BOOK 1, Chptr. 25, P&V pg. 87

Book 1, Chapter 25

A description of life at Bald Hills, the estate where Andrew’s father and sister live, and where Lise will live while Andrew is away at the war.

Summary:

Prince Andrew is bringing his wife to Bald Hills, the estate of his father, the old Prince Bolkónski, which is about 100 miles outside of Moscow. Andrew’s wife Lise is going to live a Bald Hills while he is away at war. Also living at Bald Hills are Andrew’s sister Princess Mary and her companion Mademoiselle Bourienne. Although he loves his children, the Old Prince runs a very strict and disciplined house. He runs the house on a tight, unvarying schedule. For example, he gives Mary a geometry lesson every day at exactly the same time, and he’s a harsh teacher. In a letter from her friend Julie, Mary learns Count Vasíli hopes Mary will marry his son Anatole. Mary and her friend Julie are both very interested in religion.

quote from the chapter:

The princess looked in a scared way at her father’s eyes glittering close to her; the red patches on her face came and went, and it was plain that she understood nothing and was so frightened that her fear would prevent her understanding any of her father’s further explanations, however clear they might be. Whether it was the teacher’s fault or the pupil’s, this same thing happened every day: the princess’ eyes grew dim, she could not see and could not hear anything, but was only conscious of her stern father’s withered face close to her, of his breath and the smell of him, and could think only of how to get away quickly to her own room to make out the problem in peace.

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