Frivolous talk, joking and gossip go on as ever in Moscow’s salons, despite the fact that the city is now in great danger.
Summary:
The recent surge of patriotism in Moscow cooled when the Emperor left town. Anyone who promised money for the war still had to pay it, though. With the enemy’s approach, the Moscovites’ did not grow more serious but on the contrary became even more frivolous, as always happens with people who see a great danger approaching. There was a lot of jeering humor directed at the French. Pierre is kidded about his military unfitness. Some people, like Julie, are beginning to leave Moscow. Speaking French is much out of favor. There is a lot of idle gossip, such as about the Rostóv’s finances, about Nicholas and Mary, and about Pierre and Natásha. (Pierre firmly denies this last rumor.)
quote from the chapter:
No, madame! Pierre continued in a tone of displeasure, I have not taken on myself the role of Natalie Rostóva’s knight at all, and have not been to their house for nearly a month. But I cannot understand the cruelty… Who excuses himself, accuses himself. said Julie, smiling and waving the lint triumphantly, and to have the last word she promptly changed the subject. Do you know what I heard today? Poor Mary Bolkónskaya arrived in Moscow yesterday. Do you know that she has lost her father? Really? Where is she? I should like very much to see her, said Pierre. I spent the evening with her yesterday. She is going to their estate near Moscow either today or tomorrow morning, with her nephew. Well, and how is she? asked Pierre. She is well, but sad. But do you know who rescued her? It is quite a romance. Nicholas Rostóv! She was surrounded, and they wanted to kill her and had wounded some of her people. He rushed in and saved her….
Book 10, Chapter 17
Frivolous talk, joking and gossip go on as ever in Moscow’s salons, despite the fact that the city is now in great danger.
Summary:
The recent surge of patriotism in Moscow cooled when the Emperor left town. Anyone who promised money for the war still had to pay it, though. With the enemy’s approach, the Moscovites’ did not grow more serious but on the contrary became even more frivolous, as always happens with people who see a great danger approaching. There was a lot of jeering humor directed at the French. Pierre is kidded about his military unfitness. Some people, like Julie, are beginning to leave Moscow. Speaking French is much out of favor. There is a lot of idle gossip, such as about the Rostóv’s finances, about Nicholas and Mary, and about Pierre and Natásha. (Pierre firmly denies this last rumor.)
quote from the chapter:
No, madame! Pierre continued in a tone of displeasure, I have not taken on myself the role of Natalie Rostóva’s knight at all, and have not been to their house for nearly a month. But I cannot understand the cruelty… Who excuses himself, accuses himself. said Julie, smiling and waving the lint triumphantly, and to have the last word she promptly changed the subject. Do you know what I heard today? Poor Mary Bolkónskaya arrived in Moscow yesterday. Do you know that she has lost her father? Really? Where is she? I should like very much to see her, said Pierre. I spent the evening with her yesterday. She is going to their estate near Moscow either today or tomorrow morning, with her nephew. Well, and how is she? asked Pierre. She is well, but sad. But do you know who rescued her? It is quite a romance. Nicholas Rostóv! She was surrounded, and they wanted to kill her and had wounded some of her people. He rushed in and saved her….
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