Texts
Book 8 References
Well, how are you? Still getting stouter? he said with animation, but the new wrinkle on his forehead deepened. Yes, I am well, he said in answer to Pierre’s question, and smiled.
Forgive me for troubling you....
I have received a refusal from Countess Rostóva and have heard reports of your brother-in-law having sought her hand, or something of that kind. Is that true?
Here are her letters and her portrait, said he. He took the packet from the table and handed it to Pierre. Give this to the countess... if you see her. She is very ill, said Pierre.
He left long ago. She has been at death’s door. I much regret her illness, said Prince Andrew; and he smiled like his father, coldly, maliciously, and unpleasantly.
Well, it doesn’t matter, said Prince Andrew. Tell Countess Rostóva that she was and is perfectly free and that I wish her all that is good. Pierre took the packet. Prince Andrew, as if trying to remember whether he had something more to say, or waiting to see if Pierre would say anything, looked fixedly at him. I say, do you remember our discussion in Petersburg? asked Pierre, about... Yes, returned Prince Andrew hastily. I said that a fallen woman should be forgiven, but I didn’t say I could forgive her. I can’t.
Prince Andrew interrupted him and cried sharply: Yes, ask her hand again, be magnanimous, and so on?... Yes, that would be very noble, but I am unable to follow in that gentleman’s footsteps. If you wish to be my friend never speak to me of that... of all that! Well, good-by. So you’ll give her the packet?
Pierre and Andrey
Featured Characters: PIERRE, ANDREY
Andrey visits Pierre.
[ANDREY]
Well, how are you?
Still getting stouter?
[PIERRE]
There’s a new wrinkle
On your forehead old
friend
[ANDREY]
It’s good to see you
I’ve been away too long
[PIERRE]
My friend, you are in need
Your face is gloomy
[ANDREY]
No, I am well
There’s a war going on
[ANDREY]
Forgive me for troubling you
I have received a refusal from Countess Rostova
And
have heard reports of your brother-in-law having sought her hand
Or
something of that kind
Is this true?
[PIERRE]
Something of that kind
[ANDREY]
Here are her letters
Please give them to the
Countess
[PIERRE]
Natasha is ill
She has been at death’s door
[ANDREY]
I much regret her illness
[PIERRE]
And he smiled like his father
Coldly, maliciously
[ANDREY]
Well, it doesn’t matter
[PIERRE]
You told me once
A fallen woman should be
forgiven
[ANDREY]
But I didn’t say that I could forgive
I can’t
[ANDREY]
Yes, ask her hand again
Be magnanimous, and so
on
Yes, that would be very noble
But I can’t be that man
If
you wish to be my friend
Never speak of that again
[ANDREY]
Well, goodbye
Pierre takes the letters to Natasha.