Book Four: 1806 - Chapter X

by Leo Tolstoy

　　Rostov's share in Dolokhov's duel with Bezukhov was hushed up by theefforts of the old count, and instead of being degraded to the ranksas he expected he was appointed an adjutant to the governor general ofMoscow. As a result he could not go to the country with the rest ofthe family, but was kept all summer in Moscow by his new duties.Dolokhov recovered, and Rostov became very friendly with him duringhis convalescence. Dolokhov lay ill at his mother's who loved himpassionately and tenderly, and old Mary Ivanovna, who had grown fondof Rostov for his friendship to her Fedya, often talked to him abouther son.

　　"Yes, Count," she would say, "he is too noble and pure-souled forour present, depraved world. No one now loves virtue; it seems likea reproach to everyone. Now tell me, Count, was it right, was ithonorable, of Bezukhov? And Fedya, with his noble spirit, loved himand even now never says a word against him. Those pranks in Petersburgwhen they played some tricks on a policeman, didn't they do ittogether? And there! Bezukhov got off scotfree, while Fedya had tobear the whole burden on his shoulders. Fancy what he had to gothrough! It's true he has been reinstated, but how could they failto do that? I think there were not many such gallant sons of thefatherland out there as he. And now- this duel! Have these people nofeeling, or honor? Knowing him to be an only son, to challenge him andshoot so straight! It's well God had mercy on us. And what was it for?Who doesn't have intrigues nowadays? Why, if he was so jealous, as Isee things he should have shown it sooner, but he lets it go on formonths. And then to call him out, reckoning on Fedya not fightingbecause he owed him money! What baseness! What meanness! I know youunderstand Fedya, my dear count; that, believe me, is why I am so fondof you. Few people do understand him. He is such a lofty, heavenlysoul!"

　　Dolokhov himself during his convalescence spoke to Rostov in a wayno one would have expected of him.

　　"I know people consider me a bad man!" he said. "Let them! I don'tcare a straw about anyone but those I love; but those I love, I loveso that I would give my life for them, and the others I'd throttleif they stood in my way. I have an adored, a priceless mother, and twoor three friends- you among them- and as for the rest I only careabout them in so far as they are harmful or useful. And most of themare harmful, especially the women. Yes, dear boy," he continued, "Ihave met loving, noble, high-minded men, but I have not yet met anywomen- countesses or cooks- who were not venal. I have not yet metthat divine purity and devotion I look for in women. If I found such aone I'd give my life for her! But those!... and he made a gesture ofcontempt. "And believe me, if I still value my life it is only becauseI still hope to meet such a divine creature, who will regenerate,purify, and elevate me. But you don't understand it."

　　"Oh, yes, I quite understand, "answered Rostov, who was under hisnew friend's influence.

　　In the autumn the Rostovs returned to Moscow. Early in the winterDenisov also came back and stayed with them. The first half of thewinter of 1806, which Nicholas Rostov spent in Moscow, was one ofthe happiest, merriest times for him and the whole family. Nicholasbrought many young men to his parents' house. Vera was a handsome girlof twenty; Sonya a girl of sixteen with all the charm of an openingflower; Natasha, half grown up and half child, was now childishlyamusing, now girlishly enchanting.

　　At that time in the Rostovs' house there prevailed an amorousatmosphere characteristic of homes where there are very young and verycharming girls. Every young man who came to the house- seeing thoseimpressionable, smiling young faces (smiling probably at their ownhappiness), feeling the eager bustle around him, and hearing thefitful bursts of song and music and the inconsequent but friendlyprattle of young girls ready for anything and full of hope-experienced the same feeling; sharing with the young folk of theRostovs' household a readiness to fall in love and an expectation ofhappiness.

　　Among the young men introduced by Rostov one of the first wasDolokhov, whom everyone in the house liked except Natasha. Shealmost quarreled with her brother about him. She insisted that hewas a bad man, and that in the duel with Bezukhov, Pierre was rightand Dolokhov wrong, and further that he was disagreeable andunnatural.

　　"There's nothing for me to understand," cried out with resoluteself-will, "he is wicked and heartless. There now, I like your Denisovthough he is a rake and all that, still I like him; so you see I dounderstand. I don't know how to put it... with this one everythingis calculated, and I don't like that. But Denisov..."

　　"Oh, Denisov is quite different," replied Nicholas, implying thateven Denisov was nothing compared to Dolokhov- "you must understandwhat a soul there is in Dolokhov, you should see him with hismother. What a heart!"

　　"Well, I don't know about that, but I am uncomfortable with him. Anddo you know he has fallen in love with Sonya?"

　　"What nonsense..."

　　"I'm certain of it; you'll see."

　　Natasha's prediction proved true. Dolokhov, who did not usually carefor the society of ladies, began to come often to the house, and thequestion for whose sake he came (though no one spoke of it) was soonsettled. He came because of Sonya. And Sonya, though she would neverhave dared to say so, knew it and blushed scarlet every timeDolokhov appeared.

　　Dolokhov often dined at the Rostovs', never missed a performanceat which they were present, and went to Iogel's balls for young peoplewhich the Rostovs always attended. He was pointedly attentive to Sonyaand looked at her in such a way that not only could she not bear hisglances without coloring, but even the old countess and Natashablushed when they saw his looks.

　　It was evident that this strange, strong man was under theirresistible influence of the dark, graceful girl who loved another.

　　Rostov noticed something new in Dolokhov's relations with Sonya, buthe did not explain to himself what these new relations were."They're always in love with someone," he thought of Sonya andNatasha. But he was not as much at ease with Sonya and Dolokhov asbefore and was less frequently at home.

　　In the autumn of 1806 everybody had again begun talking of the warwith Napoleon with even greater warmth than the year before. Orderswere given to raise recruits, ten men in every thousand for theregular army, and besides this, nine men in every thousand for themilitia. Everywhere Bonaparte was anathematized and in Moscownothing but the coming war was talked of. For the Rostov family thewhole interest of these preparations for war lay in the fact thatNicholas would not hear of remaining in Moscow, and only awaited thetermination of Denisov's furlough after Christmas to return with himto their regiment. His approaching departure did not prevent hisamusing himself, but rather gave zest to his pleasures. He spent thegreater part of his time away from home, at dinners, parties, andballs.