"Natasha，Idon’tunderstandyou。Andwhatareyousaying！ThinkofyourfatherandofNicholas。"
　　"Idon’twantanyone，Idon’tloveanyonebuthim。Howdareyousayheisdishonorable？Don’tyouknowthatIlovehim？"screamedNatasha。"Goaway，Sonya！Idon’twanttoquarrelwithyou，butgo，forGod’ssakego！YouseehowIamsuffering！"Natashacriedangrily，inavoiceofdespairandrepressedirritation。Sonyaburstintosobsandranfromtheroom。
　　Natashawenttothetableandwithoutamoment’sreflectionwrotethatanswertoPrincessMarywhichshehadbeenunabletowriteallthemorning。Inthislettershesaidbrieflythatalltheirmisunderstandingswereatanend；thatavailingherselfofthemagnanimityofPrinceAndrewwhowhenhewentabroadhadgivenherhershebeggedPrincessMarytoforgeteverythingandforgiveherifshehadbeentoblametowardher，butthatshecouldnotbehiswife。Atthatmomentthisallseemedquiteeasy，simple，andcleartoNatasha。
　　OnFridaytheRostovsweretoreturntothecountry，butonWednesdaythecountwentwiththeprospectivepurchasertohisestatenearMoscow。
　　Onthedaythecountleft，SonyaandNatashawereinvitedtoabigdinnerpartyattheKaragins’，andMaryaDmitrievnatookthemthere。
　　AtthatpartyNatashaagainmetAnatole，andSonyanoticedthatshespoketohim，tryingnottobeoverheard，andthatallthroughdinnershewasmoreagitatedthanever。WhentheygothomeNatashawasthefirsttobegintheexplanationSonyaexpected。
　　"There，Sonya，youweretalkingallsortsofnonsenseabouthim，"
　　Natashabeganinamildvoicesuchaschildrenusewhentheywishtobepraised。"Wehavehadanexplanationtoday。"
　　"Well，whathappened？Whatdidhesay？Natasha，howgladIamyou’renotangrywithme！Tellmeeverything—thewholetruth。Whatdidhesay？"
　　Natashabecamethoughtful。
　　"Oh，Sonya，ifyouknewhimasIdo！Hesaid……HeaskedmewhatI
　　hadpromisedBolkonski。HewasgladIwasfreetorefusehim。"
　　Sonyasighedsorrowfully。
　　"Butyouhaven’trefusedBolkonski？"saidshe。
　　"PerhapsIhave。PerhapsallisoverbetweenmeandBolkonski。Whydoyouthinksobadlyofme？"
　　"Idon’tthinkanything，onlyIdon’tunderstandthis……"
　　"Waitabit，Sonya，you’llunderstandeverything。You’llseewhatamanheis！Nowdon’tthinkbadlyofmeorofhim。Idon’tthinkbadlyofanyone：Iloveandpityeverybody。ButwhatamItodo？"
　　SonyadidnotsuccumbtothetendertoneNatashausedtowardher。
　　ThemoreemotionalandingratiatingtheexpressionofNatasha’sfacebecame，themoreseriousandsterngrewSonya’s。
　　"Natasha，"saidshe，"youaskedmenottospeaktoyou，andI
　　haven’tspoken，butnowyouyourselfhavebegun。Idon’ttrusthim，Natasha。Whythissecrecy？"
　　"Again，again！"interruptedNatasha。
　　"Natasha，Iamafraidforyou！"
　　"Afraidofwhat？"
　　"Iamafraidyou’regoingtoyourruin，"saidSonyaresolutely，andwasherselfhorrifiedatwhatshehadsaid。
　　AngeragainshowedinNatasha’sface。
　　"AndI’llgotomyruin，Iwill，assoonaspossible！It’snotyourbusiness！Itwon’tbeyou，butI，who’llsuffer。Leavemealone，leavemealone！Ihateyou！"
　　Natasha！"moanedSonya，aghast。
　　"Ihateyou，Ihateyou！You’remyenemyforever！"AndNatasharanoutoftheroom。
　　NatashadidnotspeaktoSonyaagainandavoidedher。Withthesameexpressionofagitatedsurpriseandguiltshewentaboutthehouse，takingupnowoneoccupation，nowanother，andatonceabandoningthem。
　　HardasitwasforSonya，shewatchedherfriendanddidnotletheroutofhersight。
　　Thedaybeforethecountwastoreturn，SonyanoticedthatNatashasatbythedrawingroomwindowallthemorningasifexpectingsomethingandthatshemadeasigntoanofficerwhodrovepast，whomSonyatooktobeAnatole。
　　SonyabeganwatchingherfriendstillmoreattentivelyandnoticedthatatdinnerandallthateveningNatashawasinastrangeandunnaturalstate。Sheansweredquestionsatrandom，begansentencesshedidnotfinish，andlaughedateverything。
　　AfterteaSonyanoticedahousemaidatNatasha’sdoortimidlywaitingtoletherpass。Sheletthegirlgoin，andthenlisteningatthedoorlearnedthatanotherletterhadbeendelivered。
　　ThensuddenlyitbecamecleartoSonyathatNatashahadsomedreadfulplanforthatevening。Sonyaknockedatherdoor。Natashadidnotletherin。
　　"Shewillrunawaywithhim！"thoughtSonya。"Sheiscapableofanything。Therewassomethingparticularlypatheticandresoluteinherfacetoday。Shecriedasshesaidgood—bytoUncle，"Sonyaremembered。"Yes，that’sit，shemeanstoelopewithhim，butwhatamItodo？"thoughtshe，recallingallthesignsthatclearlyindicatedthatNatashahadsometerribleintention。"Thecountisaway。WhatamItodo？WritetoKuragindemandinganexplanation？
　　Butwhatistheretoobligehimtoreply？WritetoPierre，asPrinceAndrewaskedmetoincaseofsomemisfortune？……ButperhapsshereallyhasalreadyrefusedBolkonski—shesentalettertoPrincessMaryyesterday。AndUncleisaway……"TotellMaryaDmitrievnawhohadsuchfaithinNatashaseemedtoSonyaterrible。"Well，anyway，"
　　thoughtSonyaasshestoodinthedarkpassage，"noworneverImustprovethatIrememberthefamily’sgoodnesstomeandthatIloveNicholas。Yes！IfIdon’tsleepforthreenightsI’llnotleavethispassageandwillholdherbackbyforceandwillandnotletthefamilybedisgraced，"thoughtshe。
　　BK8CH16
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　AnatolehadlatelymovedtoDolokhov’s。TheplanforNatalieRostova’sabductionhadbeenarrangedandthepreparationsmadebyDolokhovafewdaysbefore，andonthedaythatSonya，afterlisteningatNatasha’sdoor，resolvedtosafeguardher，itwastohavebeenputintoexecution。NatashahadpromisedtocomeouttoKuraginatthebackporchattenthatevening。KuraginwastoputherintoatroykahewouldhavereadyandtodriveherfortymilestothevillageofKamenka，whereanunfrockedpriestwasinreadinesstoperformamarriageceremonyoverthem。AtKamenkaarelayofhorseswastowaitwhichwouldtakethemtotheWarsawhighroad，andfromtheretheywouldhastenabroadwithposthorses。
　　Anatolehadapassport，anorderforposthorses，tenthousandrubleshehadtakenfromhissisterandanothertenthousandborrowedwithDolokhov’shelp。
　　Twowitnessesforthemockmarriage—Khvostikov，aretiredpettyofficialwhomDolokhovmadeuseofinhisgamblingtransactions，andMakarin，aretiredhussar，akindly，weakfellowwhohadanunboundedaffectionforKuragin—weresittingatteainDolokhov’sfrontroom。
　　Inhislargestudy，thewallsofwhichwerehungtotheceilingwithPersianrugs，bearskins，andweapons，satDolokhovinatravelingcloakandhighboots，atanopendeskonwhichlayabacusandsomebundlesofpapermoney。Anatole，withuniformunbuttoned，walkedtoandfrofromtheroomwherethewitnessesweresitting，throughthestudytotheroombehind，wherehisFrenchvaletandotherswerepackingthelastofhisthings。Dolokhovwascountingthemoneyandnotingsomethingdown。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"Khvostikovmusthavetwothousand。"
　　"Giveittohim，then，"saidAnatole。
　　"Makarka"theirnameforMakarin"willgothroughfireandwaterforyoufornothing。Sohereareouraccountsallsettled，"saidDolokhov，showinghimthememorandum。"Isthatright？"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，"returnedAnatole，evidentlynotlisteningtoDolokhovandlookingstraightbeforehimwithasmilethatdidnotleavehisface。
　　DolokhovbangeddowntheorofhisandturnedtoAnatolewithanironicsmile：
　　"Doyouknow？You’dreallybetterdropitall。There’sstilltime！"
　　"Fool，"retortedAnatole。"Don’ttalknonsense！Ifyouonlyknew……it’sthedevilknowswhat！"
　　"No，really，giveitup！"saidDolokhov。"Iamspeakingseriously。
　　It’snojoke，thisplotyou’vehatched。"
　　"What，teasingagain？Gotothedevil！Eh？"saidAnatole，makingagrimace。"Reallyit’snotimeforyourstupidjokes，"andhelefttheroom。
　　DolokhovsmiledcontemptuouslyandcondescendinglywhenAnatolehadgoneout。
　　"Youwaitabit，"hecalledafterhim。"I’mnotjoking，I’mtalkingsense。Comehere，comehere！"
　　AnatolereturnedandlookedatDolokhov，tryingtogivehimhisattentionandevidentlysubmittingtohiminvoluntarily。
　　"Nowlistentome。I’mtellingyouthisforthelasttime。WhyshouldIjokeaboutit？DidIhinderyou？Whoarrangedeverythingforyou？Whofoundthepriestandgotthepassport？Whoraisedthemoney？Ididitall。"
　　"Well，thankyouforit。DoyouthinkIamnotgrateful？"AndAnatolesighedandembracedDolokhov。
　　"Ihelpedyou，butallthesameImusttellyouthetruth；itisadangerousbusiness，andifyouthinkaboutit—astupidbusiness。
　　Well，you’llcarryheroff—allright！Willtheyletitstopatthat？Itwillcomeoutthatyou’realreadymarried。Why，they’llhaveyouinthecriminalcourt……"
　　"Oh，nonsense，nonsense！"Anatoleejaculatedandagainmadeagrimace。"Didn’tIexplaintoyou？What？"AndAnatole，withthepartialitydull—wittedpeoplehaveforanyconclusiontheyhavereachedbytheirownreasoning，repeatedtheargumenthehadalreadyputtoDolokhovahundredtimes。"Didn’tIexplaintoyouthatI
　　havecometothisconclusion：ifthismarriageisinvalid，"hewenton，crookingonefinger，"thenIhavenothingtoanswerfor；butifitisvalid，nomatter！Abroadnoonewillknowanythingaboutit。
　　Isn’tthatso？Anddon’ttalktome，don’t，don’t。"
　　"Seriously，you’dbetterdropit！You’llonlygetyourselfintoamess！"
　　"Gotothedevil！"criedAnatoleand，clutchinghishair，lefttheroom，butreturnedatonceanddroppedintoanarmchairinfrontofDolokhovwithhisfeetturnedunderhim。"It’stheverydevil！What？
　　Feelhowitbeats！"HetookDolokhov’shandandputitonhisheart。
　　"Whatafoot，mydearfellow！Whataglance！Agoddess！"headdedinFrench。"What？"
　　Dolokhovwithacoldsmileandagleaminhishandsomeinsolenteyeslookedathim—evidentlywishingtogetsomemoreamusementoutofhim。
　　"Wellandwhenthemoney’sgone，whatthen？"
　　"Whatthen？Eh？"repeatedAnatole，sincerelyperplexedbyathoughtofthefuture。"Whatthen？……Then，Idon’tknow……Butwhytalknonsense！"Heglancedathiswatch。"It’stime！"
　　Anatolewentintothebackroom。
　　"Nowthen！Nearlyready？You’redawdling！"heshoutedtotheservants。
　　Dolokhovputawaythemoney，calledafootmanwhomheorderedtobringsomethingforthemtoeatanddrinkbeforethejourney，andwentintotheroomwhereKhvostikovandMakarinweresitting。
　　Anatolelayonthesofainthestudyleaningonhiselbowandsmilingpensively，whilehishandsomelipsmutteredtenderlytohimself。
　　"Comeandeatsomething。Haveadrink！"Dolokhovshoutedtohimfromtheotherroom。
　　"Idon’twantto，"answeredAnatolecontinuingtosmile。
　　"Come！Balagaishere。"
　　Anatoleroseandwentintothediningroom。BalagawasafamoustroykadriverwhohadknownDolokhovandAnatolesomesixyearsandhadgiventhemgoodservicewithhistroykas。MorethanoncewhenAnatole’sregimentwasstationedatTverhehadtakenhimfromTverintheevening，broughthimtoMoscowbydaybreak，anddrivenhimbackagainthenextnight。MorethanoncehehadenabledDolokhovtoescapewhenpursued。Morethanoncehehaddriventhemthroughthetownwithgypsiesand"ladykins"ashecalledthecocottes。MorethanonceintheirservicehehadrunoverpedestriansandupsetvehiclesinthestreetsofMoscowandhadalwaysbeenprotectedfromtheconsequencesby"mygentlemen"ashecalledthem。Hehadruinedmorethanonehorseintheirservice。Morethanoncetheyhadbeatenhim，andmorethanoncetheyhadmadehimdrunkonchampagneandMadeira，whichheloved；andheknewmorethanonethingabouteachofthemwhichwouldlongagohavesentanordinarymantoSiberia。TheyoftencalledBalagaintotheirorgiesandmadehimdrinkanddanceatthegypsies’，andmorethanonethousandrublesoftheirmoneyhadpassedthroughhishands。Intheirserviceheriskedhisskinandhislifetwentytimesayear，andintheirservicehadlostmorehorsesthanthemoneyhehadfromthemwouldbuy。Buthelikedthem；
　　likedthatmaddrivingattwelvemilesanhour，likedupsettingadriverorrunningdownapedestrian，andflyingatfullgallopthroughtheMoscowstreets。Helikedtohearthosewild，tipsyshoutsbehindhim："Geton！Geton！"whenitwasimpossibletogoanyfaster。Helikedgivingapainfullashonthenecktosomepeasantwho，moredeadthanalive，wasalreadyhurryingoutofhisway。"Realgentlemen！"
　　heconsideredthem。
　　AnatoleandDolokhovlikedBalagatooforhismasterlydrivingandbecausehelikedthethingstheyliked。WithothersBalagabargained，chargingtwenty—fiverublesforatwohours’drive，andrarelydrovehimself，generallylettinghisyoungmendoso。Butwith"hisgentlemen"healwaysdrovehimselfandneverdemandedanythingforhiswork。Onlyacoupleoftimesayear—whenheknewfromtheirvaletsthattheyhadmoneyinhand—hewouldturnupofamorningquitesoberandwithadeepbowwouldaskthemtohelphim。
　　Thegentlemenalwaysmadehimsitdown。
　　"Dohelpmeout，TheodoreIvanych，sir，"or"yourexcellency，"hewouldsay。"Iamquiteoutofhorses。Letmehavewhatyoucantogotothefair。"
　　AndAnatoleandDolokhov，whentheyhadmoney，wouldgivehimathousandoracoupleofthousandrubles。
　　Balagawasafair—haired，short，andsnub—nosedpeasantofabouttwenty—seven；red—faced，withaparticularlyredthickneck，glitteringlittleeyes，andasmallbeard。Heworeafine，dark—blue，silk—linedclothcoatoverasheepskin。
　　Onenteringtheroomnowhecrossedhimself，turningtowardthefrontcorneroftheroom，andwentuptoDolokhov，holdingoutasmall，blackhand。
　　"TheodoreIvanych！"hesaid，bowing。
　　"Howd’youdo，friend？Well，hereheis！"
　　"Goodday，yourexcellency！"hesaid，againholdingouthishandtoAnatolewhohadjustcomein。
　　"Isay，Balaga，"saidAnatole，puttinghishandsontheman’sshoulders，"doyoucareformeornot？Eh？Now，domeaservice……
　　Whathorseshaveyoucomewith？Eh？"
　　"Asyourmessengerordered，yourspecialbeasts，"repliedBalaga。
　　"Well，listen，Balaga！Driveallthreetodeathbutgetmethereinthreehours。Eh？"
　　"Whentheyaredead，whatshallIdrive？"saidBalagawithawink。
　　"Mind，I’llsmashyourfacein！Don’tmakejokes！"criedAnatole，suddenlyrollinghiseyes。
　　"Whyjoke？"saidthedriver，laughing。"AsifI’dgrudgemygentlemenanything！Asfastaseverthehorsescangallop，sofastwe’llgo！"
　　"Ah！"saidAnatole。"Well，sitdown。"
　　"Yes，sitdown！"saidDolokhov。
　　"I’llstand，TheodoreIvanych。"
　　"Sitdown；nonsense！Haveadrink！"saidAnatole，andfilledalargeglassofMadeiraforhim。
　　Thedriver’seyessparkledatthesightofthewine。Afterrefusingitformanners’sake，hedrankitandwipedhismouthwitharedsilkhandkerchiefhetookoutofhiscap。
　　"Andwhenarewetostart，yourexcellency？"
　　"Well……"Anatolelookedathiswatch。"We’llstartatonce。Mind，Balaga！You’llgetthereintime？Eh？"
　　"Thatdependsonourluckinstarting，elsewhyshouldn’twebethereintime？"repliedBalaga。"Didn’twegetyoutoTverinsevenhours？Ithinkyourememberthat，yourexcellency？"
　　"Doyouknow，oneChristmasIdrovefromTver，"saidAnatole，smilinglyattherecollectionandturningtoMakarinwhogazedrapturouslyathimwithwide—openeyes。"Willyoubelieveit，Makarka，ittookone’sbreathaway，therateweflew。Wecameacrossatrainofloadedsleighsanddroverightovertwoofthem。Eh？"
　　"Thosewerehorses！"Balagacontinuedthetale。"ThattimeI’dharnessedtwoyoungsidehorseswiththebayintheshafts，"hewenton，turningtoDolokhov。"Willyoubelieveit，TheodoreIvanych，thoseanimalsflewfortymiles？Icouldn’tholdthemin，myhandsgrewnumbinthesharpfrostsothatIthrewdownthereins—’Catchholdyourself，yourexcellency！’saysI，andIjusttumbledonthebottomofthesleighandsprawledthere。Itwasn’tacaseofurgingthemon，therewasnoholdingthemintillwereachedtheplace。Thedevilstookusthereinthreehours！Onlythenearonediedofit。"
　　BK8CH17
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　Anatolewentoutoftheroomandreturnedafewminuteslaterwearingafurcoatgirtwithasilverbelt，andasablecapjauntilysetononesideandverybecomingtohishandsomeface。Havinglookedinamirror，andstandingbeforeDolokhovinthesameposehehadassumedbeforeit，heliftedaglassofwine。
　　"Well，good—by，Theodore。Thankyouforeverythingandfarewell！"
　　saidAnatole。"Well，comradesandfriends……"heconsideredforamoment"……ofmyyouth，farewell！"hesaid，turningtoMakarinandtheothers。
　　Thoughtheywereallgoingwithhim，Anatoleevidentlywishedtomakesomethingtouchingandsolemnoutofthisaddresstohiscomrades。Hespokeslowlyinaloudvoiceandthrowingouthischestslightlyswayedoneleg。
　　"Alltakeglasses；youtoo，Balaga。Well，comradesandfriendsofmyyouth，we’vehadourflingandlivedandreveled。Eh？Andnow，whenshallwemeetagain？Iamgoingabroad。Wehavehadagoodtime—nowfarewell，lads！Toourhealth！Hurrah！……"hecried，andemptyinghisglassflungitonthefloor。
　　"Toyourhealth！"saidBalagawhoalsoemptiedhisglass，andwipedhismouthwithhishandkerchief。
　　MakarinembracedAnatolewithtearsinhiseyes。
　　"Ah，Prince，howsorryIamtopartfromyou！
　　"Let’sgo。Let’sgo！"criedAnatole。
　　Balagawasabouttoleavetheroom。
　　"No，stop！"saidAnatole。"Shutthedoor；wehavefirsttositdown。
　　That’stheway。"
　　Theyshutthedoorandallsatdown。
　　"Now，quickmarch，lads！"saidAnatole，rising。
　　Joseph，hisvalet，handedhimhissabretacheandsaber，andtheyallwentoutintothevestibule。
　　"Andwhere’sthefurcloak？"askedDolokhov。"Hey，Ignatka！GotoMatrenaMatrevnaandaskherforthesablecloak。Ihaveheardwhatelopementsarelike，"continuedDolokhovwithawink。"Why，she’llrushoutmoredeadthanalivejustinthethingssheiswearing；ifyoudelayatallthere’llbetearsand’Papa’and’Mamma，’andshe’sfrozeninaminuteandmustgoback—butyouwrapthefurcloakroundherfirstthingandcarryhertothesleigh。"
　　Thevaletbroughtawoman’sfox—linedcloak。
　　"Fool，Itoldyouthesableone！Hey，Matrena，thesable！"heshoutedsothathisvoicerangfarthroughtherooms。
　　Ahandsome，slim，andpale—facedgypsygirlwithglitteringblackeyesandcurlyblue—blackhair，wearingaredshawl，ranoutwithasablemantleonherarm。
　　"Here，Idon’tgrudgeit—takeit！"shesaid，evidentlyafraidofhermasterandyetregretfulofhercloak。
　　Dolokhov，withoutanswering，tookthecloak，threwitoverMatrena，andwrappedherupinit。
　　"That’stheway，"saidDolokhov，"andthenso！"andheturnedthecollaruproundherhead，leavingonlyalittleofthefaceuncovered。
　　"Andthenso，doyousee？"andhepushedAnatole’sheadforwardtomeetthegapleftbythecollar，throughwhichMatrena’sbrilliantsmilewasseen。
　　"Well，good—by，Matrena，"saidAnatole，kissingher。"Ah，myrevelshereareover。RemembermetoSteshka。There，good—by！Good—by，Matrena，wishmeluck！"
　　"Well，Prince，mayGodgiveyougreatluck！"saidMatrenainhergypsyaccent。
　　Twotroykaswerestandingbeforetheporchandtwoyoungdriverswereholdingthehorses。Balagatookhisseatinthefrontoneandholdinghiselbowshigharrangedthereinsdeliberately。AnatoleandDolokhovgotinwithhim。Makarin，Khvostikov，andavaletseatedthemselvesintheothersleigh。
　　"Well，areyouready？"askedBalaga。
　　"Go！"hecried，twistingthereinsroundhishands，andthetroykatoredowntheNikitskiBoulevard。
　　"Tproo！Getoutoftheway！Hi！……Tproo！……"TheshoutingofBalagaandofthesturdyyoungfellowseatedontheboxwasallthatcouldbeheard。OntheArbatSquarethetroykacaughtagainstacarriage；
　　somethingcracked，shoutswereheard，andthetroykaflewalongtheArbatStreet。
　　AftertakingaturnalongthePodnovinskiBoulevard，Balagabegantoreinin，andturningbackdrewupatthecrossingoftheoldKonyushenyStreet。
　　TheyoungfellowontheboxjumpeddowntoholdthehorsesandAnatoleandDolokhovwentalongthepavement。WhentheyreachedthegateDolokhovwhistled。Thewhistlewasanswered，andamaidservantranout。
　　"Comeintothecourtyardoryou’llbeseen；she’llcomeoutdirectly，"saidshe。
　　Dolokhovstayedbythegate。Anatolefollowedthemaidintothecourtyard，turnedthecorner，andranupintotheporch。
　　HewasmetbyGabriel，MaryaDmitrievna’sgiganticfootman。
　　"Cometothemistress，please，"saidthefootmaninhisdeepbass，interceptinganyretreat。
　　"TowhatMistress？Whoareyou？"askedAnatoleinabreathlesswhisper。
　　"Kindlystepin，myordersaretobringyouin。"
　　"Kuragin！Comeback！"shoutedDolokhov。"Betrayed！Back！"
　　Dolokhov，afterAnatoleentered，hadremainedatthewicketgateandwasstrugglingwiththeyardporterwhowastryingtolockit。WithalastdesperateeffortDolokhovpushedtheporteraside，andwhenAnatoleranbackseizedhimbythearm，pulledhimthroughthewicket，andranbackwithhimtothetroyka。
　　BK8CH18
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　MaryaDmitrievna，havingfoundSonyaweepinginthecorridor，madeherconfesseverything，andinterceptingthenotetoNatashashereaditandwentintoNatasha’sroomwithitinherhand。
　　"Youshamelessgood—for—nothing！"saidshe。"Iwon’thearaword。"
　　PushingbackNatashawholookedatherwithastonishedbuttearlesseyes，shelockedherin；andhavinggivenorderstotheyardportertoadmitthepersonswhowouldbecomingthatevening，butnottoletthemoutagain，andhavingtoldthefootmantobringthemuptoher，sheseatedherselfinthedrawingroomtoawaittheabductors。
　　WhenGabrielcametoinformherthatthemenwhohadcomehadrunawayagain，sherosefrowning，andclaspingherhandsbehindherpacedthroughtheroomsalongtimeconsideringwhatsheshoulddo。TowardmidnightshewenttoNatasha’sroomfingeringthekeyinherpocket。
　　Sonyawassittingsobbinginthecorridor。"MaryaDmitrievna，forGod’ssakeletmeintoher！"shepleaded，butMaryaDmitrievnaunlockedthedoorandwentinwithoutgivingherananswer……
　　"Disgusting，abominable……Inmyhouse……horridgirl，hussy！I’monlysorryforherfather！"thoughtshe，tryingtorestrainherwrath。
　　"Hardasitmaybe，I’lltellthemalltoholdtheirtonguesandwillhideitfromthecount。"Sheenteredtheroomwithresolutesteps。Natashalyingonthesofa，herheadhiddeninherhands，andshedidnotstir。ShewasinjustthesamepositioninwhichMaryaDmitrievnahadlefther。
　　"Anicegirl！Verynice！"saidMaryaDmitrievna。"Arrangingmeetingswithloversinmyhouse！It’snousepretending：youlistenwhenI
　　speaktoyou！"AndMaryaDmitrievnatouchedherarm。"ListenwhenwhenIspeak！You’vedisgracedyourselflikethelowestofhussies。I’dtreatyoudifferently，butI’msorryforyourfather，soIwillconcealit。"
　　Natashadidnotchangeherposition，butherwholebodyheavedwithnoiseless，convulsivesobswhichchokedher。MaryaDmitrievnaglancedroundatSonyaandseatedherselfonthesofabesideNatasha。
　　"It’sluckyforhimthatheescapedme；butI’llfindhim！"shesaidinherroughvoice。"DoyouhearwhatIamsayingornot？"sheadded。
　　SheputherlargehandunderNatasha’sfaceandturnedittowardher。BothMaryaDmitrievnaandSonyawereamazedwhentheysawhowNatashalooked。Hereyesweredryandglistening，herlipscompressed，hercheekssunken。
　　"Letmebe！……Whatisittome？……Ishalldie！"shemuttered，wrenchingherselffromMaryaDmitrievna’shandswithaviciouseffortandsinkingdownagainintoherformerposition。
　　"Natalie！"saidMaryaDmitrievna。"Iwishforyourgood。Liestill，staylikethatthen，Iwon’ttouchyou。Butlisten。Iwon’ttellyouhowguiltyyouare。Youknowthatyourself。ButwhenyourfathercomesbacktomorrowwhatamItotellhim？Eh？"
　　AgainNatasha’sbodyshookwithsobs。
　　"Supposehefindsout，andyourbrother，andyourbetrothed？"
　　"Ihavenobetrothed：Ihaverefusedhim！"criedNatasha。
　　"That’sallthesame，"continuedDmitrievna。"Iftheyhearofthis，willtheyletitpass？He，yourfather，Iknowhim……ifhechallengeshimtoaduelwillthatbeallright？Eh？"
　　"Oh，letmebe！Whyhaveyouinterferedatall？Why？Why？Whoaskedyouto？"shoutedNatasha，raisingherselfonthesofaandlookingmalignantlyatMaryaDmitrievna。
　　"Butwhatdidyouwant？"criedMaryaDmitrievna，growingangryagain。"Wereyoukeptunderlockandkey？Whohinderedhiscomingtothehouse？Whycarryyouoffasifyouweresomegypsysinginggirl？……Well，ifhehadcarriedyouoff……doyouthinktheywouldn’thavefoundhim？Yourfather，orbrother，oryourbetrothed？Andhe’sascoundrel，awretch—that’safact！"
　　"Heisbetterthananyofyou！"exclaimedNatashagettingup。"Ifyouhadn’tinterfered……Oh，myGod！Whatisitall？Whatisit？
　　Sonya，why？……Goaway！"
　　Andsheburstintosobswiththedespairingvehemencewithwhichpeoplebewaildisasterstheyfeeltheyhavethemselvesoccasioned。
　　MaryaDmitrievnawastospeakagainbutNatashacriedout：
　　"Goaway！Goaway！Youallhateanddespiseme！"andshethrewherselfbackonthesofa。
　　MaryaDmitrievnawentonadmonishingherforsometime，enjoiningonherthatitmustallbekeptfromherfatherandassuringherthatnobodywouldknowanythingaboutitifonlyNatashaherselfwouldundertaketoforgetitallandnotletanyoneseethatsomethinghadhappened。Natashadidnotreply，nordidshesobanylonger，butshegrewcoldandhadashiveringfit。MaryaDmitrievnaputapillowunderherhead，coveredherwithtwoquilts，andherselfbroughthersomelime—flowerwater，butNatashadidnotrespondtoher。
　　"Well，lethersleep，"saidMaryaDmitrievnaasshewentoftheroomsupposingNatashatobeasleep。
　　ButNatashawasnotasleep；withpalefaceandfixedwide—openeyesshelookedstraightbeforeher。AllthatnightshedidnotsleeporweepanddidnotspeaktoSonyawhogotupandwenttoherseveraltimes。
　　NextdayCountRostovreturnedfromhisestatenearMoscowintimeforlunchashehadpromised。Hewasinverygoodspirits；theaffairwiththepurchaserwasgoingonsatisfactorily，andtherewasnothingtokeephimanylongerinMoscow，awayfromthecountesswhomhemissed。MaryaDmitrievnamethimandtoldhimthatNatashahadbeenveryunwellthedaybeforeandthattheyhadsentforthedoctor，butthatshewasbetternow。Natashahadnotleftherroomthatmorning。Withcompressedandparchedlipsanddryfixedeyes，shesatatthewindow，uneasilywatchingthepeoplewhodrovepastandhurriedlyglancingroundatanyonewhoenteredtheroom。Shewasevidentlyexpectingnewsofhimandthathewouldcomeorwouldwritetoher。
　　Whenthecountcametoseehersheturnedanxiouslyroundatthesoundofaman’sfootstep，andthenherfaceresumeditscoldandmalevolentexpression。Shedidnotevengetuptogreethim。"Whatisthematterwithyou，myangel？Areyouill？"askedthecount。
　　Afteramoment’ssilenceNatashaanswered："Yes，ill。"
　　Inreplytothecount’sanxiousinquiriesastowhyshewassodejectedandwhetheranythinghadhappenedtoherbetrothed，sheassuredhimthatnothinghadhappenedandaskedhimnottoworry。
　　MaryaDmitrievnaconfirmedNatasha’sassurancesthatnothinghadhappened。Fromthepretenseofillness，fromhisdaughter’sdistress，andbytheembarrassedfacesofSonyaandMaryaDmitrievna，thecountsawclearlythatsomethinghadgonewrongduringhisabsence，butitwassoterribleforhimtothinkthatanythingdisgracefulhadhappenedtohisbeloveddaughter，andhesoprizedhisowncheerfultranquillity，thatheavoidedinquiriesandtriedtoassurehimselfthatnothingparticularlyhadhappened；andhewasonlydissatisfiedthatherindispositiondelayedtheirreturntothecountry。
　　BK8CH19
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　FromthedayhiswifearrivedinMoscowPierrehadbeenintendingtogoawaysomewhere，soasnottobenearher。SoonaftertheRostovscametoMoscowtheeffectNatashahadonhimmadehimhastentocarryouthisintention。HewenttoTvertoseeJosephAlexeevich’swidow，whohadlongsincepromisedtohandovertohimsomepapersofherdeceasedhusband’s。
　　WhenhereturnedtoMoscowPierrewashandedaletterfromMaryaDmitrievnaaskinghimtocomeandseeheronamatterofgreatimportancerelatingtoAndrewBolkonskiandhisbetrothed。PierrehadbeenavoidingNatashabecauseitseemedtohimthathisfeelingforherwasstrongerthanamarriedman’sshouldbeforhisfriend’sfiancee。Yetsomefateconstantlythrewthemtogether。
　　"Whatcanhavehappened？Andwhatcantheywantwithme？"thoughtheashedressedtogotoMaryaDmitrievna’s。"IfonlyPrinceAndrewwouldhurryupandcomeandmarryher！"thoughtheonhiswaytothehouse。
　　OntheTverskoyBoulevardafamiliarvoicecalledtohim。
　　"Pierre！Beenbacklong？"someoneshouted。Pierreraisedhishead。
　　Inasleighdrawnbytwograytrotting—horsesthatwerebespatteringthedashboardwithsnow，AnatoleandhisconstantcompanionMakarindashedpast。Anatolewassittinguprightintheclassicposeofmilitarydandies，thelowerpartofhisfacehiddenbyhisbeavercollarandhisheadslightlybent。Hisfacewasfreshandrosy，hiswhite—plumedhat，tiltedtooneside，disclosedhiscurledandpomadedhairbesprinkledwithpowderysnow。
　　"Yes，indeed，that’satruesage，"thoughtPierre。"Heseesnothingbeyondthepleasureofthemoment，nothingtroubleshimandsoheisalwayscheerful，satisfied，andserene。Whatwouldn’tIgivetobelikehim！"hethoughtenviously。
　　InMaryaDmitrievna’santeroomthefootmanwhohelpedhimoffwithhisfurcoatsaidthatthemistressaskedhimtocometoherbedroom。
　　WhenheopenedtheballroomdoorPierresawNatashasittingatthewindow，withathin，pale，andspitefulface。Sheglancedroundathim，frowned，andlefttheroomwithanexpressionofcolddignity。
　　"Whathashappened？"askedPierre，enteringMaryaDmitrievna’sroom。
　　"Finedoings！"answeredDmitrievna。"Forfifty—eightyearshaveI
　　livedinthisworldandneverknownanythingsodisgraceful！"
　　Andhavingputhimonhishonornottorepeatanythingshetoldhim，MaryaDmitrievnainformedhimthatNatashahadrefusedPrinceAndrewwithoutherparents’knowledgeandthatthecauseofthiswasAnatoleKuraginintowhosesocietyPierre’swifehadthrownherandwithwhomNatashahadtriedtoelopeduringherfather’sabsence，inordertobemarriedsecretly。
　　Pierreraisedhisshouldersandlistenedopen—mouthedtowhatwastoldhim，scarcelyabletobelievehisownears。ThatPrinceAndrew’sdeeplylovedaffiancedwife—thesameNatashaRostovawhousedtobesocharming—shouldgiveupBolkonskiforthatfoolAnatolewhowasalreadysecretlymarriedasPierreknew，andshouldbesoinlovewithhimastoagreetorunawaywithhim，wassomethingPierrecouldnotconceiveandcouldnotimagine。
　　HecouldnotreconcilethecharmingimpressionhehadofNatasha，whomhehadknownfromachild，withthisnewconceptionofherbaseness，folly，andcruelty。Hethoughtofhiswife。"Theyareallalike！"hesaidtohimself，reflectingthathewasnottheonlymanunfortunateenoughtobetiedtoabadwoman。ButstillhepitiedPrinceAndrewtothepointoftearsandsympathizedwithhiswoundedpride，andthemorehepitiedhisfriendthemoredidhethinkwithcontemptandevenwithdisgustofthatNatashawhohadjustpassedhimintheballroomwithsuchalookofcolddignity。HedidnotknowthatNatasha’ssoulwasoverflowingwithdespair，shame，andhumiliation，andthatitwasnotherfaultthatherfacehappenedtoassumeanexpressionofcalmdignityandseverity。
　　"Buthowgetmarried？"saidPierre，inanswertoMaryaDmitrievna。
　　"Hecouldnotmarry—heismarried！"
　　"Thingsgetworsefromhourtohour！"ejaculatedMaryaDmitrievna。
　　"Aniceyouth！Whatascoundrel！Andshe’sexpectinghim—expectinghimsinceyesterday。Shemustbetold！Thenatleastshewon’tgoonexpectinghim。"
　　AfterhearingthedetailsofAnatole’smarriagefromPierre，andgivingventtoherangeragainstAnatoleinwordsofabuse，MaryaDmitrievnatoldPierrewhyshehadsentforhim。ShewasafraidthatthecountorBolkonski，whomightarriveatanymoment，iftheyknewofthisaffairwhichshehopedtohidefromthemmightchallengeAnatoletoaduel，andshethereforeaskedPierretotellhisbrother—in—lawinhernametoleaveMoscowandnotdaretoletherseteyesonhimagain。Pierre—onlynowrealizingthedangertotheoldcount，Nicholas，andPrinceAndrew—promisedtodoasshewished。
　　Havingbrieflyandexactlyexplainedherwishestohim，shelethimgotothedrawingroom。
　　"Mind，thecountknowsnothing。Behaveasifyouknownothingeither，"shesaid。"AndIwillgoandtellheritisnouseexpectinghim！Andstaytodinnerifyoucareto！"shecalledafterPierre。
　　Pierremettheoldcount，whoseemednervousandupset。ThatmorningNatashahadtoldhimthatshehadrejectedBolkonski。
　　"Troubles，troubles，mydearfellow！"hesaidtoPierre。"Whattroublesonehaswiththesegirlswithouttheirmother！Idosoregrethavingcomehere……Iwillbefrankwithyou。Haveyouheardshehasbrokenoffherengagementwithoutconsultinganybody？It’struethisengagementneverwasmuchtomyliking。Ofcourseheisanexcellentman，butstill，withhisfather’sdisapprovaltheywouldn’thavebeenhappy，andNatashawon’tlacksuitors。Still，ithasbeengoingonsolong，andtotakesuchastepwithoutfather’sormother’sconsent！Andnowshe’sill，andGodknowswhat！It’shard，Count，hardtomanagedaughtersintheirmother’sabsence……"
　　Pierresawthatthecountwasmuchupsetandtriedtochangethesubject，butthecountreturnedtohistroubles。
　　Sonyaenteredtheroomwithanagitatedface。
　　"Natashaisnotquitewell；she’sinherroomandwouldliketoseeyou。MaryaDmitrievnaiswithherandshetooasksyoutocome。"
　　"Yes，youareagreatfriendofBolkonski’s，nodoubtshewantstosendhimamessage，"saidthecount。"Ohdear！Ohdear！Howhappyitallwas！"
　　Andclutchingthesparegraylocksonhistemplesthecountlefttheroom。
　　WhenMaryaDmitrievnatoldNatashathatAnatolewasmarried，NatashadidnotwishtobelieveitandinsistedonhavingitconfirmedbyPierrehimself。SonyatoldPierrethisassheledhimalongthecorridortoNatasha’sroom。
　　Natasha，paleandstern，wassittingbesideMaryaDmitrievna，andhereyes，glitteringfeverishly，metPierrewithaquestioninglookthemomentheentered。Shedidnotsmileornod，butonlygazedfixedlyathim，andherlookaskedonlyonething：washeafriend，orliketheothersanenemyinregardtoAnatole？AsforPierre，heevidentlydidnotexistforher。
　　"Heknowsallaboutit，"saidMaryaDmitrievnapointingtoPierreandaddressingNatasha。"LethimtellyouwhetherIhavetoldthetruth。"
　　Natashalookedfromonetotheotherasahuntedandwoundedanimallooksattheapproachingdogsandsportsmen。
　　"NatalyaIlynichna，"Pierrebegan，droppinghiseyeswithafeelingofpityforherandloathingforthethinghehadtodo，"whetheritistrueornotshouldmakenodifferencetoyou，because……"
　　"Thenitisnottruethathe’smarried！"
　　"Yes，itistrue。"
　　"Hashebeenmarriedlong？"sheasked。"Onyourhonor？……"
　　Pierregavehiswordofhonor。
　　"Ishestillhere？"sheasked，quickly。
　　"Yes，Ihavejustseenhim。"
　　Shewasevidentlyunabletospeakandmadeasignwithherhandsthattheyshouldleaveheralone。
　　BK8CH20
　　CHAPTERXX
　　Pierredidnotstayfordinner，butlefttheroomandwentawayatonce。HedrovethroughthetownseekingAnatoleKuragin，atthethoughtofwhomnowthebloodrushedtohisheartandhefeltadifficultyinbreathing。Hewasnotattheicehills，noratthegypsies’，noratKomoneno’s。PierredrovetotheClub。IntheCluballwasgoingonasusual。Thememberswhowereassemblingfordinnerweresittingaboutingroups；theygreetedPierreandspokeofthetownnews。Thefootmanhavinggreetedhim，knowinghishabitsandhisacquaintances，toldhimtherewasaplaceleftforhiminthesmalldiningroomandthatPrinceMichaelZakharychwasinthelibrary，butPaulTimofeevichhadnotyetarrived。OneofPierre’sacquaintances，whiletheyweretalkingabouttheweather，askedifhehadheardofKuragin’sabductionofRostovawhichwastalkedofinthetown，andwasittrue？PierrelaughedandsaiditwasnonsenseforhehadjustcomefromtheRostovs’。HeaskedeveryoneaboutAnatole。Onemantoldhimhehadnotcomeyet，andanotherthathewascomingtodinner。Pierrefeltitstrangetoseethiscalm，indifferentcrowdofpeopleunawareofwhatwasgoingoninhissoul。Hepacedthroughtheballroom，waitedtilleveryonehadcome，andasAnatolehadnotturnedupdidnotstayfordinnerbutdrovehome。
　　Anatole，forwhomPierrewaslooking，dinedthatdaywithDolokhov，consultinghimastohowtoremedythisunfortunateaffair。ItseemedtohimessentialtoseeNatasha。Intheeveninghedrovetohissister’stodiscusswithherhowtoarrangeameeting。
　　WhenPierrereturnedhomeaftervainlyhuntingalloverMoscow，hisvaletinformedhimthatPrinceAnatolewaswiththecountess。Thecountess’drawingroomwasfullofguests。
　　Pierrewithoutgreetinghiswifewhomhehadnotseensincehisreturn—atthatmomentshewasmorerepulsivetohimthanever—
　　enteredthedrawingroomandseeingAnatolewentuptohim。
　　"Ah，Pierre，"saidthecountessgoinguptoherhusband。"Youdon’tknowwhataplightourAnatole……"
　　Shestopped，seeingintheforwardthrustofherhusband’shead，inhisglowingeyesandhisresolutegait，theterribleindicationsofthatrageandstrengthwhichsheknewandhadherselfexperiencedafterhisduelwithDolokhov。
　　"Whereyouare，thereisviceandevil！"saidPierretohiswife。
　　"Anatole，comewithme！Imustspeaktoyou，"headdedinFrench。
　　Anatoleglancedroundathissisterandrosesubmissively，readytofollowPierre。Pierre，takinghimbythearm，pulledhimtowardhimselfandwasleadinghimfromtheroom。
　　"Ifyouallowyourselfinmydrawingroom……"whisperedHelene，butPierredidnotreplyandwentoutoftheroom。
　　Anatolefollowedhimwithhisusualjauntystepbuthisfacebetrayedanxiety。
　　HavingenteredhisstudyPierreclosedthedoorandaddressedAnatolewithoutlookingathim。
　　"YoupromisedCountessRostovatomarryherandwereabouttoelopewithher，isthatso？"
　　"Moncher，"answeredAnatoletheirwholeconversationwasinFrench，"Idon’tconsidermyselfboundtoanswerquestionsputtomeinthattone。"
　　Pierre’sface，alreadypale，becamedistortedbyfury。HeseizedAnatolebythecollarofhisuniformwithhisbighandandshookhimfromsidetosidetillAnatole’sfaceshowedasufficientdegreeofterror。
　　"WhenItellyouthatImusttalktoyou！……"repeatedPierre。
　　"Comenow，thisisstupid。What？"saidAnatole，fingeringabuttonofhiscollarthathadbeenwrenchedloosewithabitofthecloth。
　　"You’reascoundrelandablackguard，andIdon’tknowwhatdeprivesmefromthepleasureofsmashingyourheadwiththis！"saidPierre，expressinghimselfsoartificiallybecausehewastalkingFrench。
　　Hetookaheavypaperweightandlifteditthreateningly，butatonceputitbackinitsplace。
　　"Didyoupromisetomarryher？"
　　"I……Ididn’tthinkofit。Ineverpromised，because……"
　　Pierreinterruptedhim。
　　"Haveyouanylettersofhers？Anyletters？"hesaid，movingtowardAnatole。
　　Anatoleglancedathimandimmediatelythrusthishandintohispocketanddrewouthispocketbook。
　　PierretooktheletterAnatolehandedhimand，pushingasideatablethatstoodinhisway，threwhimselfonthesofa。
　　"Ishan’tbeviolent，don’tbeafraid！"saidPierreinanswertoafrightenedgestureofAnatole’s。"First，theletters，"saidhe，asifrepeatingalessontohimself。"Secondly，"hecontinuedafterashortpause，againrisingandagainpacingtheroom，"tomorrowyoumustgetoutofMoscow。"
　　"ButhowcanI？……"
　　"Thirdly，"Pierrecontinuedwithoutlisteningtohim，"youmustneverbreatheawordofwhathaspassedbetweenyouandCountessRostova。IknowIcan’tpreventyourdoingso，butifyouhaveasparkofconscience……"Pierrepacedtheroomseveraltimesinsilence。
　　Anatolesatatatablefrowningandbitinghislips。
　　"Afterall，youmustunderstandthatbesidesyourpleasurethereissuchathingasotherpeople’shappinessandpeace，andthatyouareruiningawholelifeforthesakeofamusingyourself！Amuseyourselfwithwomenlikemywife—withthemyouarewithinyourrights，fortheyknowwhatyouwantofthem。Theyarearmedagainstyoubythesameexperienceofdebauchery；buttopromiseamaidtomarryher……todeceive，tokidnap……Don’tyouunderstandthatitisasmeanasbeatinganoldmanorachild？……"
　　PierrepausedandlookedatAnatolenolongerwithanangrybutwithaquestioninglook。
　　"Idon’tknowaboutthat，eh？"saidAnatole，growingmoreconfidentasPierremasteredhiswrath。"Idon’tknowthatanddon’twantto，"hesaid，notlookingatPierreandwithaslighttremorofhislowerjaw，"butyouhaveusedsuchwordstome—’mean’andsoon—whichasamanofhonorIcan’tallowanyonetouse。"
　　Pierreglancedathimwithamazement，unabletounderstandwhathewanted。
　　"Thoughitwastete—a—tete，"Anatolecontinued，"stillIcan’t……"
　　"Isitsatisfactionyouwant？"saidPierreironically。
　　"Youcouldatleasttakebackyourwords。What？Ifyouwantmetodoasyouwish，eh？"
　　"Itakethemback，Itakethemback！"saidPierre，"andIaskyoutoforgiveme。"Pierreinvoluntarilyglancedattheloosebutton。"Andifyourequiremoneyforyourjourney……"
　　Anatolesmiled。Theexpressionofthatbaseandcringingsmile，whichPierreknewsowellinhiswife，revoltedhim。
　　"Oh，vileandheartlessbrood！"heexclaimed，andlefttheroom。
　　NextdayAnatoleleftforPetersburg。
　　BK8CH21
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　PierredrovetoMaryaDmitrievna’stotellherofthefulfillmentofherwishthatKuraginshouldbebanishedfromMoscow。Thewholehousewasinastateofalarmandcommotion。Natashawasveryill，having，asMaryaDmitrievnatoldhiminsecret，poisonedherselfthenightaftershehadbeentoldthatAnatolewasmarried，withsomearsenicshehadstealthilyprocured。AfterswallowingalittleshehadbeensofrightenedthatshewokeSonyaandtoldherwhatshehaddone。
　　Thenecessaryantidoteshadbeenadministeredintimeandshewasnowoutofdanger，thoughstillsoweakthatitwasoutofthequestiontomovehertothecountry，andsothecountesshadbeensentfor。Pierresawthedistractedcount，andSonya，whohadatear—stainedface，buthecouldnotseeNatasha。
　　PierredinedattheclubthatdayandheardonallsidesgossipabouttheattemptedabductionofRostova。Heresolutelydeniedtheserumors，assuringeveryonethatnothinghadhappenedexceptthathisbrother—in—lawhadproposedtoherandbeenrefused。ItseemedtoPierrethatitwashisdutytoconcealthewholeaffairandre—establishNatasha’sreputation。
　　HewasawaitingPrinceAndrew’sreturnwithdreadandwenteverydaytotheoldprince’sfornewsofhim。
　　OldPrinceBolkonskiheardalltherumorscurrentinthetownfromMademoiselleBourienneandhadreadthenotetoPrincessMaryinwhichNatashahadbrokenoffherengagement。Heseemedinbetterspiritsthanusualandawaitedhissonwithgreatimpatience。
　　SomedaysafterAnatole’sdeparturePierrereceivedanotefromPrinceAndrew，informinghimofhisarrivalandaskinghimtocometoseehim。
　　AssoonashereachedMoscow，PrinceAndrewhadreceivedfromhisfatherNatasha’snotetoPrincessMarybreakingoffherengagementMademoiselleBouriennehadpurloineditfromPrincessMaryandgivenittotheoldprince，andheheardfromhimthestoryofNatasha’selopement，withadditions。
　　PrinceAndrewhadarrivedintheeveningandPierrecametoseehimnextmorning。PierreexpectedtofindPrinceAndrewinalmostthesamestateasNatashaandwasthereforesurprisedonenteringthedrawingroomtohearhiminthestudytalkinginaloudanimatedvoiceaboutsomeintriguegoingoninPetersburg。Theoldprince’svoiceandanothernowandtheninterruptedhim。PrincessMarycameouttomeetPierre。Shesighed，lookingtowardthedooroftheroomwherePrinceAndrewwas，evidentlyintendingtoexpresshersympathywithhissorrow，butPierresawbyherfacethatshewasgladbothatwhathadhappenedandatthewayherbrotherhadtakenthenewsofNatasha’sfaithlessness。
　　"Hesaysheexpectedit，"sheremarked。"Iknowhispridewillnotlethimexpresshisfeelings，butstillhehastakenitbetter，farbetter，thanIexpected。Evidentlyithadtobe……"
　　"Butisitpossiblethatallisreallyended？"askedPierre。
　　PrincessMarylookedathimwithastonishment。Shedidnotunderstandhowhecouldasksuchaquestion。Pierrewentintothestudy。PrinceAndrew，greatlychangedandplainlyinbetterhealth，butwithafreshhorizontalwrinklebetweenhisbrows，stoodinciviliandressfacinghisfatherandPrinceMeshcherski，warmlydisputingandvigorouslygesticulating。TheconversationwasaboutSperanski—thenewsofwhosesuddenexileandallegedtreacheryhadjustreachedMoscow。
　　"Nowheiscensuredandaccusedbyallwhowereenthusiasticabouthimamonthago，"PrinceAndrewwassaying，"andbythosewhowereunabletounderstandhisaims。Tojudgeamanwhoisindisfavorandtothrowonhimalltheblameofothermen’smistakesisveryeasy，butImaintainthatifanythinggoodhasbeenaccomplishedinthisreignitwasdonebyhim，byhimalone。"
　　HepausedatthesightofPierre。Hisfacequiveredandimmediatelyassumedavindictiveexpression。
　　"Posteritywilldohimjustice，"heconcluded，andatonceturnedtoPierre。
　　"Well，howareyou？Stillgettingstouter？"hesaidwithanimation，butthenewwrinkleonhisforeheaddeepened。"Yes，Iamwell，"hesaidinanswertoPierre’squestion，andsmiled。
　　ToPierrethatsmilesaidplainly："Iamwell，butmyhealthisnowofnousetoanyone。"
　　AfterafewwordstoPierreabouttheawfulroadsfromthePolishfrontier，aboutpeoplehehadmetinSwitzerlandwhoknewPierre，andaboutM。Dessalles，whomhehadbroughtfromabroadtobehisson’stutor，PrinceAndrewagainjoinedwarmlyintheconversationaboutSperanskiwhichwasstillgoingonbetweenthetwooldmen。
　　"Ifthereweretreason，orproofsofsecretrelationswithNapoleon，theywouldhavebeenmadepublic，"hesaidwithwarmthandhaste。"I
　　donot，andneverdid，likeSperanskipersonally，butIlikejustice！"
　　Pierrenowrecognizedinhisfriendaneedwithwhichhewasonlytoofamiliar，togetexcitedandtohaveargumentsaboutextraneousmattersinordertostiflethoughtsthatweretoooppressiveandtoointimate。WhenPrinceMeshcherskihadleft，PrinceAndrewtookPierre’sarmandaskedhimintotheroomthathadbeenassignedhim。A
　　bedhadbeenmadeupthere，andsomeopenportmanteausandtrunksstoodabout。PrinceAndrewwenttooneandtookoutasmallcasket，fromwhichhedrewapacketwrappedinpaper。Hediditallsilentlyandveryquickly。Hestoodupandcoughed。Hisfacewasgloomyandhislipscompressed。
　　"Forgivemefortroublingyou……"
　　PierresawthatPrinceAndrewwasgoingtospeakofNatasha，andhisbroadfaceexpressedpityandsympathy。ThisexpressionirritatedPrinceAndrew，andinadetermined，ringing，andunpleasanttonehecontinued：
　　"IhavereceivedarefusalfromCountessRostovaandhaveheardreportsofyourbrother—in—lawhavingsoughtherhand，orsomethingofthatkind。Isthattrue？"
　　"Bothtrueanduntrue，"Pierrebegan；butPrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
　　"Hereareherlettersandherportrait，"saidhe。
　　HetookthepacketfromthetableandhandedittoPierre。
　　"Givethistothecountess……ifyouseeher。"
　　"Sheisveryill，"saidPierre。
　　"Thensheisherestill？"saidPrinceAndrew。"AndPrinceKuragin？"headdedquickly。
　　"Heleftlongago。Shehasbeenatdeath’sdoor。"
　　"Imuchregretherillness，"saidPrinceAndrew；andhesmiledlikehisfather，coldly，maliciously，andunpleasantly。
　　"SoMonsieurKuraginhasnothonoredCountessRostovawithhishand？"saidPrinceAndrew，andhesnortedseveraltimes。
　　"Hecouldnotmarry，forhewasmarriedalready，"saidPierre。
　　PrinceAndrewlaugheddisagreeably，againremindingoneofhisfather。
　　"Andwhereisyourbrother—in—lawnow，ifImayask？"hesaid。
　　"HehasgonetoPeters……ButIdon’tknow，"saidPierre。
　　"Well，itdoesn’tmatter，"saidPrinceAndrew。"TellCountessRostovathatshewasandisperfectlyfreeandthatIwishherallthatisgood。"
　　Pierretookthepacket。PrinceAndrew，asiftryingtorememberwhetherhehadsomethingmoretosay，orwaitingtoseeifPierrewouldsayanything，lookedfixedlyathim。
　　"Isay，doyourememberourdiscussioninPetersburg？"askedPierre，"about……"
　　"Yes，"returnedPrinceAndrewhastily。"Isaidthatafallenwomanshouldbeforgiven，butIdidn’tsayIcouldforgiveher。Ican’t。"
　　"Butcanthisbecompared……？"saidPierre。
　　PrinceAndrewinterruptedhimandcriedsharply："Yes，askherhandagain，bemagnanimous，andsoon？……Yes，thatwouldbeverynoble，butIamunabletofollowinthatgentleman’sfootsteps。Ifyouwishtobemyfriendneverspeaktomeofthat……ofallthat！Well，good—by。Soyou’llgiveherthepacket？"
　　PierrelefttheroomandwenttotheoldprinceandPrincessMary。
　　Theoldmanseemedlivelierthanusual。PrincessMarywasthesameasalways，butbeneathhersympathyforherbrother，Pierrenoticedhersatisfactionthattheengagementhadbeenbrokenoff。LookingatthemPierrerealizedwhatcontemptandanimositytheyallfeltfortheRostovs，andthatitwasimpossibleintheirpresenceeventomentionthenameofherwhocouldgiveupPrinceAndrewforanyoneelse。
　　Atdinnerthetalkturnedonthewar，theapproachofwhichwasbecomingevident。PrinceAndrewtalkedincessantly，arguingnowwithhisfather，nowwiththeSwisstutorDessalles，andshowinganunnaturalanimation，thecauseofwhichPierresowellunderstood。
　　BK8CH22
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　ThatsameeveningPierrewenttotheRostovs’tofulfillthecommissionentrustedtohim。Natashawasinbed，thecountattheClub，andPierre，aftergivingtheletterstoSonya，wenttoMaryaDmitrievnawhowasinterestedtoknowhowPrinceAndrewhadtakenthenews。TenminuteslaterSonyacametoMaryaDmitrievna。
　　"NatashainsistsonseeingCountPeterKirilovich，"saidshe。
　　"Buthow？Arewetotakehimuptoher？Theroomtherehasnotbeentidiedup。"
　　"No，shehasdressedandgoneintothedrawingroom，"saidSonya。
　　MaryaDmitrievnaonlyshruggedhershoulders。
　　"Whenwillhermothercome？Shehasworriedmetodeath！Nowmind，don’ttellhereverything！"saidshetoPierre。"Onehasn’tthehearttoscoldher，sheissomuchtobepitied，somuchtobepitied。"
　　Natashawasstandinginthemiddleofthedrawingroom，emaciated，withapalesetface，butnotatallshamefacedasPierreexpectedtofindher。Whenheappearedatthedoorshegrewflurried，evidentlyundecidedwhethertogotomeethimortowaittillhecameup。
　　Pierrehastenedtoher。Hethoughtshewouldgivehimherhandasusual；butshe，steppinguptohim，stopped，breathingheavily，herarmshanginglifelesslyjustintheposesheusedtostandinwhenshewenttothemiddleoftheballroomtosing，butwithquiteadifferentexpressionofface。
　　"PeterKirilovich，"shebeganrapidly，"PrinceBolkonskiwasyourfriend—isyourfriend，"shecorrectedherself。Itseemedtoherthateverythingthathadoncebeenmustnowbedifferent。"Hetoldmeoncetoapplytoyou……"
　　Pierresniffedashelookedather，butdidnotspeak。Tillthenhehadreproachedherinhisheartandtriedtodespiseher，buthenowfeltsosorryforherthattherewasnoroominhissoulforreproach。
　　"Heisherenow：tellhim……tofor……forgiveme！"Shestoppedandbreathedstillmorequickly，butdidnotshedtears。
　　"Yes……Iwilltellhim，"answeredPierre；"but……"
　　Hedidnotknowwhattosay。
　　Natashawasevidentlydismayedatthethoughtofwhathemightthinkshehadmeant。
　　"No，Iknowallisover，"shesaidhurriedly。"No，thatcanneverbe。I’monlytormentedbythewrongIhavedonehim。TellhimonlythatIbeghimtoforgive，forgive，forgivemeforeverything……"
　　Shetrembledalloverandsatdownonachair。
　　AsenseofpityhehadneverbeforeknownoverflowedPierre’sheart。
　　"Iwilltellhim，Iwilltellhimeverythingoncemore，"saidPierre。"But……Ishouldliketoknowonething……"
　　"Knowwhat？"Natasha’seyesasked。
　　"Ishouldliketoknow，didyoulove……"PierredidnotknowhowtorefertoAnatoleandflushedatthethoughtofhim—"didyoulovethatbadman？"
　　"Don’tcallhimbad！"saidNatasha。"ButIdon’tknow，don’tknowatall……"
　　Shebegantocryandastillgreatersenseofpity，tenderness，andlovewelledupinPierre。Hefeltthetearstrickleunderhisspectaclesandhopedtheywouldnotbenoticed。
　　"Wewon’tspeakofitanymore，mydear，"saidPierre，andhisgentle，cordialtonesuddenlyseemedverystrangetoNatasha。
　　"Wewon’tspeakofit，mydear—I’lltellhimeverything；butonethingIbegofyou，considermeyourfriendandifyouwanthelp，advice，orsimplytoopenyourhearttosomeone—notnow，butwhenyourmindisclearerthinkofme！"Hetookherhandandkissedit。
　　"Ishallbehappyifit’sinmypower……"
　　Pierregrewconfused。
　　"Don’tspeaktomelikethat。Iamnotworthit！"exclaimedNatashaandturnedtoleavetheroom，butPierreheldherhand。
　　Heknewhehadsomethingmoretosaytoher。Butwhenhesaidithewasamazedathisownwords。
　　"Stop，stop！Youhaveyourwholelifebeforeyou，"saidhetoher。
　　"Beforeme？No！Allisoverforme，"sherepliedwithshameandself—abasement。
　　"Allover？"herepeated。"IfIwerenotmyself，butthehandsomest，cleverest，andbestmanintheworld，andwerefree，Iwouldthismomentaskonmykneesforyourhandandyourlove！"
　　ForthefirsttimeformanydaysNatashawepttearsofgratitudeandtenderness，andglancingatPierreshewentoutoftheroom。
　　Pierretoowhenshehadgonealmostranintotheanteroom，restrainingtearsoftendernessandjoythatchokedhim，andwithoutfindingthesleevesofhisfurcloakthrewitonandgotintohissleigh。
　　"Wheretonow，yourexcellency？"askedthecoachman。
　　"Whereto？"Pierreaskedhimself。"WherecanIgonow？SurelynottotheClubortopaycalls？"Allmenseemedsopitiful，sopoor，incomparisonwiththisfeelingoftendernessandloveheexperienced：incomparisonwiththatsoftened，grateful，lastlookshehadgivenhimthroughhertears。
　　"Home！"saidPierre，anddespitetwenty—twodegreesoffrostFahrenheithethrewopenthebearskincloakfromhisbroadchestandinhaledtheairwithjoy。
　　Itwasclearandfrosty。Abovethedirty，ill—litstreets，abovetheblackroofs，stretchedthedarkstarrysky。OnlylookingupattheskydidPierreceasetofeelhowsordidandhumiliatingwereallmundanethingscomparedwiththeheightstowhichhissoulhadjustbeenraised。AttheentrancetotheArbatSquareanimmenseexpanseofdarkstarryskypresenteditselftohiseyes。Almostinthecenterofit，abovethePrechistenkaBoulevard，surroundedandsprinkledonallsidesbystarsbutdistinguishedfromthemallbyitsnearnesstotheearth，itswhitelight，anditslongupliftedtail，shonetheenormousandbrilliantcometof18l2—thecometwhichwassaidtoportendallkindsofwoesandtheendoftheworld。InPierre，however，thatcometwithitslongluminoustailarousednofeelingoffear。Onthecontraryhegazedjoyfully，hiseyesmoistwithtears，atthisbrightcometwhich，havingtraveledinitsorbitwithinconceivablevelocitythroughimmeasurablespace，seemedsuddenly—
　　likeanarrowpiercingtheearth—toremainfixedinachosenspot，vigorouslyholdingitstailerect，shininganddisplayingitswhitelightamidcountlessotherscintillatingstars。ItseemedtoPierrethatthiscometfullyrespondedtowhatwaspassinginhisownsoftenedandupliftedsoul，nowblossomingintoanewlife。
　　BOOKNINE：1812
　　CHAPTERI
　　Fromthecloseoftheyear1811intensifiedarmingandconcentratingoftheforcesofWesternEuropebegan，andin1812theseforces—
　　millionsofmen，reckoningthosetransportingandfeedingthearmy—
　　movedfromthewesteastwardstotheRussianfrontier，towardwhichsince1811Russianforceshadbeensimilarlydrawn。OnthetwelfthofJune，1812，theforcesofWesternEuropecrossedtheRussianfrontierandwarbegan，thatis，aneventtookplaceopposedtohumanreasonandtohumannature。Millionsofmenperpetratedagainstoneanothersuchinnumerablecrimes，frauds，treacheries，thefts，forgeries，issuesoffalsemoney，burglaries，incendiarisms，andmurdersasinwholecenturiesarenotrecordedintheannalsofallthelawcourtsoftheworld，butwhichthosewhocommittedthemdidnotatthetimeregardasbeingcrimes。
　　Whatproducedthisextraordinaryoccurrence？Whatwereitscauses？
　　ThehistorianstelluswithnaiveassurancethatitscauseswerethewrongsinflictedontheDukeofOldenburg，thenonobservanceoftheContinentalSystem，theambitionofNapoleon，thefirmnessofAlexander，themistakesofthediplomatists，andsoon。
　　Consequently，itwouldonlyhavebeennecessaryforMetternich，Rumyantsev，orTalleyrand，betweenaleveeandaneveningparty，tohavetakenproperpainsandwrittenamoreadroitnote，orforNapoleontohavewrittentoAlexander："MyrespectedBrother，I
　　consenttorestoretheduchytotheDukeofOldenburg"—andtherewouldhavebeennowar。
　　Wecanunderstandthatthematterseemedlikethattocontemporaries。ItnaturallyseemedtoNapoleonthatthewarwascausedbyEngland’sintriguesasinfacthesaidontheislandofSt。
　　Helena。ItnaturallyseemedtomembersoftheEnglishParliamentthatthecauseofthewarwasNapoleon’sambition；totheDukeofOldenburg，thatthecauseofthewarwastheviolencedonetohim；
　　tobusinessmenthatthecauseofthewaywastheContinentalSystemwhichwasruiningEurope；tothegeneralsandoldsoldiersthatthechiefreasonforthewarwasthenecessityofgivingthememployment；tothelegitimistsofthatdaythatitwastheneedofre—establishinglesbonsprincipes，andtothediplomatistsofthattimethatitallresultedfromthefactthatthealliancebetweenRussiaandAustriain1809hadnotbeensufficientlywellconcealedfromNapoleon，andfromtheawkwardwordingofMemorandumNo。178。
　　Itisnaturalthattheseandacountlessandinfinitequantityofotherreasons，thenumberdependingontheendlessdiversityofpointsofview，presentedthemselvestothemenofthatday；buttous，toposteritywhoviewthethingthathappenedinallitsmagnitudeandperceiveitsplainandterriblemeaning，thesecausesseeminsufficient。TousitisincomprehensiblethatmillionsofChristianmenkilledandtorturedeachothereitherbecauseNapoleonwasambitiousorAlexanderwasfirm，orbecauseEngland’spolicywasastuteortheDukeofOldenburgwronged。Wecannotgraspwhatconnectionsuchcircumstanceshavewiththeactualfactofslaughterandviolence：whybecausetheDukewaswronged，thousandsofmenfromtheothersideofEuropekilledandruinedthepeopleofSmolenskandMoscowandwerekilledbythem。
　　Tous，theirdescendants，whoarenothistoriansandarenotcarriedawaybytheprocessofresearchandcanthereforeregardtheeventwithuncloudedcommonsense，anincalculablenumberofcausespresentthemselves。Thedeeperwedelveinsearchofthesecausesthemoreofthemwefind；andeachseparatecauseorwholeseriesofcausesappearstousequallyvalidinitselfandequallyfalsebyitsinsignificancecomparedtothemagnitudeoftheevents，andbyitsimpotence—apartfromthecooperationofalltheothercoincidentcauses—tooccasiontheevent。Tous，thewishorobjectionofthisorthatFrenchcorporaltoserveasecondtermappearsasmuchacauseasNapoleon’srefusaltowithdrawhistroopsbeyondtheVistulaandtorestoretheduchyofOldenburg；forhadhenotwishedtoserve，andhadasecond，athird，andathousandthcorporalandprivatealsorefused，therewouldhavebeensomanylessmeninNapoleon’sarmyandthewarcouldnothaveoccurred。
　　HadNapoleonnottakenoffenseatthedemandthatheshouldwithdrawbeyondtheVistula，andnotorderedhistroopstoadvance，therewouldhavebeennowar；buthadallhissergeantsobjectedtoservingasecondtermthenalsotherecouldhavebeennowar。NorcouldtherehavebeenawarhadtherebeennoEnglishintriguesandnoDukeofOldenburg，andhadAlexandernotfeltinsulted，andhadtherenotbeenanautocraticgovernmentinRussia，oraRevolutioninFranceandasubsequentdictatorshipandEmpire，orallthethingsthatproducedtheFrenchRevolution，andsoon。Withouteachofthesecausesnothingcouldhavehappened。Soallthesecauses—myriadsofcauses—coincidedtobringitabout。Andsotherewasnoonecauseforthatoccurrence，butithadtooccurbecauseithadto。Millionsofmen，renouncingtheirhumanfeelingsandreason，hadtogofromwesttoeasttoslaytheirfellows，justassomecenturiespreviouslyhordesofmenhadcomefromtheeasttothewest，slayingtheirfellows。