 War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, translated by Elmer and Louise Maud, Book 12. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Tim, Sheepridge, Oregon, overlooking the beautiful Wallowa Mountains. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Book 12, Chapter 1. In Petersburg at that time, a complicated struggle is being carried on with greater heat than ever in the highest circles between the parties of Rumiantsev, the French, Maria Fedorovna, the Tsarvich, and others drowned as usual by the buzzing of the court drones. But the calm, luxurious life of Petersburg concerned only about phantoms and reflections of real life went on its old way and made it hard, except by a great effort to realize the danger and the difficult position of the Russian people. There were the same receptions and balls, the same French theater, the same court interests and service interests, and intrigues as usual, only in the very highest circles were attempts made to keep in mind the difficulties of the actual position. Stories were whispered of how differently the two empresses behaved in these difficult circumstances. The Empress Maria, concerned for the welfare of the charitable and educational institutions under her patronage, had given directions that they should all be removed to Kasan, and the things belonging to these institutions had already been packed up. The Empress Elizabeth, however, when asked what instructions she would be pleased to give, with her characteristic Russian patriotism, had replied that she could give no directions about state institutions for that was the affair of the sovereign, but as far as she personally was concerned, she would be the last to quit Petersburg. At Anapavlovna's on the 26th of August, the very day of the Battle of Borodino, there was a soiree, the chief feature of which was to be the reading of the letter from his lordship, the bishop, while sending the emperor an icon of the venerable Sergius. It was regarded as a model of ecclesiastical, patriotic eloquence. Prince Vassily himself, famed for his eloquence, was to read it. He used to read at the empresses. The art of his reading was supposed to lie unrolling out the words, quite independently of their meaning, in a loud and sing-song voice, alternating between a despairing wail and a tender murmur, so that the wail felt quite at random on one word and the murmur on another. This reading, as was always the case at Anapavlovna's soirees, had a political significance. That evening she expected several important personages, who had to be made ashamed of their visits to the French theater, and aroused to a patriotic temper. A good many people had already arrived, but Anapavlovna, not yet seeing all those whom she wanted in her drying room, did not let the reading begin, but wound up the springs of a general conversation. The news of the day in Petersburg was the illness of Countess Buzakova. She had fallen ill unexpectedly a few days previously, had missed several gatherings of which she was usually ornamented, and was said to be receiving no one, and instead of the celebrated Petersburg doctors, who usually attended her, had entrusted herself to some Italian doctor who was treating her in some new and unusual way. They all knew very well that the enchanting Countess's illness arose from an inconvenience resulting from marrying two husbands at the same time, and that the Italian's cure consisted in removing such inconvenience. But in Anapavlovna's presence no one dared to think of this or even appear to know it. They say the poor Countess is very ill, the doctor says it is angina pectoris. Angina, oh that's a terrible illness. They say that the rivals are reconciled thanks to the angina. And the word angina was repeated with great satisfaction. The Countess's pathetic, they say, he cried like a child when the doctor told him the case was dangerous. Oh it would be a terrible loss, she is an enchanting woman. You are speaking of the poor Countess, said Anapavlovna coming up just then? I sent to ask for news and hear that she is a little better. Oh she is certainly the most charming woman in the world she went on with a smile at her own enthusiasm. We belong to different camps, but that does not prevent my esteeming her as she deserves. She is very unfortunate, added Anapavlovna. Supposing that by these words Anapavlovna was somewhat lifting the veil from the secret of the Countess's malady. An unwary young man ventured to express surprise that well-known doctors had not been called in and the Countess was being attended by a charlatan who might employ dangerous remedies. Your information may be better than mine, Anapavlovna suddenly and venomously retorted on the inexperienced young man, but I know on good authority that this doctor is a very learned and able man. He is private physician to the Queen of Spain. And having thus demolished the young man, Anapavlovna turned to another group where Billibon was talking about the Austrians. Having wrinkled up his face, he was evidently preparing to smooth it out again and utter one of his moths. I think it is delightful, he said, referring to a diplomatic note that had been sent to Vienna with some Austrian banners captured from the French by Wiggenstein. The hero of Petropolis, as he was then called in Petersburg. What? What's that? asked Anapavlovna, securing silence for the moth, which she had heard before. And Billibon repeated the actual words of the diplomatic dispatch, which he had himself composed. The Emperor returns these Austrian banners, said Billibon. Friendly banners gone astray and found on a wrong path, and his brow became smooth again. Charming, charming, observed Prince Vassily. The path the Warsaw perhaps, Prince Hippolite remarked loudly and unexpectedly. Everybody looked at him, understanding what he meant. Prince Hippolite himself glanced around with a meese surprise. He knew no more than the others what his words meant. During his diplomatic career, he had more than once noticed that such utterances were received as very witty, and at every opportunity, he uttered in that way the first words that entered his head. It may turn out very well, he thought, but if not, they'll know how to arrange matters. And really, during the awkward silence that ensued, that insufficiently patriotic person entered whom Anapavlovna had been waiting for and wished to convert, and she, smiling and shaking a finger at Hippolite, invited Prince Vassily to the table and bringing him two candles in the manuscript, begged him to begin. Everyone became silent. Most gracious sovereign and emperor, Prince Vassily sternly declaimed, looking round at his audience to inquire whether anyone had anything to say to the contrary. But no one said anything. Moscow, our ancient capital, the new Jerusalem, receives her Christ. He placed a sudden emphasis on the word her. As a mother receives her zealous sons into her arms and through the gathering mists for seeing the brilliant glory of thy rule sings in exultation, Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh. Prince Vassily pronounced these last words in a tearful voice. Bill had been attentively examined his nails and many of those present appeared intimidated as if asking in what they were to blame, Anapavlovna whispered the next words in advance, like an old woman muttering the prayer at communion, let the bold and insolent Goliath, she whispered. Prince Vassily continued, let the bold and insolent Goliath from the borders of France encompass the realms of Russia with death-bearing terrors. Humble faith, with the sling of the Russian David, shall suddenly smite his head in his bloodthirsty pride. This icon of the venerable Sergius, the servant of God and zealous champion of old of our country's wheel is offered to your imperial majesty. I grieve that my waning strength prevents rejoicing in the sight of your most gracious presence. I rise fervent prayers to heaven that the Almighty may exalt the race of the just and mercifully fulfill the desires of your majesty. What force, what a style, was uttered in approval, both of reader and of author. Animated by that address, Anapavlovna's guests talked for a long time of the state of the fatherland and offered various conjectures as to the result of the battle to be fought in a few days. You will see, said Anapavlovna, that tomorrow, on the emperor's birthday, we shall receive news. I have a favorable presentment. War and Peace. Book 12, Chapter 2, read for LibriVox.org by M. White. Anapavlovna's pre-sentiment was in fact fulfilled. Next day, during the service at the palace church in honor of the emperor's birthday, Prince Valkonsky was called out of the church and received a dispatch from Prince Kutuzov. It was Kutuzov's report, written from Tataranova on the day of the battle. Anapavlov wrote that the Russians had not retreated a step, that the French losses were much heavier than ours and that he was writing in haste from the field of battle before collecting full information. It followed that there must have been a victory and at once, without leaving the church, thanks were rendered to the creator for his help and for the victory. Anapavlovna's pre-sentiment was justified and all that morning a joyously festive mood reigned in the city. Everyone believed the victory to have been complete and some even spoke of Napoleon's having been captured, of his deposition and of the choice of a new ruler for France. It is very difficult for events to be reflected in their real strength and completeness amid the conditions of court life and far from the scene of action. General events involuntarily grouped themselves around some particular incident. So now the courtier's pleasure was based as much on the fact that the news had arrived on the emperor's birthday as on the fact of the victory itself. It was like a successfully arranged surprise. Mention was made in Kudysav's report of the Russian losses among which figured the names of Tukhov, Bagration and Kudysav. In the Petersburg world, this sad side of the affair again involuntarily centered around a single incident. Kudysav's death. Everybody knew him, the emperor liked him and he was young and interesting. That day everyone met with the words, what a wonderful coincidence. Just during the service. But what a last Kudysav is. How sorry I am. What did I tell about Kudysav? Prince Vasily now said with a prophet's pride, I always said he was the only man capable of defeating Napoleon. But next day no news arrived from the army and the public mood grew anxious. The courtiers suffered because of the suffering the suspense occasioned the emperor. Fancy the emperor's position said they and instead of extolling Kudysav as they had done the day before they condemned him as the cause of the emperor's anxiety. That day Prince Vasily no longer boasted of his protégé Kudysav but remained silent when the commander-in-chief was mentioned. Moreover toward evening as if everything conspired to make Petersburg's society anxious and uneasy a terrible piece of news was added. Countess Helene Buzakova had suddenly died of that terrible malady it had been so agreeable to mention. Officially at large gatherings everyone said that Countess Buzakova had died of a terrible attack of Angiopectoris. But in intimate circles details were mentioned of how the private physician of the Queen of Spain had prescribed small doses of a certain drug to produce a certain effect. But Helene tortured by the fact that the old count suspected her and that her husband to whom she had written that wretched, profligate pierre had not replied had suddenly taken a very large dose of the drug and had died in agony before assistance could be rendered her. It was said that Prince Vasily and the old count had turned upon the Italian but the latter had produced such letters from the unfortunate deceased that they had immediately let the matter drop. Talk in general centered around the three melancholy facts the emperor's lack of news the loss of Kudysav and the death of Helene. On the third day after Kudysav's report a country gentleman arrived from Moscow and news of the surrender of Moscow to the French spread through the whole town. This was terrible what a position for the emperor to be in. Kudysav was a traitor and Prince Vasily during the visits of condolence paid to him on the occasion of his daughter's death said of Kudysav whom he had formerly praised it was excusable for him in his grief to forget said that it was impossible to expect anything else from a blind and depraved old man. I only wonder that the fate of Russia could have been entrusted to such a man as long as the news remained unofficial it was possible to doubt it but the next day the following communication was received from Count Rostoplan Prince Kudysav's agentant has brought me a letter in which he demands police officers to guide the army to the rising road. He writes that he is regretfully abandoning Moscow. Sire, Kudysav's action decides the fate of the capital and of your empire. Russia will shudder to learn of the abandonment of the city in which her greatness is centered and in which lie the ashes of your ancestors. I shall follow the army I have had everything removed and it only remains for me to weep over the fate of my fatherland. On receiving this dispatch the emperor sent Prince Valkonsky to Kudysav with the following re-script Prince Michael Ilarionovich Since the 29th of August I have received no communication from you yet on the 1st of September I received from the commander in chief of Moscow V. Yaroslavl the sad news that you with the army have decided to abandon Moscow You can yourself imagine the effect this news has had on me and your silence increases my astonishment. I am sending this by agentant general Prince Valkonsky to hear from you the situation of the army and the reasons that have induced you to take this melancholy decision. End of Chapter 2 by M. White This recording is in the public domain War and Peace Book 12, Chapter 3 Read for LibriVox.org by M. White Nine days after the abandonment of Moscow a messenger from Kudysav reached Petersburg with the official announcement of that event. This messenger was Mishu a Frenchman who did not know Russian but who was though a foreigner, Russian in heart and soul as he said of himself The emperor at once received this messenger in his study at the palace on Stone Island Mishu who had never seen Moscow before the campaign and who did not know Russian yet felt deeply moved as he wrote when he appeared before Our most gracious sovereign with the news of the burning of Moscow or whose flames illuminated his route though the source of Mishu's chagrin must have been different from that which caused Russians to grieve he had such a sad face when shown into the emperor's study that the later at once asked have you brought me sad news Colonel very sad sir replied Mishu covering his eyes with a sigh the abandonment of Moscow have they surrendered my ancient kibble without a battle as the emperor quickly his face suddenly flushing Mishu respectfully delivered the message Kuduzov had entrusted to him which was that it had been impossible to fight before Moscow and that as the only remaining choice was between losing the army as well as Moscow or losing Moscow alone the field Marshall had to choose the later the emperor listened in silence not looking at Mishu the enemy entered the city he asked yes sir and Moscow was now in ashes I left it all in flames replied Mishu in a decided tone but glancing at the emperor he was frightened by what he had done the emperor began to breathe heavily and rapidly his lower lip trembled and tears instantly appeared in his fine blue eyes but this lasted only a moment he suddenly frowned as if blaming himself for his weakness and raising his head addressed Mishu in a firm voice I see Colonel from all that is happening that Providence requires great sacrifices of us I'm ready to submit myself in all things to his will but tell me Mishu how did you leave the army when it saw my ancient capital abandoned without a battle did you not notice discouragement seeing that his most gracious ruler was calm once more Mishu also grew calm but was not immediately ready to reply to the emperor's direct and relevant question which required answer Sire will you allow me to speak frankly as befits a loyal soldier he asked to gain time Colonel I always require it replied the emperor conceal nothing from me I wish to know absolutely how things are Sire said Mishu with a subtle scarcely perceptible smile on his lips having now prepared a well phrased reply Sire I left the whole army from its chiefs to the lowest soldier without exception in desperate and agonized terror how was that the emperor interrupted him frowning sternly would misfortune make my russians lose heart never Mishu had only waited for this to bring out the phrase he had prepared Sire he said with respectful playfulness they are only afraid lest your majesty in the goodness of your heart should allow yourself to be persuaded to make peace they are burning for the combat declared this representative of the russian nation and to prove to your majesty by the sacrifice of their lives how devoted they are ah said the emperor reassured and with a kindly gleam in his eyes he patted Mishu on the shoulder you set me at ease Colonel he bent his head and was silent for some time well then go back to the army he said drawing himself up to his full height and addressing Mishu with a gracious and majestic gesture and tell our brave men and all my good subjects wherever you go that when I have not a soldier left I shall put myself at the head of my beloved nobility and my good peasants and so use the last resources of my empire it still offers me more than my enemies suppose said the emperor growing more and more animated but should it ever be ordained by divine providence he continued raising to heaven his fine eyes shining with emotion that my dynasty should cease to reign on the throne of my ancestors then after exhausting all the means at my command I shall let my beard grow to here he pointed halfway down his chest and go and eat potatoes with the meanest of my peasants rather than sign the disgrace of my country and of my beloved people who sacrifices I know how to appreciate having uttered these words in an agitated voice the emperor suddenly turned away as if to hide from Mishu the tears that rose to his eyes and went to the further end of his study having stood there a few moments he strode back to Mishu and pressed his arm below the elbow with a vigorous movement the emperor's mild and handsome face was flushed and his eyes gleamed with resolution and anger Colonel Mishu do not forget what I say to you here perhaps we may recall it with pleasure some day Napoleon or I said the emperor touching his breast we can no longer both reign together I have learned to know him and he will not deceive me anymore and the emperor paused with a frown when he heard those words and saw the expression of firm resolution in the emperor's eyes Mishu at that solemn moment felt himself enraptured by all that he had heard as he used afterwards to say and gave expression to his own feelings and those of the Russian people whose representative he considered himself to be in the following words Sire said he your majesty is at this moment singing the glory of the nation and the salvation of Europe with an inclination of the head the emperor dismissed him end of chapter 3 recording by M. White war and peace book 12 chapter 4 read for LibriVox.org by M. White it is natural for us who are not living in those days to imagine that when half Russia had been conquered and the inhabitants were fleeing to distant provinces and one lovely after another was being raised for the defense of the fatherland all Russians from the greatest to the least were solely engaged in sacrificing themselves saving the fatherland or weeping over its downfall the tales and descriptions of that time without exception speak only of the self-sacrifice patriotic devotion despair grief and the heroism of the Russians but it was not really so it appears so to us because we see only the general historic interest of that time and do not see all the personal human interest that people had yet in reality those personal interests of the moment so much transcend the general interests that they always prevent the public interest from being felt or even noticed most of the people at that time paid no attention to the general progress of events but were guided only by their private interests and they were the very people whose activities at that period were most useful those who tried to understand the general course of events and to take part in it by self-sacrifice and heroism were the most useless members of society they saw everything upside down and all they did for the common good turned out to be useless and foolish like Piers and Mamanov's regiments which looted Russian villages and the lint the young ladies prepared and that never reached the wounded and so on even those fond of intellectual talk and of expressing their feelings passed Russia's position at the time involuntarily introduced into their conversation either a shade of pretense and falsehood or useless condemnation and anger directed against people accused of actions no one could possibly be guilty of in historic events the rule forbidding us to eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge is specially applicable only unconscious action bears fruit and he who plays a part in an historic event never understands its significance if he tries to realize it his efforts are fruitless the more closely a man was engaged in the events then taking place in Russia the less did he realize their significance in Petersburg and in the provinces at a distance from Moscow ladies and gentlemen in military uniforms wept for Russia and its ancient capital and talked of self-sacrifice and so on but in the army which retired beyond Moscow there was little talk or thought of Moscow and when they caught sight of its burned ruins no one swore to be avenged on the French but they thought about their next pay their next quarters of Matreshkin the Vivendier and like matters as the war had caught him in the service Nicholas Rostov took a close and prolonged part in the defense of his country but did so casually without any aim at self-sacrifice and he therefore looked at what was going on in Russia without despair and without dismally racking his brains over it had even asked what he thought of the state of Russia he would have said that it was not his business to think about it that Kudazov and others were there for that purpose but that he had heard the regiments were to be made up to their full strength that fighting would probably go on for a long time yet and that things being so it was quite likely he might be in command of a regiment in a couple of years time as he looked at the matter in this way he learned that he was being sent to Veronze to buy remounts for his division not only without regret at being prevented from taking part in the coming battle but with the greatest pleasure which he did not conceal in which his comrades fully understood a few days before the battle of Borodino Nicholas received the necessary money and warrants and having sent some Hussers to the out in advance he set out with post horses for Veronze only a man who has experienced it that is has passed some months continuously in an atmosphere of campaigning and war can understand that the light Nicholas felt when he escaped from the region covered by the armies foraging operations provision trains and hospitals when free from soldiers wagons and the filthy traces of a camp he saw villages with peasants and peasant women gentlemen's country houses fields where cattle were grazing post houses with station masters asleep in them he rejoiced as though seeing all this for the first time what for a long while specially surprised and delighted him were the women young and healthy without a dozen officers making up to each of them women too who were pleased and flattered that a passing officer should joke with them in the highest spirits at night at a hotel in Veronze ordered things he had long been deprived of in camp and next day very clean shaven and in a full dress uniform he had not worn for a long time went to present himself to the authorities the commander of the militia was a civilian general an old man who was evidently pleased with his military designation and rank he received Nicholas Brusley imagining this to be characteristically military and questioned him with an important air as if considering the general progress of affairs and approving and disapproving with full right to do so Nicholas was in such good spirits that this merely amused him from the commander of the militia he drove to the governor the governor was a brisk little man very simple and affable he indicated the stud farms at which Nicholas might procure horses recommended to him a horse dealer in the town and a land owner 14 miles out of town who had the best horses and promised to assist him in every way you are Count Ilya Rostov's son my wife was a great friend of your mother's we are at home on Thursdays today is Thursday so please come and see us quite informally said the governor taking leave of him immediately on leaving the governor's Nicholas hired post horses and taking his squadron quarter master with him drove at a gallop to the land owner 14 miles away who had the stud everything seemed to him pleasant and easy first part of his stay in Verona and as usually happens when a man is in a pleasant state of mind everything went well and easily the land owner to whom Nicholas went was a bachelor, an old cavalryman a horse fancier, a sportsman the possessor of some century old brandy and some old Hungarian wine who had a snuggery where he smoked and who owned some splendid horses in very few words Nicholas bought 17 picked stallions for 6,000 rubles to serve as he said as samples of his remounts after dining and taking rather too much of the Hungarian wine, Nicholas having exchanged kisses with the land owner with whom he was already on the friendliest terms, galloped back over abominable roads in the brightest frame of mind continually urging on the driver so as to be in time for the governor's party when he had changed poured water over his head and sent it himself arrived at the governor's rather late but with the phrase better late than never on his lips it was not a ball nor had dancing been announced but everyone knew that Catherine Petranova would play valses and the ecossiere on the clavichord and that there would be dancing and so everyone had come as to a ball provincial life in 1812 went on very much as usual but with this difference that it was livelier in the towns in consequence of the arrival of many wealthy families from Moscow and as in everything that went on in Russia at that time a special recklessness was noticeable and in for a penny in for a pound who cares spirit and the inevitable small talk instead of turning on the weather and mutual acquaintances now turned on Moscow the army and Napoleon the society gathered together at the governor's was the best in Veranze there were a great many ladies and some of Nicholas's Moscow acquaintances but there were no men who could all vie with the cavalier of Saint George the Hussar Remount officer the good nature and well-bred Count Rostov among the men was an Italian prisoner an officer of the French army and Nicholas felt that the presence of that prisoner enhanced his own importance as a Russian hero the Italian was, as it were, a war trophy Nicholas felt this it seemed to him that everyone regarded the Italian in the same light and he treated him cordially though with dignity and restraint as soon as Nicholas entered in his Hussar uniform, diffusing around him a fragrance of perfume and wine and had uttered the words better late than never and heard them repeated several times by others people clustered around him all eyes turned on him and he felt at once that he had entered into his proper position in the province that of a universal favorite a very pleasant position and intoxicatingly so after his long privations at posting stations at inns and in the landowner's snugery made servants had been flattered by his notice and here too at the governor's party there were as it seemed to Nicholas an inexhaustible number of pretty young women married and unmarried impatiently awaiting his notice the women and girls flirted with him and from the first day the people concerned themselves to get this fine young daredevil of a Hussar married and settled down. Among these was the governor's wife herself who welcomed Rostov as a near relative and called him Nicholas Catherine Petronova did actually play Valses and the Econcier and dancing began in which Nicholas still further captivated the provincial society by his agility his particularly free manner of dancing even surprised them all Nicholas was himself rather surprised at the way he danced that evening he had never danced like that in Moscow and would even have considered such a very free and easy manner improper and in bad form but here he felt it incumbent on him to astonish them all by something unusual something they would have to accept as the regular thing in the capital though new to them in the provinces all the evening Nicholas paid attention to a blue-eyed plump and pleasing little blonde the wife of one of the provincial officials with the naive conviction of young men in a merry mood that other men's wives were created for them Rostov did not leave the lady's side and treated her husband in a friendly and conspiratorial style as if without speaking of it they knew how capitally Nicholas and the lady would get on together the husband however did not seem to share that conviction and tried to behave morosely with Rostov but the latter's good natured naivete was so boundless that sometimes even he involuntarily yielded Nicholas's good humour toward the end of the evening however as the wife's face grew more flushed and animated the husbands became more and more melancholy and solemn as though there were but a given amount of animation between them and as the wife's share increased the husbands diminished End of chapter 4 by M. White War and Peace Chapter 12 Book 5 Nicholas sat leaning slightly forward in an armchair bending closely over the blonde lady and paying her mythological compliments with a smile that never left his face jauntily shifting the position of his legs in their tight riding breeches defusing an odor of perfume and admiring his partner himself and the fine outlines of his legs in their well-fitting hessian boots Nicholas told the blonde lady that he wished to run away with a certain lady here in Vorones which lady a charming lady a divine one her eyes Nicholas looked at his partner our blue her mouth coral and ivory her figure he glanced at her shoulders like Diana's the husband came up and sullenly asked his wife what she was talking about ah Nikita Ivanovich cried Nicholas rising politely and as if wishing Nikita Ivanovich to share his joke he began to tell him of his intention to elope with a blonde lady the husband smiled gloomily the wife gaily the governor's good-natured wife came up with a look of disapproval Anna Ignatievna wants to see you, Nicholas said she pronouncing the name so that Nicholas at once understood that Anna Ignatievna was a very important person come Nicholas you know you let me call you so oh yes Aunt who is she Anna Ignatievna Melvinseva she has heard from her niece how you rescued her can you guess I rescued such a lot of them said Nicholas her niece Princess Bokonskaya she's here in Vorones with her aunt oh how you blush not a bit, please don't, Aunt very well, very well what a fellow you are the governor's wife led him up to a tall and very stout old lady with a blue headdress who had just finished her game of cards with the most important personages of the town this was Melvinseva Princess Mary's aunt on her mother's side a rich childless widow who always lived in Vorones when Rostov approached her she was standing settling up for the game she looked at him and screwing up her eyes sternly continued to upgrade the general who had won from her very pleased, mon cher she then said holding out her hand to Nicholas pray come and see me after a few words about Princess Mary and her late father whom Melvinseva had evidently not liked and having asked what Nicholas knew of Prince Andrew who was also evidently no favorite of hers the important old lady dismissed Nicholas after repeating her invitation to come and see her Nicholas promised to come and blushed again as he bowed at the mention of Princess Mary he experienced a feeling of shyness and even a fear which he himself did not understand when he had parted from Melvinseva Nicholas wished to return to the dancing but the governor's little wife placed her plump hand on his sleeve and saying that she wanted to have a talk with him led him to her sitting room from which those who were there immediately withdrew so as not to be in her way do you know dear boy began the governor's wife with a serious expression on her kind little face that really would be the match for you would you like me to arrange it whom do you mean aunt asked Nicholas I will make a match for you with the princess Catherine Petrovna speaks of Lily but I say no the princess do you want me to do it I'm sure your mother will be grateful to me what a charming girl she is really and she's not at all so plain either not at all replied Nicholas as if offended at the idea as befits a soldier aunt I don't force myself on anyone or refuse anything he said before he had time to consider what he was saying well then remember this is not a joke of course not yes yes the governor's wife said is of talking to herself but my dear boy among other things you are too attentive to the other the blonde one is sorry for the husband really ah no we were good friends with him said Nicholas in the simplicity of his heart it did not enter his head that a pastime so pleasant to himself might not be pleasant to someone else but what nonsense I have been saying to the governor's wife thought Nicholas suddenly at supper she will really begin to arrange a match in Sonia and on taking leave of the governor's wife when she again smilingly said to him well then remember he drew her aside but see here to tell the truth aunt what is it my dear come let's sit down here said she Nicholas suddenly felt a desire and need to tell his most intimate thoughts which he would not have told to his mother, his sister or his friend to this woman who was almost a stranger when he afterwards recalled that impulse to unsolicited and inexplicable frankness which had very important results for him it seemed to him as it seems to everyone in such cases that it was merely some silly whim that seized him yet that burst of frankness together with other trifling events had immense consequences for him and for all his family you see aunt mama has long wanted me to marry an heiress but the very idea of marrying for money is repugnant to me oh yes I understand said the governor's wife but princess Bokonskaya that's another matter I will tell you the truth in the first place I like her very much I feel drawn to her and then after I met her under such circumstances so strangely the idea often occurred to me this is fate especially if you remember that mama had long been thinking of it but I had never happened to meet her before somehow it had always happened that we did not meet and as long as my sister Natasha was engaged to her brother it was of course out of the question for me to think of marrying her and it must needs happen that I should meet her just when Natasha's engagement had been broken off and then everything so you see I never told this to anyone and never will only to you the governor's wife pressed his elbow gratefully you know Sonia my cousin I love her and promised to marry her and will do so so you see there can be no question about said Nicholas incoherently and blushing my dear boy what a way to look at it you know Sonia has nothing and you yourself say your papa's affairs are in a very bad way and what about your mother it would kill her that's one thing and what sort of life would it be for Sonia if she's a girl with a heart your mother in despair and you all ruined no my dear you and Sonia ought to understand that Nicholas remained silent it comforted him to hear these arguments all the same aunt it is impossible he rejoined with a sigh after a short pause besides would the princess have me and besides she is now in mourning how can one think of it but you don't suppose I'm going to get you married at once there is always a right way of doing things replied the governor's wife what a matchmaker you are aunt said Nicholas kissing her plump little hand end of chapter 5 recording by Jessica Louise Saint Paul Minnesota war and peace book 12 chapter 6 read for LibriVox.org by David Reem on reaching Moscow after her meeting with Rostov Princess Mary had found her nephew there with his tutor and a letter from Prince Andrew reading her instructions how to get to her aunt Malvinceva at Voronezh that feeling akin to temptation which had tormented her during her father's illness since his death and especially since her meeting with Rostov was smothered by arrangements for the journey anxiety about her brother settling in a new house meeting new people and attending to her nephew's education she was sad now after a month passed more and more deeply the loss of her father which was associated in her mind with the ruin of Russia she was agitated and incessantly tortured by the thought of the dangers to which her brother the only intimate person now remaining to her was exposed she was worried too about her nephew's education for which she had always felt herself incompetent but in the depths of her soul she felt at peace a peace arising from consciousness of having stifled those personal dreams and hopes that had been on the point of awakening within her and were related to her meeting with Rostov the day after her party the governor's wife came to see Malvinceva and after discussing her plan with the aunt remarked that though under present circumstances a formal betrothal was of course not to be thought of all the same the young people might be brought together and could get to know one another Malvinceva expressed approval and the governor's wife began to speak of Rostov and Murray's presence praising him and telling how he had blushed when Princess Murray's name was mentioned but Princess Murray experienced a painful rather than a joyful feeling her mental tranquility was destroyed and desires, doubts, self-approach and hopes reawoke during the two days that he lapsed before Rostov called Princess Murray continually thought of how she ought to behave to him first she decided not to come to the drawing room when he called to see her aunt that it would not be proper for her to come in the morning to receive visitors then she thought this would be rude after what he had done for her then it occurred to her that her aunt and the governor's wife had intentions concerning herself and Rostov their looks and words at times seemed to confirm the supposition then she told herself that only she with her sinful nature could think this of them they could not forget that situated as she was while still wearing deep mourning such matchmaking would be an insult assuming that she did go down to see him, Princess Murray imagined the words he would say to her and what she would say to him and these words sometimes seemed undeservedly cold and then to mean too much more than anything she feared lest the confusion she felt might overwhelm her and betray her as soon as she saw him but when on Sunday after church the footman announced in the drawing room that Count Rostov had called the princess showed no confusion only a slight blush she used her cheeks and her eyes lit up with a new and radiant light you have met him aunt said she in a calm voice enable herself to understand that she could be outwardly so calm and natural when Rostov entered the room the princess dropped her eyes for an instant as if to give the visitor time to greet her aunt and then just as Nicholas turned to her she raised her head and met his look with shining eyes with a movement full of dignity and grace she half rose with a smile of pleasure held out her slender delicate hand to him and began to speak in a voice in which for the first time new deep womanly notes vibrated Mademoiselle Bourien who was in the drawing room looked at Princess Mary and bewildered surprise herself a consummate coquette she could not have maneuvered better on meeting a man she wished to attract either black is particularly becoming to her or she really has greatly improved without my having noticed it and above all what Captain Grace thought Mademoiselle Bourien had Princess Mary been capable of reflection at that moment she would have been more surprised than Mademoiselle Bourien at the change that had taken place in herself from the moment she recognized that dear loved face a new life force took possession of her and compelled her to speak and act apart from her own will from the time Rostov entered her face became suddenly transformed it was as if a light had been kindled in a carved and painted lantern and the intricate skillful artistic work on its sides that previously seemed dark, coarse and meaningless was suddenly shown up in unexpected and striking beauty for the first time all that pure spiritual inward travail through which she had lived appeared on the surface all her inward labor her dissatisfaction with herself her sufferings her strivings after goodness her meekness love and self-sacrifice all this now shown in those radiant eyes in her delicate smile and in every trait of her gentle face Rostov saw all this as clearly as if he had known her her whole life he felt that the being before him was quite different from and better than anyone he had met before and above all better than himself their conversation was very simple and unimportant they spoke of the war and like everyone else unconsciously exaggerated their sorrow about it they spoke of their last meeting Nicholas trying to change the subject talked of the governor's kind wife of Nicholas' relations and of Princess Mary's she did not talk about her brother diverting the conversation as soon as Herant mentioned Andrew evidently she could speak of Russia's misfortunes with a certain artificiality but her brother was too near her heart and she neither could nor would speak lightly of him Nicholas noticed this as he noticed every shade of Princess Mary's character with an observation unusual to him and everything confirmed his conviction as a quite unusual and extraordinary being Nicholas blushed and was confused when people spoke to him about the princess as she did when he was mentioned and even when he thought of her but in her presence he felt quite at ease and said not at all what he had prepared but what quite appropriately occurred to him at the moment when a pause occurred during his short visit Nicholas as is usual when there are children turned to Prince Andrew's little son caressing him and asking whether he would like to be in Hussar he took the boy on his knee, played with him and looked round at Princess Mary with a softened happy timid look she watched the boy she loved in the arms of the man she loved Nicholas also noticed that look and as if understanding it flushed with pleasure and began to kiss the boy with good-natured playfulness as she was in mourning Princess Mary did not go out into society and Nicholas did not think it was a good thing to visit her again but all the same the governor's wife went on with her matchmaking passing on to Nicholas the flattering things Princess Mary said of him and vice versa and insisting on his declaring himself to Princess Mary for this purpose she arranged a meeting between the young people at the bishop's house before Mass though Rostov told the governor's wife that he would not make any declaration to Princess Mary he promised to go as at Tilsit Rostov to find out that what everybody considered right was right so now after a short but sincere struggle between his effort to arrange his life by his own sense of justice and in obedient submission to circumstances he chose the latter and yielded to the power he felt irresistibly carrying him he knew not where he knew that after his promise to Sonya it would be what he deemed based to declare his feelings to Princess Mary and he knew that he would never act basely but he also knew or rather felt at the bottom of his heart that by resigning himself now to the force of circumstances and to those who were guiding him he was not only doing nothing wrong but was doing something very important more important than anything he had ever done in his life after meeting Princess Mary though the course of his life went on externally as before all his former amusements lost their charm for him and he often thought about her but he never thought about her because he knew of all the young ladies without exception whom he had met in society nor as he had for a long time and at one time rapturously thought about Sonya he had pictured each of those young ladies as almost all honest hearted young men do that is, as a possible wife adapting her and his imagination to all the conditions of married life a white dressing gown his wife at the tea table his wife's carriage, little ones, mama and papa the relations to her and so on and these pictures of the future had given him pleasure but with Princess Mary to whom they were trying to get him engaged he could never picture anything of future married life if he tried his picture seemed incongruous and false it made him afraid the dreadful news of the battle of Borodino of our losses in Kilden wounded and the still more terrible news of the loss of Moscow reached Voronez in the middle of September Princess Mary, having learned of her brother's wound only from the gazette and having no definite news of him prepared, so Nicholas heard he had not seen her again himself to set off in search of Prince Andrew and he had no idea of what was going on and he had no idea of what was going on in search of Prince Andrew when he received the news of the battle of Borodino and the abandonment of Moscow Rostov was not seized with despair anger, the desire for vengeance or any feeling of that kind but everything in Voronez suddenly seemed to him dull and tiresome and he experienced an indefinite feeling of shame and awkwardness the conversations he heard seemed to him insincere he did not know how to judge all these affairs and felt that only in the regiment would everything again become clear to him he made haste to finish buying the horses and often became unreasonably angry with his servant and squadron quartermaster a few days before his departure a special thanksgiving at which Nicholas was present was held in the cathedral for the Russian victory he stood a little behind the governor and held himself with military decorum through the service a variety of subjects when the service was over the governor's wife beckoned him to her have you seen the princess she asked indicating with a movement of her head a lady standing on the opposite side beyond the choir Nicholas immediately recognized Princess Mary not so much by the profile he saw under her bonnet as by the feeling of solicitude, timidity and pity that immediately overcame him Princess Mary evidently engrossed by her thoughts was crossing herself for the last time before leaving the church Nicholas looked at her face with surprise it was the same face he had seen before there was the same general expression of refined inner spiritual labor but now it was quite differently lit up there was a pathetic expression of sorrow prayer and hope in it as had occurred before when she was present Nicholas went up to her without waiting to be prompted by the governor's wife not asking himself whether or not it was right and proper to address her here in church and told her he had heard of her trouble and sympathized with his whole soul as soon as she heard his voice a vivid glow kindled in her face lighting up both her sorrow and her joy there is one thing I wanted to tell you princess Cedrostov it is that if your brother Prince Andrew Nicholas were not living it would have been at once announced in the Colonel the princess looked at him not grasping what he was saying but cheered by the expression of regretful sympathy on his face and I have known so many cases of a splinter wound the Gazette said it was a shell either proving fatal at once or being very slight continued Nicholas we must hope for the best and I am sure Princess Mary interrupted him oh that would be so dread she began and prevented by agitation he bent her head with a movement as graceful as everything she did in his presence and looking up at him gratefully went out following her aunt that evening Nicholas did not go out but stayed at home to settle some accounts with the horse dealers when he had finished that business it was already too late to go anywhere but still too early to go to bed and for a long time he paced up and down the room reflecting on his life a thing he rarely did Princess Mary had made an agreeable impression on him and he had met her in Smolens province his having encountered her in such exceptional circumstances and his mother having at one time mentioned her to him as a good match had drawn his particular attention to her when he met her again in Voronez the impression she made on him was not merely pleasing but powerful Nicholas had been struck by the peculiar moral beauty he observed in her at this time he was however preparing to go away and it had not entered his head to regret that he was thus depriving himself of chances of meeting her but that day's encounter in church had he felt sunk deeper than was desirable for his peace of mind that pale, sad, refined face that radiant look those gentle, graceful gestures and especially the deep and tender sorrow expressed in all her features agitated him and evoked his sympathy in men, Rostov could not bear to see the expression of a higher spiritual life that was why he did not like Prince Andrew and he referred to it contemptuously as philosophy and dreaminess but in Princess Mary that very sorrow which revealed the depth of a whole spiritual world foreign to him was an irresistible attraction she must be a wonderful woman a real angel he said to himself why am I not free why why is I in such a hurry with Sonia and he involuntarily compared the two the lack of spirituality in the one and the abundance of it in the other a spirituality he himself lacked and therefore valued most highly he tried to picture what would happen where he free how he would propose to her and how she would become his wife but no he could not imagine that he felt odd and no clear picture presented itself to his mind he had long ago pictured to himself a future with Sonia all been thought out and he knew all there was in Sonia but it was impossible to picture a future with Princess Mary because he did not understand her but simply loved her reveries about Sonia had had something merry and playful in them but to dream of Princess Mary was always difficult and a little frightening how she prayed he thought it was plain that her whole soul was in her prayer yes that was the prayer that moves mountains and I am sure her prayer will be answered why don't I pray for what I want he suddenly thought what do I want to be free released from Sonia she was right he thought remembering what the governor's wife had said nothing but misfortune can come of marrying Sonia muddles grief for mama business difficulties muddles terrible muddles besides I don't love her not as I should oh god release me from this dreadful inextricable position he suddenly began to pray yes prayer can move mountains but one must have faith and not pray as Natasha and I used to his children that the snow might turn into sugar and then run out into the yard to see whether it had done so no but I am not praying for trifles now he thought as he put his pipe down in a corner and folding his hands placed himself before the icon softened by memories of Princess Mary he began to pray as he had not done for a long time tears were in his eyes and in his throat when the door opened and Lavrushka came in with some papers blockhead why do you come in without being called cried Nicholas quickly changing his attitude from the governor said Lavrushka in a sleepy voice a courier has arrived and there's a letter for you well all right thanks you can go Nicholas took the two letters one of which was from his mother and the other from Sonia he recognized them by the handwriting and opened Sonia's first he had read only a few lines when he turned pale and his eyes opened wide with fear no it's not possible he cried aloud unable to sit still he paced up and down the room holding the letter and reading it he glanced through it then read it again and then again and standing still in the middle of the room he raised his shoulders stretching out his hands with his mouth wide open and his eyes fixed what he had just been praying for with confidence that God would hear him had come to pass but Nicholas was as much astonished as if it were something extraordinary and unexpected and as if the very fact that it had happened so quickly proved that it had not come from God to whom he had prayed but by some ordinary coincidence this unexpected and as it seemed to Nicholas quite voluntary letter from Sonia freed him from the knot that fettered him and from which there had seemed no escape she wrote that the last unfortunate events the loss of almost the whole of the Rostov's Moscow property and the Countess repeatedly expressed wish that Nicholas should marry Princess Bulkinskaya together with his silence and coldness of late had all combined to make her decide to release him from his promise and set him completely free it would be too painful to me to think that I might be a cause of sorrow or discord in the family that has been so good to me she wrote and my love has no aim but the happiness of those I love so Nicholas I beg you to consider yourself free and to be assured that in spite of everything no one can love you more than does your Sonia both letters were written from Troitsa the other from the Countess described their last days in Moscow their departure the fire and the destruction of all their property in this letter the Countess also mentioned that Prince Andrew was among the wounded traveling with them his state was very critical but the doctor said there was now more hope Sonia and Natasha were nursing him next day Nicholas took his mother's letter and went to see Princess Mary neither he nor she said a word about what Natasha nursing him might mean but thanks to this letter Nicholas suddenly became almost as intimate with the princess as if they were relations the following day he saw Princess Mary off on her journey to Yaroslavl and a few days later left to rejoin his regiment End of chapter 7 June 26th 2009 Sonia's letter written from Troitsa which had come as an answer to Nicholas's prayer was prompted by this the thought of getting Nicholas married to an heiress occupied with the old Countess's mind more and more she knew that Sonia was the chief obstacle to this happening and in Sonia's life in the Countess's house it was harder and harder especially after they had received a letter from Nicholas telling of his meeting with Princess Mary in Bogucharovl the Countess let no occasion slip of making humiliating or cruel illusions to Sonia but a few days before they left Moscow moved and excited by all that was going on she called Sonia to her and instead of approaching and making demands on her tearfully employed her to sacrifice herself and repay all of the family had done for her by breaking off her engagement with Nicholas I shall not be at peace till you promise me this Sonia burst into hysterical tears and replied through her sobs that she would do anything and was prepared for anything but gave no actual promise and could not bring herself to decide to do what was demanded of her she must sacrifice herself for the family that had reared and brought her up to sacrifice herself for others in Sonia's habit her position in the house was such that only by sacrifice could she show her worth and she was accustomed to this and loved doing it but in all her former acts of self-sacrifice she had been happily conscious that they raised her in her own esteem and in that of others and so made her more worthy of Nicholas whom she loved more than anything in the world but now they wanted her to sacrifice the very thing that constituted the whole reward for her self-sacrifice and the whole meaning of her life and for the first time she felt bitterness against those who'd been her benefactors only to torture her the more painfully she felt jealous of Natasha who had never experienced anything of this sort had never needed to sacrifice herself who made others sacrifice themselves for her and it was beloved by everybody and for the first time Sonia felt that out of her pure, quiet love of Nicholas a passionate feeling was beginning to grow up which was stronger than principle, virtue, or religion under the influence of this feeling Sonia whose life of dependence had taught her to be secretive having answered the countess in vague general terms avoided talking with her and resolved to wait until she should see Nicholas not in order to set him free but on the contrary at that meeting to bind him to her forever the bustle and terror of the Rostov's last days in Moscow stifled the gloomy thoughts that oppressed Sonia she was glad to find escape from them in practical activity but when she heard of Prince Andrew's presence in their house despite her sincere pity for him and for Natasha she felt by joyful and superstitious feeling that God did not intend her to be separated from Nicholas she knew that Natasha loved no one but Prince Andrew and had never ceased to love him she knew that being thrown together again under such terrible circumstances they would again fall in love with one another and that Nicholas would then not be able to marry Princess Mary as they would be within the prohibited degrees of affinity despite all the terror of what had happened during those last days of their journey this feeling that Providence was intervening in her personal affairs cheered Sonia at the Troits of Monastery the Rostovs first broke their journey for a whole day three large rooms were assigned to them in the monastery house one of which was occupied by Prince Andrew the looted man was much better that day and Natasha was sitting with him in the next room staffed the counters and counters respectfully conversing with the prior who was calling on them as old acquaintances with the monastery Sonia was there too tormented by curiosity as to what Prince Andrew and Natasha were talking about she heard the sound of their voices through the door that door opened and Natasha came out looking excited not noticing the monk who had risen to greet her and was drawing back the wide sleeve on his right arm she went up to Sonia and took her hand Natasha what are you about come here said the Countess Natasha went up to the monk for his blessing and advised her to pray for aid to God and his saint as soon as the prior withdrew Natasha took her friend by the hand and went with her into the unoccupied room Sonia will he live she asked Sonia how happy I am and how unhappy everything is as it used to be if only he lives he cannot because of and Natasha and her friends yes I knew it thank God remembered Sonia he will live Sonia was not less agitated than her friend by the latter's fear and grief and by her own personal feelings that she shared with no one sobbing she kissed and comforted Natasha if only he lives she thought having wept talked and wiped away their tears the two friends went together to Prince Andrew's door Natasha opened it cautiously and glanced into the room and advised her at the half open door Prince Andrew was lying raised high on three pillows his pale face was calm his eyes closed and they could see his regular breathing oh Natasha Sonia suddenly almost screamed catching her companion's arm and stepping back from the door what what is it asked Natasha it's that that said Sonia with a white face and trembling lips Natasha softly closed the door and ran into the window not yet understanding what the latter was telling her you remember said Sonia with a solemn and frightened expression you remember when I looked in the mirror for you at Otward No at Christmas do you remember what I saw yes yes cried Natasha opening her eyes wide and vaguely recalling what Sonia had told her something about Prince Andrew when she had seen lying down you remember Sonia went on I saw it then and told everybody I saw him lying on a bed said she making a gesture with her hand and the lifted finger at each detail and that he had his eyes closed was covered just with a pink quilt and that his hands were folded she concluded convincing herself that the details she had just seen were exactly what she had seen in the mirror she had in fact seen nothing then but had mentioned the first thing that came into her head but what she had invented then seemed to her now as real as any other recollection she not only remembered what she had then said that he turned to look at her and smiled and was covered with something red but was firmly convinced that she had then seen and said that he was covered with a pink quilt that his eyes were closed yes yes it really was pink cried Natasha who now thought she too remembered the word pink being used and saw in this the most extraordinary and mysterious part of the prediction but what does it mean she added meditatively oh I don't know it is all so strange replied Sonia clutching at her head a few minutes later Prince Andrew rang and Natasha went to him but Sonia feeling unusually excited and touched remained at the window thinking about the strangeness of what had occurred they had an opportunity that day to send letters to the army and the Countess was writing to her son Sonia said the Countess raising her eyes from her letter as when used past Sonia won't be right to Nicholas she spoke in a soft tremulous voice and in the weary eyes that looked over her spectacles Sonia read all the Countess meant to convey with these words those eyes expressed in treaty, shame at having to ask fear of a refusal and readiness for relentless hatred in case of such refusal Sonia went up to the Countess and kneeling down kissed her hand yes mama I will write said she Sonia was softened excited and touched by all that had occurred that day especially by the mysterious fulfillment she had just seen of her vision now that she knew that the renewal of Natasha's relations with Prince Andrew would prevent Nicholas from marrying Princess Mary she was joyfully conscious of a return of that self-sacrificing spirit in which she was accustomed to live and love to live so with the joyful consciousness of performing a magnanimous deed interrupted several times by the tears that dimmed her velvety black eyes she wrote that touching letter the arrival of which had amazed Nicholas End of Chapter 8 War and Peace, Book 12, Chapter 9 read for LibreBox.org by Larry Ann Walden The officer and soldiers who had arrested Pierre treated him with hostility but yet with respect in the guardhouse to which he was taken and their attitude toward him could still be felt both uncertainty as to who he might be perhaps a very important person and hostility as a result of their recent personal conflict with him but when the guard was relieved next morning Pierre felt that for the new guard both officers and men he was not as interesting as he had been to his captors and in fact the guard of the second day did not recognize in this big stout man in a peasant coat the vigorous person who had fought so desperately with the marauder and the convoy and had uttered those solemn words about saving a child they saw in him only number 17 of the captured Russians arrested and detained for some reason by order of the higher command if they noticed anything remarkable about Pierre it was only his unabashed meditative concentration and thoughtfulness and the way he spoke French which struck them as surprisingly good in spite of this he was placed that day with the other arrested suspects as the separate room he had occupied was required by an officer all the Russians confined with Pierre were men of the lowest class and recognizing him as a gentleman they all avoided him more especially as he spoke French Pierre felt sad at hearing them make fun of him that evening he learned that all these prisoners he probably among them were to be tried for incendiarism on the third day he was taken with the others to a house where a French general with a white mustache sat with two colonels and a Frenchman with scarves on their arms with the precision and definiteness customary in addressing prisoners and which is supposed to preclude human frailty Pierre like the others was questioned as to who he was where he had been with what object and so on these questions like questions put at trials generally left the essence of the matter aside shut out the possibility of that essences being revealed and to form a channel through which the judges wished the answers of the accused to flow so as to lead to the desired result namely a conviction as soon as Pierre began to say anything that did not fit in with that aim the channel was removed and the water could flow to waste Pierre felt moreover what the accused always feel at their trial perplexity as to why these questions were put to him he had a feeling that it was only out of condescension or a kind of civility that this device of placing a channel was employed he knew he was in these men's power that only by force had they brought him there that force alone gave them the right to demand answers to their questions and that the sole object of that assembly was to inculpate him and so as they had the power and wish to inculpate him this expedient of an inquiry and trial seemed unnecessary it was evident that any answer would lead to conviction when asked what he was doing when he was arrested Pierre replied in a rather tragic manner that he was restoring to its parents a child he had saved from the flames why had he fought the Marauder Pierre answered that he was protecting a woman and that to protect a woman who was being insulted was the duty of every man that they interrupted him for this was not to the point why was he in the yard of a burning house where witnesses had seen him he replied that he had gone out to see what was happening in Moscow again they interrupted him they had not asked where he was going but why he was found near the fire who was he they asked repeating their first question which he had declined to answer again he replied that he could not answer it put that down that's bad very bad generally remarked the general with the white mustache and red flushed face on the fourth day fires broke out on the Zubovsky Rampart Pierre and 13 others were moved to the coach house of Emergence House near the Crimean Bridge on his way through the streets Pierre felt stifled by the smoke which seemed to hang over the whole city fires were visible on all sides he did not then realize the significance of the burning of Moscow and looked at the fires with horror he passed four days in the coach house near the Crimean Bridge and during that time learned from the talk of the French soldiers that all those confined there were awaiting a decision which might come any day from the Marshal what Marshal this was Pierre could not learn from the soldiers evidently for them the Marshal represented a very high and rather mysterious power these first days before the 8th of September when the prisoners were had up for a second examination were the hardest of all for Pierre end of chapter 9 this recording is in the public domain war and peace book 12 chapter 10 read for LibriVox.org by Laurie Ann Walden on the 8th of September an officer a very important one judging by the respect the guards showed him entered the coach house where the prisoners were this officer probably someone on the staff got a paper in his hand and called over all the Russians there naming Pierre as the man who does not give his name glancing indolently and indifferently at all the prisoners he ordered the officer in charge to have them decently dressed and tidied up before taking them to the Marshal an hour later a squad of soldiers arrived and Pierre with 13 others was led to the virgin's field it was a fine day sunny after rain it was unusually pure the smoke did not hang low as on the day when Pierre had been taken from the guard house on the Zubovsky Rampart but rose through the pure air in columns no flames were seen but columns of smoke rose on all sides and all Moscow as far as Pierre could see was one vast charred ruin on all sides there were waste spaces with only stoves and chimney stacks still standing and here and there and walls of some brick houses Pierre gazed at the ruins and did not recognize districts he had known well here and there he could see churches that had not been burned the Kremlin, which was not destroyed gleamed white in the distance with its towers and the belfry of Ivan the Great the domes of the new convent of the virgin glittered brightly and its bells were ringing particularly clearly these bells reminded Pierre that it was Sunday the feast of the nativity of the virgin but there seemed to be no one to celebrate this holiday everywhere were blackened ruins and the few Russians to be seen were tattered and frightened people who tried to hide when they saw the French it was plain that the Russian nest was ruined and destroyed but in place of the Russian order of life that had been destroyed Pierre unconsciously felt that a quite different, firm French order had been established over this ruined nest he felt this in the looks of the soldiers who, marching in regular ranks briskly and gaily were escorting him and the other criminals he felt it in the looks of an important French official in a carriage and pair driven by a soldier whom they met on the way he felt it in the merry sounds of regimental music he heard from the left side of the field and felt and realized it especially from the list of prisoners the French officer had read out when he came that morning Pierre had been taken by one set of soldiers and led first to one and then to another place with dozens of other men and it seemed that they might have forgotten him or confused him with the others but no, the answers he had given when questioned had come back to him in his designation as the man who does not give his name and under that appellation which to Pierre seemed terrible they were now leading him somewhere and they were making assurance on their faces that he and all the other prisoners were exactly the ones they wanted and that they were being taken to the proper place Pierre felt himself to be an insignificant chip fallen among the wheels of a machine whose action he did not understand but which was working well he and the other prisoners were taken to the right side of the Virgin's field to a large white house with an immense garden this was Prince Sherbetoff's house where Pierre had often been in other days and which, as he learned from the talk of the soldiers was now occupied by the Marshal the Duke of Eckmull, Davout they were taken to the entrance and led into the house one by one Pierre was the sixth to enter he was conducted through a glass gallery an enter room and a hall which were familiar to him into a long low study at the door of which stood an adjutant Davout, spectacle's own nose sat bent over a table at the further end of the room Pierre went close up to him but Davout, evidently consulting a paper that lay before him, did not look up without raising his eyes he said in a low voice who are you? Pierre was silent because he was incapable of uttering a word to him Davout was not merely a French general but a man who had a sense for his cruelty looking at his cold face as he sat like a stern schoolmaster who was prepared to wait a while for an answer Pierre felt that every instant of delay might cost him his life but he did not know what to say he did not venture to repeat what he had said at his first examination yet to disclose his rank and position was dangerous and embarrassing so he was silent but before he had decided what to do Davout raised his head pushed his spectacles back on his forehead screwed up his eyes and looked intently at him I know that man he said in a cold measured tone evidently calculated to frighten Pierre the chill that had been running down Pierre's back now seized his head as in a vice you cannot know me general I have never seen you he is a Russian spy addressing another general who was present but whom Pierre had not noticed Davout turned away with an unexpected reverberation in his voice Pierre rapidly began no Monsignor he said suddenly remembering that Davout was a duke no Monsignor you cannot have known me I am a militia officer and have not quitted Moscow your name asked Davout what proof have I that you are not lying Monsignor exclaimed Pierre not in an offended but in a pleading voice Davout looked up and gazed intently at him for some seconds they looked at one another and that look saved Pierre apart from conditions of war and law that look established human relations between the two men at that moment an immense number of things were dimly through both their minds and they realized that they were both children of humanity and were brothers at the first glance when Davout had only raised his head from the papers where human affairs and lives were indicated by numbers Pierre was merely a circumstance and Davout could have shot him without burdening his conscience with an evil deed but now he saw in him a human being he reflected for a moment how can you show me that you are telling the truth said Davout coldly Pierre remembered Rambal and named him and his regiment at the street where the house was you are not what you say returned Davout in a trembling faltering voice Pierre began adducing proofs of the truth of his statements but at that moment an adjutant entered and reported something to Davout Davout brightened up at the news the adjutant brought and began buttoning up his uniform it seemed that he had quite forgotten Pierre when the adjutant reminded him of the prisoner he jerked his head in Pierre's direction with a frown and ordered him to be led away but where they were to take him Pierre did not know back to the coach house or to the place of execution his companions had pointed out to him as they crossed the virgin's field he turned his head and saw that the adjutant was putting another question to Davout yes of course replied Davout but what this yes meant Pierre did not know Pierre could not afterwards remember how he went whether it was far or in which direction his faculties were quite numbed he was stupefied and noticing nothing around him went on moving his legs as the others did till they all stopped and he stopped too the only thought in his mind at that time was who was it that had really sentenced him to death not the men on the commission that had first examined him not one of them wished to or evidently could have done it it was not Davout who had looked at him in so human a way in another moment Davout would have realized that he was doing wrong but just then the adjutant had come in and interrupted him the adjutant also had evidently had no evil intent though he might have refrained from coming in then who was executing him killing him depriving him of life him Pierre with all his memories, aspirations, hopes and thoughts who was doing this and Pierre felt that it was no one it was a system a concurrence of circumstances a system of some sort was killing him Pierre depriving him of life of everything, annihilating him into chapter 10 this recording is in the public domain war and peace book 12, chapter 11 read for Librebox.org by Barry Eads chapter 11 from Prince Shacharabatov's house the prisoners were led straight down the virgin's field to the left of the nunnery as far as a kitchen garden in which a post had been set up in that post a fresh pit had been dug in the ground and near the post in the pit a large crowd stood in a semi-circle the crowd consisted of a few Russians and many of Napoleon's soldiers who were not on duty Germans, Italians and Frenchmen in a variety of uniforms to the right and left of the post stood rows of French troops in blue uniforms with red epaulets and high boots and sheikos the prisoners were placed in a certain order according to the list Pierre was sixth and were led to the post several drums suddenly began to beat on both sides of them and at that sound Pierre felt as if part of his soul had been torn away he lost the power of thinking or understanding he could only hear and see and he had only one wish that the frightful thing that had to happen should happen quickly Pierre looked round at his fellow prisoners and scrutinized them the two first were convicts with shaven heads one was tall and thin the other dark, shaggy and sinewy with a flat nose the third was a domestic serf about forty-five years old with grizzled hair and a plumped well-nourished body the fourth was a peasant a very handsome man with a broad light brown beard and black eyes the fifth was a factory hand a thin, shallow-faced lad with a thin and a loose coat Pierre heard the French consulting whether to shoot them separately or two at a time in couples replied the officer in command in a calm voice there was a stir in the ranks of the soldiers and it was evident that they were all hurrying not as men hurried to do something they understand but as people hurried to finish a necessary but unpleasant and incomprehensible task a French official wearing a scarf up to the right of the row of prisoners and read out the sentence in Russian and in French then two pairs of Frenchmen approached the criminals and at the officer's command took the two convicts who stood first in the row the convicts stopped when they reached the post and, while sacks were being brought, looked dumbly around as a wounded beast looks at an approaching huntsman one crossed himself continually the other scratched his back his lips resembling a smile with hurried hands the soldiers blindfolded them drawing the sacks over their heads and bound them to the post twelve sharpshooters with muskets stepped out of their ranks with a firm regular tread and halted eight paces from the post Pierre turned away to avoid seeing what was going to happen suddenly a crackling rolling noise was heard which seemed to him louder than the most terrific thunder there was some smoke and the Frenchmen were doing something near the pit with pale faces and trembling hands two more prisoners were let up in the same way and with similar looks these two glanced vainly at the onlookers with only a silent appeal for protection in their eyes evidently unable to understand or believe what was going to happen to them they could not believe it because they alone knew what their life meant to them and so they neither understood nor believed that it could be taken from them again Pierre did not wish to look and again turned away but again the sound as of a frightful explosion struck his ear and at the same moment he saw smoke blood and the pale scarred faces of the Frenchmen who were again doing something by the post their trembling hands impeding one another Pierre breathing heavily looked around as if asking what it meant the same question was expressed in all the looks that met his on the faces of all the Russians and of the French soldiers and officers without exception he read the same dismay horror and conflict that were in his own heart but who after all is doing this they are all suffering as I am who then is it who flashed for an instant through his mind sharpshooters of the 86 forward shouted someone the fifth prisoner the one next to Pierre was let away alone Pierre did not understand that he was saved that he and the rest had been brought there only to witness the execution with ever growing horror and no sense of joy or relief he gazed at what was taking place the fifth man was the factory lad in the loose cloak the moment they laid hands on him he sprang aside in terror and clutched to Pierre and shook himself free the lad was unable to walk they dragged him along holding him up under the arms and he screamed when they got him to the post he grew quiet as if he suddenly understood something whether he understood that screaming was useless or whether he thought it incredible that men should kill him at any rate he took his stand at the post waiting to be blindfolded like the others and like a wounded animal looked around him with glittering eyes Pierre was no longer able to turn away and close his eyes his curiosity and agitation like that of the whole crowd reached the highest pitch at this fifth murder like the others this fifth man seemed calm he wrapped his loose cloak closer and rubbed one bare foot with the other when they began to blindfold him he himself adjusted the knot which hurt the back of his head then when they propped him against the same post he leaned back and not being comfortable in that position straightened himself adjusted his feet and leaned back again more comfortably Pierre did not take his eyes from him and did not miss his slightest movement probably a word of command was given and was followed by the reports of eight muskets but try as he would Pierre could not afterwards remember having heard the slightest sound of the shots he only saw how the workmen only sank down on the cords that held him how blood showed itself in two places how the ropes slackened under the weight of the hanging body and how the workman sat down his head hanging unnaturally and one leg bent under him Pierre ran up to the post no one hindered him pale frightened people were doing something around the workmen the lower jaw of an old Frenchman with a thick mustache trembled as he untied the ropes the body collapsed the soldiers dragged it awkwardly from the post and began pushing it into the pit they all plainly and certainly knew that they were criminals who must hide the traces of their guilt as quickly as possible Pierre glanced into the pit and saw that the factory lad was laying with his knees close to his head and one shoulder higher than the other that shoulder rose and fell rhythmically and convulsively but spadefuls of earth were already being thrown over the whole body one of the soldiers evidently suffering shouted gruffly and angrily at Pierre to go back but Pierre did not understand him and remained near the post and no one drove him away when the pit had been filled up a command was given Pierre was taken back to his place and the rows of troops on both sides of the post made a half turn and went past it at a measured pace the 24 sharpshooters with discharge muskets in the center of the circle ran back to their places as the companies passed by Pierre gazed now with dazed eyes at the sharpshooters who ran in couples out of the circle all but one rejoined their companies this one, a young soldier his face steadily pale his shake-o pushed back and his musket resting on the ground still stood near the pit at the spot from which he had fired he swayed like a drunken man taking some steps forward and back to save himself from falling an old, non-commissioned officer ran out of the ranks and taking him by the elbow dragged him to his company the crowd of Russians and Frenchmen began to disperse they all went away silently and with drooping heads that will teach them to start fires said one of the Frenchmen Pierre glanced round at the speaker and saw that it was a soldier who was trying to find some relief for what had been done but was not able to do so without finishing what he had begun to say he made a hopeless movement with his arm and went away End of Chapter 11 War and Peace Book XII. CHAPTER XII Read for LibriVox.org by Barry Eads CHAPTER XII After the execution Pierre was separated from the rest of the prisoners and placed alone in a small, ruined and befodled church Toward evening a non-commissioned officer entered with two soldiers and told him that he had been pardoned and would now go to the barracks for the prisoners of war Without understanding what was said to him Pierre got up and went with the soldiers they took him to the upper end of the field where there were some sheds built of charred planks, beams, and battens and led him into one of them In the darkness some twenty different men surrounded Pierre He looked at them without understanding who they were, why they were there or what they wanted of him He heard what they said but did not understand the meaning of the words and made no kind of deduction from or application of them He replied to questions they put to him but did not consider who was listening to his replies nor how they would understand them He looked at their faces and figures but they all seemed to him equally meaningless From the moment Pierre had witnessed those terrible murders committed by men who did not wish to commit them it was as if the mainspring of his life on which everything depended and which made everything appear alive had suddenly been wrenched out and everything had collapsed into a heap of meaningless rubbish Though he did not acknowledge it to himself his faith in the right ordering of the universe, in humanity in his own soul and in God had been destroyed He had experienced this before but never so strongly as now When similar doubts had assailed him before they had been the result of his own wrongdoing and at the bottom of his heart he had felt that relief from his despair and from those doubts was to be found within himself but now he felt that the universe had crumbled before his eyes and only meaningless ruins remained and this not by any fault of his own He felt that it was not in his power to regain faith in the meaning of life Around him in the darkness men were standing and evidently something about him interested them greatly They were telling him something and asking him something Then they led him away somewhere and at last he found himself in a corner of the shed among men who were laughing and talking on all sides Well then mates that very prince who some voice at the other end of the shed was saying with a strong emphasis on the word who sitting silent and motionless on a heap of straw against the wall Pierre sometimes opened and sometimes closed his eyes but as soon as he closed them he saw before him the dreadful face of the factory lad especially dreadful because of its simplicity and the faces of the murderers even more dreadful because of their disquiet and he opened his eyes again and stared vacantly into the darkness around him Beside him in a stooping position he saw a small man of whose presence he was first made aware by a strong smell of perspiration which came from him every time he moved This man was doing something to his legs in the darkness and though Pierre could not see his face he felt that the man continually glanced at him On growing use to the darkness Pierre saw that the man was taking off his leg bands and the way he did it aroused Pierre's interest Having unwound the string of the man on one leg he carefully coiled it up and immediately set to work on the other leg glancing up at Pierre While one hand hung up the first string the other was already unwinding the band on the second leg In this way having carefully removed the leg bands by deaf circular motions of his arm following one another uninterruptedly the man hung the leg bands up on some pegs fixed above his head Then he took out a knife placed it under something closed the knife placed it under the head of his bed and seating himself comfortably clashed his arms around his lifted knees and fixed his eyes on Pierre The latter was conscious of something pleasant comforting and well rounded in these deaf movements in the man's well ordered arrangements in his corner and even in his very smell and he looked at the man without taking his eyes from him You've seen a lot of trouble, sir, eh? The little man suddenly said and there was so much kindness and simplicity in his singsong voice that Pierre tried to reply but his jaw trembled and he felt tears rising to his eyes The little fellow giving Pierre no time to betray his confusion instantly continued in the same pleasant tones Eh, lad, don't fret! said he in the tender singsong caressing voice old Russian peasant women employ Don't fret, friend Suffer an hour, live for an age live for an age That's how it is, my dear fellow And here we live, thank heaven, without offence Among these folk too there are good men as well as bad said he and still speaking he turned on his knees with a supple movement got up, coughed and went off to another part of the shed Eh, you rascal! Pierre heard the same kind voice saying at the other end of the shed So you've come, you rascal! She remembers you And the soldier, pushing away a little dog that was jumping up at him returned to his place and sat down In his hands he had something wrapped in a rag Here, eat a bit, sir, said he resuming his former respectful tone as he unwrapped and offered Pierre some baked potatoes We had soup for dinner and the potatoes are grand Pierre had not eaten all day and the smell of the potatoes seemed extremely pleasant to him He thanked the soldier and began to eat Well, are you all right? said the soldier with a smile You should do like this He took a potato, drew out his clasp knife, cut the potato into two equal halves on the palm of his hand, sprinkled some salt on it from the rag and handed it to Pierre The potatoes are grand, he said once more Eat some like that Pierre thought he had never eaten anything that tasted better Oh, I'm all right, said he But why did they shoot those poor fellows? The last one was hardly twenty Tiss, tch, said the little man Ah, what a sin, what a sin! he added quickly and as if his words were always waiting ready in his mouth and flew out involuntarily he went on How was it, sir, that you stayed in Moscow? I didn't think they would come so soon I stayed accidentally replied Pierre And how did they arrest you, dear lad, at your house? No, I went to look at the fire and they arrested me there and tried me as an incendiary Where there's law, there's injustice put in the little man And have you been here long? Pierre asked as he munched the last of the potato I, it was last Sunday they took me out of a hospital And you are a soldier then? Yes, we are soldiers in the Asperon regiment I was dying of fever we weren't told anything there were some twenty of us lying there we had no idea, never guessed at all And do you feel sad here? Pierre inquired How can one help it, lad? My name is Platon and the sir name is Karatav he added, evidently wishing to make it easier for Pierre to address him There was a little falcon in the regiment How was one to help feeling sad? Moscow, she's the mother of cities How can one see all this and not feel sad? But the maggot gnaws the cabbage yet dies first That's what the old folks used to tell us he added rapidly What? What did you say? asked Pierre Who, I? said Karatav I say things happen not as we plan he replied thinking that he was repeating what he had said before and immediately continued Well, and you have you a family estate, sir, and a house? So you have abundance, then and a housewife? and your old parents, are they still living? he asked and though it was too dark for Pierre to see he felt that a suppressed smile of kindness puckered the soldier's lips as he put these questions he seemed grieved that Pierre had no parents especially that he had no mother a wife for counsel a mother-in-law for welcome but there's none as dear as one's own mother said he well, and have you little ones? he went on asking again, Pierre's negative answer seemed to distress him and he hastened to add nevermind, you're young folks yet and please God may still have some the great thing is to live in harmony but it's all the same now Pierre could not help saying well, my dear fellow rejoined carotave never declined a prison or a beggar's sack he seated himself more comfortably and coughed, evidently preparing to tell a long story well, my dear fellow I was still living at home he began we had a well to do homestead funny of land, we peasants lived well and our house was one to thank God for when father and we went out mowing there were seven of us well, we were real peasants it so happened and pleton carotave told a long story of how he had gone into someone's cosp to take wood how he had been caught by the keeper had been tried, flogged and sent to serve as a soldier well, lad and a smile changed the tone of his voice we thought it was a misfortune but it turned out a blessing if it had not been for my sin my brother would have had to go as a soldier but he, my younger brother had five little ones while I, you see, only left a wife behind we had a little girl but God took her before I went as a soldier I came home on leave and I'll tell you how it was I look and see that they are living better than before the yard full of cattle the women at home two brothers away earning wages and only Michael the youngest at home father, he says the children are the same to me it hurts the same whichever finger gets bitten but if Platon hadn't been shaved for a soldier Michael would have had to go called us all to him and will you believe it, placed us in front of the icons Michael, he says come here and bow down to his feet and you, young woman you bow down to and you grandchildren also bow down before him do you understand, he says that's how it is, dear fellow fate looks for a head but we are always judging that's not well, that's not right but our luck is like water in a dragnet you pull at it and it bulges but when you've drawn it out it's empty that's how it is and Platon shifted his seat on the straw after a short silence he rose well, I think you must be sleepy said he and began rapidly crossing himself and repeating Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Saint Nicholas Frola and Lavra Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Saint Nicholas Frola and Lavra Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on us and save us he concluded then bowed to the ground got up, sighed and sat down again on his heap of straw that's the way, lay me down like a stone oh God and raise me up like a loaf he muttered as he lay down pulling his coat over him what prayer was that you were saying asked Pierre eh, murmured Platon who had almost fallen asleep what was I saying I was praying, don't you pray yes, I do, said Pierre well, but what was that you said Frola and Lavra well, of course replied Platon quickly the horses saints one must pity the animals too eh, the rascal now you've curled up and got warm rich, said Kerotov touching a dog that lay at his feet and again turning over he fell asleep immediately sounds of crying and screaming came from somewhere in the distance outside and flames were visible through the cracks of the shed but inside it was quiet and dark for a long time Pierre did not sleep but lay with eyes open in the darkness listening to the regular snoring of Platon who lay beside him and he felt that the world had been shattered once more was stirring in his soul with a new beauty and on new and unshakable foundations End of Chapter 12 When Pierre saw his neighbor next morning at dawn the first impression of him as of something round was fully confirmed Platon's whole figure and a French overcoat girdled with a cord a soldier's cap and bashed shoes was round his head was quite round his back, chest, shoulders and even his arms which he held in his arms and he felt that his head was round and he felt that his head was round his shoulders and even his arms which he held as if ever ready to embrace something were rounded his pleasant smile and his large gentle brown eyes were also round Platon Kartev must have been 50 judging by his stories of campaigns he had been in told as by an old soldier he did not himself know his age and was quite unable to determine it but his brilliantly white strong teeth which showed in two unbroken semi-circles when he laughed, as he often did were all sounding good he had grey hair in his beard or on his head and his whole body gave an impression of suppleness and especially of firmness and endurance his face despite its fine rounded wrinkles had an expression of innocence and youth his voice was pleasant and musical but the chief peculiarity of his speech was its directness and oppositeness it was evident that he never considered what he had said or was going to say and consequently the rapidity and justice of his intonation had an irresistible persuasiveness his physical strength and agility during the first days of his imprisonment were such that he seemed not to know what fatigue and sickness meant every night before lying down he said Lord lay me down as a stone and raise me up as a loaf and every morning when getting up he said I lay down and curled up I get up and shake myself and indeed he only had to lie down to fall asleep like a stone and he only had to shake himself to be ready with an emolence delay for some work the children were ready to play directly they awake he could do everything not very well, but not badly he baked, cooked sewed, planed and mended boots he was always busy and only at night allowed himself conversation of which he was fond and songs he did not sing like a trained singer who knows who he is listening to but like the birds evidently giving vent to the sounds in the same way that one stretches himself or walks about to get rid of stiffness the sounds were always high pitched mournful, delicate and almost feminine and his face at such times was very serious having been taken prisoner and allowed his beard to grow he seemed to have thrown off all that had been forced upon him everything military and alien to himself and had returned to his former peasant habits a soldier on leave a shirt in its side breeches he would say he did not like talking about his life as a soldier though he did not complain he would not have been flogged once during the whole of his army service when he related anything it was generally some old and evidently precious memory of his Christian life as he called his peasant existence the proverbs of which his talk was full were for the most part not the chorus and indecent saw as soldiers employ but those folk sayings which taken without a context seemed so insignificant but when used oppositely suddenly acquire a significance of profound wisdom he would often say exact opposite of what he had said on a previous occasion yet both would be right he liked to talk and he talked well adorning his speech with terms of endearment and with folk sayings which Pierre thought he invented himself though the chief charm of his talk lay the fact that the communist events sometimes just such as Pierre had witnessed without taking notice of them assumed in cartels the character song fitness he liked to hear the folk tales one of the soldiers used to tell of an evening they were always the same stories of real life he would smile joyfully when listening to such stories now and then putting in a word or asking a question to make the moral beauty of what he was told clear to himself corrective had no attachments friendships or love as Pierre understood them but loved and lived affectionately with everything life brought him in contact with particularly with men not any particular men but those of whom he happened to be he loved his dog his comrades the French and Pierre but Pierre felt that in spite of cartels affectionate tenderness for him by which he unconsciously gave Pierre spiritual life it's due he would not have grieved for a moment departing from him and Pierre began to feel in the same way toward cartels to all the other prisoners put on cartels seemed the most ordinary soldier they called him Little Falcon or Plototia chapped him good naturedly and sent him on errands but to Pierre he always remained what he had seen that first night and unfathomable rounded eternal personification of the spirit of simplicity and truth Ploton Karateev knew nothing by heart except his prayers when he began to speak he seemed not to know how he would conclude sometimes Pierre struck by the meaning of his words would ask him to repeat them but Ploton could never recall what he had said a moment before just as he never could repeat to Pierre the words of his favorite song native and birch tree and my heart is sick but when spoken and not sung no meaning could be got out of it he did not and could not understand the meaning of words apart from their context every word and action of his was the manifestation of an activity unknown to him which was his life but his life as he regarded had no meaning as a separate thing he had meaning only as part of a whole of which he was always conscious his words and actions flowed from him as evenly, inevitably and spontaneously as fragrance exhales from a flower he could not understand the value or significance of any word or deed taken separately End of Chapter 13