Natásha attempts suicide. Natásha’s rejection of Prince Andrew has left his family feeling contempt for the Rostóvs.
Summary:
Going to tell Márya Dmítrievna of Anatole’s departure from Moscow, Pierre learns that Natásha has tried to kill herself after finding out about Anatole’s prior marriage. Natásha swallows some poison, but then tells Sónya what she has done and is given antidotes. She is very ill but recovering, and her mother has been summoned to Moscow. Pierre then goes to see Andrew, who has returned to Moscow. At the Bolkónski house, Natásha’s rejection of Prince Andrew has generated animosity towards the Rostóv family, and the Old Prince and Princess Mary seem almost glad the marriage is off. Prince Andrew says he wishes Natásha well, but he seems very ready to forget her and move on with his life. Prince Andrew gives Pierre Natásha’s letters to return to the Countess. Andrew talks politics with his father as though nothing has happened.
quote from the chapter:
And where is your brother-in-law now, if I may ask? he said.
He has gone to Peters… But I don’t know, said Pierre.
Well, it doesn’t matter, said Prince Andrew. Tell Countess Rostóva that she was and is perfectly free and that I wish her all that is good.
Pierre took the packet. Prince Andrew, as if trying to remember whether he had something more to say, or waiting to see if Pierre would say anything, looked fixedly at him.
I say, do you remember our discussion in Petersburg? asked Pierre, about…
Yes, returned Prince Andrew hastily. I said that a fallen woman should be forgiven, but I didn’t say I could forgive her. I can’t.
Book 8, Chapter 21
Natásha attempts suicide. Natásha’s rejection of Prince Andrew has left his family feeling contempt for the Rostóvs.
Summary:
Going to tell Márya Dmítrievna of Anatole’s departure from Moscow, Pierre learns that Natásha has tried to kill herself after finding out about Anatole’s prior marriage. Natásha swallows some poison, but then tells Sónya what she has done and is given antidotes. She is very ill but recovering, and her mother has been summoned to Moscow. Pierre then goes to see Andrew, who has returned to Moscow. At the Bolkónski house, Natásha’s rejection of Prince Andrew has generated animosity towards the Rostóv family, and the Old Prince and Princess Mary seem almost glad the marriage is off. Prince Andrew says he wishes Natásha well, but he seems very ready to forget her and move on with his life. Prince Andrew gives Pierre Natásha’s letters to return to the Countess. Andrew talks politics with his father as though nothing has happened.
quote from the chapter:
And where is your brother-in-law now, if I may ask? he said.
He has gone to Peters… But I don’t know, said Pierre.
Well, it doesn’t matter, said Prince Andrew. Tell Countess Rostóva that she was and is perfectly free and that I wish her all that is good.
Pierre took the packet. Prince Andrew, as if trying to remember whether he had something more to say, or waiting to see if Pierre would say anything, looked fixedly at him.
I say, do you remember our discussion in Petersburg? asked Pierre, about…
Yes, returned Prince Andrew hastily. I said that a fallen woman should be forgiven, but I didn’t say I could forgive her. I can’t.
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