BOOK 8, Chptr. 15, P&V pg. 576

Sónya finds Anatole’s letter to Natásha and confronts her. Natásha, it seems, is about to elope with Anatole. Sónya vows to guard her door to prevent Natásha from leaving.

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  1. Book 8, Chapter 15

      Sónya finds Anatole’s letter to Natásha and confronts her. Natásha, it seems, is about to elope with Anatole. Sónya vows to guard her door to prevent Natásha from leaving.

      Summary:
      Sónya happens to find Anatole’s letter and confronts Natásha. Natásha now says she loves Anatole and wants to “be his slave”. Natásha tells her Anatole is a wonderful person. Sónya can’t believe what she is hearing. She tries to point out that Anatole is not behaving honorably, but Natásha will not listen to her. It seems she has sent a letter to Princess Mary to break off her relationship with Andrew. Sónya says she will not keep Natásha’s secret. She watches Natásha closely and notices she has been acting oddly. Sónya concludes that Natásha is about to elope with Anatole, which will bring ruin to Natásha and bring disgrace to the family. Sónya resolves to stand guard at Natásha’s door for as long as it takes to prevent her eloping.

      quote from the chapter:
      Yes, that’s it, she means to elope with him, but what am I to do? thought she, recalling all the signs that clearly indicated that Natásha had some terrible intention. The count is away. What am I to do? Write to Kurágin demanding an explanation? But what is there to oblige him to reply? Write to Pierre, as Prince Andrew asked me to in case of some misfortune?… But perhaps she really has already refused Bolkónski-she sent a letter to Princess Mary yesterday. And Uncle is away…. To tell Márya Dmítrievna who had such faith in Natásha seemed to Sónya terrible. Well, anyway, thought Sónya as she stood in the dark passage, now or never I must prove that I remember the family’s goodness to me and that I love Nicholas. Yes! If I don’t sleep for three nights I’ll not leave this passage and will hold her back by force and will and not let the family be disgraced, thought she.

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