Texts
Book 8 References
From the first glance Princess Mary did not like Natásha. She thought her too fashionably dressed, frivolously gay and vain. She did not at all realize that before having seen her future sister-in-law she was prejudiced against her by involuntary envy of her beauty, youth, and happiness, as well as by jealousy of her brother’s love for her.
Apart from this insuperable antipathy to her, Princess Mary was agitated just then because on the Rostóvs’ being announced, the old prince had shouted that he did not wish to see them, that Princess Mary might do so if she chose, but they were not to be admitted to him. She had decided to receive them, but feared lest the prince might at any moment indulge in some freak, as he seemed much upset by the Rostóvs’ visit.
I am so glad you should get to know one another... very sorry the prince is still ailing, and after a few more commonplace remarks he rose.
She blushed for him, grew still angrier at having blushed, and looked at the princess with a bold and defiant expression which said that she was not afraid of anybody.
Natásha felt offended by the hesitation she had noticed in the anteroom, by her father’s nervousness, and by the unnatural manner of the princess who—she thought—was making a favor of receiving her, and so everything displeased her. She did not like Princess Mary, whom she thought very plain, affected, and dry.
Natásha suddenly shrank into herself and involuntarily assumed an offhand air which alienated Princess Mary still more. After five minutes of irksome, constrained conversation, they heard the sound of slippered feet rapidly approaching.
I beg you to excuse me, excuse me! God is my witness, I did not know, muttered the old man, and after looking Natásha over from head to foot he went out.
Dear Natalie, said Princess Mary, I want you to know that I am glad my brother has found happiness....
I think, Princess, it is not convenient to speak of that now, she said with external dignity and coldness, though she felt the tears choking her. What have I said and what have I done? thought she, as soon as she was out of the room.They waited a long time for Natásha to come to dinner that day. She sat in her room crying like a child, blowing her nose and sobbing. Sónya stood beside her, kissing her hair. Natásha, what is it about? she asked. What do they matter to you? It will all pass, Natásha. But if you only knew how offensive it was... as if I... Don’t talk about it, Natásha. It wasn’t your fault so why should you mind? Kiss me, said Sónya.Natásha raised her head and, kissing her friend on the lips, pressed her wet face against her. I can’t tell you, I don’t know. No one’s to blame, said Natásha—It’s my fault. But it all hurts terribly. Oh, why doesn’t he come?...
Natasha and Bolkonskys
Featured Characters: BOLKONSKY, MARY, NATASHA, SERVANT
[SERVANT]
May I present the Countess
Natalya Rostova
[MARY]
Oh
Oh, hello
Won’t you come in?
[NATASHA]
Hello
Natasha and Mary awkwardly move to a table in silence.
[MARY]
And from the first glance I do not like Natasha
Too
fashionably dressed
Frivolous and vain
Her beauty, youth, and
happiness
My brother’s love for her
And my father—
[BOLKONSKY]
I do not wish to see her!
[MARY]
I know at any moment he might indulge in some freak
[NATASHA]
I’m sorry the Prince is still ailing
[BOLKONSKY]
Songstress!
[NATASHA]
I am not afraid of anyone
But such hesitation
Such unnatural manners
[NATASHA]
And from the first glance I do not like Princess Mary
Too plain and affected
Insolent and dry
I shrink into myself
Assume an offhand air
[MARY]
Which alienates me still more
[NATASHA, MARY]
Constrained and strained
Constrained and
strained
Constrained and strained
Irksome
Irksome
The Prince enters in his underthings.
[BOLKONSKY]
Oh!
[MARY]
Papa!
[BOLKONSKY]
Oh, so this is Natasha
Not much to look at
Says the mean old man in his underthings
I never dress for children or peasants
Says the mean old man in his underthings
[MARY]
And he looked at her once
Head to toe
And left
muttering
[NATASHA]
I must take my leave
[MARY]
Please wait—
Dear Natalie
I want you to know
how glad I am my brother has found happiness
[NATASHA]
Is that the truth?
I think it is not convenient to
speak of that now
Dear Princess
[MARY]
She said
With such dignity and coldness
[NATASHA]
What have I said, what have I done?
Crying like a child
Oh, they were so awful!
Oh, it all hurts so terribly
Andrey
Where are you?