Louis XVI was executed because they said he was dishonorable and a criminal, and from their point of view they were right, as were those too who canonized him and died a martyr’s death for his sake. Then Robespierre was beheaded for being a despot. Who is right and who is wrong? No one! But if you are alive—live: tomorrow you’ll die as I might have died an hour ago. And is it worth tormenting oneself, when one has only a moment of life in comparison with eternity? Why did I tell her that ‘Je vous aime’? Mais que diable allait-il faire dans cette galère?


The countess told me to inquire whether your excellency was at home,


Well, what’s this now? What have you been up to now, I should like to know?


I? What have I...?


So it seems you’re a hero, eh? Come now, what was this duel about? What is it meant to prove? What? I ask you. If you won’t answer, I’ll tell you... You believe everything you’re told. You were told... that Dólokhov was my lover, and you believed it! Well, what have you proved? What does this duel prove? That you’re a fool, que vous êtes un sot, but everybody knew that. What will be the result? That I shall be the laughingstock of all Moscow, that everyone will say that you, drunk and not knowing what you were about, challenged a man you are jealous of without cause. A man who’s a better man than you in every way...


Hm... Hm...!


And how could you believe he was my lover? Why? Because I like his company? If you were cleverer and more agreeable, I should prefer yours.


Don’t speak to me... I beg you,


Why shouldn’t I speak? I can speak as I like, and I tell you plainly that there are not many wives with husbands such as you who would not have taken lovers (des amants), but I have not done so,


We had better separate,


Separate? Very well, but only if you give me a fortune. Separate! That’s a thing to frighten me with!


I’ll kill you! Get out!


Your son, fell before my eyes, a standard in his hand and at the head of a regiment—he fell as a hero, worthy of his father and his fatherland. To the great regret of myself and of the whole army it is still uncertain whether he is alive or not. I comfort myself and you with the hope that your son is alive, for otherwise he would have been mentioned among the officers found on the field of battle, a list of whom has been sent me under flag of truce.


Ah, Princess Mary!


Father! Andrew!


Bad news! He’s not among the prisoners nor among the killed! Kutúzov writes... Killed!


Father, do not turn away from me, let us weep together.


Scoundrels! Blackguards! Destroying the army, destroying the men! And why? Go, go and tell Lise.


Father, tell me how it happened,


Go! Go! Killed in battle, where the best of Russian men and Russia’s glory were led to destruction. Go, Princess Mary. Go and tell Lise. I will follow.


Mary, give me your hand. There, there! Do you feel it? I feel so strange. And do you know, Mary, I am going to love him very much. What is the matter, Mary?


Nothing... only I feel sad... sad about Andrew,


Has anything come from Andrew?


No, you know it’s too soon for news. But my father is anxious and I feel afraid.


So there’s nothing?


Nothing,


Dearest. Dearest, I’m afraid this morning’s fruschtique *—as Fóka the cook calls it—has disagreed with me.


What is the matter with you, my darling? You look pale. Oh, you are very pale!


Your excellency, should not Mary Bogdánovna be sent for?


Oh yes, perhaps that’s it. I’ll go. Courage, my angel.


Oh, no, no! No, it’s only indigestion?... Say it’s only indigestion, say so, Mary! Say... Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu! Oh!


Mary Bogdánovna, I think it’s beginning!


Well, the Lord be thanked, Princess. You young ladies should not know anything about it.


But how is it the doctor from Moscow is not here yet?


No matter, Princess, don’t be alarmed. We’ll manage very well without a doctor.


I’ve come to sit with you a bit, Másha, and here I’ve brought the prince’s wedding candles to light before his saint, my angel,


Oh, nurse, I’m so glad!


God is merciful, birdie.


Say only that ‘the prince told me to ask,’ and come and tell me her answer.


Inform the prince that labor has begun,


Very good!


God is merciful, doctors are never needed,


Princess, my dear, there’s someone driving up the avenue! With lanterns. Most likely the doctor.


Oh, my God! thank God! I must go and meet him, he does not know Russian.


Thank God! And Father?


Gone to bed,


You did not get my letter? What a strange fate, Másha darling!


My darling! God is merciful....


Go, dear,


You can’t come in!


You can’t!


Yes, Count, he is too noble and pure-souled for our present, depraved world. No one now loves virtue; it seems like a reproach to everyone. Now tell me, Count, was it right, was it honorable, of Bezúkhov? And Fédya, with his noble spirit, loved him and even now never says a word against him. Those pranks in Petersburg when they played some tricks on a policeman, didn’t they do it together? And there! Bezúkhov got off scotfree, while Fédya had to bear the whole burden on his shoulders. Fancy what he had to go through! It’s true he has been reinstated, but how could they fail to do that? I think there were not many such gallant sons of the fatherland out there as he. And now—this duel! Have these people no feeling, or honor? Knowing him to be an only son, to challenge him and shoot so straight! It’s well God had mercy on us. And what was it for? Who doesn’t have intrigues nowadays? Why, if he was so jealous, as I see things he should have shown it sooner, but he lets it go on for months. And then to call him out, reckoning on Fédya not fighting because he owed him money! What baseness! What meanness! I know you understand Fédya, my dear count; that, believe me, is why I am so fond of you. Few people do understand him. He is such a lofty, heavenly soul!


I know people consider me a bad man! Let them! I don’t care a straw about anyone but those I love; but those I love, I love so that I would give my life for them, and the others I’d throttle if they stood in my way. I have an adored, a priceless mother, and two or three friends—you among them—and as for the rest I only care about them in so far as they are harmful or useful. And most of them are harmful, especially the women. Yes, dear boy. I have met loving, noble, high-minded men, but I have not yet met any women—countesses or cooks—who were not venal. I have not yet met that divine purity and devotion I look for in women. If I found such a one I’d give my life for her! But those!... And believe me, if I still value my life it is only because I still hope to meet such a divine creature, who will regenerate, purify, and elevate me. But you don’t understand it.


Oh, yes, I quite understand,


There’s nothing for me to understand, he is wicked and heartless. There now, I like your Denísov though he is a rake and all that, still I like him; so you see I do understand. I don’t know how to put it... with this one everything is calculated, and I don’t like that. But Denísov...


Oh, Denísov is quite different, you must understand what a soul there is in Dólokhov, you should see him with his mother. What a heart!


Well, I don’t know about that, but I am uncomfortable with him. And do you know he has fallen in love with Sónya?


What nonsense...


I’m certain of it; you’ll see.


Nicholas, will you come to Iogel’s? Please do! He asked you, and Vasíli Dmítrich * is also going.


Where would I not go at the countess’ command! I’m even weady to dance the pas de châle.


If I have time. But I promised the Arkhárovs; they have a party. And you?


Perhaps,


And I was looking for you. I told you, but you would not believe it. He has proposed to Sónya!


That’s capital; of course she’ll forget her childish promises and accept the offer,


And fancy! she refused him quite definitely! she told him she loved another.


Yes, my Sónya could not have done otherwise!


Much as Mamma pressed her, she refused, and I know she won’t change once she has said...


And Mamma pressed her!


Yes. Do you know, Nicholas—don’t be angry—but I know you will not marry her. I know, heaven knows how, but I know for certain that you won’t marry her.


Now you don’t know that at all! But I must talk to her. What a darling Sónya is!


Ah, she is indeed a darling! I’ll send her to you.


Sophie, if you wish to refuse one who is not only a brilliant and advantageous match but a splendid, noble fellow... he is my friend...


I have already refused,


If you are refusing for my sake, I am afraid that I...


Nicholas, don’t tell me that!


No, but I must. It may be arrogant of me, but still it is best to say it. If you refuse him on my account, I must tell you the whole truth. I love you, and I think I love you more than anyone else....


That is enough for me,


No, but I have been in love a thousand times and shall fall in love again, though for no one have I such a feeling of friendship, confidence, and love as I have for you. Then I am young. Mamma does not wish it. In a word, I make no promise. And I beg you to consider Dólokhov’s offer,


Don’t say that to me! I want nothing. I love you as a brother and always shall, and I want nothing more.


You are an angel: I am not worthy of you, but I am afraid of misleading you.


Oh, how delightful it is!


How sweet she is—she will be a weal beauty!


Who?


Countess Natásha. And how she dances! What gwace!


Who are you talking about?


About your sister,


My dear count, you were one of my best pupils—you must dance. Look how many charming young ladies—


No, my dear fellow, I’ll be a wallflower. Don’t you wecollect what bad use I made of your lessons?


Oh no! You were only inattentive, but you had talent—oh yes, you had talent!


This is not at all the thing. What sort of Polish mazuwka is this? But she does dance splendidly.


Go and choose Denísov. He is a real dancer, a wonder!


Please, Vasíli Dmítrich, do come!


Oh no, let me off, Countess,


Now then, Váska,


They coax me as if I were Váska the cat!


I’ll sing for you a whole evening,


Oh, the faiwy! She can do anything with me!


What does this mean?


It’s a long time since we met. Thanks for coming. I’ll just finish dealing, and then Ilyúshka will come with his chorus.


I called once or twice at your house,


You may punt. None but fools trust to luck in play. Or are you afraid to play with me?


Do you remember we had a talk about cards... ‘He’s a fool who trusts to luck, one should make certain,’ and I want to try. Well, you’d better not play. Bank, gentlemen! Why don’t you play?


I have no money with me,


I’ll trust you. Gentlemen. Please place your money on the cards or I may get muddled in the reckoning. Yes, you might, but I am afraid of getting the accounts mixed. So I ask you to put the money on your cards. Don’t stint yourself, we’ll settle afterwards. Leave it, you’ll win it back all the sooner. I lose to the others but win from you. Or are you afraid of me?


So you are not afraid to play with me? Yes, gentlemen, I’ve been told there’s a rumor going about Moscow that I’m a sharper, so I advise you to be careful.


Come now, deal!


Oh, those Moscow gossips!


Aah!


Still, don’t ruin yourself!


Six hundred rubles, ace, a corner, a nine... winning it back’s impossible... Oh, how pleasant it was at home!... The knave, double or quits... it can’t be!... And why is he doing this to me?


He knows of course what this loss means to me. He can’t want my ruin. Wasn’t he my friend? Wasn’t I fond of him? But it’s not his fault. What’s he to do if he has such luck?... And it’s not my fault either. I have done nothing wrong. Have I killed anyone, or insulted or wished harm to anyone? Why such a terrible misfortune? And when did it begin? Such a little while ago I came to this table with the thought of winning a hundred rubles to buy that casket for Mamma’s name day and then going home. I was so happy, so free, so lighthearted! And I did not realize how happy I was! When did that end and when did this new, terrible state of things begin? What marked the change? I sat all the time in this same place at this table, chose and placed cards, and watched those broad-boned agile hands in the same way. When did it happen and what has happened? I am well and strong and still the same and in the same place. No, it can’t be! Surely it will all end in nothing!


Supper, it’s time for supper! And here are the gypsies!


Well, won’t you go on? I had a splendid card all ready. It’s all up! I’m lost! Now a bullet through my brain—that’s all that’s left me! Come now, just this one more little card!


All right! All right! Twenty-one rubles,


It’s all the same to me. I only want to see whether you will let me win this ten, or beat it.


You owe forty-three thousand, Count. One does get tired sitting so long,


Yes, I’m tired too,


When am I to receive the money, Count?


I cannot pay it all immediately. Will you take an I.O.U.?


I say, Rostóv, you know the saying, ‘Lucky in love, unlucky at cards.’ Your cousin is in love with you, I know.


Oh, it’s terrible to feel oneself so in this man’s power,


Your cousin...


My cousin has nothing to do with this and it’s not necessary to mention her!


Then when am I to have it?


Tomorrow,


Splendid! Excellent! Another verse,


Everything’s still the same with them,


Ah, and here’s Nicholas!


Is Papa at home?


I am so glad you’ve come! We are enjoying ourselves! Vasíli Dmítrich is staying a day longer for my sake! Did you know?


No, Papa is not back yet,


Nicholas, have you come? Come here, dear!


All wight! All wight! It’s no good making excuses now! It’s your turn to sing the ba’cawolla—I entweat you!


What is the matter?


Oh, nothing. Will Papa be back soon?


I expect so.


Everything’s the same with them. They know nothing about it! Where am I to go? Why do they want to make her sing? How can she sing? There’s nothing to be happy about! My God, I’m a ruined and dishonored man! A bullet through my brain is the only thing left me—not singing! Go away? But where to? It’s one—let them sing!


Nikólenka, what is the matter?


No, I am too happy now to spoil my enjoyment by sympathy with anyone’s sorrow. No, I must be mistaken, he must be feeling happy, just as I am. Now, Sónya!


And what is she so pleased about? Why isn’t she dull and ashamed?


What is this? What has happened to her? How she is singing today! Oh mio crudele affetto. Oh mio crudele affetto. Oh, this senseless life of ours! All this misery, and money, and Dólokhov, and anger, and honor—it’s all nonsense... but this is real.... Now then, Natásha, now then, dearest! Now then, darling! How will she take that si? She’s taken it! Thank God! Ah, God! How fine! Did I really take it? How fortunate! What were losses, and Dólokhov, and words of honor?... All nonsense! One might kill and rob and yet be happy....


Well—had a good time?


Yes. Ah, it can’t be avoided! Papa, I have come on a matter of business. I was nearly forgetting. I need some money.


Dear me! I told you it would not be enough. How much?


Very much. I have lost a little, I mean a good deal, a great deal—forty three thousand.


What! To whom?... Nonsense!


I promised to pay tomorrow,


Well!...


It can’t be helped! It happens to everyone!


Yes, yes, it will be difficult, I fear, difficult to raise... happens to everybody! Yes, who has not done it?


Papa! Pa-pa! forgive me!


Mamma!... Mamma!... He has made me... Made what? Made, made me an offer, Mamma! Mamma!


Don’t, Natásha! What nonsense!


Nonsense, indeed! I am telling you the fact. I come to ask you what to do, and you call it ‘nonsense!’


If it is true that Monsieur Denísov has made you a proposal, tell him he is a fool, that’s all!


No, he’s not a fool!


Well then, what do you want? You’re all in love nowadays. Well, if you are in love, marry him! Good luck to you!


No, Mamma, I’m not in love with him, I suppose I’m not in love with him.


Well then, tell him so.


Mamma, are you cross? Don’t be cross, dear! Is it my fault?


No, but what is it, my dear? Do you want me to go and tell him?


No, I will do it myself, only tell me what to say. It’s all very well for you. You should have seen how he said it! I know he did not mean to say it, but it came out accidently.


Well, all the same, you must refuse him.


No, I mustn’t. I am so sorry for him! He’s so nice.


Well then, accept his offer. It’s high time for you to be married,


No, Mamma, but I’m so sorry for him. I don’t know how I’m to say it.


And there’s nothing for you to say. I shall speak to him myself,


No, not on any account! I will tell him myself, and you’ll listen at the door,


Nataly, decide my fate. It is in your hands.


Vasíli Dmítrich, I’m so sorry for you!... No, but you are so nice... but it won’t do...not that... but as a friend, I shall always love you.


Vasíli Dmítrich, I thank you for the honor, but my daughter is so young, and I thought that, as my son’s friend, you would have addressed yourself first to me. In that case you would not have obliged me to give this refusal.


Countess... Countess, I have done w’ong, but believe me, I so adore your daughter and all your family that I would give my life twice over... Well, good-by, Countess,


Will you have the portmanteaus brought in? And a bed got ready, and tea?


Is this good or bad? It is good for me, bad for another traveler, and for himself it’s unavoidable, because he needs money for food; the man said an officer had once given him a thrashing for letting a private traveler have the courier horses. But the officer thrashed him because he had to get on as quickly as possible. And I, shot Dólokhov because I considered myself injured, and Louis XVI was executed because they considered him a criminal, and a year later they executed those who executed him—also for some reason. What is bad? What is good? What should one love and what hate? What does one live for? And what am I? What is life, and what is death? What power governs all? You’ll die and all will end. You’ll die and know all, or cease asking. I have hundreds of rubles I don’t know what to do with, and she stands in her tattered cloak looking timidly at me. And what does she want the money for? As if that money could add a hair’s breadth to happiness or peace of mind. Can anything in the world make her or me less a prey to evil and death?—death which ends all and must come today or tomorrow—at any rate, in an instant as compared with eternity. And why did she resist her seducer when she loved him? God could not have put into her heart an impulse that was against His will. My wife—as she once was—did not struggle, and perhaps she was right. Nothing has been found out, nothing discovered. All we can know is that we know nothing. And that’s the height of human wisdom.


I make bold to ask your excellency to move a little for this gentleman,


No. Give me the book,


I have the pleasure of addressing Count Bezúkhov, if I am not mistaken. I have heard of you, my dear sir, and of your misfortune. Yes, misfortune! Call it what you please, I know that what happened to you in Moscow was a misfortune. I regret it very much, my dear sir. I have not referred to this out of curiosity, my dear sir, but for greater reasons. You are unhappy, my dear sir. You are young and I am old. I should like to help you as far as lies in my power.


Oh, yes! I am very grateful to you. Where are you traveling from?


But if for any reason you don’t feel inclined to talk to me, say so, my dear sir.


Oh no, not at all! On the contrary, I am very glad to make your acquaintance. Allow me to ask, are you a Mason?


Yes, I belong to the Brotherhood of the Freemasons. And in their name and my own I hold out a brotherly hand to you.


I am afraid. I am afraid I am very far from understanding—how am I to put it?—I am afraid my way of looking at the world is so opposed to yours that we shall not understand one another.


I know your outlook,


Just as I may suppose you to be deluded,


I should never dare to say that I know the truth,


I ought to tell you that I do not believe... do not believe in God,


Yes, you do not know Him, my dear sir,


Yes, yes, I am unhappy,


You know Him not, my dear sir, and so you are very unhappy. You do not know Him, but He is here, He is in me, He is in my words, He is in thee, and even in those blasphemous words thou hast just uttered!


If He were not,


He exists, but to understand Him is hard,


Who art thou? Thou dreamest that thou art wise because thou couldst utter those blasphemous words,


He is not to be apprehended by reason, but by life,


I do not understand. I don’t understand,


The highest wisdom and truth are like the purest liquid we may wish to imbibe,


Yes, yes, that is so,


The highest wisdom is not founded on reason alone, not on those worldly sciences of physics, history, chemistry, and the like, into which intellectual knowledge is divided. The highest wisdom is one. The highest wisdom has but one science—the science of the whole—the science explaining the whole creation and man’s place in it. To receive that science it is necessary to purify and renew one’s inner self, and so before one can know, it is necessary to believe and to perfect one’s self. And to attain this end, we have the light called conscience that God has implanted in our souls.


Yes, yes,


Look then at thy inner self with the eyes of the spirit, and ask thyself whether thou art content with thyself. What hast thou attained relying on reason only? What art thou? You are young, you are rich, you are clever, you are well educated. And what have you done with all these good gifts? Are you content with yourself and with your life?


No, I hate my life,


Thou hatest it. Then change it, purify thyself; and as thou art purified, thou wilt gain wisdom. Look at your life, my dear sir. How have you spent it? In riotous orgies and debauchery, receiving everything from society and giving nothing in return. You have become the possessor of wealth. How have you used it? What have you done for your neighbor? Have you ever thought of your tens of thousands of slaves? Have you helped them physically and morally? No! You have profited by their toil to lead a profligate life. That is what you have done. Have you chosen a post in which you might be of service to your neighbor? No! You have spent your life in idleness. Then you married, my dear sir—took on yourself responsibility for the guidance of a young woman; and what have you done? You have not helped her to find the way of truth, my dear sir, but have thrust her into an abyss of deceit and misery. A man offended you and you shot him, and you say you do not know God and hate your life. There is nothing strange in that, my dear sir!


How about the horses?


The exchange horses have just come. Will you not rest here?


No, tell them to harness.


Where are you going to now, my dear sir?


I?... I’m going to Petersburg. I thank you. I agree with all you have said. But do not suppose me to be so bad. With my whole soul I wish to be what you would have me be, but I have never had help from anyone.... But it is I, above all, who am to blame for everything. Help me, teach me, and perhaps I may...


Help comes from God alone, but such measure of help as our Order can bestow it will render you, my dear sir. You are going to Petersburg. Hand this to Count Willarski


Allow me to give you a piece of advice. When you reach the capital, first of all devote some time to solitude and self-examination and do not resume your former way of life. And now I wish you a good journey, my dear sir, and success.


I have come to you with a message and an offer, Count,


which I beg you to answer in all sincerity—not as a future Mason but as an honest man: have you renounced your former convictions—do you believe in God?


Yes... yes, I believe in God. Yes, I do believe in God,


My carriage is at your service.


Whatever happens to you, you must bear it all manfully if you have firmly resolved to join our Brotherhood. I wish you courage and success,


For what have you come hither?


Why have you, who do not believe in the truth of the light and who have not seen the light, come here? What do you seek from us? Wisdom, virtue, enlightenment?


Yes... I... I... desire regeneration,


Very well. Have you any idea of the means by which our holy Order will help you to reach your aim?


I... hope... for guidance... help... in regeneration. I imagine that Freemasonry is the fraternity and equality of men who have virtuous aims. I imagine...


Good! Have you sought for means of attaining your aim in religion?


No, I considered it erroneous and did not follow it. I have been an atheist,


You are seeking for truth in order to follow its laws in your life, therefore you seek wisdom and virtue. Is that not so?


Yes, yes,


Now I must disclose to you the chief aim of our Order, and if this aim coincides with yours, you may enter our Brotherhood with profit. The first and chief object of our Order, the foundation on which it rests and which no human power can destroy, is the preservation and handing on to posterity of a certain important mystery... which has come down to us from the remotest ages, even from the first man—a mystery on which perhaps the fate of mankind depends. But since this mystery is of such a nature that nobody can know or use it unless he be prepared by long and diligent self-purification, not everyone can hope to attain it quickly. Hence we have a secondary aim, that of preparing our members as much as possible to reform their hearts, to purify and enlighten their minds, by means handed on to us by tradition from those who have striven to attain this mystery, and thereby to render them capable of receiving it. By purifying and regenerating our members we try, thirdly, to improve the whole human race, offering it in our members an example of piety and virtue, and thereby try with all our might to combat the evil which sways the world. Think this over and I will come to you again.


In the seventh place, try, by the frequent thought of death, to bring yourself to regard it not as a dreaded foe, but as a friend that frees the soul grown weary in the labors of virtue from this distressful life, and leads it to its place of recompense and peace.


Yes, that must be so. It must be so, but I am still so weak that I love my life, the meaning of which is only now gradually opening before me.


I am ready for everything, that our Order delivers its teaching not in words only but also by other means, which may perhaps have a stronger effect on the sincere seeker after wisdom and virtue than mere words. This chamber with what you see therein should already have suggested to your heart, if it is sincere, more than words could do. You will perhaps also see in your further initiation a like method of enlightenment. Our Order imitates the ancient societies that explained their teaching by hieroglyphics. A hieroglyph, is an emblem of something not cognizable by the senses but which possesses qualities resembling those of the symbol. If you are resolved, I must begin your initiation. In token of generosity I ask you to give me all your valuables.


But I have nothing here,


What you have with you: watch, money, rings.... In token of obedience, I ask you to undress.


And now, in token of candor, I ask you to reveal to me your chief passion,


My passion! I have had so many,


That passion which more than all others caused you to waver on the path of virtue,


Women,


For the last time I say to you—turn all your attention upon yourself, put a bridle on your senses, and seek blessedness, not in passion but in your own heart. The source of blessedness is not without us but within....


Yes, yes, I agree,


Now thou hast seen the lesser light,


Sic transit gloria mundi.


He must first receive the trowel,


Oh, hush, please!


Dear brother, these woman’s gloves are intended for you too. Give them to the woman whom you shall honor most of all. This gift will be a pledge of your purity of heart to her whom you select to be your worthy helpmeet in Masonry. But beware, dear brother, that these gloves do not deck hands that are unclean.


In our temples we recognize no other distinctions, but those between virtue and vice. Beware of making any distinctions which may infringe equality. Fly to a brother’s aid whoever he may be, exhort him who goeth astray, raise him that falleth, never bear malice or enmity toward thy brother. Be kindly and courteous. Kindle in all hearts the flame of virtue. Share thy happiness with thy neighbor, and may envy never dim the purity of that bliss. Forgive thy enemy, do not avenge thyself except by doing him good. Thus fulfilling the highest law thou shalt regain traces of the ancient dignity which thou hast lost.


My dear fellow, what have you been up to in Moscow? Why have you quarreled with Hélène, mon cher? You are under a delusion. I know all about it, and I can tell you positively that Hélène is as innocent before you as Christ was before the Jews. And why didn’t you simply come straight to me as to a friend? I know all about it and understand it all. You behaved as becomes a man who values his honor, perhaps too hastily, but we won’t go into that. But consider the position in which you are placing her and me in the eyes of society, and even of the court. She is living in Moscow and you are here. Remember, dear boy, it is simply a misunderstanding. I expect you feel it so yourself. Let us write her a letter at once, and she’ll come here and all will be explained, or else, my dear boy, let me tell you it’s quite likely you’ll have to suffer for it. I know from reliable sources that the Dowager Empress is taking a keen interest in the whole affair. You know she is very gracious to Hélène.


Now, dear boy, say ‘yes,’ and I’ll write to her myself, and we will kill the fatted calf.


Prince, I did not ask you here. Go, please go! Go!


What’s the matter with you? Are you ill?


Go!


A bit touched—I always said so.


I said from the first. I said at the time and before anyone else that that senseless young man was spoiled by the depraved ideas of these days. I said so even at the time when everybody was in raptures about him, when he had just returned from abroad, and when, if you remember, he posed as a sort of Marat at one of my soirees. And how has it ended? I was against this marriage even then and foretold all that has happened.


Whatever the European sovereigns and commanders may do to countenance Bonaparte, and to cause me, and us in general, annoyance and mortification, our opinion of Bonaparte cannot alter. We shall not cease to express our sincere views on that subject, and can only say to the King of Prussia and others: ‘So much the worse for you. Tu l’as voulu, George Dandin,’ that’s all we have to say about it!


Prince Hippolyte Kurágin—charming young fellow; M. Kronq,—chargé d’affaires from Copenhagen—a profound intellect. Mr. Shítov—a man of great merit


Vienna considers the bases of the proposed treaty so unattainable that not even a continuity of most brilliant successes would secure them, and she doubts the means we have of gaining them. That is the actual phrase used by the Vienna cabinet,


The doubt is flattering,


We must distinguish between the Vienna cabinet and the Emperor of Austria. The Emperor of Austria can never have thought of such a thing, it is only the cabinet that says it.


Ah, my dear vicomte. L’Urope L’Urope ne sera jamais notre alliée sincère.


You absolutely must come and see me. On Tuesday between eight and nine. It will give me great pleasure.


You know her husband, of course? Ah, she is such an unfortunate and charming woman! Don’t mention him before her—please don’t! It is too painful for her!


Le Roi de Prusse! Le Roi de Prusse?


It is the sword of Frederick the Great which I...


Le Roi de Prusse...


Come now, what about your Roi de Prusse?


Oh, it’s nothing. I only wished to say... I only wished to say that we are wrong to fight pour le Roi de Prusse!


Your joke is too bad, it’s witty but unjust. We are not fighting pour le Roi de Prusse, but for right principles. Oh, that wicked Prince Hippolyte!


You know N— N— received a snuffbox with the portrait last year? Why shouldn’t S— S— get the same distinction?


Pardon me! A snuffbox with the Emperor’s portrait is a reward but not a distinction, a gift, rather.


There are precedents, I may mention Schwarzenberg.


It’s impossible,


Will you bet? The ribbon of the order is a different matter....


It is of great importance to me,


Come to dinner tomorrow... in the evening. You must come.... Come!


If you please, your excellency, Pétrusha has brought some papers,


What is it?


My dear, better wait a bit... later...


Oh, leave off, you always talk nonsense and keep putting things off—and this is what comes of it!


My dear, really... it’s better not to wake him... he’s asleep,


Perhaps we’d really better not wake him,


As you please... really... I think so... but as you please,


Pétrusha has come with papers from your father,


Devil take them! Well?


Still the same. Wait, for heaven’s sake. Karl Ivánich always says that sleep is more important than anything,


Confound you and your Karl Ivánich!


Andrew, don’t!


But I wish it. I beg you—give it him!


Have just this moment received by special messenger very joyful news—if it’s not false. Bennigsen seems to have obtained a complete victory over Buonaparte at Eylau. In Petersburg everyone is rejoicing, and the rewards sent to the army are innumerable. Though he is a German—I congratulate him! I can’t make out what the commander at Kórchevo—a certain Khandrikóv—is up to; till now the additional men and provisions have not arrived. Gallop off to him at once and say I’ll have his head off if everything is not here in a week. Have received another letter about the Preussisch-Eylau battle from Pétenka—he took part in it—and it’s all true. When mischief-makers don’t meddle even a German beats Buonaparte. He is said to be fleeing in great disorder. Mind you gallop off to Kórchevo without delay and carry out instructions!


No, pardon me, I won’t go now till the child is better. Ah yes, and what else did he say that’s unpleasant? Yes, we have gained a victory over Bonaparte, just when I’m not serving. Yes, yes, he’s always poking fun at me.... Ah, well! Let him!


Since the day of our brilliant success at Austerlitz, as you know, my dear prince, I never leave headquarters. I have certainly acquired a taste for war, and it is just as well for me; what I have seen during these last three months is incredible. I begin ab ovo. The enemy of the human race, the enemy of the human race


I most ardently desire, that Your Majesty should be received and treated in my palace in a manner agreeable to yourself, and in so far as circumstances allowed, I have hastened to take all steps to that end. May I have succeeded!


The head of the garrison at Glogau, with ten thousand men, asks the King of Prussia what he is to do if he is summoned to surrender.... All this is absolutely true.


'From all my riding,' he writes to the Emperor, 'I have got a saddle sore which, coming after all my previous journeys, quite prevents my riding and commanding so vast an army, so I have passed on the command to the general next in seniority, Count Buxhöwden, having sent him my whole staff and all that belongs to it, advising him if there is a lack of bread, to move farther into the interior of Prussia, for only one day’s ration of bread remains, and in some regiments none at all, as reported by the division commanders, Ostermann and Sedmorétzki, and all that the peasants had has been eaten up. I myself will remain in hospital at Ostrolenka till I recover. In regard to which I humbly submit my report, with the information that if the army remains in its present bivouac another fortnight there will not be a healthy man left in it by spring.


Grant leave to retire to his country seat to an old man who is already in any case dishonored by being unable to fulfill the great and glorious task for which he was chosen. I shall await your most gracious permission here in hospital, that I may not have to play the part of a secretary rather than commander in the army. My removal from the army does not produce the slightest stir—a blind man has left it. There are thousands such as I in Russia.


The field marshal is angry with the Emperor and he punishes us all, isn’t it logical?


This is the first act. Those that follow are naturally increasingly interesting and entertaining. After the field marshal’s departure it appears that we are within sight of the enemy and must give battle. Buxhöwden is commander in chief by seniority, but General Bennigsen does not quite see it; more particularly as it is he and his corps who are within sight of the enemy and he wishes to profit by the opportunity to fight a battle ‘on his own hand’ as the Germans say. He does so. This is the battle of Pultúsk, which is considered a great victory but in my opinion was nothing of the kind. We civilians, as you know, have a very bad way of deciding whether a battle was won or lost. Those who retreat after a battle have lost it is what we say; and according to that it is we who lost the battle of Pultúsk. In short, we retreat after the battle but send a courier to Petersburg with news of a victory, and General Bennigsen, hoping to receive from Petersburg the post of commander in chief as a reward for his victory, does not give up the command of the army to General Buxhöwden. During this interregnum we begin a very original and interesting series of maneuvers. Our aim is no longer, as it should be, to avoid or attack the enemy, but solely to avoid General Buxhöwden who by right of seniority should be our chief. So energetically do we pursue this aim that after crossing an unfordable river we burn the bridges to separate ourselves from our enemy, who at the moment is not Bonaparte but Buxhöwden. General Buxhöwden was all but attacked and captured by a superior enemy force as a result of one of these maneuvers that enabled us to escape him. Buxhöwden pursues us—we scuttle. He hardly crosses the river to our side before we recross to the other. At last our enemy, Buxhöwden, catches us and attacks. Both generals are angry, and the result is a challenge on Buxhöwden’s part and an epileptic fit on Bennigsen’s. But at the critical moment the courier who carried the news of our victory at Pultúsk to Petersburg returns bringing our appointment as commander in chief, and our first foe, Buxhöwden, is vanquished; we can now turn our thoughts to the second, Bonaparte. But as it turns out, just at that moment a third enemy rises before us—namely the Orthodox Russian soldiers, loudly demanding bread, meat, biscuits, fodder, and whatnot! The stores are empty, the roads impassable. The Orthodox begin looting, and in a way of which our last campaign can give you no idea. Half the regiments form bands and scour the countryside and put everything to fire and sword. The inhabitants are totally ruined, the hospitals overflow with sick, and famine is everywhere. Twice the marauders even attack our headquarters, and the commander in chief has to ask for a battalion to disperse them. During one of these attacks they carried off my empty portmanteau and my dressing gown. The Emperor proposes to give all commanders of divisions the right to shoot marauders, but I much fear this will oblige one half the army to shoot the other.”


My dear,


He has perspired,


I was coming to tell you so.


Yes, this is the one thing left me now,


Yes, yes, do so.


How easy it is, how little effort it needs, to do so much good, and how little attention we pay to it!


Well, what is it? A visitor,


Ask him to wait,


Well, I did not expect you, I am very glad,


I can’t tell you how much I have lived through since then. I hardly know myself again.


Yes, we have altered much, very much, since then,


Well, and you? What are your plans?


Plans! My plans? Well, you see, I’m building. I mean to settle here altogether next year....


No, I meant to ask...


But why talk of me?... Talk to me, yes, tell me about your travels and all you have been doing on your estates. I’ll tell you what, my dear fellow. I am only bivouacking here and have just come to look round. I am going back to my sister today. I will introduce you to her. But of course you know her already. We will go after dinner. And would you now like to look round my place? However, this is not at all interesting. Let us have dinner, and then we’ll set off. I was very much surprised when I heard of it,


I will tell you some time how it all happened. But you know it is all over, and forever.


Forever? Nothing’s forever.


But you know how it all ended, don’t you? You heard of the duel?


And so you had to go through that too!


One thing I thank God for is that I did not kill that man,


Why so? To kill a vicious dog is a very good thing really.


No, to kill a man is bad—wrong.


Why is it wrong? It is not given to man to know what is right and what is wrong. Men always did and always will err, and in nothing more than in what they consider right and wrong.


What does harm to another is wrong,


And who has told you what is bad for another man?


Bad! Bad! We all know what is bad for ourselves.


Yes, we know that, but the harm I am conscious of in myself is something I cannot inflict on others. I only know two very real evils in life: remorse and illness. The only good is the absence of those evils. To live for myself avoiding those two evils is my whole philosophy now.


And love of one’s neighbor, and self-sacrifice? No, I can’t agree with you! To live only so as not to do evil and not to have to repent is not enough. I lived like that, I lived for myself and ruined my life. And only now when I am living, or at least trying to live for others, only now have I understood all the happiness of life. No, I shall not agree with you, and you do not really believe what you are saying.


When you see my sister, Princess Mary, you’ll get on with her. Perhaps you are right for yourself, but everyone lives in his own way. You lived for yourself and say you nearly ruined your life and only found happiness when you began living for others. I experienced just the reverse. I lived for glory.—And after all what is glory? The same love of others, a desire to do something for them, a desire for their approval.—So I lived for others, and not almost, but quite, ruined my life. And I have become calmer since I began to live only for myself.


But what do you mean by living only for yourself? What about your son, your sister, and your father?


But that’s just the same as myself—they are not others. The others, one’s neighbors, le prochain, as you and Princess Mary call it, are the chief source of all error and evil. Le prochain—your Kiev peasants to whom you want to do good.


You are joking. What error or evil can there be in my wishing to do good, and even doing a little—though I did very little and did it very badly? What evil can there be in it if unfortunate people, our serfs, people like ourselves, were growing up and dying with no idea of God and truth beyond ceremonies and meaningless prayers and are now instructed in a comforting belief in future life, retribution, recompense, and consolation? What evil and error are there in it, if people were dying of disease without help while material assistance could so easily be rendered, and I supplied them with a doctor, a hospital, and an asylum for the aged? And is it not a palpable, unquestionable good if a peasant, or a woman with a baby, has no rest day or night and I give them rest and leisure? And I have done that though badly and to a small extent; but I have done something toward it and you cannot persuade me that it was not a good action, and more than that, you can’t make me believe that you do not think so yourself. And the main thing is, that I know, and know for certain, that the enjoyment of doing this good is the only sure happiness in life.


Yes, if you put it like that it’s quite a different matter. I build a house and lay out a garden, and you build hospitals. The one and the other may serve as a pastime. But what’s right and what’s good must be judged by one who knows all, but not by us. Well, you want an argument, come on then. Come, let’s argue then. You talk of schools, education and so forth; that is, you want to raise him from his animal condition and awaken in him spiritual needs, while it seems to me that animal happiness is the only happiness possible, and that is just what you want to deprive him of. I envy him, but you want to make him what I am, without giving him my means. Then you say, ‘lighten his toil.’ But as I see it, physical labor is as essential to him, as much a condition of his existence, as mental activity is to you or me. You can’t help thinking. I go to bed after two in the morning, thoughts come and I can’t sleep but toss about till dawn, because I think and can’t help thinking, just as he can’t help plowing and mowing; if he didn’t, he would go to the drink shop or fall ill. Just as I could not stand his terrible physical labor but should die of it in a week, so he could not stand my physical idleness, but would grow fat and die. The third thing—what else was it you talked about? Ah, yes, hospitals, medicine. He has a fit, he is dying, and you come and bleed him and patch him up. He will drag about as a cripple, a burden to everybody, for another ten years. It would be far easier and simpler for him to die. Others are being born and there are plenty of them as it is. It would be different if you grudged losing a laborer—that’s how I regard him—but you want to cure him from love of him. And he does not want that. And besides, what a notion that medicine ever cured anyone! Killed them, yes!


Oh, that is dreadful, dreadful! I don’t understand how one can live with such ideas. I had such moments myself not long ago, in Moscow and when traveling, but at such times I collapsed so that I don’t live at all—everything seems hateful to me... myself most of all. Then I don’t eat, don’t wash... and how is it with you?...


Why not wash? That is not cleanly, on the contrary one must try to make one’s life as pleasant as possible. I’m alive, that is not my fault, so I must live out my life as best I can without hurting others.


But with such ideas what motive have you for living? One would sit without moving, undertaking nothing....


Life as it is leaves one no peace. I should be thankful to do nothing, but here on the one hand the local nobility have done me the honor to choose me to be their marshal; it was all I could do to get out of it. They could not understand that I have not the necessary qualifications for it—the kind of good-natured, fussy shallowness necessary for the position. Then there’s this house, which must be built in order to have a nook of one’s own in which to be quiet. And now there’s this recruiting.


Why aren’t you serving in the army?


After Austerlitz! No, thank you very much! I have promised myself not to serve again in the active Russian army. And I won’t—not even if Bonaparte were here at Smolénsk threatening Bald Hills—even then I wouldn’t serve in the Russian army! Well, as I was saying, now there’s this recruiting. My father is chief in command of the Third District, and my only way of avoiding active service is to serve under him.


Then you are serving?


I am.


And why do you serve?


Why, for this reason! My father is one of the most remarkable men of his time. But he is growing old, and though not exactly cruel he has too energetic a character. He is so accustomed to unlimited power that he is terrible, and now he has this authority of a commander in chief of the recruiting, granted by the Emperor. If I had been two hours late a fortnight ago he would have had a paymaster’s clerk at Yúkhnovna hanged. So I am serving because I alone have any influence with my father, and now and then can save him from actions which would torment him afterwards.


Well, there you see!


Yes, but it is not as you imagine. I did not, and do not, in the least care about that scoundrel of a clerk who had stolen some boots from the recruits; I should even have been very glad to see him hanged, but I was sorry for my father—that again is for myself. There now, you wish to liberate your serfs, that is a very good thing, but not for you—I don’t suppose you ever had anyone flogged or sent to Siberia—and still less for your serfs. If they are beaten, flogged, or sent to Siberia, I don’t suppose they are any the worse off. In Siberia they lead the same animal life, and the stripes on their bodies heal, and they are happy as before. But it is a good thing for proprietors who perish morally, bring remorse upon themselves, stifle this remorse and grow callous, as a result of being able to inflict punishments justly and unjustly. It is those people I pity, and for their sake I should like to liberate the serfs. You may not have seen, but I have seen, how good men brought up in those traditions of unlimited power, in time when they grow more irritable, become cruel and harsh, are conscious of it, but cannot restrain themselves and grow more and more miserable.


So that’s what I’m sorry for—human dignity, peace of mind, purity, and not the serfs’ backs and foreheads, which, beat and shave as you may, always remain the same backs and foreheads. No, no! A thousand times no! I shall never agree with you,


No, but why do you think so? why do you think so? You should not think so.


Think? What about?


About life, about man’s destiny. It can’t be so. I myself thought like that, and do you know what saved me? Freemasonry! No, don’t smile. Freemasonry is not a religious ceremonial sect, as I thought it was: Freemasonry is the best expression of the best, the eternal, aspects of humanity. Only our holy brotherhood has the real meaning of life, all the rest is a dream. Understand, my dear fellow, that outside this union all is filled with deceit and falsehood and I agree with you that nothing is left for an intelligent and good man but to live out his life, like you, merely trying not to harm others. But make our fundamental convictions your own, join our brotherhood, give yourself up to us, let yourself be guided, and you will at once feel yourself, as I have felt myself, a part of that vast invisible chain the beginning of which is hidden in heaven,


Well, what do you think about it? Why are you silent?


What do I think about it? I am listening to you. It’s all very well.... You say: join our brotherhood and we will show you the aim of life, the destiny of man, and the laws which govern the world. But who are we? Men. How is it you know everything? Why do I alone not see what you see? You see a reign of goodness and truth on earth, but I don’t see it.


Do you believe in a future life?


A future life?


You say you can’t see a reign of goodness and truth on earth. Nor could I, and it cannot be seen if one looks on our life here as the end of everything. On earth, here on this earth there is no truth, all is false and evil; but in the universe, in the whole universe there is a kingdom of truth, and we who are now the children of earth are—eternally—children of the whole universe. Don’t I feel in my soul that I am part of this vast harmonious whole? Don’t I feel that I form one link, one step, between the lower and higher beings, in this vast harmonious multitude of beings in whom the Deity—the Supreme Power if you prefer the term—is manifest? If I see, clearly see, that ladder leading from plant to man, why should I suppose it breaks off at me and does not go farther and farther? I feel that I cannot vanish, since nothing vanishes in this world, but that I shall always exist and always have existed. I feel that beyond me and above me there are spirits, and that in this world there is truth.


Yes, that is Herder’s theory, but it is not that which can convince me, dear friend—life and death are what convince. What convinces is when one sees a being dear to one, bound up with one’s own life, before whom one was to blame and had hoped to make it right and suddenly that being is seized with pain, suffers, and ceases to exist.... Why? It cannot be that there is no answer. And I believe there is.... That’s what convinces, that is what has convinced me,


Yes, yes, of course, isn’t that what I’m saying?


No. All I say is that it is not argument that convinces me of the necessity of a future life, but this: when you go hand in hand with someone and all at once that person vanishes there, into nowhere, and you yourself are left facing that abyss, and look in. And I have looked in....


Well, that’s it then! You know that there is a there and there is a Someone? There is the future life. The Someone is—God. If there is a God and future life, there is truth and good, and man’s highest happiness consists in striving to attain them. We must live, we must love, and we must believe that we live not only today on this scrap of earth, but have lived and shall live forever, there, in the Whole,


Yes, if it only were so! However, it is time to get on,


Those are Mary’s ‘God’s folk,’ They have mistaken us for my father. This is the one matter in which she disobeys him. He orders these pilgrims to be driven away, but she receives them. Let us go and see my sister. I have not found her yet, she is hiding now, sitting with her ‘God’s folk.’ It will serve her right, she will be confused, but you will see her ‘God’s folk.’ It’s really very curious.


What are ‘God’s folk’?


Andrew, why didn’t you warn me? Charmée de vous voir. Je suis très contente de vous voir,


Il faut que vous sachiez que c’est une femme,


Andrew, au nom de Dieu!


Mais, ma bonne amie, vous devriez au contraire m’être reconnaissante de ce que j’explique à Pierre votre intimité avec ce jeune homme.


Really?


Where have you been? To Kiev?


I have, good sir. Just at Christmastime I was deemed worthy to partake of the holy and heavenly sacrament at the shrine of the saint. And now I’m from Kolyázin, master, where a great and wonderful blessing has been revealed.


I go by myself, benefactor. I only came across Pelagéya in Yúkhnovo....


In Kolyázin, master, a wonderful blessing has been revealed.


Andrew, do leave off,


Don’t tell him, Pelagéya.


No... why not, my dear, why shouldn’t I? I like him. He is kind, he is one of God’s chosen, he’s a benefactor, he once gave me ten rubles, I remember. When I was in Kiev, Crazy Cyril says to me (he’s one of God’s own and goes barefoot summer and winter), he says, ‘Why are you not going to the right place? Go to Kolyázin where a wonder-working icon of the Holy Mother of God has been revealed.’ On hearing those words I said good-by to the holy folk and went. So I come, master, and the people say to me: ‘A great blessing has been revealed, holy oil trickles from the cheeks of our blessed Mother, the Holy Virgin Mother of God.’...


All right, all right, you can tell us afterwards,


Did you see it yourselves?


Oh, yes, master, I was found worthy. Such a brightness on the face like the light of heaven, and from the blessed Mother’s cheek it drops and drops....


But, dear me, that must be a fraud!


Oh, master, what are you saying?


They impose on the people,


Lord Jesus Christ! Oh, don’t speak so, master! There was a general who did not believe, and said, ‘The monks cheat,’ and as soon as he’d said it he went blind. And he dreamed that the Holy Virgin Mother of the Kiev catacombs came to him and said, ‘Believe in me and I will make you whole.’ So he begged: ‘Take me to her, take me to her.’ It’s the real truth I’m telling you, I saw it myself. So he was brought, quite blind, straight to her, and he goes up to her and falls down and says, ‘Make me whole,’ says he, ‘and I’ll give thee what the Tsar bestowed on me.’ I saw it myself, master, the star is fixed into the icon. Well, and what do you think? He received his sight! It’s a sin to speak so. God will punish you,


How did the star get into the icon?


And was the Holy Mother promoted to the rank of general?


Oh, master, master, what a sin! And you who have a son! Master, what have you said? God forgive you! Lord forgive him! My dear, what does it mean?...


Now, why need you do it? Why did you come to me?...


Come, Pelagéya, I was joking. Princesse, ma parole, je n’ai pas voulu l’offenser. I did not mean anything, I was only joking. It was all my fault, and Andrew was only joking.


I’d pray awhile to one, ponder awhile, then go on to another. I’d sleep a bit and then again go and kiss the relics, and there was such peace all around, such blessedness, that one don’t want to come out, even into the light of heaven again.


You are very kind,


Oh, I really did not mean to hurt her feelings. I understand them so well and have the greatest respect for them.


I have known you a long time, you see, and am as fond of you as of a brother. How do you find Andrew? I am very anxious about him. His health was better in the winter, but last spring his wound reopened and the doctor said he ought to go away for a cure. And I am also very much afraid for him spiritually. He has not a character like us women who, when we suffer, can weep away our sorrows. He keeps it all within him. Today he is cheerful and in good spirits, but that is the effect of your visit—he is not often like that. If you could persuade him to go abroad. He needs activity, and this quiet regular life is very bad for him. Others don’t notice it, but I see it.


Who’s that? Ah! Very glad! Kiss me. Drain the blood from men’s veins and put in water instead, then there will be no more war! Old women’s nonsense—old women’s nonsense! The marshal, a Count Rostóv, hasn’t sent half his contingent. He came to town and wanted to invite me to dinner—I gave him a pretty dinner!... And there, look at this.... Well, my boy. A fine fellow—your friend—I like him! He stirs me up. Another says clever things and one doesn’t care to listen, but this one talks rubbish yet stirs an old fellow up. Well, go! Get along! Perhaps I’ll come and sit with you at supper. We’ll have another dispute. Make friends with my little fool, Princess Mary,


The count has come!


Say what you like.... She is like a sister to me, and I can’t tell you how it offended me... because... well, for that reason....


Ah, what a mad bweed you Wostóvs are!


I ordered you not to let them eat that Máshka woot stuff! And I saw with my own eyes how Lazarchúk bwought some fwom the fields.


I have given the order again and again, your honor, but they don’t obey,


Let him fuss and bustle now, my job’s done and I’m lying down—capitally!


Saddle! Second platoon!


Where are they off to now?


Let God and our gweat monarch judge me afterwards!


There now, Denísov has been worrying, and here are the provisions.


So they are! Won’t the soldiers be glad!


I warn you, Captain,


Haven’t I told you I won’t give them up?


You will answer for it, Captain. It is mutiny—seizing the transport of one’s own army. Our men have had nothing to eat for two days.


And mine have had nothing for two weeks,


It is robbery! You’ll answer for it, sir!


Now, what are you pestewing me for? I shall answer for it and not you, and you’d better not buzz about here till you get hurt. Be off! Go!


Very well, then! If you are determined to rob, I’ll...


Go to the devil! quick ma’ch, while you’re safe and sound!


Very well, very well!


A dog astwide a fence! A weal dog astwide a fence! I’ve taken twansports from the infantwy by force! After all, can’t let our men starve.


This is how I look at this affair: I know nothing about it and won’t begin proceedings, but I advise you to ride over to the staff and settle the business there in the commissariat department and if possible sign a receipt for such and such stores received. If not, as the demand was booked against an infantry regiment, there will be a row and the affair may end badly.


Twy me for wobbewy... oh! Some more water... Let them twy me, but I’ll always thwash scoundwels... and I’ll tell the Empewo’... Ice... I get there, 'Now then, where’s your chief’s quarters?' They were pointed out. 'Please to wait.' 'I’ve widden twenty miles and have duties to attend to and no time to wait. Announce me.' Vewy well, so out comes their head chief—also took it into his head to lecture me: 'It’s wobbewy!'—'Wobbewy,' I say, 'is not done by man who seizes pwovisions to feed his soldiers, but by him who takes them to fill his own pockets!' 'Will you please be silent?' 'Vewy good!' Then he says: 'Go and give a weceipt to the commissioner, but your affair will be passed on to headquarters.' I go to the commissioner. I enter, and at the table... who do you think? No, but wait a bit!... Who is it that’s starving us? Telyánin! ‘What? So it’s you who’s starving us to death! Is it? Take this and this!’ and I hit him so pat, stwaight on his snout... ‘Ah, what a... what a...!’ and I sta’ted fwashing him... Well, I’ve had a bit of fun I can tell you! I’d have killed him if they hadn’t taken him away!


But what are you shouting for? Calm yourself. You’ve set your arm bleeding afresh. Wait, we must tie it up again.


I can’t tear myself to pieces. Come to Makár Alexéevich in the evening. I shall be there. Oh, do the best you can! Isn’t it all the same? What do you want, sir?


What do you want? The bullets having spared you, do you want to try typhus? This is a pesthouse, sir.


How so?


Typhus, sir. It’s death to go in. Only we two, Makéev and I keep on here. Some five of us doctors have died in this place.... When a new one comes he is done for in a week,


Four hundred, sir, and they’re always sending me fresh ones. There are four hundred? Eh?


Major Denísov. He was wounded at Molliten.


Dead, I fancy. Eh, Makéev? Is he tall and with reddish hair? There was one like that. That one is dead, I fancy. However, I’ll look up our list. We had a list. Have you got it, Makéev?


But if you’ll step into the officers’ wards you’ll see for yourself,


Ah, you’d better not go, sir, or you may have to stay here yourself. Only don’t blame me!


May I go in and look?


What is there to see?


Who looks after the sick here?


Good day, your honor!


Get him to his place and give him some water,


Yes, your honor,


And how we’ve been begging, your honor. He’s been dead since morning. After all we’re men, not dogs.


I’ll send someone at once. He shall be taken away—taken away at once. Let us go, your honor.


See where we’ve met again! Túshin, Túshin, don’t you remember, who gave you a lift at Schön Grabern? And I’ve had a bit cut off, you see... Looking for Vasíli Dmítrich Denísov? My neighbor. Here, here,


Ah, Wostóv? How are you, how are you?


Me petition the Empewo’! What for? If I were a wobber I would ask mercy, but I’m being court-martialed for bwinging wobbers to book. Let them twy me, I’m not afwaid of anyone. I’ve served the Tsar and my countwy honowably and have not stolen! And am I to be degwaded?... Listen, I’m w’iting to them stwaight. This is what I say: ‘If I had wobbed the Tweasuwy...’


It’s certainly well written, but that’s not the point, Vasíli Dmítrich. One has to submit, and Vasíli Dmítrich doesn’t want to. You know the auditor told you it was a bad business.


Well, let it be bad,


The auditor wrote out a petition for you, and you ought to sign it and ask this gentleman to take it. No doubt he has connections on the staff. You won’t find a better opportunity.


Haven’t I said I’m not going to gwovel?


Yes, wait a bit. It seems it’s no use knocking one’s head against a wall! Hand it in. It seems...


I should like to see the great man,


You are speaking of Buonaparte?


I am speaking, Prince, of the Emperor Napoleon,


You will go far,


Ah, it’s you? Very glad, very glad to see you,


I’ve come at a bad time I think. I should not have come, but I have business,


No, I only wonder how you managed to get away from your regiment. Dans un moment je suis à vous,


I see I’m intruding,


Oh, come now! As if you could come at a wrong time! Count Zhilínski—le Comte N. N.—le Capitaine S. S.,


the latter had probably come to Tilsit to see the Emperor.


No, I came on business,


And what is he sitting here for?


Anyhow, I’m in your way. Come and talk over my business and I’ll go away.


Oh, no, not at all. But if you are tired, come and lie down in my room and have a rest.


Yes, really...


I have heard of such cases and know that His Majesty is very severe in such affairs. I think it would be best not to bring it before the Emperor, but to apply to the commander of the corps.... But in general, I think...


So you don’t want to do anything? Well then, say so!


On the contrary, I will do what I can. Only I thought...


Well then, go, go, go...


Borís doesn’t want to help me and I don’t want to ask him. That’s settled. All is over between us, but I won’t leave here without having done all I can for Denísov and certainly not without getting his letter to the Emperor. The Emperor!... He is here! I may see him at any moment. If only I were to hand the letter direct to him and tell him all... could they really arrest me for my civilian clothes? Surely not! He would understand on whose side justice lies. He understands everything, knows everything. Who can be more just, more magnanimous than he? And even if they did arrest me for being here, what would it matter? After all, people do go in.... It’s all nonsense! I’ll go in and hand the letter to the Emperor myself so much the worse for Drubetskóy who drives me to it! No, I won’t miss my opportunity now, as I did after Austerlitz. I will fall at his feet and beseech him. He will lift me up, will listen, and will even thank me. ‘I am happy when I can do good, but to remedy injustice is the greatest happiness,’


Whom do you want?


To hand in a letter, a petition, to His Majesty,


A petition? This way, to the officer on duty only it won’t be accepted.


A good figure and in her first bloom. What is it? A petition?


What is it?


Another petitioner,


Tell him to come later. He’ll be coming out directly, we must go.


Later... later! Tomorrow. It’s too late... Whom have you come from? Who are you?


I come from Major Denísov,


Are you an officer?


Lieutenant Count Rostóv.


What audacity! Hand it in through your commander. And go along with you... go,


What are you doing here, sir, in civilian dress? I’m sorry, sorry for that fine fellow. Give me the letter.


I cannot do it, General. I cannot, because the law is stronger than I,


Hurrah! Vive l’Empereur!


something to Alexander


Sire, I ask your permission to present the Legion of Honor to the bravest of your soldiers. To him who has borne himself most bravely in this last war,


Will Your Majesty allow me to consult the colonel?


To whom shall it be given?


To whomever Your Majesty commands.


But we must give him an answer.


Can it be me?


Lázarev!


Where are you off to? Stop here!


What d’you think of the treat? All on silver plate. Have you seen Lázarev?


I have.


Tomorrow, I hear, the Preobrazhénskis will give them a dinner.


Yes, but what luck for Lázarev! Twelve hundred francs’ pension for life.


Here’s a cap, lads!


It’s a fine thing! First-rate!


Have you heard the password? The day before yesterday it was ‘Napoléon, France, bravoure’; yesterday, ‘Alexandre, Russie, grandeur.’ One day our Emperor gives it and next day Napoleon. Tomorrow our Emperor will send a St. George’s Cross to the bravest of the French Guards. It has to be done. He must respond in kind.


Rostóv! How d’you do? We missed one another,


Nothing, nothing,


You’ll call round?


Yes, I will.


How can you judge what’s best? How can you judge the Emperor’s actions? What right have we to argue? We cannot comprehend either the Emperor’s aims or his actions!


But I never said a word about the Emperor!


We are not diplomatic officials, we are soldiers and nothing more. If we are ordered to die, we must die. If we’re punished, it means that we have deserved it, it’s not for us to judge. If the Emperor pleases to recognize Bonaparte as Emperor and to conclude an alliance with him, it means that that is the right thing to do. If once we begin judging and arguing about everything, nothing sacred will be left! That way we shall be saying there is no God—nothing! Our business is to do our duty, to fight and not to think! That’s all....


And to drink,


Yes, and to drink. Hullo there! Another bottle!


How pleasant it is, your excellency!


What?


It’s pleasant, your excellency!


What is he talking about? Oh, the spring, I suppose. Yes, really everything is green already.... How early! The birches and cherry and alders too are coming out.... But the oaks show no sign yet. Ah, here is one oak!


Spring, love, happiness! Are you not weary of that stupid, meaningless, constantly repeated fraud? Always the same and always a fraud? There is no spring, no sun, no happiness! Look at those cramped dead firs, ever the same, and at me too, sticking out my broken and barked fingers just where they have grown, whether from my back or my sides: as they have grown so I stand, and I do not believe in your hopes and your lies.


Yes, the oak is right, a thousand times right. Let others—the young—yield afresh to that fraud, but we know life, our life is finished!


What is she so glad about? What is she thinking of? Not of the military regulations or of the arrangement of the Ryazán serfs’ quitrents. Of what is she thinking? Why is she so happy?


What is she thinking about? Why is she so glad?


Just once more. Sire,


But when are you coming to bed?


I won’t, I can’t sleep, what’s the use? Come now for the last time.


Oh, how lovely! Now go to sleep, and there’s an end of it.


You go to sleep, but I can’t. Sónya! Sónya! Oh, how can you sleep? Only look how glorious it is! Ah, how glorious! Do wake up, Sónya! There never, never was such a lovely night before! Do just come and see what a moon!... Oh, how lovely! Come here.... Darling, sweetheart, come here! There, you see? I feel like sitting down on my heels, putting my arms round my knees like this, straining tight, as tight as possible, and flying away! Like this....


Take care, you’ll fall out. It’s past one o’clock.


Oh, you only spoil things for me. All right, go, go! O God, O God! What does it mean? To bed then, if it must be!


My dear, little Nicholas can’t go out today, it’s very cold.


If it were hot, he could go out in his smock, but as it is cold he must wear warm clothes, which were designed for that purpose. That is what follows from the fact that it is cold; and not that a child who needs fresh air should remain at home,


Síla Andréevich


Uncle will give it to us hot,


To the right, at the window.


What is your petition?


I am not petitioning, your excellency,


Sit down. Prince Bolkónski?


I am not petitioning about anything. His Majesty the Emperor has deigned to send your excellency a project submitted by me...


You see, my dear sir, I have read your project. You are proposing new military laws? There are many laws but no one to carry out the old ones. Nowadays everybody designs laws, it is easier writing than doing.


I came at His Majesty the Emperor’s wish to learn from your excellency how you propose to deal with the memorandum I have presented,


I have endorsed a resolution on your memorandum and sent it to the committee. I do not approve of it. Here! Unsoundly constructed because resembles an imitation of the French military code and from the Articles of War needlessly deviating.


To what committee has the memorandum been referred?


To the Committee on Army Regulations, and I have recommended that your honor should be appointed a member, but without a salary.


I don’t want one.


A member without salary. I have the honor... Eh! Call the next one! Who else is there?


Mon cher, even in this case you can’t do without Michael Mikháylovich Speránski. He manages everything. I’ll speak to him. He has promised to come this evening.


What has Speránski to do with the army regulations?


We were talking to him about you a few days ago, and about your freed plowmen.


Oh, is it you, Prince, who have freed your serfs?


It was a small estate that brought in no profit,


Afraid of being late... There’s one thing I don’t understand. Who will plow the land if they are set free? It is easy to write laws, but difficult to rule.... Just the same as now—I ask you, Count—who will be heads of the departments when everybody has to pass examinations?


Those who pass the examinations, I suppose,


Well, I have Pryánichnikov serving under me, a splendid man, a priceless man, but he’s sixty. Is he to go up for examination?


Yes, that’s a difficulty, as education is not at all general, but...


I am very glad to make your acquaintance. I had heard of you, as everyone has. The chairman of the Committee on Army Regulations is my good friend Monsieur Magnítski, and if you like I can put you in touch with him. I hope you will find him sympathetic and ready to co-operate in promoting all that is reasonable.


I had no chance to talk with you, Prince, during the animated conversation in which that venerable gentleman involved me. I have known of you for a long time: first from your action with regard to your serfs, a first example, of which it is very desirable that there should be more imitators; and secondly because you are one of those gentlemen of the chamber who have not considered themselves offended by the new decree concerning the ranks allotted to courtiers, which is causing so much gossip and tittle-tattle.


No, my father did not wish me to take advantage of the privilege. I began the service from the lower grade.


Your father, a man of the last century, evidently stands above our contemporaries who so condemn this measure which merely re-establishes natural justice.


I think, however, that these condemnations have some ground,


Grounds of personal ambition maybe,


And of state interest to some extent,


What do you mean?


I am an admirer of Montesquieu, and his idea that le principe des monarchies est l’honneur me paraît incontestable. Certains droits et privilèges de la noblesse me paraissent être des moyens de soutenir ce sentiment.


Si vous envisagez la question sous ce point de vue. If you regard the question from that point of view. An institution upholding honor, the source of emulation, is one similar to the Légion d’honneur of the great Emperor Napoleon, not harmful but helpful to the success of the service, but not a class or court privilege.


I do not dispute that, but it cannot be denied that court privileges have attained the same end. Every courtier considers himself bound to maintain his position worthily.


Yet you do not care to avail yourself of the privilege, Prince. If you will do me the honor of calling on me on Wednesday. I will, after talking with Magnítski, let you know what may interest you, and shall also have the pleasure of a more detailed chat with you.


We regard everything that is above the common level of rooted custom... But we want the wolves to be fed and the sheep to be safe... They cannot understand this... We, you and I, understand what they are and who we are.


And that is all the state has for the millions it has spent. We want to give the Senate new juridical powers, but we have no laws. That is why it is a sin for men like you, Prince, not to serve in these times! But nobody possesses it, so what would you have? It is a vicious circle from which we must break a way out.


Dear Brothers, it is not sufficient to observe our mysteries in the seclusion of our lodge—we must act—act! We are drowsing, but we must act. For the dissemination of pure truth and to secure the triumph of virtue, we must cleanse men from prejudice, diffuse principles in harmony with the spirit of the times, undertake the education of the young, unite ourselves in indissoluble bonds with the wisest men, boldly yet prudently overcome superstitions, infidelity, and folly, and form of those devoted to us a body linked together by unity of purpose and possessed of authority and power. To attain this end we must secure a preponderance of virtue over vice and must endeavor to secure that the honest man may, even in this world, receive a lasting reward for his virtue. But in these great endeavors we are gravely hampered by the political institutions of today. What is to be done in these circumstances? To favor revolutions, overthrow everything, repel force by force?... No! We are very far from that. Every violent reform deserves censure, for it quite fails to remedy evil while men remain what they are, and also because wisdom needs no violence. The whole plan of our order should be based on the idea of preparing men of firmness and virtue bound together by unity of conviction—aiming at the punishment of vice and folly, and patronizing talent and virtue: raising worthy men from the dust and attaching them to our Brotherhood. Only then will our order have the power unobtrusively to bind the hands of the protectors of disorder and to control them without their being aware of it. In a word, we must found a form of government holding universal sway, which should be diffused over the whole world without destroying the bonds of citizenship, and beside which all other governments can continue in their customary course and do everything except what impedes the great aim of our order, which is to obtain for virtue the victory over vice. This aim was that of Christianity itself. It taught men to be wise and good and for their own benefit to follow the example and instruction of the best and wisest men. At that time, when everything was plunged in darkness, preaching alone was of course sufficient. The novelty of Truth endowed her with special strength, but now we need much more powerful methods. It is now necessary that man, governed by his senses, should find in virtue a charm palpable to those senses. It is impossible to eradicate the passions; but we must strive to direct them to a noble aim, and it is therefore necessary that everyone should be able to satisfy his passions within the limits of virtue. Our order should provide means to that end. As soon as we have a certain number of worthy men in every state, each of them again training two others and all being closely united, everything will be possible for our order, which has already in secret accomplished much for the welfare of mankind.


No one is right and no one is to blame; so she too is not to blame,


the chief duty of a true Mason, as I have told you, lies in perfecting himself. We often think that by removing all the difficulties of our life we shall more quickly reach our aim, but on the contrary, my dear sir, it is only in the midst of worldly cares that we can attain our three chief aims: (1) Self-knowledge—for man can only know himself by comparison, (2) Self-perfecting, which can only be attained by conflict, and (3) The attainment of the chief virtue—love of death. Only the vicissitudes of life can show us its vanity and develop our innate love of death or of rebirth to a new life.


C’est un superbe animal.


d’ une femme charmante, aussi spirituelle que belle.


That’s a superb animal. Of a charming woman, as witty as she is lovely.


mon page


No, now that she has become a bluestocking she has finally renounced her former infatuations. There has never been an instance of a bluestocking being carried away by affairs of the heart What a strange antipathy, yet I used to like him very much. Got up at eight, read the Scriptures, then went to my duties. (By Joseph Alexéevich’s advice Pierre had entered the service of the state and served on one of the committees.) Returned home for dinner and dined alone—the countess had many visitors I do not like. I ate and drank moderately and after dinner copied out some passages for the Brothers. In the evening I went down to the countess and told a funny story about B., and only remembered that I ought not to have done so when everybody laughed loudly at it. I am going to bed with a happy and tranquil mind. Great God, help me to walk in Thy paths, (1) to conquer anger by calmness and deliberation, (2) to vanquish lust by self-restraint and repulsion, (3) to withdraw from worldliness, but not avoid (a) the service of the state, (b) family duties, (c) relations with my friends, and the management of my affairs.


O God, help and strengthen me that I may walk in Thy ways!


Great Architect of Nature, help me to find the true path out of the labyrinth of lies!


he hoped I was enjoying perfect peace of mind in spite of my wife’s absence.


Thy day!


Tell me frankly what is your chief temptation? Do you know it? I think you know it already.


sloth was my chief temptation.


one should not deprive a wife of one’s embraces


I should be ashamed to do it,


The life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.


Hast thou noticed that my face is different?


I should have known you had I met you by chance. Am I telling the truth? I drew that,


das soll mein Weib werden,


You see, you see, I have considered it all, and should not marry if I had not thought it all out or if it were in any way unsuitable. But on the contrary, my papa and mamma are now provided for—I have arranged that rent for them in the Baltic Provinces—and I can live in Petersburg on my pay, and with her fortune and my good management we can get along nicely. I am not marrying for money—I consider that dishonorable—but a wife should bring her share and a husband his. I have my position in the service, she has connections and some means. In our times that is worth something, isn’t it? But above all, she is a handsome, estimable girl, and she loves me.... And I love her, because her character is sensible and very good. Now the other sister, though they are the same family, is quite different—an unpleasant character and has not the same intelligence. She is so... you know?... Unpleasant... But my fiancée!... Well, you will be coming, to dine, to take tea with us,


I like your being businesslike about it.... I like it. You shall be satisfied....


Because, consider, Count—if I allowed myself to marry now without having definite means to maintain my wife, I should be acting badly.... Or at least twenty thousand, Count, and then a note of hand for only sixty thousand.


Yes, yes, all right! Only excuse me, my dear fellow, I’ll give you twenty thousand and a note of hand for eighty thousand as well. Yes, yes! Kiss me.


Nowadays old friends are not remembered


Well, do you recognize your little madcap playmate?


How handsome you have grown!


I should think so! And is Papa older?


Can it be that this couch will be my grave?


Now then, now then!


Mamma, can we have a talk? Yes? Now, just one on your throat and another... that’ll do!


Well, what is it tonight? What is it tonight?—But I have to tell you...


About Borís... I know, that’s what I have come about. Don’t say it—I know. No, do tell me! Tell me, Mamma! He’s nice?


Natásha, you are sixteen. At your age I was married. You say Borís is nice. He is very nice, and I love him like a son. But what then?... What are you thinking about? You have quite turned his head, I can see that....


Well, what then?


You have quite turned his head, and why? What do you want of him? You know you can’t marry him.


Why not?


Because he is young, because he is poor, because he is a relation... and because you yourself don’t love him.


How do you know?


I know. It is not right, darling!


But if I want to...


Leave off talking nonsense,


Natásha, I am in earnest...


January, February, March, April, May. Speak, Mamma, why don’t you say anything? Speak!


It won’t do, my love! Not everyone will understand this friendship dating from your childish days, and to see him so intimate with you may injure you in the eyes of other young men who visit us, and above all it torments him for nothing. He may already have found a suitable and wealthy match, and now he’s half crazy.


Crazy?


I’ll tell you some things about myself. I had a cousin...


I know! Cyril Matvéich... but he is old.


He was not always old. But this is what I’ll do, Natásha, I’ll have a talk with Borís. He need not come so often....


Why not, if he likes to?


Because I know it will end in nothing....


How can you know? No, Mamma, don’t speak to him! What nonsense! Well, I won’t marry, but let him come if he enjoys it and I enjoy it. Not to marry, but just so,


How so, my pet?


Just so. There’s no need for me to marry him. But... just so.


Just so, just so,


Don’t laugh, stop! You’re shaking the whole bed! You’re awfully like me, just such another giggler.... Wait... June. July, August. But, Mamma, is he very much in love? What do you think? Was anybody ever so much in love with you? And he’s very nice, very, very nice. Only not quite my taste—he is so narrow, like the dining-room clock.... Don’t you understand? Narrow, you know—gray, light gray...


What rubbish you’re talking!


Don’t you really understand? Nicholas would understand.... Bezúkhov, now, is blue, dark-blue and red, and he is square.


You flirt with him too,


No, he is a Freemason, I have found out. He is fine, dark-blue and red.... How can I explain it to you?


Little countess! You’re not asleep?


The Emperor?... No, a minister... prince... ambassador. Don’t you see the plumes?...


That’s not the way, that’s not the way, Sónya! That bow is not right. Come here!


Allow me, Miss! I can’t do it like that,


Oh, dear! Well then, wait. That’s right, Sónya.


Aren’t you ready? It is nearly ten,


Directly! Directly! And you, Mamma?


I have only my cap to pin on.


Don’t do it without me! You won’t do it right.


But it’s already ten.


Mávra, quicker, darling!


Give me my thimble, Miss, from there...


Whenever will you be ready? Here is some scent. Perónskaya must be tired of waiting.


It’s ready, Miss,


In a minute! In a minute! Don’t come in, Papa! Oh, Papa! how nice you look! Charming!


If you please, Miss! allow me,


Say what you like, say what you like, it’s still too long.


Really, madam, it is not at all too long,


Well, if it’s too long we’ll tack it up... we’ll tack it up in one minute,


Oo-oo, my beauty! she looks better than any of you!


Mamma, your cap, more to this side. I’ll arrange it. Oh goodness! What has happened? Really it was not my fault!


Never mind, I’ll run it up, it won’t show,


What a beauty—a very queen! And Sónya! They are lovely!


Charmé de vous voir,


Charming!


There are some like ourselves and some worse,


That is the Dutch ambassador, do you see? That gray-haired man. Ah, here she is, the Queen of Petersburg, Countess Bezúkhova. How lovely! She is quite equal to Márya Antónovna. See how the men, young and old, pay court to her. Beautiful and clever... they say Prince —— is quite mad about her. But see, those two, though not good-looking, are even more run after. She is a splendid match, a millionairess. And look, here come her suitors. That is Bezúkhova’s brother, Anatole Kurágin. He’s handsome, isn’t he? I hear they will marry him to that rich girl. But your cousin, Drubetskóy, is also very attentive to her. They say she has millions. Oh yes, that’s the French ambassador himself! Looks as if he were a king! All the same, the French are charming, very charming. No one more charming in society. Ah, here she is! Yes, she is still the most beautiful of them all, our Márya Antónovna! And how simply she is dressed! Lovely! And that stout one in spectacles is the universal Freemason. Put him beside his wife and he looks a regular buffoon!


There’s someone else we know—Bolkónski, do you see, Mamma? You remember, he stayed a night with us at Otrádnoe.


Oh, you know him? I can’t bear him. Il fait à présent la pluie et le beau temps. He’s too proud for anything. He’s too proud for anything. Takes after his father. And he’s hand in glove with Speránski, writing some project or other. Just look how he treats the ladies! Takes after his father. And he’s hand in glove with Speránski, writing some project or other. Just look how he treats the ladies! I’d give it to him if he treated me as he does those ladies.


Alexander, Elisaveta, all our hearts you ravish quite...


Is it possible no one will ask me, that I shall not be among the first to dance? Is it possible that not one of all these men will notice me? They do not even seem to see me, or if they do they look as if they were saying, ‘Ah, she’s not the one I’m after, so it’s not worth looking at her!’ No, it’s impossible. They must know how I long to dance, how splendidly I dance, and how they would enjoy dancing with me.


You always dance. I have a protégée, the young Rostóva, here. Ask her,


Where is she? Excuse me! we will finish this conversation elsewhere—at a ball one must dance.


Allow me to introduce you to my daughter,


I have the pleasure of being already acquainted, if the countess remembers me,


I have long been waiting for you,


I’d be glad to sit beside you and rest: I’m tired; but you see how they keep asking me, and I’m glad of it, I’m happy and I love everybody, and you and I understand it all,


If she goes to her cousin first and then to another lady, she will be my wife. What rubbish sometimes enters one’s head! but what is certain is that that girl is so charming, so original, that she won’t be dancing here a month before she will be married.... Such as she are rare here,


How can you ask such a question? I have never enjoyed myself so much before!


How delightful it is, Count! Isn’t it?


Yes, I am very glad,


How can people be dissatisfied with anything? Especially such a capital fellow as Bezúkhov!


Yes, it was a very brilliant ball. Yes, that little Rostóva is very charming. There’s something fresh, original, un-Petersburg-like about her that distinguishes her.


The Sovereign plainly said that the Council and Senate are estates of the realm, he said that the government must rest not on authority but on secure bases. The Emperor said that the fiscal system must be reorganized and the accounts published. Ah, yes! Today’s events mark an epoch, the greatest epoch in our history,


What does it matter to me or to Bítski what the Emperor was pleased to say at the Council? Can all that make me any happier or better?


with only a few friends,


Very pleased to see you, Prince. One moment... We have agreed that this is a dinner for recreation, with not a word about business!


Nowadays good wine rides in a carriage and pair. Now for the recitation! A wonderful talent! Where are you off to so early?


I promised to go to a reception.


Yes, they are capital people, who of course have not the slightest idea what a treasure they possess in Natásha; but they are kindly folk and form the best possible setting for this strikingly poetic, charming girl, overflowing with life!


Why do I strive, why do I toil in this narrow, confined frame, when life, all life with all its joys, is open to me? I must use my freedom while I feel so much strength and youth in me. Pierre was right when he said one must believe in the possibility of happiness in order to be happy, and now I do believe in it. Let the dead bury their dead, but while one has life one must live and be happy!


I have just been to see the countess, your wife. Unfortunately she could not grant my request, but I hope, Count, I shall be more fortunate with you,


What is it you wish, Colonel? I am at your service.


I have now quite settled in my new rooms, Count and so I wish to arrange just a small party for my own and my wife’s friends. I wished to ask the countess and you to do me the honor of coming to tea and to supper.


But don’t be late, Count, if I may venture to ask; about ten minutes to eight, please. We shall make up a rubber. Our general is coming. He is very good to me. We shall have supper, Count. So you will do me the favor.


You can get to know something, you can ask for something. See how I managed from my first promotion. My comrades are still nobodies, while I am only waiting for a vacancy to command a regiment, and have the happiness to be your husband. And how have I obtained all this? Chiefly by knowing how to choose my aquaintances. It goes without saying that one must be conscientious and methodical.


The only thing is, we mustn’t have children too soon,


Yes. I don’t at all want that. We must live for society.


Princess Yusúpova wore one exactly like this. This is what comes of knowing how to make acquaintances. This is what comes of knowing how to conduct oneself.


But please don’t interrupt me when I am entertaining the guests, because I know what interests each of them and what to say to different people.


It can’t be helped: men must sometimes have masculine conversation,


What’s the matter with her? What has happened to her?


Something very important is happening between them,


What do you think? You are so discerning, Prince, and understand people’s characters so well at a glance. What do you think of Natalie? Could she be constant in her attachments? Could she, like other women love a man once for all and remain true to him forever? That is what I consider true love. What do you think, Prince?


I know your sister too little, to be able to solve so delicate a question, and then I have noticed that the less attractive a woman is the more constant she is likely to be,


Yes, that is true, Prince. In our days, in our days a girl has so much freedom that the pleasure of being courted often stifles real feeling in her. And it must be confessed that Natalie is very susceptible. I think no one has been more courted than she, but till quite lately she never cared seriously for anyone. Now you know, Count, even our dear cousin Borís, who, between ourselves, was very far gone in the land of tenderness... You are friendly with Borís, aren’t you?


Yes, I know him....


I expect he has told you of his childish love for Natásha?


Oh, there was childish love?


Yes, you know between cousins intimacy often leads to love. Le cousinage est un dangereux voisinage. Don’t you think so?


Oh, undoubtedly!


Well?


I must... I must have a talk with you. You know that pair of women’s gloves? I... but no, I will talk to you later on,


Well, what?


Mamma! For heaven’s sake don’t ask me anything now! One can’t talk about that. But such a... such a... never happened to me before! Only I feel afraid in his presence. I am always afraid when I’m with him. What does that mean? Does it mean that it’s the real thing? Yes? Mamma, are you asleep?


No, my love; I am frightened myself. Now go!


All the same I shan’t sleep. What silliness, to sleep! Mummy! Mummy! such a thing never happened to me before. And could we ever have thought!... And it had to happen that he should come specially to Petersburg while we are here. And it had to happen that we should meet at that ball. It is fate. Clearly it is fate that everything led up to this! Already then, directly I saw him I felt something peculiar.


What else did he say to you? What are those verses? Read them...


Mamma, one need not be ashamed of his being a widower?


Don’t, Natásha! Pray to God. Marriages are made in heaven,


Darling Mummy, how I love you! How happy I am!


Ah, it’s you! And I, you see, am hard at it.


Well, dear heart. I wanted to tell you about it yesterday and I have come to do so today. I never experienced anything like it before. I am in love, my friend!


With Natásha Rostóva, yes?


Yes, yes! Who else should it be? I should never have believed it, but the feeling is stronger than I. Yesterday I tormented myself and suffered, but I would not exchange even that torment for anything in the world, I have not lived till now. At last I live, but I can’t live without her! But can she love me?... I am too old for her.... Why don’t you speak?


I? I? What did I tell you? I always thought it.... That girl is such a treasure... she is a rare girl.... My dear friend, I entreat you, don’t philosophize, don’t doubt, marry, marry, marry.... And I am sure there will not be a happier man than you.


But what of her?


She loves you.


Don’t talk rubbish...


She does, I know,


But do listen. Do you know the condition I am in? I must talk about it to someone.


Well, go on, go on. I am very glad,


I should not have believed anyone who told me that I was capable of such love. It is not at all the same feeling that I knew in the past. The whole world is now for me divided into two halves: one half is she, and there all is joy, hope, light: the other half is everything where she is not, and there is all gloom and darkness....


Darkness and gloom, yes, yes, I understand that.


I cannot help loving the light, it is not my fault. And I am very happy! You understand me? I know you are glad for my sake.


Yes, yes,


If only they would let me end my days as I want to,


Fourthly and finally. I beg you to put it off for a year: go abroad, take a cure, look out as you wanted to for a German tutor for Prince Nicholas. Then if your love or passion or obstinacy—as you please—is still as great, marry! And that’s my last word on it. Mind, the last...


Leave off, Mamma! I don’t think, and don’t want to think about it! He just came and then left off, left off.... And I don’t at all want to get married. And I am afraid of him; I have now become quite calm, quite calm.


What’s the good of making so much of it? Things are nice as it is. There, that’s me! Well, and very nice too! I need nobody. How charming that Natásha is! Pretty, a good voice, young, and in nobody’s way if only they leave her in peace.


At home?


Mamma! Bolkónski has come! Mamma, it is awful, it is unbearable! I don’t want... to be tormented? What am I to do?...


It is long since we had the pleasure...


I have not been to see you all this time because I have been at my father’s. I had to talk over a very important matter with him. I only got back last night. I want to have a talk with you, Countess,


I am at your disposal,


At once? This instant!... No, it can’t be!


Go, Natásha! I will call you,


I have come, Countess, to ask for your daughter’s hand,


Your offer... Your offer... is agreeable to us, and I accept your offer. I am glad. And my husband... I hope... but it will depend on her....


I will speak to her when I have your consent.... Do you give it to me?


Yes. I am sure my husband will consent, but your father...


My father, to whom I have told my plans, has made it an express condition of his consent that the wedding is not to take place for a year. And I wished to tell you of that,


It is true that Natásha is still young, but—so long as that?...


It is unavoidable,


I will send her to you. Lord have mercy upon us!


Well, Mamma?... Well?...


Go, go to him. He is asking for your hand. Go... go,


Is it possible that this stranger has now become everything to me? Yes, everything! He alone is now dearer to me than everything in the world.


I have loved you from the very first moment I saw you. May I hope?


Why ask? Why doubt what you cannot but know? Why speak, when words cannot express what one feels?


Do you love me?


Yes, yes!


What is it? What’s the matter?


Oh, I am so happy!


Did your mother tell you that it cannot be for a year?