Kutuzovlookedlongandintentlyatthesetwosoldiers。Hepuckeredhisface，screweduphiseyes，andpensivelyswayedhishead。
　　AtanotherspothenoticedaRussiansoldierlaughinglypattingaFrenchmanontheshoulder，sayingsomethingtohiminafriendlymanner，andKutuzovwiththesameexpressiononhisfaceagainswayedhishead。
　　"Whatwereyousaying？"heaskedthegeneral，whocontinuinghisreportdirectedthecommanderinchief’sattentiontosomestandardscapturedfromtheFrenchandstandinginfrontofthePreobrazhenskregiment。
　　"Ah，thestandards！"saidKutuzov，evidentlydetachinghimselfwithdifficultyfromthethoughtsthatpreoccupiedhim。
　　Helookedabouthimabsently。Thousandsofeyeswerelookingathimfromallsidesawaitingawordfromhim。
　　HestoppedinfrontofthePreobrazhenskregiment，sigheddeeply，andclosedhiseyes。Oneofhissuitebeckonedtothesoldierscarryingthestandardstoadvanceandsurroundthecommanderinchiefwiththem。Kutuzovwassilentforafewsecondsandthen，submittingwithevidentreluctancetothedutyimposedbyhisposition，raisedhisheadandbegantospeak。Athrongofofficerssurroundedhim。Helookedattentivelyaroundatthecircleofofficers，recognizingseveralofthem。
　　"Ithankyouall！"hesaid，addressingthesoldiersandthenagaintheofficers。Inthestillnessaroundhimhisslowlyutteredwordsweredistinctlyheard。"Ithankyouallforyourhardandfaithfulservice。ThevictoryiscompleteandRussiawillnotforgetyou！Honortoyouforever。"
　　Hepausedandlookedaround。
　　"Loweritshead，lowerit！"hesaidtoasoldierwhohadaccidentallyloweredtheFrencheaglehewasholdingbeforethePreobrazhenskstandards。"Lower，lower，that’sit。Hurrahlads！"headded，addressingthemenwitharapidmovementofhischin。
　　"Hur—r—rah！"roaredthousandsofvoices。
　　WhilethesoldierswereshoutingKutuzovleanedforwardinhissaddleandbowedhishead，andhiseyelitupwithamildandapparentlyironicgleam。
　　"Yousee，brothers……"saidhewhentheshoutshadceased……andallatoncehisvoiceandtheexpressionofhisfacechanged。Itwasnolongerthecommanderinchiefspeakingbutanordinaryoldmanwhowantedtotellhiscomradessomethingveryimportant。
　　Therewasastiramongthethrongofofficersandintheranksofthesoldiers，whomovedthattheymighthearbetterwhathewasgoingtosay。
　　"Yousee，brothers，Iknowit’shardforyou，butitcan’tbehelped！Bearup；itwon’tbeforlongnow！We’llseeourvisitorsoffandthenwe’llrest。TheTsarwon’tforgetyourservice。Itishardforyou，butstillyouareathomewhilethey—youseewhattheyhavecometo，"saidhe，pointingtotheprisoners。"Worseoffthanourpoorestbeggars。Whiletheywerestrongwedidn’tspareourselves，butnowwemayevenpitythem。Theyarehumanbeingstoo。
　　Isn’titso，lads？"
　　Helookedaround，andinthedirect，respectful，wonderinggazefixeduponhimhereadsympathywithwhathehadsaid。Hisfacegrewbrighterandbrighterwithanoldman’smildsmile，whichdrewthecornersofhislipsandeyesintoaclusterofwrinkles。Heceasedspeakingandbowedhisheadasifinperplexity。
　　"Butafterallwhoaskedthemhere？Servesthemright，thebloodybastards！"hecried，suddenlyliftinghishead。
　　Andflourishinghiswhipherodeoffatagallopforthefirsttimeduringthewholecampaign，andleftthebrokenranksofthesoldierslaughingjoyfullyandshouting"Hurrah！"
　　Kutuzov’swordswerehardlyunderstoodbythetroops。Noonecouldhaverepeatedthefieldmarshal’saddress，begunsolemnlyandthenchangingintoanoldman’ssimpleheartedtalk；buttheheartysincerityofthatspeech，thefeelingofmajestictriumphcombinedwithpityforthefoeandconsciousnessofthejusticeofourcause，exactlyexpressedbythatoldman’sgood—naturedexpletives，wasnotmerelyunderstoodbutlayinthesoulofeverysoldierandfoundexpressionintheirjoyousandlong—sustainedshouts。AfterwardswhenoneofthegeneralsaddressedKutuzovaskingwhetherhewishedhiscalechetobesentfor，Kutuzovinansweringunexpectedlygaveasob，beingevidentlygreatlymoved。
　　BK15CH7
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Whenthetroopsreachedtheirnight’shaltingplaceontheeighthofNovember，thelastdayoftheKrasnoebattles，itwasalreadygrowingdusk。Alldayithadbeencalmandfrostywithoccasionallightlyfallingsnowandtowardeveningitbegantoclear。Throughthefallingsnowapurple—blackandstarryskyshoweditselfandthefrostgrewkeener。
　　AninfantryregimentwhichhadleftTarutinothreethousandstrongbutnownumberedonlyninehundredwasoneofthefirsttoarrivethatnightatitshaltingplace—avillageonthehighroad。ThequartermasterswhomettheregimentannouncedthatallthehutswerefullofsickanddeadFrenchmen，cavalrymen，andmembersofthestaff。
　　Therewasonlyonehutavailablefortheregimentalcommander。
　　Thecommanderrodeuptohishut。Theregimentpassedthroughthevillageandstackeditsarmsinfrontofthelasthuts。
　　Likesomehugemany—limbedanimal，theregimentbegantoprepareitslairanditsfood。Onepartofitdispersedandwadedknee—deepthroughthesnowintoabirchforesttotherightofthevillage，andimmediatelythesoundofaxesandswords，thecrashingofbranches，andmerryvoicescouldbeheardfromthere。Anothersectionamidtheregimentalwagonsandhorseswhichwerestandinginagroupwasbusygettingoutcaldronsandryebiscuit，andfeedingthehorses。Athirdsectionscatteredthroughthevillagearrangingquartersforthestaffofficers，carryingouttheFrenchcorpsesthatwereinthehuts，anddraggingawayboards，drywood，andthatchfromtheroofs，forthecampfires，orwattlefencestoserveforshelter。
　　Somefifteenmenwithmerryshoutswereshakingdownthehighwattlewallofashed，theroofofwhichhadalreadybeenremoved。
　　"Nowthen，alltogether—shove！"criedthevoices，andthehugesurfaceofthewall，sprinkledwithsnowandcreakingwithfrost，wasseenswayinginthegloomofthenight。Thelowerstakescrackedmoreandmoreandatlastthewallfell，andwithitthemenwhohadbeenpushingit。Loud，coarselaughterandjoyousshoutsensued。
　　"Nowthen，catchholdintwos！Handupthelever！That’sit……Whereareyoushovingto？"
　　"Now，alltogether！Butwaitamoment，boys……Withasong！"
　　Allstoodsilent，andasoft，pleasantvelvetyvoicebegantosing。Attheendofthethirdverseasthelastnotediedaway，twentyvoicesroaredoutatonce："Oo—oo—oo—oo！That’sit。Alltogether！
　　Heaveaway，boys！……"butdespitetheirunitedeffortsthewattlehardlymoved，andinthesilencethatfollowedtheheavybreathingofthemenwasaudible。
　　"Here，youoftheSixthCompany！Devilsthatyouare！Lendahand……
　　willyou？Youmaywantusoneofthesedays。"
　　SometwentymenoftheSixthCompanywhowereontheirwayintothevillagejoinedthehaulers，andthewattlewall，whichwasaboutthirty—fivefeetlongansevenfeethigh，movedforwardalongthevillagestreet，swaying，pressinguponandcuttingtheshouldersofthegaspingmen。
　　"Getalong……Falling？Whatareyoustoppingfor？Therenow……"
　　Merrysenselesswordsofabuseflowedfreely。
　　"Whatareyouupto？"suddenlycametheauthoritativevoiceofasergeantmajorwhocameuponthemenwhowerehaulingtheirburden。
　　"Therearegentryhere；thegeneralhimselfisinthathut，andyoufoul—moutheddevils，youbrutes，I’llgiveittoyou！"shoutedhe，hittingthefirstmanwhocameinhiswayaswingingblowontheback。
　　"Can’tyoumakelessnoise？"
　　Themenbecamesilent。Thesoldierwhohadbeenstruckgroanedandwipedhisface，whichhadbeenscratchedtillitbledbyhisfallingagainstthewattle。
　　"There，howthatdevilhitsout！He’smademyfaceallbloody，"saidheinafrightenedwhisperwhenthesergeantmajorhadpassedon。
　　"Don’tyoulikeit？"saidalaughingvoice，andmoderatingtheirtonesthemenmovedforward。
　　Whentheywereoutofthevillagetheybegantalkingagainasloudasbefore，interlardingtheirtalkwiththesameaimlessexpletives。
　　Inthehutwhichthemenhadpassed，thechiefofficershadgatheredandwereinanimatedtalkovertheirteaabouttheeventsofthedayandthemaneuverssuggestedfortomorrow。Itwasproposedtomakeaflankmarchtotheleft，cutofftheVice—KingMuratandcapturehim。
　　Bythetimethesoldiershaddraggedthewattlefencetoitsplacethecampfireswereblazingonallsidesreadyforcooking，thewoodcrackled，thesnowwasmelting，andblackshadowsofsoldiersflittedtoandfroallovertheoccupiedspacewherethesnowhadbeentroddendown。
　　Axesandchopperswerepliedallaround。Everythingwasdonewithoutanyordersbeinggiven。Storesofwoodwerebroughtforthenight，shelterswereriggedupfortheofficers，caldronswerebeingboiled，andmusketsandaccoutermentsputinorder。
　　ThewattlewallthemenhadbroughtwassetupinasemicirclebytheEighthCompanyasashelterfromthenorth，proppedupbymusketrests，andacampfirewasbuiltbeforeit。Theybeatthetattoo，calledtheroll，hadsupper，andsettleddownroundthefiresforthenight—somerepairingtheirfootgear，somesmokingpipes，andsomestrippingthemselvesnakedtosteamtheliceoutoftheirshirts。
　　BK15CH8
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　OnewouldhavethoughtthatunderthealmostincrediblywretchedconditionstheRussiansoldierswereinatthattime—lackingwarmbootsandsheepskincoats，withoutaroofovertheirheads，inthesnowwitheighteendegreesoffrost，andwithoutevenfullrationsthecommissariatdidnotalwayskeepupwiththetroops—theywouldhavepresentedaverysadanddepressingspectacle。
　　Onthecontrary，thearmyhadneverunderthebestmaterialconditionspresentedamorecheerfulandanimatedaspect。Thiswasbecauseallwhobegantogrowdepressedorwholoststrengthweresiftedoutofthearmydaybyday。Allthephysicallyormorallyweakhadlongsincebeenleftbehindandonlytheflowerofthearmy—physicallyandmentally—remained。
　　MoremencollectedbehindthewattlefenceoftheEighthCompanythananywhereelse。Twosergeantsmajorweresittingwiththemandtheircampfireblazedbrighterthanothers。Forleavetositbytheirwattletheydemandedcontributionsoffuel。
　　"Eh，Makeev！Whathasbecomeofyou，yousonofabitch？Areyoulostorhavethewolveseatenyou？Fetchsomemorewood！"shoutedared—hairedandred—facedman，screwinguphiseyesandblinkingbecauseofthesmokebutnotmovingbackfromthefire。"Andyou，Jackdaw，goandfetchsomewood！"saidhetoanothersoldier。
　　Thisred—hairedmanwasneitherasergeantnoracorporal，butbeingrobustheorderedaboutthoseweakerthanhimself。Thesoldiertheycalled"Jackdaw，"athinlittlefellowwithasharpnose，roseobedientlyandwasabouttogobutatthatinstanttherecameintothelightofthefiretheslender，handsomefigureofayoungsoldiercarryingaloadofwood。
　　"Bringithere—that’sfine！"
　　Theysplitupthewood，presseditdownonthefire，blewatitwiththeirmouths，andfanneditwiththeskirtsoftheirgreatcoats，makingtheflameshissandcrackle。Themendrewnearerandlittheirpipes。Thehandsomeyoungsoldierwhohadbroughtthewood，settinghisarmsakimbo，beganstampinghiscoldfeetrapidlyanddeftlyonthespotwherehestood。
　　"Mother！Thedewiscoldbutclear……It’swellthatI’mamusketeer……"hesang，pretendingtohiccoughaftereachsyllable。
　　"Lookout，yoursoleswillflyoff！"shoutedthered—hairedman，noticingthatthesoleofthedancer’sbootwashangingloose。"Whatafellowyouarefordancing！"
　　Thedancerstopped，pulledofftheloosepieceofleather，andthrewitonthefire。
　　"Rightenough，friend，"saidhe，and，havingsatdown，tookoutofhisknapsackascrapofblueFrenchcloth，andwrappeditroundhisfoot。"It’sthesteamthatspoilsthem，"headded，stretchingouthisfeettowardthefire。
　　"They’llsoonbeissuingusnewones。Theysaythatwhenwe’vefinishedhammeringthem，we’retoreceivedoublekits！"
　　"AndthatsonofabitchPetrovhaslaggedbehindafterall，itseems，"saidonesergeantmajor。
　　"I’vehadaneyeonhimthislongwhile，"saidtheother。
　　"Well，he’sapoorsortofsoldier……"
　　"ButintheThirdCompanytheysayninemenweremissingyesterday。"
　　"Yes，it’sallverywell，butwhenaman’sfeetarefrozenhowcanhewalk？"
　　"Eh？Don’ttalknonsense！"saidasergeantmajor。
　　"Doyouwanttobedoingthesame？"saidanoldsoldier，turningreproachfullytothemanwhohadspokenoffrozenfeet。
　　"Well，youknow，"saidthesharp—nosedmantheycalledJackdawinasqueakyandunsteadyvoice，raisinghimselfattheothersideofthefire，"aplumpmangetsthin，butforathinoneit’sdeath。Takeme，now！I’vegotnostrengthleft，"headded，withsuddenresolutionturningtothesergeantmajor。"Tellthemtosendmetohospital；I’machingallover；anywayIshan’tbeabletokeepup。"
　　"That’lldo，that’lldo！"repliedthesergeantmajorquietly。
　　Thesoldiersaidnomoreandthetalkwenton。
　　"WhatalotofthoseFrenchiesweretakentoday，andthefactisthatnotoneofthemhadwhatyoumightcallrealbootson，"saidasoldier，startinganewtheme。"Theywerenomorethanmake—believes。"
　　"TheCossackshavetakentheirboots。Theywereclearingthehutforthecolonelandcarriedthemout。Itwaspitifultoseethem，boys，"
　　putinthedancer。"Astheyturnedthemoveroneseemedstillaliveand，wouldyoubelieveit，hejabberedsomethingintheirlingo。"
　　"Butthey’reacleanfolk，lads，"thefirstmanwenton；"hewaswhite—aswhiteasbirchbark—andsomeofthemaresuchfinefellows，youmightthinktheywerenobles。"
　　"Well，whatdoyouthink？Theymakesoldiersofallclassesthere。"
　　"Buttheydon’tunderstandourtalkatall，"saidthedancerwithapuzzledsmile。"Iaskedhimwhosesubjecthewas，andhejabberedinhisownway。Aqueerlot！"
　　"Butit’sstrange，friends，"continuedthemanwhohadwonderedattheirwhiteness，"thepeasantsatMozhayskweresayingthatwhentheybeganburyingthedead—wherethebattlewasyouknow—well，thosedeadhadbeenlyingtherefornearlyamonth，andsaysthepeasant，’theylieaswhiteaspaper，clean，andnotasmuchsmellasapuffofpowdersmoke。’"
　　"Wasitfromthecold？"askedsomeone。
　　"You’reacleverfellow！Fromthecoldindeed！Why，itwashot。Ifithadbeenfromthecold，ourswouldnothaverottedeither。’But，’
　　hesays，’gouptooursandtheyareallrottenandmaggoty。So，’hesays，’wetieourfacesupwithkerchiefsandturnourheadsawayaswedragthemoff：wecanhardlydoit。Buttheirs，’hesays，’arewhiteaspaperandnotsomuchsmellasawhiffofgunpowder。’"
　　Allweresilent。
　　"Itmustbefromtheirfood，"saidthesergeantmajor。"Theyusedtogobblethesamefoodasthegentry。"
　　Noonecontradictedhim。
　　"ThatpeasantnearMozhayskwherethebattlewassaidthemenwereallcalledupfromtenvillagesaroundandtheycartedfortwentydaysandstilldidn’tfinishcartingthedeadaway。Andasforthewolves，hesays……"
　　"Thatwasarealbattle，"saidanoldsoldier。"It’stheonlyoneworthremembering；butsincethat……it’sonlybeentormentingfolk。"
　　"Anddoyouknow，Daddy，thedaybeforeyesterdayweranatthemand，myword，theydidn’tletusgetnearbeforetheyjustthrewdowntheirmusketsandwentontheirknees。’Pardon！’theysay。That’sonlyonecase。TheysayPlatovtook’Poleonhimselftwice。Buthedidn’tknowtherightcharm。Hecatcheshimandcatcheshim—nogood！Heturnsintoabirdinhishandsandfliesaway。Andthere’snowayofkillinghimeither。"
　　"You’reafirst—classliar，Kiselev，whenIcometolookatyou！"
　　"Liar，indeed！It’stherealtruth。"
　　"Ifhefellintomyhands，whenI’dcaughthimI’dburyhiminthegroundwithanaspenstaketofixhimdown。Whatalotofmenhe’sruined！"
　　"Well，anyhowwe’regoingtoendit。Hewon’tcomehereagain，"
　　remarkedtheoldsoldier，yawning。
　　Theconversationflagged，andthesoldiersbegansettlingdowntosleep。
　　"Lookatthestars。It’swonderfulhowtheyshine！Youwouldthinkthewomenhadspreadouttheirlinen，"saidoneofthemen，gazingwithadmirationattheMilkyWay。
　　"That’sasignofagoodharvestnextyear。"
　　"Weshallwantsomemorewood。"
　　"Youwarmyourbackandyourbellygetsfrozen。That’squeer。"
　　"OLord！"
　　"Whatareyoupushingfor？Isthefireonlyforyou？Lookhowhe’ssprawling！"
　　Inthesilencethatensued，thesnoringofthosewhohadfallenasleepcouldbeheard。Othersturnedoverandwarmedthemselves，nowandagainexchangingafewwords。Fromacampfireahundredpacesoffcameasoundofgeneral，merrylaughter。
　　"HarkatthemroaringthereintheFifthCompany！"saidoneofthesoldiers，andwhatalotofthemthereare！"
　　OneofthemengotupandwentovertotheFifthCompany。
　　"They’rehavingsuchfun，"saidhe，comingback。"TwoFrenchieshaveturnedup。One’squitefrozenandtheother’sanawfulswaggerer。He’ssingingsongs……"
　　"Oh，I’llgoacrossandhavealook……"
　　AndseveralofthemenwentovertotheFifthCompany。
　　BK15CH9
　　CHAPTERIX
　　Thefifthcompanywasbivouackingattheveryedgeoftheforest。
　　Ahugecampfirewasblazingbrightlyinthemidstofthesnow，lightingupthebranchesoftreesheavywithhoarfrost。
　　Aboutmidnighttheyheardthesoundofstepsinthesnowoftheforest，andthecracklingofdrybranches。
　　"Abear，lads，"saidoneofthemen。
　　Theyallraisedtheirheadstolisten，andoutoftheforestintothebrightfirelightsteppedtwostrangelycladhumanfiguresclingingtooneanother。
　　TheseweretwoFrenchmenwhohadbeenhidingintheforest。Theycameuptothefire，hoarselyutteringsomethinginalanguageoursoldiersdidnotunderstand。Onewastallerthantheother；heworeanofficer’shatandseemedquiteexhausted。Onapproachingthefirehehadbeengoingtositdown，butfell。Theother，ashortsturdysoldierwithashawltiedroundhishead，wasstronger。Heraisedhiscompanionandsaidsomething，pointingtohismouth。ThesoldierssurroundedtheFrenchmen，spreadagreatcoatonthegroundforthesickman，andbroughtsomebuckwheatporridgeandvodkaforbothofthem。
　　TheexhaustedFrenchofficerwasRamballeandthemanwithhisheadwrappedintheshawlwasMorel，hisorderly。
　　WhenMorelhaddrunksomevodkaandfinishedhisbowlofporridgehesuddenlybecameunnaturallymerryandchatteredincessantlytothesoldiers，whocouldnotunderstandhim。Ramballerefusedfoodandrestinghisheadonhiselbowlaysilentbesidethecampfire，lookingattheRussiansoldierswithredandvacanteyes。Occasionallyheemittedalong—drawngroanandthenagainbecamesilent。Morel，pointingtohisshoulders，triedtoimpressonthesoldiersthefactthatRamballewasanofficerandoughttobewarmed。ARussianofficerwhohadcomeuptothefiresenttoaskhiscolonelwhetherhewouldnottakeaFrenchofficerintohishuttowarmhim，andwhenthemessengerreturnedandsaidthatthecolonelwishedtheofficertobebroughttohim，Ramballewastoldtogo。Heroseandtriedtowalk，butstaggeredandwouldhavefallenhadnotasoldierstandingbyheldhimup。
　　"Youwon’tdoitagain，eh？"saidoneofthesoldiers，winkingandturningmockinglytoRamballe。
　　"Oh，youfool！Whytalkrubbish，loutthatyouare—arealpeasant！"
　　camerebukesfromallsidesaddressedtothejestingsoldier。
　　TheysurroundedRamballe，liftedhimonthecrossedarmsoftwosoldiers，andcarriedhimtothehut。Ramballeputhisarmsaroundtheirneckswhiletheycarriedhimandbeganwailingplaintively：
　　"Oh，youfinefellows，mykind，kindfriends！Thesearemen！Oh，mybrave，kindfriends，"andheleanedhisheadagainsttheshoulderofoneofthemenlikeachild。
　　MeanwhileMorelwassittinginthebestplacebythefire，surroundedbythesoldiers。
　　Morel，ashortsturdyFrenchmanwithinflamedandstreamingeyes，waswearingawoman’scloakandhadashawltiedwomanfashionroundhisheadoverhiscap。Hewasevidentlytipsy，andwassingingaFrenchsonginahoarsebrokenvoice，withanarmthrownroundthenearestsoldier。Thesoldierssimplyheldtheirsidesastheywatchedhim。
　　"Nowthen，nowthen，teachushowitgoes！I’llsoonpickitup。Howisit？"saidtheman—asingerandawag—whomMorelwasembracing。
　　"ViveHenriQuatre！Viveceroivaliant！"sangMorel，winking。"Cediableaquatre……"*
　　*"LongliveHenrytheFourth，thatvaliantking！Thatrowdydevil。"
　　"Vivarika！Vif—seruvaru！Sedyablyaka！"repeatedthesoldier，flourishinghisarmandreallycatchingthetune。
　　"Bravo！Ha，ha，ha！"rosetheirrough，joyouslaughterfromallsides。
　　Morel，wrinklinguphisface，laughedtoo。
　　"Well，goon，goon！"
　　"Quieutletripletalent，Deboire，debattre，Etd’etreunvertgalant。"*
　　*WhohadatripletalentFordrinking，forfighting，Andforbeingagallantoldboy……
　　"Itgoessmoothly，too。Well，now，Zaletaev！"
　　"Ke……"Zaletaev，broughtoutwitheffort："ke—e—e—e，"hedrawled，laboriouslypursinghislips，"le—trip—ta—la—de—bu—de—ba，ede—tra—va—ga—la"hesang。
　　"Fine！JustliketheFrenchie！Oh，hoho！Doyouwantsomemoretoeat？"
　　"Givehimsomeporridge：ittakesalongtimetogetfilledupafterstarving。"
　　TheygavehimsomemoreporridgeandMorelwithalaughsettoworkonhisthirdbowl。Alltheyoungsoldierssmiledgailyastheywatchedhim。Theoldermen，whothoughtitundignifiedtoamusethemselveswithsuchnonsense，continuedtolieattheoppositesideofthefire，butonewouldoccasionallyraisehimselfonanelbowandglanceatMorelwithasmile。
　　"Theyarementoo，"saidoneofthemashewrappedhimselfupinhiscoat。"Evenwormwoodgrowsonitsownroot。"
　　"OLord，OLord！Howstarryitis！Tremendous！Thatmeansahardfrost……"
　　Theyallgrewsilent。Thestars，asifknowingthatnoonewaslookingatthem，begantodisportthemselvesinthedarksky：nowflaringup，nowvanishing，nowtrembling，theywerebusywhisperingsomethinggladsomeandmysterioustooneanother。
　　BK15CH10
　　CHAPTERX
　　TheFrencharmymeltedawayattheuniformrateofamathematicalprogression；andthatcrossingoftheBerezinaaboutwhichsomuchhasbeenwrittenwasonlyoneintermediatestageinitsdestruction，andnotatallthedecisiveepisodeofthecampaign。IfsomuchhasbeenandstilliswrittenabouttheBerezina，ontheFrenchsidethisisonlybecauseatthebrokenbridgeacrossthatriverthecalamitiestheirarmyhadbeenpreviouslyenduringweresuddenlyconcentratedatonemomentintoatragicspectaclethatremainedineverymemory，andontheRussiansidemerelybecauseinPetersburg—farfromtheseatofwar—aplanagainoneofPfuel’shadbeendevisedtocatchNapoleoninastrategictrapattheBerezinaRiver。Everyoneassuredhimselfthatallwouldhappenaccordingtoplan，andthereforeinsistedthatitwasjustthecrossingoftheBerezinathatdestroyedtheFrencharmy。InrealitytheresultsofthecrossingweremuchlessdisastroustotheFrench—ingunsandmenlost—thanKrasnoehadbeen，asthefiguresshow。
　　ThesoleimportanceofthecrossingoftheBerezinaliesinthefactthatitplainlyandindubitablyprovedthefallacyofalltheplansforcuttingofftheenemy’sretreatandthesoundnessoftheonlypossiblelineofaction—theoneKutuzovandthegeneralmassofthearmydemanded—namely，simplytofollowtheenemyup。TheFrenchcrowdfledatacontinuallyincreasingspeedandallitsenergywasdirectedtoreachingitsgoal。Itfledlikeawoundedanimalanditwasimpossibletoblockitspath。Thiswasshownnotsomuchbythearrangementsitmadeforcrossingasbywhattookplaceatthebridges。Whenthebridgesbrokedown，unarmedsoldiers，peoplefromMoscowandwomenwithchildrenwhowerewiththeFrenchtransport，all—carriedonbyvisinertiae—pressedforwardintoboatsandintotheice—coveredwateranddidnot，surrender。
　　Thatimpulsewasreasonable。Theconditionoffugitivesandofpursuerswasequallybad。Aslongastheyremainedwiththeirownpeopleeachmighthopeforhelpfromhisfellowsandthedefiniteplaceheheldamongthem。Butthosewhosurrendered，whileremaininginthesamepitifulplight，wouldbeonalowerleveltoclaimashareinthenecessitiesoflife。TheFrenchdidnotneedtobeinformedofthefactthathalftheprisoners—withwhomtheRussiansdidnotknowwhattodo—perishedofcoldandhungerdespitetheircaptors’
　　desiretosavethem；theyfeltthatitcouldnotbeotherwise。ThemostcompassionateRussiancommanders，thosefavorabletotheFrench—andeventheFrenchmenintheRussianservice—coulddonothingfortheprisoners。TheFrenchperishedfromtheconditionstowhichtheRussianarmywasitselfexposed。ItwasimpossibletotakebreadandclothesfromourhungryandindispensablesoldierstogivetotheFrenchwho，thoughnotharmful，orhated，orguilty，weresimplyunnecessary。SomeRussiansevendidthat，buttheywereexceptions。
　　CertaindestructionlaybehindtheFrenchbutinfronttherewashope。Theirshipshadbeenburned，therewasnosalvationsaveincollectiveflight，andonthatthewholestrengthoftheFrenchwasconcentrated。
　　Thefarthertheyfledthemorewretchedbecametheplightoftheremnant，especiallyaftertheBerezina，onwhichinconsequenceofthePetersburgplanspecialhopeshadbeenplacedbytheRussians，andthekeenergrewthepassionsoftheRussiancommanders，blamedoneanotherandKutuzovmostofall。AnticipationthatthefailureofthePetersburgBerezinaplanwouldbeattributedtoKutuzovledtodissatisfaction，contempt，andridicule，moreandmorestronglyexpressed。Theridiculeandcontemptwereofcourseexpressedinarespectfulform，makingitimpossibleforhimtoaskwhereinhewastoblame。Theydidnottalkseriouslytohim；whenreportingtohimoraskingforhissanctiontheyappearedtobefulfillingaregrettableformality，buttheywinkedbehindhisbackandtriedtomisleadhimateveryturn。
　　Becausetheycouldnotunderstandhimallthesepeopleassumedthatitwasuselesstotalktotheoldman；thathewouldnevergrasptheprofundityoftheirplans，thathewouldanswerwithhisphraseswhichtheythoughtweremerephrasesabouta"goldenbridge，"abouttheimpossibilityofcrossingthefrontierwithacrowdoftatterdemalions，andsoforth。Theyhadheardallthatbefore。
　　Andallhesaid—thatitwasnecessarytoawaitprovisions，orthatthemenhadnoboots—wassosimple，whilewhattheyproposedwassocomplicatedandclever，thatitwasevidentthathewasoldandstupidandthatthey，thoughnotinpower，werecommandersofgenius。
　　AfterthejunctionwiththearmyofthebrilliantadmiralandPetersburgheroWittgenstein，thismoodandthegossipofthestaffreachedtheirmaximum。Kutuzovsawthisandmerelysighedandshruggedhisshoulders。Onlyonce，aftertheaffairoftheBerezina，didhegetangryandwritetoBennigsenwhoreportedseparatelytotheEmperorthefollowingletter：
　　"Onaccountofyourspellsofillhealth，willyourexcellencypleasebesogoodastosetoffforKalugaonreceiptofthis，andthereawaitfurthercommandsandappointmentsfromHisImperialMajesty。"
　　ButafterBennigsen’sdeparture，theGrandDukeTsarevichConstantinePavlovichjoinedthearmy。HehadtakenpartinthebeginningofthecampaignbuthadsubsequentlybeenremovedfromthearmybyKutuzov。Nowhavingcometothearmy，heinformedKutuzovoftheEmperor’sdispleasureatthepoorsuccessofourforcesandtheslownessoftheiradvance。TheEmperorintendedtojointhearmypersonallyinafewdays’time。
　　Theoldman，experiencedincourtaswellasinmilitaryaffairs—
　　thissameKutuzovwhoinAugusthadbeenchosencommanderinchiefagainstthesovereign’swishesandwhohadremovedtheGrandDukeandheir—apparentfromthearmy—whoonhisownauthorityandcontrarytotheEmperor’swillhaddecidedontheabandonmentofMoscow，nowrealizedatoncethathisdaywasover，thathispartwasplayed，andthatthepowerhewassupposedtoholdwasnolongerhis。Andheunderstoodthisnotmerelyfromtheattitudeofthecourt。
　　Hesawontheonehandthatthemilitarybusinessinwhichhehadplayedhispartwasendedandfeltthathismissionwasaccomplished；andatthesametimehebegantobeconsciousofthephysicalwearinessofhisagedbodyandofthenecessityofphysicalrest。
　　Onthetwenty—ninthofNovemberKutuzoventeredVilna—his"dearVilna"ashecalledit。TwiceduringhiscareerKutuzovhadbeengovernorofVilna。Inthatwealthytown，whichhadnotbeeninjured，hefoundoldfriendsandassociations，besidesthecomfortsoflifeofwhichhehadsolongbeendeprived。Andhesuddenlyturnedfromthecaresofarmyandstateand，asfarasthepassionsthatseethedaroundhimallowed，immersedhimselfinthequietlifetowhichhehadformerlybeenaccustomed，asifallthatwastakingplaceandallthathadstilltobedoneintherealmofhistorydidnotconcernhimatall。
　　Chichagov，oneofthemostzealous"cutters—off"and"breakers—up，"whohadfirstwantedtoeffectadiversioninGreeceandtheninWarsawbutneverwishedtogowherehewassent：
　　Chichagov，notedfortheboldnesswithwhichhespoketotheEmperor，andwhoconsideredKutuzovtobeunderanobligationtohimbecausewhenhewassenttomakepeacewithTurkeyin1811
　　independentlyofKutuzov，andfoundthatpeacehadalreadybeenconcluded，headmittedtotheEmperorthatthemeritofsecuringthatpeacewasreallyKutuzov’s；thisChichagovwasthefirsttomeetKutuzovatthecastlewherethelatterwastostay。Inundressnavaluniform，withadirk，andholdinghiscapunderhisarm，hehandedKutuzovagarrisonreportandthekeysofthetown。ThecontemptuouslyrespectfulattitudeoftheyoungermentotheoldmaninhisdotagewasexpressedinthehighestdegreebythebehaviorofChichagov，whoknewoftheaccusationsthatwerebeingdirectedagainstKutuzov。
　　WhenspeakingtoChichagov，KutuzovincidentallymentionedthatthevehiclespackedwithchinathathadbeencapturedfromhimatBorisovhadbeenrecoveredandwouldberestoredtohim。
　　"YoumeantoimplythatIhavenothingtoeatoutof……Onthecontrary，Icansupplyyouwitheverythingevenifyouwanttogivedinnerparties，"warmlyrepliedChichagov，whotriedbyeverywordhespoketoprovehisownrectitudeandthereforeimaginedKutuzovtobeanimatedbythesamedesire。
　　Kutuzov，shrugginghisshoulders，repliedwithhissubtlepenetratingsmile："ImeantmerelytosaywhatIsaid。"
　　ContrarytotheEmperor’swishKutuzovdetainedthegreaterpartofthearmyatVilna。Thoseabouthimsaidthathebecameextraordinarilyslackandphysicallyfeebleduringhisstayinthattown。Heattendedtoarmyaffairsreluctantly，lefteverythingtohisgenerals，andwhileawaitingtheEmperor’sarrivalledadissipatedlife。
　　HavingleftPetersburgontheseventhofDecemberwithhissuite—
　　CountTolstoy，PrinceVolkonski，Arakcheev，andothers—theEmperorreachedVilnaontheeleventh，andinhistravelingsleighdrovestraighttothecastle。Inspiteoftheseverefrostsomehundredgeneralsandstaffofficersinfullparadeuniformstoodinfrontofthecastle，aswellasaguardofhonoroftheSemenovregiment。
　　Acourierwhogallopedtothecastleinadvance，inatroykawiththreefoam—fleckedhorses，shouted"Coming！"andKonovnitsynrushedintothevestibuletoinformKutuzov，whowaswaitinginthehallporter’slittlelodge。
　　Aminutelatertheoldman’slargestoutfigureinfull—dressuniform，hischestcoveredwithordersandascarfdrawnroundhisstomach，waddledoutintotheporch。Heputonhishatwithitspeakstothesidesand，holdinghisglovesinhishandandwalkingwithaneffortsidewaysdownthestepstothelevelofthestreet，tookinhishandthereporthehadpreparedfortheEmperor。
　　Therewasrunningtoandfroandwhispering；anothertroykafuriouslyup，andthenalleyeswereturnedonanapproachingsleighinwhichthefiguresoftheEmperorandVolkonskicouldalreadybedescried。
　　Fromthehabitoffiftyyearsallthishadaphysicallyagitatingeffectontheoldgeneral。Hecarefullyandhastilyfelthimselfallover，readjustedhishat，andpullinghimselftogetherdrewhimselfupand，attheverymomentwhentheEmperor，havingalightedfromthesleigh，liftedhiseyestohim，handedhimthereportandbeganspeakinginhissmooth，ingratiatingvoice。
　　TheEmperorwitharapidglancescannedKutuzovfromheadtofoot，frownedforaninstant，butimmediatelymasteringhimselfwentuptotheoldman，extendedhisarmsandembracedhim。Andthisembracetoo，owingtoalong—standingimpressionrelatedtohisinnermostfeelings，haditsusualeffectonKutuzovandhegaveasob。
　　TheEmperorgreetedtheofficersandtheSemenovguard，andagainpressingtheoldman’shandwentwithhimintothecastle。
　　WhenalonewiththefieldmarshaltheEmperorexpressedhisdissatisfactionattheslownessofthepursuitandatthemistakesmadeatKrasnoeandtheBerezina，andinformedhimofhisintentionsforafuturecampaignabroad。Kutuzovmadenorejoinderorremark。Thesamesubmissive，expressionlesslookwithwhichhehadlistenedtotheEmperor’scommandsonthefieldofAusterlitzsevenyearsbeforesettledonhisfacenow。
　　WhenKutuzovcameoutofthestudyandwithloweredheadwascrossingtheballroomwithhisheavywaddlinggait，hewasarrestedbysomeone’svoicesaying：
　　"YourSereneHighness！"
　　KutuzovraisedhisheadandlookedforalongwhileintotheeyesofCountTolstoy，whostoodbeforehimholdingasilversalveronwhichlayasmallobject。Kutuzovseemednottounderstandwhatwasexpectedofhim。
　　Suddenlyheseemedtoremember；ascarcelyperceptiblesmileflashedacrosshispuffyface，andbowinglowandrespectfullyhetooktheobjectthatlayonthesalver。ItwastheOrderofSt。GeorgeoftheFirstClass。
　　BK15CH11
　　CHAPTERXI
　　NextdaythefieldmarshalgaveadinnerandballwhichtheEmperorhonoredbyhispresence。KutuzovhadreceivedtheOrderofSt。
　　GeorgeoftheFirstClassandtheEmperorshowedhimthehighesthonors，buteveryoneknewoftheimperialdissatisfactionwithhim。
　　TheproprietieswereobservedandtheEmperorwasthefirsttosetthatexample，buteverybodyunderstoodthattheoldmanwasblameworthyandgood—for—nothing。WhenKutuzov，conformingtoacustomofCatherine’sday，orderedthestandardsthathadbeencapturedtobeloweredattheEmperor’sfeetonhisenteringtheballroom，theEmperormadeawryfaceandmutteredsomethinginwhichsomepeoplecaughtthewords，"theoldcomedian。"
　　TheEmperor’sdispleasurewithKutuzovwasspeciallyincreasedatVilnabythefactthatKutuzovevidentlycouldnotorwouldnotunderstandtheimportanceofthecomingcampaign。
　　WhenonthefollowingmorningtheEmperorsaidtotheofficersassembledabouthim："YouhavenotonlysavedRussia，youhavesavedEurope！"theyallunderstoodthatthewarwasnotended。
　　KutuzovalonewouldnotseethisandopenlyexpressedhisopinionthatnofreshwarcouldimprovethepositionoraddtothegloryofRussia，butcouldonlyspoilandlowerthegloriouspositionthatRussiahadgained。HetriedtoprovetotheEmperortheimpossibilityoflevyingfreshtroops，spokeofthehardshipsalreadyenduredbythepeople，ofthepossibilityoffailureandsoforth。
　　Thisbeingthefieldmarshal’sframeofmindhewasnaturallyregardedasmerelyahindranceandobstacletotheimpendingwar。
　　Toavoidunpleasantencounterswiththeoldman，thenaturalmethodwastodowhathadbeendonewithhimatAusterlitzandwithBarclayatthebeginningoftheRussiancampaign—totransfertheauthoritytotheEmperorhimself，thuscuttingthegroundfromunderthecommanderinchief’sfeetwithoutupsettingtheoldmanbyinforminghimofthechange。
　　WiththisobjecthisstaffwasgraduallyreconstructedanditsrealstrengthremovedandtransferredtotheEmperor。Toll，Konovnitsyn，andErmolovreceivedfreshappointments。Everyonespokeloudlyofthefieldmarshal’sgreatweaknessandfailinghealth。
　　Hishealthhadtobebadforhisplacetobetakenawayandgiventoanother。Andinfacthishealthwaspoor。
　　Sonaturally，simply，andgradually—justashehadcomefromTurkeytotheTreasuryinPetersburgtorecruitthemilitia，andthentothearmywhenhewasneededthere—nowwhenhispartwasplayedout，Kutuzov’splacewastakenbyanewandnecessaryperformer。
　　Thewar1812，besidesitsnationalsignificancedeartoeveryRussianheart，wasnowtoassumeanother，aEuropean，significance。
　　Themovementofpeoplesfromwesttoeastwastobesucceededbyamovementofpeoplesfromeasttowest，andforthisfreshwaranotherleaderwasnecessary，havingqualitiesandviewsdifferingfromKutuzov’sandanimatedbydifferentmotives。
　　AlexanderIwasasnecessaryforthemovementofthepeoplesfromeasttowestandfortherefixingofnationalfrontiersasKutuzovhadbeenforthesalvationandgloryofRussia。
　　KutuzovdidnotunderstandwhatEurope，thebalanceofpower，orNapoleonmeant。Hecouldnotunderstandit。FortherepresentativeoftheRussianpeople，aftertheenemyhadbeendestroyedandRussiahadbeenliberatedandraisedtothesummitofherglory，therewasnothinglefttodoasaRussian。Nothingremainedfortherepresentativeofthenationalwarbuttodie，andKutuzovdied。
　　BK15CH12
　　CHAPTERXII
　　Asgenerallyhappens，Pierredidnotfeelthefulleffectsofthephysicalprivationandstrainhehadsufferedasprisoneruntilaftertheywereover。AfterhisliberationhereachedOrel，andonthethirddaythere，whenpreparingtogotoKiev，hefellillandwaslaidupforthreemonths。Hehadwhatthedoctorstermed"biliousfever。"Butdespitethefactthatthedoctorstreatedhim，bledhim，andgavehimmedicinestodrink，herecovered。
　　ScarcelyanyimpressionwasleftonPierre’smindbyallthathappenedtohimfromthetimeofhisrescuetillhisillness。Herememberedonlythedullgrayweathernowrainyandnowsnowy，internalphysicaldistress，andpainsinhisfeetandside。Herememberedageneralimpressionofthemisfortunesandsufferingsofpeopleandofbeingworriedbythecuriosityofofficersandgeneralswhoquestionedhim，healsorememberedhisdifficultyinprocuringaconveyanceandhorses，andaboveallherememberedhisincapacitytothinkandfeelallthattime。OnthedayofhisrescuehehadseenthebodyofPetyaRostov。ThatsamedayhehadlearnedthatPrinceAndrew，aftersurvivingthebattleofBorodinoformorethanamonthhadrecentlydiedintheRostovs’houseatYaroslavl，andDenisovwhotoldhimthisnewsalsomentionedHelene’sdeath，supposingthatPierrehadheardofitlongbefore。AllthisatthetimeseemedmerelystrangetoPierre：hefelthecouldnotgraspitssignificance。Justthenhewasonlyanxioustogetawayasquicklyaspossiblefromplaceswherepeoplewerekillingoneanother，tosomepeacefulrefugewherehecouldrecoverhimself，rest，andthinkoverallthestrangenewfactshehadlearned；butonreachingOrelheimmediatelyfellill。Whenhecametohimselfafterhisillnesshesawinattendanceonhimtwoofhisservants，TerentyandVaska，whohadcomefromMoscow；andalsohiscousintheeldestprincess，whohadbeenlivingonhisestateatEletsandhearingofhisrescueandillnesshadcometolookafterhim。
　　ItwasonlygraduallyduringhisconvalescencethatPierrelosttheimpressionshehadbecomeaccustomedtoduringthelastfewmonthsandgotusedtotheideathatnoonewouldobligehimtogoanywheretomorrow，thatnoonewoulddeprivehimofhiswarmbed，andthathewouldbesuretogethisdinner，tea，andsupper。Butforalongtimeinhisdreamshestillsawhimselfintheconditionsofcaptivity。Inthesamewaylittlebylittlehecametounderstandthenewshehadbeentoldafterhisrescue，aboutthedeathofPrinceAndrew，thedeathofhiswife，andthedestructionoftheFrench。
　　Ajoyousfeelingoffreedom—thatcompleteinalienablefreedomnaturaltomanwhichhehadfirstexperiencedatthefirsthaltoutsideMoscow—filledPierre’ssoulduringhisconvalescence。Hewassurprisedtofindthatthisinnerfreedom，whichwasindependentofexternalconditions，nowhadasitwereanadditionalsettingofexternalliberty。Hewasaloneinastrangetown，withoutacquaintances。Noonedemandedanythingofhimorsenthimanywhere。
　　Hehadallhewanted：thethoughtofhiswifewhichhadbeenacontinualtormenttohimwasnolongerthere，sinceshewasnomore。
　　"Oh，howgood！Howsplendid！"saidhetohimselfwhenacleanlylaidtablewasmoveduptohimwithsavorybeeftea，orwhenhelaydownforthenightonasoftcleanbed，orwhenherememberedthattheFrenchhadgoneandthathiswifewasnomore。"Oh，howgood，howsplendid！"
　　Andbyoldhabitheaskedhimselfthequestion："Well，andwhatthen？WhatamIgoingtodo？"Andheimmediatelygavehimselftheanswer："Well，Ishalllive。Ah，howsplendid！"
　　Theveryquestionthathadformerlytormentedhim，thethinghehadcontinuallysoughttofind—theaimoflife—nolongerexistedforhimnow。Thatsearchfortheaimoflifehadnotmerelydisappearedtemporarily—hefeltthatitnolongerexistedforhimandcouldnotpresentitselfagain。Andthisveryabsenceofanaimgavehimthecomplete，joyoussenseoffreedomwhichconstitutedhishappinessatthistime。
　　Hecouldnotseeanaim，forhenowhadfaith—notfaithinanykindofrule，orwords，orideas，butfaithinanever—living，ever—manifestGod。FormerlyhehadsoughtHiminaimshesethimself。ThatsearchforanaimhadbeensimplyasearchforGod，andsuddenlyinhiscaptivityhehadlearnednotbywordsorreasoningbutbydirectfeelingwhathisnursehadtoldhimlongago：thatGodishereandeverywhere。InhiscaptivityhehadlearnedthatinKarataevGodwasgreater，moreinfiniteandunfathomablethanintheArchitectoftheUniverserecognizedbytheFreemasons。Hefeltlikeamanwhoafterstraininghiseyestoseeintothefardistancefindswhathesoughtathisveryfeet。Allhislifehehadlookedovertheheadsofthemenaroundhim，whenheshouldhavemerelylookedinfrontofhimwithoutstraininghiseyes。
　　Inthepasthehadneverbeenabletofindthatgreatinscrutableinfinitesomething。Hehadonlyfeltthatitmustexistsomewhereandhadlookedforit。Ineverythingnearandcomprehensiblehehadonlywhatwaslimited，petty，commonplace，andsenseless。Hehadequippedhimselfwithamentaltelescopeandlookedintoremotespace，wherepettyworldlinesshidingitselfinmistydistancehadseemedtohimgreatandinfinitemerelybecauseitwasnotclearlyseen。
　　AndsuchhadEuropeanlife，politics，Freemasonry，philosophy，andphilanthropyseemedtohim。Buteventhen，atmomentsofweaknessashehadaccountedthem，hismindhadpenetratedtothosedistancesandhehadthereseenthesamepettiness，worldliness，andsenselessness。Now，however，hehadlearnedtoseethegreat，eternal，andinfiniteineverything，andtherefore—toseeitandenjoyitscontemplation—henaturallythrewawaythetelescopethroughwhichhehadtillnowgazedovermen’sheads，andgladlyregardedtheever—changing，eternallygreat，unfathomable，andinfinitelifearoundhim。Andthecloserhelookedthemoretranquilandhappyhebecame。
　　Thatdreadfulquestion，"Whatfor？"whichhadformerlydestroyedallhismentaledifices，nolongerexistedforhim。Tothatquestion，"Whatfor？"asimpleanswerwasnowalwaysreadyinhissoul："BecausethereisaGod，thatGodwithoutwhosewillnotonehairfallsfromaman’shead。"
　　BK15CH13
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　InexternalwaysPierrehadhardlychangedatall。Inappearancehewasjustwhatheusedtobe。Asbeforehewasabsent—mindedandseemedoccupiednotwithwhatwasbeforehiseyesbutwithsomethingspecialofhisown。Thedifferencebetweenhisformerandpresentselfwasthatformerlywhenhedidnotgraspwhatlaybeforehimorwassaidtohim，hehadpuckeredhisforeheadpainfullyasifvainlyseekingtodistinguishsomethingatadistance。Atpresenthestillforgotwhatwassaidtohimandstilldidnotseewhatwasbeforehiseyes，buthenowlookedwithascarcelyperceptibleandseeminglyironicsmileatwhatwasbeforehimandlistenedtowhatwassaid，thoughevidentlyseeingandhearingsomethingquitedifferent。
　　Formerlyhehadappearedtobeakindheartedbutunhappyman，andsopeoplehadbeeninclinedtoavoidhim。Nowasmileatthejoyoflifealwaysplayedroundhislips，andsympathyforothers，shoneinhiseyeswithaquestioninglookastowhethertheywereascontentedashewas，andpeoplefeltpleasedbyhispresence。
　　Previouslyhehadtalkedagreatdeal，grewexcitedwhenhetalked，andseldomlistened；nowhewasseldomcarriedawayinconversationandknewhowtolistensothatpeoplereadilytoldhimtheirmostintimatesecrets。
　　Theprincess，whohadneverlikedPierreandhadbeenparticularlyhostiletohimsinceshehadfeltherselfunderobligationstohimaftertheoldcount’sdeath，nowafterstayingashorttimeinOrel—
　　whereshehadcomeintendingtoshowPierrethatinspiteofhisingratitudesheconsidereditherdutytonursehim—felttohersurpriseandvexationthatshehadbecomefondofhim。Pierredidnotinanywayseekherapproval，hemerelystudiedherwithinterest。
　　Formerlyshehadfeltthatheregardedherwithindifferenceandirony，andsohadshrunkintoherselfasshedidwithothersandhadshownhimonlythecombativesideofhernature；butnowheseemedtobetryingtounderstandthemostintimateplacesofherheart，and，mistrustfullyatfirstbutafterwardsgratefully，shelethimseethehidden，kindlysidesofhercharacter。
　　Themostcunningmancouldnothavecreptintoherconfidencemoresuccessfully，evokingmemoriesofthebesttimesofheryouthandshowingsympathywiththem。YetPierre’scunningconsistedsimplyinfindingpleasureindrawingoutthehumanqualitiesoftheembittered，hard，andinherownwayproudprincess。
　　"Yes，heisavery，verykindmanwhenheisnotundertheinfluenceofbadpeoplebutofpeoplesuchasmyself，"thoughtshe。
　　Hisservantstoo—TerentyandVaska—intheirownwaynoticedthechangethathadtakenplaceinPierre。Theyconsideredthathehadbecomemuch"simpler。"Terenty，whenhehadhelpedhimundressandwishedhimgoodnight，oftenlingeredwithhismaster’sbootsinhishandsandclothesoverhisarm，toseewhetherhewouldnotstartatalk。AndPierre，noticingthatTerentywantedachat，generallykepthimthere。
　　"Well，tellme……now，howdidyougetfood？"hewouldask。
　　AndTerentywouldbegintalkingofthedestructionofMoscow，andoftheoldcount，andwouldstandforalongtimeholdingtheclothesandtalking，orsometimeslisteningtoPierre’sstories，andthenwouldgooutintothehallwithapleasantsenseofintimacywithhismasterandaffectionforhim。
　　ThedoctorwhoattendedPierreandvisitedhimeveryday，thoughheconsideredithisdutyasadoctortoposeasamanwhoseeverymomentwasofvaluetosufferinghumanity，wouldsitforhourswithPierretellinghimhisfavoriteanecdotesandhisobservationsonthecharactersofhispatientsingeneral，andespeciallyoftheladies。
　　"It’sapleasuretotalktoamanlikethat；heisnotlikeourprovincials，"hewouldsay。
　　TherewereseveralprisonersfromtheFrencharmyinOrel，andthedoctorbroughtoneofthem，ayoungItalian，toseePierre。
　　ThisofficerbeganvisitingPierre，andtheprincessusedtomakefunofthetendernesstheItalianexpressedforhim。
　　TheItalianseemedhappyonlywhenhecouldcometoseePierre，talkwithhim，tellhimabouthispast，hislifeathome，andhislove，andpourouttohimhisindignationagainsttheFrenchandespeciallyagainstNapoleon。
　　"IfallRussiansareintheleastlikeyou，itissacrilegetofightsuchanation，"hesaidtoPierre。"You，whohavesufferedsofromtheFrench，donotevenfeelanimositytowardthem。"
　　PierrehadevokedthepassionateaffectionoftheItalianmerelybyevokingthebestsideofhisnatureandtakingapleasureinsodoing。
　　DuringthelastdaysofPierre’sstayinOrelhisoldMasonicacquaintanceCountWillarski，whohadintroducedhimtothelodgein1807，cametoseehim。WillarskiwasmarriedtoaRussianheiresswhohadalargeestateinOrelprovince，andheoccupiedatemporarypostinthecommissariatdepartmentinthattown。
　　HearingthatBezukhovwasinOrel，Willarski，thoughtheyhadneverbeenintimate，cametohimwiththeprofessionsoffriendshipandintimacythatpeoplewhomeetinadesertgenerallyexpressforoneanother。WillarskifeltdullinOrelandwaspleasedtomeetamanofhisowncircleand，ashesupposed，ofsimilarinterests。
　　ButtohissurpriseWillarskisoonnoticedthatPierrehadlaggedmuchbehindthetimes，andhadsunk，asheexpressedittohimself，intoapathyandegotism。
　　"Youarelettingyourselfgo，mydearfellow，"hesaid。
　　ButforallthatWillarskifounditpleasanternowthanithadbeenformerlytobewithPierre，andcametoseehimeveryday。ToPierreashelookedatandlistenedtoWillarski，itseemedstrangetothinkthathehadbeenlikethathimselfbutashorttimebefore。
　　Willarskiwasamarriedmanwithafamily，busywithhisfamilyaffairs，hiswife’saffairs，andhisofficialduties。Heregardedalltheseoccupationsashindrancestolife，andconsideredthattheywereallcontemptiblebecausetheiraimwasthewelfareofhimselfandhisfamily。Military，administrative，political，andMasonicinterestscontinuallyabsorbedhisattention。AndPierre，withouttryingtochangetheother’sviewsandwithoutcondemninghim，butwiththequiet，joyful，andamusedsmilenowhabitualtohim，wasinterestedinthisstrangethoughveryfamiliarphenomenon。
　　TherewasanewfeatureinPierre’srelationswithWillarski，withtheprincess，withthedoctor，andwithallthepeoplehenowmet，whichgainedforhimthegeneralgoodwill。Thiswashisacknowledgmentoftheimpossibilityofchangingaman’sconvictionsbywords，andhisrecognitionofthepossibilityofeveryonethinking，feeling，andseeingthingseachfromhisownpointofview。ThislegitimatepeculiarityofeachindividualwhichusedtoexciteandirritatePierrenowbecameabasisofthesympathyhefeltfor，andtheinteresthetookin，otherpeople。Thedifference，andsometimescompletecontradiction，betweenmen’sopinionsandtheirlives，andbetweenonemanandanother，pleasedhimanddrewfromhimanamusedandgentlesmile。
　　InpracticalmattersPierreunexpectedlyfeltwithinhimselfacenterofgravityhehadpreviouslylacked。Formerlyallpecuniaryquestions，especiallyrequestsformoneytowhich，asanextremelywealthyman，hewasveryexposed，producedinhimastateofhopelessagitationandperplexity。"Togiveornottogive？"hehadaskedhimself。"Ihaveitandheneedsit。Butsomeoneelseneedsitstillmore。Whoneedsitmost？Andperhapstheyarebothimpostors？"
　　Intheolddayshehadbeenunabletofindawayoutofallthesesurmisesandhadgiventoallwhoaskedaslongashehadanythingtogive。Formerlyhehadbeeninasimilarstateofperplexitywithregardtoeveryquestionconcerninghisproperty，whenonepersonadvisedonethingandanothersomethingelse。
　　Nowtohissurprisehefoundthathenolongerfelteitherdoubtorperplexityaboutthesequestions。Therewasnowwithinhimajudgewhobysomeruleunknowntohimdecidedwhatshouldorshouldnotbedone。
　　Hewasasindifferentasheretoforetomoneymatters，butnowhefeltcertainofwhatoughtandwhatoughtnottobedone。ThefirsttimehehadrecoursetohisnewjudgewaswhenaFrenchprisoner，acolonel，cametohimand，aftertalkingagreatdealabouthisexploits，concludedbymakingwhatamountedtoademandthatPierreshouldgivehimfourthousandfrancstosendtohiswifeandchildren。
　　Pierrerefusedwithouttheleastdifficultyoreffort，andwasafterwardssurprisedhowsimpleandeasyhadbeenwhatusedtoappearsoinsurmountablydifficult。Atthesametimethatherefusedthecolonel’sdemandhemadeuphismindthathemusthaverecoursetoartificewhenleavingOrel，toinducetheItalianofficertoacceptsomemoneyofwhichhewasevidentlyinneed。AfurtherprooftoPierreofhisownmoresettledoutlookonpracticalmatterswasfurnishedbyhisdecisionwithregardtohiswife’sdebtsandtotherebuildingofhishousesinandnearMoscow。
　　HisheadstewardcametohimatOrelandPierrereckonedupwithhimhisdiminishedincome。TheburningofMoscowhadcosthim，accordingtotheheadsteward’scalculation，abouttwomillionrubles。
　　ToconsolePierrefortheselossestheheadstewardgavehimanestimateshowingthatdespitetheselosseshisincomewouldnotbediminishedbutwouldevenbeincreasedifherefusedtopayhiswife’sdebtswhichhewasundernoobligationtomeet，anddidnotrebuildhisMoscowhouseandthecountryhouseonhisMoscowestate，whichhadcosthimeightythousandrublesayearandbroughtinnothing。
　　"Yes，ofcoursethat’strue，"saidPierrewithacheerfulsmile。
　　"Idon’tneedallthatatall。BybeingruinedIhavebecomemuchricher。"
　　ButinJanuarySavelichcamefromMoscowandgavehimanaccountofthestateofthingsthere，andspokeoftheestimateanarchitecthadmadeofthecostofrebuildingthetownandcountryhouses，speakingofthisasofasettledmatter。AboutthesametimehereceivedlettersfromPrinceVasiliandotherPetersburgacquaintancesspeakingofhiswife’sdebts。AndPierredecidedthatthesteward’sproposalswhichhadsopleasedhimwerewrongandthathemustgotoPetersburgandsettlehiswife’saffairsandmustrebuildinMoscow。
　　Whythiswasnecessaryhedidnotknow，butheknewforcertainthatitwasnecessary。Hisincomewouldbereducedbythreefourths，buthefeltitmustbedone。
　　WillarskiwasgoingtoMoscowandtheyagreedtotraveltogether。
　　DuringthewholetimeofhisconvalescenceinOrelPierrehadexperiencedafeelingofjoy，freedom，andlife；butwhenduringhisjourneyhefoundhimselfintheopenworldandsawhundredsofnewfaces，thatfeelingwasintensified。Throughouthisjourneyhefeltlikeaschoolboyonholiday。Everyone—thestagecoachdriver，thepost—houseoverseers，thepeasantsontheroadsandinthevillages—
　　hadanewsignificanceforhim。ThepresenceandremarksofWillarskiwhocontinuallydeploredtheignoranceandpovertyofRussiaanditsbackwardnesscomparedwithEuropeonlyheightenedPierre’spleasure。WhereWillarskisawdeadnessPierresawanextraordinarystrengthandvitality—thestrengthwhichinthatvastspaceamidthesnowsmaintainedthelifeofthisoriginal，peculiar，anduniquepeople。HedidnotcontradictWillarskiandevenseemedtoagreewithhim—anapparentagreementbeingthesimplestwaytoavoiddiscussionsthatcouldleadtonothing—andhesmiledjoyfullyashelistenedtohim。
　　BK15CH14
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　Itwouldbedifficulttoexplainwhyandwhitherantswhoseheaphasbeendestroyedarehurrying：somefromtheheapdraggingbitsofrubbish，larvae，andcorpses，othersbacktotheheap，orwhytheyjostle，overtakeoneanother，andfight，anditwouldbeequallydifficulttoexplainwhatcausedtheRussiansafterthedepartureoftheFrenchtothrongtotheplacethathadformerlybeenMoscow。Butwhenwewatchtheantsroundtheirruinedheap，thetenacity，energy，andimmensenumberofthedelvinginsectsprovethatdespitethedestructionoftheheap，somethingindestructible，whichthoughintangibleistherealstrengthofthecolony，stillexists；andsimilarly，thoughinMoscowinthemonthofOctobertherewasnogovernmentnochurches，shrines，riches，orhouses—itwasstilltheMoscowithadbeeninAugust。Allwasdestroyed，exceptsomethingintangibleyetpowerfulandindestructible。
　　ThemotivesofthosewhothrongedfromallsidestoMoscowafterithadbeenclearedoftheenemyweremostdiverseandpersonal，andatfirstforthemostpartsavageandbrutal。Onemotiveonlytheyallhadincommon：adesiretogettotheplacethathadbeencalledMoscow，toapplytheiractivitiesthere。
　　WithinaweekMoscowalreadyhadfifteenthousandinhabitants，inafortnighttwenty—fivethousand，andsoon。Bytheautumnof1813thenumber，everincreasingandincreasing，exceededwhatithadbeenin1812。
　　ThefirstRussianstoenterMoscowweretheCossacksofWintzingerode’sdetachment，peasantsfromtheadjacentvillages，andresidentswhohadfledfromMoscowandhadbeenhidinginitsvicinity。TheRussianswhoenteredMoscow，findingitplundered，plundereditintheirturn。TheycontinuedwhattheFrenchhadbegun。TrainsofpeasantcartscametoMoscowtocarryofftothevillageswhathadbeenabandonedintheruinedhousesandthestreets。
　　TheCossackscarriedoffwhattheycouldtotheircamps，andthehouseholdersseizedalltheycouldfindinotherhousesandmovedittotheirown，pretendingthatitwastheirproperty。
　　Butthefirstplundererswerefollowedbyasecondandathirdcontingent，andwithincreasingnumbersplunderingbecamemoreandmoredifficultandassumedmoredefiniteforms。
　　TheFrenchfoundMoscowabandonedbutwithalltheorganizationsofregularlife，withdiversebranchesofcommerceandcraftsmanship，withluxury，andgovernmentalandreligiousinstitutions。Theseformswerelifelessbutstillexisted。Therewerebazaars，shops，warehouses，marketstalls，granaries—forthemostpartstillstockedwithgoods—andtherewerefactoriesandworkshops，palacesandwealthyhousesfilledwithluxuries，hospitals，prisons，governmentoffices，churches，andcathedrals。ThelongertheFrenchremainedthemoretheseformsoftownlifeperished，untilfinallyallwasmergedintooneconfused，lifelesssceneofplunder。
　　ThemoretheplunderingbytheFrenchcontinued，themoreboththewealthofMoscowandthestrengthofitsplundererswasdestroyed。ButplunderingbytheRussians，withwhichthereoccupationofthecitybegan，hadanoppositeeffect：thelongeritcontinuedandthegreaterthenumberofpeopletakingpartinitthemorerapidlywasthewealthofthecityanditsregularliferestored。
　　Besidestheplunderers，veryvariouspeople，somedrawnbycuriosity，somebyofficialduties，somebyself—interest—houseowners，clergy，officialsofallkinds，tradesmen，artisans，andpeasants—streamedintoMoscowasbloodflowstotheheart。
　　Withinaweekthepeasantswhocamewithemptycartstocarryoffplunderwerestoppedbytheauthoritiesandmadetocartthecorpsesoutofthetown。Otherpeasants，havingheardoftheircomrades’
　　discomfiture，cametotownbringingrye，oats，andhay，andbeatdownoneanother’spricestobelowwhattheyhadbeeninformerdays。GangsofcarpentershopingforhighpayarrivedinMoscoweveryday，andonallsideslogswerebeinghewn，newhousesbuilt，andold，charredonesrepaired。Tradesmenbegantradinginbooths。
　　Cookshopsandtavernswereopenedinpartiallyburnedhouses。Theclergyresumedtheservicesinmanychurchesthathadnotbeenburned。
　　DonorscontributedChurchpropertythathadbeenstolen。Governmentclerkssetuptheirbaize—coveredtablesandtheirpigeonholesofdocumentsinsmallrooms。ThehigherauthoritiesandthepoliceorganizedthedistributionofgoodsleftbehindbytheFrench。Theownersofhousesinwhichmuchpropertyhadbeenleft，broughttherefromotherhouses，complainedoftheinjusticeoftakingeverythingtotheFacetedPalaceintheKremlin；othersinsistedthatastheFrenchhadgatheredthingsfromdifferenthousesintothisorthathouse，itwouldbeunfairtoallowitsownertokeepallthatwasfoundthere。Theyabusedthepoliceandbribedthem，madeoutestimatesattentimestheirvalueforgovernmentstoresthathadperishedinthefire，anddemandedrelief。AndCountRostopchinwroteproclamations。
　　BK15CH15
　　CHAPTERXV
　　AttheendofJanuaryPierrewenttoMoscowandstayedinanannexofhishousewhichhadnotbeenburned。HecalledonCountRostopchinandonsomeacquaintanceswhowerebackinMoscow，andheintendedtoleaveforPetersburgtwodayslater。Everybodywascelebratingthevictory，everythingwasbubblingwithlifeintheruinedbutrevivingcity。EveryonewaspleasedtoseePierre，everyonewishedtomeethim，andeveryonequestionedhimaboutwhathehadseen。Pierrefeltparticularlywelldisposedtowardthemall，butwasnowinstinctivelyonhisguardforfearofbindinghimselfinanyway。Toallquestionsputtohim—whetherimportantorquitetrifling—suchas：Wherewouldhelive？Washegoingtorebuild？
　　WhenwashegoingtoPetersburgandwouldhemindtakingaparcelforsomeone？—hereplied："Yes，perhaps，"or，"Ithinkso，"andsoon。
　　HehadheardthattheRostovswereatKostromabutthethoughtofNatashaseldomoccurredtohim。Ifitdiditwasonlyasapleasantmemoryofthedistantpast。Hefelthimselfnotonlyfreefromsocialobligationsbutalsofromthatfeelingwhich，itseemedtohim，hehadarousedinhimself。
　　OnthethirddayafterhisarrivalheheardfromtheDrubetskoysthatPrincessMarywasinMoscow。Thedeath，sufferings，andlastdaysofPrinceAndrewhadoftenoccupiedPierre’sthoughtsandnowrecurredtohimwithfreshvividness。HavingheardatdinnerthatPrincessMarywasinMoscowandlivinginherhouse—whichhadnotbeenburned—inVozdvizhenkaStreet，hedrovethatsameeveningtoseeher。
　　OnhiswaytothehousePierrekeptthinkingofPrinceAndrew，oftheirfriendship，ofhisvariousmeetingswithhim，andespeciallyofthelastoneatBorodino。
　　"Isitpossiblethathediedinthebitterframeofmindhewasthenin？Isitpossiblethatthemeaningoflifewasnotdisclosedtohimbeforehedied？"thoughtPierre。HerecalledKarataevandhisdeathandinvoluntarilybegantocomparethesetwomen，sodifferent，andyetsosimilarinthattheyhadbothlivedandbothdiedandinthelovehefeltforbothofthem。
　　Pierredroveuptothehouseoftheoldprinceinamostseriousmood。Thehousehadescapedthefire；itshowedsignsofdamagebutitsgeneralaspectwasunchanged。Theoldfootman，whometPierrewithasternfaceasifwishingtomakethevisitorfeelthattheabsenceoftheoldprincehadnotdisturbedtheorderofthingsinthehouse，informedhimthattheprincesshadgonetoherownapartments，andthatshereceivedonSundays。
　　"Announceme。Perhapsshewillseeme，"saidPierre。
　　"Yes，sir，"saidtheman。"Pleasestepintotheportraitgallery。"
　　AfewminuteslaterthefootmanreturnedwithDessalles，whobroughtwordfromtheprincessthatshewouldbeverygladtoseePierreifhewouldexcuseherwantofceremonyandcomeupstairstoherapartment。
　　Inaratherlowroomlitbyonecandlesattheprincessandwithheranotherpersondressedinblack。Pierrerememberedthattheprincessalwayshadladycompanions，butwhotheywereandwhattheywerelikeheneverkneworremembered。"Thismustbeoneofhercompanions，"hethought，glancingattheladyintheblackdress。
　　Theprincessrosequicklytomeethimandheldoutherhand。
　　"Yes，"shesaid，lookingathisalteredfaceafterhehadkissedherhand，"sothisishowwemeetagain。Heofspokeofyouevenattheverylast，"shewenton，turninghereyesfromPierretohercompanionwithashynessthatsurprisedhimforaninstant。
　　"Iwassogladtohearofyoursafety。Itwasthefirstpieceofgoodnewswehadreceivedforalongtime。"
　　Againtheprincessglancedroundathercompanionwithevenmoreuneasinessinhermannerandwasabouttoaddsomething，butPierreinterruptedher。
　　"Justimagine—Iknewnothingabouthim！"saidhe。"Ithoughthehadbeenkilled。AllIknowIheardatsecondhandfromothers。IonlyknowthathefellinwiththeRostovs……Whatastrangecoincidence！"
　　Pierrespokerapidlyandwithanimation。Heglancedonceatthecompanion’sface，sawherattentiveandkindlygazefixedonhim，and，asoftenhappenswhenoneistalking，feltsomehowthatthiscompanionintheblackdresswasagood，kind，excellentcreaturewhowouldnothinderhisconversingfreelywithPrincessMary。
　　ButwhenhementionedtheRostovs，PrincessMary’sfaceexpressedstillgreaterembarrassment。SheagainglancedrapidlyfromPierre’sfacetothatoftheladyintheblackdressandsaid：
　　"Doyoureallynotrecognizeher？"
　　Pierrelookedagainatthecompanion’spale，delicatefacewithitsblackeyesandpeculiarmouth，andsomethingneartohim，longforgottenandmorethansweet，lookedathimfromthoseattentiveeyes。
　　"Butno，itcan’tbe！"hethought。"Thisstern，thin，palefacethatlookssomucholder！Itcannotbeshe。Itmerelyremindsmeofher。"
　　ButatthatmomentPrincessMarysaid，"Natasha！"Andwithdifficulty，effort，andstress，liketheopeningofadoorgrownrustyonitshinges，asmileappearedonthefacewiththeattentiveeyes，andfromthatopeningdoorcameabreathoffragrancewhichsuffusedPierrewithahappinesshehadlongforgottenandofwhichhehadnotevenbeenthinking—especiallyatthatmoment。Itsuffusedhim，seizedhim，andenvelopedhimcompletely。Whenshesmileddoubtwasnolongerpossible，itwasNatashaandhelovedher。
　　AtthatmomentPierreinvoluntarilybetrayedtoher，toPrincessMary，andabovealltohimself，asecretofwhichhehimselfhadbeenunaware。Heflushedjoyfullyyetwithpainfuldistress。Hetriedtohidehisagitation。Butthemorehetriedtohideitthemoreclearly—clearerthananywordscouldhavedone—didhebetraytohimself，toher，andtoPrincessMarythathelovedher。
　　"No，it’sonlytheunexpectednessofit，"thoughtPierre。ButassoonashetriedtocontinuetheconversationhehadbegunwithPrincessMaryheagainglancedatNatasha，andastill—deeperflushsuffusedhisfaceandastill—strongeragitationofmingledjoyandfearseizedhissoul。Hebecameconfusedinhisspeechandstoppedinthemiddleofwhathewassaying。
　　PierrehadfailedtonoticeNatashabecausehedidnotatallexpecttoseeherthere，buthehadfailedtorecognizeherbecausethechangeinhersincehelastsawherwasimmense。Shehadgrownthinandpale，butthatwasnotwhatmadeherunrecognizable；shewasunrecognizableatthemomentheenteredbecauseonthatfacewhoseeyeshadalwaysshonewithasuppressedsmileofthejoyoflife，nowwhenhefirstenteredandglancedathertherewasnottheleastshadowofasmile：onlyhereyeswerekindlyattentiveandsadlyinterrogative。
　　Pierre’sconfusionwasnotreflectedbyanyconfusiononNatasha’spart，butonlybythepleasurethatjustperceptiblylitupherwholeface。
　　BK15CH16
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　"Shehascometostaywithme，"saidPrincessMary。"Thecountandcountesswillbehereinafewdays。Thecountessisinadreadfulstate；butitwasnecessaryforNatashaherselftoseeadoctor。
　　Theyinsistedonhercomingwithme。"
　　"Yes，isthereafamilyfreefromsorrownow？"saidPierre，addressingNatasha。"Youknowithappenedtheverydaywewererescued。Isawhim。Whatadelightfulboyhewas！"
　　Natashalookedathim，andbywayofanswertohiswordshereyeswidenedandlitup。
　　"Whatcanonesayorthinkofasaconsolation？"saidPierre。
　　"Nothing！Whyhadsuchasplendidboy，sofulloflife，todie？"
　　"Yes，inthesedaysitwouldbehardtolivewithoutfaith……"
　　remarkedPrincessMary。
　　"Yes，yes，thatisreallytrue，"Pierrehastilyinterruptedher。
　　"Whyisittrue？"Natashaasked，lookingattentivelyintoPierre’seyes。
　　"Howcanyouaskwhy？"saidPrincessMary。"Thethoughtaloneofwhatawaits……"
　　NatashawithoutwaitingforPrincessMarytofinishagainlookedinquiringlyatPierre。