Nicholas’ firm intention to marry Sónya nearly tears the Rostóv family apart.
Summary:
Soon after the Christmas holidays Nicholas told his mother of his love for Sónya and of his firm resolve to marry her. The Rostóv household is thrown into turmoil and unhappiness. The Count and Countess sternly oppose the marriage, despite knowing that Sónya would be a good wife, since for Nicholas marrying someone without property would spell the family’s financial ruin. Nicholas, loving Sónya, feels he can’t back down. Nicholas and his loving mother are on the point of estrangement, when Natásha steps in and barely prevents a permanent breach. Still, the Countess can’t help but show her resentment to the innocent Sónya. The Countess’ health suffers. Natásha suffers greatly Andrew’s absence. The Count, Nicholas and Sónya go to Moscow to sell the fine ancestral Rostóv house and estate there, where they hope they may also find Andrew. Nicholas, saying he will not “sell his feelings” by marrying for money, plans to retire from the army and marry Sónya, regardless of his parents wishes.
quote from the chapter:
After Nicholas had gone things in the Rostóv household were more depressing than ever, and the countess fell ill from mental agitation.
Sónya was unhappy at the separation from Nicholas and still more so on account of the hostile tone the countess could not help adopting toward her. The count was more perturbed than ever by the condition of his affairs, which called for some decisive action. Their town house and estate near Moscow had inevitably to be sold, and for this they had to go to Moscow. But the countess’ health obliged them to delay their departure from day to day.
Natásha, who had borne the first period of separation from her betrothed lightly and even cheerfully, now grew more agitated and impatient every day.
Book 7, Chapter 13
Nicholas’ firm intention to marry Sónya nearly tears the Rostóv family apart.
Summary:
Soon after the Christmas holidays Nicholas told his mother of his love for Sónya and of his firm resolve to marry her. The Rostóv household is thrown into turmoil and unhappiness. The Count and Countess sternly oppose the marriage, despite knowing that Sónya would be a good wife, since for Nicholas marrying someone without property would spell the family’s financial ruin. Nicholas, loving Sónya, feels he can’t back down. Nicholas and his loving mother are on the point of estrangement, when Natásha steps in and barely prevents a permanent breach. Still, the Countess can’t help but show her resentment to the innocent Sónya. The Countess’ health suffers. Natásha suffers greatly Andrew’s absence. The Count, Nicholas and Sónya go to Moscow to sell the fine ancestral Rostóv house and estate there, where they hope they may also find Andrew. Nicholas, saying he will not “sell his feelings” by marrying for money, plans to retire from the army and marry Sónya, regardless of his parents wishes.
quote from the chapter:
After Nicholas had gone things in the Rostóv household were more depressing than ever, and the countess fell ill from mental agitation.
Sónya was unhappy at the separation from Nicholas and still more so on account of the hostile tone the countess could not help adopting toward her. The count was more perturbed than ever by the condition of his affairs, which called for some decisive action. Their town house and estate near Moscow had inevitably to be sold, and for this they had to go to Moscow. But the countess’ health obliged them to delay their departure from day to day.
Natásha, who had borne the first period of separation from her betrothed lightly and even cheerfully, now grew more agitated and impatient every day.
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