Pierre’s sympathy for Natásha evokes an expression of tenderness to her which both she and he find deeply moving. Pierre sees the comet.
Summary:
Pierre goes to the Rostóv house to return Natásha’s letters, as per Andrew’s request. Natásha, still looking very weak, asks to see Pierre. She tells him to tell Andrew how sorry she is. She knows things between her and Andrew are over now, but she still wants Andrew to know how sorry she is for the pain she caused him. Deeply moved by how dejected Natásha looks, Pierre tells her she still has her whole life ahead of her. Natásha says no, it’s all over. Pierre, himself overcome with emotion, tells her if things were different he himself would beg for her hand. For the first time for many days Natásha wept tears of gratitude and tenderness, and glancing at Pierre she went out of the room. Pierre, restraining tears of tenderness, hastens home. His emotional encounter with Natásha has left him highly agitated if not elated. Something within Pierre seems to have reawakened. On his way home, Pierre sees in the sky the enormous and brilliant comet of 1812.
quote from the chapter:
Don’t speak to me like that. I am not worth it! exclaimed Natásha and turned to leave the room, but Pierre held her hand.
He knew he had something more to say to her. But when he said it he was amazed at his own words.
Stop, stop! You have your whole life before you, said he to her.
Before me? No! All is over for me, she replied with shame and self-abasement.
All over? he repeated. If I were not myself, but the handsomest, cleverest, and best man in the world, and were free, I would this moment ask on my knees for your hand and your love!
For the first time for many days Natásha wept tears of gratitude and tenderness, and glancing at Pierre she went out of the room.
Pierre too when she had gone almost ran into the anteroom, restraining tears of tenderness and joy that choked him,
Book 8, Chapter 22
Pierre’s sympathy for Natásha evokes an expression of tenderness to her which both she and he find deeply moving. Pierre sees the comet.
Summary:
Pierre goes to the Rostóv house to return Natásha’s letters, as per Andrew’s request. Natásha, still looking very weak, asks to see Pierre. She tells him to tell Andrew how sorry she is. She knows things between her and Andrew are over now, but she still wants Andrew to know how sorry she is for the pain she caused him. Deeply moved by how dejected Natásha looks, Pierre tells her she still has her whole life ahead of her. Natásha says no, it’s all over. Pierre, himself overcome with emotion, tells her if things were different he himself would beg for her hand. For the first time for many days Natásha wept tears of gratitude and tenderness, and glancing at Pierre she went out of the room. Pierre, restraining tears of tenderness, hastens home. His emotional encounter with Natásha has left him highly agitated if not elated. Something within Pierre seems to have reawakened. On his way home, Pierre sees in the sky the enormous and brilliant comet of 1812.
quote from the chapter:
Don’t speak to me like that. I am not worth it! exclaimed Natásha and turned to leave the room, but Pierre held her hand.
He knew he had something more to say to her. But when he said it he was amazed at his own words.
Stop, stop! You have your whole life before you, said he to her.
Before me? No! All is over for me, she replied with shame and self-abasement.
All over? he repeated. If I were not myself, but the handsomest, cleverest, and best man in the world, and were free, I would this moment ask on my knees for your hand and your love!
For the first time for many days Natásha wept tears of gratitude and tenderness, and glancing at Pierre she went out of the room.
Pierre too when she had gone almost ran into the anteroom, restraining tears of tenderness and joy that choked him,
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