Besides a feeling of aloofness from everybody Natasha was feeling a special estrangement from the members of her own family. All of them- her father, mother, and Sonya- were so near to her, so familiar, so commonplace, that all their words and feelings seemed an insult to the world in which she had been living of late, and she felt not merely indifferent to them but regarded them with hostility. She heard Dunyasha's words about Peter Ilynich and a misfortune, but did not grasp them.

"What misfortune? What misfortune can happen to them? They just live their own old, quiet, and commonplace life," thought Natasha.

As she entered the ballroom her father was hurriedly coming out of her mother's room. His face was puckered up and wet with tears. He had evidently run out of that room to give vent to the sobs that were choking him. When he saw Natasha he waved his arms despairingly and burst into convulsively painful sobs that distorted his soft round face.

"Pe... Petya... Go, go, she... is calling..." and weeping like a child and quickly shuffling on his feeble legs to a chair, he almost fell into it, covering his face with his hands.

Suddenly an electric shock seemed to run through Natasha's whole being. Terrible anguish struck her heart, she felt a dreadful ache as if something was being torn inside her and she were dying. But the pain was immediately followed by a feeling of release from the oppressive constraint that had prevented her taking part in life. The sight of her father, the terribly wild cries of her mother that she heard through the door, made her immediately forget herself and her own grief.

She ran to her father, but he feebly waved his arm, pointing to her mother's door. Princess Mary, pale and with quivering chin, came out from that room and taking Natasha by the arm said something to her. Natasha neither saw nor heard her. She went in with rapid steps, pausing at the door for an instant as if struggling with herself, and then ran to her mother.

The countess was lying in an armchair in a strange and awkward position, stretching out and beating her head against the wall. Sonya and the maids were holding her arms.

"Natasha! Natasha!..." cried the countess. "It's not true... it's not true... He's lying... Natasha!" she shrieked, pushing those around her away. "Go away, all of you; it's not true! Killed!... ha, ha, ha!... It's not true!"

Natasha put one knee on the armchair, stooped over her mother, embraced her, and with unexpected strength raised her, turned her face toward herself, and clung to her.

"Mummy!... darling!... I am here, my dearest Mummy," she kept on whispering, not pausing an instant.

She did not let go of her mother but struggled tenderly with her, demanded a pillow and hot water, and unfastened and tore open her mother's dress.

"My dearest darling... Mummy, my precious!..." she whispered incessantly, kissing her head, her hands, her face, and feeling her own irrepressible and streaming tears tickling her nose and cheeks.

The countess pressed her daughter's hand, closed her eyes, and became quiet for a moment. Suddenly she sat up with unaccustomed swiftness, glanced vacantly around her, and seeing Natasha began to press her daughter's head with all her strength. Then she turned toward her daughter's face which was wincing with pain and gazed long at it.

"Natasha, you love me?" she said in a soft trustful whisper. "Natasha, you would not deceive me? You'll tell me the whole truth?"

Natasha looked at her with eyes full of tears and in her look there was nothing but love and an entreaty for forgiveness.

"My darling Mummy!" she repeated, straining all the power of her love to find some way of taking on herself the excess of grief that crushed her mother.

And again in a futile struggle with reality her mother, refusing to believe that she could live when her beloved boy was killed in the bloom of life, escaped from reality into a world of delirium.

Natasha did not remember how that day passed nor that night, nor the next day and night. She did not sleep and did not leave her mother. Her persevering and patient love seemed completely to surround the countess every moment, not explaining or consoling, but recalling her to life.

During the third night the countess kept very quiet for a few minutes, and Natasha rested her head on the arm of her chair and closed her eyes, but opened them again on hearing the bedstead creak. The countess was sitting up in bed and speaking softly.

"How glad I am you have come. You are tired. Won't you have some tea?" Natasha went up to her. "You have improved in looks and grown more manly," continued the countess, taking her daughter's hand.

"Mamma! What are you saying..."

"Natasha, he is no more, no more!"

And embracing her daughter, the countess began to weep for the first time.

推荐阅读

The Lair of the White Worm
中文名:白蛇传说
作者:Bram Stoker ( 布拉姆·史托克 )
The Call of the Wild
中文名:野性的呼唤
作者:Jack London ( 杰克·伦敦 )
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
中文名:汤姆·索亚历险记
作者:Mark Twain ( 马克·吐温 )
Pride and Prejudice
中文名:傲慢与偏见
作者:Jane Austen ( 简·奥斯丁 )
Oliver Twist
中文名:雾都孤儿
作者:Charles Dickens ( 查尔斯·狄更斯 )

目录(365章)

Book One: 1805 - Chapter I

Book One: 1805 - Chapter II

Book One: 1805 - Chapter III

Book One: 1805 - Chapter IV

Book One: 1805 - Chapter V

Book One: 1805 - Chapter VI

Book One: 1805 - Chapter VII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter VIII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter IX

Book One: 1805 - Chapter X

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XI

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XIII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XIV

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XV

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XVI

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XVII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XVIII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XIX

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XX

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXI

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXIII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXIV

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXV

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXVI

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXVII

Book One: 1805 - Chapter XXVIII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter I

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter II

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter III

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter IV

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter V

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter VI

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter VII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter VIII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter IX

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter X

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XI

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XIII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XIV

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XV

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XVI

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XVII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XVIII

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XIX

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XX

Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XXI

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter I

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter II

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter III

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter IV

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter V

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter VI

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter VII

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter VIII

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter IX

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter X

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XI

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XII

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XIII

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XIV

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XV

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XVI

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XVII

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XVIII

Book Three: 1805 - Chapter XIX

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter I

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter II

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter III

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter IV

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter V

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter VI

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter VII

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter VIII

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter IX

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter X

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter XI

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter XII

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter XIII

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter XIV

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter XV

Book Four: 1806 - Chapter XVI

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter I

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter II

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter III

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter IV

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter V

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter VI

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter VII

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter VIII

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter IX

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter X

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XI

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XII

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XIII

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XIV

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XV

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XVI

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XVII

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XVIII

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XIX

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XX

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XXI

Book Five: 1806-07 - Chapter XXII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter I

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter II

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter III

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter IV

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter V

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter VI

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter VII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter VIII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter IX

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter X

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XI

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XIII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XIV

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XV

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XVI

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XVII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XVIII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XIX

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XX

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XXI

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XXII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XXIII

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XXIV

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XXV

Book Six: 1808-10 - Chapter XXVI

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter I

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter II

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter III

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter IV

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter V

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter VI

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter VII

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter VIII

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter IX

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter X

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter XI

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter XII

Book Seven: 1810-11 - Chapter XIII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter I

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter II

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter III

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter IV

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter V

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter VI

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter VII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter VIII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter IX

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter X

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XI

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XIII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XIV

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XV

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XVI

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XVII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XVIII

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XIX

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XX

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XXI

Book Eight: 1811-12 - Chapter XXII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter I

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter II

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter III

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter IV

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter V

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter VI

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter VII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter VIII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter IX

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter X

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XI

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XIII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XIV

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XV

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XVI

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XVII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XVIII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XIX

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XX

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XXI

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XXII

Book Nine: 1812 - Chapter XXIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter I

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter II

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter III

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter IV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter V

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter VI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter VII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter VIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter IX

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter X

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XIV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XVI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XVII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XVIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XIX

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XX

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXIV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXVI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXVII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXVIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXIX

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXX

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXIV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXV

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXVI

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXVII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXVIII

Book Ten: 1812 - Chapter XXXIX

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter I

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter II

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter III

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter IV

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter V

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter VI

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter VII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter VIII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter IX

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter X

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XI

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XIII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XIV

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XV

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XVI

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XVII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XVIII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XIX

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XX

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXI

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXIII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXIV

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXV

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXVI

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXVII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXVIII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXIX

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXX

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXXI

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXXII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXXIII

Book Eleven: 1812 - Chapter XXXIV

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter I

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter II

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter III

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter IV

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter V

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter VI

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter VII

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter VIII

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter IX

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter X

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter XI

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter XII

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter XIII

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter XIV

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter XV

Book Twelve: 1812 - Chapter XVI

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter I

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter II

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter III

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter IV

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter V

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter VI

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter VII

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter VIII

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter IX

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter X

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XI

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XII

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XIII

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XIV

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XV

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XVI

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XVII

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XVIII

Book Thirteen: 1812 - Chapter XIX

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter I

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter II

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter III

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter IV

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter V

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter VI

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter VII

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter VIII

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter IX

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter X

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XI

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XII

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XIII

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XIV

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XV

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XVI

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XVII

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XVIII

Book Fourteen: 1812 - Chapter XIX

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter I

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter II

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter III

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter IV

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter V

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter VI

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter VII

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter VIII

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter IX

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter X

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XI

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XII

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XIII

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XIV

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XV

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XVI

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XVII

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XVIII

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XIX

Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XX

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter I

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter II

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter III

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter IV

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter V

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter VI

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter VII

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter VIII

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter IX

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter X

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XI

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XII

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XIII

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XIV

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XV

First Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XVI

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter I

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter II

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter III

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter IV

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter V

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter VI

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter VII

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter VIII

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter IX

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter X

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XI

Second Epilogue: 1813-20 - Chapter XII