Chapter1
SEVENYEARShadpassedby。Thestorm-tossed，historicoceanofEuropewassubsidingwithinitsshores。Itseemedtohavegrowncalm;butthemysteriousforcesmovinghumanity（mysterious，becausethelawscontrollingtheiractionareunknowntous）werestillatwork。
Althoughthesurfaceoftheoceanofhistoryseemedmotionless，themovementofhumanitywasasuninterruptedastheflowoftime。Variousseriesofgroupsofmenwerejoiningtogetherandseparating;thecauseswerebeingpreparedthatwouldbringabouttheformationandthedissolutionofempiresandthemigrationsofpeoples。
Theoceanofhistorywasnotnow，asbefore，tossedviolentlyfromoneshoretotheother;itwasseethinginitsdepths。Historicalfigureswerenotdashingabruptlyfromonesidetotheother;nowtheyseemedtoberotatingonthesamespot。Thehistoricalfigures，thathadintheprecedingyearsattheheadofarmiesreflectedthemovementofthemasses，commandingwars，andmarches，andbattles，nowreflectedthatmovementinpoliticalanddiplomaticcombinations，statutes，andtreaties。
Thistendencyonthepartofthefiguresofhistory，thehistorianscallthereaction。
Indescribingthepartplayedbythesehistoricalpersonages，thehistorianscriticisethemseverely，supposingthemtobethecauseofwhattheycallthereaction。Allthecelebratedpersonsofthatperiod，fromAlexanderandNapoleontoMadamedeSta？l，Foty，Schelling，Fichte，Chateaubriand，andsoon，receivetheseverestcriticismattheirhands，andareacquittedorcondemnedaccordingastheyworkedforprogressorforreaction。
InRussia，too，sotheytellus，areactionwastakingplaceatthatperiod，andthepersonchieflytoblameforthatreactionwasAlexanderI。—thesameAlexanderwho，bytheirownaccount，waschieflyresponsiblefortheliberalmovementatthebeginningofhisreign，andforthesavingofRussia。
InmodernRussianliteraturethereisnoone，fromtheschoolboyessaywritertothelearnedhistorian，whowouldnotthrowhisstoneatAlexanderfortheunprincipledactsofthislaterperiodofhisreign。
‘‘Heshouldhaveactedinsuchandsuchaway。Onthatoccasionheactedwell，andonthatotherheactedill。Hebehavedsplendidlyinthebeginningofhisreignandduring1812;buthedidillingivingaconstitutiontoPoland，inmakingtheHolyAlliance，inlettingAraktcheevhavepower，inencouragingGolitsinandmysticism;andlateron，inencouragingShishkov，andFoty。Heactedwronglyininterferingwiththearmyonactiveservice;heactedwronglyincashieringtheSemyonovskyregiment，andsoon。’’
Onemightcovertenpagesinenumeratingallthefaultsfoundinhimbythehistoriansontheassumptionthattheypossessaknowledgeofwhatisforthegoodofhumanity。
Whatdothesecriticismsmean？
DonottheveryactionsforwhichthehistoriansapplaudAlexanderI。，suchastheliberalismoftheearlypartofhisreign，thestrugglewithNapoleon，thefirmnessshownin1812，andthecampaignof1813，proceedfromthoseverysources—thecircumstancesofbirthandbreedingandlifethatmadeAlexander’spersonalitywhatitwas—fromwhichproceedalsotheactsforwhichheiscensuredbythehistorians，suchastheHolyAlliance，therestorationofPoland，thereactionfrom1820onward？
Whatisthesubstanceofthechargebroughtinthesecriticisms？Itisachargebroughtagainstanhistoricalpersonagestandingatthehighestpossiblepinnacleofhumanpower，asitwere，inthefocuswherealltheraysofhistoryconcentratedtheirblindinglightuponhim;apersonagesubjectedtothestrongestinfluencesofintrigue，deceit，flattery，andself-deception，inseparablefrompower;apersonagewhofelthimselfateverymomentofhisliferesponsibleforallthatwasbeingdoneinEurope;andapersonage，notaninventedcharacter，butalivecreature，likeanyotherman，withhisownpersonalidiosyncrasies，andpassionsandimpulsestowardsgoodness，beauty，andtruth。Andthechargebroughtagainstthispersonageisnotthathewasnotvirtuous（thehistorianshavenoreproachtomakeagainsthimonthisscore），butthathe，livingfiftyyearsago，hadnotthesameviewsastothegoodofhumanityasthoseheldto-daybyaprofessorwhohas，fromhisyouthup，beenengagedinstudy，i。e。inreadingbooks，listeningtolectures，andmakingnotesofthosebooksandthoselecturesinanote-book。
ButevenifweassumethatAlexanderI。，fiftyyearsago，wasmistakeninhisviewofwhatwasforthegoodofpeoples，wecanhardlyhelpassumingthatthehistorian，criticisingAlexander，will，afteracertainlapseoftime，provetobealsoincorrectinhisviewofwhatisforthegoodofhumanity。Itisthemorenaturalandinevitabletoassumethisbecause，watchingthedevelopmentofhistory，weseethatwitheveryyear，witheverynewwriter，theviewofwhatisforthegoodofhumanityissomewhatshifted;sothatwhatdidseemgood，aftertenyears，isregardedasharmful，andviceversa。Thatisnotall。Weevenfindinhistorytheviewsofcontemporariesastowhatwasgood，andwhatwasharmful，utterlyopposedtooneanother。SomeregardthegivingofaconstitutiontoPoland，andtheHolyAlliance，ashighlytothecreditofAlexander;whileothersregardthesameactionsasasluronhisname。
ItisimpossibletosayofthecareersofAlexanderandofNapoleonthattheywerebeneficialorharmful，seeingthatwecannotsaywhereinthebenefitorharmofhumanitylies。Ifanyonedislikesthecareerofeither，heonlydislikesitfromitsincompatibilitywithhisownlimitedconceptionofwhatisthegoodofhumanity。EventhoughIregardasgoodthepreservationofmyfather’shouseinMoscowin1812，orthegloryoftheRussianarmy，ortheflourishingofthePetersburgorsomeotheruniversity，ortheindependenceofPoland，orthesupremacyofRussia，orthebalanceofEuropeanpower，oraspecialbranchofEuropeanenlightenment—progress—yetIamboundtoadmitthattheactivityofanyhistoricalpersonagehad，apartfromsuchends，otherendsmoregeneralandbeyondmygrasp。
Butletussupposethatso-calledsciencehasthepowerofconciliatingallcontradictions，andhasaninvariablestandardofgoodandbadbywhichtotryhistoricalpersonagesandevents。
LetussupposethatAlexandercouldhaveactedquitedifferently。Letusassumethat，inaccordancewiththeprescriptionofthosewhocensurehim，andwhoprofessaknowledgeofthefinalendofthemovementofhumanity，hecouldhavefollowedthatprogrammeofnationalism，offreedom，ofequality，andofprogress（thereseemstobenoother）whichhismoderncriticswouldhaveselectedforhim。Letussupposethatprogrammecouldhavebeenpossible，andhadactuallybeenformulatedatthattime，andthatAlexandercouldhaveactedinaccordancewithit。What，then，wouldhavebecomeoftheactivityofallthepersonswhowereopposingthetendencyofthegovernmentofthatday—oftheactivitywhich，intheopinionofthehistorians，wasgoodandbeneficial？Therewouldhavebeennoneofthatactivity;therewouldhavebeennolife;therewouldhavebeennothing。
Onceadmitthathumanlifecanbeguidedbyreason，andallpossibilityoflifeisannihilated。
Chapter2
IFONEADMITS，ashistoriansdo，thatgreatmenleadhumanitytotheattainmentofcertainends，suchastheaggrandisementofRussiaorofFrance，orthebalanceofpower，orthediffusionoftheideasoftherevolution，orofgeneralprogress，oranythingelseyoulike，itbecomesimpossibletoexplainthephenomenaofhistoryapartfromtheconceptionsofchanceandgenius。
IftheobjectoftheEuropeanwarsofthebeginningofthiscenturyhadbeentheaggrandisementofRussia，thatobjectmighthavebeenattainedwithoutanyoftheprecedingwars，andwithoutinvasionofforeignterritory。
IftheobjectweretheaggrandisementofFrance，thataimmighthavebeenattainedapartfromtherevolutionandtheempire。Iftheobjectwerethediffusionofideas，theprintingofbookswouldhaveattainedthatobjectmuchmoreeffectuallythansoldiers。Iftheobjectweretheprogressofcivilisation，onemayveryreadilyassumethatthereareothermoreeffectualmeansofdiffusingcivilisationthantheslaughterofmenandthedestructionoftheirproperty。
Whydiditcometopassinthiswayandnoother？Becauseithappenedso。‘‘Chancecreatedtheposition;geniustookadvantageofit，’’sayshistory。
Butwhatischance？Whatisgenius？
Thewordschanceandgeniusmeannothingactuallyexisting，andsocannotbedefined。Thesewordsmerelydenoteacertainstageinthecomprehensionofphenomena。Idonotknowhowsomephenomenonisbroughtabout;IbelievethatIcannotknow;consequentlyIdonotwanttoknowandtalkofchance。Iseeaforceproducinganeffectoutofproportionwiththeaverageeffectofhumanpowers;Idonotunderstandhowthisisbroughtabout，andItalkaboutgenius。
Toaflockofsheepthesheepwhoiseveryeveningdrivenbytheshepherdintoaspecialpentofeed，andbecomestwiceasfatastherest，mustseemtobeagenius。Andthecircumstancethateveryeveningthatsheepdoesnotcomeintothecommonfold，butintoaspecialpenfullofoats，andthatthatsamesheepgrowsfatandiskilledformutton，mustpresentitselftothemindsoftheothersheepasasingularconjunctionofgeniuswithawholeseriesofexceptionalchances。
Butthesheepneedonlyceasetoassumethatallthatisdonetothemiswithaviewtotheattainmentoftheirsheepishends;theyneedonlyadmitthattheeventsthatoccurtothemmayhaveendsbeyondtheirken，andtheywillatonceseeaunityandacoherenceinwhathappenswiththefattedsheep。Eventhoughtheywillnotknowforwhatendheisfattened，atleasttheywillknowthatallwhathappenstohimdoesnothappenbychance，andtheywillhavenoneedtoresorttotheconceptionofchance，nortotheconceptionofgenius。
Itisonlybyrenouncingallclaimstoknowledgeofanimmediatecomprehensibleaim，andacknowledgingthefinalaimtobebeyondourken，thatweseeaconsistentwholeinthelifeofhistoricalpersons。Thecauseisthenrevealedtousofthateffectproducedbythemoutofproportionwiththecommonpowersofhumanity;andwehavenoneedofthewordschanceandgenius。
WehaveonlytoadmitthattheobjectoftheconvulsionsoftheEuropeannationsisbeyondourknowledge，andthatweknowonlythefacts，consistingmainlyofmurderscommittedatfirstinFrance，theninItaly，theninAfrica，inPrussia，inAustria，inSpain，andinRussia，andthatthemovementsfromwesttoeastandfromeasttowestconstitutetheessenceandendofthoseevents，andweshallnotneedtoseesomethingexceptional—genius—inthecharactersofNapoleonandofAlexander，andshallindeedbeunabletoconceiveofthosepersonsasbeinginanywaydifferentfromeverybodyelse。Andfarfromhavingtoexplainaschancethosepettyevents，whichmadethosemenwhattheywere，itwillbecleartousthatallthosepettydetailswereinevitable。
Whenwegiveupallclaimtoaknowledgeofthefinalend，weshallclearlyperceivethatjustaswecannotinventanyflowerorseedmoretrulyappropriatetoaplantthanthoseitproduces，sowecannotimagineanytwopersons，withalltheirpastinsuchcompletecongruitydowntothesmallestdetails，withtheparttheyweredestinedtoplay。
Chapter3
THEUNDERLYINGESSENTIALLYSIGNIFICANTFEATUREoftheEuropeaneventsatthebeginningofthepresentcenturyisthemilitarymovementofmassesofEuropeanpeoplesfromwesttoeast，andagainfromeasttowest。Theoriginalmovementwasthatfromwesttoeast。ThatthepeoplesofthewestmightbeabletoaccomplishthemilitarymarchuponMoscow，whichtheydidaccomplish，itwasessential（1）thattheyshouldbecombinedinamilitarygroupofsuchamagnitudeastobeabletowithstandtheresistanceofthemilitarygroupoftheeast;（2）thattheyshouldhaverenouncedalltheirestablishedtraditionsandhabits;and（3）thattheyshouldhaveattheirheadamanabletojustifyinhisownnameandtheirstheperpetrationofallthedeception，robbery，andmurderthataccompanythatmovement。
AndtostartfromtheFrenchRevolution，thatoldgroupofinsufficientmagnitudeisbrokenup;theoldhabitsandtraditionsaredestroyed;stepbystepagroupiselaboratedofnewdimensions，newhabits，andnewtraditions;andthemanisprepared，whoistostandattheheadofthecomingmovement，andtotakeuponhimselfthewholeresponsibilityofwhathastobedone。
Amanofnoconvictions，nohabits，notraditions，noname，notevenaFrenchman，bythestrangestfreaksofchance，asitseems，risesabovetheseethingpartiesofFrance，andwithoutattachinghimselftoanyoneofthem，advancestoaprominentposition。
Theincompetenceofhiscolleagues，theweaknessandinsignificanceofhisopponents，thefranknessofthedeception，andthedazzlingandself-confidentlimitationofthemanraisehimtotheheadofthearmy。ThebrilliantpersonalqualitiesofthesoldiersoftheItalianarmy，thedisinclinationtofightofhisopponents，andhischildishinsolenceandconceitgainhimmilitaryglory。Innumerableso-calledchancecircumstancesattendhimeverywhere。ThedisfavourintowhichhefallswiththeFrenchDirectorateturnstohisadvantage。Hiseffortstoavoidthepathordainedforhimareunsuccessful;heisnotreceivedintotheRussiaarmy，andhisprojectsinTurkeycometonothing。
DuringthewarsinItalyhewasseveraltimesonthevergeofdestruction，andwaseverytimesavedinanunexpectedfashion。TheRussiantroops—theverytroopswhichwereabletodemolishhisglory—owingtovariousdiplomaticconsiderations，donotenterEuropeuntilheisthere。
OnhisreturnfromItaly，hefindsthegovernmentinParisinthatprocessofdissolutioninwhichallmenwhoareinthegovernmentareinevitablyeffacedandnullified。Andanescapeforhimfromthatperilouspositionoffersitselfintheshapeofanaimless，groundlessexpeditiontoAfrica。Againthesameso-calledchancecircumstancesaccompanyhim。Malta，theimpregnable，surrenderswithoutashotbeingfired;themostill-consideredmeasuresarecrownedwithsuccess。Theenemy’sfleet，whichlaterondoesnotletoneboatescapeit，nowletsawholearmyeludeit。InAfricaawholeseriesofoutragesisperpetratedonthealmostunarmedinhabitants。Andthemenperpetratingtheseatrocities，andtheirleadermostofall，persuadethemselvesthatitisnoble，itisglory，thatitislikeC？sarandAlexanderofMacedon，andthatitisfine。
Thatidealofgloryandofgreatness，consistinginesteemingnothingonedoeswrong，andgloryingineverycrime，andascribingtoitanincomprehensible，supernaturalvalue—thatideal，destinedtoguidethismanandthoseconnectedwithhim，iselaboratedonagrandscaleinAfrica。Whateverhedoessucceeds。Theplaguedoesnottouchhim。Thecrueltyofmurderinghisprisonersisnotrememberedagainsthim。Hischildishlyimprudent，groundless，andignobledeparturefromAfrica，abandoninghiscomradesinmisfortune，doeshimgoodservice;andagaintheenemy’sfleetletshimtwiceslipthroughtheirhands。Atthemomentwhen，completelyintoxicatedbythesuccessofhiscrimesandreadyfortheparthehastoplay，hearrivesinParisentirelywithoutanyplan，thedisintegrationoftheRepublicangovernment，whichmighthaveinvolvedhiminitsruinayearbefore，hasnowreacheditsutmostlimit，andhispresence，amanindependentofparties，cannowonlyaidhiselevation。
Hehasnosortofplan;heisafraidofeverything;butallpartiesclutchathimandinsistonhissupport。
Healone—withtheidealofgloryandgreatnesshehasacquiredinItalyandEgypt，withhisfrenzyofself-adoration，withhisinsolenceincrime，andhisfranknessinmendacity—healonecanjustifywhathastobeaccomplished。
Heisneededfortheplacethatawaitshim，andso，almostapartfromhisownvolition，andinspiteofhisuncertainty，thelackofplan，andtheblundershecommits，heisdrawnintoaconspiracythataimsatseizingpower;andthatconspiracyiscrownedwithsuccess。
Heisdraggedintotheassemblyoftherulers。Inalarmhetriestoflee，believinghimselfindanger;pretendstofaint，saysthemostsenselessthingsthatshouldhavebeenhisruin。ButtherulersofFrance，onceproudanddiscerning，nowfeelingtheirpartisover，areevenmorepanic-strickenthanhe，andfailtoutterthewordstheyshouldhavepronouncedtopreservetheirpowerandcrushhim。
Chance，millionsofchances，givehimpower;andallmen，asthoughinleaguetogether，combinetoconfirmthatpower。ChancecircumstancescreatethecharactersoftherulersofFrance，whocringebeforehim;chancecreatesthecharacterofPaulI。，whoacknowledgeshisauthority;chancecausestheplotagainsthimtostrengthenhispowerinsteadofshakingit。ChancethrowstheDucd’Enghienintohishandsandaccidentallyimpelshimtokillhim，therebyconvincingthecrowdbythestrongestofallargumentsthathehastherightonhissidesincehehasthemight。ChancebringsittopassthatthoughhestrainseverynervetofitoutanexpeditionagainstEngland，whichwouldunmistakablyhaveledtohisruin，heneverputsthisprojectintoexecution，andhappenstofalluponMackwiththeAustrians，whosurrenderwithoutabattle。ChanceandgeniusgivehimthevictoryatAusterlitz;andbychanceitcomestopassthatallmen，notonlytheFrench，butallthecountriesofEuropeexceptEngland，whichtakesnopartintheeventsthataretobeaccomplished，forgettheiroldhorrorandaversionforhiscrimes，andnowrecognisethepowerhehasgainedbythem，acknowledgethetitlehehasbestoweduponhimself，andaccepthisidealofgreatnessandglory，whichseemstoeveryonesomethingfineandrational。
Asthoughpractisingandpreparingthemselvesforthegreatmovementbeforethem，theforcesofthewestmadeseveraldashes—in1805，1806，1807and1809—intotheeast，growingstrongerandmorenumerous。In1811agroupofmenformedinFranceisjoinedbyanenormousgroupfromthepeoplesofCentralEurope。Asthenumbersofthegreatmassincrease，thepowerofjustificationofthemanattheheadofthemovementgathersmoreandmoreforce。Duringthetenyearsofthepreparatoryperiodprecedingthegreatmovement，thismanformsrelationswithallthecrownedheadsofEurope。Thesovereignsoftheworld，strippedbarebyhim，canopposenorationalidealtothesenselessNapoleonicidealofgloryandgreatness。Theyviewithoneanotherindemonstratingtohimtheirinsignificance。TheKingofPrussiasendshiswifetosueforthegoodgracesofthegreatman;theEmperorofAustriaconsidersitafavourforthismantotakethedaughteroftheKaiserstohisbed。ThePope，theguardianofthefaithofthepeoples，usesreligiontoaidthegreatman’selevation。Napoleondoesnotsomuchpreparehimselfforthepartheistoplayasallaroundhimleadhimontotakeuponhimselftheresponsibilityofwhatisbeingdoneandistobedone。Thereisnoact，nocrime，nopettydeceitwhichhewouldnotcommit，andwhichwouldnotbeatoncerepresentedonthelipsofthoseabouthimasagreatdeed。ThemostsuitablefêtetheGermanscouldthinkofinhishonourwasthecelebrationofJenaandAuerstadt。Notonlyishegreat;hisforefathers，hisbrothers，hisstep-children，andhisbrothers-in-lawaregreattoo。Everythingisdonetodeprivehimofthelastglimmeringofreason，andtopreparehimforhisterriblepart。Andwhenheisready，hisforcestooareinreadiness。
Theinvadingarmyflowstowardstheeastandreachesitsfinalgoal：Moscow。Theancientcityistaken;theRussianarmysuffersgreaterlossesthanwereeversufferedbytheopposingarmiesinthepreviouswarsfromAusterlitztoWagram。Butallatonce，insteadofthatchanceandgenius，whichhadsoconsistentlyledhimhithertobyanuninterruptedseriesofsuccessestohisdestinedgoal，animmensenumberofchancecircumstancesoccurofanoppositekindfromthecoldcaughtatBorodinotothesparkthatfiredMoscow;andinsteadofgeniustherewasshownafollyandbasenessunexampledinhistory。
Theinvadingarmyfleesaway，turnsbackandfleesagain;andallthechancesnowareconsistentlynotforbutagainsthim。
Thentherefollowstheopposingmovementfromeasttowest，witharemarkablesimilaritytotheeastwardmovementfromthewestthathadprecededit。Thereweresimilartentativemovementswestwardashadin1805，1807and1809precededthegreateastwardmovement。Therewasthesamecohesiontogetherofallintoonegroupofimmensenumbers;thesameadherenceofthepeoplesofCentralEuropetothemovement;thesamehesitationmidway，andthesameincreasedvelocityasthegoalwasapproached。
Paris，thefurthestgoal，wasreached。Napoleon’sgovernmentandarmiesareshattered。Napoleonhimselfisofnofurtherconsequence;allhisactionsareobviouslypaltryandmean;butagaininexplicablechancecomesin。ThealliesdetestNapoleon，inwhomtheyseethecauseofalltheirtroubles。Strippedofhispowerandhismight，convictedoffraudsandvillainies，heshouldhavebeenseenbythemashehadbeentenyearsbefore，andwasayearlater—abrigandoutsidethepaleofthelaw。Butbysomestrangefreakofchancenooneseesit。Hispartisnotyetplayedout。Themanwhotenyearsback，andoneyearlater，waslookedonasamiscreantoutsidethelaw，wassentbythemtoanislandtwodays’journeyfromFrance，giventohimashisdomain，withguardsandmillionsofmoney，asthoughtopayhimforsomeservicehehaddone。
Chapter4
THECOMMOTIONamongthepeoplesbeginstosubside。Thewavesofthegreattempestbegintoabate，andeddiesbegintobeformedaboutthecalmersurfacewherediplomatistsarebusy，fancyingthecalmistheirwork。
Butallatoncethequietseaisconvulsedagain。Thediplomatistsimaginethatthey，theirdisagreements，arethecauseofthisfreshdisturbance;theylookforwarsbetweentheirsovereigns;thepositionseemsinsoluble。Butthestormtheyfeelbrewingdoesnotcomefromthequarterwheretheylookforit。Itrisesagainfromthesamestartingpoint—Paris。Thelastbackwashofthewestwardmovementfollows—thebackwashwhichwastosolvetheseeminglyinextricablediplomaticdifficulties，andtoputanendtothemilitaryunrestoftheperiod。
ThemanwhohasdevastatedFrancecomesbacktoFrancealone，withnoproject，andnosoldiers。Anypolicemancanarresthim;butbyastrangefreakofchancenoonedoesseizehim，butallmeetwithenthusiasmthemantheyhavebeencursingbutadaybefore，andwillcurseagainwithinamonth。
Thatmanisneededforthelastactwindingupthedrama。
Theactisperformed。
Thelastpartisplayed。Theactorisbiddentoundress，andwashoffhispowderandpaint;hewillbeneedednomore。
Andforseveralyearsthisman，insolitudeonhisisland，playshispitifulfarcetohimself，intriguesandlies，justifyinghisconductwhenajustificationisnolongerneeded，andshowsalltheworldwhatthethingwasmentookforpowerwhenanunseenhandguidedit。
Thestagemanager，whenthedramawasover，andthepuppetstripped，showedhimtous。
‘‘Lookwhatyoubelievedin！Hereheis！DoyouseenowthatitwasnothebutIthatmovedyou？’’
Butblindedbytheforceofthemovementmenforlongcouldnotperceivethat。
EvenmorecoherenceandinevitabilityistobeseeninthelifeofAlexanderI。，thepersonagewhostoodattheheadofthecounter-movementfromeastwestward。
Whatwasneededforthemanwho，totheexclusionofothers，shouldstandattheheadofthatmovementfromtheeastwestward？
Therewasneededasenseofjustice，aninterestintheaffairsofEurope，butaremoteone，notobscuredbypettyinterests，amoralpreeminenceoverhispeers—thesovereignsofthetime;therewasneededagentleandattractivepersonalcharacter;therewasneededtooapersonalgrievanceagainstNapoleon。AndallthatistobeseeninAlexanderI。;itwasallpreparedbeforehandbytheinnumerableso-calledchancecircumstancesofhispreviouslife，byhiseducationandtheliberalismofthebeginningofhisreign，andthecounsellorsaround，andAusterlitz，andTilsit，andErfurt。
Duringthewarindefenceofthecountrythispersonageisinactive;heisnotneeded。ButassoonasageneralEuropeanwarbecomesinevitable，atthegivenmoment，heisinhisplace，andbringingtheEuropeanpeoplestogetherheleadsthemtothegoal。
Thegoalisreached。Afterthelastwarof1815Alexanderfindshimselfatthehighestpossiblepinnacleofhumanpower。Howdoesheuseit？
WhileNapoleoninhisexilewasdrawingupchildishandlyingschemesoftheblessingshewouldhaveshoweredonhumanityifhehadhadthepower，Alexander，thepacifierofEurope，themanwho，fromhisyouthup，hadstrivenfornothingbutthegoodofthepeople，thefirstchampionofliberalreformsinhiscountry，nowwhenheseemedtopossessthegreatestpossiblepower，andconsequentpossibilityofdoinggoodtohispeople，felthisworkwasdone，andGod’shandwaslaiduponhim，andrecognisingthenothingnessofthatsemblanceofpower，turnedfromit，gaveituptodespicablemen，andmenhedespised，andcouldonlysay：
‘‘Nottous，nottous，buttoThyName！Itooamamanlikeallofyou;letmelivelikeaman，andthinkofmysoulandofGod。’’
Justasthesunandeveryatomofetherisaspherecompleteinitself，andatthesametimeisonlyapartofawholeinconceivabletomanthroughitsvastness，soeveryindividualitybearswithinititsownendsandyetbearsthemsoastoservegeneralendsunfathomablebyman。
Abeesettlingonaflowerhasstungachild。Andthechilddreadsbees，andsaystheobjectofthebeeistostingpeople。Apoetadmiresthebee，sippinghoneyfromthecupoftheflower，andsaystheobjectofthebeeistosipthenectaroftheflower。Abeekeeper，noticingthatthebeegatherspollenandbringsittothehive，saysthattheobjectofthebeeistogatherhoney。Anotherbeekeeper，whohasstudiedthelifeoftheswarmmoreclosely，saysthebeegathershoneytofeedtheyoungones，andtorearaqueen，thattheobjectofthebeeistheperpetuationofitsrace。Thebotanistobservesthatthebeeflyingwiththepollenfertilisesthepistil，andinthisheseestheobjectofthebee。Another，watchingthehybridisationofplants，seesthatthebeecontributestothatendalso，andhemaysaythatthebee’sobjectisthat。Butthefinalaimofthebeeisnotexhaustedbyoneoranother，orathirdaim，whichthehumanintellectiscapableofdiscovering。Thehigherthehumanintellectrisesinthediscoveryofsuchaims，themoreobviousitbecomesthatthefinalaimisbeyonditsreach。
Allthatiswithinthereachofmanistheobservationoftheanalogyofthelifeofthebeewithothermanifestationsoflife。Andthesameistruewiththefinalaimsofhistoricalpersonsandofnations。
Chapter5
NATASHA’SMARRIAGEtoBezuhov，whichtookplacein1813，wasthelasthappyeventinthefamilyoftheoldRostovs。CountIlyaAndreivitchdiedthesameyear;andasisalwaysthecase，withthedeathofthefatherthefamilywasbrokenup。
Theeventsofthepreviousyear：theburningofMoscowandtheflightfromthatcity;thedeathofPrinceAndreyandNatasha’sdespair;thedeathofPetyaandthegriefofthecountessfelllikeoneblowafteranotherontheoldcount’shead。Heseemednottounderstand，andtofeelhimselfincapableofunderstanding，thesignificanceofalltheseevents，andfigurativelyspeaking，bowedhisoldheadtothestorm，asthoughexpectingandseekingfreshblowstomakeanendofhim。Byturnsheseemedscaredanddistraught，andthenunnaturallylivelyandactive。
Natasha’smarriageforatimeoccupiedhimonitsexternalside。Hearrangeddinnersandsuppersinhonourofit，andobviouslytriedtobecheerful;buthischeerfulnesswasnotinfectiousasinolddays，but，onthecontrary，arousedthecommiserationofthosewhoknewandlikedhim。
AfterPierreandhiswifehadleft，hecollapsedandbegantocomplainofdepression。Afewdayslaterhefellillandtooktohisbed。Inspiteofthedoctor’sassurances，heknewfromthefirstdaysofhisillnessthathewouldnevergetupagain。Forawholefortnightthecountesssatinalowchairbyhispillow，nevertakingoffherclothes。Everytimeshegavehimhismedicine，hemutelykissedherhand，weeping。Onthelastday，sobbing，hebeggedforgivenessofhiswife，andofhisabsentson，too，forsquanderingtheirproperty，thechiefsinthatlayonhisconscience。Afterreceivingabsolutionandthelastunction，hequietlydied;andnextdayacrowdofacquaintances，cometopaythelastdebtofrespecttothedeceased，filledtheRostovs’hiredlodgings。Allthoseacquaintances，whohadsooftendinedanddancedinhishouse，andhadsooftenlaughedathisexpense，weresayingnowwiththesameinwardfeelingofcontritionandself-reproach，asthoughseekingtojustifythemselves：‘‘Yes，whateverhemayhavebeen，hewasasplendidman。Onedoesn’tmeetsuchmennowadays…Andwhohasnothisweaknesses？…’’
Itwaspreciselywhenthecount’sfortunesweresoirretrievablyembroiledthathecouldnotconceivehow，inanotheryear，itwouldend，thathesuddenlydied。
NikolaywaswiththeRussianarmyinPariswhenthenewsofhisfather’sdeathreachedhim。Heatonceappliedforhisdischarge，andwithoutwaitingforit，obtainedleaveandwenttoMoscow。Withinamonthafterthecount’sdeaththefinancialpositionhadbeenmadeperfectlyclear，astoundingeveryonebytheimmensesumofvariouspettydebts，theexistenceofwhichnoonehadsuspected。Thedebtsweremorethandoubletheassetsoftheestate。
ThefriendsandrelationsadvisedNikolaytorefusetoaccepthisinheritance。ButNikolaylookedonsucharefusalasasluronthehonouredmemoryofhisfather;andsohewouldnothearofsuchacourse，andacceptedtheinheritancewiththeobligationofpayingthedebts。
Thecreditors，whohadsolongbeensilent，heldincheckduringtheoldcount’slifetimebythevaguebutpowerfulinfluenceofhiseasygood-nature，allbesetNikolayatonce。Thereseemed，assooftenhappens，asortofrivalryamongthem，whichshouldgetpaidfirst;andtheverypeople，suchasMitenkaandothers，whoheldpromissorynotes，notreceivedindischargeofdebts，butaspresents，werenowthemostimportunateofthecreditors。TheywouldgiveNikolaynopeaceandnorespite，andthosewhohadshownpityfortheoldman，whowasresponsiblefortheirlosses（iftheyreallyhadlostmoneybyhim），werenowruthlessintheirpersecutionoftheyoungheir，whowasobviouslyguiltlessasfarastheywereconcerned，andhadvoluntarilyundertakentopaythem。
NotoneoftheplansthatNikolayresortedtowassuccessful：theestatewassoldbyauctionathalfitsvalue，andhalfthedebtsremainedstillunpaid。Nikolayacceptedaloanofthirtythousandroublesofferedhimbyhisbrother-in-lawBezuhov;andpaidthatportionofthedebtsthatherecognisedasgenuineobligations。Andtoavoidbeingthrownintoprisonfortheremainder，asthecreditorsthreatened，heoncemoreenteredthegovernmentservice。
Toreturntothearmy，whereatthenextpromotionhewouldhavebeencolonel，wasoutofthequestion，becausehismothernowclungtohersonasheroneholdonlife。AndsoinspiteofhisdisinclinationtoremaininMoscow，inthemidstofacircleofacquaintanceswhohadknownhiminformerdays，inspiteofhisdistasteforthecivilservice，heacceptedacivilianpostinMoscow，andtakingoffhisbeloveduniform，establishedhimselfinalittlelodginginSivtsevoyVrazhokwithhismotherandSonya。
NatashaandPierrewerelivingatthisperiodinPetersburg，andhadnoverydistinctideaofNikolay’sposition。Afterhavingborrowedmoneyfromhisbrother-in-law，Nikolaydidhisutmosttoconcealhispoverty-strickenpositionfromhim。Hissituationwasrenderedthemoredifficult，aswithhistwelvehundredroublesofsalaryhehadnotonlytokeephimself，Sonya，andhismother，buttokeephismotherinsuchawaythatshewouldnotbesensibleoftheirpoverty。Thecountesscouldnotconceiveoflifebeingpossiblewithouttheluxurioussurroundingstowhichshehadbeenaccustomedfromherchildhood;andwithoutanyideaofitsbeingdifficultforherson，shewascontinuallyinsistingonhavingacarriage，whichtheyhadnot，tosendforafriend，oranexpensivedelicacyforherself，orwineforherson，ormoneytobuyapresent，asasurpriseforNatasha，forSonya，orforNikolayhimself。
Sonyakepthouse，waitedonheraunt，readaloudtoher，borewithhercapricesandhersecretdislike，andhelpedNikolaytoconcealfromtheoldcountesstheirpoverty-strickenposition。NikolayfelthimselfunderadebtofgratitudetoSonyathathecouldneverrepay，forallshedidforhismother;headmiredherpatienceanddevotion，buthetriedtokeephimselfalooffromher。
Inhisheartheseemedtofeelasortofgrudgeagainstherforbeingtooperfect，andfortherebeingnofaulttofindwithher。Shehadallthegoodqualitiesforwhichpeoplearevalued，butlittleofwhatwouldhavemadehimloveher。Andhefeltthatthemorehevaluedherthelesshelovedher。Hehadtakenheratherwordwhenshehadwrittentohimgivinghimhisfreedom，andnowhebehavedwithherasthoughwhathadpassedbetweenthemhadbeenlong，longagoforgotten，andcouldneverunderanycircumstancesberenewed。
Nikolay’spositionwasbecomingworseandworse。Hishopeoflayingbysomethingoutofhissalaryprovedtobeanidledream。Farfromsavinganything，hewasevenrunningupsomesmalldebtstosatisfyhismother’sexigencies。Thereseemednomeansofescapefromhisposition。Theideaofmarryingarichheiress，whichhisfemalerelativessuggested，wasrepulsivetohim。Theonlyothersolutionofhisdifficulties—thedeathofhismother—neverenteredhishead。Hedesirednothing，andhopedfornothing;andatthebottomofhishearthetookasternandgloomysatisfactionintheunrepiningenduranceofhisposition。Hetriedtoavoidhisoldacquaintances，withtheircommiserationandtheirmortifyingoffersofassistance;shunnedeverysortofentertainmentandamusement;andevenathomedidnothingbutplaypatiencewithhismother，pacesilentlyabouttheroom，andsmokepipeafterpipe。Heseemedstudiouslytomaintaininhimselfthatgloomytemper，whichaloneenabledhimtobearhisposition。
Chapter6
ATTHEBEGINNINGofthewinterPrincessMaryaarrivedinMoscow。FromthegossipofthetownsheheardofthepositionoftheRostovs，andofhow‘‘thesonwassacrificinghimselfforhismother，’’asthegossipssaid。‘‘ItisjustwhatIexpectedofhim，’’PrincessMaryasaidtoherself，findinginitadelightfulconfirmationofherloveforhim。Rememberingherintimaterelationswiththewholefamily—almostasoneofthemselves—shethoughtitherdutytocallonthem。ButthinkingofherrelationswithNikolayinVoronezh，shewasafraidofdoingso。AfewweeksafterherarrivalinMoscow，shedid，however，makeaneffort，andwenttoseetheRostovs。
Nikolaywasthefirsttomeether，sinceitwasimpossibletoreachthecountess’sroomwithoutpassingthroughhisroom。InsteadoftheexpressionofdelightPrincessMaryahadexpectedtoseeonhisfaceatthefirstglanceather，hemetherwithalookofchilliness，stiffness，andpridethatshehadneverseenbefore。Nikolayinquiredafterherhealth，conductedhertohismother，and，afterstayingfiveminutes，wentoutoftheroom。
WhenPrincessMaryaleftthecountess，Nikolayagainmether，andwithmarkedformalityandstiffnessledhertothehall。Hemadenoreplytoherremarksaboutthecountess’shealth。‘‘Whatisittoyou？Leavemeinpeace，’’hisexpressionseemedtosay。
‘‘Andwhyshouldshestrollinhere？Whatdoesshewant？Ican’tenduretheseladiesandallthesecivilities！’’hesaidaloudbeforeSonya，obviouslyunabletorestrainhisvexation，aftertheprincess’scarriagehadrolledawayfromthehouse。
‘‘Oh，howcanyoutalklikethat，Nicolas，’’saidSonya，hardlyabletoconcealherdelight。‘‘Sheissokind，andmamanissofondofher。’’
Nikolaymadenoreply，andwouldhavelikedtosaynomoreaboutPrincessMarya。Butafterhervisittheoldcountesstalkedaboutherseveraltimeseveryday。
Shesangherpraises;insistedthathersonshouldgoandseeher;expressedawishtoseemoreofher;andyetwasalwaysoutoftemperwhenshehadbeentalkingofher。
NikolaytriedtosaynothingwhenhismothertalkedofPrincessMarya，buthissilenceirritatedher。
‘‘Sheisaverygoodandconscientiousgirl，’’shewouldsay，‘‘andyoumustgoandcallonher。Anyway，youwillseesomeone;anditisdullforyou，Iexpect，withus。’’
‘‘ButIdon’tatallwishto，mamma。’’
‘‘Why，youwantedtoseepeopleandnowyoudon’twishit。Ireallydon’tunderstandyou，mydear。Atoneminuteyouaredull，andthenextyousuddenlydon’tcaretoseeanyone。’’
‘‘Why，IneversaidIwasdull。’’
‘‘Why，yousaidyourselfyoudidnotevenwishtoseeher。Sheisaverygoodgirl，andyoualwayslikedher;andnowallofasuddenyouhavesomereasonsorother。Everythingiskeptasecretfromme。’’
‘‘Notatall，mamma。’’
‘‘IfIweretobegyoutodosomethingunpleasant，butasitis，Isimplybegyoutodriveoverandreturnhercall。Why，civilitydemandsit，Ishouldsuppose…Ihavebeggedyoutodoso，andnowIwillmeddlenofurthersinceyouhavesecretsfromyourmother。’’
‘‘ButIwillgo，ifyouwishit。’’
‘‘It’snothingtome;it’sforyoursakeIwishit。’’
Nikolaysighed，andbithismoustache，anddealtthecards，tryingtodrawhismother’sattentiontoanothersubject。
Nextday，andthethird，andthefourth，thesameconversationwasrepeatedagainandagain。
AfterhervisittotheRostovs，andtheunexpectedlycoldreceptionshehadmetwithfromNikolay，PrincessMaryaacknowledgedtoherselfthatshehadbeenrightinnotwantingtobethefirsttocall。
‘‘ItwasjustwhatIexpected，’’shesaidtoherself，summoningherpridetoheraid。‘‘Ihavenoconcernwithhim，andIonlywantedtoseetheoldlady，whowasalwayskindtome，andtowhomIamunderobligationformanythings。’’
Butshecouldnottranquilliseherselfwiththesereflections：afeelingakintoremorsefrettedher，whenshethoughtofhervisit。AlthoughshewasfirmlyresolvednottocallagainontheRostovs，andtoforgetallaboutit，shewascontinuallyfeelingherselfinanundefinedposition。Andwhensheaskedherselfwhatitwasthatworriedher，shewasobligedtoadmitthatitwasherrelationtoRostov。Hiscold，ceremonioustonedidnotproceedfromhisfeelingforher（ofthatshewasconvinced），butthattonecoveredsomething。Whatthatsomethingwas，shewantedtoseeclearly，andtillthenshefeltthatshecouldnotbeatpeace。
Inthemiddleofthewintershewassittingintheschoolroom，supervisinghernephew’slessons，whentheservantannouncedthatRostovwasbelow。Withthefirmdeterminationnottobetrayhersecret，andnottomanifestanyembarrassment，shesummonedMademoiselleBourienne，andwithherwentintothedrawing-room。
AtthefirstglanceatNikolay’sface，shesawthathehadcomemerelytoperformtheobligationsofcivility，andshedeterminedtokeeptothetoneheadoptedtowardsher。
Theytalkedofthehealthofthecountess，ofcommonacquaintances，ofthelatestnewsofthewar，andwhenthetenminutesrequiredbyproprietyhadelapsed，Nikolaygotuptosaygood-bye。
WiththeaidofMademoiselleBourienne，PrincessMaryahadkeptuptheconversationverywell。Butattheverylastmoment，justwhenhewasgettingup，shewassowearyoftalkingofwhatdidnotinteresther，andshewassoabsorbedinwonderingwhytoheralonesolittlejoyhadbeenvouchsafedinlife，thatinafitofabstraction，shesatmotionlessgazingstraightbeforeherwithherluminouseyes，andnotnoticingthathewasgettingup。
Nikolaylookedather，andanxioustoappearnottonoticeherabstraction，hesaidafewwordstoMademoiselleBourienne，andagainglancedattheprincess。Shewassittinginthesameimmovablepose，andtherewasalookofsufferingonhersoftface。Hefeltsuddenlysorryforher，andvaguelyconsciousthathemightbethecauseofthesadnesshesawinherface。Helongedtohelpher，tosaysomethingpleasanttoher，buthecouldnotthinkwhattosaytoher。
‘‘Good-bye，princess，’’hesaid。Shestarted，flushed，andsighedheavily。
‘‘Oh，Ibegyourpardon，’’shesaid，asthoughwakingfromsleep。‘‘Youaregoingalready，count;well，good-bye！Oh，thecushionforthecountess？’’
‘‘Waitaminute，Iwillfetchit，’’saidMademoiselleBourienne，andshelefttheroom。
Theywerebothsilent，glancingateachothernowandthen。
‘‘Yes，princess，’’saidNikolayatlast，withamournfulsmile，‘‘itseemsnotlongago，buthowmuchhashappenedsincethefirsttimewemetatBogutcharovo。Weallseemedinsuchtroublethen，butIwouldgiveagreatdealtohavethattimeback…andthere’snobringingitback。’’
PrincessMaryawaslookingintentlyathimwithherluminouseyes，ashesaidthat。Sheseemedtryingtodivinethesecretimportofhiswords，whichwouldmakeclearhisfeelingtowardsher。
‘‘Yes，yes，’’shesaid，‘‘butyouhavenoneedtoregretthepast，count。AsIconceiveofyourlifenow，youwillalwaysthinkofitwithsatisfaction，becausetheself-sacrificeinwhichyouarenow…’’
‘‘Icannotacceptyourpraises，’’heinterruptedhurriedly;‘‘onthecontrary，Iamalwaysreproachingmyself;butitisanuninterestingandcheerlesssubject。’’
Andagainthestiffandcoldexpressioncamebackintohisface。ButPrincessMaryasawinhimagainnowthemanshehadknownandloved，anditwastothatmanonlyshewasspeakingnow。
‘‘Ithoughtyouwouldallowmetosaythat，’’shesaid。‘‘Ihavebeensuchintimatefriendswithyou…andwithyourfamily，andIthoughtyouwouldnotfeelmysympathyintrusive;butImadeamistake，’’shesaid。Hervoicesuddenlyshook。‘‘Idon’tknowwhy，’’shewenton，recoveringherself，‘‘youusedtobedifferent，and…’’
‘‘Therearethousandsofreasonswhy。’’（Helaidspecialstressonthewordwhy。）‘‘Ithankyou，princess，’’headdedsoftly。‘‘Itissometimeshard…’’
‘‘Sothatiswhy！Thatiswhy！’’aninnervoicewassayinginPrincessMarya’ssoul。‘‘Yes，itwasnotonlythatgay，kind，andfrankgaze，notonlythathandsomeexteriorIlovedinhim;Idivinedhisnoble，firm，andself-sacrificingsoul，’’shesaidtoherself。
‘‘Yes，heispoornow，andIamrich…Yes，itisonlythat…Yes，ifitwerenotforthat…’’Andrecallingallhisformertenderness，andlookingnowathiskindandsadface，shesuddenlyunderstoodthereasonofhiscoldness。
‘‘Why！count，why？’’shealmostcriedallatonce，involuntarilymovingnearertohim。‘‘Why，dotellme。Youmusttellme。’’Hewasmute。‘‘Idonotknow，count，yourwhy，’’shewenton。‘‘ButIamsad，I…Iwillownthattoyou。Youmeanforsomereasontodeprivemeofouroldfriendship。Andthathurtsme。’’Thereweretearsinhereyesandinhervoice。‘‘Ihavehadsolittlehappinessinmylifethateverylossishardforme…Excuseme，good-bye，’’shesuddenlyburstintotears，andwasgoingoutoftheroom。
‘‘Princess！stay，forGod’ssake，’’hecried，tryingtostopher。‘‘Princess！’’
Shelookedround。Forafewsecondstheygazedmutelyineachother’seyes，andtheremoteandimpossiblebecameallatoncecloseathand，possibleandinevitable。
Chapter7
INTHEAUTUMNof1813，NikolaymarriedPrincessMarya，andwithhiswife，andmother，andSonya，tookuphisabodeatBleakHills。
Withinfouryearshehadpaidofftheremainderofhisdebtswithoutsellinghiswife’sestates，andcomingintoasmalllegacyonthedeathofacousin，herepaidtheloanhehadborrowedfromPierrealso。
Inanotherthreeyears，by1820，NikolayhadsowellmanagedhispecuniaryaffairsthathewasabletobuyasmallestateadjoiningBleakHills，andwasopeningnegotiationsfortherepurchaseofhisancestralestateofOtradnoe，whichwashischerisheddream。
Thoughhetookupthemanagementofthelandatfirstfromnecessity，hesoonacquiredsuchapassionforagriculture，thatitbecamehisfavouriteandalmosthisexclusiveinterest。Nikolaywasaplainfarmer，whodidnotlikeinnovations，especiallyEnglishones，justthencomingintovogue，laughedatalltheoreticaltreatisesonagriculture，didnotcareforfactories，forraisingexpensiveproduce，orforexpensiveimportedseed。Hedidnot，infact，makeahobbyofanyonepartofthework，butkeptthewelfareoftheestateasawholealwaysbeforehiseyes。Theobjectmostprominenttohismindintheestatewasnottheazotenortheoxygeninthesoilortheatmosphere，notaparticularploughnormanure，buttheprincipalagentbymeansofwhichtheazoteandtheoxygenandtheploughandthemanurewereallmadeeffectual—thatis，thelabourer，thepeasant。WhenNikolaytookupthemanagementoftheland，andbegantogointoitsdifferentbranches，thepeasantattractedhischiefattention。Helookedonthepeasant，notmerelyasatool，butalsoasanendinhimself，andashiscritic。Atfirsthestudiedthepeasantattentively，tryingtounderstandwhathewanted，whathethoughtgoodandbad;andheonlymadeapretenceofmakingarrangementsandgivingorders，whilehewasinrealitylearningfromthepeasantstheirmethodsandtheirlanguageandtheirviewsofwhatwasgoodandbad。Anditwasonlywhenheunderstoodthetastesandimpulsesofthepeasant，whenhehadlearnedtospeakhisspeechandtograspthehiddenmeaningbehindhiswords，whenhefelthimselfinalliancewithhim，thathebeganboldlytodirecthim—toperform，thatis，towardshimtheofficeexpectedofhim。AndNikolay’smanagementproducedthemostbrilliantresults。
Ontakingoverthecontroloftheproperty，Nikolayhadatoncebysomeunerringgiftofinsightappointedasbailiff，asvillageelder，andasdelegatetheverymenwhomthepeasantswouldhaveelectedthemselveshadthechoicebeenintheirhands，andtheauthorityoncegiventhemwasneverwithdrawn。Beforeinvestigatingthechemicalconstituentsofmanure，orgoinginto‘‘debitandcredit’’（ashelikedsarcasticallytocallbook-keeping），hefoundoutthenumberofcattlethepeasantspossessed，anddidhisutmosttoincreasethenumber。Hekeptthepeasants’familiestogetheronalargescale，andwouldnotallowthemtosplitupintoseparatehouseholds。Theindolent，thedissolute，andthefeeblehewasequallyharduponandtriedtoexpelthemfromthecommunity。Atthesowingandthecarryingofthehayandcorn，hewatchedoverhisownandthepeasants’fieldswithabsolutelyequalcare。Andfewlandownershadfieldssoearlyandsowellsownandcut，andfewhadsuchcropsasNikolay。
Hedidnotliketohaveanythingtodowiththehouse-serfs，hecalledthemparasites，andeverybodysaidthathedemoralisedandspoiledthem。Whenanyorderhadtobegiveninregardtoahouse-serf，especiallywhenonehadtobepunished，hewasalwaysinastateofindecisionandaskedadviceofeveryoneinthehouse。Butwheneveritwaspossibletosendahouse-serfforasoldierinplaceofapeasant，hedidsowithoutthesmallestcompunction。Inallhisdealingswiththepeasants，heneverexperiencedtheslightesthesitation。Everyorderhegavewould，heknew，beapprovedbythegreatermajorityofthem。
Heneverallowedhimselfeithertopunishamanbyaddingtohisburdens，ortorewardhimbylighteninghistaskssimplyatthepromptingofhisownwishes。Hecouldnothavesaidwhathisstandardwasofwhatheoughtandoughtnottodo;buttherewasastandardfirmandrigidinhissoul。
Oftentalkingofsomefailureorirregularity，hewouldcomplainof‘‘ourRussianpeasantry，’’andheimaginedthathecouldnotbearthepeasants。
Butwithhiswholesoulhedidreallylove‘‘ourRussianpeasantry，’’andtheirways;anditwasthroughthathehadperceivedandadoptedtheonlymethodofmanagingthelandwhichcouldbeproductiveofgoodresults。
CountessMaryawasjealousofthispassionofherhusband’sforagriculture，andregrettedshecouldnotshareit。Butshewasunabletocomprehendthejoysanddisappointmentshemetwithinthatworldapartthatwassoalientoher。Shecouldnotunderstandwhyheusedtobesoparticularlyeagerandhappywhenaftergettingupatdawnandspendingthewholemorninginthefieldsorthethreshing-floorhecamebacktoteawithherfromthesowing，themowing，ortheharvest。Shecouldnotunderstandwhyhewassodelightedwhenhetoldherwithenthusiasmofthewell-to-do，thriftypeasantMatveyErmishin，whohadbeenupallnightwithhisfamily，cartinghissheaves，andhadallharvestedwhennooneelsehadbeguncarrying。Shecouldnotunderstandwhy，steppingoutofthewindowontothebalcony，hesmiledunderhismoustachesandwinkedsogleefullywhenawarm，finerainbegantofallonhisyoungoatsthatweresufferingfromthedrought，orwhy，whenamenacingcloudblewoverinmowingorharvesttime，hewouldcomeinfromthebarnred，sunburnt，andperspiring，withthesmellofwormwoodinhishair，andrubbinghishandsjoyfullywouldsay：‘‘Come，anotherdayofthisandmylot，andthepeasants’too，willallbeinthebarn。’’
Stilllesscouldsheunderstandhowitwasthatwithhisgoodheartandeverlastingreadinesstoanticipateherwishes，hewouldbethrownalmostintodespairwhenshebroughthimpetitionsfrompeasantsortheirwiveswhohadappealedtohertobeletofftasks，whyitwasthathe，hergood-naturedNikolay，obstinatelyrefusedher，angrilybegginghernottomeddleinhisbusiness。Shefeltthathehadaworldapart，thatwasintenselydeartohim，governedbylawsofitsownwhichshedidnotunderstand。
Sometimestryingtounderstandhimshewouldtalktohimofthegoodworkhewasdoinginstrivingforthegoodofhisserfs;butatthishewasangryandanswered：‘‘Notintheleast;itneverevenenteredmyhead;andfortheirgoodIwouldnotliftmylittlefinger。That’sallromanticnonsenseandoldwives’cackle—allthatdoinggoodtoone’sneighbour。Idon’twantourchildrentobebeggars;Iwanttobuildupourfortunesinmylifetime;thatisall。Andtodothatonemusthavediscipline，onemusthavestrictness…Sothere！’’hewoulddeclare，clenchinghissanguinefist。‘‘Andjusticetoo—ofcourse，’’hewouldadd，‘‘becauseifthepeasantisnakedandhungry，andhasbutonepoorhorse，hecandonogoodforhimselforme。’’
AnddoubtlessbecauseNikolaydidnotallowhimselftoentertaintheideathathewasdoinganythingforthesakeofothers，orforthesakeofvirtue，everythinghedidwasfruitful。Hisfortunerapidlyincreased;theneighbouringserfscametobeghimtopurchasethem，andlongafterhisdeaththepeasantrypreservedareverentmemoryofhisrule。‘‘Hewasamaster…Thepeasants’welfarefirstandthenhisown。Andtobesurehewouldmakenoabatements。Arealgoodmaster—that’swhathewas！’’
Chapter8
THEONETHINGthatsometimestroubledNikolayinhisgovernmentofhisserfswashishastytemperandhisoldhabit，acquiredinthehussars，ofmakingfreeuseofhisfists。Atfirsthesawnothingblameworthyinthis，butinthesecondyearofhismarriedlifehisviewsonthatformofcorrectionunderwentasuddenchange。
OnesummerdayhehadsentforthevillageelderwhohadtakencontrolatBogutcharovoonthedeathofDron。Themanwasaccusedofvariousactsoffraudandneglect。Nikolaywentouttothestepstoseehim，andatthefirstanswersthevillageeldermade，shoutsandblowswereheardinthehall。Ongoingbackindoorstolunch，Nikolaywentuptohiswife，whowassittingwithherheadbentlowoverherembroideryframe，andbegantellingher，ashealwaysdid，everythingthathadinterestedhimduringthemorning，andamongotherthingsabouttheBogutcharovoelder。CountessMarya，turningredandpaleandsettingherlips，satinthesamepose，makingnoreplytoherhusband。
‘‘Theinsolentrascal，’’hesaid，gettinghotatthemererecollection。‘‘Well，heshouldhavetoldmehewasdrunk，hedidnotsee…Why，whatisit，Marie？’’heaskedallatonce。
CountessMaryaraisedherhead，triedtosaysomething，buthurriedlylookeddownagain，tryingtocontrolherlips。
‘‘Whatisit？Whatiswrong，mydarling？…’’Hisplainwifealwayslookedherbestwhenshewasintears。Sheneverweptforpainoranger，butalwaysfromsadnessandpity。Andwhensheweptherluminouseyesgainedanindescribablecharm。
AssoonasNikolaytookherbythehand，shewasunabletorestrainherself，andburstintotears。
‘‘Nikolay，Isaw…hewasinfault，butyou，whydidyou！Nikolay！’’andshehidherfaceinherhands。
Nikolaydidnotspeak;heflushedcrimson，andwalkingawayfromher，beganpacingupanddowninsilence。Heknewwhatshewascryingabout，buthecouldnotallatonceagreewithherinhisheartthatwhathehadbeenusedtofromchildhood，whathelookeduponasamatterofcourse，waswrong。‘‘It’ssentimentalnonsense，oldwives’cackle—orissheright？’’hesaidtohimself。Unabletodecidethatquestion，heglancedoncemoreathersufferingandlovingface，andallatoncehefeltthatshewasright，andthathehadknownhimselftobeinfaultalongtimebefore。
‘‘Marie，’’hesaid，softly，goinguptoher：‘‘itshallneverhappenagain;Igiveyoumyword。Never，’’herepeatedinashakingvoicelikeaboybeggingforforgiveness。
Thetearsflowedfasterfromhiswife’seyes。Shetookhishandandkissedit。
‘‘Nikolay，whendidyoubreakyourcameo？’’shesaidtochangethesubject，asshescrutinisedthefingeronwhichheworearingwithacameoofLaocoon。
‘‘To-day;itwasallthesamething。OMarie，don’tremindmeofit！’’Heflushedagain。‘‘Igiveyoumywordofhonourthatitshallneverhappenagain。Andletthisbearemindertomeforever，’’hesaid，pointingtothebrokenring。
Fromthattimeforward，wheneverininterviewswithhisvillageeldersandforemenhefeltthebloodrushtohisfaceandhisfistsbegantoclench，Nikolayturnedtheringroundonhisfingeranddroppedhiseyesbeforethemanwhoangeredhim。Twiceayear，however，hewouldforgethimself，andthen，goingtohiswife，heconfessed，andagainpromisedthatthiswouldreallybethelasttime。
‘‘Marie，youmustdespiseme，’’hesaidtoher。‘‘Ideserveit。’’
‘‘Youmustrunaway，makehasteandrunawayifyoufeelyourselfunabletocontrolyourself，’’hiswifesaidmournfully，tryingtocomforthim。
InthesocietyofthenobilityoftheprovinceNikolaywasrespectedbutnotliked。Thelocalpoliticsofthenobilitydidnotinteresthim。Andinconsequencehewaslookeduponbysomepeopleasproudandbyothersasafool。Insummerhiswholetimefromthespringsowingtotheharvestwasspentinlookingaftertheland。Intheautumnhegavehimselfupwiththesamebusiness-likeseriousnesstohunting，goingoutforamonthortwoatatimewithhishuntsmen，dogs，andhorsesonhuntingexpeditions。Inthewinterhevisitedtheirotherpropertiesandspenthistimeinreading，chieflyhistoricalbooks，onwhichhespentacertainsumregularlyeveryyear。Hewasformingforhimself，asheusedtosay，aseriouslibrary，andhemadeitaprincipletoreadthrougheverybookhebought。Hewouldsitoverhisbookinhisstudywithanimportantair;andwhathehadatfirstundertakenasadutybecameanhabitualpursuit，whichaffordedhimaspecialsortofgratificationinthefeelingthathewasengagedinseriousstudy。Exceptwhenhewentonbusinesstovisittheirotherestates，hespentthewinterathomewithhisfamily，enteringintoallthepettycaresandinterestsofthemotherandchildren。Withhiswifehegotonbetterandbetter，everydaydiscoveringfreshspiritualtreasuresinher。
FromthetimeofNikolay’smarriageSonyahadlivedinhishouse。Beforetheirmarriage，NikolayhadtoldhiswifeallthathadpassedbetweenhimandSonya，blaminghimselfandpraisingherconduct。HebeggedPrincessMaryatobekindandaffectionatetohiscousin。Hiswifewasfullysensibleofthewrongherhusbandhaddonehiscousin;shefeltherselftooguiltytowardSonya;shefanciedherwealthhadinfluencedNikolayinhischoice，couldfindnofaultinSonya，andwishedtoloveher。Butshecouldnotlikeher，andoftenfoundevilfeelingsinhersoulinregardtoher，whichshecouldnotovercome。
OnedayshewastalkingwithherfriendNatashaofSonyaandherowninjusticetowardsher。
‘‘Doyouknowwhat，’’saidNatasha;‘‘youhavereadtheGospelagreatdeal;thereisapassagetherethatappliesexactlytoSonya。’’
‘‘Whatisit？’’CountessMaryaaskedinsurprise。
‘‘‘Tohimthathathshallbegiven，andtohimthathathnotshallbetakeneventhatthathehath，’doyouremember？Sheistheonethathathnot;why，Idon’tknow;perhapsshehasnoegoism。Idon’tknow;butfromheristakenaway，andeverythinghasbeentakenaway。Iamsometimesawfullysorryforher。IusedinolddaystowantNikolaytomarryherbutIalwayshadasortofpresentimentthatitwouldnothappen。Sheisabarrenflower，youknow，likewhatonefindsamongthestrawberryflowers。SometimesIamsorryforher，andsometimesIthinkshedoesnotfeelitasweshouldhavefeltit。’’
AndalthoughCountessMaryaarguedwithNatashathatthosewordsoftheGospelmustnotbetakeninthatsense，lookingatSonya，sheagreedwiththeexplanationgivenbyNatasha。ItdidseemreallyasthoughSonyadidnotfeelherpositionirksome，andwasquitereconciledtoherfateasabarrenflower。Sheseemedtobefondnotsomuchofpeopleasofthewholefamily。Likeacat，shehadattachedherselfnottopersonsbuttothehouse。Shewaitedontheoldcountess，pettedandspoiledthechildren，wasalwaysreadytoperformsmallservices，whichsheseemedparticularlycleverat;butallshedidwasunconsciouslytakenforgranted，withoutmuchgratitude。…
TheBleakHillshousehadbeenbuiltupagain，butnotonthesamescaleasundertheoldprince。
Thebuildings，begunindaysofstraitenedmeans，weremorethansimple。Theimmensemansionontheoldstonefoundationwasofwood，plasteredonlyontheinside。Thegreatramblinghouse，withitsunstainedplankfloors，wasfurnishedwiththesimplestroughsofasandchairsandtablesmadeoftheirownbirch-treesbythelaboroftheirserfcarpenters。Thehousewasveryroomy，withquartersforthehouse-serfsandaccommodationforvisitors。
TherelationsoftheRostovsandtheBolkonskyswouldsometimescomeonvisitstoBleakHillswiththeirfamilies，sixteenhorsesanddozensofservants，andstayformonths。Andfourtimesayear—onthenamedaysandbirthdaysofthemasterandmistress—asmanyasahundredvisitorswouldbeputupforadayortwo。Therestoftheyeartheregularlifeofthehouseholdwentoninunbrokenroutine，withitsroundofduties，andofteas，breakfasts，dinners，andsuppers，allprovidedoutofhome-grownproduce。
Chapter9
ITwasontheeveofSt。Nikolay’sday，the5thofDecember，1820。ThatyearNatashawithherhusbandandchildrenhadbeenstayingatBleakHillssincethebeginningofautumn。PierrewasinPetersburg，wherehehadgoneonprivatebusinessofhisown，ashesaid，forthreeweeks。Hehadalreadybeenawayforsix，andwasexpectedhomeeveryminute。
Onthis5thofDecembertherewasalsostayingwiththeRostovsNikolay’soldfriend，thegeneralonhalf-pay，VassilyFedorovitchDenisov。
Nextdayvisitorswerecomingincelebrationofhisnameday，andNikolayknewthathewouldhavetotakeoffhislooseTatarcoat，toputonafrockcoat，andnarrowbootswithpointedtoes，andtogotothenewchurchhehadbuilt，andtheretoreceivecongratulations，andtoofferrefreshmentstohisguests，andtotalkabouttheprovincialelectionsandtheyear’scrops。Butthedaybeforeheconsideredhehadarighttospendasusual。Beforedinner-timeNikolayhadgoneoverthebailiff’saccountsfromtheRyazanestate，thepropertyofhiswife’snephew;writtentwobusinessletters，andwalkedthroughthecornbarns，thecattleyard，andthestables。Aftertakingmeasuresagainstthegeneraldrunkennessheexpectednextdayamonghispeasantsinhonourofthefête，hecameintodinner，withouthavinghadamoment’sconversationalonewithhiswifeallday。Hesatdowntoalongtablelaidwithtwentycovers，atwhichallthehouseholdwereassembled，consistingofhismother，oldMadameByelov，wholivedwithherasacompanion，hiswifeandthreechildren，theirgovernessandtutor，hiswife’snephewwithhistutor，Sonya，Denisov，Natasha，herthreechildren，theirgoverness，andMihailIvanitch，theoldprince’sarchitect，whowaslivingouthisoldageinpeaceatBleakHills。
CountessMaryawassittingattheoppositeendofthetable。Assoonasherhusbandsatdowntothetable，fromthegesturewithwhichhetookuphistable-napkinandquicklypushedbackthetumblerandwineglasssetathisplace，sheknewthathewasoutofhumour，ashesometimeswas，particularlybeforethesoup，andwhenhecamestraightintodinnerfromhiswork。CountessMaryaunderstoodthismoodinherhusbandverywell，andwhenshewasherselfinagoodtemper，sheusedtowaitquietlytillhehadswallowedhissoup，andonlythenbegantotalktohimandtomakehimadmitthathehadnoreasontobeoutoftemper。Butto-dayshetotallyforgotthisprincipleofhers;shehadamiserablesenseofhisbeingvexedwithherwithoutcause，andshefeltwretched。Sheaskedhimwherehehadbeen。Heanswered。Sheaskedagainwhethereverythingweregoingwellontheestate。Hefrowneddisagreeablyatherunnaturaltone，andmadeahastyreply。
‘‘Iwasrightthen，’’thoughtCountessMarya，‘‘andwhatishecrosswithmefor？’’Inthetoneofhisanswershereadill-willtowardsherandadesiretocutshorttheconversation。Shefeltthatherwordswereunnatural;butshecouldnotrestrainherself，andaskedafewmorequestions。
Theconversationatdinner，thankstoDenisov，soonbecamegeneralandanimated，andshedidnotsaymoretoherhusband。Whentheyrosefromtable，andaccordingtocustomcameuptothanktheoldcountess，CountessMaryakissedherhusband，offeringhimherhand，andaskedwhyhewascrosswithher。
‘‘Youalwayshavesuchstrangeideas;Ineverthoughtofbeingcross，’’hesaid。
Butthatwordalwaysansweredher：Yes，Iamangry，andIdon’tchoosetosay。
NikolaylivedonsuchexcellenttermswithhiswifethatevenSonyaandtheoldcountess，whofromjealousywouldhavebeenpleasedtoseedisagreementbetweenthem，couldfindnothingtoreproachthemwith;butthereweremomentsofantagonismevenbetweenthem。Sometimes，particularlyjustaftertheirhappiestperiods，theyhadasuddenfeelingofestrangementandantagonism;thatfeelingwasmostfrequentduringthetimeswhenCountessMaryawaswithchild。Theyhappenedtobejustnowatsuchaperiodofantagonism。
‘‘Well，messieursetmesdames，’’saidNikolayloudly，andwithashowofcheerfulness（itseemedtohiswifethatthiswasonpurposetomortifyher），‘‘Ihavebeensincesixo’clockonmylegs。To-morrowwillbeaninfliction，soto-dayI’llgoandrest。’’AndsayingnothingmoretoCountessMarya，hewentofftothelittledivan-room，andlaydownonthesofa。
‘‘That’showitalwaysis，’’thoughthiswife。‘‘Hetalkstoeverybodybutnottome。Isee，IseethatIamrepulsivetohim，especiallyinthiscondition。’’Shelookeddownatherhighwaistandthenintothelooking-glassathersallowandsunkenface，inwhichtheeyeslookedbiggerthanever。
Andeverythingjarreduponher：Denisov’sshoutandguffawandNatasha’schatter，andaboveallthehastyglanceSonyastoleather。
SonyawasalwaysthefirstexcuseCountessMaryapitchedonforherirritability。