Chapter 5

           

           Natásha’sweddingtoBezúkhov,whichtookplacein1813,wasthelasthappyeventinthefamilyoftheoldRostóvs.CountIlyáRostóvdiedthatsameyearand,asalwayshappens,afterthefather’sdeaththefamilygroupbrokeup.

           Theeventsofthepreviousyear:theburningofMoscowandtheflightfromit,thedeathofPrinceAndrew,Natásha’sdespair,Pétya’sdeath,andtheoldcountess’grieffellblowafterblowontheoldcount’shead.Heseemedtobeunabletounderstandthemeaningofalltheseevents,andbowedhisoldheadinaspiritualsenseasifexpectingandinvitingfurtherblowswhichwouldfinishhim.Heseemednowfrightenedanddistraughtandnowunnaturallyanimatedandenterprising.

           ThearrangementsforNatásha’smarriageoccupiedhimforawhile.Heordereddinnersandsuppersandobviouslytriedtoappearcheerful,buthischeerfulnesswasnotinfectiousasitusedtobe:onthecontraryitevokedthecompassionofthosewhoknewandlikedhim.

           WhenPierreandhiswifehadleft,hegrewveryquietandbegantocomplainofdepression.Afewdayslaterhefellillandtooktohisbed.Herealizedfromthefirstthathewouldnotgetupagain,despitethedoctor’sencouragement.Thecountesspassedafortnightinanarmchairbyhispillowwithoutundressing.Everytimeshegavehimhismedicinehesobbedandsilentlykissedherhand.Onhislastday,sobbing,heaskedherandhisabsentsontoforgivehimforhavingdissipatedtheirproperty—thatbeingthechieffaultofwhichhewasconscious.

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