CHAPTERI

"Well，Prince，soGenoaandLuccaarenowjustfamilyestatesoftheBuonapartes。ButIwarnyou，ifyoudon’ttellmethatthismeanswar，ifyoustilltrytodefendtheinfamiesandhorrorsperpetratedbythatAntichrist—IreallybelieveheisAntichrist—Iwillhavenothingmoretodowithyouandyouarenolongermyfriend，nolongermy’faithfulslave，’asyoucallyourself！Buthowdoyoudo？IseeIhavefrightenedyou—sitdownandtellmeallthenews。"

ItwasinJuly，1805，andthespeakerwasthewell—knownAnnaPavlovnaScherer，maidofhonorandfavoriteoftheEmpressMaryaFedorovna。WiththesewordsshegreetedPrinceVasiliKuragin，amanofhighrankandimportance，whowasthefirsttoarriveatherreception。AnnaPavlovnahadhadacoughforsomedays。Shewas，asshesaid，sufferingfromlagrippe；grippebeingthenanewwordinSt。Petersburg，usedonlybytheelite。

Allherinvitationswithoutexception，writteninFrench，anddeliveredbyascarlet—liveriedfootmanthatmorning，ranasfollows：

"Ifyouhavenothingbettertodo，Count[orPrince]，andiftheprospectofspendinganeveningwithapoorinvalidisnottooterrible，Ishallbeverycharmedtoseeyoutonightbetween7and10—

AnnetteScherer。"

"Heavens！whatavirulentattack！"repliedtheprince，notintheleastdisconcertedbythisreception。Hehadjustentered，wearinganembroideredcourtuniform，kneebreeches，andshoes，andhadstarsonhisbreastandasereneexpressiononhisflatface。HespokeinthatrefinedFrenchinwhichourgrandfathersnotonlyspokebutthought，andwiththegentle，patronizingintonationnaturaltoamanofimportancewhohadgrownoldinsocietyandatcourt。HewentuptoAnnaPavlovna，kissedherhand，presentingtoherhisbald，scented，andshininghead，andcomplacentlyseatedhimselfonthesofa。

"Firstofall，dearfriend，tellmehowyouare。Setyourfriend’smindatrest，"saidhewithoutalteringhistone，beneaththepolitenessandaffectedsympathyofwhichindifferenceandevenironycouldbediscerned。

"Canonebewellwhilesufferingmorally？Canonebecalmintimesliketheseifonehasanyfeeling？"saidAnnaPavlovna。"Youarestayingthewholeevening，Ihope？"

"AndthefeteattheEnglishambassador’s？TodayisWednesday。I

mustputinanappearancethere，"saidtheprince。"Mydaughteriscomingformetotakemethere。"

"Ithoughttoday’sfetehadbeencanceled。Iconfessallthesefestivitiesandfireworksarebecomingwearisome。"

"Iftheyhadknownthatyouwishedit，theentertainmentwouldhavebeenputoff，"saidtheprince，who，likeawound—upclock，byforceofhabitsaidthingshedidnotevenwishtobebelieved。

"Don’ttease！Well，andwhathasbeendecidedaboutNovosiltsev’sdispatch？Youknoweverything。"

"Whatcanonesayaboutit？"repliedtheprinceinacold，listlesstone。"Whathasbeendecided？TheyhavedecidedthatBuonapartehasburnthisboats，andIbelievethatwearereadytoburnours。"

PrinceVasilialwaysspokelanguidly，likeanactorrepeatingastalepart。AnnaPavlovnaSchereronthecontrary，despiteherfortyyears，overflowedwithanimationandimpulsiveness。Tobeanenthusiasthadbecomehersocialvocationand，sometimesevenwhenshedidnotfeellikeit，shebecameenthusiasticinordernottodisappointtheexpectationsofthosewhoknewher。Thesubduedsmilewhich，thoughitdidnotsuitherfadedfeatures，alwaysplayedroundherlipsexpressed，asinaspoiledchild，acontinualconsciousnessofhercharmingdefect，whichsheneitherwished，norcould，norconsidereditnecessary，tocorrect。

InthemidstofaconversationonpoliticalmattersAnnaPavlovnaburstout：

"Oh，don’tspeaktomeofAustria。PerhapsIdon’tunderstandthings，butAustrianeverhaswished，anddoesnotwish，forwar。

Sheisbetrayingus！RussiaalonemustsaveEurope。Ourgracioussovereignrecognizeshishighvocationandwillbetruetoit。ThatistheonethingIhavefaithin！Ourgoodandwonderfulsovereignhastoperformthenoblestroleonearth，andheissovirtuousandnoblethatGodwillnotforsakehim。Hewillfulfillhisvocationandcrushthehydraofrevolution，whichhasbecomemoreterriblethaneverinthepersonofthismurdererandvillain！Wealonemustavengethebloodofthejustone……Whom，Iaskyou，canwerelyon？……EnglandwithhercommercialspiritwillnotandcannotunderstandtheEmperorAlexander’sloftinessofsoul。ShehasrefusedtoevacuateMalta。Shewantedtofind，andstillseeks，somesecretmotiveinouractions。WhatanswerdidNovosiltsevget？None。

TheEnglishhavenotunderstoodandcannotunderstandtheself—abnegationofourEmperorwhowantsnothingforhimself，butonlydesiresthegoodofmankind。Andwhathavetheypromised？Nothing！Andwhatlittletheyhavepromisedtheywillnotperform！PrussiahasalwaysdeclaredthatBuonaparteisinvincible，andthatallEuropeispowerlessbeforehim……AndIdon’tbelieveawordthatHardenburgsays，orHaugwitzeither。ThisfamousPrussianneutralityisjustatrap。IhavefaithonlyinGodandtheloftydestinyofouradoredmonarch。HewillsaveEurope！"

Shesuddenlypaused，smilingatherownimpetuosity。

"Ithink，"saidtheprincewithasmile，"thatifyouhadbeensentinsteadofourdearWintzingerodeyouwouldhavecapturedtheKingofPrussia’sconsentbyassault。Youaresoeloquent。Willyougivemeacupoftea？"

"Inamoment。Apropos，"sheadded，becomingcalmagain，"Iamexpectingtwoveryinterestingmentonight，leVicomtedeMortemart，whoisconnectedwiththeMontmorencysthroughtheRohans，oneofthebestFrenchfamilies。Heisoneofthegenuineemigres，thegoodones。AndalsotheAbbeMorio。Doyouknowthatprofoundthinker？HehasbeenreceivedbytheEmperor。Hadyouheard？"

"Ishallbedelightedtomeetthem，"saidtheprince。"Buttellme，"

headdedwithstudiedcarelessnessasifithadonlyjustoccurredtohim，thoughthequestionhewasabouttoaskwasthechiefmotiveofhisvisit，"isittruethattheDowagerEmpresswantsBaronFunketobeappointedfirstsecretaryatVienna？Thebaronbyallaccountsisapoorcreature。"

PrinceVasiliwishedtoobtainthispostforhisson，butothersweretryingthroughtheDowagerEmpressMaryaFedorovnatosecureitforthebaron。

AnnaPavlovnaalmostclosedhereyestoindicatethatneithershenoranyoneelsehadarighttocriticizewhattheEmpressdesiredorwaspleasedwith。

"BaronFunkehasbeenrecommendedtotheDowagerEmpressbyhersister，"wasallshesaid，inadryandmournfultone。

AsshenamedtheEmpress，AnnaPavlovna’sfacesuddenlyassumedanexpressionofprofoundandsinceredevotionandrespectmingledwithsadness，andthisoccurredeverytimeshementionedherillustriouspatroness。SheaddedthatHerMajestyhaddeignedtoshowBaronFunkebeaucoupd’estime，andagainherfacecloudedoverwithsadness。

Theprincewassilentandlookedindifferent。But，withthewomanlyandcourtierlikequicknessandtacthabitualtoher，AnnaPavlovnawishedbothtorebukehim(fordaringtospeakhehaddoneofamanrecommendedtotheEmpress)andatthesametimetoconsolehim，soshesaid：

"Nowaboutyourfamily。Doyouknowthatsinceyourdaughtercameouteveryonehasbeenenrapturedbyher？Theysaysheisamazinglybeautiful。"

Theprincebowedtosignifyhisrespectandgratitude。

"Ioftenthink，"shecontinuedafterashortpause，drawingnearertotheprinceandsmilingamiablyathimasiftoshowthatpoliticalandsocialtopicswereendedandthetimehadcomeforintimateconversation—"Ioftenthinkhowunfairlysometimesthejoysoflifearedistributed。Whyhasfategivenyoutwosuchsplendidchildren？Idon’tspeakofAnatole，youryoungest。Idon’tlikehim，"sheaddedinatoneadmittingofnorejoinderandraisinghereyebrows。"Twosuchcharmingchildren。Andreallyyouappreciatethemlessthananyone，andsoyoudon’tdeservetohavethem。"

Andshesmiledherecstaticsmile。

"Ican’thelpit，"saidtheprince。"LavaterwouldhavesaidI

lackthebumpofpaternity。"

"Don’tjoke；Imeantohaveaserioustalkwithyou。DoyouknowI

amdissatisfiedwithyouryoungerson？Betweenourselves"(andherfaceassumeditsmelancholyexpression)，"hewasmentionedatHerMajesty’sandyouwerepitied……"

Theprinceanswerednothing，butshelookedathimsignificantly，awaitingareply。Hefrowned。

"Whatwouldyouhavemedo？"hesaidatlast。"YouknowIdidallafathercouldfortheireducation，andtheyhavebothturnedoutfools。Hippolyteisatleastaquietfool，butAnatoleisanactiveone。Thatistheonlydifferencebetweenthem。"Hesaidthissmilinginawaymorenaturalandanimatedthanusual，sothatthewrinklesroundhismouthveryclearlyrevealedsomethingunexpectedlycoarseandunpleasant。

"Andwhyarechildrenborntosuchmenasyou？IfyouwerenotafathertherewouldbenothingIcouldreproachyouwith，"saidAnnaPavlovna，lookinguppensively。

"IamyourfaithfulslaveandtoyoualoneIcanconfessthatmychildrenarethebaneofmylife。ItisthecrossIhavetobear。ThatishowIexplainittomyself。Itcan’tbehelped！"

Hesaidnomore，butexpressedhisresignationtocruelfatebyagesture。AnnaPavlovnameditated。

"HaveyouneverthoughtofmarryingyourprodigalsonAnatole？"

sheasked。"Theysayoldmaidshaveamaniaformatchmaking，andthoughIdon’tfeelthatweaknessinmyselfasyet，Iknowalittlepersonwhoisveryunhappywithherfather。Sheisarelationofyours，PrincessMaryBolkonskaya。"

PrinceVasilididnotreply，though，withthequicknessofmemoryandperceptionbefittingamanoftheworld，heindicatedbyamovementoftheheadthathewasconsideringthisinformation。

"Doyouknow，"hesaidatlast，evidentlyunabletocheckthesadcurrentofhisthoughts，"thatAnatoleiscostingmefortythousandrublesayear？And，"hewentonafterapause，"whatwillitbeinfiveyears，ifhegoesonlikethis？"Presentlyheadded："That’swhatwefathershavetoputupwith……Isthisprincessofyoursrich？"

"Herfatherisveryrichandstingy。Helivesinthecountry。Heisthewell—knownPrinceBolkonskiwhohadtoretirefromthearmyunderthelateEmperor，andwasnicknamed’theKingofPrussia。’Heisverycleverbuteccentric，andabore。Thepoorgirlisveryunhappy。Shehasabrother；Ithinkyouknowhim，hemarriedLiseMeinenlately。Heisanaide—de—campofKutuzov’sandwillbeheretonight。"

"Listen，dearAnnette，"saidtheprince，suddenlytakingAnnaPavlovna’shandandforsomereasondrawingitdownwards。"ArrangethataffairformeandIshallalwaysbeyourmostdevotedslave—

slafewighanf，asavillageelderofminewritesinhisreports。Sheisrichandofgoodfamilyandthat’sallIwant。"

Andwiththefamiliarityandeasygracepeculiartohim，heraisedthemaidofhonor’shandtohislips，kissedit，andswungittoandfroashelaybackinhisarmchair，lookinginanotherdirection。

"Attendez，"saidAnnaPavlovna，reflecting，"I’llspeaktoLise，youngBolkonski’swife，thisveryevening，andperhapsthethingcanbearranged。Itshallbeonyourfamily’sbehalfthatI’llstartmyapprenticeshipasoldmaid。"

BK1|CH2

CHAPTERII

AnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroomwasgraduallyfilling。ThehighestPetersburgsocietywasassembledthere：peopledifferingwidelyinageandcharacterbutalikeinthesocialcircletowhichtheybelonged。

PrinceVasili’sdaughter，thebeautifulHelene，cametotakeherfathertotheambassador’sentertainment；sheworeaballdressandherbadgeasmaidofhonor。TheyouthfullittlePrincessBolkonskaya，knownaslafemmelaplusseduisantedePetersbourg，*wasalsothere。Shehadbeenmarriedduringthepreviouswinter，andbeingpregnantdidnotgotoanylargegatherings，butonlytosmallreceptions。PrinceVasili’sson，Hippolyte，hadcomewithMortemart，whomheintroduced。TheAbbeMorioandmanyothershadalsocome。

*ThemostfascinatingwomaninPetersburg。

ToeachnewarrivalAnnaPavlovnasaid，"Youhavenotyetseenmyaunt，"or"Youdonotknowmyaunt？"andverygravelyconductedhimorhertoalittleoldlady，wearinglargebowsofribboninhercap，whohadcomesailinginfromanotherroomassoonastheguestsbegantoarrive；andslowlyturninghereyesfromthevisitortoheraunt，AnnaPavlovnamentionedeachone’snameandthenleftthem。

Eachvisitorperformedtheceremonyofgreetingthisoldauntwhomnotoneofthemknew，notoneofthemwantedtoknow，andnotoneofthemcaredabout；AnnaPavlovnaobservedthesegreetingswithmournfulandsolemninterestandsilentapproval。Theauntspoketoeachoftheminthesamewords，abouttheirhealthandherown，andthehealthofHerMajesty，"who，thankGod，wasbettertoday。"Andeachvisitor，thoughpolitenesspreventedhisshowingimpatience，lefttheoldwomanwithasenseofreliefathavingperformedavexatiousdutyanddidnotreturntoherthewholeevening。

TheyoungPrincessBolkonskayahadbroughtsomeworkinagold—embroideredvelvetbag。Herprettylittleupperlip，onwhichadelicatedarkdownwasjustperceptible，wastooshortforherteeth，butitliftedallthemoresweetly，andwasespeciallycharmingwhensheoccasionallydrewitdowntomeetthelowerlip。Asisalwaysthecasewithathoroughlyattractivewoman，herdefect—theshortnessofherupperlipandherhalf—openmouth—seemedtobeherownspecialandpeculiarformofbeauty。Everyonebrightenedatthesightofthisprettyyoungwoman，sosoontobecomeamother，sofulloflifeandhealth，andcarryingherburdensolightly。Oldmenanddulldispiritedyoungoneswholookedather，afterbeinginhercompanyandtalkingtoheralittlewhile，feltasiftheytoowerebecoming，likeher，fulloflifeandhealth。Allwhotalkedtoher，andateachwordsawherbrightsmileandtheconstantgleamofherwhiteteeth，thoughtthattheywereinaspeciallyamiablemoodthatday。

Thelittleprincesswentroundthetablewithquick，short，swayingsteps，herworkbagonherarm，andgailyspreadingoutherdresssatdownonasofanearthesilversamovar，asifallshewasdoingwasapleasuretoherselfandtoallaroundher。"Ihavebroughtmywork，"saidsheinFrench，displayingherbagandaddressingallpresent。"Mind，Annette，Ihopeyouhavenotplayedawickedtrickonme，"sheadded，turningtoherhostess。"Youwrotethatitwastobequiteasmallreception，andjustseehowbadlyIamdressed。"

Andshespreadoutherarmstoshowhershort—waisted，lace—trimmed，daintygraydress，girdledwithabroadribbonjustbelowthebreast。

"Soyeztranquille，Lise，youwillalwaysbeprettierthananyoneelse，"repliedAnnaPavlovna。

"Youknow，"saidtheprincessinthesametoneofvoiceandstillinFrench，turningtoageneral，"myhusbandisdesertingme？Heisgoingtogethimselfkilled。Tellmewhatthiswretchedwarisfor？"sheadded，addressingPrinceVasili，andwithoutwaitingforananswersheturnedtospeaktohisdaughter，thebeautifulHelene。

"Whatadelightfulwomanthislittleprincessis！"saidPrinceVasilitoAnnaPavlovna。

Oneofthenextarrivalswasastout，heavilybuiltyoungmanwithclose—croppedhair，spectacles，thelight—coloredbreechesfashionableatthattime，averyhighruffle，andabrowndresscoat。ThisstoutyoungmanwasanillegitimatesonofCountBezukhov，awell—knowngrandeeofCatherine’stimewhonowlaydyinginMoscow。Theyoungmanhadnotyetenteredeitherthemilitaryorcivilservice，ashehadonlyjustreturnedfromabroadwherehehadbeeneducated，andthiswashisfirstappearanceinsociety。AnnaPavlovnagreetedhimwiththenodsheaccordedtothelowesthierarchyinherdrawingroom。

Butinspiteofthislowest—gradegreeting，alookofanxietyandfear，asatthesightofsomethingtoolargeandunsuitedtotheplace，cameoverherfacewhenshesawPierreenter。Thoughhewascertainlyratherbiggerthantheothermenintheroom，heranxietycouldonlyhavereferencetothecleverthoughshy，butobservantandnatural，expressionwhichdistinguishedhimfromeveryoneelseinthatdrawingroom。

"Itisverygoodofyou，MonsieurPierre，tocomeandvisitapoorinvalid，"saidAnnaPavlovna，exchanginganalarmedglancewithherauntassheconductedhimtoher。

Pierremurmuredsomethingunintelligible，andcontinuedtolookroundasifinsearchofsomething。Onhiswaytotheaunthebowedtothelittleprincesswithapleasedsmile，astoanintimateacquaintance。

AnnaPavlovna’salarmwasjustified，forPierreturnedawayfromtheauntwithoutwaitingtohearherspeechaboutHerMajesty’shealth。

AnnaPavlovnaindismaydetainedhimwiththewords："DoyouknowtheAbbeMorio？Heisamostinterestingman。"

"Yes，Ihaveheardofhisschemeforperpetualpeace，anditisveryinterestingbuthardlyfeasible。"

"Youthinkso？"rejoinedAnnaPavlovnainordertosaysomethingandgetawaytoattendtoherdutiesashostess。ButPierrenowcommittedareverseactofimpoliteness。Firsthehadleftaladybeforeshehadfinishedspeakingtohim，andnowhecontinuedtospeaktoanotherwhowishedtogetaway。Withhisheadbent，andhisbigfeetspreadapart，hebeganexplaininghisreasonsforthinkingtheabbe’splanchimerical。

"Wewilltalkofitlater，"saidAnnaPavlovnawithasmile。

Andhavinggotridofthisyoungmanwhodidnotknowhowtobehave，sheresumedherdutiesashostessandcontinuedtolistenandwatch，readytohelpatanypointwheretheconversationmighthappentoflag。Astheforemanofaspinningmill，whenhehassetthehandstowork，goesroundandnoticeshereaspindlethathasstoppedorthereonethatcreaksormakesmorenoisethanitshould，andhastenstocheckthemachineorsetitinpropermotion，soAnnaPavlovnamovedaboutherdrawingroom，approachingnowasilent，nowatoo—noisygroup，andbyawordorslightrearrangementkepttheconversationalmachineinsteady，proper，andregularmotion。ButamidthesecaresheranxietyaboutPierrewasevident。ShekeptananxiouswatchonhimwhenheapproachedthegrouproundMortemarttolistentowhatwasbeingsaidthere，andagainwhenhepassedtoanothergroupwhosecenterwastheabbe。

Pierrehadbeeneducatedabroad，andthisreceptionatAnnaPavlovna’swasthefirsthehadattendedinRussia。HeknewthatalltheintellectuallightsofPetersburgweregatheredthereand，likeachildinatoyshop，didnotknowwhichwaytolook，afraidofmissinganycleverconversationthatwastobeheard。Seeingtheself—confidentandrefinedexpressiononthefacesofthosepresenthewasalwaysexpectingtohearsomethingveryprofound。AtlasthecameuptoMorio。Heretheconversationseemedinterestingandhestoodwaitingforanopportunitytoexpresshisownviews，asyoungpeoplearefondofdoing。

BK1|CH3

CHAPTERIII

AnnaPavlovna’sreceptionwasinfullswing。Thespindleshummedsteadilyandceaselesslyonallsides。Withtheexceptionoftheaunt，besidewhomsatonlyoneelderlylady，whowithherthincarewornfacewasratheroutofplaceinthisbrilliantsociety，thewholecompanyhadsettledintothreegroups。One，chieflymasculine，hadformedroundtheabbe。Another，ofyoungpeople，wasgroupedroundthebeautifulPrincessHelene，PrinceVasili’sdaughter，andthelittlePrincessBolkonskaya，veryprettyandrosy，thoughrathertooplumpforherage。ThethirdgroupwasgatheredroundMortemartandAnnaPavlovna。

Thevicomtewasanice—lookingyoungmanwithsoftfeaturesandpolishedmanners，whoevidentlyconsideredhimselfacelebritybutoutofpolitenessmodestlyplacedhimselfatthedisposalofthecircleinwhichhefoundhimself。AnnaPavlovnawasobviouslyservinghimupasatreattoherguests。Asaclevermaitred’hotelservesupasaspeciallychoicedelicacyapieceofmeatthatnoonewhohadseenitinthekitchenwouldhavecaredtoeat，soAnnaPavlovnaserveduptoherguests，firstthevicomteandthentheabbe，aspeculiarlychoicemorsels。ThegroupaboutMortemartimmediatelybegandiscussingthemurderoftheDucd’Enghien。ThevicomtesaidthattheDucd’Enghienhadperishedbyhisownmagnanimity，andthattherewereparticularreasonsforBuonaparte’shatredofhim。

"Ah，yes！Dotellusallaboutit，Vicomte，"saidAnnaPavlovna，withapleasantfeelingthattherewassomethingalaLouisXVinthesoundofthatsentence："Conteznouscela，Vicomte。"

Thevicomtebowedandsmiledcourteouslyintokenofhiswillingnesstocomply。AnnaPavlovnaarrangedagrouproundhim，invitingeveryonetolistentohistale。

"Thevicomteknewtheducpersonally，"whisperedAnnaPavlovnatooftheguests。"Thevicomteisawonderfulraconteur，"saidshetoanother。"Howevidentlyhebelongstothebestsociety，"saidshetoathird；andthevicomtewasserveduptothecompanyinthechoicestandmostadvantageousstyle，likeawell—garnishedjointofroastbeefonahotdish。

Thevicomtewishedtobeginhisstoryandgaveasubtlesmile。

"Comeoverhere，Helene，dear，"saidAnnaPavlovnatothebeautifulyoungprincesswhowassittingsomewayoff，thecenterofanothergroup。

Theprincesssmiled。Sherosewiththesameunchangingsmilewithwhichshehadfirstenteredtheroom—thesmileofaperfectlybeautifulwoman。Withaslightrustleofherwhitedresstrimmedwithmossandivy，withagleamofwhiteshoulders，glossyhair，andsparklingdiamonds，shepassedbetweenthemenwhomadewayforher，notlookingatanyofthembutsmilingonall，asifgraciouslyallowingeachtheprivilegeofadmiringherbeautifulfigureandshapelyshoulders，back，andbosom—whichinthefashionofthosedayswereverymuchexposed—andsheseemedtobringtheglamourofaballroomwithherasshemovedtowardAnnaPavlovna。Helenewassolovelythatnotonlydidshenotshowanytraceofcoquetry，butonthecontrarysheevenappearedshyofherunquestionableandalltoovictoriousbeauty。Sheseemedtowish，buttobeunable，todiminishitseffect。

"Howlovely！"saideveryonewhosawher；andthevicomteliftedhisshouldersanddroppedhiseyesasifstartledbysomethingextraordinarywhenshetookherseatoppositeandbeameduponhimalsowithherunchangingsmile。

"Madame，Idoubtmyabilitybeforesuchanaudience，"saidhe，smilinglyinclininghishead。

Theprincessrestedherbareroundarmonalittletableandconsideredareplyunnecessary。Shesmilinglywaited。Allthetimethestorywasbeingtoldshesatupright，glancingnowatherbeautifulroundarm，alteredinshapebyitspressureonthetable，nowatherstillmorebeautifulbosom，onwhichshereadjustedadiamondnecklace。Fromtimetotimeshesmoothedthefoldsofherdress，andwheneverthestoryproducedaneffectsheglancedatAnnaPavlovna，atonceadoptedjusttheexpressionshesawonthemaidofhonor’sface，andagainrelapsedintoherradiantsmile。

ThelittleprincesshadalsolefttheteatableandfollowedHelene。

"Waitamoment，I’llgetmywork……Nowthen，whatareyouthinkingof？"shewenton，turningtoPrinceHippolyte。"Fetchmemyworkbag。"

Therewasageneralmovementastheprincess，smilingandtalkingmerrilytoeveryoneatonce，satdownandgailyarrangedherselfinherseat。

"NowIamallright，"shesaid，andaskingthevicomtetobegin，shetookupherwork。

PrinceHippolyte，havingbroughttheworkbag，joinedthecircleandmovingachairclosetohersseatedhimselfbesideher。

LecharmantHippolytewassurprisingbyhisextraordinaryresemblancetohisbeautifulsister，butyetmorebythefactthatinspiteofthisresemblancehewasexceedinglyugly。Hisfeatureswerelikehissister’s，butwhileinhercaseeverythingwaslitupbyajoyous，self—satisfied，youthful，andconstantsmileofanimation，andbythewonderfulclassicbeautyofherfigure，hisfaceonthecontrarywasdulledbyimbecilityandaconstantexpressionofsullenself—confidence，whilehisbodywasthinandweak。Hiseyes，nose，andmouthallseemedpuckeredintoavacant，weariedgrimace，andhisarmsandlegsalwaysfellintounnaturalpositions。

"It’snotgoingtobeaghoststory？"saidhe，sittingdownbesidetheprincessandhastilyadjustinghislorgnette，asifwithoutthisinstrumenthecouldnotbegintospeak。

"Whyno，mydearfellow，"saidtheastonishednarrator，shrugginghisshoulders。

"BecauseIhateghoststories，"saidPrinceHippolyteinatonewhichshowedthatheonlyunderstoodthemeaningofhiswordsafterhehadutteredthem。

Hespokewithsuchself—confidencethathishearerscouldnotbesurewhetherwhathesaidwasverywittyorverystupid。Hewasdressedinadark—greendresscoat，kneebreechesofthecolorofcuissedenympheeffrayee，ashecalledit，shoes，andsilkstockings。

Thevicomtetoldhistaleveryneatly。Itwasananecdote，thencurrent，totheeffectthattheDucd’EnghienhadgonesecretlytoParistovisitMademoiselleGeorge；thatatherhousehecameuponBonaparte，whoalsoenjoyedthefamousactress’favors，andthatinhispresenceNapoleonhappenedtofallintooneofthefaintingfitstowhichhewassubject，andwasthusattheduc’smercy。Thelattersparedhim，andthismagnanimityBonapartesubsequentlyrepaidbydeath。

Thestorywasveryprettyandinteresting，especiallyatthepointwheretherivalssuddenlyrecognizedoneanother；andtheladieslookedagitated。

"Charming！"saidAnnaPavlovnawithaninquiringglanceatthelittleprincess。

"Charming！"whisperedthelittleprincess，stickingtheneedleintoherworkasiftotestifythattheinterestandfascinationofthestorypreventedherfromgoingonwithit。

Thevicomteappreciatedthissilentpraiseandsmilinggratefullypreparedtocontinue，butjustthenAnnaPavlovna，whohadkeptawatchfuleyeontheyoungmanwhosoalarmedher，noticedthathewastalkingtooloudlyandvehementlywiththeabbe，soshehurriedtotherescue。Pierrehadmanagedtostartaconversationwiththeabbeaboutthebalanceofpower，andthelatter，evidentlyinterestedbytheyoungman’ssimple—mindedeagerness，wasexplaininghispettheory。Bothweretalkingandlisteningtooeagerlyandtoonaturally，whichwaswhyAnnaPavlovnadisapproved。

"Themeansare……thebalanceofpowerinEuropeandtherightsofthepeople，"theabbewassaying。"ItisonlynecessaryforonepowerfulnationlikeRussia—barbaricassheissaidtobe—toplaceherselfdisinterestedlyattheheadofanalliancehavingforitsobjectthemaintenanceofthebalanceofpowerofEurope，anditwouldsavetheworld！"

"Buthowareyoutogetthatbalance？"Pierrewasbeginning。

AtthatmomentAnnaPavlovnacameupand，lookingseverelyatPierre，askedtheItalianhowhestoodRussianclimate。TheItalian’sfaceinstantlychangedandassumedanoffensivelyaffected，sugaryexpression，evidentlyhabitualtohimwhenconversingwithwomen。

"Iamsoenchantedbythebrilliancyofthewitandcultureofthesociety，moreespeciallyofthefemininesociety，inwhichIhavehadthehonorofbeingreceived，thatIhavenotyethadtimetothinkoftheclimate，"saidhe。

NotlettingtheabbeandPierreescape，AnnaPavlovna，themoreconvenientlytokeepthemunderobservation，broughtthemintothelargercircle。

BK1|CH4

CHAPTERIV

Justthemanothervisitorenteredthedrawingroom：PrinceAndrewBolkonski，thelittleprincess’husband。Hewasaveryhandsomeyoungman，ofmediumheight，withfirm，clearcutfeatures。

Everythingabouthim，fromhisweary，boredexpressiontohisquiet，measuredstep，offeredamoststrikingcontrasttohisquiet，littlewife。Itwasevidentthathenotonlykneweveryoneinthedrawingroom，buthadfoundthemtobesotiresomethatitweariedhimtolookatorlistentothem。Andamongallthesefacesthathefoundsotedious，noneseemedtoborehimsomuchasthatofhisprettywife。

Heturnedawayfromherwithagrimacethatdistortedhishandsomeface，kissedAnnaPavlovna’shand，andscrewinguphiseyesscannedthewholecompany。

"Youareofftothewar，Prince？"saidAnnaPavlovna。

"GeneralKutuzov，"saidBolkonski，speakingFrenchandstressingthelastsyllableofthegeneral’snamelikeaFrenchman，"hasbeenpleasedtotakemeasanaide—de—camp……"

"AndLise，yourwife？"

"Shewillgotothecountry。"

"Areyounotashamedtodepriveusofyourcharmingwife？"

"Andre，"saidhiswife，addressingherhusbandinthesamecoquettishmannerinwhichshespoketoothermen，"thevicomtehasbeentellingussuchataleaboutMademoiselleGeorgeandBuonaparte！"

PrinceAndrewscreweduphiseyesandturnedaway。Pierre，whofromthemomentPrinceAndrewenteredtheroomhadwatchedhimwithglad，affectionateeyes，nowcameupandtookhisarm。BeforehelookedroundPrinceAndrewfrownedagain，expressinghisannoyancewithwhoeverwastouchinghisarm，butwhenhesawPierre’sbeamingfacehegavehimanunexpectedlykindandpleasantsmile。

"Therenow！……Soyou，too，areinthegreatworld？"saidhetoPierre。

"Iknewyouwouldbehere，"repliedPierre。"Iwillcometosupperwithyou。MayI？"headdedinalowvoicesoasnottodisturbthevicomtewhowascontinuinghisstory。

"No，impossible！"saidPrinceAndrew，laughingandpressingPierre’shandtoshowthattherewasnoneedtoaskthequestion。Hewishedtosaysomethingmore，butatthatmomentPrinceVasiliandhisdaughtergotuptogoandthetwoyoungmenrosetoletthempass。

"Youmustexcuseme，dearVicomte，"saidPrinceVasilitotheFrenchman，holdinghimdownbythesleeveinafriendlywaytopreventhisrising。"Thisunfortunatefeteattheambassador’sdeprivesmeofapleasure，andobligesmetointerruptyou。Iamverysorrytoleaveyourenchantingparty，"saidhe，turningtoAnnaPavlovna。

Hisdaughter，PrincessHelene，passedbetweenthechairs，lightlyholdingupthefoldsofherdress，andthesmileshonestillmoreradiantlyonherbeautifulface。Pierregazedatherwithrapturous，almostfrightened，eyesasshepassedhim。

"Verylovely，"saidPrinceAndrew。

"Very，"saidPierre。

InpassingPrinceVasiliseizedPierre’shandandsaidtoAnnaPavlovna："Educatethisbearforme！HehasbeenstayingwithmeawholemonthandthisisthefirsttimeIhaveseenhiminsociety。

Nothingissonecessaryforayoungmanasthesocietyofcleverwomen。"

AnnaPavlovnasmiledandpromisedtotakePierreinhand。SheknewhisfathertobeaconnectionofPrinceVasili’s。TheelderlyladywhohadbeensittingwiththeoldauntrosehurriedlyandovertookPrinceVasiliintheanteroom。Alltheaffectationofinterestshehadassumedhadleftherkindlyandtearwornfaceanditnowexpressedonlyanxietyandfear。

"HowaboutmysonBoris，Prince？"saidshe，hurryingafterhimintotheanteroom。"Ican’tremainanylongerinPetersburg。TellmewhatnewsImaytakebacktomypoorboy。"

AlthoughPrinceVasililistenedreluctantlyandnotverypolitelytotheelderlylady，evenbetrayingsomeimpatience，shegavehimaningratiatingandappealingsmile，andtookhishandthathemightnotgoaway。

"WhatwoulditcostyoutosayawordtotheEmperor，andthenhewouldbetransferredtotheGuardsatonce？"saidshe。

"Believeme，Princess，IamreadytodoallIcan，"answeredPrinceVasili，"butitisdifficultformetoasktheEmperor。I

shouldadviseyoutoappealtoRumyantsevthroughPrinceGolitsyn。

Thatwouldbethebestway。"

TheelderlyladywasaPrincessDrubetskaya，belongingtooneofthebestfamiliesinRussia，butshewaspoor，andhavinglongbeenoutofsocietyhadlostherformerinfluentialconnections。ShehadnowcometoPetersburgtoprocureanappointmentintheGuardsforheronlyson。Itwas，infact，solelytomeetPrinceVasilithatshehadobtainedaninvitationtoAnnaPavlovna’sreceptionandhadsatlisteningtothevicomte’sstory。PrinceVasili’swordsfrightenedher，anembitteredlookcloudedheroncehandsomeface，butonlyforamoment；thenshesmiledagainanddutchedPrinceVasili’sarmmoretightly。

"Listentome，Prince，"saidshe。"IhaveneveryetaskedyouforanythingandIneverwillagain，norhaveIeverremindedyouofmyfather’sfriendshipforyou；butnowIentreatyouforGod’ssaketodothisformyson—andIshallalwaysregardyouasabenefactor，"

sheaddedhurriedly。"No，don’tbeangry，butpromise！IhaveaskedGolitsynandhehasrefused。Bethekindheartedmanyoualwayswere，"shesaid，tryingtosmilethoughtearswereinhereyes。

"Papa，weshallbelate，"saidPrincessHelene，turningherbeautifulheadandlookingoverherclassicallymoldedshoulderasshestoodwaitingbythedoor。

Influenceinsociety，however，isacapitalwhichhastobeeconomizedifitistolast。PrinceVasiliknewthis，andhavingoncerealizedthatifheaskedonbehalfofallwhobeggedofhim，hewouldsoonbeunabletoaskforhimself，hebecamecharyofusinghisinfluence。ButinPrincessDrubetskaya’scasehefelt，afterhersecondappeal，somethinglikequalmsofconscience。Shehadremindedhimofwhatwasquitetrue；hehadbeenindebtedtoherfatherforthefirststepsinhiscareer。Moreover，hecouldseebyhermannersthatshewasoneofthosewomen—mostlymothers—who，havingoncemadeuptheirminds，willnotrestuntiltheyhavegainedtheirend，andarepreparedifnecessarytogooninsistingdayafterdayandhourafterhour，andeventomakescenes。Thislastconsiderationmovedhim。

"MydearAnnaMikhaylovna，"saidhewithhisusualfamiliarityandwearinessoftone，"itisalmostimpossibleformetodowhatyouask；

buttoprovemydevotiontoyouandhowIrespectyourfather’smemory，Iwilldotheimpossible—yoursonshallbetransferredtotheGuards。Hereismyhandonit。Areyousatisfied？"

"Mydearbenefactor！ThisiswhatIexpectedfromyou—Iknewyourkindness！"Heturnedtogo。

"Wait—justaword！WhenhehasbeentransferredtotheGuards……"

shefaltered。"YouareongoodtermswithMichaelIlarionovichKutuzov……recommendBoristohimasadjutant！ThenIshallbeatrest，andthen……"

PrinceVasilismiled。

"No，Iwon’tpromisethat。Youdon’tknowhowKutuzovispesteredsincehisappointmentasCommanderinChief。HetoldmehimselfthatalltheMoscowladieshaveconspiredtogivehimalltheirsonsasadjutants。"

"No，butdopromise！Iwon’tletyougo！Mydearbenefactor……"

"Papa，"saidhisbeautifuldaughterinthesametoneasbefore，"weshallbelate。"

"Well，aurevoir！Good—by！Youhearher？"

"ThentomorrowyouwillspeaktotheEmperor？"

"Certainly；butaboutKutuzov，Idon’tpromise。"

"Dopromise，dopromise，Vasili！"criedAnnaMikhaylovnaashewent，withthesmileofacoquettishgirl，whichatonetimeprobablycamenaturallytoher，butwasnowveryill—suitedtohercarewornface。

Apparentlyshehadforgottenherageandbyforceofhabitemployedalltheoldfemininearts。Butassoonastheprincehadgoneherfaceresumeditsformercold，artificialexpression。Shereturnedtothegroupwherethevicomtewasstilltalking，andagainpretendedtolisten，whilewaitingtillitwouldbetimetoleave。Hertaskwasaccomplished。

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CHAPTERV

"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthislatestcomedy，thecoronationatMilan？"askedAnnaPavlovna，"andofthecomedyofthepeopleofGenoaandLuccalayingtheirpetitionsbeforeMonsieurBuonaparte，andMonsieurBuonapartesittingonathroneandgrantingthepetitionsofthenations？Adorable！Itisenoughtomakeone’sheadwhirl！Itisasifthewholeworldhadgonecrazy。"

PrinceAndrewlookedAnnaPavlovnastraightinthefacewithasarcasticsmile。

"’Dieumeladonne，gareaquilatouche！’*Theysayhewasveryfinewhenhesaidthat，"heremarked，repeatingthewordsinItalian："’Diomil’hadato。Guaiachilatocchi！’"

*Godhasgivenittome，lethimwhotouchesitbeware！

"Ihopethiswillprovethelastdropthatwillmaketheglassrunover，"AnnaPavlovnacontinued。"Thesovereignswillnotbeabletoendurethismanwhoisamenacetoeverything。"

"Thesovereigns？IdonotspeakofRussia，"saidthevicomte，politebuthopeless："Thesovereigns，madame……WhathavetheydoneforLouisXVII，fortheQueen，orforMadameElizabeth？Nothing！"andhebecamemoreanimated。"Andbelieveme，theyarereapingtherewardoftheirbetrayaloftheBourboncause。Thesovereigns！Why，theyaresendingambassadorstocomplimenttheusurper。"

Andsighingdisdainfully，heagainchangedhisposition。

PrinceHippolyte，whohadbeengazingatthevicomteforsometimethroughhislorgnette，suddenlyturnedcompletelyroundtowardthelittleprincess，andhavingaskedforaneedlebegantracingtheCondecoatofarmsonthetable。Heexplainedthistoherwithasmuchgravityasifshehadaskedhimtodoit。

"Batondegueules，engreledegueulesd’azur—maisonConde，"saidhe。

Theprincesslistened，smiling。

"IfBuonaparteremainsonthethroneofFranceayearlonger，"thevicomtecontinued，withtheairofamanwho，inamatterwithwhichheisbetteracquaintedthananyoneelse，doesnotlistentoothersbutfollowsthecurrentofhisownthoughts，"thingswillhavegonetoofar。Byintrigues，violence，exile，andexecutions，Frenchsociety—ImeangoodFrenchsociety—willhavebeenforeverdestroyed，andthen……"

Heshruggedhisshouldersandspreadouthishands。Pierrewishedtomakearemark，fortheconversationinterestedhim，butAnnaPavlovna，whohadhimunderobservation，interrupted：

"TheEmperorAlexander，"saidshe，withthemelancholywhichalwaysaccompaniedanyreferenceofherstotheImperialfamily，"hasdeclaredthathewillleaveittotheFrenchpeoplethemselvestochoosetheirownformofgovernment；andIbelievethatoncefreefromtheusurper，thewholenationwillcertainlythrowitselfintothearmsofitsrightfulking，"sheconcluded，tryingtobeamiabletotheroyalistemigrant。

"Thatisdoubtful，"saidPrinceAndrew。"MonsieurleVicomtequiterightlysupposesthatmattershavealreadygonetoofar。Ithinkitwillbedifficulttoreturntotheoldregime。"

"FromwhatIhaveheard，"saidPierre，blushingandbreakingintotheconversation，"almostallthearistocracyhasalreadygoneovertoBonaparte’sside。"

"ItistheBuonapartistswhosaythat，"repliedthevicomtewithoutlookingatPierre。"AtthepresenttimeitisdifficulttoknowtherealstateofFrenchpublicopinion。

"Bonapartehassaidso，"remarkedPrinceAndrewwithasarcasticsmile。

Itwasevidentthathedidnotlikethevicomteandwasaiminghisremarksathim，thoughwithoutlookingathim。

"’Ishowedthemthepathtoglory，buttheydidnotfollowit，’"

PrinceAndrewcontinuedafterashortsilence，againquotingNapoleon’swords。"’Iopenedmyantechambersandtheycrowdedin。’I

donotknowhowfarhewasjustifiedinsayingso。"

"Notintheleast，"repliedthevicomte。"Afterthemurderoftheduceventhemostpartialceasedtoregardhimasahero。Iftosomepeople，"hewenton，turningtoAnnaPavlovna，"heeverwasahero，afterthemurderoftheductherewasonemartyrmoreinheavenandoneherolessonearth。"

BeforeAnnaPavlovnaandtheothershadtimetosmiletheirappreciationofthevicomte’sepigram，Pierreagainbrokeintotheconversation，andthoughAnnaPavlovnafeltsurehewouldsaysomethinginappropriate，shewasunabletostophim。

"TheexecutionoftheDucd’Enghien，"declaredMonsieurPierre，"wasapoliticalnecessity，anditseemstomethatNapoleonshowedgreatnessofsoulbynotfearingtotakeonhimselfthewholeresponsibilityofthatdeed。"

"Dieu！MonDieu！"mutteredAnnaPavlovnainaterrifiedwhisper。

"What，MonsieurPierre……Doyouconsiderthatassassinationshowsgreatnessofsoul？"saidthelittleprincess，smilinganddrawingherworknearertoher。

"Oh！Oh！"exclaimedseveralvoices。

"Capital！"saidPrinceHippolyteinEnglish，andbeganslappinghiskneewiththepalmofhishand。

Thevicomtemerelyshruggedhisshoulders。Pierrelookedsolemnlyathisaudienceoverhisspectaclesandcontinued。

"Isayso，"hecontinueddesperately，"becausetheBourbonsfledfromtheRevolutionleavingthepeopletoanarchy，andNapoleonaloneunderstoodtheRevolutionandquelledit，andsoforthegeneralgood，hecouldnotstopshortforthesakeofoneman’slife。"

"Won’tyoucomeovertotheothertable？"suggestedAnnaPavlovna。

ButPierrecontinuedhisspeechwithoutheedingher。

"No，"criedhe，becomingmoreandmoreeager，"NapoleonisgreatbecauseherosesuperiortotheRevolution，suppresseditsabuses，preservedallthatwasgoodinit—equalityofcitizenshipandfreedomofspeechandofthepress—andonlyforthatreasondidheobtainpower。"

"Yes，ifhavingobtainedpower，withoutavailinghimselfofittocommitmurderhehadrestoredittotherightfulking，Ishouldhavecalledhimagreatman，"remarkedthevicomte。

"Hecouldnotdothat。ThepeopleonlygavehimpowerthathemightridthemoftheBourbonsandbecausetheysawthathewasagreatman。TheRevolutionwasagrandthing！"continuedMonsieurPierre，betrayingbythisdesperateandprovocativepropositionhisextremeyouthandhiswishtoexpressallthatwasinhismind。

"What？Revolutionandregicideagrandthing？……Well，afterthat……

Butwon’tyoucometothisothertable？"repeatedAnnaPavlovna。

"Rousseau’sContratsocial，"saidthevicomtewithatolerantsmile。

"Iamnotspeakingofregicide，Iamspeakingaboutideas。"

"Yes：ideasofrobbery，murder，andregicide，"againinterjectedanironicalvoice。

"Thosewereextremes，nodoubt，buttheyarenotwhatismostimportant。Whatisimportantaretherightsofman，emancipationfromprejudices，andequalityofcitizenship，andalltheseideasNapoleonhasretainedinfullforce。"

"Libertyandequality，"saidthevicomtecontemptuously，asifatlastdecidingseriouslytoprovetothisyouthhowfoolishhiswordswere，"high—soundingwordswhichhavelongbeendiscredited。Whodoesnotlovelibertyandequality？EvenourSaviourpreachedlibertyandequality。HavepeoplesincetheRevolutionbecomehappier？

Onthecontrary。Wewantedliberty，butBuonapartehasdestroyedit。"

PrinceAndrewkeptlookingwithanamusedsmilefromPierretothevicomteandfromthevicomtetotheirhostess。InthefirstmomentofPierre’soutburstAnnaPavlovna，despitehersocialexperience，washorror—struck。ButwhenshesawthatPierre’ssacrilegiouswordshadnotexasperatedthevicomte，andhadconvincedherselfthatitwasimpossibletostophim，sheralliedherforcesandjoinedthevicomteinavigorousattackontheorator。

"But，mydearMonsieurPierre，"saidshe，"howdoyouexplainthefactofagreatmanexecutingaduc—orevenanordinarymanwho—isinnocentanduntried？"

"Ishouldlike，"saidthevicomte，"toaskhowmonsieurexplainsthe18thBrumaire；wasnotthatanimposture？Itwasaswindle，andnotatallliketheconductofagreatman！"

"AndtheprisonershekilledinAfrica？Thatwashorrible！"saidthelittleprincess，shrugginghershoulders。

"He’salowfellow，saywhatyouwill，"remarkedPrinceHippolyte。

Pierre，notknowingwhomtoanswer，lookedatthemallandsmiled。

Hissmilewasunlikethehalf—smileofotherpeople。Whenhesmiled，hisgrave，evenrathergloomy，lookwasinstantaneouslyreplacedbyanother—achildlike，kindly，evenrathersillylook，whichseemedtoaskforgiveness。

ThevicomtewhowasmeetinghimforthefirsttimesawclearlythatthisyoungJacobinwasnotsoterribleashiswordssuggested。

Allweresilent。

"Howdoyouexpecthimtoansweryouallatonce？"saidPrinceAndrew。"Besides，intheactionsofastatesmanonehastodistinguishbetweenhisactsasaprivateperson，asageneral，andasanemperor。

Soitseemstome。"

"Yes，yes，ofcourse！"Pierrechimedin，pleasedatthearrivalofthisreinforcement。

"Onemustadmit，"continuedPrinceAndrew，"thatNapoleonasamanwasgreatonthebridgeofArcola，andinthehospitalatJaffawherehegavehishandtotheplague—stricken；but……butthereareotheractswhichitisdifficulttojustify。"

PrinceAndrew，whohadevidentlywishedtotonedowntheawkwardnessofPierre’sremarks，roseandmadeasigntohiswifethatitwastimetogo。

SuddenlyPrinceHippolytestartedupmakingsignstoeveryonetoattend，andaskingthemalltobeseatedbegan：

"IwastoldacharmingMoscowstorytodayandmusttreatyoutoit。Excuseme，Vicomte—ImusttellitinRussianorthepointwillbelost……"AndPrinceHippolytebegantotellhisstoryinsuchRussianasaFrenchmanwouldspeakafterspendingaboutayearinRussia。

Everyonewaited，soemphaticallyandeagerlydidhedemandtheirattentiontohisstory。

"ThereisinMoscowalady，unedame，andsheisverystingy。Shemusthavetwofootmenbehindhercarriage，andverybigones。Thatwashertaste。Andshehadalady’smaid，alsobig。Shesaid……"

HerePrinceHippolytepaused，evidentlycollectinghisideaswithdifficulty。

"Shesaid……Ohyes！Shesaid，’Girl，’tothemaid，’putonalivery，getupbehindthecarriage，andcomewithmewhileImakesomecalls。’"

HerePrinceHippolytesplutteredandburstoutlaughinglongbeforehisaudience，whichproducedaneffectunfavorabletothenarrator。Severalpersons，amongthemtheelderlyladyandAnnaPavlovna，didhoweversmile。

"Shewent。Suddenlytherewasagreatwind。Thegirllostherhatandherlonghaircamedown……"Herehecouldcontainhimselfnolongerandwenton，betweengaspsoflaughter："Andthewholeworldknew……"

Andsotheanecdoteended。Thoughitwasunintelligiblewhyhehadtoldit，orwhyithadtobetoldinRussian，stillAnnaPavlovnaandtheothersappreciatedPrinceHippolyte’ssocialtactinsoagreeablyendingPierre’sunpleasantandunamiableoutburst。Aftertheanecdotetheconversationbrokeupintoinsignificantsmalltalkaboutthelastandnextballs，abouttheatricals，andwhowouldmeetwhom，andwhenandwhere。

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CHAPTERVI

HavingthankedAnnaPavlovnaforhercharmingsoiree，theguestsbegantotaketheirleave。

Pierrewasungainly。Stout，abouttheaverageheight，broad，withhugeredhands；hedidnotknow，asthesayingis，toenteradrawingroomandstilllesshowtoleaveone；thatis，howtosaysomethingparticularlyagreeablebeforegoingaway。Besidesthishewasabsent—minded。Whenherosetogo，hetookupinsteadofhisown，thegeneral’sthree—corneredhat，andheldit，pullingattheplume，tillthegeneralaskedhimtorestoreit。Allhisabsent—mindednessandinabilitytoenteraroomandconverseinitwas，however，redeemedbyhiskindly，simple，andmodestexpression。

AnnaPavlovnaturnedtowardhimand，withaChristianmildnessthatexpressedforgivenessofhisindiscretion，noddedandsaid："Ihopetoseeyouagain，butIalsohopeyouwillchangeyouropinions，mydearMonsieurPierre。"

Whenshesaidthis，hedidnotreplyandonlybowed，butagaineverybodysawhissmile，whichsaidnothing，unlessperhaps，"Opinionsareopinions，butyouseewhatacapital，good—naturedfellowIam。"

Andeveryone，includingAnnaPavlovna，feltthis。

PrinceAndrewhadgoneoutintothehall，and，turninghisshoulderstothefootmanwhowashelpinghimonwithhiscloak，listenedindifferentlytohiswife’schatterwithPrinceHippolytewhohadalsocomeintothehall。PrinceHippolytestoodclosetothepretty，pregnantprincess，andstaredfixedlyatherthroughhiseyeglass。

"Goin，Annette，oryouwillcatchcold，"saidthelittleprincess，takingleaveofAnnaPavlovna。"Itissettled，"sheaddedinalowvoice。

AnnaPavlovnahadalreadymanagedtospeaktoLiseaboutthematchshecontemplatedbetweenAnatoleandthelittleprincess’

sister—in—law。

"Irelyonyou，mydear，"saidAnnaPavlovna，alsoinalowtone。

"Writetoherandletmeknowhowherfatherlooksatthematter。Aurevoir！"—andsheleftthehall。

PrinceHippolyteapproachedthelittleprincessand，bendinghisfaceclosetoher，begantowhispersomething。

Twofootmen，theprincess’andhisown，stoodholdingashawlandacloak，waitingfortheconversationtofinish。TheylistenedtotheFrenchsentenceswhichtothemweremeaningless，withanairofunderstandingbutnotwishingtoappeartodoso。Theprincessasusualspokesmilinglyandlistenedwithalaugh。

"IamverygladIdidnotgototheambassador’s，"saidPrinceHippolyte"—sodull—。Ithasbeenadelightfulevening，hasitnot？

Delightful！"

"Theysaytheballwillbeverygood，"repliedtheprincess，drawingupherdownylittlelip。"Alltheprettywomeninsocietywillbethere。"

"Notall，foryouwillnotbethere；notall，"saidPrinceHippolytesmilingjoyfully；andsnatchingtheshawlfromthefootman，whomheevenpushedaside，hebeganwrappingitroundtheprincess。Eitherfromawkwardnessorintentionally(noonecouldhavesaidwhich)aftertheshawlhadbeenadjustedhekepthisarmaroundherforalongtime，asthoughembracingher。

Stillsmiling，shegracefullymovedaway，turningandglancingatherhusband。PrinceAndrew’seyeswereclosed，sowearyandsleepydidheseem。

"Areyouready？"heaskedhiswife，lookingpasther。

PrinceHippolytehurriedlyputonhiscloak，whichinthelatestfashionreachedtohisveryheels，and，stumblinginit，ranoutintotheporchfollowingtheprincess，whomafootmanwashelpingintothecarriage。

"Princesse，aurevoir，"criedhe，stumblingwithhistongueaswellaswithhisfeet。

Theprincess，pickingupherdress，wastakingherseatinthedarkcarriage，herhusbandwasadjustinghissaber；PrinceHippolyte，underpretenseofhelping，wasineveryone’sway。

"Allowme，sir，"saidPrinceAndrewinRussianinacold，disagreeabletonetoPrinceHippolytewhowasblockinghispath。

"Iamexpectingyou，Pierre，"saidthesamevoice，butgentlyandaffectionately。

Thepostilionstarted，thecarriagewheelsrattled。PrinceHippolytelaughedspasmodicallyashestoodintheporchwaitingforthevicomtewhomhehadpromisedtotakehome。

"Well，moncher，"saidthevicomte，havingseatedhimselfbesideHippolyteinthecarriage，"yourlittleprincessisverynice，veryniceindeed，quiteFrench，"andhekissedthetipsofhisfingers。

Hippolyteburstoutlaughing。

"Doyouknow，youareaterriblechapforallyourinnocentairs，"

continuedthevicomte。"Ipitythepoorhusband，thatlittleofficerwhogiveshimselftheairsofamonarch。"

Hippolytesplutteredagain，andamidhislaughtersaid，"AndyouweresayingthattheRussianladiesarenotequaltotheFrench？Onehastoknowhowtodealwiththem。"

PierrereachingthehousefirstwentintoPrinceAndrew’sstudylikeonequiteathome，andfromhabitimmediatelylaydownonthesofa，tookfromtheshelfthefirstbookthatcametohishand(itwasCaesar’sCommentaries)，andrestingonhiselbow，beganreadingitinthemiddle。

"WhathaveyoudonetoMlleScherer？Shewillbequiteillnow，"

saidPrinceAndrew，asheenteredthestudy，rubbinghissmallwhitehands。

Pierreturnedhiswholebody，makingthesofacreak。HeliftedhiseagerfacetoPrinceAndrew，smiled，andwavedhishand。

"Thatabbeisveryinterestingbuthedoesnotseethethingintherightlight……Inmyopinionperpetualpeaceispossiblebut—I

donotknowhowtoexpressit……notbyabalanceofpoliticalpower……"

ItwasevidentthatPrinceAndrewwasnotinterestedinsuchabstractconversation。

"Onecan’teverywheresayallonethinks，moncher。Well，haveyouatlastdecidedonanything？Areyougoingtobeaguardsmanoradiplomatist？"askedPrinceAndrewafteramomentarysilence。

Pierresatuponthesofa，withhislegstuckedunderhim。

"Really，Idon’tyetknow。Idon’tlikeeithertheoneortheother。"

"Butyoumustdecideonsomething！Yourfatherexpectsit。"

Pierreattheageoftenhadbeensentabroadwithanabbeastutor，andhadremainedawaytillhewastwenty。WhenhereturnedtoMoscowhisfatherdismissedtheabbeandsaidtotheyoungman，"NowgotoPetersburg，lookround，andchooseyourprofession。Iwillagreetoanything。HereisalettertoPrinceVasili，andhereismoney。

Writetomeallaboutit，andIwillhelpyouineverything。"Pierrehadalreadybeenchoosingacareerforthreemonths，andhadnotdecidedonanything。ItwasaboutthischoicethatPrinceAndrewwasspeaking。Pierrerubbedhisforehead。

"ButhemustbeaFreemason，"saidhe，referringtotheabbewhomhehadmetthatevening。

"Thatisallnonsense。"PrinceAndrewagaininterruptedhim，"letustalkbusiness。HaveyoubeentotheHorseGuards？"

"No，Ihavenot；butthisiswhatIhavebeenthinkingandwantedtotellyou。ThereisawarnowagainstNapoleon。IfitwereawarforfreedomIcouldunderstanditandshouldbethefirsttoenterthearmy；buttohelpEnglandandAustriaagainstthegreatestmanintheworldisnotright。"

PrinceAndrewonlyshruggedhisshouldersatPierre’schildishwords。Heputontheairofonewhofindsitimpossibletoreplytosuchnonsense，butitwouldinfacthavebeendifficulttogiveanyotheranswerthantheonePrinceAndrewgavetothisnaivequestion。

"Ifnoonefoughtexceptonhisownconviction，therewouldbenowars，"hesaid。

"Andthatwouldbesplendid，"saidPierre。

PrinceAndrewsmiledironically。

"Verylikelyitwouldbesplendid，butitwillnevercomeabout……"

"Well，whyareyougoingtothewar？"askedPierre。

"Whatfor？Idon’tknow。Imust。BesidesthatIamgoing……"Hepaused。"IamgoingbecausethelifeIamleadingheredoesnotsuitme！"

BK1|CH7

CHAPTERVII

Therustleofawoman’sdresswasheardinthenextroom。PrinceAndrewshookhimselfasifwakingup，andhisfaceassumedthelookithadhadinAnnaPavlovna’sdrawingroom。Pierreremovedhisfeetfromthesofa。Theprincesscamein。Shehadchangedhergownforahousedressasfreshandelegantastheother。PrinceAndrewroseandpolitelyplacedachairforher。

"Howisit，"shebegan，asusualinFrench，settlingdownbrisklyandfussilyintheeasychair，"howisitAnnettenevergotmarried？

Howstupidyoumenallarenottohavemarriedher！Excusemeforsayingso，butyouhavenosenseaboutwomen。Whatanargumentativefellowyouare，MonsieurPierre！"

"AndIamstillarguingwithyourhusband。Ican’tunderstandwhyhewantstogotothewar，"repliedPierre，addressingtheprincesswithnoneoftheembarrassmentsocommonlyshownbyyoungmenintheirintercoursewithyoungwomen。

Theprincessstarted。EvidentlyPierre’swordstouchedhertothequick。

"Ah，thatisjustwhatItellhim！"saidshe。"Idon’tunderstandit；Idon’tintheleastunderstandwhymencan’tlivewithoutwars。

Howisitthatwewomendon’twantanythingofthekind，don’tneedit？Nowyoushalljudgebetweenus。Ialwaystellhim：HereheisUncle’saide—de—camp，amostbrilliantposition。Heissowellknown，somuchappreciatedbyeveryone。TheotherdayattheApraksins’Iheardaladyasking，’IsthatthefamousPrinceAndrew？’Ididindeed。"Shelaughed。"Heissowellreceivedeverywhere。Hemighteasilybecomeaide—de—camptotheEmperor。YouknowtheEmperorspoketohimmostgraciously。AnnetteandIwerespeakingofhowtoarrangeit。Whatdoyouthink？"

Pierrelookedathisfriendand，noticingthathedidnotliketheconversation，gavenoreply。

"Whenareyoustarting？"heasked。

"Oh，don’tspeakofhisgoing，don’t！Iwon’thearitspokenof，"

saidtheprincessinthesamepetulantlyplayfultoneinwhichshehadspokentoHippolyteinthedrawingroomandwhichwassoplainlyill—suitedtothefamilycircleofwhichPierrewasalmostamember。

"TodaywhenIrememberedthatallthesedelightfulassociationsmustbebrokenoff……andthenyouknow，Andre……"(shelookedsignificantlyatherhusband)"I’mafraid，I’mafraid！"shewhispered，andashudderrandownherback。

HerhusbandlookedatherasifsurprisedtonoticethatsomeonebesidesPierreandhimselfwasintheroom，andaddressedherinatoneoffrigidpoliteness。

"Whatisityouareafraidof，Lise？Idon’tunderstand，"saidhe。

"There，whategotistsmenallare：all，allegotists！Justforawhimofhisown，goodnessonlyknowswhy，heleavesmeandlocksmeupaloneinthecountry。"

"Withmyfatherandsister，remember，"saidPrinceAndrewgently。

"Aloneallthesame，withoutmyfriends……Andheexpectsmenottobeafraid。"

Hertonewasnowquerulousandherlipdrawnup，givinghernotajoyful，butananimal，squirrel—likeexpression。ShepausedasifshefeltitindecoroustospeakofherpregnancybeforePierre，thoughthegistofthematterlayinthat。

"Istillcan’tunderstandwhatyouareafraidof，"saidPrinceAndrewslowly，nottakinghiseyesoffhiswife。

Theprincessblushed，andraisedherarmswithagestureofdespair。

"No，Andrew，Imustsayyouhavechanged。Oh，howyouhave……"

"Yourdoctortellsyoutogotobedearlier，"saidPrinceAndrew。

"Youhadbettergo。"

Theprincesssaidnothing，butsuddenlyhershortdownylipquivered。PrinceAndrewrose，shruggedhisshoulders，andwalkedabouttheroom。

Pierrelookedoverhisspectacleswithnaivesurprise，nowathimandnowather，movedasifabouttorisetoo，butchangedhismind。

"WhyshouldImindMonsieurPierrebeinghere？"exclaimedthelittleprincesssuddenly，herprettyfaceallatoncedistortedbyatearfulgrimace。"Ihavelongwantedtoaskyou，Andrew，whyyouhavechangedsotome？WhathaveIdonetoyou？Youaregoingtothewarandhavenopityforme。Whyisit？"

"Lise！"wasallPrinceAndrewsaid。Butthatonewordexpressedanentreaty，athreat，andaboveallconvictionthatshewouldherselfregretherwords。Butshewentonhurriedly：

"Youtreatmelikeaninvalidorachild。Iseeitall！Didyoubehavelikethatsixmonthsago？"

"Lise，Ibegyoutodesist，"saidPrinceAndrewstillmoreemphatically。

Pierre，whohadbeengrowingmoreandmoreagitatedashelistenedtoallthis，roseandapproachedtheprincess。Heseemedunabletobearthesightoftearsandwasreadytocryhimself。

"Calmyourself，Princess！Itseemssotoyoubecause……IassureyouImyselfhaveexperienced……andso……because……No，excuseme！Anoutsiderisoutofplacehere……No，don’tdistressyourself……

Good—by！"

PrinceAndrewcaughthimbythehand。

"No，wait，Pierre！Theprincessistookindtowishtodeprivemeofthepleasureofspendingtheeveningwithyou。"

"No，hethinksonlyofhimself，"mutteredtheprincesswithoutrestrainingherangrytears。

"Lise！"saidPrinceAndrewdryly，raisinghisvoicetothepitchwhichindicatesthatpatienceisexhausted。

Suddenlytheangry，squirrel—likeexpressionoftheprincess’prettyfacechangedintoawinningandpiteouslookoffear。Herbeautifuleyesglancedaskanceatherhusband’sface，andherownassumedthetimid，deprecatingexpressionofadogwhenitrapidlybutfeeblywagsitsdroopingtail。

"MonDieu，monDieu！"shemuttered，andliftingherdresswithonehandshewentuptoherhusbandandkissedhimontheforehead。

"Goodnight，Lise，"saidhe，risingandcourteouslykissingherhandashewouldhavedonetoastranger。

BK1|CH8

CHAPTERVIII

Thefriendsweresilent。Neithercaredtobegintalking。PierrecontinuallyglancedatPrinceAndrew；PrinceAndrewrubbedhisforeheadwithhissmallhand。

"Letusgoandhavesupper，"hesaidwithasigh，goingtothedoor。

Theyenteredtheelegant，newlydecorated，andluxuriousdiningroom。Everythingfromthetablenapkinstothesilver，china，andglassborethatimprintofnewnessfoundinthehouseholdsofthenewlymarried。HalfwaythroughsupperPrinceAndrewleanedhiselbowsonthetableand，withalookofnervousagitationsuchasPierrehadneverbeforeseenonhisface，begantotalk—asonewhohaslonghadsomethingonhismindandsuddenlydeterminestospeakout。

"Never，nevermarry，mydearfellow！That’smyadvice：nevermarrytillyoucansaytoyourselfthatyouhavedoneallyouarecapableof，anduntilyouhaveceasedtolovethewomanofyourchoiceandhaveseenherplainlyassheis，orelseyouwillmakeacruelandirrevocablemistake。Marrywhenyouareoldandgoodfornothing—orallthatisgoodandnobleinyouwillbelost。Itwillallbewastedontrifles。Yes！Yes！Yes！Don’tlookatmewithsuchsurprise。

Ifyoumarryexpectinganythingfromyourselfinthefuture，youwillfeelateverystepthatforyouallisended，allisclosedexceptthedrawingroom，whereyouwillberangedsidebysidewithacourtlackeyandanidiot！……Butwhat’sthegood？……"andhewavedhisarm。

Pierretookoffhisspectacles，whichmadehisfaceseemdifferentandthegood—naturedexpressionstillmoreapparent，andgazedathisfriendinamazement。

"Mywife，"continuedPrinceAndrew，"isanexcellentwoman，oneofthoserarewomenwithwhomaman’shonorissafe；but，OGod，whatwouldInotgivenowtobeunmarried！YouarethefirstandonlyonetowhomImentionthis，becauseIlikeyou。"

AshesaidthisPrinceAndrewwaslessthaneverlikethatBolkonskiwhohadlolledinAnnaPavlovna’seasychairsandwithhalf—closedeyeshadutteredFrenchphrasesbetweenhisteeth。Everymuscleofhisthinfacewasnowquiveringwithnervousexcitement；hiseyes，inwhichthefireoflifehadseemedextinguished，nowflashedwithbrilliantlight。Itwasevidentthatthemorelifelessheseemedatordinarytimes，themoreimpassionedhebecameinthesemomentsofalmostmorbidirritation。

"Youdon’tunderstandwhyIsaythis，"hecontinued，"butitisthewholestoryoflife。YoutalkofBonaparteandhiscareer，"saidhe(thoughPierrehadnotmentionedBonaparte)，"butBonapartewhenheworkedwentstepbysteptowardhisgoal。Hewasfree，hehadnothingbuthisaimtoconsider，andhereachedit。Buttieyourselfupwithawomanand，likeachainedconvict，youloseallfreedom！Andallyouhaveofhopeandstrengthmerelyweighsyoudownandtormentsyouwithregret。Drawingrooms，gossip，balls，vanity，andtriviality—thesearetheenchantedcircleIcannotescapefrom。I

amnowgoingtothewar，thegreatestwarthereeverwas，andIknownothingandamfitfornothing。Iamveryamiableandhaveacausticwit，"continuedPrinceAndrew，"andatAnnaPavlovna’stheylistentome。Andthatstupidsetwithoutwhommywifecannotexist，andthosewomen……Ifyouonlyknewwhatthosesocietywomenare，andwomeningeneral！Myfatherisright。Selfish，vain，stupid，trivialineverything—that’swhatwomenarewhenyouseethemintheirtruecolors！Whenyoumeettheminsocietyitseemsasifthereweresomethinginthem，butthere’snothing，nothing，nothing！No，don’tmarry，mydearfellow；don’tmarry！"concludedPrinceAndrew。

"Itseemsfunnytome，"saidPierre，"thatyou，youshouldconsideryourselfincapableandyourlifeaspoiledlife。Youhaveeverythingbeforeyou，everything。Andyou……"

Hedidnotfinishhissentence，buthistoneshowedhowhighlyhethoughtofhisfriendandhowmuchheexpectedofhiminthefuture。

"Howcanhetalklikethat？"thoughtPierre。HeconsideredhisfriendamodelofperfectionbecausePrinceAndrewpossessedinthehighestdegreejusttheveryqualitiesPierrelacked，andwhichmightbebestdescribedasstrengthofwill。PierrewasalwaysastonishedatPrinceAndrew’scalmmanneroftreatingeverybody，hisextraordinarymemory，hisextensivereading(hehadreadeverything，kneweverything，andhadanopinionabouteverything)，butaboveallathiscapacityforworkandstudy。AndifPierrewasoftenstruckbyAndrew’slackofcapacityforphilosophicalmeditation(towhichhehimselfwasparticularlyaddicted)，heregardedeventhisnotasadefectbutasasignofstrength。

Eveninthebest，mostfriendlyandsimplestrelationsoflife，praiseandcommendationareessential，justasgreaseisnecessarytowheelsthattheymayrunsmoothly。

"Mypartisplayedout，"saidPrinceAndrew。"What’stheuseoftalkingaboutme？Letustalkaboutyou，"headdedafterasilence，smilingathisreassuringthoughts。

ThatsmilewasimmediatelyreflectedonPierre’sface。

"Butwhatistheretosayaboutme？"saidPierre，hisfacerelaxingintoacareless，merrysmile。"WhatamI？Anillegitimateson！"Hesuddenlyblushedcrimson，anditwasplainthathehadmadeagreatefforttosaythis。"Withoutanameandwithoutmeans……Anditreally……"Buthedidnotsaywhat"itreally"was。"ForthepresentIamfreeandamallright。OnlyIhaven’ttheleastideawhatIamtodo；Iwantedtoconsultyouseriously。"

PrinceAndrewlookedkindlyathim，yethisglance—friendlyandaffectionateasitwas—expressedasenseofhisownsuperiority。

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