Chapter1
WELL，PRINCE，GenoaandLuccaarenownomorethanprivateestatesoftheBonapartefamily。No，Iwarnyou，thatifyoudonottellmeweareatwar，ifyouagainallowyourselftopalliatealltheinfamiesandatrocitiesofthisAntichrist（uponmyword，Ibelieveheis），Idon’tknowyouinfuture，youarenolongermyfriend，nolongermyfaithfulslave，asyousay。There，howdoyoudo，howdoyoudo？IseeI’mscaringyou，sitdownandtalktome。”
ThesewordswereutteredinJuly1805byAnnaPavlovnaScherer，adistinguishedladyofthecourt，andconfidentialmaid—of—honourtotheEmpressMaryaFyodorovna。ItwashergreetingtoPrinceVassily，amanhighinrankandoffice，whowasthefirsttoarriveathersoirée。AnnaPavlovnahadbeencoughingforthelastfewdays；shehadanattackoflagrippe，asshesaid—grippewasthenanewwordonlyusedbyafewpeople。Inthenotesshehadsentroundinthemorningbyafootmaninredlivery，shehadwrittentoallindiscriminately:
“Ifyouhavenothingbettertodo，count（orprince），andiftheprospectofspendinganeveningwithapoorinvalidisnottooalarmingtoyou，Ishallbecharmedtoseeyouatmyhousebetween7and10。AnnetteScherer。”
“Heavens！whataviolentoutburst！”theprinceresponded，notintheleastdisconcertedatsuchareception。Hewaswearinganembroideredcourtuniform，stockingsandslippers，andhadstarsonhisbreast，andabrightsmileonhisflatface。
HespokeinthatelaboratelychoiceFrench，inwhichourforefathersnotonlyspokebutthought，andwiththoseslow，patronisingintonationspeculiartoamanofimportancewhohasgrownoldincourtsociety。HewentuptoAnnaPavlovna，kissedherhand，presentingherwithaviewofhisperfumed，shiningbaldhead，andcomplacentlysettledhimselfonthesofa。
“Firstofall，tellmehowyouare，dearfriend。Relieveafriend’sanxiety，”hesaid，withnochangeofhisvoiceandtone，inwhichindifference，andevenirony，wasperceptiblethroughtheveilofcourtesyandsympathy。
“Howcanonebewellwhenoneisinmoralsuffering？Howcanonehelpbeingworriedinthesetimes，ifonehasanyfeeling？”saidAnnaPavlovna。“You’llspendthewholeeveningwithme，Ihope？”
“AndthefêteattheEnglishambassador’s？To—dayisWednesday。Imustputinanappearancethere，”saidtheprince。“Mydaughteriscomingtofetchmeandtakemethere。”
“Ithoughtto—day’sfêtehadbeenputoff。Iconfessthatallthesefestivitiesandfireworksarebeginningtopall。”
“Iftheyhadknownthatitwasyourwish，thefêtewouldhavebeenputoff，”saidtheprince，fromhabit，likeawound—upclock，sayingthingshedidnotevenwishtobebelieved。
“Don’tteaseme。Well，whathasbeendecidedinregardtotheNovosiltsovdispatch？Youknoweverything。”
“Whatistheretotell？”saidtheprinceinatired，listlesstone。“Whathasbeendecided？IthasbeendecidedthatBonapartehasburnthisships，andIthinkthatweareabouttoburnours。”
PrinceVassilyalwaysspokelanguidly，likeanactorrepeatinghispartinanoldplay。AnnaPavlovnaScherer，inspiteofherfortyyears，wasonthecontrarybrimmingoverwithexcitementandimpulsiveness。Tobeenthusiastichadbecomeherposeinsociety，andattimesevenwhenshehad，indeed，noinclinationtobeso，shewasenthusiasticsoasnottodisappointtheexpectationsofthosewhoknewher。TheaffectedsmilewhichplayedcontinuallyaboutAnnaPavlovna’sface，outofkeepingasitwaswithherfadedlooks，expressedaspoiltchild’scontinualconsciousnessofacharmingfailingofwhichshehadneitherthewishnorthepowertocorrectherself，which，indeed，shesawnoneedtocorrect。
Inthemidstofaconversationaboutpolitics，AnnaPavlovnabecamegreatlyexcited。
“Ah，don’ttalktomeaboutAustria！Iknownothingaboutit，perhaps，butAustriahasneverwanted，anddoesn’twantwar。Sheisbetrayingus。RussiaaloneistobethesaviourofEurope。Ourbenefactorknowshisloftydestiny，andwillbetruetoit。That’stheonethingIhavefaithin。Ourgoodandsublimeemperorhasthegreatestpartintheworldtoplay，andheissovirtuousandnoblethatGodwillnotdeserthim，andhewillfulfilhismission—tostranglethehydraofrevolution，whichismorehorriblethanevernowinthepersonofthismurdererandmiscreant。…Whomcanwereckonon，Iaskyou？…EnglandwithhercommercialspiritwillnotcomprehendandcannotcomprehendalltheloftinessofsouloftheEmperorAlexander。ShehasrefusedtoevacuateMalta。Shetriestodetect，sheseeksahiddenmotiveinouractions。WhathavetheysaidtoNovosiltsov？Nothing。Theydidn’tunderstand，they’reincapableofunderstandingtheself—sacrificeofouremperor，whodesiresnothingforhimself，andeverythingforthegoodofhumanity。Andwhathavetheypromised？Nothing。Whattheyhavepromisedevenwon’tcometoanything！PrussiahasdeclaredthatBonaparteisinvincible，andthatallEuropecandonothingagainsthim。…AndIdon’tbelieveasinglewordofwhatwassaidbyHardenbergorHaugwitz。ThatfamousPrussianneutralityisameresnare。IhavenofaithbutinGodandtheloftydestinyofouradoredemperor。HewillsaveEurope！”Shestoppedshortabruptly，withasmileofamusementatherownwarmth。
“Iimagine，”saidtheprince，smiling，“thatifyouhadbeensentinsteadofourdearWintsengerode，youwouldhavecarriedthePrussianking’sconsentbystorm，—youaresoeloquent。Willyougivemesometea？”
“Inamoment。Bytheway，”sheaddedsubsidingintocalmagain，“therearetwoveryinterestingmentobehereto—night，thevicomtedeMortemart；heisconnectedwiththeMontmorenciesthroughtheRohans，oneofthebestfamiliesinFrance。Heisoneofthegoodemigrants，therealones。ThenAbbéMorio；youknowthatprofoundintellect？Hehasbeenreceivedbytheemperor。Doyouknowhim？”
“Ah！Ishallbedelighted，”saidtheprince。“Tellme，”headded，asthoughhehadjustrecollectedsomething，speakingwithspecialnon—chalance，thoughthequestionwasthechiefmotiveofhisvisit:“isittruethatthedowagerempressdesirestheappointmentofBaronFunkeasfirstsecretarytotheViennalegation？Heisapoorcreature，itappears，thatbaron。”PrinceVassilywouldhavelikedtoseehissonappointedtothepost，whichpeopleweretrying，throughtheEmpressMaryaFyodorovna，toobtainforthebaron。
AnnaPavlovnaalmostclosedhereyestosignifythatneithershenoranyoneelsecouldpassjudgmentonwhattheempressmightbepleasedorseefittodo。
“BaronFunkehasbeenrecommendedtotheempress—motherbyhersister，”wasallshesaidinadry，mournfultone。WhenAnnaPavlovnaspokeoftheempresshercountenancesuddenlyassumedaprofoundandgenuineexpressionofdevotionandrespect，mingledwithmelancholy，andthishappenedwhenevershementionedinconversationherillustriouspatroness。ShesaidthatherImperialMajestyhadbeengraciouslypleasedtoshowgreatesteemtoBaronFunke，andagainashadeofmelancholypassedoverherface。Theprincepreservedanindifferentsilence。AnnaPavlovna，withtheadroitnessandquicktactofacourtierandawoman，feltaninclinationtochastisetheprinceforhistemerityinreferringinsuchtermstoapersonrecommendedtotheempress，andatthesametimetoconsolehim。
“Butaboutyourownfamily，”shesaid，“doyouknowthatyourdaughter，sinceshehascomeout，charmseverybody？Peoplesaysheisasbeautifulastheday。”
Theprincebowedintokenofrespectandacknowledgment。
“Ioftenthink，”pursuedAnnaPavlovna，movinguptotheprinceandsmilingcordiallytohim，asthoughtomarkthatpoliticalandworldlyconversationwasoverandnowintimatetalkwastobegin:“Ioftenthinkhowunfairlytheblessingsoflifearesometimesapportioned。Whyhasfategivenyoutwosuchsplendidchildren—Idon’tincludeAnatole，youryoungest—himIdon’tlike”（sheputinwithadecisionadmittingofnoappeal，raisinghereyebrows）—“suchcharmingchildren？Andyoureallyseemtoappreciatethemlessthananyone，andsoyoudon’tdeservethem。”
Andshesmiledherecstaticsmile。
“Whatwouldyouhave？LavaterwouldhavesaidthatIhavenotthebumpofpaternity，”saidtheprince。
“Don’tkeeponjoking。Iwantedtotalktoyouseriously。DoyouknowI’mnotpleasedwithyouryoungestson。Betweenourselves”（herfacetookitsmournfulexpression），“peoplehavebeentalkingabouthimtohermajestyandcommiseratingyou…”
Theprincedidnotanswer，butlookingathimsignificantly，shewaitedinsilenceforhisanswer。PrinceVassilyfrowned。
“Whatwouldyouhavemedo？”hesaidatlast。“YouknowIhavedoneeverythingfortheireducationafathercoulddo，andtheyhavebothturnedoutdesimbéciles。Ippolitisatleastaquietfool，whileAnatole’safoolthatwon’tkeepquiet，that’stheonlydifference，”hesaid，withasmile，moreunnaturalandmoreanimatedthanusual，bringingoutwithpeculiarprominencesomethingsurprisinglybrutalandunpleasantinthelinesabouthismouth。
“Whyarechildrenborntomenlikeyou？Ifyouweren’tafather，Icouldfindnofaultwithyou，”saidAnnaPavlovna，raisinghereyespensively。
“IamyourfaithfulslaveandtoyoualoneIcanconfess。Mychildrenarethebaneofmyexistence。It’sthecrossIhavetobear，that’showIexplainittomyself。Whatwouldyouhave？”…Hebrokeoffwithagestureexpressinghisresignationtoacruelfate。AnnaPavlovnaponderedamoment。
“HaveyouneverthoughtofmarryingyourprodigalsonAnatole？Peoplesay，”shesaid，“thatoldmaidshaveamaniaformatchmaking。Ihaveneverbeenconsciousofthisfailingbefore，butIhavealittlepersoninmymind，whoisveryunhappywithherfather，arelationofours，theyoungPrincessBolkonsky。”
PrinceVassilymadenoreply，butwiththerapidityofreflectionandmemorycharacteristicofworldlypeople，hesignifiedbyamotionoftheheadthathehadtakeninandwasconsideringwhatshesaid。
“No，doyouknowthatthatboyiscostingmefortythousandroublesayear？”hesaid，evidentlyunabletorestrainthegloomycurrentofhisthoughts。Hepaused。“Whatwillitbeinfiveyearsifthisgoeson？Thesearetheadvantagesofbeingafather。…Issherich，youryoungprincess？”
“Herfatherisveryrichandmiserly。Helivesinthecountry。YouknowthatnotoriousPrinceBolkonsky，retiredunderthelateemperor，andnicknamedthe‘PrussianKing。’He’saverycleverman，buteccentricandtedious。Thepoorlittlethingisasunhappyaspossible。HerbrotheritiswhohaslatelybeenmarriedtoLizaMeinen，anadjutantofKutuzov’s。He’llbeherethisevening。”
“Listen，dearAnnette，”saidtheprince，suddenlytakinghiscompanion’shand，andforsomereasonbendingitdownwards。“ArrangethismatterformeandIamyourfaithfulslaveforeverandever。She’sofgoodfamilyandwelloff。That’sallIwant。”
Andwiththefreedom，familiarity，andgracethatdistinguishedhim，hetookthemaid—of—honour’shand，kissedit，andashekisseditwavedherhand，whilehestretchedforwardinhislowchairandgazedawayintothedistance。
“Wait，”saidAnnaPavlovna，considering。“I’lltalktoLise（thewifeofyoungBolkonsky）thisveryevening，andperhapsitcanbearranged。I’lltrymyprenticehandasanoldmaidinyourfamily。”
Chapter2
ANNAPAVLOVNA’SDRAWING—ROOMgraduallybegantofill。ThepeopleofthehighestdistinctioninPetersburgwerethere，peopleverydifferentinagesandcharacters，butalikeinthesetinwhichtheymoved。ThedaughterofPrinceVassily，thebeauty，Ellen，cametofetchherfatherandgowithhimtotheambassador’sfête。Shewaswearingaball—dresswithanimperialbadgeonit。TheyoungPrincessBolkonskywasthere，celebratedasthemostseductivewomaninPetersburg。Shehadbeenmarriedthepreviouswinter，andwasnotnowgoingoutintothegreatworldonaccountofherinterestingcondition，butwasstilltobeseenatsmallparties。PrinceIppolit，thesonofPrinceVassily，cametoowithMortemart，whomheintroduced。TheAbbéMoriowastheretoo，andmanyothers。
“Haveyounotyetseen，ornotbeenintroducedtomatante？”AnnaPavlovnasaidtoherguestsastheyarrived，andveryseriouslysheledthemuptoalittleoldladywearingtallbows，whohadsailedinoutofthenextroomassoonastheguestsbegantoarrive。AnnaPavlovnamentionedtheirnames，deliberatelyturninghereyesfromtheguesttomatante，andthenwithdrew。Alltheguestsperformedtheceremonyofgreetingtheaunt，whowasunknown，uninterestingandunnecessarytoeveryone。AnnaPavlovnawithmournful，solemnsympathy，followedthesegreetings，silentlyapprovingthem。Matantesaidtoeachpersonthesamewordsabouthishealth，herownhealth，andthehealthofhermajesty，whowas，thankGod，betterto—day。Everyone，thoughfrompolitenessshowingnounduehaste，movedawayfromtheoldladywithasenseofreliefatatiresomedutyaccomplished，anddidnotapproachheragainalltheevening。TheyoungPrincessBolkonskyhadcomewithherworkinagold—embroideredvelvetbag。Herprettylittleupperlip，faintlydarkenedwithdown，wasveryshortoverherteeth，butwasallthemorecharmingwhenitwaslifted，andstillmorecharmingwhenitwasattimesdrawndowntomeetthelowerlip。Asisalwaysthecasewithperfectlycharmingwomen，herdefect—theshortnessofthelipandthehalf—openedmouth—seemedherpeculiar，hercharacteristicbeauty。Everyonetookdelightinwatchingtheprettycreaturefulloflifeandgaiety，sosoontobeamother，andsolightlybearingherburden。Oldmenandbored，depressedyoungmengazingatherfeltasthoughtheywerebecominglikeher，bybeingwithherandtalkingalittlewhiletoher。Anymanwhospoketoher，andateverywordsawherbrightlittlesmileandshiningwhiteteeth，gleamingcontinually，imaginedthathewasbeingparticularlysuccessfulthisevening。Andthiseachthoughtinturn。
Thelittleprincess，movingwithaslightswing，walkedwithrapidlittlestepsroundthetablewithherwork—baginherhand，andgailyarrangingthefoldsofhergown，satdownonasofanearthesilversamovar；itseemedasthougheverythingshedidwasafestivalforherselfandallaroundher。
“Ihavebroughtmywork，”shesaid，displayingherreticule，andaddressingthecompanygenerally。“Mind，Annette，don’tplaymeanastytrick，”sheturnedtotheladyofthehouse；“youwrotetomethatitwasquitealittlegathering。SeehowIamgotup。”
Andsheflungherarmsopentoshowherelegantgreydress，trimmedwithlaceandgirtalittlebelowthebosomwithabroadsash。
“Nevermind，Lise，youwillalwaysbeprettierthananyoneelse，”answeredAnnaPavlovna。
“Youknowmyhusbandisdesertingme，”shewentoninjustthesamevoice，addressingageneral；“heisgoingtogethimselfkilled。Tellmewhatthisnastywarisfor，”shesaidtoPrinceVassily，andwithoutwaitingforananswersheturnedtoPrinceVassily’sdaughter，thebeautifulEllen。
“Howdelightfulthislittleprincessis！”saidPrinceVassilyinanundertonetoAnnaPavlovna。
Soonafterthelittleprincess，therewalkedinamassivelybuilt，stoutyoungmaninspectacles，withacroppedhead，lightbreechesinthemodeoftheday，withahighlaceruffleandaginger—colouredcoat。ThisstoutyoungmanwastheillegitimatesonofacelebrateddandyofthedaysofCatherine，CountBezuhov，whowasnowdyingatMoscow。Hehadnotyetenteredanybranchoftheservice；hehadonlyjustreturnedfromabroad，wherehehadbeeneducated，andthiswashisfirstappearanceinsociety。AnnaPavlovnagreetedhimwithanodreservedforpersonsoftheverylowesthierarchyinherdrawing—room。But，inspiteofthisgreeting，AnnaPavlovna’scountenanceshowedsignsonseeingPierreofuneasinessandalarm，suchasisshownatthesightofsomethingtoobigandoutofplace。ThoughPierrecertainlywassomewhatbiggerthananyoftheothermenintheroom，thisexpressioncouldonlyhavereferencetotheclever，thoughshy，observantandnaturallookthatdistinguishedhimfromeveryoneelseinthedrawing—room。
“Itisverykindofyou，M。Pierre，tohavecometoseeapoorinvalid，”AnnaPavlovnasaidtohim，exchanginganxiousglanceswithheraunt，towhomshewasconductinghim。
Pierremurmuredsomethingunintelligible，andcontinuedsearchingforsomethingwithhiseyes。Hesmiledgleefullyanddelightedly，bowingtothelittleprincessasthoughshewereanintimatefriend，andwentuptotheaunt。AnnaPavlovna’salarmwasnotwithoutgrounds，forPierrewalkedawayfromtheauntwithoutwaitingtotheendofherremarksabouthermajesty’shealth。AnnaPavlovnastoppedhimindismaywiththewords:“Youdon’tknowAbbéMorio？He’saveryinterestingman，”shesaid。
“Yes，Ihaveheardofhisschemeforperpetualpeace，andit’sveryinteresting，buthardlypossible…”
“Youthinkso？”saidAnnaPavlovnainordertosaysomethingandtogetawayagaintoherdutiesashostess，butPierrecommittedtheoppositeincivility。Justnowhehadwalkedoffwithoutlisteningtotheladywhowasaddressinghim；nowhedetainedbyhistalkaladywhowantedtogetawayfromhim。Withheadbentandlegsplantedwideapart，hebeganexplainingtoAnnaPavlovnawhyheconsideredtheabbé’sschemechimerical。
“Wewilltalkofitlater，”saidAnnaPavlovna，smiling。
Andgettingridofthisunmannerlyyoungmanshereturnedtoherduties，keepinghereyesandearsopen，readytoflytotheassistanceatanypointwheretheconversationwasflagging。Justastheforemanofaspinning—millsettlesthework—peopleintheirplaces，walksupanddowntheworks，andnotinganystoppageorunusualcreakingortooloudawhirinthespindles，goesuphurriedly，slackensthemachineryandsetsitgoingproperly，soAnnaPavlovna，walkingaboutherdrawing—room，wentuptoanycirclethatwaspausingortooloudinconversationandbyasinglewordorchangeofpositionsettheconversationalmachinegoingagaininitsregular，decorousway。ButinthemidstofthesecaresaspecialanxietyonPierre’saccountcouldstillbediscernedinher。ShekeptananxiouswatchonhimashewentuptolistentowhatwasbeingsaidnearMortemart，andwalkedawaytoanothergroupwheretheabbéwastalking。Pierrehadbeeneducatedabroad，andthispartyatAnnaPavlovna’swasthefirstatwhichhehadbeenpresentinRussia。HeknewalltheintellectuallightsofPetersburggatheredtogetherhere，andhiseyesstrayedaboutlikeachild’sinatoy—shop。Hewasafraidateverymomentofmissingsomeintellectualconversationwhichhemighthaveheard。Gazingattheself—confidentandrefinedexpressionsofthepersonagesassembledhere，hewascontinuallyexpectingsomethingexceptionallyclever。AtlasthemoveduptoAbbéMorio。Theconversationseemedinteresting，andhestoodstillwaitingforanopportunityofexpressinghisownideas，asyoungpeoplearefondofdoing。
Chapter3
ANNAPAVLOVNA’Ssoiréewasinfullswing。Thespindleskeptuptheirregularhumonallsideswithoutpause。Excepttheaunt，besidewhomwassittingnoonebutanelderlyladywithathin，carewornface，whoseemedratheroutofherelementinthisbrilliantsociety，thecompanywasbrokenupintothreegroups。Inoneofthese，themoremasculine，thecentrewastheabbé；intheother，thegroupofyoungpeople，thechiefattractionswerethebeautifulPrincessEllen，PrinceVassily’sdaughter，andthelittlePrincessBolkonsky，withherrosyprettiness，tooplumpforheryears。InthethirdgroupwereMortemartandAnnaPavlovna。
Thevicomtewasaprettyyounggentlemanwithsoftfeaturesandmanners，whoobviouslyregardedhimselfasacelebrity，butwithgoodbreedingmodestlyallowedthecompanythebenefitofhissociety。AnnaPavlovnaunmistakablyregardedhimasthechiefentertainmentshewasgivingherguests。Asacleverma？tred’h？telservesassomethingsuperlativelygoodthepieceofbeefwhichnoonewouldhavecaredtoeatseeingitinthedirtykitchen，AnnaPavlovnathateveningserveduptoherguests—first，thevicomteandthentheabbé，assomethingsuperlativelysubtle。InMortemart’sgroupthetalkturnedatonceontheexecutionoftheducd’Enghien。Thevicomtesaidthattheducd’EnghienhadbeenlostbyhisownmagnanimityandthattherewerespecialreasonsforBonaparte’sbitternessagainsthim。
“Ah，come！Tellusaboutthat，vicomte，”saidAnnaPavlovnagleefully，feelingthatthephrasehadapeculiarlyLouisQuinzenoteaboutit:“Contez—nouscela，vicomte。”
Thevicomtebowedandsmiledcourteouslyintokenofhisreadinesstoobey。AnnaPavlovnamadeacircleroundthevicomteandinvitedeveryonetohearhisstory。
“Thevicomtewaspersonallyacquaintedwithhishighness，”AnnaPavlovnawhisperedtoone。“Thevicomtetellsastoryperfectly，”shesaidtoanother。“Howoneseesthemanofquality，”shesaidtoathird，andthevicomtewaspresentedtothecompanyinthemostelegantandadvantageouslight，liketheroast—beefonthehotdishgarnishedwithgreenparsley。
Thevicomtewasabouttobeginhisnarrative，andhesmiledsubtly。
“Comeoverhere，chèreHélène，”saidAnnaPavlovnatotheyoungbeautywhowassittingalittlewayoff，thecentreofanothergroup。
PrincessEllensmiled。Shegotupwiththesameunchangingsmileoftheacknowledgedbeautywithwhichshehadenteredthedrawing—room。Herwhiteball—dressadornedwithivyandmossrustledlightly；herwhiteshoulders，glossyhair，anddiamondsglittered，asshepassedbetweenthemenwhomovedaparttomakewayforher。Notlookingdirectlyatanyone，butsmilingateveryone，asitwerecourteouslyallowingtoalltherighttoadmirethebeautyofherfigure，herfullshoulders，herbosomandback，whichwereextremelyexposedinthemodeoftheday，shemoveduptoAnnaPavlovna，seemingtobringwithherthebrillianceoftheballroom。Ellenwassolovelythatshewasnotmerelyfreefromtheslightestshadeofcoquetry，sheseemedonthecontraryashamedofthetooevident，tooviolentandall—conqueringinfluenceofherbeauty。Sheseemedtowishbuttobeunabletosoftentheeffectofherbeauty。
“Whatabeautifulwoman！”everyonesaidonseeingher。Asthoughstruckbysomethingextraordinary，thevicomteshruggedhisshouldersanddroppedhiseyes，whensheseatedherselfnearhimanddazzledhimtoowiththesameunchangingsmile。
“Madame，Idoubtmyabilitiesbeforesuchanaudience，”hesaid，bowingwithasmile。
Theprincessleanedherplump，barearmonthetableanddidnotfinditnecessarytosayanything。Shewaited，smiling。Duringthevicomte’sstoryshesatupright，lookingfromtimetotimeatherbeautiful，plumparm，whichlaywithitslinechangedbypressureonthetable，thenatherstilllovelierbosom，onwhichshesetstraightherdiamondnecklace。Severaltimesshesettledthefoldsofhergownandwhenthenarrativemadeasensationupontheaudience，sheglancedatAnnaPavlovnaandatonceassumedtheexpressionshesawonthemaid—of—honour’sface，thensherelapsedagainintoherunvaryingsmile。AfterEllenthelittleprincesstoomovedawayfromthetea—table。
“Waitforme，Iwilltakemywork，”shesaid。“Come，whatareyouthinkingof？”shesaidtoPrinceIppolit。“Bringmemyreticule。”
Thelittleprincess，smilingandtalkingtoeveryone，atonceeffectedachangeofposition，andsettlingdownagain，gailysmoothedoutherskirts。
“NowI’mcomfortable，”shesaid，andbeggingthevicomtetobegin，shetookupherwork。PrinceIppolitbroughtherreticule，movedtoherside，andbendingcloseoverherchair，satbesideher。
LecharmantHippolytestruckeveryoneasextraordinarilylikethissister，and，stillmore，asbeing，inspiteofthelikeness，strikinglyugly。Hisfeatureswerelikehissister’s，butinher，everythingwasradiantwithjoyouslife，withthecomplacent，never—failingsmileofyouthandlifeandanextraordinaryantiquebeautyoffigure。Thebrother’sfaceonthecontrarywascloudedoverbyimbecilityandinvariablyworealookofaggressivefretfulness，whilehewasthinandfeeblybuilt。Hiseyes，hisnose，hismouth—everythingwas，asitwere，puckeredupinonevacant，boredgrimace，whilehisarmsandlegsalwaysfellintothemostgrotesqueattitudes。
“Itisnotaghoststory，”hesaid，sittingdownbytheprincessandhurriedlyfixinghiseyeglassinhiseye，asthoughwithoutthatinstrumenthecouldnotbegintospeak。
“Why，no，mydearfellow，”saidtheastonishedvicomte，withashrug。
“BecauseIdetestghoststories，”saidPrinceIppolitinatonewhichshowedthatheutteredthewordsbeforehewasawareoftheirmeaning。
Fromtheself—confidencewithwhichhespokenoonecouldtellwhetherwhathesaidwasverycleverorverystupid。Hewasdressedinadark—greenfrockcoat，breechesofthecolourofthecuissedenympheeffrayée，ashecalledit，stockingsandslippers。Thevicomteverycharminglyrelatedtheanecdotethencurrent，thattheducd’EnghienhadsecretlyvisitedParisforthesakeofaninterviewwiththeactress，Mlle。Georges，andthattherehemetBonaparte，whoalsoenjoyedthefavoursofthecelebratedactress，andthat，meetingtheduc，Napoleonhadfallenintooneofthefitstowhichhewassubjectandhadbeencompletelyintheduc’spower，howtheduchadnottakenadvantageofit，andBonapartehadinthesequelavengedhismagnanimitybytheduc’sdeath。
Thestorywasverycharmingandinteresting，especiallyatthepointwhentherivalssuddenlyrecogniseeachother，andtheladiesseemedtobegreatlyexcitedbyit。“Charmant！”saidAnnaPavlovna，lookinginquiringlyatthelittleprincess。“Charming！”whisperedthelittleprincess，stickingherneedleintoherworkasanindicationthattheinterestandcharmofthestorypreventedherworking。Thevicomteappreciatedthissilenthomage，andsmilinggratefully，resumedhisnarrative。ButmeanwhileAnnaPavlovna，stillkeepingawatchonthedreadfulyoungman，noticedthathewastalkingtooloudlyandtoowarmlywiththeabbéandhurriedtothespotofdanger。Pierrehadinfactsucceededingettingintoapoliticalconversationwiththeabbéonthebalanceofpower，andtheabbé，evidentlyinterestedbythesimple—heartedfervouroftheyoungman，wasunfoldingtohimhischerishedidea。Bothwerelisteningandtalkingtooeagerlyandnaturally，andAnnaPavlovnadidnotlikeit。
“Themeans？—thebalanceofpowerinEuropeandtherightsofthepeople，”saidtheabbé。“OnepowerfulstatelikeRussia—withtheprestigeofbarbarism—needonlytakeadisinterestedstandattheheadofthealliancethataimsatsecuringthebalanceofpowerinEurope，anditwouldsavetheworld！”“Howareyougoingtogetsuchabalanceofpower？”Pierrewasbeginning；butatthatmomentAnnaPavlovnacameup，andglancingseverelyatPierre，askedtheItalianhowhewassupportingtheclimate。TheItalian’sfacechangedinstantlyandassumedthelookofoffensive，affectedsweetness，whichwasevidentlyitshabitualexpressioninconversationwithwomen。“Iamsoenchantedbythewitandcultureofthesociety—especiallyoftheladies—inwhichIhavehadthehappinesstobereceived，thatIhavenotyethadtimetothinkoftheclimate，”hesaid。NotlettingtheabbéandPierreslipoutofhergrasp，AnnaPavlovna，forgreaterconvenienceinwatchingthem，madethemjointhebiggergroup。
Atthatmomentanotherguestwalkedintothedrawing—room。ThiswastheyoungPrinceAndreyBolkonsky，thehusbandofthelittleprincess。PrinceBolkonskywasaveryhandsomeyoungman，ofmediumheight，withclear，clean—cutfeatures。Everythinginhisappearance，fromhisweary，boredexpressiontohisslow，measuredstep，formedthemoststrikingcontrasttohislivelylittlewife。Obviouslyallthepeopleinthedrawing—roomwerefamiliarfigurestohim，andmorethanthat，hewasunmistakablysosickofthemthateventolookatthemandtolistentothemwasawearinesstohim。Ofallthewearisomefacesthefaceofhisprettywifeseemedtoborehimmost。Withagrimacethatdistortedhishandsomefaceheturnedawayfromher。HekissedAnnaPavlovna’shand，andwithhalf—closedeyelidsscannedthewholecompany。
“Youareenlistingforthewar，prince？”saidAnnaPavlovna。
“GeneralKutuzovhasbeenkindenoughtohavemeasanaide—de—camp，”saidBolkonsky。
“AndLise，yourwife？—”
“Sheisgoingintothecountry。”
“Isn’tittoobadofyoutorobusofyourcharmingwife？”
“André，”saidhiswife，addressingherhusbandinexactlythesamecoquettishtoneinwhichshespoketooutsiders，“thevicomtehasjusttoldussuchastoryaboutMlle。GeorgesandBonaparte！”
PrinceAndreyscowledandturnedaway。Pierre，whohadkepthiseyesjoyfullyandaffectionatelyfixedonhimeversincehecamein，wentuptohimandtookholdofhisarm。PrinceAndrey，withoutlookinground，twistedhisfaceintoagrimaceofannoyanceatanyone’stouchinghim，butseeingPierre’ssmilingface，hegavehimasmilethatwasunexpectedlysweetandpleasant。
“Why，you！…Andinsuchsocietytoo，”hesaidtoPierre。
“Iknewyouwouldbehere，”answeredPierre。“I’mcomingtosupperwithyou，”headdedinanundertone，nottointerruptthevicomtewhowasstilltalking。“CanI？”
“Ohno，impossible，”saidPrinceAndrey，laughing，withasqueezeofhishandgivingPierretounderstandthattherewasnoneedtoask。Hewouldhavesaidsomethingmore，butatthatinstantPrinceVassilyandhisdaughtergotupandthetwoyoungmenrosetomakewayforthem。
“Pardonme，mydearvicomte，”saidPrinceVassilyinFrench，gentlypullinghimdownbyhissleevetopreventhimfromgettingupfromhisseat。“Thislucklessfêteattheambassador’sdeprivesmeofapleasureandinterruptsyou。Iamverysorrytoleaveyourenchantingparty，”hesaidtoAnnaPavlovna。
Hisdaughter，PrincessEllen，lightlyholdingthefoldsofhergown，passedbetweenthechairs，andthesmileglowedmorebrightlythaneveronherhandsomeface。Pierrelookedwithrapturous，almostfrightenedeyesatthisbeautifulcreatureasshepassedthem。
“Verylovely！”saidPrinceAndrey。
“Very，”saidPierre。
Ashecameuptothem，PrinceVassilytookPierrebythearm，andaddressingAnnaPavlovna:
“Getthisbearintoshapeforme，”hesaid。“Herehehasbeenstayingwithmeforamonth，andthisisthefirsttimeIhaveseenhiminsociety。Nothing’ssonecessaryforayoungmanasthesocietyofcleverwomen。”
Chapter4
ANNAPAVLOVNAsmiledandpromisedtolookafterPierre，whowas，sheknew，relatedtoPrinceVassilyonhisfather’sside。Theelderlylady，whohadbeentillthensittingbytheaunt，gotuphurriedly，andover—tookPrinceVassilyinthehall。Alltheaffectationofinterestshehadassumedtillnowvanished。Herkindly，carewornfaceexpressednothingbutanxietyandalarm。
“Whathaveyoutotellme，prince，ofmyBoris？”shesaid，catchinghiminthehall。“Ican’tstayanylongerinPetersburg。TellmewhatnewsamItotaketomypoorboy？”
AlthoughPrinceVassilylistenedreluctantlyandalmostuncivillytotheelderlyladyandevenshowedsignsofimpatience，shegavehimaningratiatingandappealingsmile，andtopreventhisgoingawayshetookhimbythearm。“ItisnothingforyoutosayawordtotheEmperor，andhewillbetransferredatoncetotheGuards，”sheimplored。
“Believeme，IwilldoallIcan，princess，”answeredPrinceVassily；“butit’snoteasyformetopetitiontheEmperor。IshouldadviseyoutoapplytoRumyantsov，throughPrinceGalitsin；thatwouldbethewisestcourse。”
TheelderlyladywasaPrincessDrubetskoy，oneofthebestfamiliesinRussia；butshewaspoor，hadbeenalongwhileoutofsociety，andhadlosttouchwithherformerconnections。ShehadcomenowtotryandobtaintheappointmentofheronlysontotheGuards。ItwassimplyinordertoseePrinceVassilythatshehadinvitedherselfandcometoAnnaPavlovna’sparty，simplyforthatshehadlistenedtothevicomte’sstory。ShewasdismayedatPrinceVassily’swords；heroncehandsomefaceshowedexasperation，butthatlastedonlyonemoment。ShesmiledagainandgraspedPrinceVassily’sarmmoretightly。
“HearwhatIhavetosay，prince，”shesaid。“Ihaveneveraskedyouafavour，andneverwillIaskone；Ihaveneverremindedyouofmyfather’saffectionforyou。Butnow，forGod’ssake，Ibeseechyou，dothisformyson，andIshallconsideryoumygreatestbenefactor，”sheaddedhurriedly。“No，don’tbeangry，butpromiseme。IhaveaskedGalitsin；hehasrefused。Beaskindasyouusedtobe，”shesaid，tryingtosmile，thoughthereweretearsinhereyes。
“Papa，wearelate，”saidPrincessEllen，turningherlovelyheadonherstatuesqueshouldersasshewaitedatthedoor。
Butinfluenceintheworldisacapital，whichmustbecarefullyguardedifitisnottodisappear。PrinceVassilyknewthis，andhavingonceforallreflectedthatifheweretobegforallwhobeggedhimtodoso，hewouldsoonbeunabletobegforhimself，herarelymadeuseofhisinfluence。InPrincessDrubetskoy’scase，however，hefeltafterhernewappealsomethingakintoaconscience—prick。Shehadremindedhimofthetruth；forhisfirststepupwardsintheservicehehadbeenindebtedtoherfather。Besidesthis，hesawfromhermannerthatshewasoneofthosewomen—especiallymothers—whohavingoncetakenanideaintotheirheadswillnotgiveituptilltheirwishesarefulfilled，andtillthenarepreparedfordaily，hourlypersistence，andevenforscenes。Thislastconsiderationmadehimwaver。
“ChèreAnnaMihalovna，”hesaid，withhisinvariablefamiliarityandboredominhisvoice，“it’salmostimpossibleformetodowhatyouwish；buttoshowyoumydevotiontoyou，andmyreverenceforyourdearfather’smemory，Iwilldotheimpossible—yoursonshallbetransferredtotheGuards；hereismyhandonit。Areyousatisfied？”
“Mydearprince，youareourbenefactor。Iexpectednothinglessindeed；Iknowhowgoodyouare—”Hetriedtogetaway。“Waitamoment，oneword。OnceintheGuards…”Shehesitated。“YouareonfriendlytermswithMihailIlarionovitchKutuzov，recommendBorisashisadjutant。Thenmyheartwillbesetatrest，thenindeed…”
PrinceVassilysmiled。“ThatIcan’tpromise。Youdon’tknowhowKutuzovhasbeenbesiegedeversincehehasbeenappointedcommander—in—chief。HetoldmehimselfthatalltheMoscowladieswereinleaguetogethertogivehimalltheiroffspringasadjutants。”
“No，promiseme；Ican’tletyouoff，kind，goodfriend，benefactor…”
“Papa，”repeatedthebeautyinthesametone，“wearelate。”
“Come，aurevoir，good—bye。Youseehowitis。”
“To—morrowthenyouwillspeaktotheEmperor？”
“Certainly；butaboutKutuzovIcan’tpromise。”
“Yes；dopromise，promise，Basile，”AnnaMihalovnasaid，pursuinghimwiththesmileofacoquettishgirl，onceperhapscharacteristic，butnowutterlyincongruouswithhercarewornface。Evidentlyshehadforgottenherageandfromhabitwasbringingouteveryfeminineresource。Butassoonashehadgoneoutherfaceassumedoncemorethefrigid，artificialexpressionithadwornalltheevening。Shewentbacktothegroupinwhichthevicomtewasstilltalking，andagainaffectedtobelistening，waitingforthesuitablemomenttogetaway，nowthatherobjecthadbeenattained。
“AndwhatdoyouthinkofthislatestfarceofthecoronationatMilan？”saidAnnaPavlovna。“AndthenewcomedyofthepeopleofLuccaandGenoacomingtopresenttheirpetitionstoMonsieurBuonaparte。MonsieurBuonapartesittingonathroneandgrantingthepetitionsofnations！Adorable！Why，itisenoughtodriveoneoutofone’ssenses！Itseemsasthoughthewholeworldhadlostitshead。”
PrinceAndreysmiledsarcastically，lookingstraightintoAnnaPavlovna’sface。
“Godgivesitme；letmanbewareoftouchingit，”hesaid（Bonaparte’swordsutteredatthecoronation）。“Theysaythathewasveryfineashespokethosewords，”headded，andherepeatedthesamewordsinItalian:“Diomel’hadata，equaiachilatocca。”
“Ihopethatatlast，”pursuedAnnaPavlovna，“thishasbeenthedropofwaterthatwillmaketheglassrunover。Thesovereignscannotcontinuetoendurethismanwhoisathreattoeverything。”
“Thesovereigns！IamnotspeakingofRussia，”saidthevicomtedeferentiallyandhopelessly。“Thesovereigns！…Madame！WhatdidtheydoforLouistheSixteenth，forthequeen，forMadameElisabeth？Nothing，”hewentonwithmoreanimation；“andbelieveme，theyareundergoingthepunishmentoftheirtreasontotheBourboncause。Thesovereigns！…Theyaresendingambassadorstocongratulatetheusurper。”
Andwithascornfulsighheshiftedhisattitudeagain。PrinceIppolit，whohadforalongtimebeenstaringthroughhiseyeglassatthevicomte，atthesewordssuddenlyturnedcompletelyround，andbendingoverthelittleprincessaskedherforaneedle，andbeganshowingherthecoat—of—armsoftheCondéfamily，scratchingitwiththeneedleonthetable。Heexplainedthecoat—of—armswithanairofgravity，asthoughtheprincesshadaskedhimaboutit。“Staff，gules；engrailedwithgulesofazure—houseofCondé，”hesaid。Theprincesslistenedsmiling。
“IfBonaparteremainsanotheryearonthethroneofFrance，”resumedthevicomte，withtheairofamanwho，beingbetteracquaintedwiththesubjectthananyoneelse，pursueshisowntrainofthoughtwithoutlisteningtootherpeople，“thingswillhavegonetoofar。Byintrigueandviolence，byexilesandexecutions，Frenchsociety—Imeangoodsociety—willhavebeendestroyedforever，andthen…”
Heshruggedhisshoulders，andmadeadespairinggesturewithhishand。Pierrewantedtosaysomething—theconversationinterestedhim—butAnnaPavlovna，whowaskeepinghereyeonhim，interposed。
“AndtheEmperorAlexander，”shesaidwiththepatheticnotethatalwaysaccompaniedallherreferencestotheimperialfamily，“hasdeclaredhisintentionofleavingittotheFrenchthemselvestochoosetheirownformofgovernment。AndIimaginethereisnodoubtthatthewholenation，deliveredfromtheusurper，wouldflingitselfintothearmsofitslawfulking，”saidAnnaPavlovna，tryingtobeagreeabletoanémigréandloyalist。
“That’snotcertain，”saidPrinceAndrey。“M。levicomteisquiterightinsupposingthatthingshavegonetoofarbynow。Iimagineitwouldnotbeeasytoreturntotheoldrégime。”
“AsfarasIcouldhear，”Pierre，blushing，againinterposedintheconversation，“almostallthenobilityhavegoneovertoBonaparte。”
“That’swhattheBonapartistsassert，”saidthevicomtewithoutlookingatPierre。“It’sadifficultmatternowtofindoutwhatpublicopinionisinFrance。”
“Bonapartesaidso，”observedPrinceAndreywithasarcasticsmile。Itwasevidentthathedidnotlikethevicomte，andthatthoughhewasnotlookingathim，hewasdirectinghisremarksagainsthim。
“‘Ishowedthemthepathofglory；theywouldnottakeit，’”hesaidafterabriefpause，againquotingNapoleon’swords。“‘Iopenedmyanteroomstothem；theycrowdedin。’…Idonotknowinwhatdegreehehadarighttosayso。”
“None！”retortedthevicomte。“Sincetheduc’smurderevenhiswarmestpartisanshaveceasedtoregardhimasahero。Ifindeedsomepeoplemadeaheroofhim，”saidthevicomteaddressingAnnaPavlovna，“sincetheduke’sassassinationtherehasbeenamartyrmoreinheaven，andaherolessonearth。”
AnnaPavlovnaandtherestofthecompanyhardlyhadtimetosmiletheirappreciationofthevicomte’swords，whenPierreagainbrokeintotheconversation，andthoughAnnaPavlovnahadaforebodinghewouldsaysomethinginappropriate，thistimeshewasunabletostophim。
“Theexecutionoftheducd’Enghien，”saidMonsieurPierre，“wasapoliticalnecessity，andIconsideritaproofofgreatnessofsoulthatNapoleondidnothesitatetotakethewholeresponsibilityofituponhimself。”
“Dieu！monDieu！”moanedAnnaPavlovna，inaterrifiedwhisper。
“What，MonsieurPierre！youthinkassassinationisgreatnessofsoul？”saidthelittleprincess，smilingandmovingherworknearertoher。
“Ah！oh！”crieddifferentvoices。
“Capital！”PrinceIppolitsaidinEnglish，andhebeganslappinghisknee。Thevicomtemerelyshruggedhisshoulders。
Pierrelookedsolemnlyoverhisspectaclesathisaudience。
“Isayso，”hepursueddesperately，“becausetheBourbonsranawayfromtheRevolution，leavingthepeopletoanarchy；andNapoleonalonewascapableofunderstandingtheRevolution，ofovercomingit，andsoforthepublicgoodhecouldnotstopshortatthelifeofoneman。”
“Won’tyoucomeovertothistable？”saidAnnaPavlovna。ButPierrewentonwithoutansweringher。
“Yes，”hesaid，gettingmoreandmoreeager，“NapoleonisgreatbecausehehastoweredabovetheRevolution，andsubdueditseviltendencies，preservingallthatwasgood—theequalityofallcitizens，andfreedomofspeechandofthepress，andonlytothatendhashepossessedhimselfofsupremepower。”
“Yes，ifonobtainingpowerhehadsurrenderedittothelawfulking，insteadofmakinguseofittocommitmurder，”saidthevicomte，“thenImighthavecalledhimagreatman。”
“Hecouldnothavedonethat。ThepeoplegavehimpowersimplyforhimtoridthemoftheBourbons，andthatwasjustwhythepeoplebelievedhimtobeagreatman。TheRevolutionwasagrandfact，”pursuedMonsieurPierre，betrayingbythisdesperateandirrelevantlyprovocativestatementhisextremeyouthanddesiretogivefullexpressiontoeverything。
“Revolutionandregicideagrandfact？…Whatnext？…butwon’tyoucometothistable？”repeatedAnnaPavlovna。
“Contratsocial，”saidthevicomtewithablandsmile。
“I’mnotspeakingofregicide。I’mspeakingoftheidea。”
“Theideaofplunder，murder，andregicide！”anironicalvoiceputin。
“Thosewereextremes，ofcourse；butthewholemeaningoftheRevolutiondidnotlieinthem，butintherightsofman，inemancipationfromconventionalideas，inequality；andalltheseNapoleonhasmaintainedintheirfullforce。”
“Libertyandequality，”saidthevicomtecontemptuously，asthoughhehadatlastmadeuphismindtoshowthisyouthseriouslyallthefollyofhisassertions:“allhigh—soundingwords，whichhavelongsincebeendebased。Whodoesnotlovelibertyandequality？OurSaviourindeedpreachedlibertyandequality。HavemenbeenanyhappiersincetheRevolution？Onthecontrary。Wewantedliberty，butBonapartehascrushedit。”
PrinceAndreylookedwithasmilefirstatPierre，thenatthevicomte，thenattheirhostess。
ForthefirstminuteAnnaPavlovnahad，inspiteofhersocialadroitness，beendismayedbyPierre’soutbreak；butwhenshesawthatthevicomtewasnotgreatlydiscomposedbyPierre’ssacrilegiousutterances，andhadconvincedherselfthatitwasimpossibletosuppressthem，sheralliedherforcesandjoinedthevicomteinattackingtheorator。
“Mais，moncherMonsieurPierre，”saidAnnaPavlovna，“whathaveyoutosayforagreatmanwhowascapableofexecutingthedue—orsimplyanyhumanbeing—guiltlessanduntried？”
“Ishouldliketoask，”saidthevicomte，“howmonsieurwouldexplainthe18thofBrumaire？Wasnotthattreachery？”
“Itwasajugglingtricknotatalllikeagreatman’swayofacting。”
“AndthewoundedhekilledinAfrica？”saidthelittleprincess；“thatwasawful！”Andsheshruggedhershoulders。
“He’saplebeian，whateveryoumaysay，”saidPrinceIppolit。
MonsieurPierredidnotknowwhichtoanswer。Helookedatthemallandsmiled。Hissmilewasutterlyunlikethehalf—smileofalltheothers。Whenhesmiled，suddenly，instantaneously，hisserious，evenrathersullen，facevanishedcompletely，andaquitedifferentfaceappeared，childish，good—humoured，evenratherstupid，thatseemedtobegindulgence。Thevicomte，whowasseeinghimforthefirsttime，sawclearlythatthisJacobinwasbynomeanssoformidableashiswords。Everyonewassilent。
“Howishetoanswereveryoneatonce？”saidPrinceAndrey。“Besides，intheactionsofastatesman，onemustdistinguishbetweenhisactsasaprivatepersonandasageneraloranemperor。Soitseemstome。”
“Yes，yes，ofcourse，”putinPierre，delightedattheassistancethathadcometosupporthim。
“Onemustadmit，”pursuedPrinceAndrey，“thatNapoleonasamanwasgreatatthebridgeofArcola，orinthehospitalatJaffa，whenhegavehishandtotheplague—stricken，but…butthereareotheractionsitwouldbehardtojustify。”
PrinceAndrey，whoobviouslywishedtorelievetheawkwardnessofPierre’sposition，gotuptogo，andmadeasigntohiswife。
SuddenlyPrinceIppolitgotup，andwithawaveofhishandsstoppedeveryone，andmotioningtothemtobeseated，began:
“Ah，IheardaMoscowstoryto—day；Imustentertainyouwithit。Youwillexcuseme，vicomte，ImusttellitinRussian。Ifnot，thepointofthestorywillbelost。”AndPrinceIppolitbeganspeakinginRussian，usingthesortofjargonFrenchmenspeakafterspendingayearinRussia。Everyonewaitedexpectant；PrinceIppolithadsoeagerly，soinsistentlycalledfortheattentionofallforhisstory。
“InMoscowthereisalady，unedame。Andsheisverystingy。Shewantedtohavetwofootmenbehindhercarriage。Andverytallfootmen。Thatwashertaste。Andshehadalady’smaid，alsoverytall。Shesaid…”
HerePrinceIppolitpausedandpondered，apparentlycollectinghisideaswithdifficulty。
“Shesaid…yes，shesaid:‘Girl，’tothelady’smaid，‘putonlivrée，andgetupbehindthecarriage，topaycalls。’”
HerePrinceIppolitgavealoudguffaw，laughinglongbeforeanyofhisaudience，whichcreatedanimpressionbynomeansflatteringtohim。Severalpersons，amongthemtheelderlyladyandAnnaPavlovna，didsmile，however。
“Shedroveoff。Suddenlytherewasaviolentgustofwind。Thegirllostherhat，andherlonghairfelldown…”
Atthispointhecouldnotrestrainhimself，andbeganlaughingviolently，articulatinginthemiddleofaloudguffaw，“Andalltheworldknew…”
Theretheanecdoteended。Thoughnoonecouldunderstandwhyhehadtoldit，andwhyhehadinsistedontellingitinRussian，stillAnnaPavlovnaandseveralotherpeopleappreciatedthesocialbreedingofPrinceIppolitinsoagreeablyputtingaclosetothedisagreeableandillbredoutbreakofMonsieurPierre。Theconversationafterthisepisodebrokeupintosmalltalkofnointerestconcerningthelastandtheapproachingball，thetheatre，andwhereandwhenonewouldmeetso—and—soagain。
Chapter5
THANKINGANNAPAVLOVNAforhercharmantesoirée，theguestsbegantotakeleave。
Pierrewasclumsy，stoutanduncommonlytall，withhugeredhands；hedidnot，astheysay，knowhowtocomeintoadrawing—roomandstilllesshowtogetoutofone，thatis，howtosaysomethingparticularlyagreeableongoingaway。Moreover，hewasdreamy。Hestoodup，andpickingupathree—corneredhatwiththeplumeofageneralinitinsteadofhisown，hekeptholdofit，pullingthefeatherstillthegeneralaskedhimtorestoreit。Butallhisdreaminessandhisinabilitytoenteradrawing—roomortalkproperlyinitwereatonedforbyhisexpressionofgood—nature，simplicityandmodesty。AnnaPavlovnaturnedtohim，andwithChristianmeeknesssignifyingherforgivenessforhismisbehaviour，shenoddedtohimandsaid:
“IhopeIshallseeyouagain，butIhopetooyouwillchangeyouropinions，mydearMonsieurPierre。”
Hemadenoanswer，simplybowedanddisplayedtoeveryoneoncemorehissmile，whichsaidasplainlyaswords:“Opinionsornoopinions，youseewhatanice，good—heartedfellowIam。”AndAnnaPavlovnaandeveryoneelseinstinctivelyfeltthis。PrinceAndreyhadgoneoutintothehallandturninghisshoulderstothefootmanwhowasreadytoputhiscloakonhim，helistenedindifferentlytohiswife’schatterwithPrinceIppolit，whohadalsocomeoutintothehall。PrinceIppolitstoodclosetotheprettyprincess，sosoontobeamother，andstaredpersistentlystraightatherthroughhiseyeglass。
“Goin，Annette，you’llcatchcold，”saidthelittleprincess，sayinggood—byetoAnnaPavlovna。“Itissettled，”sheaddedinalowvoice。
AnnaPavlovnahadmanagedtohaveafewwordswithLizaaboutthematchshewasplanningbetweenAnatoleandthesister—in—lawofthelittleprincess。
“Irelyonyou，mydear，”saidAnnaPavlovna，alsoinanundertone；“youwritetoherandtellmehowthefatherwillviewthematter。Aurevoir！”Andshewentbackoutofthehall。
PrinceIppolitwentuptothelittleprincessand，bendinghisfacedownclosetoher，begansayingsomethingtoherinahalfwhisper。
Twofootmen，onetheprincess’s，theotherhisown，stoodwithshawlandredingotewaitingtilltheyshouldfinishtalking，andlistenedtotheirFrenchprattle，incomprehensibletothem，withfacesthatseemedtosaythattheyunderstoodwhatwasbeingsaidbutwouldnotshowit。Theprincess，asalways，talkedwithasmileandlistenedlaughing。
“I’mverygladIdidn’tgototheambassador’s，”PrinceIppolitwassaying:“suchabore。…Adelightfuleveningithasbeen，hasn’tit？delightful。”
“Theysaytheballwillbeaveryfineone，”answeredthelittleprincess，twitchingupherdownylittlelip。“Alltheprettywomenaretobethere。”
“Notall，sinceyouwon’tbethere；notall，”saidPrinceIppolit，laughinggleefully；andsnatchingtheshawlfromthefootman，shovinghimasideashedidso，hebeganputtingitonthelittleprincess。Eitherfromawkwardnessorintentionally—noonecouldhavesaidwhich—hedidnotremovehisarmsforalongwhileaftertheshawlhadbeenputon，asitwereholdingtheyoungwomaninhisembrace。
Gracefully，butstillsmiling，shemovedaway，turnedroundandglancedatherhusband。PrinceAndrey’seyeswereclosed:heseemedwearyanddrowsy。
“Areyouready？”heaskedhiswife，avoidinghereyes。
PrinceIppolithurriedlyputonhisredingote，whichinthelatestmodehungdowntohisheels，andstumblingoverit，ranoutontothestepsaftertheprincess，whomthefootmanwasassistingintothecarriage。
“Princesse，aurevoir，”heshouted，histonguetrippinglikehislegs。
Theprincess，pickinguphergown，seatedherselfinthedarknessofthecarriage；herhusbandwasarranginghissabre；PrinceIppolit，underthepretenceofassisting，wasineveryone’sway。
“Allowme，sir，”PrinceAndreysaidinRussiandrilyanddisagreeablytoPrinceIppolit，whopreventedhispassing。
“Iexpectyou，Pierre，”thesamevoicecalledinwarmandfriendlytones。
Thepostillionstartedatatrot，andthecarriagerumbledaway。PrinceIppolitgaveventtoashort，jerkyguffaw，ashestoodonthestepswaitingforthevicomte，whomhehadpromisedtotakehome。
“Well，mydearfellow，yourlittleprincessisverygood—looking，verygood—looking，”saidthevicomte，ashesatinthecarriagewithIppolit。“Verygood—lookingindeed；”hekissedhisfingertips。“AndquiteFrench。”
Ippolitsnortedandlaughed。
“And，doyouknow，youareaterriblefellowwiththatlittleinnocentwayofyours，”pursuedthevicomte。“Iamsorryforthepoorhusband，thatofficerboywhogiveshimselftheairsofareigningprince。”
Ippolitguffawedagain，andinthemiddleofalaugharticulated:
“AndyousaidthattheRussianladieswerenotequaltotheFrenchladies。Youmustknowhowtotakethem。”
Pierre，arrivingfirst，wenttoPrinceAndrey’sstudy，likeoneofthehousehold，andatoncelaydownonthesofa，ashishabitwas，andtakingupthefirstbookhecameuponintheshelf（itwasC？sar’sCommentaries）heproppedhimselfonhiselbow，andbeganreadingitinthemiddle。
“WhatashockyougaveMlle。Scherer！She’llbequiteillnow，”PrinceAndreysaid，ashecameintothestudyrubbinghissmallwhitehands。
Pierrerolledhiswholepersonoversothatthesofacreaked，turnedhiseagerfacetoPrinceAndrey，smiledandwavedhishandtohim。
“Oh，thatabbéwasveryinteresting，onlyhe’sgotawrongnotionaboutit。…Tomythinking，perpetualpeaceispossible，butIdon’tknowhowtoputit。…Notbymeansofthebalanceofpoliticalpower。…”
PrinceAndreywasobviouslynotinterestedintheseabstractdiscussions。
“Onecan’talwayssayallonethinkseverywhere，moncher。Cometellme，haveyousettledonanythingatlast？Areyougoingintothecavalryorthediplomaticservice？”askedPrinceAndrey，afteramomentarypause。
Pierresatonthesofawithhislegscrossedunderhim。
“Canyoubelieveit，Istilldon’tknow。Idon’tlikeeither。”
“Butyoumustdecideonsomething；youknowyourfather’sexpectingit。”
AttenyearsoldPierrehadbeensentwithanabbéastutortobeeducatedabroad，andthereheremainedtillhewastwenty。WhenhereturnedtoMoscow，hisfatherhaddismissedthetutorandsaidtotheyoungman:“NowyougotoPetersburg，lookaboutyouandmakeyourchoice。Iagreetoanything。HereisalettertoPrinceVassilyandhereismoney。Writeandtellmeeverything；Iwillhelpyouineverything。”Pierrehadbeenthreemonthsalreadychoosingacareerandhadnotyetmadehischoice。ItwasofthischoicePrinceAndreyspoketohimnow。Pierrerubbedhisforehead。
“Buthemustbeafreemason，”hesaid，meaningtheabbéhehadseenthatevening。
“That’sallnonsense，”PrinceAndreypulledhimupagain；“we’dbettertalkofseriousthings。HaveyoubeentotheHorseGuards？”
“No，Ihaven’t；butthisiswhatstruckmeandIwantedtotalktoyouaboutit。ThiswarnowisagainstNapoleon。Ifitwereawarforfreedom，Icouldhaveunderstoodit，Iwouldhavebeenthefirsttogointothearmy；buttohelpEnglandandAustriaagainstthegreatestmanintheworld—that’snotright。”
PrinceAndreysimplyshruggedhisshouldersatPierre’schildishwords。Helookedasthoughonereallycouldnotanswersuchabsurdities。Butinrealityitwashardtofindanyanswertothisna？vequestionotherthantheanswerPrinceAndreymade。“Ifeveryonewouldonlyfightforhisownconvictions，there’dbenowar，”hesaid。
“Andaverygoodthingthatwouldbetoo，”saidPierre。
PrinceAndreysmiledironically。“Verylikelyitwouldbeagoodthing，butitwillnevercometopass…”
“Well，whatareyougoingtothewarfor？”askedPierre。
“Whatfor？Idon’tknow。BecauseIhaveto。Besides，I’mgoing…”hestopped。“I’mgoingbecausethelifeIleadhere，thislifeis—nottomytaste！”
Chapter6
THEREwastherustleofawoman’sdressinthenextroom。PrinceAndreystartedup，asitwerepullinghimselftogether，andhisfaceassumedtheexpressionithadworninAnnaPavlovna’sdrawing—room。Pierredroppedhislegsdownoffthesofa。Theprincesscamein。Shehadchangedhergown，andwaswearingahousedressasfreshandelegantastheotherhadbeen。PrinceAndreygotupandcourteouslysetachairforher。
“Whyisit，Ioftenwonder，”shebeganinFrenchasalways，whileshehurriedlyandfussilysettledherselfinthelowchair，“whyisitAnnettenevermarried？Howstupidyougentlemenallarenottohavemarriedher。Youmustexcuseme，butyoureallyhavenosenseaboutwomen。Whatanargumentativepersonyouare，MonsieurPierre！”
“I’mstillarguingwithyourhusband；Ican’tmakeoutwhyhewantstogotothewar，”saidPierre，addressingtheprincesswithoutanyoftheaffectationsocommonintheattitudeofayoungmantoayoungwoman。
Theprincessshivered。ClearlyPierre’swordstouchedatenderspot。
“Ah，that’swhatIsay，”shesaid。“Ican’tunderstand，Isimplycan’tunderstandwhymencan’tgetonwithoutwar。Whyisitwewomenwantnothingofthesort？Wedon’tcareforit。Come，youshallbethejudge。Ikeepsayingtohim:hereheisuncle’sadjutant，amostbrilliantposition。He’ssowellknown，soappreciatedbyeveryone。TheotherdayattheApraxins’Iheardaladyask:‘SothatisthefamousPrinceAndré？Uponmyword！’”Shelaughed。“He’saskedeverywhere。Hecouldveryeasilybeaflügel—adjutant。YouknowtheEmperorhasspokenverygraciouslytohim。AnnetteandIweresayingitwouldbequiteeasytoarrangeit。Whatdoyouthink？”
PierrelookedatPrinceAndrey，and，noticingthathisfrienddidnotlikethissubject，madenoreply。
“Whenareyoustarting？”heasked。
“Ah，don’ttalktomeaboutthatgoingaway；don’ttalkaboutit。Iwon’tevenhearitspokenof，”saidtheprincessinjustthecapriciouslyplayfultoneinwhichshehadtalkedtoIppolitatthesoirée，atoneutterlyincongruousinherownhomecircle，wherePierrewaslikeoneofthefamily。“ThiseveningwhenIthoughtalltheserelationssoprecioustomemustbebrokenoff。…Andthen，youknow，André？”Shelookedsignificantlyatherhusband。“I’mafraid！I’mafraid！”shewhispered，twitchinghershoulder。HerhusbandlookedatherasthoughheweresurprisedtoobservethattherewassomeoneintheroombesidehimselfandPierre，andwithfrigidcourtesyheaddressedaninquirytohiswife。
“Whatareyouafraidof，Liza？Idon’tunderstand，”hesaid。
“Seewhategoistsallmenare；theyareall，allegoists！Ofhisownaccord，forhisownwhim，fornoreasonwhatever，heisdesertingme，shuttingmeupaloneinthecountry。”
“Withmyfatherandsister，remember，”saidPrinceAndreyquietly。
“It’sjustthesameasalone，withoutmyfriends。…Andhedoesn’texpectmetobeafraid。”Hertonewasquerulousnow，herupperlipwaslifted，givingherfacenotajoyousexpression，butawild—animallook，likeasquirrel。ShepausedasthoughfeelingitindecoroustospeakofherconditionbeforePierre，thoughthewholegistofthematterlayinthat。
“Istilldon’tunderstandwhatyouareafraidof，”PrinceAndreysaiddeliberately，nottakinghiseyesoffhiswife。Theprincessflushedred，andwavedherhandsdespairingly。
“No，André，Isayyouaresochanged，sochanged…”
“Yourdoctor’sorderswerethatyouweretogotobedearlier，”saidPrinceAndrey。“It’stimeyouwereasleep。”
Theprincesssaidnothing，andsuddenlyhershort，downylipbegantoquiver；PrinceAndreygotupandwalkedabouttheroom，shrugginghisshoulders。
Pierrelookedoverhisspectaclesinna？vewonderfromhimtotheprincess，andstirreduneasilyasthoughhetoomeanttogetup，buthadchangedhismind。
“WhatdoIcareifMonsieurPierreishere，”thelittleprincesssaidsuddenly，herprettyfacecontortedintoatearfulgrimace；“Ihavelongwantedtosaytoyou，Andrey，whyareyousochangedtome？WhathaveIdone？Yougoawaytothewar，youdon’tfeelforme。Whyisit？”
“Liza！”wasallPrinceAndreysaid，butinthatonewordtherewasentreatyandmenace，and，mostofall，convictionthatshewouldherselfregretherwords；butshewentonhurriedly。
“YoutreatmeasthoughIwereill，orachild。Iseeitall。Youweren’tlikethissixmonthsago。”
“Liza，Ibegyoutobesilent，”saidPrinceAndrey，stillmoreexpressively。
Pierre，whohadbeengrowingmoreandmoreagitatedduringthisconversation，gotupandwenttotheprincess。Heseemedunabletoendurethesightofhertears，andwasreadytoweephimself。
“Pleasedon’tdistressyourself，princess。Youonlyfancythatbecause…Iassureyou，I’vefeltsomyself…because…through…oh，excuseme，anoutsiderhasnobusiness…Oh，don’tdistressyourself…goodbye。”
PrinceAndreyheldhishandandstoppedhim。
“No，stayalittle，Pierre。Theprincessissogood，shewouldnotwishtodeprivemeofthepleasureofspendinganeveningwithyou。”
“No，hethinksofnothingbuthimself，”theprincessdeclared，notattemptingtocheckhertearsofanger。
“Liza，”saidPrinceAndreydrily，raisinghisvoicetoapitchthatshowedhispatiencewasexhausted。
Allatoncetheangrysquirrelexpressionoftheprincess’slovelylittlefacechangedtoanattractivelookofterrorthatawakenedsympathy。Sheglancedfromunderherbrowswithlovelyeyesatherhusband，andherfaceworethetimorous，deprecatinglookofadogwhenitfaintlybutrapidlywagsitstailinpenitence。
“MonDieu！monDieu！”murmuredtheprincess，andholdinghergownwithonehand，shewenttoherhusbandandkissedhimontheforehead。
“Good—night，Liza，”saidPrinceAndrey，gettingupandkissingherhandcourteously，asthoughshewereastranger。
Thefriendsweresilent。Neitherofthembegantotalk。PierrelookedatPrinceAndrey；PrinceAndreyrubbedhisforeheadwithhissmallhand。
“Letusgoandhavesupper，”hesaidwithasigh，gettingupandgoingtothedoor。
Theywentintotheelegantly，newlyandrichlyfurnisheddining—room。Everythingfromthedinner—napkinstothesilver，thechinaandtheglass，worethatpeculiarstampofnewnessthatisseeninthehouseholdbelongingsofnewlymarriedcouples。InthemiddleofsupperPrinceAndreyleanedonhiselbow，andlikeamanwhohaslonghadsomethingonhismind，andsuddenlyresolvesongivingitutterance，hebegantospeakwithanexpressionofnervousirritationwhichPierrehadneverseeninhisfriendbefore。
“Never，nevermarry，mydearfellow；that’smyadvicetoyou；don’tmarrytillyouhavefacedthefactthatyouhavedoneallyou’recapableofdoing，andtillyouceasetolovethewomanyouhavechosen，tillyouseeherplainly，orelseyouwillmakeacruelmistakethatcanneverbesetright。Marrywhenyou’reoldandgoodfornothing…Orelseeverythinggoodandloftyinyouwillbedonefor。Itwillallbefritteredawayovertrifles。Yes，yes，yes！Don’tlookatmewithsuchsurprise。Ifyouexpectanythingofyourselfinthefutureyouwillfeelateverystepthatforyouallisover，allisclosedupexceptthedrawing—room，whereyouwillstandonthesamelevelwiththecourtlackeyandtheidiot…Andwhy！”…Hemadeavigorousgesture。
Pierretookoffhisspectacles，whichtransformedhisface，makingitlookevenmoregood—natured，andlookedwonderinglyathisfriend。
“Mywife，”pursuedPrinceAndrey，“isanexcellentwoman。Sheisoneofthoserarewomenwithwhomonecanfeelquitesecureofone’shonour；but，myGod！whatwouldn’tIgivenownottobemarried！YouarethefirstandtheonlypersonIsaythisto，becauseIlikeyou。”
AsPrinceAndreysaidthishewaslessthaneverliketheBolkonskywhohadsatlollinginAnnaPavlovna’sdrawing—roomwithhalf—closedeyelids，filteringFrenchphrasesthroughhisteeth。Hisdryfacewasquiveringwithnervousexcitementineverymuscle；hiseyes，whichhadseemedlustrelessandlifeless，nowgleamedwithafull，vividlight。Itseemedthatthemorelifelesshewasatordinarytimes，themoreenergetichebecameatsuchmomentsofmorbidirritability。
“Youcan’tunderstandwhyIsaythis，”hewenton。“Why，thewholestoryoflifeliesinit。YoutalkofBonaparteandhiscareer，”hesaid，thoughPierrehadnottalkedofBonaparte；“youtalkofBonaparte，butBonapartewhenhewasworkinghiswayup，goingstepbystepstraighttohisaim，hewasfree；hehadnothingexcepthisaimandheattainedit。Buttieyourselfupwithawoman，and，likeachainedconvict，youloseallfreedom。Andallthehopeandstrengththereisinyouisonlyadragonyou，torturingyouwithregret。Drawing—rooms，gossip，balls，vanity，frivolity—that’stheenchantedcircleIcan’tgetoutof。Iamsettingoffnowtothewar，thegreatestwartherehaseverbeen，andIknownothing，andamgoodfornothing。Iamveryagreeableandsarcastic，”pursuedPrinceAndrey，“andatAnnaPavlovna’severyonelistenstome。Andthisimbecilesocietywithoutwhichmywifecan’texist，andthesewomen…Ifyouonlyknewwhatthesesocietywomenare，and，indeed，womengenerally！Myfather’sright。Egoism，vanity，silliness，trivialityineverything—that’swhatwomenarewhentheyshowthemselvesastheyreallyare。Lookingattheminsociety，onefanciesthere’ssomethinginthem，butthere’snothing，nothing，nothing。No，don’tmarry，mydearfellow，don’tmarry！”PrinceAndreyconcluded。
“Itseemsabsurdtome，”saidPierre，“thatyou，youconsideryourselfafailure，yourlifewrecked。Youhaveeverything，everythingbeforeyou。Andyou…”
Hedidnotsaywhyyou，buthistoneshowedhowhighlyhethoughtofhisfriend，andhowmuchheexpectedofhiminthefuture。
“Howcanhesaythat？”Pierrethought。
PierreregardedPrinceAndreyasamodelofallperfection，becausePrinceAndreypossessedinthehighestdegreejustthatcombinationofqualitiesinwhichPierrewasdeficient，andwhichmightbemostnearlyexpressedbytheideaofstrengthofwill。PierrealwaysmarvelledatPrinceAndrey’sfacultyfordealingwithpeopleofeverysortwithperfectcomposure，hisexceptionalmemory，hiswideknowledge（hehadreadeverything，kneweverything，hadsomenotionofeverything），andmostofallathiscapacityforworkingandlearning。IfPierrewerefrequentlystruckinAndreybyhislackofcapacityfordreamingandphilosophising（towhichPierrewashimselfgreatlygiven），hedidnotregardthisasadefectbutasastrongpoint。Evenintheverywarmest，friendliest，andsimplestrelations，flatteryorpraiseisneededjustasgreaseisneededtokeepwheelsgoinground。
“Iamamanwhosedayisdone，”saidPrinceAndrey。“Whytalkofme？let’stalkaboutyou，”hesaidafterabriefpause，smilingathisownreassuringthoughts。ThesmilewasinstantlyreflectedonPierre’sface。
“Why，whatistheretosayaboutme？”saidPierre，lettinghisfacerelaxintoaneasy—going，happysmile。“WhatamI？Iamabastard。”Andhesuddenlyflushedcrimson。Apparentlyitwasagreatefforttohimtosaythis。“Withnoname，nofortune。…Andafterall，really…”Hedidnotfinish。“MeanwhileIamfreethoughandI’mcontent。Idon’tknowintheleastwhattosetaboutdoing。Imeanttoaskyouradviceinearnest。”
PrinceAndreylookedathimwithkindlyeyes。Butinhiseyes，friendlyandkindastheywere，therewasyetaconsciousnessofhisownsuperiority。
“Youaredeartomejustbecauseyouaretheonelivepersoninalloursociety。You’relucky。Choosewhatyouwill，that’sallthesame。You’llalwaysbeallright，butthere’sonething:giveupgoingaboutwiththeKuraginsandleadingthissortoflife。It’snottherightthingforyouatall；allthisriotouslivinganddissipationandall…”
“Whatwouldyouhave，mydearfellow？”saidPierre，shrugginghisshoulders；“women，mydearfellow，women。”
“Ican’tunderstandit，”answeredAndrey。“Ladies，that’sanothermatter，butKuragin’swomen，womenandwine，Ican’tunderstand！”
PierrewaslivingatPrinceVassilyKuragin’s，andsharinginthedissipatedmodeoflifeofhissonAnatole，thesonwhomtheywereproposingtomarrytoPrinceAndrey’ssistertoreformhim。
“Doyouknowwhat，”saidPierre，asthoughahappythoughthadsuddenlyoccurredtohim；“seriously，Ihavebeenthinkingsoforalongwhile。LeadingthissortoflifeIcan’tdecideonanything，orconsideranythingproperly。Myheadachesandmymoney’sallgone。Heinvitedmeto—night，butIwon’tgo。”
“Givemeyourwordofhonourthatyouwillgiveupgoing。”
“Onmyhonour！”
Itwaspastoneo’clockwhenPierrelefthisfriend’shouse。Itwasacloudlessnight，atypicalPetersburgsummernight。Pierregotintoahiredcoach，intendingtodrivehome。Butthenearerhegot，themorehefeltitimpossibletogotobedonsuchanight，morelikeeveningormorning。Itwaslightenoughtoseealongwayintheemptystreets。OnthewayPierrerememberedthatalltheusualgamblingsetweretomeetatAnatoleKuragin’sthatevening，afterwhichthereusuallyfollowedadrinking—bout，windingupwithoneofPierre’sfavoriteentertainments。
“ItwouldbejollytogotoKuragin’s，”hethought。ButheimmediatelyrecalledhispromisetoPrinceAndreynottogothereagain。
But，assooftenhappenswithpeopleofweakcharacter，asitiscalled，hewasatonceovercomewithsuchapassionatedesiretoenjoyoncemorethissortofdissipationwhichhadbecomesofamiliartohim，thathedeterminedtogo。Andtheideaatonceoccurredtohimthathispromisewasofnoconsequence，sincehehadalreadypromisedPrinceAnatoletogobeforemakingthepromisetoAndrey。Finallyhereflectedthatallsuchpromisesweremerelyrelativematters，havingnosortofprecisesignificance，especiallyifoneconsideredthatto—morrowonemightbedeadorsomethingsoextraordinarymighthappenthatthedistinctionbetweenhonourableanddishonourablewouldhaveceasedtoexist。SuchreflectionsoftenoccurredtoPierre，completelynullifyingallhisresolutionsandintentions。HewenttoKuragin’s。
DrivinguptothestepsofabighouseintheHorseGuards’barracks，whereAnatolelived，heranupthelightedstepsandthestaircaseandwentinatanopendoor。Therewasnooneintheante—room；emptybottles，cloaks，andover—shoeswerelyingaboutindisorder:therewasastrongsmellofspirits；inthedistanceheheardtalkingandshouting。
Thecard—playingandthesupperwereover，butthepartyhadnotbrokenup。Pierreflungoffhiscloak，andwentintothefirstroom，wherethereweretheremnantsofsupper，andafootmanwho，thinkinghimselfunobserved，wasemptyingthehalf—fullglassesonthesly。Inthethirdroomtherewasagreatuproaroflaughter，familiarvoicesshouting，andabeargrowling。Eightyoungmenwerecrowdingeagerlyabouttheopenwindow。Threeotherswerebusywithayoungbear，oneofthemdraggingatitschainandfrighteningtheotherswithit。
“IbetahundredonStevens！”criedone。