Chapter 12

           

           Beforethebeginningofthecampaign,RostóvhadreceivedaletterfromhisparentsinwhichtheytoldhimbrieflyofNatásha’sillnessandthebreakingoffofherengagementtoPrinceAndrew(whichtheyexplainedbyNatásha’shavingrejectedhim)andagainaskedNicholastoretirefromthearmyandreturnhome.Onreceivingthisletter,Nicholasdidnotevenmakeanyattempttogetleaveofabsenceortoretirefromthearmy,butwrotetohisparentsthathewassorryNatáshawasillandherengagementbrokenoff,andthathewoulddoallhecouldtomeettheirwishes.ToSónyahewroteseparately.

           “Adoredfriendofmysoul!”hewrote.“Nothingbuthonorcouldkeepmefromreturningtothecountry.Butnow,atthecommencementofthecampaign,Ishouldfeeldishonored,notonlyinmycomrades’eyesbutinmyown,ifIpreferredmyownhappinesstomyloveanddutytotheFatherland.Butthisshallbeourlastseparation.Believeme,directlythewarisover,ifIamstillaliveandstilllovedbyyou,Iwillthrowupeverythingandflytoyou,topressyouforevertomyardentbreast.”

           Itwas,infact,onlythecommencementofthecampaignthatpreventedRostóvfromreturninghomeashehadpromisedandmarryingSónya.TheautumninOtrádnoewiththehunting,andthewinterwiththeChristmasholidaysandSónya’slove,hadopenedouttohimavistaoftranquilruraljoysandpeacesuchashehadneverknownbefore,andwhichnowalluredhim.“Asplendidwife,children,agoodpackofhounds,adozenleashesofsmartborzois,agriculture,neighbors,servicebyelection...”thoughthe.

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