War and peace desire to marry Andrei chapter. The life path of Andrei Bolkonsky. L.N. Tolstoy, “War and Peace. Breaking up with Helen

Volume II

Part three

The closeness of Napoleon and Alexander in 1808-1809. This closeness reached the point that when Napoleon attacked Austria, the Russian corps came out to assist his former enemy. Life for people far from politics went on as usual. The life and activities of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the village. He implements the plans that Pierre had conceived, but did not bring to fruition: one estate was transferred to free cultivators, in others corvée was replaced by quitrent. The prince spent part of his time with his son and father in Bald Mountains, the other in Bogucharovo. Prince Andrei's trip to his son's Ryazan estates. Spring in the forest. It was very hot and windless. Gloomy thoughts of Prince Andrei at the sight of an old oak tree. It was an oak tree with broken branches and bark overgrown with old sores. He “stood like an old, contemptuous freak between the smiling birches” and seemed to say: “Spring, and love, and happiness! And how can you not get tired of the same stupid and senseless deception! Everything is the same, and everything is a lie! There is no spring, no sun, no happiness.” In connection with this oak tree, Prince Andrei has a whole series of new thoughts: he comes to the conclusion that “he must live out his life without doing evil, without worrying and without wanting anything.”

Prince Andrei's trip to the Rostovs in Otradnoye. This trip had to be made because Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov was the district leader. Meeting with Natasha. When Bolkonsky drove in, a crowd of girls ran out to cross him. Natasha ran ahead. Andrei feels pain because she is happy with her own separate life and she doesn’t care about him. Throughout the day, Bolkonsky several times pays attention to the laughing Natasha, not understanding why she is so happy, what is she thinking about? In the evening, Prince Andrei unwittingly overhears Natasha’s intimate conversation with Sonya. Natasha, who could not sleep, admires the beauty of the night, the moon, and wants to fly. Sonya says it's time to sleep, Natasha finally gives in to her. All this time, Bolkonsky, listening to the conversation, is involuntarily afraid that Natasha will say something about him, but she did not care about his existence. “Suddenly such a confusion of young thoughts and hopes, contradicting his whole life, arose in his soul” that he, not understanding himself, immediately falls asleep.

Prince Andrei's return home took place through the same grove where the old ugly oak tree stood. Prince Andrei decided to find this oak tree, but it was not there. He was transformed and became green. “No gnarled fingers, no sores, no old mistrust and grief - nothing was visible.” Prince Andrei felt a surge of joy and vigor at the sight of the old oak tree blossoming. Bolkonsky's faith in the possibility of activity, happiness, love and the decision to go to St. Petersburg in the fall. “No, life is not over at thirty-one!” - Bolkonsky decides for himself. He wanted everyone to know about him, not to live so independently of his life, so that everyone would live with him.

Arrival of Prince Andrei in St. Petersburg. The era of reforms and the apogee of Speransky's glory. At this time, those vague liberal dreams with which Emperor Alexander ascended the throne. Speransky replaced everyone in the civilian part, and Arakcheev - in the military. Prince Andrei at a reception with Arakcheev. He handed him a note about the military regulations, which he was supposed to review. Everyone who was in Arakcheev’s reception room looked humiliated and frightened. They called Prince Andrei. Speransky said that he did not approve of Bolkonsky’s charter. But at the same time, Arakcheev enrolled Bolkonsky as a member of the committee on military regulations. But no salary. Prince Andrey says that he doesn’t need it.

Prince Andrei's interests in St. Petersburg and his passion for Speransky. Bolkonsky renews all his old acquaintances. Bolkonsky's welcome reception by various circles of high society in St. Petersburg. The party of reformers warmly received him, since he set the peasants free, the female world accepted him as a groom. “They started talking about him, they were interested in him and everyone wanted to see him.” Prince Andrey with Count Kochubey. His meeting and conversation with Speransky. Speransky is a man who had calmness and self-confidence, awkward and stupid movements, a firm, but at the same time soft look. He decides to start a conversation with Bol-konsky. He says that he has known about the prince for a long time thanks to his father and his actions with the peasants. Prince Andrei could not help but talk with Speransky, as he was interested in the personality of this man. Speransky invites Bol-konsky to visit him.

Pastime of Prince Andrei in St. Petersburg. He doesn’t do anything, doesn’t think about anything, but only says and even says the same thing on the same day in different societies. The impression made on him by Speransky. Bolkonsky wanted “to find in another the ideal of his perfection, to which he strived,” and therefore he easily found it in Speransky. And he flattered him, saying “we”, “us”, “us”. Only the cold gaze that did not penetrate into the soul embarrassed Bolkonsky. Characteristics of Speransky. His main feature is his belief in the power and legitimacy of the mind. He had a great contempt for people. In support of his thoughts, Speransky could cite the following a large number of evidence that there was nothing left to do but agree with him. Enrollment of Prince Andrei as a member of the commission for drawing up military regulations and the commission for drawing up laws. He is appointed chief. He began to work on compiling the “Rights of Individuals” department.

Pierre at the head of St. Petersburg Freemasonry. He triples the dining rooms, recruits new members, takes care of uniting various lodges and acquiring genuine acts. Pierre's dissatisfaction with Masonic activities. He felt that he was losing faith in the truth of Freemasonry. It began to seem to him that Freemasonry was based on appearance alone; Russian Freemasonry had gone down the wrong path. Therefore, he undertakes a trip abroad to initiate himself into the highest secrets of Freemasonry. There he receives the trust of senior officials, penetrates into many secrets and receives the highest rank. Return to St. Petersburg. Solemn meeting of the Masonic lodge. Pierre's speech and the excitement it created in the box. Pierre says that it is not enough to observe the sacraments of the Masons, one must also act. He proposes a plan that was entirely based on raising strong and virtuous people and persecuting vice and stupidity everywhere. The great master began to object to Pierre. Pierre's break with the St. Petersburg masons.

Pierre's melancholy. At this time, Helen sends him a letter, saying that she misses him and wants to see him. The mother-in-law called Pierre for an important conversation. He feels that he is being entangled, that in the state in which he is, he cannot do anything. A trip to Moscow to see Joseph Alekseevich. His reconciliation with his wife. Pierre commits this act on the basis that Joseph Alekseevich reminded him that one cannot refuse someone who asks. He settles in the upper chambers and feels a happy sense of renewal.

Circles of the highest St. Petersburg society. French circle of the Napoleonic Alliance - Count Rumyantsev and Caulaincourt. Helen is in the center of this circle. When Helen was in Erfurt, Napoleon himself noticed her. Her salon. A visit to Helen's salon was a diploma of intelligence. Although Pierre knew perfectly well that Helen was stupid, he always wondered why people did not see this, and was afraid that the deception would sooner or later be revealed. Pierre's role in his wife's salon. He was that clumsy husband who provided an advantageous background for his wife. Pierre learned the indifferent tone, carelessness and benevolence towards everyone that was expected of him. Among other guests, Boris Drubetskoy often visited Helen’s salon. Helen's closeness with Boris Drubetsky. Boris communicated with Pierre with special sad respect. Pierre's attitude towards Boris was negative. He himself was amazed at the antipathy he felt for this young man, although there were times when he liked him.

Diary of Pierre Bezukhov. Pierre writes that he is happy and calm in spirit. He tries to overcome his hatred of Drubetskoy. He asks the Lord to help him get rid of the passions that haunt him and gain virtue.

Arrival of the Rostovs in St. Petersburg. During the time that the Rostovs spent in the village, their affairs did not improve, and therefore the old count goes with his family to St. Petersburg to look for places. The Rostovs belong to a mixed and uncertain society in St. Petersburg. For Muscovites, they were those provincials to whom people descended without asking who they were. Berg's career success. He was wounded in the arm and received two awards for this. He was a captain of the guard with orders, and occupied a particularly advantageous position in St. Petersburg. Berg makes Vera an offer, which was initially accepted with unflattering bewilderment. But then everyone decided that maybe this was a good thing. And joy reigned in the Rostov family. Berg's explanation with the old count about the dowry. The Count did not know how much money he had, debts and what he could give to Vera. Berg directly asked the count what would be given for Vera. He replied that the bill was for eighty thousand. Berg asks to give him thirty thousand in his hands, to which the count agrees.

Natasha in St. Petersburg. She's already sixteen. She had not seen Boris for a long time and was now wondering whether to take seriously the oath she had given him four years ago. Boris now had a brilliant position in St. Petersburg thanks to his relationship with Helen, a brilliant position in the service thanks to his acquaintance with an influential person. He was going to marry one of the rich brides of St. Petersburg. Arrival of Boris Drubetsky to Rostov. His meeting with Natasha and the impression she made on him. This was no longer the same Natasha. Boris's passion for Natasha. Boris understands that interest in her has not cooled down, if not become even stronger, but he cannot marry Natasha, this is the collapse of his career. Boris has now stopped visiting Helen and all day long stayed with the Rostovs. Natasha was still in love with him.

In the bedroom of Countess Rostova. A night visit to Natasha and a conversation between her daughter and her mother about Boris. Mother tells Natasha that she has completely turned Boris’s head, that this cannot be done. After all, they can't get married. Natasha herself says that Boris is not her type, because he is “narrow, gray, light-haired.” Not like Pierre, who is “dark blue with red and quadrangular.” Natasha's thoughts about herself. Natasha reasons that she is sweet, incredibly smart, good, etc. With such thoughts she falls asleep. The next morning, the Countess spoke with Boris, and he no longer appeared in the Rostovs’ house.

New Year's ball at Catherine's nobleman. There should be a diplomatic corps at the ball. Congress of invitees. Preparations for the Rostov ball. Natasha's excited state before going to the first big ball. She got up at eight o'clock in the morning and spent the whole day in feverish anxiety and activity. At eleven o'clock everyone got into the carriages and drove off.

Natasha's arrival at the ball. What awaited Natasha was wonderful. She didn’t see anything, her eyes were running wild, and therefore she behaved so naturally, which was all that came to her. The impression Natasha made on the hostess and some guests. Everyone looked after this girl, probably remembering their first ball. And the owner, following Natasha with his eyes, said: “Charmante!” Peronskaya calls Rostov significant persons who were at the ball. Pierre and Prince Andrei at the ball. Pierre was heading to Natasha, as he promised to introduce her to the gentlemen. But, before reaching her, he stops near a handsome brunette in a white uniform. It was Bolkonsky, rejuvenated and cheerful. Peronskaya says that she can’t stand Bolkonsky, although everyone is crazy about him, he has too much pride.

Arrival at Alexander's ball. The whole crowd rushed to look at the emperor. The Emperor opens the ball. Na-tasha's despair that she does not dance between the first ones. Nobody invited Natasha, she was almost crying. Waltz. Pierre asks Bolkonsky to invite Natasha to dance. Prince Andrei looked at Natasha, remembered her conversation in Otradnoye and invited her to dance. Bolkonsky was one of the best dancers of his time, Natasha also danced superbly. Revival of Prince Andrei. At first, the prince invited Natasha only because he wanted to take his mind off the conversations about politics with which everyone was approaching him, but when he felt Natasha so close, “the wine of her charm went to his head, he felt revived and rejuvenated.”

Natasha's cheerful disposition and her dancing throughout the whole evening. She danced with Boris and a dozen other gentlemen. The impression Natasha made on Prince Andrei. She was something on which there was no imprint of lightness. He even thought, quite unexpectedly for himself, that if Natasha approached first her cousin and then another lady, she would be his wife. She approached her cousin. Pierre's gloomy mood at the ball. For the first time he was offended by the position that Helen occupied in high society.

Chapter XVIII

Prince Andrey's mood after the ball. He thought that in Natasha there was something fresh, special, not from St. Petersburg. Bitsky's story about the meeting of the State Council. The sovereign's speech at this meeting was magnificent. Prince Andrei's indifference to this meeting. Moreover, now this event seemed insignificant to Bolkonsky. He thought that this advice could not make him happier and better. Bolkonsky at dinner with Speransky. At the entrance to the hall where the dinner was to take place, Bolkonsky heard Speransky laughing. This laugh hits him hard. And suddenly everything that seemed attractive and mysterious to Prince Andrei in Speransky became so clear and unattractive. Prince Andrei's disappointment in Speransky and his activities. Speransky and his desire to relax after a working day seemed sad and difficult to Prince Andrei. Everything about Speransky now seems unnatural to Bolkonsky. Bolkonsky tried to leave this lunch quickly. Arriving home, he began to remember his life as something new and was surprised how he could do idle work for so long.

Prince Andrei's visit to the Rostovs. The entire family, which Prince Andrei had previously judged so strictly, seemed to him to be made up of simple and kind people. In Natasha, Bolkonsky felt the presence of that alien world that teased him so much. Natasha's singing. While singing, Bolkonsky feels that tears are coming to his throat, and something new and happy is happening in his soul. Bolkonsky's thoughts after visiting Rostov. He felt joyful and new in his soul, but he did not yet know that he was in love with Rostova. Bolkonsky remembers Pierre’s words that one must believe in the possibility of happiness in order to be happy, and realizes that now he himself believes in it. “Let’s leave the dead to bury the dead, but while you’re alive, you must live and be happy,” thought Prince Andrei.

Berg invites Pierre to his place for the evening. Berg and Vera are in their apartment, waiting for guests. Arrival of Pierre, Boris and other guests. The evening started off great and was like one of a thousand other evenings that happen in St. Petersburg.

Natasha and Prince Andrei at an evening at the Bergs'. Pierre's observation of them. He cannot understand what happened to Natasha; there was some kind of inner light burning in her that made her attractive. Pierre saw a youthful expression in the face of Prince Andrei. He decides that something important is happening between them. He experiences a joyful and at the same time bitter feeling about this. Vera's conversation with Prince Andrei about feelings, about Natasha and the childhood love between her and Boris.

Revival of Prince Andrei. Vera told Bolkonsky that until recently Natasha didn’t really like anyone. Suddenly Bolkonsky perked up and told Pierre that he wanted to talk to him. But, without really saying anything, Bolkonsky goes to Natasha. Berg was very pleased with the reception.

Prince Andrei spends the whole day with the Rostovs. There is fear in the Rostov house of something important that is about to happen. Natasha's conversation with her mother about Prince Andrei and her feelings. Natasha asks her mother if what she feels for him, and he for her, is real? She understands that she fell in love with Bolkonsky even when she saw him in Otradnoye. Raut at Helen's. Pierre's gloomy mood. He amazed everyone with his concentrated, gloomy and absent-minded appearance. Everything seems insignificant to him in comparison with eternity. Pierre is equally oppressed by his position and the feelings of Natasha and Andrei. Prince Andrei informs Pierre of his love for Natasha and his firm decision to marry her. Pierre rejoices at his friend's happiness. Bolkonsky says that he has not lived until now. He doubts whether Natasha can love him, because he is too old for her. Bolkonsky says that the world is now divided into two parts for him: one, where she is and all the happiness, and the other, where she is not, there is despondency and emptiness. Pierre looks at Bolkonsky with tenderness and sadness: the brighter his friend’s fate seems to him, the darker his own.

Chapter XXIII Material from the site

Prince Andrei's trip to his father for permission to marry. The old prince, as an indispensable condition for his consent, sets a delay in his son’s marriage for a year. He cannot understand how someone decided to change anything in his life, to introduce something new, when his life was already over. Bolkonsky sees that old prince hopes that Andrei's feelings for Natasha will pass within a year, or at least the old prince will die by this time and will not see anything. Natasha’s vain expectations of Prince Andrey. Natasha waited for three weeks, did not go anywhere, was sad and idle. One day she walked past a large mirror, stopped near it, and the state of self-love and self-admiration returned to her. Arrival of Prince Andrei. Bolkonsky explains to Natasha the reason for his absence: he had to go! to my father. His proposal to Natasha. Bolkonsky tells the countess that his father wants him to wait a year. Natasha's excitement and tears. Her distress at the postponement of the wedding. Prince Andrei tells Natasha that the engagement will remain a secret, she is free, and if she wants, then in a year she will make him happy. Natasha says she will do everything, although a year is an awfully long time.

The relationship between Prince Andrei and Natasha after the engagement. Bolkonsky visited the Rostovs every day, but did not behave like a groom: he said “you” to Natasha, and only kissed her hand. A simple, close relationship became between them. The Rostov family gets used to Bolkonsky. At first they felt awkward, but after a few days they got used to him and continued to lead their usual way of life with him. The relationship of the household to the bride and groom. There was that poetic boredom and silence in the house that happens in the presence of the bride and groom. Natasha and Prince Andrei, when left alone, rarely talked about their future; more often they were silent. Natasha was absolutely happy, but the thought of the upcoming separation frightened her. Natasha's separation from Prince Andrei. Bolkonsky asks Natasha that no matter what happens during his departure, that she always turn for help only to Pierre, because he has a heart of gold. Natasha does not cry at the moment of parting, as if she does not understand what awaits her. She remains ill for a week. But then, unexpectedly for everyone, Natasha woke up from her illness and became the same as before, “but only with an invariably moral physiognomy, like children with a different face getting out of bed after a long illness.”

Weakening of the health and character of the old Prince Bol-konsky. All outbursts of anger from a new layer fall on Marya. He constantly insults her, but she tries to find the strength in her soul to forgive her father. Increasing his irritability against Princess Marya. Prince Andrei arrives briefly. He talks to his father, then they both leave the office dissatisfied with each other. Prince Andrei does not say anything to his sister about his love for Natasha. Letter from Princess Marya to Julie Karagina. In this letter, Princess Marya writes about the changes that have occurred with Andrei. She believes that he probably realized that life was not over for him. She cannot believe the rumor that Julie told her about: Bolkonsky cannot marry Rostova. She frankly admits that she does not want this.

Princess Marya receives a letter from her brother informing her of her engagement to Rostova and asking her to petition her father to shorten the appointed period. The entire letter literally breathes with love for Natasha and trust in her sister. Bolkonsky writes that only now he understood life. After thinking a little, Marya gives the letter to her father and hears in response that he should wait until his father dies, it won’t be long. The old prince's irritation against his son and his intention to marry the Frenchwoman Burien. The hidden dream and hope of Princess Marya is to leave her family and worries about worldly affairs and become a wanderer. She doesn’t understand why people are so short-sighted, they don’t see that in this fleeting life there is no happiness for which everyone is fighting. But Christ taught that this life is only a test. Princess Marya becomes confident in her intention to go wandering. But then, when she looked at her father and nephew, she realized that she loved them more than God and could not leave them.

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• Bolkonsky's conversation with Pierre about Natasha

XXI

Pierre went to Marya Dmitrievna to report the fulfillment of her wish - the expulsion of Kuragin from Moscow. The whole house was in fear and excitement. Natasha was very ill, and, as Marya Dmitrievna told him in secret, on the same night it was announced to her that Anatole was married, she poisoned herself with arsenic, which she quietly obtained. Having swallowed a little of it, she was so frightened that she woke up Sonya and told her what she had done. The necessary measures against the poison were taken in time, and now she was out of danger; but still she was so weak that it was impossible to think of taking her to the village and they sent for the countess. Pierre saw the confused count and the tear-stained Sonya, but could not see Natasha.

Pierre had lunch at the club that day and heard talk from all sides about an attempt to kidnap Rostova and stubbornly refuted this talk, assuring everyone that nothing more happened than that his brother-in-law proposed to Rostova and was refused. It seemed to Pierre that it was his responsibility to hide the whole matter and restore Rostova’s reputation.

He fearfully awaited the return of Prince Andrei and every day he came to see the old prince about him.

Prince Nikolai Andreich knew through Mlle Bourienne all the rumors circulating around the city, and read that note to Princess Marya, which Natasha refused to her fiancé. He seemed more cheerful than usual and was looking forward to his son with great impatience.

A few days after Anatole's departure, Pierre received a note from Prince Andrei, notifying him of his arrival and asking Pierre to come see him.

Prince Andrei, having arrived in Moscow, at the very first minute of his arrival received from his father a note from Natasha to Princess Marya, in which she refused the groom (she stole this note from Princess Marya and gave it to the prince Mlle Bourienne) and heard from his father, with additions, stories about Natasha's kidnapping.

Prince Andrei arrived the evening before. Pierre came to him the next morning. Pierre expected to find Prince Andrei in almost the same position in which Natasha was, and therefore he was surprised when, entering the living room, he heard from the office the loud voice of Prince Andrei, animatedly saying something about some kind of St. Petersburg intrigue. The old prince and another voice occasionally interrupted him. Princess Marya came out to meet Pierre. She sighed, pointing her eyes at the door where Prince Andrei was, apparently wanting to express her sympathy for his grief; but Pierre saw from Princess Marya’s face that she was glad both about what happened and about how her brother accepted the news of his bride’s betrayal.

“He said he expected it,” she said. “I know that his pride will not allow him to express his feelings, but still he endured it better, much better than I expected.” Apparently it had to be this way...

– But is it really all over? - said Pierre.

Princess Marya looked at him in surprise. She didn’t even understand how she could ask about this. Pierre entered the office. Prince Andrei, very changed, obviously healthier, but with a new, transverse wrinkle between his eyebrows, in civilian dress, stood opposite his father and Prince Meshchersky and argued heatedly, making energetic gestures. It was about Speransky, news of whose sudden exile and alleged betrayal had just reached Moscow.

“Now he (Speransky) is being judged and accused by all those who admired him a month ago,” said Prince Andrei, “and those who were not able to understand his goals.” It is very easy to judge a person in disgrace and blame him for all the mistakes of another; and I will say that if anything good has been done during the current reign, then everything good has been done by him - by him alone. “He stopped when he saw Pierre. His face trembled and immediately took on an angry expression. “And posterity will give him justice,” he finished, and immediately turned to Pierre.

- How are you? “You’re getting fatter,” he said animatedly, but the newly appeared wrinkle was carved even deeper on his forehead. “Yes, I’m healthy,” he answered Pierre’s question and grinned. It was clear to Pierre that his smile said: “I’m healthy, but no one needs my health.” Having said a few words with Pierre about the terrible road from the borders of Poland, about how he met people in Switzerland who knew Pierre, and about Monsieur Desales, whom he brought from abroad as a teacher for his son, Prince Andrei again heatedly intervened in the conversation about Speransky, which continued between two old men.

“If there had been treason and there had been evidence of his secret relations with Napoleon, then they would have been publicly announced,” he said with vehemence and haste. – I personally do not like and did not like Speransky, but I love justice. - Pierre now recognized in his friend the all-too-familiar need to worry and argue about a matter alien to himself, only in order to drown out too heavy spiritual thoughts.

When Prince Meshchersky left, Prince Andrei took Pierre's arm and invited him into the room that was reserved for him. The room had a broken bed and open suitcases and chests. Prince Andrei went up to one of them and took out a box. From the box he took out a bundle in paper. He did everything silently and very quickly. He stood up and cleared his throat. His face was frowning and his lips were pursed.

“Forgive me if I’m bothering you...” Pierre realized that Prince Andrei wanted to talk about Natasha, and his broad face expressed regret and sympathy. This expression on Pierre's face angered Prince Andrei; he continued decisively, loudly and unpleasantly: “I received a refusal from Countess Rostova, and I heard rumors about your brother-in-law seeking her hand, or the like.” Is it true?

“It’s both true and not true,” Pierre began; but Prince Andrei interrupted him.

“Here are her letters and a portrait,” he said. He took the bundle from the table and handed it to Pierre.

- Give this to the Countess... if you see her.

“She is very sick,” said Pierre.

- So she’s still here? - said Prince Andrei. - And Prince Kuragin? – he asked quickly.

- He left a long time ago. She was dying...

“I’m very sorry about her illness,” said Prince Andrei. – He grinned coldly, evilly, unpleasantly, like his father.

- But Mr. Kuragin, therefore, did not deign to give Countess Rostov his hand? - said Prince Andrei. He snorted several times.

“He couldn’t get married because he was married,” said Pierre.

Prince Andrei laughed unpleasantly, again resembling his father.

- Where is he now, your brother-in-law, may I know? - he said.

- He went to Peter... “however, I don’t know,” said Pierre.

“Well, it’s all the same,” said Prince Andrei. “Tell Countess Rostova that she was and is completely free, and that I wish her all the best.”

Pierre picked up a bunch of papers. Prince Andrei, as if remembering whether he needed to say something else or waiting to see if Pierre would say something, looked at him with a fixed gaze.

“Listen, do you remember our argument in St. Petersburg,” said Pierre, remember about...

“I remember,” Prince Andrei hastily answered, “I said that a fallen woman must be forgiven, but I did not say that I can forgive.” I can't.

“Is it possible to compare this?...” said Pierre. Prince Andrei interrupted him. He shouted sharply:

- Yes, asking for her hand again, being generous, and the like?... Yes, this is very noble, but I am not able to go sur les brisees de monsieur [follow in the footsteps of this gentleman]. “If you want to be my friend, don’t ever talk to me about this... about all this.” Well, goodbye. So you will convey...

Pierre left and went to the old prince and princess Marya.

The old man seemed more animated than usual. Princess Marya was the same as always, but because of her sympathy for her brother, Pierre saw in her joy that her brother’s wedding was upset. Looking at them, Pierre realized what contempt and malice they all had against the Rostovs, he realized that it was impossible in their presence to even mention the name of the one who could exchange Prince Andrei for anyone.

At dinner the conversation turned to war, the approach of which was already becoming obvious. Prince Andrei talked and argued incessantly, first with his father, then with Desalles, the Swiss teacher, and seemed more animated than usual, with that animation whose moral reason Pierre knew so well.

After the matchmaking of Prince Andrei and Natasha, Pierre felt that he could not live as before. He stopped keeping a diary, began to avoid the company of fellow Masons, began to go to the club again, drink a lot and became close to bachelor groups. His wife made a remark about his lifestyle, and in order not to compromise her, Pierre left for Moscow.

In Moscow, driving through the city streets, Count Bezukhov felt at home, in a quiet refuge. Moscow society accepted Pierre as one of their own; in the eyes of the world he was a sweet and good-natured eccentric, a simple Russian gentleman.

Pierre was not, as before, in moments of despair, melancholy and disgust for life; but the same illness, which had previously expressed itself in sharp attacks, was driven inside and did not leave him for a moment. "For what? For what? What is going on in the world?” - he asked himself in bewilderment several times a day, involuntarily beginning to ponder the meaning of the phenomena of life; but knowing from experience that there were no answers to these questions, he hastily tried to turn away from them, took up a book, or hurried to the club, or to Apollo Nikolaevich to chat about city gossip... It was too scary to be under the yoke of these insoluble questions of life, and he gave himself up to his first hobbies, only to forget them. He traveled to all sorts of societies, drank a lot, bought paintings and built, and most importantly read...

At the beginning of winter, old Prince Bolkonsky, along with Princess Marya and his grandson, also came to Moscow. The prince has aged greatly Last year, his character became even worse than before. For the princess, life in Moscow was very difficult: here she was deprived of her two main joys - communication with God's people and privacy. She did not go out into the world because her father was ill and would not let her go alone.

Princess Marya had no one in Moscow to talk to, no one to confide in her grief, and much new grief had been added during this time. The time for Prince Andrei's return and his marriage was approaching, and his order to prepare his father for this was not only not fulfilled, but the matter, on the contrary, seemed completely ruined, and the reminder of Countess Rostova infuriated the old prince, and so on most the former was out of sorts.

Old military men periodically came to see Count Bolkonsky, for whom politics was the main topic of conversation. Princess Marya, listening to the conversations of the old people, did not understand anything, and thought only about whether they noticed her father’s attitude towards her. Immersed in her experiences, she did not even notice that Boris Drubetskoy, who had recently arrived from St. Petersburg in order to find a rich bride, was trying to persistently court her.

One evening Pierre came to see the Bolkonskys. He and the princess happened to be alone in the living room, and Pierre started talking to Marya about Boris Drubetskoy. Bezukhov told the girl that Boris had set himself the goal of marrying profitably and now he just didn’t know “who to attack” - Princess Marya or Julie Karagina.

Would you marry him? - asked Pierre.

“Oh, my God, Count, there are moments when I would marry anyone,” Princess Marya suddenly said to herself, with tears in her voice. “Oh, how hard it can be to love a loved one and feel that... nothing (she continued in a trembling voice) you can’t do for him except grief, when you know that you can’t change it.” Then one thing is to leave, but where should I go?..

What are you, what’s wrong with you, princess?

But the princess, without finishing, began to cry.

I don't know what's wrong with me today. Don't listen to me, forget what I told you.

All Pierre's gaiety disappeared. He anxiously questioned the princess, asked her to express everything, to confide in him her grief; but she only repeated that she asked him to forget what she said, that she did not remember what she said, and that she had no grief other than the one he knew - the grief that Prince Andrei’s marriage threatens to quarrel with his father son.

Have you heard about the Rostovs? - she asked to change the conversation. - I was told that they would be here soon. I also wait for Andre every day. I would like them to see each other here.

How does he look at this matter now? - Pierre asked, by which he meant the old prince. Princess Marya shook her head.

But what to do? There are only a few months left until the year ends. And this cannot be. I would only like to spare my brother the first minutes. I wish they would come sooner. I hope to get along with her...

Princess Marya told Pierre her plan about how, as soon as the Rostovs arrived, she would become close to her future daughter-in-law and try to accustom the old prince to her.

Princess Marya seemed more attractive to Drubetsky than Julie Karagina, but noticing that the girl was immersed in her experiences and did not accept his advances, Boris began to go to the Karagins’ house.

The Karagins' house was the most pleasant and hospitable house in Moscow that winter. In addition to parties and dinners, every day a large company gathered at the Karagins, especially men, who dined at 12 o'clock in the morning and stayed until 3 o'clock. There was no ball, party, theater that Julie missed...

Julie had long been expecting a proposal from her melancholic admirer and was ready to accept it; but some secret feeling of disgust for her, for her passionate desire to get married, for her unnaturalness, and a feeling of horror at renouncing the possibility of true love still stopped Boris.

One day Boris came to Julie and, overcoming his disgust, confessed his love to her and proposed. Julie agreed and the young people began to prepare for the wedding, which was to take place in the near future.

In January, Count Rostov came to Moscow with Natasha and Sonya. From day to day, Moscow was awaiting the arrival of Prince Andrei. Since the Rostovs arrived on a short time and their house was not heated in winter, they decided to stay with Marya Dmitrievna Akhrosimova, who had long invited them to visit.

The next day, on the advice of Marya Dmitrievna, Count Ilya Andreich went with Natasha to Prince Nikolai Andreich. The count prepared for this visit with a gloomy spirit: in his heart he was afraid. The last meeting during the militia, when the count, in response to his invitation to dinner, listened to a heated reprimand for not delivering people, was memorable for Count Ilya Andreich. Natasha, dressed in her best dress, was on the contrary in the most cheerful mood. “It’s impossible that they wouldn’t love me,” she thought: everyone has always loved me. And I’m so ready to do for them whatever they want, I’m so ready to love him - because he’s a father, and her because she’s a sister, that there’s no reason why they wouldn’t love me!” They drove up to an old, gloomy house on Vzdvizhenka and entered the hallway.

“Well, God bless,” said the count, half jokingly, half seriously; but Natasha noticed that her father was in a hurry, entering the hall, and timidly, quietly asked if the prince and princess were at home. After the report about their arrival, there was confusion among the prince's servants... Mlle Bourienne was the first to meet the guests. She especially politely met the father and daughter and took them to the princess. The princess, with an excited, frightened face covered with red spots, ran out, stepping heavily, towards the guests, and tried in vain to appear free and welcoming. Princess Marya did not like Natasha at first sight. She seemed too elegant, frivolous, cheerful and vain to her. Princess Marya did not know that before she saw her future daughter-in-law, she was already ill-disposed towards her out of involuntary envy of her beauty, youth and happiness and out of jealousy of her brother’s love. In addition to this irresistible feeling of antipathy towards her, Princess Marya at that moment was also excited by the fact that at the report of the Rostovs’ arrival, the prince shouted that he did not need them, that he should let Princess Marya receive them if she wanted, and that they should not be allowed to see him . Princess Marya decided to receive the Rostovs, but every minute she was afraid that the prince would do some kind of trick, since he seemed very excited about the Rostovs’ arrival.

Well, dear princess, I brought you my songbird,” said the count, shuffling and looking around restlessly, as if he was afraid that the old prince might come up. “I’m so glad that you met... It’s a pity, it’s a pity that the prince is still unwell,” and after saying a few more general phrases, he stood up. “If you would allow me, princess, to give you an idea of ​​my Natasha for a quarter of an hour, I would go, just two steps away, to the Dog Playground, to see Anna Semyonovna, and pick her up.”

Ilya Andreich came up with this diplomatic trick in order to give the future sister-in-law space to explain herself to her daughter-in-law (as he said this after his daughter) and also in order to avoid the possibility of meeting with the prince, whom he was afraid of... The princess told the count that she was very she’s happy and asks him only to stay longer with Anna Semyonovna, and Ilya Andreich leaves. Mlle Bourienne, despite the restless glances thrown at her by Princess Marya, who wanted to talk with Natasha face to face, did not leave the room and firmly held the conversation about Moscow pleasures and theaters. Natasha was offended by the confusion that occurred in the hallway, by her father’s anxiety and by the unnatural tone of the princess, who, it seemed to her, was doing a favor by accepting her. And that’s why everything was unpleasant for her. She didn't like Princess Marya. She seemed very bad-looking to her, feigned and dry. Natasha suddenly shrank morally and involuntarily adopted such a careless tone, which pushed Princess Marya away from her even more. After five minutes of heavy, pretend conversation, fast footsteps in shoes were heard approaching. Princess Marya's face expressed fear, the door of the room opened and the prince entered in a white cap and robe.

“Oh, madam,” he said, “madam, countess... Countess Rostova, if I’m not mistaken... I beg your pardon, excuse me... I didn’t know, madam. God knows, I didn’t know that you honored us with your visit; you came to see your daughter in such a suit. I beg your pardon... God sees, he didn’t know,” he repeated so unnaturally, emphasizing the word God and so unpleasantly that Princess Marya stood with her eyes downcast, not daring to look at either her father or Natasha. Natasha, having stood up and sat down, also did not know what to do. One Mlle Bourienne smiled pleasantly.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry! “God knows, I didn’t know,” the old man muttered and, having examined Natasha from head to toe, he left. Mlle Bourienne was the first to appear after this appearance and began a conversation about the prince’s ill health. Natasha and Princess Marya silently looked at each other, and the longer they looked at each other silently, without expressing what they needed to express, the more unkindly they thought about each other... When the count was already leaving the room, Princess Marya quickly she walked up to Natasha, took her hands and, sighing heavily, said: “Wait, I need...” Natasha mockingly, not knowing why, looked at Princess Marya.

“Dear Natalie,” said Princess Marya, “know that I am glad that my brother has found happiness...” She stopped, feeling that she was telling a lie. Natasha noticed this stop and guessed the reason for it.

“I think, princess, that now it’s inconvenient to talk about this,” Natasha said with outward dignity and coldness and with tears that she felt in her throat.

“What did I say, what did I do!” - she thought as soon as she left the room...

Natasha, straightening her dress, walked along with Sonya and sat down, looking around at the illuminated rows of opposite boxes. The feeling that she had not experienced for a long time that hundreds of eyes were looking at her bare arms and neck suddenly seized her both pleasantly and unpleasantly, evoking a whole swarm of memories, desires and worries corresponding to this feeling. Two remarkably pretty girls, Natasha and Sonya, with Count Ilya Andreich, who had not been seen in Moscow for a long time, attracted everyone’s attention. In addition, everyone vaguely knew about Natasha’s conspiracy with Prince Andrei, they knew that since then the Rostovs had lived in the village, and they looked with curiosity at the bride of one of the best grooms in Russia.

Natasha became prettier in the village, as everyone told her, and that evening, thanks to her excited state, she was especially beautiful. She amazed with the fullness of life and beauty, combined with indifference to everything around her. Her black eyes looked at the crowd, not looking for anyone, and her thin, bare arm above the elbow, leaning on the velvet ramp, obviously unconsciously, in time with the overture, clenched and unclenched, crumpling the poster.

Among those present, the Rostovs noticed many acquaintances: Boris and Julie, Dolokhov, who was “the center of attraction for the brilliant youth of Moscow.” Now all of Moscow “went crazy” over Dolokhov and Anatoly Kuragin. Helen Bezukhova was also here, whose beauty amazed Natasha.

The last chords of the overture sounded and the conductor's baton began to tap. In the stalls, belated men filed into their seats and the curtain rose. As soon as the curtain rose, everything fell silent in the boxes and stalls, and all the men, old and young, in uniforms and tails, all the women wearing precious stones on their naked bodies, turned their attention to the stage with greedy curiosity. Natasha started watching too...

Natasha looked in the direction of Countess Bezukhova’s eyes and saw an unusually handsome adjutant, with a self-confident and at the same time courteous appearance approaching their bed. It was Anatol Kuragin, whom she had seen for a long time and noticed at the St. Petersburg ball. He was now in an adjutant uniform with one epaulet and a dazzling bow... Looking at Natasha, he walked up to his sister, put his gloved hand on the edge of her box, shook her head and leaned over and asked something, pointing at Natasha...

Throughout this intermission, Kuragin stood with Dolokhov in front of the ramp, looking at the Rostovs’ box. Natasha knew that he was talking about her, and it gave her pleasure. She even turned around so that he could see her profile, in her opinion, in the most advantageous position...

After the second act, Helen asked the count to introduce her to his daughters and invited Natasha to her box. During the next intermission, Anatole approached them, and Helen introduced him to Natasha.

Kuragin asked about the impression of the performance and told her about how Semenova fell while playing during the last performance.

“You know, Countess,” he said, suddenly addressing her as if he were an old acquaintance, “we’re having a carousel in costumes; you should take part in it: it will be a lot of fun. Everyone gathers at the Arkharovs. Please come, right? - he said. As he said this, he did not take his smiling eyes off Natasha’s face, neck, and bare arms...

Natasha returned to her father's box, completely subordinated to the world in which she was... Natasha saw only this from the fourth act: something worried and tormented her, and the cause of this excitement was Kuragin, whom she involuntarily followed with her eyes . As they were leaving the theater, Anatole approached them, called their carriage and picked them up. As he sat Natasha down, he shook her hand above the elbow. Natasha, excited and red, looked back at him. He looked at her, his eyes sparkling and smiling tenderly.

Only after arriving home, Natasha could clearly think through everything that had happened to her, and suddenly remembering Prince Andrei, she was horrified, and in front of everyone over tea, which everyone sat down to after the theater, she gasped loudly and ran out of the room, flushed. "My God! I'm dead! - she said to herself. How could I let this happen?” - she thought. She sat for a long time, covering her flushed face with her hands, trying to give herself a clear account of what had happened to her, and could neither understand what had happened to her, nor what she felt. Everything seemed dark, unclear and scary to her.

Anatol Kuragin lived in Moscow because his father set a condition for him to marry a rich bride. But the young man believed that rich brides were mostly bad-looking, so he did not want to get close to anyone and limited himself to short-term affairs. In addition, he was married for two years: in Poland, one poor landowner forced Anatole to marry his daughter. However, Anatole left his wife and, for the money he promised to send to his father-in-law, gained the right to become single again.

He was not a gambler, at least he never wanted to win. He wasn't vain. He didn't care at all what anyone thought about him. Still less could he be accused of ambition. He teased his father several times, ruining his career, and laughed at all the honors. He was not stingy and did not refuse anyone who asked him. The only thing he loved was fun and women, and since, according to his concepts, there was nothing ignoble in these tastes, and he could not think about what came out of satisfying his tastes for other people, in his soul he believed considered himself an impeccable person, sincerely despised scoundrels and bad people and held his head high with a calm conscience...

Meeting Natasha Rostova made a strong impression on Anatoly. Having discussed the girl’s merits with Dolokhov, he decided to “drag after her,” without thinking what might come of this in the future. Dolokhov recalled that “he had already gotten caught with a girl once,” but Anatol only laughed in response, saying that he didn’t get caught with the same thing twice.

Natasha Rostova was still waiting for Andrei Bolkonsky, but at the same time she often remembered Anatoly Kuragin, trying to understand the feeling that he evoked in her. Soon Helen herself came to the Rostovs. Despite the fact that she had previously been annoyed with Natasha (she had taken Boris away from her in St. Petersburg), she tried to forget about it and decided to help her brother. Helen secretly told Natasha that her brother was “sighing for her,” and Rostova, blinded by social glitter, unwittingly found herself under her influence. Helen invited Natasha to the masquerade party that Anatole mentioned at the theater.

Count Ilya Andreich took his girls to Countess Bezukhova. There were quite a lot of people at the evening. But the whole society was almost unfamiliar to Natasha. Count Ilya Andreich noticed with displeasure that this entire society consisted mainly of men and women, known for their freedom of treatment... Anatole was obviously at the door waiting for the Rostovs to enter. He immediately greeted the count, approached Natasha and followed her. As soon as Natasha saw him, the same feeling as in the theater, a feeling of vain pleasure that he liked her and fear from the absence of moral barriers between her and him, overwhelmed her. Helen joyfully received Natasha and loudly admired her beauty and dress. Soon after their arrival, Mlle Georges left the room to get dressed. In the living room they began to arrange chairs and sit down. Anatole pulled out a chair for Natasha and wanted to sit next to her, but the count, who had not taken his eyes off Natasha, sat down next to her. Anatole sat behind...

Natasha looked at fat Georges, but did not hear anything, did not see and did not understand anything of what was happening in front of her; she only felt again completely irrevocably in that strange, crazy world, so far from the previous one, in that world in which it was impossible to know what was good, what was bad, what was reasonable and what was crazy. Anatole was sitting behind her, and she, feeling his closeness, fearfully waited for something...

After several receptions of recitation, Mlle Georges left and Countess Bezukhova asked for company in the hall. The Count wanted to leave, but Helen begged him not to ruin her impromptu ball. The Rostovs remained. Anatole invited Natasha to a waltz and during the waltz, shaking her waist and hand, he told her that he loved her. During the eco-session, which she again danced with Kuragin, when they were left alone, Anatole did not say anything to her and only looked at her. Natasha was in doubt whether she had seen what he said to her during the waltz in a dream. At the end of the first figure he shook her hand again. Natasha raised him frightened eyes, but there was such a self-confident, tender expression in his affectionate gaze and smile that she could not, looking at him, say what she had to say to him. She lowered her eyes.

Don’t tell me such things, I’m engaged and love someone else,” she said quickly... “She looked at him. Anatole was not embarrassed or upset by what she said.

Don't tell me about this. What do I care? - he said. - I say that I am madly, madly in love with you. Is it my fault that you are amazing?..

She remembered almost nothing of what happened that evening. They danced the Ecosaise and the Gros Vater, her father invited her to leave, she asked her to stay. Wherever she was, no matter who she spoke to, she felt his gaze on her. Then she remembered that she asked her father for permission to go to the dressing room to straighten her dress, that Helen followed her, told her laughing about her brother’s love, and that in the small sofa room she again met Anatole, that Helen disappeared somewhere, they were left alone and Anatole Taking her hand, he said in a gentle voice:

I can’t go to you, but will I really never see you? I love you madly. Really never?.. - and he, blocking her path, brought his face closer to her face.

His brilliant, large, masculine eyes were so close to her eyes that she saw nothing but these eyes...

Without staying for dinner, the Rostovs left. Returning home, Natasha did not sleep all night: she was tormented by the insoluble question of who she loved, Anatole or Prince Andrei. She loved Prince Andrei - she remembered clearly how much she loved him. But she loved Anatole too, that was certain. “Otherwise, how could all this have happened?” - she thought. “If after that, when I said goodbye to him, I could answer his smile with a smile, if I could allow this to happen, then it means that I fell in love with him from the first minute. This means that he is kind, noble and beautiful, and it was impossible not to love him. What should I do when I love him and love another? - she said to herself, not finding answers to these terrible questions.

The next day, Marya Dmitrievna, calling Natasha and Count Rostov to her, said that yesterday she paid a visit to Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky, but achieved nothing: he still did not want to hear about the Rostovs. Marya Dmitrievna advised them to return to Otradnoye and wait for the groom there. Ilya Andreevich agreed with this proposal, but Natasha was against it. Marya Dmitrievna gave Natasha a letter from Princess Marya, in which she apologized for her behavior at the last meeting and asked Natasha to believe that she could not help but love the one her brother loved.

After dinner, Natasha went to her room to re-read Princess Marya’s letter again. After reading, she thought about whether her happiness with Andrei was possible now, after what happened between her and Anatoly Kuragin. At this time, the maid brought her a letter from Anatole.

“Since last night, my fate has been decided: to be loved by you or to die. I have no other choice,” the letter began. Then he wrote that he knew that her relatives would not give her to him, Anatoly, that there were secret reasons for this that he alone could reveal to her, but that if she loved him, then she should say this word yes, and no human forces will not interfere with their bliss. Love will conquer all. He will kidnap and take her to the ends of the world.

That evening, Marya Dmitrievna was going to visit her friends and invited Sonya and Natasha to go with her, but Natasha, saying that she had a headache, stayed at home. Sonya, returning late in the evening, entered Natasha’s room and saw that she was sleeping undressed on the sofa. Sonya noticed Anatole's letter, which was lying on the table, and read it.

Natasha, waking up, gently hugged her friend, but noticing the confusion and suspicion on Sonya’s face, she guessed that she had read the letter. Realizing that there was nothing left to hide, she joyfully and delightedly revealed to Sonya that she and Anatole loved each other. Sonya tried to reason with her friend, convincing her that it was impossible to forget in three days the person she had loved for a whole year. But Natasha didn’t want to hear anything. Indignant Sonya promised to write a letter to Anatoly and tell Natasha’s father about everything. Frightened Natasha, shouting: “I don’t need anyone! I don’t love anyone but him!”, she drove Sonya away, and the girl, bursting into tears, ran away. Left alone, Natasha sat down at the table and wrote a response to Princess Marya, explaining that all the misunderstandings between their families had been settled and she could not be Andrei’s wife, asking them to forget her and forgive her.

On the day of the count's departure, Sonya and Natasha were invited to a big dinner with the Karagins, and Marya Dmitrievna took them. At this dinner, Natasha again met with Anatole, and Sonya noticed that Natasha was saying something to him, wanting not to be heard, and throughout the dinner she was even more excited than before...

On the eve of the day on which the count was supposed to return, Sonya noticed that Natasha had been sitting all morning at the living room window, as if waiting for something, and that she made some kind of sign to a passing military man, whom Sonya mistook for Anatoly...

Sonya, not knowing what to do or who to turn to for help, decided to do everything possible to prevent Natasha’s escape.

Anatole had already been living with Dolokhov for several days. The plan to kidnap Natasha Rostova was thought out and prepared by Dolokhov. On the day when Sonya decided to protect her friend, Kuragin was going to drive up to the back porch of the house at ten o’clock in the evening, put Natasha, who had come out to him, in a group of three and take her to a village 60 miles from Moscow, where a prepared priest was supposed to marry them. After that, they had to go abroad - Anatole prepared passports, travel documents, 10 thousand rubles taken from his sister, and another 10 thousand borrowed through Dolokhov.

When Dolokhov and Anatole secretly arrived at the house where Natasha was waiting for them, a footman met them in the courtyard and asked them to “come see the lady.” When Dolokhov and Anatole realized that their plan had failed, they ran back to the troika and disappeared.

Marya Dmitrievna, finding a tearful Sonya in the corridor, forced her to confess everything. Having intercepted Natasha’s note and read it, Marya Dmitrievna, with the note in her hand, went up to Natasha.

Vile, shameless, she told her. - I don’t want to hear anything! - Pushing away Natasha, who was looking at her with surprised but dry eyes, she locked it and ordered the janitor to let through the gate those people who would come that evening, but not to let them out, and ordered the footman to bring these people to her, sat down in the living room, waiting kidnappers.

When Gavrilo came to report to Marya Dmitrievna that the people who had come had run away, she stood up with a frown and folded her hands back, walked around the rooms for a long time, thinking about what she should do. At 12 o'clock at night, feeling the key in her pocket, she went to Natasha's room. Sonya, sobbing, sat in the corridor...

Marya Dmitrievna entered the room with decisive steps. Natasha lay on the sofa, covering her head with her hands, and did not move. She was lying in the very position in which Marya Dmitrievna had left her...

Both Marya Dmitrievna and Sonya were surprised to see Natasha’s face. Her eyes were shiny and dry, her lips were pursed, her cheeks were drooping...

Marya Dmitrievna tried to convince Natasha that everything that happened must be hidden from the count; no one would find out anything if Natasha herself tried to forget everything and not show others that something had happened. Natasha didn’t answer, but she didn’t cry either; she was overcome with chills and trembling. Marya Dmitrievna brought the girl linden tea and covered her with two blankets.

Well, let him sleep,” said Marya Dmitrievna, leaving the room, thinking that she was sleeping. But Natasha was not sleeping and, with fixed, open eyes, looked straight ahead from her pale face. All that night Natasha did not sleep, and did not cry, and did not speak to Sonya, who got up and approached her several times.

The next day the count arrived. His affairs were gradually being settled, and in the near future he, Natasha and Sonya were going to return to the estate. Marya Dmitrievna, having met him, said that Natasha was ill, but now she is better. Natasha did not leave the room that morning, sat by the window, and waited for news about Anatol. When her father came to her, she did not even rise to meet him. Natasha answered all her father’s questions reluctantly, saying that she was sick and asking not to bother her. The Count saw from the faces of Sonya and Marya Dmitrievna, as well as his daughter’s mood, that something had happened during his absence, but he did not want to disturb his peace, so he tried to avoid questions.

From the day his wife returned to Moscow, Pierre promised himself to go somewhere so as not to see her. He went to Tver, to the widow of Joseph Alekseevich, his mentor in Freemasonry. Returning to Moscow, Pierre received a letter from Marya Dmitrievna with an invitation to talk about a case concerning Andrei Bolkonsky and his fiancee. For some time, Pierre had a stronger feeling for Natasha than a married man should have, and therefore tried to avoid communicating with her.

Arriving at Countess Akhrosimova, Pierre saw Natasha sitting by the window with a thin and angry face. Marya Dmitrievna, having taken Pierre's word of honor to remain silent about what she had heard, told him about the latest events.

Pierre, with his shoulders raised and his mouth open, listened to what Marya Dmitrievna was telling him, not believing his ears. The bride of Prince Andrei, so much loved, this formerly sweet Natasha Rostova, should exchange Bolkonsky for the fool Anatole, already married (Pierre knew the secret of his marriage), and fall in love with him so much as to agree to run away with him! - Pierre could not understand this and could not imagine.

The sweet impression of Natasha, whom he had known since childhood, could not combine in his soul with the new idea of ​​​​her baseness, stupidity and cruelty. He remembered his wife. “They are all the same,” he said to himself, thinking that he was not the only one who had the sad fate of being associated with a nasty woman. But he still felt sorry for Prince Andrei to the point of tears, he felt sorry for his pride. And the more he pitied his friend, the more contempt and even disgust he thought about this Natasha, who was now walking past him in the hall with such an expression of cold dignity. He did not know that Natasha’s soul was filled with despair, shame, humiliation, and that it was not her fault that her face accidentally expressed calm dignity and severity.

Pierre told Marya Dmitrievna that Anatole could not marry Natasha because he was married. Fearing that Count Rostov or Andrei Bolkonsky might challenge Kuragin to a duel, Marya Dmitrievna asked Pierre to order Anatoly to leave Moscow. Pierre promised her to carry out her orders. When he was about to leave, Sonya entered the living room and said that Natasha was asking Pierre to come to her. Marya Dmitrievna told Natasha that Kuragin was married, but she did not believe it and demanded that Pierre tell her about it himself.

Natasha, pale, stern, sat next to Marya Dmitrievna and from the very door met Pierre with a feverishly brilliant, questioning gaze. She did not smile, did not nod her head to him, she just looked stubbornly at him, and her gaze asked him only about whether he was a friend or an enemy like everyone else in relation to Anatole. Pierre himself obviously did not exist for her.

“He knows everything,” said Marya Dmitrievna, pointing to Pierre and turning to Natasha. - Let him tell you if I was telling the truth. Natasha, like a shot, hunted animal looking at the approaching dogs and hunters, looked first at one and then at the other.

Natalya Ilyinichna,” Pierre began, lowering his eyes and feeling a feeling of pity for her and disgust for the operation that he had to perform, “whether it’s true or not, it shouldn’t matter to you, because...

So it's not true that he is married!

No, its true.

Was he married for a long time? - she asked, - honestly?

Pierre gave her his word of honor.

Is he still here? - she asked quickly.

Yes, I saw him just now.

She was obviously unable to speak and made signs with her hands to leave her...

Having left the house of Countess Akhrosimova, Pierre went to look around the city for Kuragin, “at the thought of whom all the blood rushed to his heart and he had difficulty catching his breath.” Not finding him anywhere, Pierre arrived home and learned that Anatole, among other guests, was with his wife. Entering the living room and without greeting his wife, who, in his opinion, was the main culprit of what happened, Pierre approached Anatole and, saying that he urgently needed to talk to him, almost forcibly took him out of the room.

Anatole followed him with his usual, dashing gait. But there was noticeable concern on his face.

Entering his office, Pierre closed the door and turned to Anatole without looking at him...

“You are a scoundrel and a scoundrel, and I don’t know what holds me back from the pleasure of crushing your head with this,” said Pierre, “expressing himself so artificially because he spoke French.” He took the heavy paperweight in his hand and raised it threateningly and immediately hastily put it back in its place.

Did you promise to marry her?

I, I, I didn't think; however, I never promised, because...

Pierre interrupted him.

Do you have her letters? Do you have any letters? - Pierre repeated, moving towards Anatole.

Anatole looked at him and immediately, putting his hand in his pocket, took out his wallet.

Pierre took the letter handed to him and, pushing away the table that stood on the road, fell onto the sofa...

Letters - one,” said Pierre, as if repeating a lesson for himself. “Second,” he continued after a moment of silence, getting up again and starting to walk, “you must leave Moscow tomorrow.”

But how can I...

Third,” Pierre continued without listening to him, “you must never say a word about what happened between you and the countess. This, I know, I cannot forbid you, but if you have a spark of conscience... - Pierre silently walked around the room several times. Anatole sat at the table and bit his lips with a frown.

The next day Anatole left for St. Petersburg.

Pierre went to the Rostovs to report Anatole's departure. Natasha was very sick. On the day she was told that Kuragin was married, she poisoned herself with arsenic. But after swallowing a little of it, she got scared, woke up Sonya and told her what she had done. All necessary measures were taken, and now Natasha was out of danger. But she was still very weak and there was no question of taking her to the village.

Pierre was having lunch at the club that day and heard talk from all sides about Kuragin’s unsuccessful attempt to kidnap Rostova. Bezukhov refuted these rumors as best he could, assuring everyone that nothing of the kind happened, but only that Anatole proposed to Natasha and was refused. He waited with fear for Andrei's return and visited the old prince every day. Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky knew all the rumors circulating around the city, and read Natasha’s note to Princess Marya. Everything that happened made him happy and he was looking forward to his son. A few days after Anatole's departure, Pierre received a note from Prince Andrei, in which he announced his arrival and asked Pierre to come see him.

Prince Andrei, having arrived in Moscow, at the very first minute received a note in which Natasha refused him, and heard from his father the story of the abduction. Pierre came to Andrei the next morning.

When Prince Meshchersky left, Prince Andrei took Pierre's arm and invited him into the room that was reserved for him. The room had a broken bed and open suitcases and chests. Prince Andrei went up to one of them and took out a box. From the box he took out a bundle in paper. He did everything silently and very quickly. He stood up and cleared his throat. His face was frowning and his lips were pursed.

Forgive me if I bother you... - Pierre realized that Prince Andrei wanted to talk about Natasha, and his broad face expressed regret and sympathy. This expression on Pierre's face angered Prince Andrei; he continued decisively, loudly and unpleasantly:

I received a refusal from Countess Rostova, and I heard rumors about your brother-in-law seeking her hand, or the like. Is it true?

And it’s true and it’s not true,” Pierre began; but Prince Andrei interrupted him.

Here are her letters and a portrait,” he said. He took the bundle from the table and handed it to Pierre.

Give this to the Countess... if you see her.

She is very sick,” said Pierre.

So is she still here? - said Prince Andrei. - And Prince Kuragin? - he asked quickly.

He left a long time ago. She was dying...

“I’m very sorry about her illness,” said Prince Andrei. - He grinned coldly, evilly, unpleasantly, like his father...

Natasha certainly wants to see Count Pyotr Kirillovich, she said...

Natasha, emaciated, with a pale and stern face (not at all ashamed as Pierre expected her to be) stood in the middle of the living room. When Pierre appeared at the door, she hurried, apparently undecided whether to approach him or wait for him.

Pierre hurriedly approached her. He thought that she would give him her hand, as always; but she, coming close to him, stopped, breathing heavily and lifelessly lowering her hands, in exactly the same position in which she went out into the middle of the hall to sing, but with a completely different expression.

“Pyotr Kirilych,” she began to speak quickly, “Prince Bolkonsky was your friend, he is your friend,” she corrected herself (it seemed to her that everything had just happened, and that now everything is different). - He told me then to contact you...

Pierre silently sniffled, looking at her. He still reproached her in his soul and tried to despise her; but now he felt so sorry for her that there was no room for reproach in his soul.

He's here now, tell him... to just... forgive me. - She stopped and began to breathe even more often, but did not cry.

Yes... I’ll tell him,” Pierre said, but... “He didn’t know what to say...

I ask you one thing - consider me your friend, and if you need help, advice, you just need to pour out your soul to someone - not now, but when it is clear in your soul - remember me. - He took and kissed her hand. “I’ll be happy if I’m able to...” Pierre became embarrassed.

Don't talk to me like that: I'm not worth it! - Natasha screamed and wanted to leave the room, but Pierre held her hand. He knew he needed to tell her something more. But when he said this, he was surprised at his own words.

Stop it, stop it, your whole life is ahead of you,” he told her.

For me? No! “Everything is lost for me,” she said with shame and self-humiliation.

Everything is lost? - he repeated. - If I were not me, but the most beautiful, smartest and best person in the world, and if I were free, I would be on my knees right now asking for your hand and love.

For the first time after many days, Natasha cried with tears of gratitude and tenderness and, looking at Pierre, left the room.

Pierre, too, almost ran out into the hallway after her, holding back the tears of tenderness and happiness that were choking his throat, without getting into his sleeves, he put on his fur coat and sat down in the sleigh...

It was frosty and clear. Above the dirty, dim streets, above the black roofs, there was a dark, starry sky. Pierre, just looking at the sky, did not feel the offensive baseness of everything earthly in comparison with the height at which his soul was located. Upon entering Arbat Square, a huge expanse of starry dark sky opened up to Pierre’s eyes. Almost in the middle of this sky above Prechistensky Boulevard, surrounded and sprinkled on all sides with stars, but differing from everyone else in its proximity to the earth, white light, and long, raised tail, stood the huge bright comet of 1812, the same comet that foreshadowed , as they said, all sorts of horrors and the end of the world. But in Pierre this bright star with a long radiant tail did not arouse any terrible feeling. On the contrary, Pierre joyfully, eyes wet with tears, looked at this bright star, which, as if, with inexpressible speed, flying immeasurable spaces along a parabolic line, suddenly, like an arrow pierced into the ground, stuck here in one place chosen by it, in the black sky , and stopped, energetically raising her tail up, glowing and playing with her white light between countless other twinkling stars. It seemed to Pierre that this star fully corresponded to what was in his soul, which had blossomed towards a new life, softened and encouraged.

PRINCE ANDREY BOLKONSKY

The reader first meets this hero in St. Petersburg in the living room of Anna Pavlovna Sherer with her pregnant wife Lisa. After the dinner party, he goes to his father in the village. He leaves his wife there in the care of his father and younger sister Marya. Sent to the war of 1805 against Napoleon as Kutuzov's adjutant. Participates in the Battle of Austerlitz, in which he was wounded in the head. Upon arriving home, Andrei finds his wife Lisa giving birth.

Having given birth to her son Nikolenka, Lisa dies. Prince Andrei blames himself for being cold with his wife and not paying her due attention. After a long depression, Bolkonsky falls in love with Natasha Rostova. He offers her his hand and heart, but at the insistence of his father postpones their marriage for a year and leaves abroad. Shortly before his return, Prince Andrei receives a letter of refusal from his bride. The reason for the refusal is Natasha’s affair with Anatoly Kuragin. This turn of events becomes a heavy blow for Bolkonsky. He dreams of challenging Kuragin to a duel. To drown out the pain of disappointment in the woman he loves, Prince Andrei devotes himself entirely to service.

Participates in the War of 1812 against Napoleon. During the Battle of Borodino he received a shrapnel wound in the stomach. While moving, the wounded man accidentally meets the Rostov family, and they take charge of him. Natasha, never ceasing to blame herself for cheating on her fiance and realizing that she still loves him, asks for forgiveness from Andrei, in the Rostovs’ house

Dreams and ideals	Looking for his Toulon; wants national fame and recognition; his idol is Napoleon.
To achieve my goal I am ready to sacrifice	“...Father, wife, sister are the people dearest to me... I will give them all now for a moment of glory, triumph over people.” “Death, wounds, loss of family, I’m not afraid of anything.”
Appearance	“Prince Bolkonsky was small in stature, a very handsome young man with definite and dry features”

The best moments of life	What changes in the hero
Sky near Austerlitz	Begins to understand insignificance "petty vanity" Napoleon in comparison “the high, fair and kind sky, which he saw and understood.”
The prince realized the great truth - life is an absolute value. Felt my connection with infinity : “Nothing is true except the insignificance of everything that is clear to me, and the greatness of something incomprehensible, but most important.”
Discovering the wealth of peaceful life	Returning from French captivity, Bolkonsky learns about the death of his wife. Will remain in his memory forever "dead reproachful face" little princess. From this moment on, Prince Andrei will be tormented by thoughts of the neglect with which he treated his wife, he will understand and realize the value of family happiness, the joy of everyday life among family members: father, sister, son Nikolenka.
The prince repents of his ambitious dreams, the natural needs of love and goodness rise in his soul.
Meeting with Pierre in Bogucharovo

“The meeting with Pierre was for Prince Andrei the era that began, although in appearance the same, but in inner world his new life." Pierre "infects" Prince Andrei with his faith in people, in life not only earthly, but also eternal, in God.

Prince Andrei accepts some of Pierre's beliefs, which have a beneficial effect on Bolkonsky. Now the prince can admit to himself: “How happy and calm I would be if I could now say: “Lord, have mercy on me.”

Meeting with Natasha Rostova in Otradnoye

Returns to “living life”, begins to feel the joy of communicating with big world, people. In this state, Prince Andrei hurries to enter the spheres close to him government activities, agrees with Speransky.

Natasha's emotionality, her sincerity and delight give impetus to the prince's spiritual rebirth.

Love for Natasha Rostova

He changes his attitude towards Speransky, whom he has already begun to reverence as an idol, and notices in himself a disdain for the matter in which he had previously been so interested: “Can this make me happier and better?”

The prince becomes happier and better from the feeling that Natasha Rostova awakens in his soul

Participation in the War of 1812 In the army, the prince becomes a caring and attentive commander. He refuses the offer to serve in the army headquarters; he is not concerned about dreams of personal glory. The soldiers call him "our prince".

During the Battle of Borodino, Bolkonsky fulfills his duty; he is driven not by a desire for personal glory, but by a sense of honor as an officer, hatred of the enemy who devastated his native land, his Bald Mountains.

Forgiveness of Anatoly Kuragin

Having seen how Anatoly Kuragin’s leg was amputated, the prince experienced sincere sympathy for the pain and suffering of this man: “Bloomed... the flower of love in the spring, free, independent of this life...”

Revival of love for Natasha Rostova After a serious injury, she experiences a passionate desire to live. It is at these moments that his love for Natasha Rostova returns to him. But this is a different feeling: “...he imagined her soul for the first time. For the first time I understood the cruelty of breaking up with her.”

Death of Andrei Bolkonsky

“The more he, in those hours of suffering solitude and semi-delirium that he spent after his wound, thought about the new, open beginning of eternal love, the more he, without feeling it himself, renounced earthly life. To love everyone, to always sacrifice oneself for love, meant not loving anyone, it meant not living this earthly life.”

The fate of Andrei Bolkonsky is the path of a man who makes mistakes and is able to atone for his guilt, striving for moral perfection. Introducing to the feeling of eternal love revived the strength of spirit in Prince Andrei, and he accomplished the most difficult thing, according to Tolstoy - he died calmly and with dignity. And death became the “moment of truth” of his life.

Stages in the development of the personality of Andrei Bolkonsky

Battle of Austerlitz

The participation of Prince Andrei in the war of 1805 is connected with his ambitious dreams of glory, of his "Toulone". A passion for Napoleon was characteristic of many representatives of the advanced noble youth of the early XIX century. But Andrei thirsted not only for personal glory, but also for happiness for people. Tolstoy singles him out from the crowd of staff careerists (such as Zherkov and Drubetskoy). Overcoming the “Napoleonic” beginning, the desire to become higher than the people around him, ends this stage in Andrei’s life. The sky of Austerlitz helped Prince Andrey understand that both his admiration for Napoleon and his dream of becoming the savior of the Russian army were just a delusion.

Meeting with Pierre and Natasha

Disappointed in his former ideals, having experienced the grief of loss and repentance, Prince Andrei is confident that he has understood what happiness lies in: the absence of illness and remorse. But Pierre (in an argument on the ferry) proves to him that one must believe in the goodness and high destiny of man. And the meeting with Natasha saves Prince Andrei from a spiritual crisis, awakens in him love and the desire to live.

battle of Borodino

IN Patriotic War In 1812, the fate of the prince merged for the first time with the fate of the people. He returns to the army, overcome by the same feeling of offended national pride that leads ordinary Russian soldiers into battle. In the Battle of Borodino (unlike the Battle of Austerlitz), the prince accomplishes a real moral feat, achieves harmony with himself and understands that the main purpose of man is to serve the interests of his native people.

Prince Andrei dies from a wound received on the Borodino field. Tolstoy reconciles him not only with Natasha, but with the entire world, including the wounded Anatoly Kuragin. The writer put into the image of Prince Andrei his cherished thought that life is governed only by love and kindness, and without them neither true perfection nor deliverance from torment and contradictions is possible.

PIERRE BEZUKHOV

The bastard son of a major nobleman, who inherited the title of count and a huge fortune. Respect for him in the world is based on his property status. Openness of behavior and independence of thought distinguish him from the guests of the Scherer salon.

His spiritual properties are revealed in the very first description: when he smiles, his “serious and even somewhat angular face disappears and another one appears - childish, kind.” Due to his youth and under the influence of his environment, he makes many mistakes: he leads the reckless life of a social reveler and slacker, he allows Prince Vasily Kuragin to rob himself and marry Helen.

Before us is a man, just like Andrei Bolkonsky, looking for a business to which he could devote his life. He does not want and cannot be satisfied with secular values. He is characterized by dramatic delusions, contradictory character, he combines intelligence with naivety and simplicity, intertwining good and bad (the image is largely autobiographical). He is a man of his era, living by its interests and spiritual mood.

Not seeing his place in life, not knowing what to do with his strength, he initially leads a riotous life in the company of Dolokhov and Kuragin. Open and kind, he often finds himself defenseless against the skillful play of others. He does not know how to evaluate people correctly and makes mistakes in them too often.

Like Andrei, his moral development begins with a delusion - the deification of Napoleon. The novel shows several stages in the development of Pierre's personality. The main events in his life: entry into Freemasonry, the War of 1812 (Battle of Borodino, captivity, execution of arsonists), meeting with Platon Karataev, marriage to Natasha Rostova, passion for the ideas of the Decembrists.

Stages in the development of the personality of Pierre Bezukhov

Freemasonry

The duel with Dolokhov led Pierre to shock: he realized that he was capable of “encroaching” on a person’s life, and is trying to find moral support. He begins to hate the falseness of secular society, and begins to search for the meaning of life. This leads to Freemasonry, which he perceived as a doctrine of equality, brotherhood and love. He sincerely strives to alleviate the situation of the peasants (even to the point of liberating them from serfdom). But he soon becomes convinced of the futility of the Masonic movement and moves away from it.

War of 1812

The war awakened patriotic feelings in Pierre and sharpened national consciousness. With his own money, he equips a thousand militia, and he himself remains in Moscow to kill Napoleon and “to end the misfortunes of all Europe.” Having decided to execute the French emperor, he, according to Tolstoy, became the same madman as Prince Andrei was at Austerlitz, intending to save the army alone. Finding himself on the Borodino field at the time of the battle, Pierre understands that it is not the individual who makes history, but the people.

Meeting with Platon Karataev

Platon Karataev brings peace to the souls of all people. This is an amazing person: he doesn’t complain about anything, doesn’t blame anyone - kindness itself. Pierre gains wisdom from him by communicating with him “finds peace and self-satisfaction, which he had vainly strived for before.” Karataev becomes the main moral standard for Pierre.

Marriage, passion for the ideas of the Decembrists

Having married Natasha, for the first time he feels truly happy. Carried away by radical ideas, he believes that society can be changed through the efforts of several thousand honest people. Decembrism is his new delusion, close in meaning to Andrei’s attempt to get involved in changing Russian life “from above.” Not genius, not the “order” of the Decembrists, but the moral efforts of the entire nation - this is the path to real change in society. According to L.N. Tolstoy, the hero, was supposed to be exiled to Siberia. Having experienced the collapse of false hopes, he will come to a final understanding of the true laws of life.

Part three

The closeness of Napoleon and Alexander in 1808-1809. This closeness reached the point that when Napoleon attacked Austria, the Russian corps came out to assist its former enemy. Life for people far from politics went on as usual. The life and activities of Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the village. He implements the plans that Pierre had conceived, but did not bring to fruition: one estate was transferred to free cultivators, in others corvée was replaced by quitrent. The prince spent part of his time with his son and father in Bald Mountains, and the other in Bogucharovo. Prince Andrei's trip to his son's Ryazan estates. Spring in the forest. It was very hot and windless. Gloomy thoughts of Prince Andrei at the sight of an old oak tree. It was an oak tree with broken branches and bark overgrown with old sores. He “stood like an old, contemptuous freak between the smiling birches” and seemed to say: “Spring, and love, and happiness! And how can you not get tired of the same stupid and senseless deception! Everything is the same, and everything is a lie! There is no spring, no sun, no happiness.” In connection with this oak tree, Prince Andrei has a whole series of new thoughts: he comes to the conclusion that “he must live out his life without doing evil, without worrying and without wanting anything.”

Prince Andrei's trip to the Rostovs in Otradnoye. This trip had to be made because Count Ilya Andreevich Rostov was the district leader. Meeting with Natasha. When Bolkonsky drove in, a crowd of girls ran out to cross him. Natasha ran ahead. Andrei feels pain because she is happy with her own separate life and she doesn’t care about him. Throughout the day, Bolkonsky several times pays attention to Natasha laughing, not understanding why she is so happy, what is she thinking about? In the evening, Prince Andrei unwittingly overhears Natasha’s intimate conversation with Sonya. Natasha, who could not sleep, admires the beauty of the night, the moon, and wants to fly. Sonya says it's time to sleep, Natasha finally gives in to her. All this time, Bolkonsky, listening to the conversation, is involuntarily afraid that Natasha will say something about him, but she did not care about his existence. “Suddenly such a confusion of young thoughts and hopes, contradicting his whole life, arose in his soul” that he, not understanding himself, immediately falls asleep.

Prince Andrei's return home took place through the same grove where the old ugly oak tree stood. Prince Andrey decided to find this oak, but it was not there. He was transformed and turned green. “No gnarled fingers, no sores, no old mistrust and grief - nothing was visible.” Prince Andrei felt a surge of joy and vigor at the sight of the old oak tree blossoming. Bolkonsky’s faith in the possibility of activity, happiness, love and the decision to go to St. Petersburg in the fall. “No, life is not over at thirty-one!” - Bolkonsky decides for himself. He wanted everyone to know about him, not to live so independently of his life, so that everyone would live with him.

Arrival of Prince Andrei in St. Petersburg. The era of reforms and the apogee of Speransky's glory. At this time, those vague liberal dreams with which Emperor Alexander ascended the throne. Speransky replaced everyone in the civilian part, and Arakcheev - in the military. Prince Andrei at a reception with Arakcheev. He handed him a note about the military regulations, which he was supposed to review. Everyone who was in Arakcheev’s reception room looked humiliated and frightened. They called Prince Andrei. Speransky said that he did not approve of Bolkonsky's charter. But at the same time, Arakcheev enrolled Bolkonsky as a member of the committee on military regulations. But no salary. Prince Andrey says that he doesn’t need it.

Prince Andrei's interests in St. Petersburg and his passion for Speransky. Bolkonsky renews all his old acquaintances. Bolkonsky's welcome reception by various circles of high society in St. Petersburg. The party of reformers warmly received him, since he set the peasants free, the female world accepted him as a groom. “They started talking about him, they were interested in him and everyone wanted to see him.” Prince Andrey with Count Kochubey. His meeting and conversation with Speransky. Speransky is a man who had calmness and self-confidence, awkward and stupid movements, a firm, but at the same time soft look. He decides to start a conversation with Bolkonsky. He says that he has known about the prince for a long time thanks to his father and his actions with the peasants. Prince Andrei could not help but talk with Speransky, as he was interested in the personality of this man. Speransky invites Bolkonsky to visit him.

Pastime of Prince Andrei in St. Petersburg. He doesn’t do anything, doesn’t think about anything, but only says and even says the same thing on the same day in different societies. The impression made on him by Speransky. Bolkonsky wanted “to find in another the ideal of his perfection, to which he strived,” and therefore he easily found it in Speransky. And he flattered him, saying “we”, “us”, “us”. Only the cold gaze that did not penetrate into the soul embarrassed Bolkonsky. Characteristics of Speransky. His main feature is his belief in the power and legitimacy of the mind. He had great contempt for people. In support of his thoughts, Speransky could provide such a large amount of evidence that there was nothing left to do but agree with him. Enrollment of Prince Andrei as a member of the commission for drawing up military regulations and the commission for drawing up laws. He is appointed chief. He began to work on compiling the “Rights of Individuals” department.

Pierre at the head of St. Petersburg Freemasonry. He triples the dining rooms, recruits new members, takes care of uniting various lodges and acquiring genuine acts. Pierre's dissatisfaction with Masonic activities. He felt that he was losing faith in the truth of Freemasonry. It began to seem to him that Freemasonry was based on appearance alone; Russian Freemasonry had gone down the wrong path. Therefore, he undertakes a trip abroad to initiate himself into the highest secrets of Freemasonry. There he gains the trust of senior officials, penetrates many secrets and receives the highest rank. Return to St. Petersburg. Solemn meeting of the Masonic lodge. Pierre's speech and the excitement it created in the box. Pierre says that it is not enough to observe the sacraments of the Masons, one must also act. He proposes a plan that was entirely based on raising strong and virtuous people and persecuting vice and stupidity everywhere. The Grand Master began to object to Pierre. Pierre's break with the St. Petersburg masons.

Chapter VIII.

Pierre's melancholy. At this time, Helen sends him a letter, saying that she misses him and wants to see him. The mother-in-law called Pierre for an important conversation. He feels that he is being entangled, that in the state in which he is, he cannot do anything. A trip to Moscow to see Joseph Alekseevich. His reconciliation with his wife. Pierre commits this act on the basis that Joseph Alekseevich reminded him that one cannot refuse someone who asks. He settles in the upper chambers and feels a happy sense of renewal.

Circles of the highest St. Petersburg society. French circle of the Napoleonic Alliance - Count Rumyantsev and Caulaincourt. Helen is in the center of this circle. When Helen was in Erfurt, Napoleon himself noticed her. Her salon. A visit to Helen's salon was a diploma of intelligence. Although Pierre knew perfectly well that Helen was stupid, he always wondered why people did not see this, and was afraid that the deception would sooner or later be revealed. Pierre's role in his wife's salon. He was that clumsy husband who provided an advantageous background for his wife. Pierre learned the indifferent tone, carelessness and benevolence towards everyone that was expected of him. Among other guests, Boris Drubetskoy often visited Helen’s salon. Helen's closeness with Boris Drubetsky. Boris communicated with Pierre with special sad respect. Pierre's attitude towards Boris was negative. He himself was amazed at the antipathy he felt for this young man, although there were times when he liked him.

Diary of Pierre Bezukhov. Pierre writes that he is happy and calm in spirit. He tries to overcome his hatred of Drubetskoy. He asks the Lord to help him get rid of the passions that haunt him and gain virtue.

Arrival of the Rostovs in St. Petersburg. During the time that the Rostovs spent in the village, their affairs did not improve, and therefore the old count goes with his family to St. Petersburg to look for places. The Rostovs belong to a mixed and uncertain society in St. Petersburg. For Muscovites they were those provincials to whom people descended without asking who they were. Berg's career success. He was wounded in the arm and received two awards for this. He was a captain of the guard with orders and occupied a particularly advantageous position in St. Petersburg. Berg makes Vera an offer, which was initially accepted with unflattering bewilderment. But then everyone decided that maybe this was a good thing. And joy reigned in the Rostov family. Berg's explanation with the old count about the dowry. The Count did not know how much money he had, debts and what he could give to Vera. Berg directly asked the count what would be given for Vera. He replied that the bill was for eighty thousand. Berg asks to give him thirty thousand in his hands, to which the count agrees.

Natasha in St. Petersburg. She's already sixteen. She had not seen Boris for a long time and was now wondering whether to take seriously the oath she had given him four years ago. Boris now had a brilliant position in St. Petersburg thanks to his relationship with Helen, a brilliant position in the service thanks to his acquaintance with an influential person. He was going to marry one of the rich brides of St. Petersburg. Arrival of Boris Drubetsky to Rostov. His meeting with Natasha and the impression she made on him. This was no longer the same Natasha. Boris's passion for Natasha. Boris understands that interest in her has not cooled down, if not become even stronger, but he cannot marry Natasha, this is the collapse of his career. Boris now stopped visiting Helen and spent whole days with the Rostovs. Natasha was still in love with him.

Chapter XIII.

In the bedroom of Countess Rostova. Natasha's night visit and her daughter's conversation with her mother about Boris. Mother tells Natasha that she has completely turned Boris’s head, that this is impossible. After all, they can't get married. Natasha herself says that Boris is not her type, because he is “narrow, gray, light.” Not like Pierre, who is “dark blue with red and quadrangular.” Natasha's thoughts about herself. Natasha reasons that she is sweet, incredibly smart, good, etc. With such thoughts she falls asleep. The next morning the Countess spoke with Boris, and he no longer appeared at the Rostovs’ house.

New Year's ball at Catherine's nobleman. There should be a diplomatic corps at the ball. Congress of invitees. Preparations for the Rostov ball. Natasha's excited state before going to the first big ball. She rose at eight o'clock in the morning and was in a feverish state of anxiety and activity all day. At eleven o'clock everyone got into the carriages and drove off.

Natasha's arrival at the ball. What awaited Natasha was wonderful. She didn’t see anything, her eyes were running wild, and therefore she behaved so naturally, which was all that came to her. The impression Natasha made on the hostess and some guests. Everyone looked after this girl, probably remembering their first ball. And the owner, following Natasha with his eyes, said: “Charmante!” Peronskaya names significant persons who were at the ball as Rostov. Pierre and Prince Andrei at the ball. Pierre was heading to Natasha, as he promised to introduce her to the gentlemen. But, before reaching her, he stops near a handsome brunette in a white uniform. It was Bolkonsky, rejuvenated and cheerful. Peronskaya says that she can’t stand Bolkonsky, although everyone is crazy about him, he has too much pride.

Arrival at Alexander's ball. The whole crowd rushed to look at the emperor. The Emperor opens the ball. Natasha's despair that she does not dance between the first ones. Nobody invited Natasha, she was almost crying. Waltz. Pierre asks Bolkonsky to invite Natasha to dance. Prince Andrei looked at Natasha, remembered her conversation in Otradnoye and invited her to dance. Bolkonsky was one of the best dancers of his time, Natasha also danced superbly. Revival of Prince Andrei. At first, the prince invited Natasha only because he wanted to take his mind off the conversations about politics with which everyone was approaching him, but when he felt Natasha so close, “the wine of her charm went to his head, he felt revived and rejuvenated.”

Chapter XVII.

Natasha's cheerful disposition and her dancing throughout the whole evening. She danced with Boris and a dozen other gentlemen. The impression Natasha made on Prince Andrei. She was something that did not bear the imprint of secularism. He even thought, quite unexpectedly for himself, that if Natasha approached first her cousin and then another lady, she would be his wife. She approached her cousin. Pierre's gloomy mood at the ball. For the first time he was offended by the position that Helen occupied in high society.

Chapter XVIII.

Prince Andrey's mood after the ball. He thought that there was something fresh, special, not St. Petersburg about Natasha. Bitsky's story about the meeting of the State Council. The sovereign's speech at this meeting was magnificent. Prince Andrei's indifference to this meeting. Moreover, now this event seemed insignificant to Bolkonsky. He thought that this advice could not make him happier and better. Bolkonsky at dinner with Speransky. At the entrance to the hall where the dinner was to take place, Bolkonsky heard Speransky laughing. This laugh hits him hard. And suddenly everything that seemed attractive and mysterious to Prince Andrei in Speransky became so clear and unattractive. Prince Andrei's disappointment in Speransky and his activities. Speransky and his desire to relax after a working day seemed sad and difficult to Prince Andrei. Everything about Speransky now seems unnatural to Bolkonsky. Bolkonsky tried to quickly leave this lunch. Arriving home, he began to remember his life as something new and was surprised how he could do idle work for so long.

Prince Andrei's visit to the Rostovs. The entire family, which Prince Andrei had previously judged so strictly, seemed to him to be made up of simple and kind people. In Natasha, Bolkonsky felt the presence of that alien world that teased him so much. Natasha's singing. While singing, Bolkonsky feels that tears are coming to his throat, and something new and happy is happening in his soul. Bolkonsky's thoughts after visiting Rostov. He felt joyful and new in his soul, but he did not yet know that he was in love with Rostova. Bolkonsky remembers Pierre’s words that one must believe in the possibility of happiness in order to be happy, and realizes that now he himself believes in it. “Let’s leave the dead to bury the dead, but while you’re alive, you must live and be happy,” thought Prince Andrei.

Berg invites Pierre to his place for the evening. Berg and Vera are in their apartment, waiting for guests. Arrival of Pierre, Boris and other guests. The evening started off great and was like one of a thousand other evenings that happen in St. Petersburg.

Natasha and Prince Andrei at an evening at the Bergs'. Pierre's observation of them. He cannot understand what happened to Natasha; there was some kind of inner light burning in her that made her attractive. Pierre saw a youthful expression in the face of Prince Andrei. He decides that something important is happening between them. He experiences a joyful and at the same time bitter feeling about this. Vera's conversation with Prince Andrei about feelings, about Natasha and the childhood love between her and Boris.

Revival of Prince Andrei. Vera told Bolkonsky that until recently Natasha didn’t really like anyone. Suddenly Bolkonsky perked up and told Pierre that he wanted to talk to him. But, without really saying anything, Bolkonsky goes to Natasha. Berg was very pleased with the reception.

Chapter XXII.

Prince Andrei spends the whole day with the Rostovs. There is fear in the Rostov house before something important that is about to happen. Natasha's conversation with her mother about Prince Andrei and her feelings. Natasha asks her mother if what she feels for him, and he for her, is real? She understands that she fell in love with Bolkonsky even when she saw him in Otradnoye. Raut at Helen's. Pierre's gloomy mood. He amazed everyone with his concentrated, gloomy and absent-minded appearance. Everything seems insignificant to him compared to eternity. Pierre is equally oppressed by his position and the feelings of Natasha and Andrei. Prince Andrei informs Pierre of his love for Natasha and his firm decision to marry her. Pierre rejoices at his friend's happiness. Bolkonsky says that he has not lived until now. He doubts whether Natasha can love him, because he is too old for her. Bolkonsky says that the world is now divided for him into two parts: one, where she is and all the happiness, and the other, where she is not, there is despondency and emptiness. Pierre looks at Bolkonsky with tenderness and sadness: the brighter his friend’s fate seems to him, the darker his own.

Chapter XXIII.

Prince Andrei's trip to his father for permission to marry. The old prince sets a delay in his son's marriage for a year as an indispensable condition for his consent. He cannot understand how someone decided to change anything in his life, to introduce something new, when his life was already over. Bolkonsky sees that the old prince hopes that Andrei’s feelings for Natasha will pass in a year, or at least the old prince will die by this time and will not see anything. Natasha's futile expectations of Prince Andrey. Natasha waited for three weeks, did not go anywhere, was sad and idle. One day she walked past a large mirror, stopped near it, and the state of self-love and self-admiration returned to her. Arrival of Prince Andrei. Bolkonsky explains to Natasha the reason for his absence: he had to go! to my father. His proposal to Natasha. Bolkonsky tells the countess that his father wants him to wait a year. Natasha's excitement and tears. Her distress at the postponement of the wedding. Prince Andrei tells Natasha that the engagement will remain a secret, she is free, and if she wants, then in a year she will make him happy. Natasha says she will do everything, although a year is an awfully long time.

Chapter XXIV.

The relationship between Prince Andrei and Natasha after the engagement. Bolkonsky visited the Rostovs every day, but did not behave like a groom: he said “you” to Natasha, and only kissed her hand. A simple, close relationship became between them. The Rostov family gets used to Bolkonsky. At first they felt awkward, but after a few days they got used to him and continued to lead their usual way of life with him. The relationship of the household to the bride and groom. There was that poetic boredom and silence in the house that happens in the presence of the bride and groom. Natasha and Prince Andrei, when left alone, rarely talked about their future; more often they were silent. Natasha was absolutely happy, but the thought of the upcoming separation frightened her. Natasha's separation from Prince Andrei. Bolkonsky asks Natasha that no matter what happens during his departure, that she always turn for help only to Pierre, because he has a heart of gold. Natasha does not cry at the moment of parting, as if she does not understand what awaits her. She remains ill for a week. But then, unexpectedly for everyone, Natasha woke up from her illness and became the same as before, “but only with an invariably moral physiognomy, like children with a different face getting out of bed after a long illness.”

Weakening of the health and character of the old Prince Bolkonsky. All outbursts of anger from a new layer fall on Marya. He constantly insults her, but she tries to find the strength in her soul to forgive her father. Increasing his irritability against Princess Marya. Prince Andrei arrives briefly. He talks to his father, then they both leave the office dissatisfied with each other. Prince Andrei does not say anything to his sister about his love for Natasha. Letter from Princess Marya to Julie Karagina. In this letter, Princess Marya writes about the changes that have occurred with Andrei. She believes that he probably realized that life was not over for him. She cannot believe the rumor that Julie told her about: Bolkonsky cannot marry Rostova. She frankly admits that she does not want this.

Chapter XXVI.

Princess Marya receives a letter from her brother informing her of her engagement to Rostova and asking her to petition her father to shorten the appointed period. The entire letter literally breathes with love for Natasha and trust in her sister. Bolkonsky writes that only now he understood life. After thinking a little, Marya gives the letter to her father and hears in response that he should wait until his father dies, it won’t be long. The old prince's irritation against his son and his intention to marry the Frenchwoman Burien. The hidden dream and hope of Princess Marya is to leave her family and worries about worldly affairs and become a wanderer. She doesn’t understand why people are so short-sighted, they don’t see that in this fleeting life there is no happiness for which everyone is fighting. But Christ taught that this life is only a test. Princess Marya becomes confident in her intention to go wandering. But then, when she looked at her father and nephew, she realized that she loved them more than God and could not leave them.

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