The Rostóv’s finally get underway, accompanied by their carts loaded with the wounded. They don’t tell Natásha Prince Andrew is with them. On the road they spot Pierre dressed as a coachman.
The Rostóv’s finally get underway, accompanied by their carts loaded with the wounded. They don’t tell Natásha Prince Andrew is with them. On the road they spot Pierre dressed as a coachman.
Book 11, Chapter 17
The Rostóv’s finally get underway, accompanied by their carts loaded with the wounded. They don’t tell Natásha Prince Andrew is with them. On the road they spot Pierre dressed as a coachman.
Summary:
Before two o’clock in the afternoon the Rostóvs’ four carriages, packed full and with the horses harnessed are ready to go. One by one the carts with the wounded had moved out of the yard. Sónya is the first in the family to realize that Prince Andrew is with the wounded. She runs to tell the Countess, who has assembled with others for the usual silent prayer before starting a journey, that Andrew is present. Sónya tells the Countess that Andrew is not expected to survive. They decide not to tell Natásha Prince Andrew is with them, so as not to upset her. Once underway, they join a huge procession of carriages leaving Moscow. On the road they are surprised to see Pierre walking along in a coachman’s coat, evidently as a gentleman in disguise. They are only able to speak briefly with Pierre and he doesn’t tell them what he is up to. But they learn Pierre plans to remain in Moscow.
quote from the chapter:
Mamma, said Sónya, Prince Andrew is here, mortally wounded. He is going with us.
The countess opened her eyes in dismay and, seizing Sónya’s arm, glanced around.
Natásha? she murmured.
At that moment this news had only one significance for both of them. They knew their Natásha, and alarm as to what would happen if she heard this news stifled all sympathy for the man they both liked.
Natásha does not know yet, but he is going with us, said Sónya.
You say he is dying?
Sónya nodded.
The countess put her arms around Sónya and began to cry.
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