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.

Зміст книги
Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 1178 з 2250