BOOK 11, Chptr. 31, P&V pg. 915

Book 11, Chapter 31

Natásha learns Prince Andrew is among the wounded traveling with them. That night, she sneaks into Andrew’s sickroom to see him.

Summary:

Sónya for some unaccountable reason found it necessary to tell Natásha Prince Andrew was seriously wounded, although expected to survive, and was with their party. This greatly angered the Countess, who worried the news would upset Natásha. It did profoundly effect her, sending her into a condition of stupor. After she had been told that she could not see him, Natásha ceased to speak or ask questions all day, or to be interested in anything, not even the rapidly spreading Moscow fires visible in the distance that night. Although forbidden by her mother to do so, Natásha resolved to see him. After Sónya and the Countess were asleep Natásha slipped out quietly to see the Prince, who was in a part of the hut across the passage. Seeing him, Natásha went up to his bed and dropped on her knees. Prince Andrew smiled and held out his hand to her.

quote from the chapter:

She passed the valet, the snuff fell from the candle wick, and she saw Prince Andrew clearly with his arms outside the quilt, and such as she had always seen him. He was the same as ever, but the feverish color of his face, his glittering eyes rapturously turned toward her, and especially his neck, delicate as a child’s, revealed by the turn-down collar of his shirt, gave him a peculiarly innocent, childlike look, such as she had never seen on him before. She went up to him and with a swift, flexible, youthful movement dropped on her knees. He smiled and held out his hand to her.

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