"ButIjustwishtosay，toavoidmisunderstandings，thatyouarequitemistakenifyoureckonmeormymotheramongsuchpeople。Weareverypoor，butformyownpartatanyrate，fortheveryreasonthatyourfatherisrich，Idon’tregardmyselfasarelationofhis，andneitherInormymotherwouldeveraskortakeanythingfromhim。"
　　ForalongtimePierrecouldnotunderstand，butwhenhedid，hejumpedupfromthesofa，seizedBorisundertheelbowinhisquick，clumsyway，and，blushingfarmorethanBoris，begantospeakwithafeelingofmingledshameandvexation。
　　"Well，thisisstrange！DoyousupposeI……whocouldthink？……I
　　knowverywell……"
　　ButBorisagaininterruptedhim。
　　"IamgladIhavespokenoutfully。Perhapsyoudidnotlikeit？Youmustexcuseme，"saidhe，puttingPierreateaseinsteadofbeingputateasebyhim，"butIhopeIhavenotoffendedyou。Ialwaysmakeitaruletospeakout……Well，whatansweramItotake？WillyoucometodinnerattheRostovs’？"
　　AndBoris，havingapparentlyrelievedhimselfofanonerousdutyandextricatedhimselffromanawkwardsituationandplacedanotherinit，becamequitepleasantagain。
　　"No，butIsay，"saidPierre，calmingdown，"youareawonderfulfellow！Whatyouhavejustsaidisgood，verygood。Ofcourseyoudon’tknowme。Wehavenotmetforsuchalongtime……notsincewewerechildren。YoumightthinkthatI……Iunderstand，quiteunderstand。Icouldnothavedoneitmyself，Ishouldnothavehadthecourage，butit’ssplendid。Iamverygladtohavemadeyouracquaintance。It’squeer，"headdedafterapause，"thatyoushouldhavesuspectedme！"Hebegantolaugh。"Well，whatofit！Ihopewe’llgetbetteracquainted，"andhepressedBoris’hand。"Doyouknow，I
　　havenotoncebeenintoseethecount。Hehasnotsentforme……I
　　amsorryforhimasaman，butwhatcanonedo？"
　　"AndsoyouthinkNapoleonwillmanagetogetanarmyacross？"askedBoriswithasmile。
　　PierresawthatBoriswishedtochangethesubject，andbeingofthesamemindhebeganexplainingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftheBoulogneexpedition。
　　AfootmancameintosummonBoris—theprincesswasgoing。Pierre，inordertomakeBoris’betteracquaintance，promisedtocometodinner，andwarmlypressinghishandlookedaffectionatelyoverhisspectaclesintoBoris’eyes。AfterhehadgonePierrecontinuedpacingupanddowntheroomforalongtime，nolongerpiercinganimaginaryfoewithhisimaginarysword，butsmilingattheremembranceofthatpleasant，intelligent，andresoluteyoungman。
　　Asoftenhappensinearlyyouth，especiallytoonewholeadsalonelylife，hefeltanunaccountabletendernessforthisyoungmanandmadeuphismindthattheywouldbefriends。
　　PrinceVasilisawtheprincessoff。Sheheldahandkerchieftohereyesandherfacewastearful。
　　"Itisdreadful，dreadful！"shewassaying，"butcostmewhatitmayIshalldomyduty。Iwillcomeandspendthenight。Hemustnotbeleftlikethis。Everymomentisprecious。Ican’tthinkwhyhisniecesputitoff。PerhapsGodwillhelpmetofindawaytopreparehim！……Adieu，Prince！MayGodsupportyou……"
　　"Adieu，mabonne，"answeredPrinceVasiliturningawayfromher。
　　"Oh，heisinadreadfulstate，"saidthemothertohersonwhentheywereinthecarriage。"Hehardlyrecognizesanybody。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，Mamma—whatishisattitudetoPierre？"askedtheson。
　　"Thewillwillshowthat，mydear；ourfatealsodependsonit。"
　　"Butwhydoyouexpectthathewillleaveusanything？"
　　"Ah，mydear！Heissorich，andwearesopoor！"
　　"Well，thatishardlyasufficientreason，Mamma……"
　　"Oh，Heaven！Howillheis！"exclaimedthemother。
　　BK1CH17
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　AfterAnnaMikhaylovnahaddrivenoffwithhersontovisitCountCyrilVladimirovichBezukhov，CountessRostovasatforalongtimeallaloneapplyingherhandkerchieftohereyes。Atlastsherang。
　　"Whatisthematterwithyou，mydear？"shesaidcrosslytothemaidwhokeptherwaitingsomeminutes。"Don’tyouwishtoserveme？ThenI’llfindyouanotherplace。"
　　Thecountesswasupsetbyherfriend’ssorrowandhumiliatingpoverty，andwasthereforeoutofsorts，astateofmindwhichwithheralwaysfoundexpressionincallinghermaid"mydear"andspeakingtoherwithexaggeratedpoliteness。
　　"Iamverysorry，ma’am，"answeredthemaid。
　　"Askthecounttocometome。"
　　Thecountcamewaddlingintoseehiswifewitharatherguiltylookasusual。
　　"Well，littlecountess？Whatasauteofgameaumaderewearetohave，mydear！Itastedit。ThethousandrublesIpaidforTaraswerenotill—spent。Heisworthit！"
　　Hesatdownbyhiswife，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhishandsrufflinghisgrayhair。
　　"Whatareyourcommands，littlecountess？"
　　"Yousee，mydear……What’sthatmess？"shesaid，pointingtohiswaistcoat。"It’s，thesaute，mostlikely，"sheaddedwithasmile。
　　"Well，yousee，Count，Iwantsomemoney。"
　　Herfacebecamesad。
　　"Oh，littlecountess！"……andthecountbeganbustlingtogetouthispocketbook。
　　"Iwantagreatdeal，Count！Iwantfivehundredrubles，"andtakingouthercambrichandkerchiefshebeganwipingherhusband’swaistcoat。
　　"Yes，immediately，immediately！Hey，who’sthere？"hecalledoutinatoneonlyusedbypersonswhoarecertainthatthosetheycallwillrushtoobeythesummons。"SendDmitritome！"
　　Dmitri，amanofgoodfamilywhohadbeenbroughtupinthecount’shouseandnowmanagedallhisaffairs，steppedsoftlyintotheroom。
　　"ThisiswhatIwant，mydearfellow，"saidthecounttothedeferentialyoungmanwhohadentered。"Bringme……"hereflectedamoment，"yes，bringmesevenhundredrubles，yes！Butmind，don’tbringmesuchtatteredanddirtynotesaslasttime，butnicecleanonesforthecountess。"
　　"Yes，Dmitri，cleanones，please，"saidthecountess，sighingdeeply。
　　"Whenwouldyoulikethem，yourexcellency？"askedDmitri。"Allowmetoinformyou……But，don’tbeuneasy，"headded，noticingthatthecountwasbeginningtobreatheheavilyandquicklywhichwasalwaysasignofapproachinganger。"Iwasforgetting……Doyouwishitbroughtatonce？"
　　"Yes，yes；justso！Bringit。Giveittothecountess。"
　　"WhatatreasurethatDmitriis，"addedthecountwithasmilewhentheyoungmanhaddeparted。"Thereisneverany’impossible’withhim。That’sathingIhate！Everythingispossible。"
　　"Ah，money，Count，money！Howmuchsorrowitcausesintheworld，"
　　saidthecountess。"ButIamingreatneedofthissum。"
　　"You，mylittlecountess，areanotoriousspendthrift，"saidthecount，andhavingkissedhiswife’shandhewentbacktohisstudy。
　　WhenAnnaMikhaylovnareturnedfromCountBezukhov’sthemoney，allincleannotes，waslyingreadyunderahandkerchiefonthecountess’littletable，andAnnaMikhaylovnanoticedthatsomethingwasagitatingher。
　　"Well，mydear？"askedthecountess。
　　"Oh，whataterriblestateheisin！Onewouldnotknowhim，heissoill！Iwasonlythereafewmomentsandhardlysaidaword……"
　　"Annette，forheaven’ssakedon’trefuseme，"thecountessbegan，withablushthatlookedverystrangeonherthin，dignified，elderlyface，andshetookthemoneyfromunderthehandkerchief。
　　AnnaMikhaylovnainstantlyguessedherintentionandstoopedtobereadytoembracethecountessattheappropriatemoment。
　　"ThisisforBorisfromme，forhisoutfit。"
　　AnnaMikhaylovnawasalreadyembracingherandweeping。Thecountesswepttoo。Theyweptbecausetheywerefriends，andbecausetheywerekindhearted，andbecausethey—friendsfromchildhood—hadtothinkaboutsuchabasethingasmoney，andbecausetheiryouthwasover……
　　Butthosetearswerepleasanttothemboth。
　　BK1CH18
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　CountessRostova，withherdaughtersandalargenumberofguests，wasalreadyseatedinthedrawingroom。ThecounttookthegentlemenintohisstudyandshowedthemhischoicecollectionofTurkishpipes。
　　Fromtimetotimehewentouttoask："Hasn’tshecomeyet？"TheywereexpectingMaryaDmitrievnaAkhrosimova，knowninsocietyasleterribledragon，aladydistinguishednotforwealthorrank，butforcommonsenseandfrankplainnessofspeech。MaryaDmitrievnawasknowntotheImperialfamilyaswellastoallMoscowandPetersburg，andbothcitieswonderedather，laughedprivatelyatherrudenesses，andtoldgoodstoriesabouther，whilenonethelessallwithoutexceptionrespectedandfearedher。
　　Inthecount’sroom，whichwasfulloftobaccosmoke，theytalkedofwarthathadbeenannouncedinamanifesto，andabouttherecruiting。Noneofthemhadyetseenthemanifesto，buttheyallknewithadappeared。Thecountsatonthesofabetweentwoguestswhoweresmokingandtalking。Heneithersmokednortalked，butbendinghisheadfirsttoonesideandthentotheotherwatchedthesmokerswithevidentpleasureandlistenedtotheconversationofhistwoneighbors，whomheeggedonagainsteachother。
　　Oneofthemwasasallow，clean—shavencivilianwithathinandwrinkledface，alreadygrowingold，thoughhewasdressedlikeamostfashionableyoungman。Hesatwithhislegsuponthesofaasifquiteathomeand，havingstuckanambermouthpiecefarintohismouth，wasinhalingthesmokespasmodicallyandscrewinguphiseyes。Thiswasanoldbachelor，Shinshin，acousinofthecountess’，amanwith"asharptongue"astheysaidinMoscowsociety。Heseemedtobecondescendingtohiscompanion。Thelatter，afresh，rosyofficeroftheGuards，irreproachablywashed，brushed，andbuttoned，heldhispipeinthemiddleofhismouthandwithredlipsgentlyinhaledthesmoke，lettingitescapefromhishandsomemouthinrings。ThiswasLieutenantBerg，anofficerintheSemenovregimentwithwhomBoriswastotraveltojointhearmy，andaboutwhomNatashahad，teasedhereldersisterVera，speakingofBergasher"intended。"
　　Thecountsatbetweenthemandlistenedattentively。Hisfavoriteoccupationwhennotplayingboston，acardgamehewasveryfondof，wasthatoflistener，especiallywhenhesucceededinsettingtwoloquacioustalkersatoneanother。
　　"Well，then，oldchap，montreshonorableAlphonseKarlovich，"
　　saidShinshin，laughingironicallyandmixingthemostordinaryRussianexpressionswiththechoicestFrenchphrases—whichwasapeculiarityofhisspeech。"Vouscomptezvousfairedesrentessurl’etat；*youwanttomakesomethingoutofyourcompany？"
　　*Youexpecttomakeanincomeoutofthegovernment。
　　"No，PeterNikolaevich；Ionlywanttoshowthatinthecavalrytheadvantagesarefarlessthanintheinfantry。Justconsidermyownpositionnow，PeterNikolaevich……"
　　Bergalwaysspokequietly，politely，andwithgreatprecision。Hisconversationalwaysrelatedentirelytohimself；hewouldremaincalmandsilentwhenthetalkrelatedtoanytopicthathadnodirectbearingonhimself。Hecouldremainsilentforhourswithoutbeingatallputoutofcountenancehimselformakingothersuncomfortable，butassoonastheconversationconcernedhimselfhewouldbegintotalkcircumstantiallyandwithevidentsatisfaction。
　　"Considermyposition，PeterNikolaevich。WereIinthecavalryI
　　shouldgetnotmorethantwohundredrubleseveryfourmonths，evenwiththerankoflieutenant；butasitisIreceivetwohundredandthirty，"saidhe，lookingatShinshinandthecountwithajoyful，pleasantsmile，asifitwereobvioustohimthathissuccessmustalwaysbethechiefdesireofeveryoneelse。
　　"Besidesthat，PeterNikolaevich，byexchangingintotheGuardsI
　　shallbeinamoreprominentposition，"continuedBerg，"andvacanciesoccurmuchmorefrequentlyintheFootGuards。Thenjustthinkwhatcanbedonewithtwohundredandthirtyrubles！Ievenmanagetoputalittleasideandtosendsomethingtomyfather，"hewenton，emittingasmokering。
　　"Labalanceyest……*AGermanknowshowtoskinaflint，astheproverbsays，"remarkedShinshin，movinghispipetotheothersideofhismouthandwinkingatthecount。
　　*Sothatsquaresmatters。
　　Thecountburstoutlaughing。TheotherguestsseeingthatShinshinwastalkingcameuptolisten。Berg，obliviousofironyorindifference，continuedtoexplainhowbyexchangingintotheGuardshehadalreadygainedasteponhisoldcomradesoftheCadetCorps；
　　howinwartimethecompanycommandermightgetkilledandhe，asseniorinthecompany，mighteasilysucceedtothepost；howpopularhewaswitheveryoneintheregiment，andhowsatisfiedhisfatherwaswithhim。Bergevidentlyenjoyednarratingallthis，anddidnotseemtosuspectthatothers，too，mighthavetheirowninterests。
　　Butallhesaidwassoprettilysedate，andthenaiveteofhisyouthfulegotismwassoobvious，thathedisarmedhishearers。
　　"Well，myboy，you’llgetalongwhereveryougo—footorhorse—thatI’llwarrant，"saidShinshin，pattinghimontheshoulderandtakinghisfeetoffthesofa。
　　Bergsmiledjoyously。Thecount，byhisguests，wentintothedrawingroom。
　　Itwasjustthemomentbeforeabigdinnerwhentheassembledguests，expectingthesummonstozakuska，*avoidengaginginanylongconversationbutthinkitnecessarytomoveaboutandtalk，inordertoshowthattheyarenotatallimpatientfortheirfood。Thehostandhostesslooktowardthedoor，andnowandthenglanceatoneanother，andthevisitorstrytoguessfromtheseglanceswho，orwhat，theyarewaitingfor—someimportantrelationwhohasnotyetarrived，oradishthatisnotyetready。
　　*Horsd’oeuvres。
　　Pierrehadcomejustatdinnertimeandwassittingawkwardlyinthemiddleofthedrawingroomonthefirstchairhehadcomeacross，blockingthewayforeveryone。Thecountesstriedtomakehimtalk，buthewentonnaivelylookingaroundthroughhisspectaclesasifinsearchofsomebodyandansweredallherquestionsinmonosyllables。Hewasinthewayandwastheonlyonewhodidnotnoticethefact。Mostoftheguests，knowingoftheaffairwiththebear，lookedwithcuriosityatthisbig，stout，quietman，wonderinghowsuchaclumsy，modestfellowcouldhaveplayedsuchaprankonapoliceman。
　　"Youhaveonlylatelyarrived？"thecountessaskedhim。
　　"Oui，madame，"repliedhe，lookingaroundhim。
　　"Youhavenotyetseenmyhusband？"
　　"Non，madame。"Hesmiledquiteinappropriately。
　　"YouhavebeeninParisrecently，Ibelieve？Isupposeit’sveryinteresting。"
　　"Veryinteresting。"
　　ThecountessexchangedglanceswithAnnaMikhaylovna。Thelatterunderstoodthatshewasbeingaskedtoentertainthisyoungman，andsittingdownbesidehimshebegantospeakabouthisfather；butheansweredher，ashehadthecountess，onlyinmonosyllables。Theotherguestswereallconversingwithoneanother。"TheRazumovskis……Itwascharming……Youareverykind……CountessApraksina……"washeardonallsides。Thecountessroseandwentintotheballroom。
　　"MaryaDmitrievna？"camehervoicefromthere。
　　"Herself，"cametheanswerinaroughvoice，andMaryaDmitrievnaenteredtheroom。
　　Alltheunmarriedladiesandeventhemarriedonesexcepttheveryoldestrose。MaryaDmitrievnapausedatthedoor。Tallandstout，holdinghighherfifty—year—oldheadwithitsgraycurls，shestoodsurveyingtheguests，andleisurelyarrangedherwidesleevesasifrollingthemup。MaryaDmitrievnaalwaysspokeinRussian。
　　"Healthandhappinesstoherwhosenamedaywearekeepingandtoherchildren，"shesaid，inherloud，full—tonedvoicewhichdrownedallothers。"Well，youoldsinner，"shewenton，turningtothecountwhowaskissingherhand，"you’refeelingdullinMoscow，I
　　daresay？Nowheretohuntwithyourdogs？Butwhatistobedone，oldman？Justseehowthesenestlingsaregrowingup，"andshepointedtothegirls。"Youmustlookforhusbandsforthemwhetheryoulikeitornot……"
　　Well，"saidshe，"how’smyCossack？"MaryaDmitrievnaalwayscalledNatashaaCossackandshestrokedthechild’sarmasshecameupfearlessandgaytokissherhand。"Iknowshe’sascampofagirl，butIlikeher。"
　　Shetookapairofpear—shapedrubyearringsfromherhugereticuleand，havinggiventhemtotherosyNatasha，whobeamedwiththepleasureofhersaint’s—dayfete，turnedawayatonceandaddressedherselftoPierre。
　　"Eh，eh，friend！Comehereabit，"saidshe，assumingasofthightoneofvoice。"Comehere，myfriend……"andsheominouslytuckeduphersleevesstillhigher。Pierreapproached，lookingatherinachildlikewaythroughhisspectacles。
　　"Comenearer，comenearer，friend！Iusedtobetheonlyonetotellyourfatherthetruthwhenhewasinfavor，andinyourcaseit’smyevidentduty。"Shepaused。Allweresilent，expectantofwhatwastofollow，forthiswasdearlyonlyaprelude。
　　"Afinelad！Myword！Afinelad！……Hisfatherliesonhisdeathbedandheamuseshimselfsettingapolicemanastrideabear！Forshame，sir，forshame！Itwouldbebetterifyouwenttothewar。"
　　Sheturnedawayandgaveherhandtothecount，whocouldhardlykeepfromlaughing。
　　"Well，Isupposeitistimewewereattable？"saidMaryaDmitrievna。
　　ThecountwentinfirstwithMaryaDmitrievna，thecountessfollowedonthearmofacolonelofhussars，amanofimportancetothembecauseNicholaswastogowithhimtotheregiment；thencameAnnaMikhaylovnawithShinshin。BerggavehisarmtoVera。ThesmilingJulieKaraginawentinwithNicholas。Afterthemothercouplesfollowed，fillingthewholedininghall，andlastofallthechildren，tutors，andgovernessesfollowedsingly。Thefootmenbeganmovingabout，chairsscraped，thebandstruckupinthegallery，andtheguestssettleddownintheirplaces。Thenthestrainsofthecount’shouseholdbandwerereplacedbytheclatterofknivesandforks，thevoicesofvisitors，andthesoftstepsofthefootmen。AtoneendofthetablesatthecountesswithMaryaDmitrievnaonherrightandAnnaMikhaylovnaonherleft，theotherladyvisitorswerefartherdown。Attheotherendsatthecount，withthehussarcolonelonhisleftandShinshinandtheothermalevisitorsonhisright。Midwaydownthelongtableononesidesatthegrownupyoungpeople：VerabesideBerg，andPierrebesideBoris；andontheotherside，thechildren，tutors，andgovernesses。Frombehindthecrystaldecantersandfruitvasesthecountkeptglancingathiswifeandhertallcapwithitslight—blueribbons，andbusilyfilledhisneighbors’glasses，notneglectinghisown。Thecountessinturn，withoutomittingherdutiesashostess，threwsignificantglancesfrombehindthepineapplesatherhusbandwhosefaceandbaldheadseemedbytheirrednesstocontrastmorethanusualwithhisgrayhair。Attheladies’
　　endanevenchatterofvoiceswasheardallthetime，atthemen’sendthevoicessoundedlouderandlouder，especiallythatofthecolonelofhussarswho，growingmoreandmoreflushed，ateanddranksomuchthatthecountheldhimupasapatterntotheotherguests。BergwithtendersmileswassayingtoVerathatloveisnotanearthlybutaheavenlyfeeling。BoriswastellinghisnewfriendPierrewhotheguestswereandexchangingglanceswithNatasha，whowassittingopposite。Pierrespokelittlebutexaminedthenewfaces，andateagreatdeal。Ofthetwosoupshechoseturtlewithsavorypattiesandwentontothegamewithoutomittingasingledishoroneofthewines。Theselatterthebutlerthrustmysteriouslyforward，wrappedinanapkin，frombehindthenextman’sshouldersandwhispered："DryMadeira"……"Hungarian"……or"Rhinewine"asthecasemightbe。Ofthefourcrystalglassesengravedwiththecount’smonogramthatstoodbeforehisplate，Pierreheldoutoneatrandomanddrankwithenjoyment，gazingwithever—increasingamiabilityattheotherguests。
　　Natasha，whosatopposite，waslookingatBorisasgirlsofthirteenlookattheboytheyareinlovewithandhavejustkissedforthefirsttime。SometimesthatsamelookfellonPierre，andthatfunnylivelylittlegirl’slookmadehiminclinedtolaughwithoutknowingwhy。
　　NicholassatatsomedistancefromSonya，besideJulieKaragina，towhomhewasagaintalkingwiththesameinvoluntarysmile。Sonyaworeacompanysmilebutwasevidentlytormentedbyjealousy；nowsheturnedpale，nowblushedandstrainedeverynervetooverhearwhatNicholasandJulieweresayingtooneanother。Thegovernesskeptlookingrounduneasilyasifpreparingtoresentanyslightthatmightbeputuponthechildren。TheGermantutorwastryingtorememberallthedishes，wines，andkindsofdessert，inordertosendafulldescriptionofthedinnertohispeopleinGermany；andhefeltgreatlyoffendedwhenthebutlerwithabottlewrappedinanapkinpassedhimby。Hefrowned，tryingtoappearasifhedidnotwantanyofthatwine，butwasmortifiedbecausenoonewouldunderstandthatitwasnottoquenchhisthirstorfromgreedinessthathewantedit，butsimplyfromaconscientiousdesireforknowledge。
　　BK1CH19
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　Atthemen’sendofthetablethetalkgrewmoreandmoreanimated。ThecoloneltoldthemthatthedeclarationofwarhadalreadyappearedinPetersburgandthatacopy，whichhehadhimselfseen，hadthatdaybeenforwardedbycouriertothecommanderinchief。
　　"AndwhythedeucearewegoingtofightBonaparte？"remarkedShinshin。"HehasstoppedAustria’scackleandIfearitwillbeourturnnext。"
　　Thecolonelwasastout，tall，plethoricGerman，evidentlydevotedtotheserviceandpatrioticallyRussian。HeresentedShinshin’sremark。
　　"Itisforthereasson，mygootsir，"saidhe，speakingwithaGermanaccent，"forthereassonzatzeEmperorknowszat。HedeclaresinzemanifesstozathecannotfiewwizindifferencezedangervreateningRussiaandzatzesafetyanddignityofzeEmpireasvellaszesanctityofitsalliances……"hespokethislastwordwithparticularemphasisasifinitlaythegistofthematter。
　　Thenwiththeunerringofficialmemorythatcharacterizedhimherepeatedfromtheopeningwordsofthemanifesto：……andthewish，whichconstitutestheEmperor’ssoleandabsoluteaim—toestablishpeaceinEuropeonfirmfoundations—hasnowdecidedhimtodespatchpartofthearmyabroadandtocreateanewconditionfortheattainmentofthatpurpose。
　　"Zat，mydearsir，isvy……"heconcluded，drinkingatumblerofwinewithdignityandlookingtothecountforapproval。
　　"Connaissez—vousleProverbe：*’Jerome，Jerome，donotroam，butturnspindlesathome！’？"saidShinshin，puckeringhisbrowsandsmiling。"Celanousconvientamerveille。*[2]Suvorovnow—heknewwhathewasabout；yettheybeathimaplatecouture，*[3]andwherearewetofindSuvorovsnow？Jevousdemandeunpeu，"*[4]saidhe，continuallychangingfromFrenchtoRussian。
　　*Doyouknowtheproverb？
　　*[2]Thatsuitsusdowntotheground。
　　*[3]Hollow。
　　*[4]Ijustaskyouthat。
　　"Vemustvighttothelasttr—r—opofourplood！"saidthecolonel，thumpingthetable；"andvemusttieforourEmperor，andzenallvillpevell。Andvemustdiscussitaslittleaspo—o—ossible"……
　　hedweltparticularlyonthewordpossible……"aspo—o—ossible，"heended，againturningtothecount。"Zatishowveoldhussarslookatit，andzere’sanendofit！Andhowdoyou，ayoungmanandayounghussar，howdoyoujudgeofit？"headded，addressingNicholas，whowhenheheardthatthewarwasbeingdiscussedhadturnedfromhispartnerwitheyesandearsintentonthecolonel。
　　"Iamquiteofyouropinion，"repliedNicholas，flamingup，turninghisplateroundandmovinghiswineglassesaboutwithasmuchdecisionanddesperationasthoughhewereatthatmomentfacingsomegreatdanger。"IamconvincedthatweRussiansmustdieorconquer，"heconcluded，conscious—aswereothers—afterthewordswereutteredthathisremarksweretooenthusiasticandemphaticfortheoccasionandwerethereforeawkward。
　　"Whatyousaidjustnowwassplendid！"saidhispartnerJulie。
　　SonyatrembledalloverandblushedtoherearsandbehindthemanddowntoherneckandshoulderswhileNicholaswasspeaking。
　　Pierrelistenedtothecolonel’sspeechandnoddedapprovingly。
　　"That’sfine，"saidhe。
　　"Theyoungman’sarealhussar！"shoutedthecolonel，againthumpingthetable。
　　"Whatareyoumakingsuchanoiseaboutoverthere？"MaryaDmitrievna’sdeepvoicesuddenlyinquiredfromtheotherendofthetable。"Whatareyouthumpingthetablefor？"shedemandedofthehussar，"andwhyareyouexcitingyourself？DoyouthinktheFrencharehere？"
　　"Iamspeakingzetruce，"repliedthehussarwithasmile。
　　"It’sallaboutthewar，"thecountshouteddownthetable。"Youknowmyson’sgoing，MaryaDmitrievna？Mysonisgoing。"
　　"IhavefoursonsinthearmybutstillIdon’tfret。ItisallinGod’shands。YoumaydieinyourbedorGodmayspareyouinabattle，"repliedMaryaDmitrievna’sdeepvoice，whicheasilycarriedthewholelengthofthetable。
　　"That’strue！"
　　Oncemoretheconversationsconcentrated，theladies’attheoneendandthemen’sattheother。
　　"Youwon’task，"Natasha’slittlebrotherwassaying；"Iknowyouwon’task！"
　　"Iwill，"repliedNatasha。
　　Herfacesuddenlyflushedwithrecklessandjoyousresolution。Shehalfrose，byaglanceinvitingPierre，whosatopposite，tolistentowhatwascoming，andturningtohermother：
　　"Mamma！"rangouttheclearcontraltonotesofherchildishvoice，audiblethewholelengthofthetable。
　　"Whatisit？"askedthecountess，startled；butseeingbyherdaughter’sfacethatitwasonlymischief，sheshookafingerathersternlywithathreateningandforbiddingmovementofherhead。
　　Theconversationwashushed。
　　"Mamma！Whatsweetsarewegoingtohave？"andNatasha’svoicesoundedstillmorefirmandresolute。
　　Thecountesstriedtofrown，butcouldnot。MaryaDmitrievnashookherfatfinger。
　　"Cossack！"shesaidthreateningly。
　　Mostoftheguests，uncertainhowtoregardthissally，lookedattheelders。
　　"Youhadbettertakecare！"saidthecountess。
　　"Mamma！Whatsweetsarewegoingtohave？"Natashaagaincriedboldly，withsaucygaiety，confidentthatherprankwouldbetakeningoodpart。
　　SonyaandfatlittlePetyadoubledupwithlaughter。
　　"Yousee！Ihaveasked，"whisperedNatashatoherlittlebrotherandtoPierre，glancingathimagain。
　　"Icepudding，butyouwon’tgetany，"saidMaryaDmitrievna。
　　NatashasawtherewasnothingtobeafraidofandsoshebravedevenMaryaDmitrievna。
　　"MaryaDmitrievna！Whatkindoficepudding？Idon’tlikeicecream。"
　　"Carrotices。"
　　"No！Whatkind，MaryaDmitrievna？Whatkind？"shealmostscreamed；
　　"Iwanttoknow！"
　　MaryaDmitrievnaandthecountessburstoutlaughing，andalltheguestsjoinedin。Everyonelaughed，notatMaryaDmitrievna’sanswerbutattheincredibleboldnessandsmartnessofthislittlegirlwhohaddaredtotreatMaryaDmitrievnainthisfashion。
　　Natashaonlydesistedwhenshehadbeentoldthattherewouldbepineappleice。Beforetheices，champagnewasservedround。Thebandagainstruckup，thecountandcountesskissed，andtheguests，leavingtheirseats，wentupto"congratulate"thecountess，andreachedacrossthetabletoclinkglasseswiththecount，withthechildren，andwithoneanother。Againthefootmenrushedabout，chairsscraped，andinthesameorderinwhichtheyhadenteredbutwithredderfaces，theguestsreturnedtothedrawingroomandtothecount’sstudy。
　　BK1CH20
　　CHAPTERXX
　　Thecardtablesweredrawnout，setsmadeupforboston，andthecount’svisitorssettledthemselves，someinthetwodrawingrooms，someinthesittingroom，someinthelibrary。
　　Thecount，holdinghiscardsfanwise，kepthimselfwithdifficultyfromdroppingintohisusualafter—dinnernap，andlaughedateverything。Theyoungpeople，atthecountess’instigation，gatheredroundtheclavichordandharp。Juliebygeneralrequestplayedfirst。Aftershehadplayedalittleairwithvariationsontheharp，shejoinedtheotheryoungladiesinbeggingNatashaandNicholas，whowerenotedfortheirmusicaltalent，tosingsomething。Natasha，whowastreatedasthoughsheweregrownup，wasevidentlyveryproudofthisbutatthesametimefeltshy。
　　"Whatshallwesing？"shesaid。
　　"’TheBrook，’"suggestedNicholas。
　　"Well，then，let’sbequick。Boris，comehere，"saidNatasha。"ButwhereisSonya？"
　　Shelookedroundandseeingthatherfriendwasnotintheroomrantolookforher。
　　RunningintoSonya’sroomandnotfindingherthere，Natasharantothenursery，butSonyawasnotthereeither。Natashaconcludedthatshemustbeonthechestinthepassage。ThechestinthepassagewastheplaceofmourningfortheyoungerfemalegenerationintheRostovhousehold。AndthereinfactwasSonyalyingfacedownwardonNurse’sdirtyfeatherbedonthetopofthechest，crumplinghergauzypinkdressunderher，hidingherfacewithherslenderfingers，andsobbingsoconvulsivelythatherbarelittleshouldersshook。
　　Natasha’sface，whichhadbeensoradiantlyhappyallthatsaint’sday，suddenlychanged：hereyesbecamefixed，andthenashiverpasseddownherbroadneckandthecornersofhermouthdrooped。
　　"Sonya！Whatisit？Whatisthematter？……Oo……Oo……Oo……！"AndNatasha’slargemouthwidened，makingherlookquiteugly，andshebegantowaillikeababywithoutknowingwhy，exceptthatSonyawascrying。Sonyatriedtoliftherheadtoanswerbutcouldnot，andhidherfacestilldeeperinthebed。Natashawept，sittingontheblue—stripedfeatherbedandhuggingherfriend。WithaneffortSonyasatupandbeganwipinghereyesandexplaining。
　　"Nicholasisgoingawayinaweek’stime，his……papers……havecome……hetoldmehimself……butstillIshouldnotcry，"andsheshowedapapersheheldinherhand—withtheversesNicholashadwritten，"still，Ishouldnotcry，butyoucan’t……noonecanunderstand……whatasoulhehas！"
　　Andshebegantocryagainbecausehehadsuchanoblesoul。
　　"It’sallverywellforyou……Iamnotenvious……IloveyouandBorisalso，"shewenton，gainingalittlestrength；"heisnice……
　　therearenodifficultiesinyourway……ButNicholasismycousin……
　　onewouldhaveto……theMetropolitanhimself……andeventhenitcan’tbedone。Andbesides，ifshetellsMamma"Sonyalookeduponthecountessashermotherandcalledherso"thatIamspoilingNicholas’careerandamheartlessandungrateful，whiletruly……Godismywitness，"andshemadethesignofthecross，"Ilovehersomuch，andallofyou，onlyVera……Andwhatfor？WhathaveIdonetoher？IamsogratefultoyouthatIwouldwillinglysacrificeeverything，onlyIhavenothing……"
　　Sonyacouldnotcontinue，andagainhidherfaceinherhandsandinthefeatherbed。Natashabeganconsolingher，butherfaceshowedthatsheunderstoodallthegravityofherfriend’strouble。
　　"Sonya，"shesuddenlyexclaimed，asifshehadguessedthetruereasonofherfriend’ssorrow，"I’msureVerahassaidsomethingtoyousincedinner？Hasn’tshe？"
　　"Yes，theseversesNicholaswrotehimselfandIcopiedsomeothers，andshefoundthemonmytableandsaidshe’dshowthemtoMamma，andthatIwasungrateful，andthatMammawouldneverallowhimtomarryme，butthathe’llmarryJulie。Youseehowhe’sbeenwithherallday……Natasha，whathaveIdonetodeserveit？……"
　　Andagainshebegantosob，morebitterlythanbefore。Natashaliftedherup，huggedher，and，smilingthroughhertears，begancomfortingher。
　　"Sonya，don’tbelieveher，darling！Don’tbelieveher！DoyourememberhowweandNicholas，allthreeofus，talkedinthesittingroomaftersupper？Why，wesettledhoweverythingwastobe。Idon’tquiterememberhow，butdon’tyourememberthatitcouldallbearrangedandhowniceitallwas？There’sUncleShinshin’sbrotherhasmarriedhisfirstcousin。Andweareonlysecondcousins，youknow。
　　AndBorissaysitisquitepossible。YouknowIhavetoldhimallaboutit。Andheissocleverandsogood！"saidNatasha。"Don’tyoucry，Sonya，dearlove，darlingSonya！"andshekissedherandlaughed。
　　"Vera’sspiteful；nevermindher！Andallwillcomerightandshewon’tsayanythingtoMamma。Nicholaswilltellherhimself，andhedoesn’tcareatallforJulie。"
　　Natashakissedheronthehair。
　　Sonyasatup。Thelittlekittenbrightened，itseyesshone，anditseemedreadytoliftitstail，jumpdownonitssoftpaws，andbeginplayingwiththeballofworstedasakittenshould。
　　"Doyouthinkso？……Really？Truly？"shesaid，quicklysmoothingherfrockandhair。
　　"Really，truly！"answeredNatasha，pushinginacrisplockthathadstrayedfromunderherfriend’splaits。
　　Bothlaughed。
　　"Well，let’sgoandsing’TheBrook。’"
　　"Comealong！"
　　"Doyouknow，thatfatPierrewhosatoppositemeissofunny！"saidNatasha，stoppingsuddenly。"Ifeelsohappy！"
　　Andshesetoffatarunalongthepassage。
　　Sonya，shakingoffsomedownwhichclungtoherandtuckingawaytheversesinthebosomofherdressclosetoherbonylittlechest，ranafterNatashadownthepassageintothesittingroomwithflushedfaceandlight，joyoussteps。Atthevisitors’requesttheyoungpeoplesangthequartette，"TheBrook，"withwhicheveryonewasdelighted。
　　ThenNicholassangasonghehadjustlearned：
　　Atnighttimeinthemoon’sfairglowHowsweet，asfancieswanderfree，Tofeelthatinthisworldthere’soneWhostillisthinkingbutofthee！
　　ThatwhileherfingerstouchtheharpWaftingsweetmusicmusicthelea，Itisfortheethusswellsherheart，Sighingitsmessageouttothee……
　　Adayortwo，thenblissunspoilt，Butoh！tillthenIcannotlive！……
　　Hehadnotfinishedthelastversebeforetheyoungpeoplebegantogetreadytodanceinthelargehall，andthesoundofthefeetandthecoughingofthemusicianswereheardfromthegallery。
　　Pierrewassittinginthedrawing—roomwhereShinshinhadengagedhim，asamanrecentlyreturnedfromabroad，inapoliticalconversationinwhichseveralothersjoinedbutwhichboredPierre。
　　WhenthemusicbeganNatashacameinandwalkingstraightuptoPierresaid，laughingandblushing：
　　"Mammatoldmetoaskyoutojointhedancers。"
　　"Iamafraidofmixingthefigures，"Pierrereplied；"butifyouwillbemyteacher……"Andloweringhisbigarmheofferedittotheslenderlittlegirl。
　　Whilethecoupleswerearrangingthemselvesandthemusicianstuningup，Pierresatdownwithhislittlepartner。Natashawasperfectlyhappy；shewasdancingwithagrown—upman，whohadbeenabroad。Shewassittinginaconspicuousplaceandtalkingtohimlikeagrown—uplady。Shehadafaninherhandthatoneoftheladieshadgivenhertohold。Assumingquitetheposeofasocietywomanheavenknowswhenandwhereshehadlearneditshetalkedwithherpartner，fanningherselfandsmilingoverthefan。
　　"Dear，dear！Justlookather！"exclaimedthecountessasshecrossedtheballroom，pointingtoNatasha。
　　Natashablushedandlaughed。
　　"Well，really，Mamma！Whyshouldyou？Whatistheretobesurprisedat？"
　　InthemidstofthethirdecossaisetherewasaclatterofchairsbeingpushedbackinthesittingroomwherethecountandMaryaDmitrievnahadbeenplayingcardswiththemajorityofthemoredistinguishedandoldervisitors。Theynow，stretchingthemselvesaftersittingsolong，andreplacingtheirpursesandpocketbooks，enteredtheballroom。FirstcameMaryaDmitrievnaandthecount，bothwithmerrycountenances。Thecount，withplayfulceremonysomewhatinballetstyle，offeredhisbentarmtoMaryaDmitrievna。Hedrewhimselfup，asmileofdebonairgallantrylituphisfaceandassoonasthelastfigureoftheecossaisewasended，heclappedhishandstothemusiciansandshouteduptotheirgallery，addressingthefirstviolin：
　　"Semen！DoyouknowtheDanielCooper？"
　　Thiswasthecount’sfavoritedance，whichhehaddancedinhisyouth。Strictlyspeaking，DanielCooperwasonefigureoftheanglaise。
　　"LookatPapa！"shoutedNatashatothewholecompany，andquiteforgettingthatshewasdancingwithagrown—uppartnershebenthercurlyheadtoherkneesandmadethewholeroomringwithherlaughter。
　　Andindeedeverybodyintheroomlookedwithasmileofpleasureatthejovialoldgentleman，whostandingbesidehistallandstoutpartner，MaryaDmitrievna，curvedhisarms，beattime，straightenedhisshoulders，turnedouthistoes，tappedgentlywithhisfoot，and，byasmilethatbroadenedhisroundfacemoreandmore，preparedtheonlookersforwhatwastofollow。AssoonastheprovocativelygaystrainsofDanielCoopersomewhatresemblingthoseofamerrypeasantdancebegantosound，allthedoorwaysoftheballroomweresuddenlyfilledbythedomesticserfs—themenononesideandthewomenontheother—whowithbeamingfaceshadcometoseetheirmastermakingmerry。
　　"Justlookatthemaster！Aregulareagleheis！"loudlyremarkedthenurse，asshestoodinoneofthedoorways。
　　Thecountdancedwellandknewit。Buthispartnercouldnotanddidnotwanttodancewell。Herenormousfigurestooderect，herpowerfularmshangingdownshehadhandedherreticuletothecountess，andonlyhersternbuthandsomefacereallyjoinedinthedance。Whatwasexpressedbythewholeofthecount’splumpfigure，inMaryaDmitrievnafoundexpressiononlyinhermoreandmorebeamingfaceandquiveringnose。Butifthecount，gettingmoreandmoreintotheswingofit，charmedthespectatorsbytheunexpectednessofhisadroitmaneuversandtheagilitywithwhichhecaperedaboutonhislightfeet，MaryaDmitrievnaproducednolessimpressionbyslightexertions—theleastefforttomovehershouldersorbendherarmswhenturning，orstampherfoot—whicheveryoneappreciatedinviewofhersizeandhabitualseverity。Thedancegrewlivelierandlivelier。Theothercouplescouldnotattractamoment’sattentiontotheirownevolutionsanddidnoteventrytodoso。AllwerewatchingthecountandMaryaDmitrievna。Natashakeptpullingeveryonebysleeveordress，urgingthemto"lookatPapa！"thoughasitwastheynevertooktheireyesoffthecouple。Intheintervalsofthedancethecount，breathingdeeply，wavedandshoutedtothemusicianstoplayfaster。Faster，faster，andfaster；lightly，morelightly，andyetmorelightlywhirledthecount，flyingroundMaryaDmitrievna，nowonhistoes，nowonhisheels；until，turninghispartnerroundtoherseat，heexecutedthefinalpas，raisinghissoftfootbackwards，bowinghisperspiringhead，smilingandmakingawidesweepwithhisarm，amidathunderofapplauseandlaughterledbyNatasha。Bothpartnersstoodstill，breathingheavilyandwipingtheirfaceswiththeircambrichandkerchiefs。
　　"That’showweusedtodanceinourtime，machere，"saidthecount。
　　"ThatwasaDanielCooper！"exclaimedMaryaDmitrievna，tuckinguphersleevesandpuffingheavily。
　　BK1CH21
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　WhileintheRostovs’ballroomthesixthanglaisewasbeingdanced，toatuneinwhichthewearymusiciansblundered，andwhiletiredfootmenandcooksweregettingthesupper，CountBezukhovhadasixthstroke。Thedoctorspronouncedrecoveryimpossible。Afteramuteconfession，communionwasadministeredtothedyingman，preparationsmadeforthesacramentofunction，andinhishousetherewasthebustleandthrillofsuspenseusualatsuchmoments。Outsidethehouse，beyondthegates，agroupofundertakers，whohidwheneveracarriagedroveup，waitedinexpectationofanimportantorderforanexpensivefuneral。TheMilitaryGovernorofMoscow，whohadbeenassiduousinsendingaides—de—camptoinquireafterthecount’shealth，camehimselfthateveningtobidalastfarewelltothecelebratedgrandeeofCatherine’scourt，CountBezukhov。
　　Themagnificentreceptionroomwascrowded。EveryonestooduprespectfullywhentheMilitaryGovernor，havingstayedabouthalfanhouralonewiththedyingman，passedout，slightlyacknowledgingtheirbowsandtryingtoescapeasquicklyasfromtheglancesfixedonhimbythedoctors，clergy，andrelativesofthefamily。PrinceVasili，whohadgrownthinnerandpalerduringthelastfewdays，escortedhimtothedoor，repeatingsomethingtohimseveraltimesinlowtones。
　　WhentheMilitaryGovernorhadgone，PrinceVasilisatdownallaloneonachairintheballroom，crossingoneleghighovertheother，leaninghiselbowonhiskneeandcoveringhisfacewithhishand。Aftersittingsoforawhileherose，and，lookingabouthimwithfrightenedeyes，wentwithunusuallyhurriedstepsdownthelongcorridorleadingtothebackofthehouse，totheroomoftheeldestprincess。
　　Thosewhowereinthedimlylitreceptionroomspokeinnervouswhispers，and，wheneveranyonewentintoorcamefromthedyingman’sroom，grewsilentandgazedwitheyesfullofcuriosityorexpectancyathisdoor，whichcreakedslightlywhenopened。
　　"Thelimitsofhumanlife……arefixedandmaynotbeo’erpassed，"
　　saidanoldpriesttoaladywhohadtakenaseatbesidehimandwaslisteningnaivelytohiswords。
　　"Iwonder，isitnottoolatetoadministerunction？"askedthelady，addingthepriest’sclericaltitle，asifshehadnoopinionofherownonthesubject。
　　"Ah，madam，itisagreatsacrament，"repliedthepriest，passinghishandoverthethingrizzledstrandsofhaircombedbackacrosshisbaldhead。
　　"Whowasthat？TheMilitaryGovernorhimself？"wasbeingaskedattheothersideoftheroom。"Howyoung—lookingheis！"
　　"Yes，andheisoversixty。Ihearthecountnolongerrecognizesanyone。Theywishedtoadministerthesacramentofunction。"
　　"Iknewsomeonewhoreceivedthatsacramentseventimes。"
　　ThesecondprincesshadjustcomefromthesickroomwithhereyesredfromweepingandsatdownbesideDr。Lorrain，whowassittinginagracefulposeunderaportraitofCatherine，leaninghiselbowonatable。
　　"Beautiful，"saidthedoctorinanswertoaremarkabouttheweather。"Theweatherisbeautiful，Princess；andbesides，inMoscowonefeelsasifonewereinthecountry。"
　　"Yes，indeed，"repliedtheprincesswithasigh。"Sohemayhavesomethingtodrink？"
　　Lorrainconsidered。
　　"Hashetakenhismedicine？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Thedoctorglancedathiswatch。
　　"Takeaglassofboiledwaterandputapinchofcreamoftartar，"
　　andheindicatedwithhisdelicatefingerswhathemeantbyapinch。
　　"Derehasnefferbeenagase，"aGermandoctorwassayingtoanaide—de—camp，"datoneliffsafterdesirdstroke。"
　　"Andwhatawell—preservedmanhewas！"remarkedtheaide—de—camp。
　　"Andwhowillinherithiswealth？"headdedinawhisper。
　　"Itvon’tgobegging，"repliedtheGermanwithasmile。
　　Everyoneagainlookedtowardthedoor，whichcreakedasthesecondprincesswentinwiththedrinkshehadpreparedaccordingtoLorrain’sinstructions。TheGermandoctorwentuptoLorrain。
　　"Doyouthinkhecanlasttillmorning？"askedtheGerman，addressingLorraininFrenchwhichhepronouncedbadly。
　　Lorrain，pursinguphislips，wavedaseverelynegativefingerbeforehisnose。
　　"Tonight，notlater，"saidheinalowvoice，andhemovedawaywithadecoroussmileofself—satisfactionatbeingableclearlytounderstandandstatethepatient’scondition。
　　MeanwhilePrinceVasilihadopenedthedoorintotheprincess’room。
　　Inthisroomitwasalmostdark；onlytwotinylampswereburningbeforetheiconsandtherewasapleasantscentofflowersandburntpastilles。Theroomwascrowdedwithsmallpiecesoffurniture，whatnots，cupboards，andlittletables。Thequiltofahigh，whitefeatherbedwasjustvisiblebehindascreen。Asmalldogbegantobark。
　　"Ah，isityou，cousin？"
　　Sheroseandsmoothedherhair，whichwasasusualsoextremelysmooththatitseemedtobemadeofonepiecewithherheadandcoveredwithvarnish。
　　"Hasanythinghappened？"sheasked。"Iamsoterrified。"
　　"No，thereisnochange。Ionlycametohaveatalkaboutbusiness，Catiche，"*mutteredtheprince，seatinghimselfwearilyonthechairshehadjustvacated。"Youhavemadetheplacewarm，I
　　mustsay，"heremarked。"Well，sitdown：let’shaveatalk。"
　　*Catherine。
　　"Ithoughtperhapssomethinghadhappened，"shesaidwithherunchangingstonilysevereexpression；and，sittingdownoppositetheprince，shepreparedtolisten。
　　"Iwishedtogetanap，moncousin，butIcan’t。"
　　"Well，mydear？"saidPrinceVasili，takingherhandandbendingitdownwardsaswashishabit。
　　Itwasplainthatthis"well？"referredtomuchthattheybothunderstoodwithoutnaming。
　　Theprincess，whohadastraight，rigidbody，abnormallylongforherlegs，lookeddirectlyatPrinceVasiliwithnosignofemotioninherprominentgrayeyes。Thensheshookherheadandglancedupattheiconswithasigh。Thismighthavebeentakenasanexpressionofsorrowanddevotion，orofwearinessandhopeofrestingbeforelong。PrinceVasiliunderstooditasanexpressionofweariness。
　　"AndI？"hesaid；"doyouthinkitiseasierforme？Iamaswornoutasaposthorse，butstillImusthaveatalkwithyou，Catiche，averyserioustalk。"
　　PrinceVasilisaidnomoreandhischeeksbegantotwitchnervously，nowononeside，nowontheother，givinghisfaceanunpleasantexpressionwhichwasnevertobeseenonitinadrawingroom。Hiseyestooseemedstrange；atonemomenttheylookedimpudentlyslyandatthenextglancedroundinalarm。
　　Theprincess，holdingherlittledogonherlapwithherthinbonyhands，lookedattentivelyintoPrinceVasili’seyesevidentlyresolvednottobethefirsttobreaksilence，ifshehadtowaittillmorning。
　　"Well，yousee，mydearprincessandcousin，CatherineSemenovna，"
　　continuedPrinceVasili，returningtohistheme，apparentlynotwithoutaninnerstruggle；"atsuchamomentasthisonemustthinkofeverything。Onemustthinkofthefuture，ofallofyou……Iloveyouall，likechildrenofmyown，asyouknow。"
　　Theprincesscontinuedtolookathimwithoutmoving，andwiththesamedullexpression。
　　"Andthenofcoursemyfamilyhasalsotobeconsidered，"PrinceVasiliwenton，testilypushingawayalittletablewithoutlookingather。"Youknow，Catiche，thatwe—youthreesisters，Mamontov，andmywife—arethecount’sonlydirectheirs。Iknow，Iknowhowharditisforyoutotalkorthinkofsuchmatters。Itisnoeasierforme；
　　but，mydear，Iamgettingonforsixtyandmustbepreparedforanything。DoyouknowIhavesentforPierre？Thecount，"pointingtohisportrait，"definitelydemandedthatheshouldbecalled。"
　　PrinceVasililookedquestioninglyattheprincess，butcouldnotmakeoutwhethershewasconsideringwhathehadjustsaidorwhethershewassimplylookingathim。
　　"ThereisonethingIconstantlyprayGodtogrant，moncousin，"shereplied，"anditisthatHewouldbemercifultohimandwouldallowhisnoblesoulpeacefullytoleavethis……"
　　"Yes，yes，ofcourse，"interruptedPrinceVasiliimpatiently，rubbinghisbaldheadandangrilypullingbacktowardhimthelittletablethathehadpushedaway。"But……inshort，thefactis……youknowyourselfthatlastwinterthecountmadeawillbywhichheleftallhisproperty，nottoushisdirectheirs，buttoPierre。"
　　"Hehasmadewillsenough！"quietlyremarkedtheprincess。"ButhecannotleavetheestatetoPierre。Pierreisillegitimate。"
　　"But，mydear，"saidPrinceVasilisuddenly，clutchingthelittletableandbecomingmoreanimatedandtalkingmorerapidly："whatifaletterhasbeenwrittentotheEmperorinwhichthecountasksforPierre’slegitimation？Doyouunderstandthatinconsiderationofthecount’sservices，hisrequestwouldbegranted？……"
　　Theprincesssmiledaspeopledowhothinktheyknowmoreaboutthesubjectunderdiscussionthanthosetheyaretalkingwith。
　　"Icantellyoumore，"continuedPrinceVasili，seizingherhand，"thatletterwaswritten，thoughitwasnotsent，andtheEmperorknewofit。Theonlyquestionis，hasitbeendestroyedornot？Ifnot，thenassoonasallisover，"andPrinceVasilisighedtointimatewhathemeantbythewordsallisover，"andthecount’spapersareopened，thewillandletterwillbedeliveredtotheEmperor，andthepetitionwillcertainlybegranted。Pierrewillgeteverythingasthelegitimateson。"
　　"Andourshare？"askedtheprincesssmilingironically，asifanythingmighthappen，onlynotthat。
　　"But，mypoorCatiche，itisasclearasdaylight！Hewillthenbethelegalheirtoeverythingandyouwon’tgetanything。Youmustknow，mydear，whetherthewillandletterwerewritten，andwhethertheyhavebeendestroyedornot。Andiftheyhavesomehowbeenoverlooked，yououghttoknowwheretheyare，andmustfindthem，because……"
　　"Whatnext？"theprincessinterrupted，smilingsardonicallyandnotchangingtheexpressionofhereyes。"Iamawoman，andyouthinkweareallstupid；butIknowthis：anillegitimatesoncannotinherit……unbatard！"*sheadded，asifsupposingthatthistranslationofthewordwouldeffectivelyprovetoPrinceVasilitheinvalidityofhiscontention。
　　*Abastard。
　　"Well，really，Catiche！Can’tyouunderstand！Youaresointelligent，howisityoudon’tseethatifthecounthaswrittenalettertotheEmperorbegginghimtorecognizePierreaslegitimate，itfollowsthatPierrewillnotbePierrebutwillbecomeCountBezukhov，andwilltheninheriteverythingunderthewill？Andifthewillandletterarenotdestroyed，thenyouwillhavenothingbuttheconsolationofhavingbeendutifulettoutcequis’ensuit！*
　　That’scertain。"
　　*Andallthatfollowstherefrom。
　　"Iknowthewillwasmade，butIalsoknowthatitisinvalid；andyou，moncousin，seemtoconsidermeaperfectfool，"saidtheprincesswiththeexpressionwomenassumewhentheysupposetheyaresayingsomethingwittyandstinging。
　　"MydearPrincessCatherineSemenovna，"beganPrinceVasiliimpatiently，"Icameherenottowranglewithyou，buttotalkaboutyourinterestsaswithakinswoman，agood，kind，truerelation。AndI
　　tellyouforthetenthtimethatifthelettertotheEmperorandthewillinPierre’sfavorareamongthecount’spapers，then，mydeargirl，youandyoursistersarenotheiresses！Ifyoudon’tbelieveme，thenbelieveanexpert。IhavejustbeentalkingtoDmitriOnufrich"
　　thefamilysolicitor"andhesaysthesame。"
　　Atthisasuddenchangeevidentlytookplaceintheprincess’ideas；
　　herthinlipsgrewwhite，thoughhereyesdidnotchange，andhervoicewhenshebegantospeakpassedthroughsuchtransitionsassheherselfevidentlydidnotexpect。
　　"Thatwouldbeafinething！"saidshe。"IneverwantedanythingandIdon’tnow。"
　　Shepushedthelittledogoffherlapandsmoothedherdress。
　　"Andthisisgratitude—thisisrecognitionforthosewhohavesacrificedeverythingforhissake！"shecried。"It’ssplendid！
　　Fine！Idon’twantanything，Prince。"
　　"Yes，butyouarenottheonlyone。Thereareyoursisters……"
　　repliedPrinceVasili。
　　Buttheprincessdidnotlistentohim。
　　"Yes，Iknewitlongagobuthadforgotten。IknewthatIcouldexpectnothingbutmeanness，deceit，envy，intrigue，andingratitude—theblackestingratitude—inthishouse……"
　　"Doyouordoyounotknowwherethatwillis？"insistedPrinceVasili，hischeekstwitchingmorethanever。
　　"Yes，Iwasafool！Istillbelievedinpeople，lovedthem，andsacrificedmyself。Butonlythebase，thevilesucceed！Iknowwhohasbeenintriguing！"
　　Theprinceeswishedtorise，buttheprinceheldherbythehand。
　　Shehadtheairofonewhohassuddenlylostfaithinthewholehumanrace。Shegavehercompanionanangryglance。
　　"Thereisstilltime，mydear。Youmustremember，Catiche，thatitwasalldonecasuallyinamomentofanger，ofillness，andwasafterwardsforgotten。Ourduty，mydear，istorectifyhismistake，toeasehislastmomentsbynotlettinghimcommitthisinjustice，andnottolethimdiefeelingthatheisrenderingunhappythosewho……"
　　"Whosacrificedeverythingforhim，"chimedintheprincess，whowouldagainhaverisenhadnottheprincestillheldherfast，"thoughhenevercouldappreciateit。No，moncousin，"sheaddedwithasigh，"Ishallalwaysrememberthatinthisworldonemustexpectnoreward，thatinthisworldthereisneitherhonornorjustice。Inthisworldonehastobecunningandcruel。"
　　"Nowcome，come！Bereasonable。Iknowyourexcellentheart。"
　　"No，Ihaveawickedheart。"
　　"Iknowyourheart，"repeatedtheprince。"Ivalueyourfriendshipandwishyoutohaveasgoodanopinionofme。Don’tupsetyourself，andletustalksensiblywhilethereisstilltime，beitadayorbeitbutanhour……Tellmeallyouknowaboutthewill，andaboveallwhereitis。Youmustknow。Wewilltakeitatonceandshowittothecount。Hehas，nodoubt，forgottenitandwillwishtodestroyit。
　　Youunderstandthatmysoledesireisconscientiouslytocarryouthiswishes；thatismyonlyreasonforbeinghere。Icamesimplytohelphimandyou。"
　　"NowIseeitall！Iknowwhohasbeenintriguing—Iknow！"criedtheprincess。
　　"That’snotthepoint，mydear。"
　　"It’sthatprotegeofyours，thatsweetPrincessDrubetskaya，thatAnnaMikhaylovnawhomIwouldnottakeforahousemaid……theinfamous，vilewoman！"
　　"Donotletusloseanytime……"
　　"Ah，don’ttalktome！Lastwintershewheedledherselfinhereandtoldthecountsuchvile，disgracefulthingsaboutus，especiallyaboutSophie—Ican’trepeatthem—thatitmadethecountquiteillandhewouldnotseeusforawholefortnight。Iknowitwasthenhewrotethisvile，infamouspaper，butIthoughtthethingwasinvalid。"
　　"We’vegottoitatlast—whydidyounottellmeaboutitsooner？"
　　"It’sintheinlaidportfoliothathekeepsunderhispillow，"
　　saidtheprincess，ignoringhisquestion。"NowIknow！Yes；ifI
　　haveasin，agreatsin，itishatredofthatvilewoman！"almostshriekedtheprincess，nowquitechanged。"Andwhatdoesshecomewormingherselfinherefor？ButIwillgiveherapieceofmymind。
　　Thetimewillcome！"
　　BK1CH22
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　Whiletheseconversationsweregoingoninthereceptionroomandtheprincess’room，acarriagecontainingPierrewhohadbeensentforandAnnaMikhaylovnawhofounditnecessarytoaccompanyhim
　　wasdrivingintothecourtofCountBezukhov’shouse。Asthewheelsrolledsoftlyoverthestrawbeneaththewindows，AnnaMikhaylovna，havingturnedwithwordsofcomforttohercompanion，realizedthathewasasleepinhiscornerandwokehimup。Rousinghimself，PierrefollowedAnnaMikhaylovnaoutofthecarriage，andonlythenbegantothinkoftheinterviewwithhisdyingfatherwhichawaitedhim。
　　Henoticedthattheyhadnotcometothefrontentrancebuttothebackdoor。Whilehewasgettingdownfromthecarriagestepstwomen，wholookedliketradespeople，ranhurriedlyfromtheentranceandhidintheshadowofthewall。Pausingforamoment，Pierrenoticedseveralothermenofthesamekindhidingintheshadowofthehouseonbothsides。ButneitherAnnaMikhaylovnanorthefootmannorthecoachman，whocouldnothelpseeingthesepeople，tookanynoticeofthem。"Itseemstobeallright，"Pierreconcluded，andfollowedAnnaMikhaylovna。Shehurriedlyascendedthenarrowdimlylitstonestaircase，callingtoPierre，whowaslaggingbehind，tofollow。
　　Thoughhedidnotseewhyitwasnecessaryforhimtogotothecountatall，stilllesswhyhehadtogobythebackstairs，yetjudgingbyAnnaMikhaylovna’sairofassuranceandhaste，Pierreconcludedthatitwasallabsolutelynecessary。Halfwayupthestairstheywerealmostknockedoverbysomemenwho，carryingpails，camerunningdownstairs，theirbootsclattering。ThesemenpressedclosetothewalltoletPierreandAnnaMikhaylovnapassanddidnotevincetheleastsurpriseatseeingthemthere。
　　"Isthisthewaytotheprincesses’apartments？"askedAnnaMikhaylovnaofoneofthem。
　　"Yes，"repliedafootmaninaboldloudvoice，asifanythingwerenowpermissible；"thedoortotheleft，ma’am。"
　　"Perhapsthecountdidnotaskforme，"saidPierrewhenhereachedthelanding。"I’dbettergotomyownroom。"
　　AnnaMikhaylovnapausedandwaitedforhimtocomeup。
　　"Ah，myfriend！"shesaid，touchinghisarmasshehaddoneherson’swhenspeakingtohimthatafternoon，"believemeIsuffernolessthanyoudo，butbeaman！"
　　"Butreally，hadn’tIbettergoaway？"heasked，lookingkindlyatheroverhisspectacles。
　　"Ah，mydearfriend！Forgetthewrongsthatmayhavebeendoneyou。Thinkthatheisyourfather……perhapsintheagonyofdeath。"
　　Shesighed。"Ihavelovedyoulikeasonfromthefirst。Trustyourselftome，Pierre。Ishallnotforgetyourinterests。"
　　Pierredidnotunderstandaword，buttheconvictionthatallthishadtobegrewstronger，andhemeeklyfollowedAnnaMikhaylovnawhowasalreadyopeningadoor。
　　Thisdoorledintoabackanteroom。Anoldman，aservantoftheprincesses，satinacornerknittingastocking。Pierrehadneverbeeninthispartofthehouseanddidnotevenknowoftheexistenceoftheserooms。AnnaMikhaylovna，addressingamaidwhowashurryingpastwithadecanteronatrayas"mydear"and"mysweet，"askedabouttheprincess’healthandthenledPierrealongastonepassage。Thefirstdoorontheleftledintotheprincesses’apartments。Themaidwiththedecanterinherhastehadnotclosedthedooreverythinginthehousewasdoneinhasteatthattime，andPierreandAnnaMikhaylovnainpassinginstinctivelyglancedintotheroom，wherePrinceVasiliandtheeldestprincessweresittingclosetogethertalking。Seeingthempass，PrinceVasilidrewbackwithobviousimpatience，whiletheprincessjumpedupandwithagestureofdesperationslammedthedoorwithallhermight。
　　ThisactionwassounlikeherusualcomposureandthefeardepictedonPrinceVasili’sfacesooutofkeepingwithhisdignitythatPierrestoppedandglancedinquiringlyoverhisspectaclesathisguide。AnnaMikhaylovnaevincednosurprise，sheonlysmiledfaintlyandsighed，asiftosaythatthiswasnomorethanshehadexpected。
　　"Beaman，myfriend。Iwilllookafteryourinterests，"saidsheinreplytohislook，andwentstillfasteralongthepassage。
　　Pierrecouldnotmakeoutwhatitwasallabout，andstilllesswhat"watchingoverhisinterests"meant，buthedecidedthatallthesethingshadtobe。Fromthepassagetheywentintoalarge，dimlylitroomadjoiningthecount’sreceptionroom。ItwasoneofthosesumptuousbutcoldapartmentsknowntoPierreonlyfromthefrontapproach，buteveninthisroomtherenowstoodanemptybath，andwaterhadbeenspilledonthecarpet。Theyweremetbyadeaconwithacenserandbyaservantwhopassedoutontiptoewithoutheedingthem。
　　TheywentintothereceptionroomfamiliartoPierre，withtwoItalianwindowsopeningintotheconservatory，withitslargebustandfulllengthportraitofCatherinetheGreat。Thesamepeoplewerestillsittinghereinalmostthesamepositionsasbefore，whisperingtooneanother。Allbecamesilentandturnedtolookatthepaletear—wornAnnaMikhaylovnaassheentered，andatthebigstoutfigureofPierrewho，hanginghishead，meeklyfollowedher。
　　AnnaMikhaylovna’sfaceexpressedaconsciousnessthatthedecisivemomenthadarrived。WiththeairofapracticalPetersburgladyshenow，keepingPierreclosebesideher，enteredtheroomevenmoreboldlythanthatafternoon。Shefeltthatasshebroughtwithherthepersonthedyingmanwishedtosee，herownadmissionwasassured。
　　Castingarapidglanceatallthoseintheroomandnoticingthecount’sconfessorthere，sheglideduptohimwithasortofamble，notexactlybowingyetseemingtogrowsuddenlysmaller，andrespectfullyreceivedtheblessingfirstofoneandthenofanotherpriest。
　　"Godbethankedthatyouareintime，"saidshetooneofthepriests；"allwerelativeshavebeeninsuchanxiety。Thisyoungmanisthecount’sson，"sheaddedmoresoftly。"Whataterriblemoment！"
　　Havingsaidthisshewentuptothedoctor。
　　"Deardoctor，"saidshe，"thisyoungmanisthecount’sson。Isthereanyhope？"
　　Thedoctorcastarapidglanceupwardsandsilentlyshruggedhisshoulders。AnnaMikhaylovnawithjustthesamemovementraisedhershouldersandeyes，almostclosingthelatter，sighed，andmovedawayfromthedoctortoPierre。Tohim，inaparticularlyrespectfulandtenderlysadvoice，shesaid：
　　"TrustinHismercy！"andpointingoutasmallsofaforhimtositandwaitforher，shewentsilentlytowardthedoorthateveryonewaswatchinganditcreakedveryslightlyasshedisappearedbehindit。
　　Pierre，havingmadeuphismindtoobeyhismonitressimplicitly，movedtowardthesofashehadindicated。AssoonasAnnaMikhaylovnahaddisappearedhenoticedthattheeyesofallintheroomturnedtohimwithsomethingmorethancuriosityandsympathy。Henoticedthattheywhisperedtooneanother，castingsignificantlooksathimwithakindofaweandevenservility。Adeferencesuchashehadneverbeforereceivedwasshownhim。Astrangelady，theonewhohadbeentalkingtothepriests，roseandofferedhimherseat；anaide—de—camppickedupandreturnedaglovePierrehaddropped；thedoctorsbecamerespectfullysilentashepassedby，andmovedtomakewayforhim。AtfirstPierrewishedtotakeanotherseatsoasnottotroublethelady，andalsotopickuptheglovehimselfandtopassroundthedoctorswhowerenoteveninhisway；butallatoncehefeltthatthiswouldnotdo，andthattonighthewasapersonobligedtoperformsomesortofawfulritewhicheveryoneexpectedofhim，andthathewasthereforeboundtoaccepttheirservices。Hetookthegloveinsilencefromtheaide—de—camp，andsatdowninthelady’schair，placinghishugehandssymmetricallyonhiskneesinthenaiveattitudeofanEgyptianstatue，anddecidedinhisownmindthatallwasasitshouldbe，andthatinordernottolosehisheadanddofoolishthingshemustnotactonhisownideastonight，butmustyieldhimselfupentirelytothewillofthosewhowereguidinghim。
　　NottwominuteshadpassedbeforePrinceVasiliwithheaderectmajesticallyenteredtheroom。Hewaswearinghislongcoatwiththreestarsonhisbreast。Heseemedtohavegrownthinnersincethemorning；hiseyesseemedlargerthanusualwhenheglancedroundandnoticedPierre。Hewentuptohim，tookhishandathingheneverusedtodo，anddrewitdownwardsasifwishingtoascertainwhetheritwasfirmlyfixedon。
　　"Courage，courage，myfriend！Hehasaskedtoseeyou。Thatiswell！"andheturnedtogo。
　　ButPierrethoughtitnecessarytoask："Howis……"andhesitated，notknowingwhetheritwouldbepropertocallthedyingman"thecount，"yetashamedtocallhim"father。"
　　"Hehadanotherstrokeabouthalfanhourago。Courage，myfriend……"
　　Pierre’smindwasinsuchaconfusedstatethattheword"stroke"
　　suggestedtohimablowfromsomething。HelookedatPrinceVasiliinperplexity，andonlylatergraspedthatastrokewasanattackofillness。PrinceVasilisaidsomethingtoLorraininpassingandwentthroughthedoorontiptoe。Hecouldnotwalkwellontiptoeandhiswholebodyjerkedateachstep。Theeldestprincessfollowedhim，andthepriestsanddeaconsandsomeservantsalsowentinatthedoor。Throughthatdoorwasheardanoiseofthingsbeingmovedabout，andatlastAnnaMikhaylovna，stillwiththesameexpression，palebutresoluteinthedischargeofduty，ranoutandtouchingPierrelightlyonthearmsaid：
　　"Thedivinemercyisinexhaustible！Unctionisabouttobeadministered。Come。"
　　Pierrewentinatthedoor，steppingonthesoftcarpet，andnoticedthatthestrangelady，theaide—de—camp，andsomeoftheservants，allfollowedhimin，asiftherewerenownofurtherneedforpermissiontoenterthatroom。