战争与和平(上)-第11章

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her　people　into　trouble。　You　can　flirt　with　Berg；　as　much　as　you　like；”　she　said　quickly。
“Well；　I’m　not　likely　to　run　after　a　young　man　before　visitors。…”
“Well；　she　has　gained　her　object！”　Nikolay　put　in；　“she　has　said　something　nasty　to　every　one；　and　upset　everybody。　Let’s　go　into　the　nursery。”
All　four　rose；　like　a　flock　of　scared　birds；　and　went　out　of　the　room。
“You’ve　said　nasty　things　to　me；　and　I　said　nothing　to　any　one；”　said　Vera。
“Madame　de　Genlis！　Madame　de　Genlis！”　cried　laughing　voices　through　the　door。
The　handsome　girl　who　produced　such　an　irritating　and　unpleasant　effect　on　every　one　smiled；　and；　obviously　unaffected　by　what　had　been　said　to　her；　she　went　up　to　the　looking…glass　and　put　her　scarf　and　her　hair　tidy。　Looking　at　her　handsome　face；　she　seemed　to　become　colder　and　more　composed　than　ever。
In　the　drawing…room　the　conversation　was　still　going　on。
“Ah；　chère；”　said　the　countess；　“in　my　life；　too；　everything　is　not　rose…coloured。　Do　you　suppose　I　don’t　see　that；　in　the　way　we　are　going　on；　our　fortune　can’t　last　long？　And　it’s　all　the　club　and　his　good…nature。　When　we’re　in　the　country　we　have　no　rest　from　it；—it’s　nothing　but　theatricals；　hunting　parties；　and　God　knows　what。　But　we　won’t　talk　of　me。　Come；　tell　me　how　you　managed　it　all。　I　often　wonder　at　you；　Annette；　the　way　you　go　racing　off　alone；　at　your　age；　to　Moscow；　and　to　Petersburg；　to　all　the　ministers；　and　all　the　great　people；　and　know　how　to　get　round　them　all　too。　I　admire　you；　really！　Well；　how　was　it　arranged？　Why；　I　could　never　do　it。”
“Ah；　my　dear！”　answered　Princess　Anna　Mihalovna；　“God　grant　that　you　never　know　what　it　is　to　be　left　a　widow；　with　no　one　to　support　you；　and　a　son　whom　you　love　to　distraction。　One　learns　how　to　do　anything；”　she　said　with　some　pride。　“My　lawsuit　trained　me　to　it。　If　I　want　to　see　one　of　these　great　people；　I　write　a　note：　‘Princess　so…and…so　wishes　to　see　so…and…so；’　and　I　go　myself　in　a　hired　cab　two　or　three　times—four；　if　need　be—till　I　get　what　I　want。　I　don’t　mind　what　they　think　of　me。”
“Well；　tell　me；　then；　whom　did　you　interview　for　Borinka？”　asked　the　countess。　“Here’s　your　boy　an　officer　in　the　Guards；　while　my　Nikolinka’s　going　as　an　ensign。　There’s　no　one　to　manage　things　for　him。　Whose　help　did　you　ask？”
“Prince　Vassily’s。　He　was　so　kind。　Agreed　to　do　everything　immediately；　put　the　case　before　the　Emperor；”　said　Princess　Anna　Mihalovna　enthusiastically；　entirely　forgetting　all　the　humiliation　she　had　been　through　to　attain　her　object。
“And　how　is　he？　beginning　to　get　old；　Prince　Vassily？”　inquired　the　countess。　“I　have　never　seen　him　since　our　theatricals　at　the　Rumyantsovs’；　and　I　dare　say　he　has　forgotten　me。　He　paid　me　attentions；”　the　countess　recalled　with　a　smile。
“He’s　just　the　same；”　answered　Anna　Mihalovna；　“so　affable；　brimming　over。　Greatness　has　not　turned　his　head。　‘I　am　sorry　I　can　do　so　little　for　you；　Princess；’　he　said　to　me；　‘I’m　at　your　command。’　Yes；　he’s　a　splendid　man；　and　very　good　to　his　relatives。　But　you　know；　Natalie；　my　love　for　my　boy。　I　don’t　know　what　I　would　not　do　to　make　him　happy。　And　my　means　are　so　scanty；”　pursued　Anna　Mihalovna；　dropping　her　voice　mournfully；　“that　now　I　am　in　a　most　awful　position。　My　wretched　lawsuit　is　eating　up　all　I　have；　and　making　no　progress。　I　have　not；　can　you　conceive　it；　literally；　not　sixpence　in　the　world；　and　I　don’t　know　how　to　get　Boris’s　equipment。”　She　took　out　her　handkerchief　and　shed　tears。　“I　must　have　five　hundred　roubles；　and　I　have　only　a　twenty…five　rouble　note。　I’m　in　such　a　position。…　My　one　hope　now　is　in　Prince　Kirill　Vladimirovitch　Bezuhov。　If　he　will　not　come　to　the　help　of　his　godson—you　know　he　is　Boris’s　godfather—and　allow　him　something　for　his　maintenance；　all　my　efforts　will　have　been　in　vain；　I　shall　have　nothing　to　get　his　equipment　with。”
The　countess　deliberated　in　tearful　silence。
“I　often　think—perhaps　it’s　a　sinful　thought；”　said　the　princess—“but　I　often　think：　here　is　Prince　Kirill　Vladimirovitch　Bezuhov　living　all　alone　…　that　immense　fortune　…　and　what　is　he　living　for？　Life　is　a　burden　to　him；　while　Boris　is　only　just　beginning　life。”
“He　will　be　sure　to　leave　something　to　Boris；”　said　the　countess。
“God　knows；　chère　amie！　These　wealthy　grand　people　are　such　egoists。　But　still　I’m　going　to　see　him　at　once　with　Boris；　and　I　will　tell　him　plainly　the　state　of　the　case。　People　may　think　what　they　choose　of　me；　I　really　don’t　care；　when　my　son’s　fate　depends　on　it。”　The　princess　got　up。　“It’s　now　two　o’clock；　and　you　dine　at　four。　I　shall　have　time　to　drive　there　and　back。”
And　with　the　air　of　a　Petersburg　lady；　used　to　business；　and　knowing　how　to　make　use　of　every　moment；　Anna　Mihalovna　sent　for　her　son；　and　with　him　went　out　into　the　hall。
“Good…bye；　my　dear；”　she　said　to　the　countess；　who　accompanied　her　to　the　door。　“Wish　me　good…luck；”　she　added　in　a　whisper　unheard　by　her　son。
“You’re　going　to　Prince　Kirill　Vladimirovich’s；　ma　chère？”　said　the　count；　coming　out　of　the　dining…room　into　the　hall。　“If　he’s　better；　invite　Pierre　to　dine　with　us。　He　has　been　here；　used　to　dance　with　the　children。　Be　sure　you　invite　him；　ma　chère。　Now　do　come　and　look　how　Taras　has　surpassed　himself　to…day。　He　says　Count　Orlov　never　had　such　a　dinner　as　we’re　going　to　have　to…day。”


Chapter　12
“Mon　cher　Boris；”　said　Anna　Mihalovna　as　the　Countess　Rostov’s　carriage　drove　along　the　street　strewn　with　straw　and　into　the　wide　courtyard　of　Count　Kirill　Vladimirovitch　Bezuhov’s　house。　“Mon　cher　Boris；”　said　the　mother；　putting　her　hand　out　from　under　her　old　mantle；　and　laying　it　on　her　son’s　hand　with　a　timid；　caressing　movement；　“be　nice；　be　attentive。　Count　Kirill　Vladimirovitch　is　after　all　your　godfather；　and　your　future　depends　on　him。　Remember　that；　mon　cher；　be　charming；　as　you　know　so　well　how　to　be。…”
“If　I　knew　anything　would　come　of　it　but　humiliation；”　her　son　answered　coldly。　“But　I　have　promised；　and　I　will　do　it　for　your　sake。”
Although　the　carriage　was　standing　at　the　entrance；　the　hall…porter；　scanning　the　mother　and　son　（they　had　not　sent　in　their　names；　but　had　walked　straight　in　through　the　glass　doors　between　two　rows　of　statues　in　niches）；　and　looking　significantly　at　the　old　mantle；　inquired　whom　they　wanted；　the　princesses　or　the　count；　and　hearing　that　they　wanted　to　see　the　count；　said　that　his　excellency　was　worse　to…day；　and　his　excellency　could　see　no　one。
“We　may　as　well　go　away；”　the　son　said　in　French。
“Mon　ami！”　said　the　mother　in　a　voice　of　entreaty；　again　touching　her　son’s　hand；　as　though　the　contact　might　soothe　or　rouse　him。　Boris　said　no　more；　but　without　taking　off　his　overcoat；　looked　inquiringly　at　his　mother。
“My　good　man；”　Anna　Mihalovna　said　ingratiatingly；　addressing　the　hall…porter；　“I　know　that　Count　Kirill　Vladimirovitch　is　very　ill　…　that　is　why　I　am　here　…　I　am　a　relation　…　I　shall　not　disturb　him；　my　good　man　…　I　need　only　see　Prince　Vassily　Sergyevitch；　he’s　staying　here；　I　know。　Announce　us；　please。”
The　hall…porter　sullenly　pulled　the　bell…rope　that　rang　upstairs　and　turned　away。
“Princess　Drubetskoy　to　see　Prince　Vassily　Sergyevitch；”　he　called　to　a　footman　in　stockings；　slippers　and　a　frockcoat；　who　ran　down　from　above；　and　looked　down　from　the　turn　in　the　staircase。
The　mother　straightened　out　the　folds　of　her　dyed　silk　gown；　looked　at　herself　in　the　full…length　Venetian　looking…glass　on　the　wall；　and　boldly　walked　up　on　the　stair　carpet　in　her　shabby；　shapeless　shoes。
“My　dear；　you　promised　me；”　she　turned　again　to　her　son；　rousing　him　by　a　touch　on　his　arm。　The　son；　with　his　eyes　on　the　door；　walked　submissively　after　her。
They　went　into　a　large　room；　from　which　a　door　led　to　the　apartments　that　had　been　assigned　to　Prince　Vassily。
At　the　moment　when　the　mother　and　son　reached　the　middle　of　the　room　and　were　about　to　ask　their　way　of　an　old　footman；　who　had　darted　out　at　their　entrance；　the　bronze　handle　of　one　of　the　doors　turned；　and　Prince　Vassily；　dressed　in　a　house　jacket　of　velvet；　with　one　star；　came　out；　accompanying　a　handsome；　black…haired　man。　This　man　was　the　celebrated　Petersburg　doctor；　Lorrain。
“It　is　positive；　then？”　said　the　Prince。
“Prince；　errare　est　humanum；”　answered　the　doctor；　lisping；　and　pronouncing　the　Latin　words　with　a　French　accent。
“Very　well；　very　well　…”
Perceiving　Anna　Mihalovna　and　her　son；　Prince　Vassily　dismissed　the　doctor　with　a　bow；　and　in　silence；　with　an　air　of　inquiry；　advanced　to　meet　them。　The　son　noticed　how　an　expression　of　intense　grief　came　at　once　into　his　mother’s　eyes；　and　he　smiled　slightly。
“Yes；　in　what　distressing　circumstances　we　were　destined　to　meet　again；　prince。…　Tell　me　how　is　our　dear　patient？”　she　said；　apparently　not　observing　the　frigid；　offensive　glance　that　was　fixed　on　her。　Prince　Vassily　stared　at　her；　then　at　Boris　with　a　look　of　inquiry　that　amounted　to　perplexity。　Boris　bowed　politely。　Prince　Vassily；　without　acknowledging　his　bow；　turned　away　to　Anna　Mihalovna；　and　to　her　question　he　replied　by　a　movement　of　the　head　and　lips；　indicative　of　the　worst　fears　for　the　patient。
“Is　it　possible？”　cried　Anna　Mihalovna。　“Ah；　this　is　terrible！　It　is　dreadful　to　think　…　This　is　my　son；”　she　added；　indicating　Boris。　“He　wanted　to　thank　you　in　person。”
Boris　once　more　made　a　polite　bow。
“Believe　me；　prince；　a　mother’s　heart　will　never　forget　what　you　have　done　for　us。”
“I　am　glad　I　have　been　able　to　do　you　any　service；　my　dear　Anna　Mihalovna；”　said　Prince　Vassily；　pulling　his　lace　frill　straight；　and　in　voice　and　manner　manifesting　here　in　Moscow；　before　Anna　Mihalovna；　who　was　under　obligation　to　him；　an　even　greater　sense　of　his　own　dignity　than　in　Petersburg　at　Anna　Pavlovna’s　soirée。
“Try　to　do　your　duty　in　the　service；　and　to　be　worthy　of　it。”　he　added；　turning　severely　to　him。　“I　am　glad　…　you　are　here　on　leave？”　he　asked　in　his　expressionless　voice。
“I　am　awaiting　orders；　your　excellency；　to　join　my　new　regiment；”　answered　Boris；　showing　no　sign　either　of　resentment　at　the　prince’s　abrupt　manner；　nor　of　desire　to　get　into　conversation；　but　speaking　with　such　respectful　composure　that　the　prince　looked　at　him　attentively。
“You　are　living　with　your　mother？”
“I　am　living　at　Countess　Rostov’s；”　said　Boris；　again　adding：　“your　excellency。”
“The　Ilya　Rostov；　who　married　Natalie　Shinshin；”　said　Anna　Mihalovna。
“I　know；　I　know；”　said　Prince　Vassily　in　his　monotonous　voice。　“I　have　never　been　able　to　understand　how　Natalie　Shinshin　could　make　up　her　mind　to　marry　that　unlicked　bear。　A　completely　stupid　and　ridiculous　person。　And　a　gambler　too；　I　am　told。”
“But　a　very　worthy　man；　prince；”　observed　Anna　Mihalovna；　with　a　pathetic　smile；　as　though　she　too　recognised　that　Count　Rostov　deserved　this　criticism；　but　begged　him　not　to　be　too　hard　on　the　poor　old　fellow。　“What　do　the　doctors　say？”　asked　the　princess；　after　a　brief　pause；　and　again　the　expression　of　deep　distress　reappeared　on　her　tear…worn　face。
“There　is　little　hope；”　said　the　prince。
“And；　I　was　so　longing　to　thank　uncle　once　more　for　all　his　kindness　to　me　and　to　Boris。　He　is　his　godson；”　she　added