War and Peace

Chapter 24

[Nine]

Soon after her return to Petersburg, Hanley became one of the best courtesans in Petersburg.

Hanli was in Erfurt at the time when the two emperors met, and she enjoyed enviable success there.Even Napoleon himself noticed her in the theater, asked her name, and marveled at her charming appearance.Her success because of her beauty did not surprise Bin-Air at all, and she was indeed becoming more and more beautiful.But there is one thing that surprised Bin Air. In recent years, his wife has been dubbed a "beautiful and beautiful woman" by people.Bin-Air knew all about her, and she was extremely stupid. At the party, when Bin-Air heard Hanli talk about literature, ideas or philosophy, her face was always full of fear, as if she were a magician. When performing, I am afraid that my deception will be seen through by the audience.However, it seems that those who were deceived did not know whether they had fun in this kind of performance or were used to such a deception. Anyway, no one has ever asked her any questions, and her deception has never been exposed anyway.Hanli Bezukhova's reputation is unshakable, and her vulgar and stupid remarks still win the applause of the audience.

Among the people who visited their home, Brits, already famous and in the official position, became Hanli's closest friend.Hanley often jokingly called him "my little follower" and treated him like a child.She smiled at Blitz just like everyone else, but her smile still sometimes unnerved Bin-Air.Blitz paid Bin-Air a particularly dignified and somewhat pathetic respect, which also disturbed Bin-Air.Three years ago, he was already suffering from the shame brought to him by his wife. This time, he deliberately avoided the danger of that pain coming again, so he made up his mind: first, he would not be his wife's husband; Second, don't let yourself have any doubts.

[ten]

Bin Air has always maintained the habit of keeping a diary. The following are two of his diaries:

The induction ceremony was held tonight, November 11th.The scene was magnificent.The newcomer was Brits Drubetskoy.I was his introducer and also his trainer.But when it was just the two of us in the empty room, there was an eerie feeling that disturbed me.I found myself hating him, and I tried my best to get the thought out of my head, but I couldn't get it out.I think the reason why he joined the club was just to get close to some people, so as to gain the respect of our members.It's not just speculation, because he asked more than once if N and S were our members (I can't answer his question), also, from my observation, he has no respect for our holy congregation, and pays too much attention His own appearance, and is often complacent about it, so he has no need to perfect his spirit.When I stood face to face with him in a dark room, I always felt that he was sneering there, as if my words had no effect on him at all. For a moment, I almost couldn't help stabbing him with the sword in my hand. .I can't convince him, and I don't have solid evidence to prove his shamelessness to the members and the person in charge.Great Creator, please show me the right way out of the maze of lies.

On December 12th, I was awakened by a nightmare in the middle of the night, and I broke out in a cold sweat.I dreamed that in my home in Moscow, Joseph Alekseevich, my long-dead mentor, came in through the door.I saw right away that he had completed the resurrection process, so I hurried to meet him and kissed his hand.He said: "Am I different from before?" I continued to hug him, as if he was much younger than before, but I couldn't tell what was wrong, as if I had changed into another person.Then, I said: "If I meet you on the road, I will recognize you." But I couldn't help doubting: "Will I really recognize you?" Suddenly, he disappeared from my arms, I ran forward in a hurry, and saw him enter a study room again, holding a picture book in his hand, on which there were coherent scenes. The whole picture book told the love story of the soul and its lover.As if I saw a young and beautiful woman in the album, she was wearing transparent clothes, her body was also transparent, and she was soaring in the sky.I know that this girl is the symbol of Song of Songs.As I looked at the pictures, I felt like I was doing something wrong, but I kept staring at the pictures.Lord, help me!My God, if you will forsake me, it is up to you; if it is my own fault, then please teach me what to do.If you completely abandon me, I will be led to perdition by my own debauchery.

[eleven]

The situation of the Lowstaff family is getting worse and worse because they have no fixed source of income.Therefore, he wanted to go to Petersburg to seek opportunities for development.Although the Rostavs were very popular in Moscow, they became provincials in Petersburg. People who had been warmly received by the Rostavs in Moscow looked down on the Rostavs here.

A few days after the Rosstaffers arrived in Petersburg, Berg proposed to Willie, and she agreed.

At first, Berg's proposal wasn't too well received.It was a surprise that the son of an unknown nobleman in a small place proposed to Countess Rostava, but the main characteristic of Berg was that his selfishness was so naive and simple that it made Rostava The family member couldn't help feeling that since he himself had such a firm belief that this was a good thing, and a very good thing, then it must be a good thing.Moreover, the financial situation of the Lostaff family is very bad, and the people who came to propose marriage are also aware of this, and the most important point is that Willie is already 24 years old, and she is not young anymore.She has shown up everywhere, even though she is very beautiful and gentle, but there is no one who proposes to her.Therefore, the Lostaff family also agreed to their marriage.

[twelve]
Nates was sixteen years old, and this was 16, and they had not seen each other since parting ways with Britz, who had never been to Losta, although he came to Moscow several times afterwards. Ford's.But when the Lowstaffs first arrived in Petersburg, they were visited by Blitz.

The change in Nates surprised Britz. Her eyes were still so gentle and her attitude was still so friendly, which made Britz feel a little embarrassed and restless.So, not long after sitting down, he left again.What looked at him was still the same pair of curious and provocative eyes from before.After this visit, Britz felt that Natess was still so charming, but there was a voice in his heart: you can't be a slave to your feelings, marrying such a girl who has almost no property, then you will have nothing to do. There is no future at all, but if you don't want to marry her and want to restore the previous relationship, you will become a despicable villain.A few days after making up his mind that he would never see Natès again, Britz went to the Lowstaff's again, more and more often, and stayed there for hours at a time. .He thought it necessary to explain to Natès, to make her forget the past, that she would never be his wife, that he had no property, and that it was impossible for them to marry her to him.However, he was ashamed to speak, and he never gave such an explanation.Day after day, he got deeper and deeper.In the view of mother and Martha, Natess still loves Britz, she sings to him the songs he likes to hear, does for him what he likes, shows him her own album, and lets him write it in the album. Inscription, she never let him mention the past, only allowed him to talk about how beautiful the present is, he left Lostaff's house in a daze every day, never said what he wanted to say, he didn't know himself What are you doing here, and what will be the result in the end.Blitz no longer went to Hanli, he would receive text messages full of reproaches from Hanli every day, but he still went to report to Rustaff's house every day.

[Thirteen]
One day, when the old countess was kneeling on the ground and saying her vespers, Natess came in.Then, there was such a conversation between them.

"Natiss, you are already 16 years old, and it's time to get married. Although Blitz is very good and you are fascinated by him, you cannot get married."

"Why?" Nates asked strangely. "Because he's young, because he's poor, because he's a relative... because you don't love him yourself." "How do you know I don't love him?" "I just know." "I never thought of marrying him, So be it."

"But I'm going to do this, Nates. I'm going to talk to Britz, so that he won't bother you all the time..."

The count returned home from work, so Natess went back to her room, but she tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep. She kept thinking that no one could read her mind.

A few days later the Countess called for Brits and had a talk with him, and from that day on Brits never came to the Lowstaff's house again.

[fourteen]
On the eve of New Year's Day in [-], a veteran minister of the former dynasty wanted to hold a ball and party in his home. At that time, diplomatic envoys from all over the world would be present, and even the emperor would come in person.

This was the first time Natess had attended a big ball since she was born.This morning, she got up before it was too bright, and then it was a busy day.As soon as she awoke she began to think of this, which was to make each of them, herself, Mama, and Martha, look their best.Both Martha and the countess trusted Nates.The Countess was supposed to be in a black evening dress, and the two ladies in pink dresses with roses on their bosoms, and all had their hair styled in a Grecian fashion.There was still half an hour before the party started, and after a lot of busy work, the Lowstaff family finally got in the car and set off.

[fifteen]
Even though the air was turbid and the bumping carriage was about to shake her body apart, Natess didn't feel that she thought about what would greet her in that resplendent ballroom along the way: applause, flowers, fine wine , and an emperor I have never seen before.She couldn't believe it when she thought about it, because it was so out of place with where she was.When she finally arrived, she immediately jumped out of the car and anxiously stepped onto the red carpet at the door.Suddenly she remembered that she should maintain the elegant and dignified demeanor that a noble lady should have.So, she slowed down and walked into the ballroom without haste.But when she entered, her heart beat faster and she took a few deep breaths. Fortunately, she didn't put on the pose that would make her look ridiculous.As she walked, she was so excited that it was difficult to breathe, and she tried her best to suppress her excitement.In fact, such a posture is the most suitable for her.The guests who came in before and behind them were all dressed up for a ball, and all were talking in soft voices.

Nates looked at the mirrors on both sides of the stairs, but she couldn't tell whether she was coming from the others.everyone?It is becoming a colorful procession.As soon as she entered the hall, the sound of conversations, footsteps, and greetings filled the entire hall, deafening Nates' ears; the brilliant lights and the glitter on the clothes of the guests dazzled her even more.

All the people are waiting, waiting for the emperor to arrive.Suddenly, Natess saw the familiar Bin-Air and Duke Andrele among the guests.

[sixteen]
At this moment, the crowd was in a commotion, everyone started to move around, walked around each other, and then actively divided into two teams, flashed a way, the emperor walked in amidst the sound of music immediately, and the hostess and hostess followed behind him.After staying in the living room for a while, the emperor and the master returned to the ballroom again, and then the ball began.

Nates felt that she, her mother, and Martha were being pushed into a corner, among the few ladies who had not accepted the invitation to dance.She stood there with her slender hands hanging down, her slightly protruding chest rose and fell regularly, and her bright eyes looked ahead in amazement. She was prepared for great happiness or great sorrow. expression.Neither the emperor nor those high-ranking officials could arouse her interest. She only thought about one thing: "Is there really no one to invite me to dance? Could it be that I can't go to the first round of dancing?" Don’t the men here pay attention to me? No, no way!” She thought, “They should know how much I want to dance, I dance very well, and dancing with me will make them very happy .”

The music stopped.After a while, the music rang again.Bin Air came to Duke Andrele and suggested that Andrelet invite Miss Lostava to dance.Duke Andrele walked in the direction pointed by Bin Air.

The disappointed and staring face of Nates immediately caught Duke Andry's eyes.He recognized her, guessed her mood, and knew that she was the first person to come to the ball. He recalled what she said at the window that night, and walked happily to Nates.

"I've been waiting for you." The little girl, who was surprised and delighted, put her hands on the shoulders of Duke Andrele, and said so with a smile that was about to cry.They are the second pair to appear.Duke André was the best dancer at that time, and Natès was also very skillful in dancing.Her little satin slippers twirled lightly, and her face was beaming with joy.Her bare neck and arms were thin and unbeautiful.Compared with Hanli's shoulders, her shoulders are too thin, her breasts are not full enough, and her arms are slender.However, because Hanli's body has been watched by thousands of eyes, it seems to be painted with a layer of oil paint, and it is the first time for Nates to show her breasts and back. If she does not have to dress like this, she will feel shy.

Duke Andry, who wanted to avoid meaningless conversations, came to dance, and he came to invite Natès, partly because of Bin-Air's recommendation, and partly because he saw Natèce as the first thing he saw. A beautiful girl, but when he put his arms around Nates's slender and flexible waist and saw her dance with his own eyes, her smile and her charm flooded into his heart like fine wine.After a round of dancing, he let her go and stood panting aside, watching the others dance. At this moment, he felt that his spirit was refreshed and he became younger.

[seventeen]
After André, Britz came over to ask Natess to dance, and then several young people came over one by one.Natess was so happy that she blushed and danced all night.She just danced and didn't care about other things, not even paying attention to the emperor's arrival and departure.

The Duc d'Andrew, like all people brought up in society, was happy to meet in society those who did not have the habits of ordinary society.And Nates is just such a person.The Duke d'Andrew talked to her attentively, admiringly watching the smile that floated on her face with the joyous light in her eyes, which was the expression of joy in her heart.Duke Andrele admired her shyness in dancing.After dancing the quadrille, Natess walked back to her seat out of breath.She walked across the living room to her two companions.

"If she finds her cousin first, and then another companion, then she will be my lover in the future," said Duke Andrele, looking at her, almost out of his own imagination.She went to her cousin first.

"What idle thoughts come to mind sometimes!" thought Duke Andrele, "but one thing is true, that is, this girl is indeed beautiful, indeed different, and she is a treasure here." So thought he, as Natesse sat down beside him.

Nates has never been so happy as she is today, but anyone in this situation will become very kind and beautiful, and will not admit that there are sins, troubles and sorrows in the world.

(End of this chapter)