BOOK 11, Chptr. 34, P&V pg. 928

After rescuing the child from the burning building, Pierre cannot find her mother. He fights with a looter and is arrested.

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  1. Book 11, Chapter 34

      After rescuing the child from the burning building, Pierre cannot find her mother. He fights with a looter and is arrested.

      Summary:
      Pierre manages to get the child out of the burning house. He hurries to find the family. Pierre felt that he had still much to do and to do quickly. But now he cannot find the girl’s mother in the crowd which has gathered around the house. He asks if anyone knows her. Nearby, Pierre sees French looters robbing an Armenian family in the street. He sees one looter tearing from her neck a necklace a beautiful young Armenian was wearing. Pierre hands the girl to a neighbor and attacks and beats the looter. A French Patrol sent out to restore order sees the fight and stops it. Pierre remembered nothing of what happened after that. He only remembered beating someone and being beaten and finally feeling that his hands were bound and that a crowd of French soldiers stood around him and were searching him. They realize Pierre is carrying a dagger. Thinking he is an incendiary, the patrol arrests Pierre and marches him off to their guardhouse. Unaccountably, Pierre tells the soldiers the girl he rescued is his daughter.

      quote from the chapter:
      Who are you? asked the interpreter in poor Russian. You must answer the chief.
      I will not tell you who I am. I am your prisoner-take me! Pierre suddenly replied in French.
      Ah, ah! muttered the officer with a frown. Well then, march!
      A crowd had collected round the Uhlans. Nearest to Pierre stood the pockmarked peasant woman with the little girl, and when the patrol started she moved forward.
      Where are they taking you to, you poor dear? said she. And the little girl, the little girl, what am I to do with her if she’s not theirs? said the woman.
      What does that woman want? asked the officer.
      Pierre was as if intoxicated. His elation increased at the sight of the little girl he had saved.
      What does she want? he murmured. She is bringing me my daughter whom I have just saved from the flames, said he. Good-by! And without knowing how this aimless lie had escaped him, he went along with resolute and triumphant steps between the French soldiers.

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