Texts
Book 8 References
He drove through the town seeking Anatole Kurágin, at the thought of whom now the blood rushed to his heart and he felt a difficulty in breathing. He was not at the ice hills, nor at the gypsies’, nor at Komoneno’s. Pierre drove to the Club. In the Club all was going on as usual. The members who were assembling for dinner were sitting about in groups; they greeted Pierre and spoke of the town news.
One of Pierre’s acquaintances, while they were talking about the weather, asked if he had heard of Kurágin’s abduction of Rostóva which was talked of in the town, and was it true? Pierre laughed and said it was nonsense for he had just come from the Rostóvs’.
It seemed to him essential to see Natásha. In the evening he drove to his sister’s to discuss with her how to arrange a meeting. When Pierre returned home after vainly hunting all over Moscow, his valet informed him that Prince Anatole was with the countess.
Pierre without greeting his wife whom he had not seen since his return—at that moment she was more repulsive to him than ever—entered the drawing room and seeing Anatole went up to him.
Ah, Pierre, said the countess going up to her husband. You don’t know what a plight our Anatole...
Where you are, there is vice and evil! said Pierre to his wife. Anatole, come with me! I must speak to you, he added in French.
Anatole followed him with his usual jaunty step but his face betrayed anxiety.
Having entered his study Pierre closed the door and addressed Anatole without looking at him.
Find Anatole
Featured Characters: PIERRE, ALL, ANATOLE, HÉLÈNE, SERVANT, NATASHA
[PIERRE]
Anatole, find Anatole
Anatole, find Anatole
The blood rushes to my heart
It’s
difficult to breathe
Anatole, find Anatole
Anatole, find Anatole
Not at the ice hills
Not at Matreshka’s
Not at
Komoneno’s
Anatole, find Anatole
Anatole, find Anatole
To the Club
And at the Club all is going on as usual
The members eat their dinners
And gossip in small
groups
[PIERRE, ALL]
Have I heard of Kuragin’s abduction?
Is it true
Natasha is ruined?
[PIERRE]
Nonsense, nonsense
Nothing has happened
Everything is fine
Pierre’s house.
[ANATOLE]
Natasha
Natasha
It is essential that I see Natasha
How can I see
her?
[HÉLÈNE]
Anatole, come Anatole
Anatole, hush Anatole
Marya D.’s house.
[NATASHA]
What? What?
I don’t believe that he is
married
I don’t believe you
And I stare like a hunted wounded
animal
He can’t be married!
Pierre’s house.
[SERVANT]
Good evening sir
Prince Anatole is in the drawing room with the
Countess
[HÉLÈNE]
Ah, Pierre
Sweet husband
You don’t know what a
plight our Anatole has had
[PIERRE]
Be quiet
I will not greet you
At this moment you are more
repulsive to me than ever
[PIERRE]
Anatole, come Anatole
Anatole, must speak to
you
[ANATOLE]
Anatole followed with his usual jaunty
step
But his face betrayed anxiety
[PIERRE]
Pierre closed the door and addressed
Anatole without looking at him