Princess Mary travels with her nephew and some staff to see Prince Andrew. When she arrives at the house where the Rostóvs are staying, Natásha tells Mary that Andrew’s condition has been declining by the day.
Princess Mary travels with her nephew and some staff to see Prince Andrew. When she arrives at the house where the Rostóvs are staying, Natásha tells Mary that Andrew’s condition has been declining by the day.
Book 12, Chapter 14
Princess Mary travels with her nephew and some staff to see Prince Andrew. When she arrives at the house where the Rostóvs are staying, Natásha tells Mary that Andrew’s condition has been declining by the day.
Summary:
When Princess Mary heard from Nicholas that her brother was with the Rostóv’s at Yaroslávl she at once prepared to go there, in spite of her aunt’s efforts to dissuade her-and not merely to go herself but to take her nephew with her. She left at once, along with a number of her servants and staff. Due to the war, she had to take a roundabout route. During this everyone was astonished at Mary’s energy and firmness of spirit. No difficulties daunted her. The last days of her stay in Vorónezh had been the happiest of her life. Her love for Nicholas Rostóv no longer tormented or agitated her. It filled her whole soul, had become an integral part of herself, and she no longer struggled against it. But, when after two weeks she arrived at the house where the Rostóv’s were staying, Mary knew not if she would find Prince Andrew alive or dead. Mary received a warm and kind greeting from Countess Rostóv. And, hardly had the princess looked at Natásha’s face before she realized that here was a real comrade in her grief, and consequently a friend. She ran to meet her, embraced her, and began to cry on her shoulder. There was only one expression on Natásha’s agitated face-that of love-boundless love for him, for her, and for all that was near to the man she loved. Natásha tells Mary that Prince Andrew’s condition is in decline. Mary and Natásha, who have both been crying, sit for a few minutes to compose themselves and then go in to see Prince Andrew.
quote from the chapter:
They sat a little while downstairs near his room till they had left off crying and were able to go to him with calm faces.
How has his whole illness gone? Is it long since he grew worse? When did this happen? Princess Mary inquired.
Natásha told her that at first there had been danger from his feverish condition and the pain he suffered, but at Tróitsa that had passed and the doctor had only been afraid of gangrene. That danger had also passed. When they reached Yaroslávl the wound had begun to fester (Natásha knew all about such things as festering) and the doctor had said that the festering might take a normal course. Then fever set in, but the doctor had said the fever was not very serious.
But two days ago this suddenly happened, said Natásha, struggling with her sobs. I don’t know why, but you will see what he is like.
Is he weaker? Thinner? asked the princess.
No, it’s not that, but worse. You will see. O, Mary, he is too good, he cannot, cannot live, because…
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