveyoubeenherelong，Countess？"heinquired。"I’llcall，I’llcalltokissyourhand。I’mhereonbusinessandhavebroughtmygirlswithme。TheysaySemenovaactsmarvelously。CountPierreneverusedtoforgetus。Ishehere？"
"Yes，hemeanttolookin，"answeredHelene，andglancedattentivelyatNatasha。
CountRostovresumedhisseat。
"Handsome，isn’tshe？"hewhisperedtoNatasha。
"Wonderful！"answeredNatasha。"She’sawomanonecouldeasilyfallinlovewith。"
Justthenthelastchordsoftheoverturewereheardandtheconductortappedwithhisstick。Somelatecomerstooktheirseatsinthestalls，andthecurtainrose。
Assoonasitroseeveryoneintheboxesandstallsbecamesilent，andallthemen，oldandyoung，inuniformandeveningdress，andallthewomenwithgemsontheirbareflesh，turnedtheirwholeattentionwitheagercuriositytothestage。Natashatoobegantolookatit。
BK8CH9
CHAPTERIX
Thefloorofthestageconsistedofsmoothboards，atthesideswassomepaintedcardboardrepresentingtrees，andatthebackwasaclothstretchedoverboards。Inthecenterofthestagesatsomegirlsinredbodicesandwhiteskirts。Oneveryfatgirlinawhitesilkdresssatapartonalowbench，tothebackofwhichapieceofgreencardboardwasglued。Theyallsangsomething。Whentheyhadfinishedtheirsongthegirlinwhitewentuptotheprompter’sboxandamanwithtightsilktrousersoverhisstoutlegs，andholdingaplumeandadagger，wentuptoherandbegansinging，wavinghisarmsabout。
Firstthemaninthetighttrouserssangalone，thenshesang，thentheybothpausedwhiletheorchestraplayedandthemanfingeredthehandofthegirlinwhite，obviouslyawaitingthebeattostartsingingwithher。Theysangtogetherandeveryoneinthetheaterbeganclappingandshouting，whilethemanandwomanonthestage—whorepresentedlovers—begansmiling，spreadingouttheirarms，andbowing。
Afterherlifeinthecountry，andinherpresentseriousmood，allthisseemedgrotesqueandamazingtoNatasha。Shecouldnotfollowtheoperanorevenlistentothemusic；shesawonlythepaintedcardboardandthequeerlydressedmenandwomenwhomoved，spoke，andsangsostrangelyinthatbrilliantlight。Sheknewwhatitwasallmeanttorepresent，butitwassopretentiouslyfalseandunnaturalthatshefirstfeltashamedfortheactorsandthenamusedatthem。Shelookedatthefacesoftheaudience，seekinginthemthesamesenseofridiculeandperplexitysheherselfexperienced，buttheyallseemedattentivetowhatwashappeningonthestage，andexpresseddelightwhichtoNatashaseemedfeigned。"Isupposeithastobelikethis！"shethought。Shekeptlookingroundinturnattherowsofpomadedheadsinthestallsandthenattheseminudewomenintheboxes，especiallyatHeleneinthenextbox，who—apparentlyquiteunclothed—satwithaquiettranquilsmile，nottakinghereyesoffthestage。Andfeelingthebrightlightthatfloodedthewholeplaceandthewarmairheatedbythecrowd，Natashalittlebylittlebegantopassintoastateofintoxicationshehadnotexperiencedforalongwhile。Shedidnotrealizewhoandwhereshewas，norwhatwasgoingonbeforeher。Asshelookedandthought，thestrangestfanciesunexpectedlyanddisconnectedlypassedthroughhermind：theideaoccurredtoherofjumpingontotheedgeoftheboxandsingingtheairtheactresswassinging，thenshewishedtotouchwithherfananoldgentlemansittingnotfarfromher，thentoleanovertoHeleneandtickleher。
Atamomentwhenallwasquietbeforethecommencementofasong，adoorleadingtothestallsonthesidenearesttheRostovs’boxcreaked，andthestepsofabelatedarrivalwereheard。"There’sKuragin！"whisperedShinshin。CountessBezukhovaturnedsmilingtothenewcomer，andNatasha，followingthedirectionofthatlook，sawanexceptionallyhandsomeadjutantapproachingtheirboxwithaself—assuredyetcourteousbearing。ThiswasAnatoleKuraginwhomshehadseenandnoticedlongagoattheballinPetersburg。Hewasnowinanadjutant’suniformwithoneepauletandashoulderknot。
Hemovedwitharestrainedswaggerwhichwouldhavebeenridiculoushadhenotbeensogood—lookingandhadhishandsomefacenotwornsuchanexpressionofgood—humoredcomplacencyandgaiety。Thoughtheperformancewasproceeding，hewalkeddeliberatelydownthecarpetedgangway，hisswordandspursslightlyjinglingandhishandsomeperfumedheadheldhigh。HavinglookedatNatashaheapproachedhissister，laidhiswellglovedhandontheedgeofherbox，noddedtoher，andleaningforwardaskedaquestion，withamotiontowardNatasha。
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第22章