Pierre finds Anatole at Hélène’s soriee and, after Pierre’s initial rage passes, convinces Anatole to leave Moscow.
Summary:
Pierre looks everywhere for Anatole, not finding him anywhere. At the club, Pierre learns everyone is talking about the elopement. Anatole was at Dólokhov’s trying to think of a way to see Natásha again. Later, when Pierre returns home, he finds Anatole at Hélène’s soriee. Anatole had come hoping his sister Hélène would again help him arrange a meeting with Natásha. Seeing Anatole among Hélène’s guests, Pierre is overcome with rage. He abruptly pulls Anatole aside. Pierre seems on the point of hurting Anatole. But, calming down, Pierre asks Anatole only to leave town, to never speak of the affair to anyone, and to turn over any letters he may have of Natásha’s. To save face, Anatole asks Pierre to take back what he has said, and the now calmer Pierre does so. At this, Anatole smiled. The expression of that base and cringing smile, which Pierre knew so well in his wife, revolted him. Oh, vile and heartless brood! he exclaimed, and left the room. The next day Anatole leaves for Petersburg.
quote from the chapter:
Having entered his study Pierre closed the door and addressed Anatole without looking at him. You promised Countess Rostóva to marry her and were about to elope with her, is that so? Mon cher, answered Anatole (their whole conversation was in French), I don’t consider myself bound to answer questions put to me in that tone.
Pierre’s face, already pale, became distorted by fury. He seized Anatole by the collar of his uniform with his big hand and shook him from side to side till Anatole’s face showed a sufficient degree of terror. When I tell you that I must talk to you!… repeated Pierre. Come now, this is stupid. What? said Anatole, fingering a button of his collar that had been wrenched loose with a bit of the cloth. You’re a scoundrel and a blackguard, and I don’t know what deprives me from the pleasure of smashing your head with this! said Pierre, expressing himself so artificially because he was talking French. He took a heavy paperweight and lifted it threateningly, but at once put it back in its place.
Book 8, Chapter 20
Pierre finds Anatole at Hélène’s soriee and, after Pierre’s initial rage passes, convinces Anatole to leave Moscow.
Summary:
Pierre looks everywhere for Anatole, not finding him anywhere. At the club, Pierre learns everyone is talking about the elopement. Anatole was at Dólokhov’s trying to think of a way to see Natásha again. Later, when Pierre returns home, he finds Anatole at Hélène’s soriee. Anatole had come hoping his sister Hélène would again help him arrange a meeting with Natásha. Seeing Anatole among Hélène’s guests, Pierre is overcome with rage. He abruptly pulls Anatole aside. Pierre seems on the point of hurting Anatole. But, calming down, Pierre asks Anatole only to leave town, to never speak of the affair to anyone, and to turn over any letters he may have of Natásha’s. To save face, Anatole asks Pierre to take back what he has said, and the now calmer Pierre does so. At this, Anatole smiled. The expression of that base and cringing smile, which Pierre knew so well in his wife, revolted him. Oh, vile and heartless brood! he exclaimed, and left the room. The next day Anatole leaves for Petersburg.
quote from the chapter:
Having entered his study Pierre closed the door and addressed Anatole without looking at him. You promised Countess Rostóva to marry her and were about to elope with her, is that so? Mon cher, answered Anatole (their whole conversation was in French), I don’t consider myself bound to answer questions put to me in that tone.
Pierre’s face, already pale, became distorted by fury. He seized Anatole by the collar of his uniform with his big hand and shook him from side to side till Anatole’s face showed a sufficient degree of terror. When I tell you that I must talk to you!… repeated Pierre. Come now, this is stupid. What? said Anatole, fingering a button of his collar that had been wrenched loose with a bit of the cloth. You’re a scoundrel and a blackguard, and I don’t know what deprives me from the pleasure of smashing your head with this! said Pierre, expressing himself so artificially because he was talking French. He took a heavy paperweight and lifted it threateningly, but at once put it back in its place.
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