At the party, Anatole declares his love for Natásha and kisses her. Natásha’s affections become confused.
Summary:
Count Rostóv takes the girls to the reception at Hélène’s, where an actress will be doing a recitation that evening for the group’s entertainment. The Count is disappointed to see that Hélène seems to have invited quite a few men and women of dubious reputation. Anatole is there, and when he gets a chance to speak privately to Natásha, he tells her he loves her and then he kisses her. Natásha tells Anatole she is engaged already to Prince Andrew and she loves Andrew. Hélène breaks up this tête-à-tête. Hélène brings Natásha back to the main group. Later there is dancing and Anatole repeatedly tries to woo Natásha. The Rostóvs leave the gathering before the meal is served, but the experience has left Natásha quite confused. Natásha really does find Anatole attractive, and she is unsure whether it’s Andrew or Anatole that she loves.
quote from the chapter:
Natalie, just a word, only one! he kept repeating, evidently not knowing what to say and he repeated it till Hélène came up to them.
Hélène returned with Natásha to the drawing room. The Rostóvs went away without staying for supper.
After reaching home Natásha did not sleep all night. She was tormented by the insoluble question whether she loved Anatole or Prince Andrew. She loved Prince Andrew-she remembered distinctly how deeply she loved him. But she also loved Anatole, of that there was no doubt. Else how could all this have happened? thought she. If, after that, I could return his smile when saying good-by, if I was able to let it come to that, it means that I loved him from the first. It means that he is kind, noble, and splendid, and I could not help loving him. What am I to do if I love him and the other one too? she asked herself, unable to find an answer to these terrible questions.
Book 8, Chapter 13
At the party, Anatole declares his love for Natásha and kisses her. Natásha’s affections become confused.
Summary:
Count Rostóv takes the girls to the reception at Hélène’s, where an actress will be doing a recitation that evening for the group’s entertainment. The Count is disappointed to see that Hélène seems to have invited quite a few men and women of dubious reputation. Anatole is there, and when he gets a chance to speak privately to Natásha, he tells her he loves her and then he kisses her. Natásha tells Anatole she is engaged already to Prince Andrew and she loves Andrew. Hélène breaks up this tête-à-tête. Hélène brings Natásha back to the main group. Later there is dancing and Anatole repeatedly tries to woo Natásha. The Rostóvs leave the gathering before the meal is served, but the experience has left Natásha quite confused. Natásha really does find Anatole attractive, and she is unsure whether it’s Andrew or Anatole that she loves.
quote from the chapter:
Natalie, just a word, only one! he kept repeating, evidently not knowing what to say and he repeated it till Hélène came up to them.
Hélène returned with Natásha to the drawing room. The Rostóvs went away without staying for supper.
After reaching home Natásha did not sleep all night. She was tormented by the insoluble question whether she loved Anatole or Prince Andrew. She loved Prince Andrew-she remembered distinctly how deeply she loved him. But she also loved Anatole, of that there was no doubt. Else how could all this have happened? thought she. If, after that, I could return his smile when saying good-by, if I was able to let it come to that, it means that I loved him from the first. It means that he is kind, noble, and splendid, and I could not help loving him. What am I to do if I love him and the other one too? she asked herself, unable to find an answer to these terrible questions.
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