War and Peace: Original Version

“Moscow has nothing better to do than gossip,” he continued. “Everybody is concerned with whom the count will leave his fortune to, although he might perhaps outlive us all, which I wish with all my heart.”

“Yes, it is very difficult,” Pierre interjected. “Very difficult.” Pierre was still afraid that this boy-officer might inadvertently become involved in a conversation that would be embarrassing for him.

“But it must seem to you,” said Boris, blushing, but without changing his voice or pose, “it must surely seem that everybody is only concerned to get something from the rich man.”

That is how it is, thought Pierre.

“But what I wish to tell you, in order to avoid any misunderstandings, is that you would be greatly mistaken if you were to count myself and my mother among those people. We are very poor, but I, at least, speaking for myself, precisely because your father is rich, do not consider myself his relative and will never ask for anything or accept anything from him,” he concluded, growing more and more heated.

It took Pierre a long time to understand, but when he did, he leapt up off the divan, seized hold of Boris by the hand with his characteristic speed and clumsiness and, blushing far more than Boris, began speaking with a mixed feeling of shame and hurt.

“But listen … That’s very strange! How could I … And who could ever think … I know quite well …”

But Boris again interrupted him.

“I am glad I have made everything clear. Perhaps you find it disagreeable, forgive me,” he said, soothing Pierre instead of being soothed by him, “but I hope I have not offended you. I make it a rule to say everything directly. What shall I tell them? Will you come to the Rostovs for dinner?”

And Boris, evidently because he had relieved himself of his onerous duty, extricating himself from one awkward situation and placing the other man in another, became cheerful and relaxed.

“Now, listen,” said Pierre, calming down. “You are an amazing person. What you said just now is fine, very fine. Of course, you do not know me, we have not seen each other for so long … we were still children … You imagine me as … but I understand, I understand you very well. I could not have done that, I would not have had the courage, but it is all fine. I am very glad to have met you again. Strange,” he added with a smile, after pausing briefly, “what you imagined me to be like!” He laughed. “Well, what of it! You and I shall get to know each other better. Please.” He shook Boris’s hand.

“You know, I have never been at the count’s house before. He has never invited me. I feel sorry for him, as a man … But what can be done?” said Boris, smiling with cheerful good-nature. “And do you think Napoleon will manage to ferry his army across?” he asked.

Pierre realised that Boris wanted to change the subject and, feeling the same way, began to expound the advantages and disadvantages of the Boulogne undertaking.

A manservant came to summon Boris to his mother, the princess. The princess was leaving. Pierre promised to come to dinner and then, in order to become closer friends with Boris, he shook his hand firmly, gazing affectionately into his eyes through his spectacles … When Boris left, Pierre continued to walk round the room for a long while, no longer running through an invisible enemy with a sword, but instead smiling at the recollection of this likeable, intelligent and resolute young man.

As happens in early youth, and especially when one is lonely, Pierre felt an irrational affection for this young man and resolved to become friends with him.

Prince Vasily was seeing off the princess. The princess was holding a handkerchief and her face was wet with tears.

“It is terrible! Terrible!” she said. “But no matter what it might cost me, I shall perform my duty. I shall come to spend the night. He cannot be left like this. Every minute is precious. I do not understand why the princesses are delaying. Perhaps God will help me find the means to prepare him! Goodbye, prince, may God give you strength …”

“Goodbye, my dear,” replied Prince Vasily, turning away from her.

“Ah, he is in a terrible state,” the mother said to her son as they were getting back into the carriage. “He hardly recognises anybody. Perhaps it will be for the best.”

“I do not understand, dear mama, what is his attitude to Pierre?” her son asked.

“The will will reveal all, my friend, our fate depends on it too …”

“But what makes you think he will leave us anything at all?”

“Ah, my friend! He is so rich and we are so poor!”

“That is still not sufficient reason, dear mama.”

“Oh, my God! My God! How pitiful he is!” exclaimed his mother.

XXI

When Anna Mikhailovna and her son left to go to Count Kirill Vladimirovich Bezukhov’s house, the countess sat alone for a long time, applying her handkerchief to her eyes. Eventually she rang.

“What is the matter, my dear,” she said angrily to the girl who had kept her waiting for several minutes. “Do you not wish to serve here? Then I’ll find another place for you.”

The countess was feeling grief-stricken at her friend’s humiliating poverty and was therefore in a bad humour, which always expressed itself in her calling the servant girl “my dear” and addressing her formally.

“Sorry, ma’am,” said the maid.

“Ask the count to come to me.”

The count waddled up to his wife with a rather guilty air, as always.

“Well now, my little countess. What a fine Madeira and woodcock sauté there will be! I have tried it; I was right to give a thousand roubles for Taras. He’s well worth it!”

He sat down beside his wife, propping his arms rakishly on his knees … and ruffling up his grey hair. “What is your pleasure, little countess?”

“Now then, my friend, what’s that stain you have there?” she said, pointing at his waistcoat. “It is the sauté, I suppose,” she added, smiling. “Look, count, I need some money.”

Her face grew sad.

“Ah, my little countess!” said the count and he began busily taking out his wallet.

“I need a lot, count, I need five hundred roubles.” And taking out her batiste lawn handkerchief, she rubbed her husband’s waistcoat with it.

“Straight away, straight away. Hey, is anyone there?” he shouted in the kind of voice only used by people who are certain that those they are calling will come dashing headlong at their summons. “Send Mitenka to me!”

Mitenka, a nobleman’s son who had been raised in the count’s house, and who now managed all his affairs, entered the room with silent steps.

“Now then, my dear chap,” the count said to the deferential young man, “will you bring me …” he thought for a moment. “Yes, 700 roubles, yes. And be sure not to bring torn and dirty notes like last time, but good ones, for the countess.”

“Yes, Mitenka, please, nice clean ones,” said the countess, sighing sadly.

“Your excellency, when do you wish me to bring it?” said Mitenka. “If you please, may I know what … Then, please, do not bother yourself,” he added, noticing that the count had already begun breathing rapidly and heavily, which was always a sign of the onset of rage. “I almost forgot … Do you wish me to bring it this very minute?”

“Yes, yes, do, bring it now. Give it to the countess.”

“Pure gold, that Mitenka of mine,” the count added, smiling, when the young man left the room. “Nothing’s ever impossible. I can’t stand that sort of thing. With him, everything’s possible.”

“Ah, money, count, money, how much grief it causes in the world!” said the countess. “But I do need this money very badly.”

“You, my little countess, are a notorious spendthrift,” said the count and, after kissing his wife’s hand, he went back to his study.

When Anna Mikhailovna came back from Count Bezukhov’s house, the money, all in brand new notes, was already lying on the low table under the countess’s handkerchief, and Anna Mikhailovna noticed that the countess seemed agitated about something and looked sad.

“Well then, my friend?” asked the countess.

“Ah, what a terrible state he is in! He is unrecognisable, he is so bad, so bad: I spent a moment with him and didn’t even say two words …”