Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter VIII

by Leo Tolstoy

　　The war was flaming up and nearing the Russian frontier.Everywhere one heard curses on Bonaparte, "the enemy of mankind."Militiamen and recruits were being enrolled in the villages, andfrom the seat of war came contradictory news, false as usual andtherefore variously interpreted. The life of old Prince Bolkonski,Prince Andrew, and Princess Mary had greatly changed since 1805.

　　In 1806 the old prince was made one of the eight commanders in chiefthen appointed to supervise the enrollment decreed throughoutRussia. Despite the weakness of age, which had become particularlynoticeable since the time when he thought his son had been killed,he did not think it right to refuse a duty to which he had beenappointed by the Emperor himself, and this fresh opportunity foraction gave him new energy and strength. He was continuallytraveling through the three provinces entrusted to him, was pedanticin the fulfillment of his duties, severe to cruelty with hissubordinates, and went into everything down to the minutest detailshimself. Princess Mary had ceased taking lessons in mathematics fromher father, and when the old prince was at home went to his study withthe wet nurse and little Prince Nicholas (as his grandfather calledhim). The baby Prince Nicholas lived with his wet nurse and nurseSavishna in the late princess' rooms and Princess Mary spent most ofthe day in the nursery, taking a mother's place to her little nephewas best she could. Mademoiselle Bourienne, too, seemed passionatelyfond of the boy, and Princess Mary often deprived herself to giveher friend the pleasure of dandling the little angel- as she calledher nephew- and playing with him.

　　Near the altar of the church at Bald Hills there was a chapel overthe tomb of the little princess, and in this chapel was a marblemonument brought from Italy, representing an angel with outspreadwings ready to fly upwards. The angel's upper lip was slightlyraised as though about to smile, and once on coming out of thechapel Prince Andrew and Princess Mary admitted to one another thatthe angel's face reminded them strangely of the little princess. Butwhat was still stranger, though of this Prince Andrew said nothingto his sister, was that in the expression the sculptor had happened togive the angel's face, Prince Andrew read the same mild reproach hehad read on the face of his dead wife: "Ah, why have you done thisto me?"

　　Soon after Prince Andrew's return the old prince made over to hima large estate, Bogucharovo, about twenty-five miles from BaldHills. Partly because of the depressing memories associated withBald Hills, partly because Prince Andrew did not always feel equalto bearing with his father's peculiarities, and partly because heneeded solitude, Prince Andrew made use of Bogucharovo, began buildingand spent most of his time there.

　　After the Austerlitz campaign Prince Andrew had firmly resolvednot to continue his military service, and when the war recommenced andeverybody had to serve, he took a post under his father in therecruitment so as to avoid active service. The old prince and hisson seemed to have changed roles since the campaign of 1805. The oldman, roused by activity, expected the best results from the newcampaign, while Prince Andrew on the contrary, taking no part in thewar and secretly regretting this, saw only the dark side.

　　On February 26, 1807, the old prince set off on one of his circuits.Prince Andrew remained at Bald Hills as usual during his father'sabsence. Little Nicholas had been unwell for four days. The coachmanwho had driven the old prince to town returned bringing papers andletters for Prince Andrew.

　　Not finding the young prince in his study the valet went with theletters to Princess Mary's apartments, but did not find him there.He was told that the prince had gone to the nursery.

　　"If you please, your excellency, Petrusha has brought somepapers," said one of the nursemaids to Prince Andrew who was sittingon a child's little chair while, frowning and with trembling hands, hepoured drops from a medicine bottle into a wineglass half full ofwater.

　　"What is it?" he said crossly, and, his hand shakingunintentionally, he poured too many drops into the glass. He threw themixture onto the floor and asked for some more water. The maid broughtit.

　　There were in the room a child's cot, two boxes, two armchairs, atable, a child's table, and the little chair on which Prince Andrewwas sitting. The curtains were drawn, and a single candle wasburning on the table, screened by a bound music book so that the lightdid not fall on the cot.

　　"My dear," said Princess Mary, addressing her brother from besidethe cot where she was standing, "better wait a bit... later..."

　　"Oh, leave off, you always talk nonsense and keep putting thingsoff- and this is what comes of it!" said Prince Andrew in anexasperated whisper, evidently meaning to wound his sister.

　　"My dear, really... it's better not to wake him... he's asleep,"said the princess in a tone of entreaty.

　　Prince Andrew got up and went on tiptoe up to the little bed,wineglass in hand.

　　"Perhaps we'd really better not wake him," he said hesitating.

　　"As you please... really... I think so... but as you please," saidPrincess Mary, evidently intimidated and confused that her opinion hadprevailed. She drew her brother's attention to the maid who wascalling him in a whisper.

　　It was the second night that neither of them had slept, watching theboy who was in a high fever. These last days, mistrusting theirhousehold doctor and expecting another for whom they had sent to town,they had been trying first one remedy and then another. Worn out bysleeplessness and anxiety they threw their burden of sorrow on oneanother and reproached and disputed with each other.

　　"Petrusha has come with papers from your father," whispered themaid.

　　Prince Andrew went out.

　　"Devil take them!" he muttered, and after listening to the verbalinstructions his father had sent and taking the correspondence and hisfather's letter, he returned to the nursery.

　　"Well?" he asked.

　　"Still the same. Wait, for heaven's sake. Karl Ivanich always saysthat sleep is more important than anything," whispered Princess Marywith a sigh.

　　Prince Andrew went up to the child and felt him. He was burning hot.

　　"Confound you and your Karl Ivanich!" He took the glass with thedrops and again went up to the cot.

　　"Andrew, don't!" said Princess Mary.

　　But he scowled at her angrily though also with suffering in hiseyes, and stooped glass in hand over the infant.

　　"But I wish it," he said. "I beg you- give it him!"

　　Princess Mary shrugged her shoulders but took the glass submissivelyand calling the nurse began giving the medicine. The child screamedhoarsely. Prince Andrew winced and, clutching his head, went out andsat down on a sofa in the next room.

　　He still had all the letters in his hand. Opening themmechanically he began reading. The old prince, now and then usingabbreviations, wrote in his large elongated hand on blue paper asfollows:

　　Have just this moment received by special messenger very joyfulnews- if it's not false. Bennigsen seems to have obtained a completevictory over Buonaparte at Eylau. In Petersburg everyone is rejoicing,and the rewards sent to the army are innumerable. Though he is aGerman- I congratulate him! I can't make out what the commander atKorchevo- a certain Khandrikov- is up to; till now the additionalmen and provisions have not arrived. Gallop off to him at once and sayI'll have his head off if everything is not here in a week. Havereceived another letter about the Preussisch-Eylau battle fromPetenka- he took part in it- and it's all true. When mischief-makersdon't meddle even a German beats Buonaparte. He is said to befleeing in great disorder. Mind you gallop off to Korchevo withoutdelay and carry out instructions!

　　Prince Andrew sighed and broke the seal of another envelope. Itwas a closely written letter of two sheets from Bilibin. He foldedit up without reading it and reread his father's letter, ending withthe words: "Gallop off to Korchevo and carry out instructions!"

　　"No, pardon me, I won't go now till the child is better," thoughthe, going to the door and looking into the nursery.

　　Princess Mary was still standing by the cot, gently rocking thebaby.

　　"Ah yes, and what else did he say that's unpleasant?" thought PrinceAndrew, recalling his father's letter. "Yes, we have gained avictory over Bonaparte, just when I'm not serving. Yes, yes, he'salways poking fun at me.... Ah, well! Let him!" And he began readingBilibin's letter which was written in French. He read withoutunderstanding half of it, read only to forget, if but for a moment,what he had too long been thinking of so painfully to the exclusion ofall else.