Pierre decides he wants Natásha for his wife. He can’t propose to her right away, (apparently because she is still in mourning), but there are encouraging signs she’ll say yes. Pierre is on top of the world as he leaves for a planned visit to Petersburg.
Book 15, Chapter 18
Pierre decides he wants Natásha for his wife. He can’t propose to her right away, (apparently because she is still in mourning), but there are encouraging signs she’ll say yes. Pierre is on top of the world as he leaves for a planned visit to Petersburg.
Summary:
When he got home Pierre spent a lot of time thinking of Prince Andrew, of Natásha, and of their love, and his feelings for her now. By six in the morning, he has realized he wants to marry Natásha. This realization made him very happy. He was so happy that everyone he met seemed different to him. He postponed a previously planned trip to Petersburg, and instead on the next two days paid long visits to Mary’s house to see Mary and Natásha. Finally, Pierre has a chance to speak with Mary alone, and he tells her of his wish to wed Natásha. Pierre can’t ask Natasha right away because of her recent losses. But Mary seems to think Natásha will accept Pierre’s proposal. Mary tells Pierre she will talk to Natásha about it, and that he should write her parents. In the meantime, Pierre should go ahead with his planned trip to Petersburg. The kind way Natásha says goodbye to him when he is leaving gives Pierre hope she will marry him, and he is extremely happy during his stay in Petersburg.
quote from the chapter:
“Well,” he went on with an evident effort at self-control and coherence. “I don’t know when I began to love her, but I have loved her and her alone all my life, and I love her so that I cannot imagine life without her. I cannot propose to her at present, but the thought that perhaps she might someday be my wife and that I may be missing that possibility… that possibility… is terrible. Tell me, can I hope? Tell me what I am to do, dear princess!” he added after a pause, and touched her hand as she did not reply. “I am thinking of what you have told me,” answered Princess Mary. “This is what I will say. You are right that to speak to her of love at present…” Princess Mary stopped. She was going to say that to speak of love was impossible, but she stopped because she had seen by the sudden change in Natásha two days before that she would not only not be hurt if Pierre spoke of his love, but that it was the very thing she wished for.
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