Війна і мир

Chapter 21

           Aftersittingsoforawhileherose,and,lookingabouthimwithfrightenedeyes,wentwithunusuallyhurriedstepsdownthelongcorridorleadingtothebackofthehouse,totheroomoftheeldestprincess.

           Thosewhowereinthedimlylitreceptionroomspokeinnervouswhispers,and,wheneveranyonewentintoorcamefromthedyingman’sroom,grewsilentandgazedwitheyesfullofcuriosityorexpectancyathisdoor,whichcreakedslightlywhenopened.

           “Thelimitsofhumanlife...arefixedandmaynotbeo’erpassed,”saidanoldpriesttoaladywhohadtakenaseatbesidehimandwaslisteningnaïvelytohiswords.

           “Iwonder,isitnottoolatetoadministerunction?”askedthelady,addingthepriest’sclericaltitle,asifshehadnoopinionofherownonthesubject.

           “Ah,madam,itisagreatsacrament,”repliedthepriest,passinghishandoverthethingrizzledstrandsofhaircombedbackacrosshisbaldhead.

           “Whowasthat?TheMilitaryGovernorhimself?”wasbeingaskedattheothersideoftheroom.“Howyoung-lookingheis!”

           “Yes,andheisoversixty.Ihearthecountnolongerrecognizesanyone.Theywishedtoadministerthesacramentofunction.”

           “Iknewsomeonewhoreceivedthatsacramentseventimes.”

           ThesecondprincesshadjustcomefromthesickroomwithhereyesredfromweepingandsatdownbesideDr.Lorrain,whowassittinginagracefulposeunderaportraitofCatherine,leaninghiselbowonatable.

           “Beautiful,”saidthedoctorinanswertoaremarkabouttheweather.

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