Pierre, who had never managed to choose a career and who had been expelled from Petersburg for riotous conduct and sent to Moscow was staying as usual at his father’s house. There Pierre was received by his cousins as if he were a corpse or a leper. He was not permitted to see his father the Count and stayed mostly in his own rooms, thinking much about the war. There Borís finds him and relays Count Rostóv’s dinner invitation. Pierre is confused about who Borís is, but the smooth Borís quickly puts Pierre at ease, assuring him that he and his mother are not seeking money. Pierre felt an unaccountable tenderness for this young man and made up his mind that they would be friends.
quote from the chapter:
Moscow has nothing else to do but gossip, Borís went on. Everybody is wondering to whom the count will leave his fortune, though he may perhaps outlive us all, as I sincerely hope he will…
Yes, it is all very horrid, interrupted Pierre, very horrid.
Pierre was still afraid that this officer might inadvertently say something disconcerting to himself.
And it must seem to you, said Borís flushing slightly, but not changing his tone or attitude, it must seem to you that everyone is trying to get something out of the rich man?
Book 1, Chapter 16
Pierre meets Borís and appreciates his candor.
Summary:
Pierre, who had never managed to choose a career and who had been expelled from Petersburg for riotous conduct and sent to Moscow was staying as usual at his father’s house. There Pierre was received by his cousins as if he were a corpse or a leper. He was not permitted to see his father the Count and stayed mostly in his own rooms, thinking much about the war. There Borís finds him and relays Count Rostóv’s dinner invitation. Pierre is confused about who Borís is, but the smooth Borís quickly puts Pierre at ease, assuring him that he and his mother are not seeking money. Pierre felt an unaccountable tenderness for this young man and made up his mind that they would be friends.
quote from the chapter:
Moscow has nothing else to do but gossip, Borís went on. Everybody is wondering to whom the count will leave his fortune, though he may perhaps outlive us all, as I sincerely hope he will…
Yes, it is all very horrid, interrupted Pierre, very horrid.
Pierre was still afraid that this officer might inadvertently say something disconcerting to himself.
And it must seem to you, said Borís flushing slightly, but not changing his tone or attitude, it must seem to you that everyone is trying to get something out of the rich man?
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Not half-sisters but cousins.
Thank you! I made the correction by changing half-sisters to cousins as you suggested.