Texts
Book 8 References
You promised Countess Rostóva to marry her and were about to elope with her, is that so?
Mon cher, answered Anatole (their whole conversation was in French), I don’t consider myself bound to answer questions put to me in that tone.
Pierre’s face, already pale, became distorted by fury. He seized Anatole by the collar of his uniform with his big hand and shook him from side to side till Anatole’s face showed a sufficient degree of terror.
When I tell you that I must talk to you!... repeated Pierre. Come now, this is stupid. What? said Anatole, fingering a button of his collar that had been wrenched loose with a bit of the cloth. You’re a scoundrel and a blackguard, and I don’t know what deprives me from the pleasure of smashing your head with this! said Pierre, expressing himself so artificially because he was talking French.
Did you promise to marry her? I... I didn’t think of it. I never promised, because...
Have you any letters of hers? Any letters? he said, moving toward Anatole.
I shan’t be violent, don’t be afraid! said Pierre in answer to a frightened gesture of Anatole’s. First, the letters, said he, as if repeating a lesson to himself. Secondly, he continued after a short pause, again rising and again pacing the room, tomorrow you must get out of Moscow. But how can I?... Thirdly, Pierre continued without listening to him, you must never breathe a word of what has passed between you and Countess Rostóva. I know I can’t prevent your doing so, but if you have a spark of conscience... Pierre paced the room several times in silence. Anatole sat at a table frowning and biting his lips.
After all, you must understand that besides your pleasure there is such a thing as other people’s happiness and peace, and that you are ruining a whole life for the sake of amusing yourself! Amuse yourself with women like my wife—with them you are within your rights, for they know what you want of them. They are armed against you by the same experience of debauchery; but to promise a maid to marry her... to deceive, to kidnap.... Don’t you understand that it is as mean as beating an old man or a child?...
I don’t know about that, eh? said Anatole, growing more confident as Pierre mastered his wrath. I don’t know that and don’t want to, he said, not looking at Pierre and with a slight tremor of his lower jaw, but you have used such words to me—mean and so on—which as a man of honor I can’t allow anyone to use.
Is it satisfaction you want? said Pierre ironically. You could at least take back your words. What? If you want me to do as you wish, eh?
I take them back, I take them back! said Pierre, and I ask you to forgive me. Pierre involuntarily glanced at the loose button. And if you require money for your journey... Anatole smiled. The expression of that base and cringing smile, which Pierre knew so well in his wife, revolted him. Oh, vile and heartless brood! he exclaimed, and left the room. Next day Anatole left for Petersburg.
Pierre and Anatole
Featured Characters: PIERRE, ANATOLE
During this scene, Natasha prepares to poison herself.
[PIERRE]
You promised Countess Rostova to marry her and were about
to elope, is that so?
[ANATOLE]
Mon cher
I don’t consider myself bound to answer
questions put to me in that tone
[PIERRE]
My face, already pale
Becomes
distorted by fury
I seize you by the collar with my big big
hands
And I shake you from side to side
Until your face shows a
sufficient degree of terror
When I tell you I must talk to you!
[ANATOLE]
Come now, this is stupid!
What what, don’t
don’t!
[PIERRE]
You’re a scoundrel and a blackguard
And I don’t know
what deprives me of the pleasure
Of smashing your head in with
this!
He takes a heavy paperweight and lifts it threateningly, but at once puts it back in its place.
[PIERRE]
Did you promise to marry her?
[ANATOLE]
I didn’t think of it. I never promised, because—
[PIERRE]
Have you any letters of hers?
Any letters?
I shan’t be violent, don’t be afraid
Anatole hands Pierre a pack of letters.
[PIERRE]
First, the letters
Second, tomorrow you must get out
of Moscow
[ANATOLE]
But how can I?
[PIERRE]
Third
You must never breathe a word of what has
happened between you and the Countess
Now I know I can’t prevent your
doing so
But if you have a spark of conscience—
Pierre paces the room several times in silence
[ANATOLE]
Anatole sits at a table frowning and
biting his lips
[PIERRE]
After all, you must understand
That besides your
pleasure
There is such a thing as other people
And their happiness
and peace
And that you are ruining a whole life
For the sake of
amusing yourself!
Amuse yourself with women like my wife
With them
you’re within your rights
But to promise a young girl to marry her
To deceive, to kidnap
Don’t you understand that that’s as cruel
As
beating an old man or a child?
[ANATOLE]
Well, I don’t know about that, eh?
I don’t know that
and I don’t want to
But you have used such words to me
“Scoundrel”
and so on
Which as a man of honor
I will not allow anyone to
use
[PIERRE]
Is it satisfaction you want?
[ANATOLE]
You could at least take back your words, eh?
If you
want me to do as you wish?
Natasha drinks the poison.
[PIERRE]
Fine, I take them back, I take them back!
And I ask
you to forgive me
And if you require money for your journey—
[ANATOLE]
Anatole smiled
The reflection of
that base and cringing smile
Which Pierre knew so well in his wife
Revolted
him
[PIERRE]
Oh, vile and heartless brood!
[ANATOLE]
Next day Anatole left
For
Petersburg!