战争与和平(上)-第136章

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“My　dear；”　said　Anna　Mihalovna　to　her　son；　“I　know　from　a　trust…worthy　source　that　Prince　Vassily　is　sending　his　son　to　Moscow　to　marry　him　to　Julie。　I　am　so　fond　of　Julie　that　I　should　be　most　sorry　for　her。　What　do　you　think　about　it；　my　dear？”　said　Anna　Mihalovna。
Boris　was　mortified　at　the　idea　of　being　unsuccessful；　of　having　wasted　all　that　month　of　tedious；　melancholy　courtship　of　Julie；　and　of　seeing　all　the　revenues　of　those　Penza　estates—which　he　had　mentally　assigned　to　the　various　purposes　for　which　he　needed　them—pass　into　other　hands；　especially　into　the　hands　of　that　fool　Anatole。　He　drove　off　to　the　Karagins’　with　the　firm　determination　to　make　an　offer。　Julie　met　him　with　a　gay　and　careless　face；　casually　mentioned　how　much　she　had　enjoyed　the　ball　of　the　evening；　and　asked　him　when　he　was　leaving。　Although　Boris　had　come　with　the　intention　of　speaking　of　his　love；　and　was　therefore　resolved　to　take　a　tender　tone；　he　began　to　speak　irritably　of　the　fickleness　of　woman；　saying　that　women　could　so　easily　pass　from　sadness　to　joy；　and　their　state　of　mind　depended　entirely　on　what　sort　of　man　happened　to　be　paying　them　attention。　Julie　was　offended；　and　said　that　that　was　quite　true；　indeed；　that　a　woman　wanted　variety；　and　that　always　the　same　thing　would　bore　any　one。
“Then　I　would　advise　you…”　Boris　was　beginning；　meaning　to　say　something　cutting；　but　at　that　instant　the　mortifying　reflection　occurred　to　him　that　he　might　leave　Moscow　without　having　attained　his　object；　and　having　wasted　his　efforts　in　vain　（an　experience　he　had　never　had　yet）。　He　stopped　short　in　the　middle　of　a　sentence；　dropped　his　eyes；　to　avoid　seeing　her　disagreeably　exasperated　and　irresolute　face；　and　said；　“But　it　was　not　to　quarrel　with　you　that　I　have　come　here。　On　the　contrary…”　He　glanced　at　her　to　make　sure　whether　he　could　go　on。　All　irritation　had　instantly　vanished　from　her　face；　and　her　uneasy　and　imploring　eyes　were　fastened　upon　him　in　greedy　expectation。
“I　can　always　manage　so　as　to　see　very　little　of　her；”　thought　Boris。　“And　the　thing’s　been　begun　and　must　be　finished！”　He　flushed　crimson；　raised　his　eyes　to　her　face；　and　said　to　her；　“You　know　my　feeling　for　you！”　There　was　no　need　to　say　more。　Julie’s　countenance　beamed　with　triumph　and　self…satisfaction；　but　she　forced　Boris　to　say　everything　that　is　usually　said　on　such　occasions；　to　say　that　he　loved　her；　and　had　never　loved　any　woman　more　than　her。　She　knew　that　for　her　Penza　estates　and　her　Nizhnigorod　forests　she　could　demand　that；　and　she　got　all　she　demanded。
The　young　engaged　couple；　with　no　further　allusions　to　trees　that　enfolded　them　in　gloom　and　melancholy；　made　plans　for　a　brilliant　establishment　in　Petersburg；　paid　visits；　and　made　every　preparation　for　a　splendid　wedding。


Chapter　6
COUNT　ILYA　ANDREITCH　ROSTOV　arrived　in　Moscow　towards　the　end　of　January　with　Natasha　and　Sonya。　The　countess　was　still　unwell；　and　unable　to　travel；　but　they　could　not　put　off　coming　till　she　recovered；　for　Prince　Andrey　was　expected　in　Moscow　every　day。　They　had；　besides；　to　order　the　trousseau；　to　sell　the　estate　in　the　suburbs　of　Moscow；　and　to　take　advantage　of　old　Prince　Bolkonsky’s　presence　in　Moscow　to　present　his　future　daughter…in…law　to　him。　The　Rostovs’　house　in　Moscow　had　not　been　heated　all　the　winter；　and　as　they　were　coming　only　for　a　short　time；　and　the　countess　was　not　with　them；　Count　Ilya　Andreitch　made　up　his　mind　to　stay　with　Marya　Dmitryevna　Ahrostimov；　who　had　long　been　pressing　her　hospitality　upon　the　count。
Late　in　the　evening　the　four　loaded　sledges　of　the　Rostovs　drove　into　the　courtyard　of　Marya　Dmitryevna　in　Old　Equerrys’　Place。　Marya　Dmitryevna　lived　alone。　She　had　by　now　married　off　her　daughter。　Her　sons　were　all　in　the　service。
She　still　held　herself　as　erect；　still　gave　every　one　her　opinions　in　the　same　loud；　outspoken；　decided　fashion；　and　her　whole　bearing　seemed　a　reproof　to　other　people　for　every　sort　of　weakness；　passion；　and　temptation；　of　which　she　would　not　admit　the　bare　possibility。　In　the　early　morning；　in　a　house…jacket；　she　looked　after　the　management　of　her　household。　Then　she　drove　on　saints’　days　to　Mass；　and　from　Mass　to　the　gaols　and　prisons；　and　of　what　she　did　there；　she　never　spoke　to　any　one。
On　ordinary　days　she　dressed　and　received　petitioners　of　various　classes；　of　whom　some　sought　her　aid　every　day。　Then　she　had　dinner；　an　abundant　and　appetising　meal；　at　which　some　three　or　four　guests　were　always　present。　After　dinner　she　played　a　game　of　boston；　and　at　night　had　the　newspapers　and　new　books　read　aloud　to　her　while　she　knitted。　It　was　only　as　a　rare　exception　that　she　went　out　in　the　evening；　if　she　did　so；　it　was　only　to　visit　the　most　important　people　in　the　town。
She　had　not　gone　to　bed　when　the　Rostovs　arrived；　and　the　door　in　the　vestibule　squeaked　on　the　block；　as　the　Rostovs　and　their　servants　came　in　from　the　cold　outside。　Marya　Dmitryevna　stood　in　the　doorway　of　the　hall；　with　her　spectacles　slipping　down　on　her　nose；　and　her　head　flung　back；　looking　with　a　stern　and　irate　face　at　the　new…comers。　It　might　have　been　supposed　that　she　was　irritated　at　their　arrival；　and　would　pack　them　off　again　at　once；　had　she　not　at　the　very　time　been　giving　careful　instructions　to　her　servants　where　to　install　her　guests　and　their　belongings。
“The　count’s　things？　Bring　them　here；”　she　said；　pointing　to　the　trunks；　and　not　bestowing　a　greeting　on　any　one。　“The　young　ladies’；　this　way　to　the　left。　Well；　what　are　we　pottering　about　for？”　she　called　to　her　maids。　“Warm　the　samovar！　She’s　plumper；　prettier；”　she　pronounced　of　Natasha；　flushed　from　the　frosty　air；　as　she　drew　her　closer　by　her　hood。　“Foo！　she　is　cold！　You　make　haste　and　get　your　wraps　off；”　she　shouted　to　the　count；　who　would　have　kissed　her　hand。　“You’re　frozen；　I　warrant。　Rum　for　the　tea！　Sonyushka；　bonjour；”　she　said　to　Sonya；　indicating　by　this　French　phrase　the　slightly　contemptuous　affectionateness　of　her　attitude　to　Sonya。
When　they　had　all　taken　off　their　outdoor　things；　set　themselves　straight　after　the　journey；　and　come　in　to　tea；　Marya　Dmitryevna　kissed　them　all　in　due　course。
“Heartily　glad　you　have　come；　and　are　staying　with　me；”　she　said。　“It’s　long　been　time　you　were　here；”　she　said；　with　a　significant　glance　at　Natasha。…　“The　old　fellow’s　here；　and　his　son’s　expected　from　day　to　day。　You　must；　you　must　make　their　acquaintance。　Oh；　well；　we　shall　talk　of　that　later　on；”　she　added；　with　a　glance　at　Sonya；　showing　that　she　did　not　care　to　talk　of　it　before　her。　“Now；　listen；”　she　turned　to　the　count；　“what　do　you　want　to　do　to…morrow？　Whom　will　you　send　for？　Shinshin？”—she　crooked　one　finger。　“The　tearful　Anna　Mihalovna—　two。　She’s　here　with　her　son。　The　son’s　to　be　married　too！　Then　Bezuhov。　He’s　here；　too；　with　his　wife。　He　ran　away　from　her；　and　she　has　come　trotting　after　him。　He　dined　with　me　last　Wednesday。　Well；　and　I’ll　take　them”—she　indicated　the　young　ladies—“to…morrow　to　Iversky　chapel；　and　then　we　shall　go　to　Aubert…Chalmey。　You’ll　be　getting　everything　now；　I　expect！　Don’t　judge　by　me—the　sleeves　nowadays　are　like　this！　The　other　day　the　young　princess；　Irina　Vassilyevna；　came　to　see　me；　just　as　though　she　had　put　two　barrels　on　her　arms；　a　dreadful　fright。　Every　day　there’s　a　new　fashion。　And　what　sort　of　business　is　it　you　have　come　for　yourself？”　she　said　severely；　addressing　the　count。
“Everything　has　come　together；”　answered　the　count。　“There’s　the　girl’s　rags　to　buy；　and　now　there’s　a　purchaser　turned　up　for　the　Moscow　estate　and　the　house。　If　you’ll　graciously　permit　it；　I’ll　choose　an　opportunity　and　drive　over　to　Maryinskoe　for　a　day；　leaving　my　girls　on　your　hands。”
“Very　good；　very　good；　they’ll　be　safe　enough　with　me。　I’m　as　safe　as　the　Mortgage　Bank。　I’ll　take　them　where　they　must　go；　and　scold　them　and　pet　them　too；”　said　Marya　Dmitryevna；　putting　her　big　hand　on　the　cheek　of　her　favourite　and　god…daughter　Natasha。
Next　morning　Marya　Dmitryevna　bore　the　young　ladies　off　to　Iversky　chapel　and　to　Madame　Aubert…Chalmey；　who　was　so　frightened　of　Marya　Dmitryevna　that　she　always　sold　her　dresses　at　a　loss　simply　to　get　rid　of　her　as　soon　as　possible。　Marya　Dmitryevna　ordered　almost　the　whole　trousseau。　On　their　return；　she　sent　every　one　out　of　the　room　but　Natasha；　and　called　her　favourite　to　sit　beside　her　arm…chair。
“Well；　now　we　can　have　a　chat。　I　congratulate　you　on　your　betrothed。　A　fine　fellow　you　have　hooked！　I’m　glad　of　it　for　your　sake；　and　I　have　known　him　since　he　was　that　high”—she　held　her　hand　a　yard　from　the　floor。　Natasha　flushed　joyfully。　“I　like　him　and　all　his　family。　Now；　listen！　You　know；　of　course；　that　old　Prince　Nikolay　was　very　much　against　his　son’s　marrying。　He’s　a　whimsical　old　fellow！　Of　course；　Prince　Andrey　is　not　a　child；　he　can　get　on　without　him；　but　to　enter　a　family　against　the　father’s　will　is　not　a　nice　thing　to　do。　One　wants　peace　and　love　in　a　family。　You’re　a　clever　girl；　you’ll　know　how　to　manage　things。　You　must　use　your　wits　and　your　kind　heart。　And　every　thing　will　come　right。”
Natasha　was　silent；　not　as　Marya　Dmitryevna　supposed　from　shyness。　In　reality　Natasha　disliked　any　one’s　interfering　in　what　touched　her　love　for　Prince　Andrey；　which　seemed　to　her　something　so　apart　from　all　human　affairs；　that　no　one；　as　she　imagined；　could　understand　it。　She　loved　Prince　Andrey；　and　only　him；　and　knew　only　him；　he　loved　her；　and　was　to　arrive　in　a　day　or　two　and　carry　her　off。　She　did　not　care　about　anything　else。
“I　have　known　him　a　long　while；　do　you　see；　and　Masha；　your　sister…in…law；　I　love。　Sisters…in…law　are　said　to　be　mischief…makers；　but　she—　well；　she　wouldn’t　hurt　a　fly。　She　has　begged　me　to　bring　you　two　together。　You　must　go　to　see　her　to…morrow　with　your　father；　and　be　as　nice　as　possible；　you　are　younger　than　she　is。　By　the　time　your　young　man　comes　back；　you’ll　be　friends　with　his　sister　and　his　father；　and　they　will　have　learned　to　love　you。　Yes　or　no？　It　will　be　better　so；　eh？”
“Oh　yes！”　Natasha　responded　reluctantly。


Chapter　7
NEXT　DAY；　by　the　advice　of　Marya　Dmitryevna；　Count　Ilya　Andreitch　went　with　Natasha　to　call　on　Prince　Nikolay　Andreitch。　The　count　prepared　for　the　visit　by　no　means　in　a　cheerful　spirit：　in　his　heart　he　was　afraid。　Count　Ilya　Andreitch　had　a　vivid　recollection　of　his　last　interview　with　the　old　prince　at　the　time　of　the　levying　of　the　militia；　when；　in　reply　to　his　invitation　to　dinner；　he　had　had　to　listen　to　a　heated　reprimand　for　furnishing　less　than　the　required　number　of　men。　Natasha　in　her　best　dress　was；　on　the　contrary；　in　the　most　cheerful　frame　of　mind。　“They　can’t　help　liking　me；”　she　thought；　“every　one　always　does　like　me。　And　I’m　so　ready　to　do　anything　they　please　for　them；　so　readily　to　love　them—him　for　being　his　father；　and　her　for　being　his　sister—they　can　have　no　reason　for　not　loving　me！”
They　drove　to　the　gloomy　old　house　in　Vosdvizhenka；　and　went　into　the　vestibule。
“Well　now；　with　God’s　blessing；”　said　the　count；　half　in　jest；　half　in　earnest。　But　Natasha　noticed　that　her　father　was　in　a　nervous　fidget　as　he　went　into　the　entry；　and　asked　timidly　and　softly　whether　the　prince　and　the　princess　wer