War and Peace

Chapter 47

Part One

[One]

The peaceful, extravagant, busily catching phantoms of life in Petersburg were still going on.In this kind of life, it takes a huge effort to realize the dangers and circumstances facing the Russian people.It was the same parties and balls, the same French theatre, the same court interests, the same interest in office and scheming.Only some people at the top are still acting to remind everyone of the danger the country is in.

On August 26, the day of the Battle of Polagello, a party was held at the house of Ina Saleo.At the evening party, the most exciting program was that Duke Vauchile, who is famous for reading aloud, personally read a letter written by the bishop when he presented the image of Saint Sergi to the emperor. This letter is considered by everyone to be a model manuscript of church patriotism.This evening, like all evenings held at Ina Charleau's house, was of political significance.She invited several persons of high rank, whom she would make ashamed of going to the French theater, by which she would encourage their patriotic zeal.Many people came, but Aina Shaleo still did not see the person she expected to see, so the recitation was postponed.

In the daily news of Petersburg, Countess Bezukhova's condition was the important news of the day.

Everyone knows that the countess's disease is caused by the inability to marry two people at the same time, and the cure for people here is to try to eliminate this disease.

The Duke of Vauchille finished reading the bishop's letter, and there was a chorus of admiration for the reader and the writer.Then there was a long discussion about the situation in the homeland, and Ina Saleo predicted that tomorrow, on the emperor's birthday, we will have good news.

[two]

Ina Saleo's prophecy has come true.The next day, when prayers were being held for the Emperor's birthday in the Palace Church, Prince Volkonsky was called out of the church, and he had received instructions from Prince Kotusov.This document was written by Kotusov via Tatarinovo on the day of the battle.He said that the Russian army did not retreat, and the French army suffered far more casualties than the Russian army.He wrote it hastily on the battlefield without gathering the last intelligence.Judging from this official document, the Russian army won the battle.People who did not leave the church immediately prayed to God with thanksgiving after hearing the news.

The whole city was filled with a jubilant mood.In the court far away from the battlefield, it is quite difficult to fully and accurately grasp the truth of the incident. Ordinary events are always unknowingly linked with some people's accidental events.The courtiers were so happy, partly because of our victory, but also because the good news came just in time for the emperor's birthday.It seemed to them a particularly well-arranged accident.

"Speaking of Kotusov, what can I say to you?" said Prince Vauchille cheerfully. "I have said again and again that only he can destroy Napoleon."

The next day, there was no news from the army, so people became uneasy again.The courtiers were distressed by the emperor's distress, and Prince Vauchile no longer praised his "protege" Kotusov, and he was silent when it came to the commander-in-chief.This evening, as if by another coincidence, there was another piece of news that surprised and disturbed everyone in Petersburg.Countess Hanli Bezukhova died unexpectedly from a once frightening disease.

The conversation centered on three sad events: the emperor's failure to get the front, Kutaisov's death, and Hanli's departure.

On the third day after receiving Kotusov's report, news of Moscow's fall was heard.Upon receiving Rushdopach's report, the emperor immediately issued an edict ordering Kotusov to report the situation of the battle as soon as possible and explain why he abandoned Moscow.

[three]

On the ninth day after the fall of Moscow, representatives of Kotusov brought the official news of the abandonment of Moscow.The representative was the Frenchman Michaud, who did not know Russian, but still considered himself a Russian in his soul.Misha respectfully reported the news that Kotusov asked him to report. The general idea was: it is impossible to fight in Moscow, so there are only two options-either lose the army and Moscow, or lose Moscow to keep the team. Here had to choose the protection team.

After listening to Mi Shao's words, the emperor was silent for a moment, and then said in a solemn and resolute tone: "If God's will has determined that my dynasty cannot continue to rule my descendants, then I will use up the resources in my hands, and then I will Grow a long beard (he waved his hand on his chest), would rather eat potatoes with my poorest peasants, than sign a treaty that insults my country and my dear people. I know how to cherish the death of people! After saying these words, he turned around so that Michaux could not see the tears welling up in his eyes.

[Four]

In the legends and records, without exception, the self-sacrifice, love of the motherland, disappointment, pain and bravery of the Russians are mentioned.In fact, this is not the case.Most people at that time did not pay attention to the overall situation, but were only swayed by immediate personal interests. These people were the most capable activists.

The more people directly involved in this incident, the less they understand the meaning.Malal Lowstaff was not at all prepared for self-sacrifice, he was involved because he was serving at this time.He was not dissatisfied with the current events in Russia, nor did he make ominous inferences. He even hoped to become the head of the regiment in a year or two.

With this in mind, when he received the order to increase the number of horses for the division in Voronezh, he not only did not regret not being able to participate in the recent battle, but felt particularly happy. He did not hide his feelings, he The comrades in arms can see it very clearly.

A few days before the battle in Polagello, Malal received money and official letters.He first dispatched a few hussars to clear the way ahead, and he himself rushed to Voronezh by post horse.

In the evening, Malar arrived at a hotel in Voronezh joyously, and he ordered a lot of food that he had not eaten in the army for a long time.The next day, he shaved his beard, put on the inspection uniform he hadn't worn for a long time, and went out to visit the local chief.

Malal visited the local militia commander and governor, and then went to buy horses from a landowner twenty versts away.Everything went well, and on the way home he was full of excitement, urging the coachman endlessly, because he had to rush to attend the party at the governor's house.

Life in the provinces in [-] was the same as usual, but now it was more prosperous than before, because many rich people had moved from Moscow.Like everything that happened at the time, there was a certain looseness and unscrupulousness in life here that was different from what it had been before.

The governor's party was attended by the best people in Voronezh.Women were the most numerous, several of whom Malal had met in Moscow.But among the men there was none who could compare with the knight of the Order of St. George, the hussar officer who bought the horses, or the gentle and cultivated Earl of Lowstaff.Malal felt that the countless young ladies and beautiful girls at the party were eagerly waiting for his attention.

Throughout the evening Malal had given special attention to a lovely-looking, blue-eyed, voluptuously blond woman, the wife of a civil servant in the province.Some proud men simply think that other people's wives are the best, and Earl Lowstaff pursued that wife with such thoughts.Maral's kindness and innocence made the lady's husband unwittingly influenced by his gaiety.However, when the wife's face becomes rosy and happy, the husband's face immediately elongates, as if a certain amount of stimulant is administered to the husband and wife, and the more the wife has, the less the husband will surely .

[five]

There was a smile on Malar's face all the time, and he leaned slightly forward in the armchair. He lowered his head and gradually approached the blonde woman, and kept saying words of praise for her.

While Malar was chatting with the fair-haired woman and her husband, who was coming soon, the governor's wife informed him that Princess Bolkonskaya was also coming to Voronezh, and that her aunt Eina Ignatiev Na Malvintseva was at today's ball.Upon hearing the name of Princess Molière, Malar couldn't help but blushed.

When Malal approached Molière's aunt, the rich widow had finished playing and was standing up to settle the bill.She gave Malal a serious and dismissive look, chatted with him, and then watched him go.When Malal said goodbye to Maliwentseva and promised her to come to visit, he blushed again.As long as he thought of Princess Molière, he felt a kind of shyness and anxiety that even he couldn't speak.

In a chat with the governor's wife, Malal frankly expressed his thoughts on marriage and Princess Molière. He said that he did not want to get married because of money, but he also said:

"Princess Bolkonskaya is another matter. First of all, I will tell you the truth, I like her very much, I admire her very much. When I met her in that special situation, I It is providence, I suppose. Come to think of it, mother has thought of it long ago, but I have never had a chance to see her. I cannot marry my sister Nates while she is betrothed to her brother. Providence arranged for us After Natès and Andrée broke off their engagement, that's all... I haven't told anyone about it, and I never will tell anyone about it, except you."

The Governor's wife patted him on the arm gratefully.

[six]

After her meeting with Rostav, Princess Molier came to Moscow, where she read a letter from Prince Andrei, which gave the route to the house of Aunt Malyvintseva in Voronezh.Taking care of the relocation, worrying about her brother, arranging a new life, getting to know new people, and disciplining her nephew, all these things suppressed the tempting thought in Princess Molière's heart.After her father's illness and death, and above all her encounter with Rosettaver, this seductive thought had often tormented her.The day after the party, the governor's wife went to visit Maliwentseva and told her own arrangements.After receiving Maliwentseva's compliment, the governor's wife praised Rostaf around the princess, and said that Rostaf blushed when he said the name of Princess Molier.Princess Molière did not feel happy after hearing this, but panic: the harmony and tranquility in her heart were broken, and emotions such as desire, doubt and hope were rekindled.

When she heard the news of Rose Stave's coming visit, Princess Molière had been thinking about the attitude she should take towards Rose Stave for two consecutive days.She thought a lot, and she was most afraid of the bewilderment when face to face, this expression would reveal her thoughts and show that she had been conquered by him.

After Sunday morning prayers, the princess received word of a visit from Lord Lowstaff.She didn't show panic, but her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes were shining brightly.

If Princess Molière could think about it at this time, she would be more surprised by her changes than Miss Polly Love.When she discovered that genial face, a new vitality supported her, and her words and actions were no longer under the control of her own will.For the first time, all her inner pure spiritual activities were fully expressed.This includes her dissatisfaction with herself, her sadness, her efforts to be good, her tenderness, her love, and her tolerance, all of which flow from her clear eyes and appear in her smile , engraved on every part of her gentle face.

Lostaff was clearly aware of all this, as if he knew all about her.He felt that the person in front of him was completely different from the others, that she was better than them all, and even better than himself.

Princess Molière was unable to go out because of mourning, and Maral thought it impossible to visit often.Therefore, the governor's wife often sent messages for them and encouraged Malal to express his attitude to Princess Molière.She arranged for the two young men to meet at the Bishop's before Mass.

After the meeting between Malal and the Princesse Molière, although the situation of life remained the same, he completely lost interest in the past entertainment.He was thinking of the Princesse Molière all the time, not as he had thought of the girls of society, nor as he had thought of Martha so long and sometimes with excitement.

[seven]

The news of the battle of Polagero and our casualties, and the still more tragic news of the fall of Moscow, reached Voronezh in mid-September.Princess Molier only learned about her brother's injury from the newspaper, and she didn't know anything else.She was going to find the Duke of Andrele, which Maral had heard and talked about, and they hadn't met for many days.

When Maral heard the news of the Battle of Polagello and the fall of Moscow, he quickly dealt with the purchase of horses.

A few days before leaving, Malal went to the cathedral to attend a prayer of thanksgiving for the Russian victory.In the church, Malal found Princess Molière.

Malal watched her face, secretly surprised.It was still the face with delicate appearance and inner spiritual power, but at this moment, there was an unusual halo on this face: it was a sad, praying and hopeful expression.

Malal walked over and greeted her.That night, Malal did not go out, but stayed at home to settle accounts with the horse seller.After finishing the accounts, he had no time to go anywhere, but it was still early for bedtime, so Malar kept pacing in the room, imagining his life while walking. It's hard to say.

In Smolensk, Princess Molly made a good impression on him, but today's reunion in the church made him feel that the depth of this impression was more violent than he expected, and he wanted to have peace of mind. In comparison, this impression is much more real.In Princess Molier's body, Malar felt a strange spiritual power, and it was this strange spiritual power that Malar felt was irresistible to him.Thinking of Princess Molière, he was so excited that he began to pray, which he hadn't prayed for too long.Tears welled up in Lavrushka's eyes as he burst through the door with the governor's letter.

Malal received two letters, one from his mother and one from Martha.He recognized Martha's letter from the handwriting, and opened it at once.

After reading a few lines, he turned pale, and his eyes opened in terror and joy.

The knot that seemed impossible to him and that bound his freedom was undone by this unusual, unsolicited letter.In the letter, Martha relinquishes Maral's promise and sets him free.In the countess's letter, Maral knew of their family's departure, the fire and the destruction of all their property, and learned that the Duke of Andrele was injured and made a way with them.

The next day Malal took Princess Molier to Yaroslavl, and a few days later he also went to the army.

[eight]

Martha's life at the countess' house became more and more difficult after the Rostaff's received a letter from Mallard describing his reunion with the Duchess Molière.The countess missed every opportunity for humiliation and intimation of hurt.

But a few days before leaving Moscow, the excited and overjoyed countess simply called Martha to her.She did not accuse Martha, nor did she make a request of Martha, but she tearfully hoped that she would make a sacrifice and annul her marriage contract with Malal, in order to repay the love of the Rostaff family for her.

It is Martha's habit to sacrifice herself for the happiness of other people's lives. She expresses her virtue by sacrifice, and she is used to and willing to do so herself.She was jealous of Nates, because she never had to sacrifice herself, but always prompted others to sacrifice for her, and nevertheless she was loved by all.

(End of this chapter)