Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

CHAPTER XIV

After receiving her visitors, the countess (the mother of the family) was so tired that she gave orders to admit no more (told the servants to let no more visitors in), but the porter (the servant who guards the front door) was told to be sure to invite to dinner all who came “to congratulate (to wish mother and daughter well on the day of the saint they are named after).” The countess wished to have a tête-à-tête (French: private, just the two of them) talk with the friend of her childhood, Princess Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money), whom she had not seen properly (had not had a real talk with) since she returned from Petersburg (St. Petersburg, the capital). Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money), with her tear-worn (tired from much crying) but pleasant face, drew her chair nearer (pulled her chair closer) to that of the countess.

“With you I will be quite frank (completely honest),” said Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money). “There are not many left of us old friends! That’s why I so value your friendship (your friendship means so much to me).”

Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money) looked at Véra (the countess's first child) and paused. The countess (the mother of the family) pressed her friend’s hand.

“Véra,” she said to her eldest (oldest) daughter who was evidently not a favorite (clearly not the child she loved best), “how is it you have so little tact (so little sense of what to say or do)? Don’t you see you are not wanted here? Go to the other girls, or...”

The handsome (good-looking) Véra smiled contemptuously (as if she thought them silly) but did not seem at all hurt.

“If you had told me sooner, Mamma (Mother), I would have gone,” she replied as she rose (stood up) to go to her own room.

But as she passed the sitting room she noticed two couples sitting, one pair at each window. She stopped and smiled scornfully (mockingly). Sónya (a cousin who lives in the house) was sitting close to Nicholas (the countess's older son) who was copying out some verses (writing down a poem) for her, the first he had ever written. Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son) and Natásha (the countess's youngest girl) were at the other window and ceased (stopped) talking when Véra entered. Sónya and Natásha (the countess's youngest girl) looked at Véra with guilty, happy faces (faces both happy and a little ashamed).

It was pleasant and touching to see these little girls in love (the writer speaks: their young love was sweet to see); but apparently (it seemed) the sight of them roused no pleasant feeling (gave no pleasant feeling) in Véra.

“How often have I asked you not to take my things?” she said. “You have a room of your own,” and she took the inkstand (the pot of ink for dipping a pen) from Nicholas (the countess's older son).

“In a minute, in a minute,” he said, dipping his pen (putting his pen into the ink).

“You always manage to do things at the wrong time,” continued Véra. “You came rushing into the drawing room (the best sitting room, where guests are welcomed) so that everyone felt ashamed of you.”

Though what she said was quite just (quite fair and true), perhaps for that very reason no one replied (she was right, and that is why no one answered her), and the four simply looked at one another. She lingered (did not leave) in the room with the inkstand (the pot of ink) in her hand.

“And at your age what secrets can there be between Natásha (the countess's youngest girl) and Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son), or between you two? It’s all nonsense!”

“Now, Véra (a gentle word of protest to Véra), what does it matter to you?” said Natásha (the countess's youngest girl) in defense (to protect them), speaking very gently (softly).

She seemed that day to be more than ever kind and affectionate (loving) to everyone.

“Very silly,” said Véra. “I am ashamed of you. Secrets indeed! (secrets! what nonsense)”

“All have secrets of their own,” answered Natásha (the countess's youngest girl), getting warmer (getting angrier). “We don’t interfere with (bother) you and Berg (a young man who admires Véra).”

“I should think not (of course you do not),” said Véra, “because there can never be anything wrong in my behavior. But I’ll just tell Mamma (Mother) how you are behaving with Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son).”

“Natálya Ilyníchna (Natásha's full, polite name) behaves very well to me,” remarked Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son). “I have nothing to complain of (I have no reason to be unhappy).”

“Don’t, Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son)! You are such a diplomat (so careful to please everyone) that it is really tiresome (annoying),” said Natásha (the countess's youngest girl) in a mortified voice (in a hurt, ashamed voice) that trembled slightly. (She used the word “diplomat,” which was just then much in vogue (very popular) among the children, in the special sense they attached to it (with their own special meaning).) “Why does she bother me?” And she added, turning to Véra, “You’ll never understand it, because you’ve never loved anyone. You have no heart! (she calls her sister cold; the nickname that follows means the same) You are a Madame de Genlis (a French writer of strict books for children: Natásha means Véra is cold and always correcting others) and nothing more” (this nickname, bestowed on (given to) Véra by Nicholas (the countess's older son), was considered very stinging (very hurtful)), “and your greatest pleasure is to be unpleasant to people! Go and flirt (try to win his love in a playful way) with Berg as much as you please (as much as you want),” she finished quickly.

“I shall at any rate (at least) not run after a young man before visitors (chase a young man in front of guests)...”

“Well, now you’ve done what you wanted,” put in (said) Nicholas (the countess's older son)—“said unpleasant things to everyone and upset them. Let’s go to the nursery (the children's room).”

All four, like a flock of scared birds (all together and in a hurry), got up and left the room.

“The unpleasant things were said to me,” remarked Véra, “I said none to anyone.”

“Madame de Genlis! (the young ones' mocking nickname for Véra: Madame de Genlis was a French woman writer of dull, proper teaching books) Madame de Genlis!” shouted laughing voices through the door.

The handsome (good-looking) Véra, who produced such an irritating and unpleasant effect (made people feel so annoyed and uncomfortable) on everyone, smiled and, evidently unmoved (clearly not upset at all) by what had been said to her, went to the looking glass (the mirror) and arranged her hair and scarf. Looking at her own handsome (fine-looking) face she seemed to become still colder and calmer (even colder and more calm).

In the drawing room (the best sitting room, where guests are welcomed) the conversation was still going on.

“Ah, my dear (a friendly way to speak to her friend),” said the countess (the mother of the family), “my life is not all roses either (my life is not all easy and happy either). Don’t I know that (I know very well that) at the rate we are living (spending so much, as we do) our means won’t last long (our money will not last long)? It’s all the Club and his easygoing nature (it is the fault of the club where my husband spends money, and his careless ways). Even in the country (at our country house) do we get any rest? (we get no rest at all) Theatricals (home plays acted by family and friends), hunting (chasing wild animals on horseback), and heaven knows what besides (and many other things too)! But don’t let’s talk about me; tell me how you managed everything. I often wonder at you (you often amaze me), Annette (a French pet name for Anna Mikháylovna)—how at your age you can rush off alone in a carriage to Moscow (Russia's old capital), to Petersburg (the capital), to those ministers (the Emperor's highest officials) and great people (important, powerful people), and know how to deal with them all! It’s quite astonishing (amazing). How did you get things settled (get everything arranged)? I couldn’t possibly do it.”

“Ah, my love (a loving way to speak to her friend),” answered Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money), “God grant you never know (I pray you never find out) what it is to be left a widow without means (a woman whose husband has died, with no money) and with a son you love to distraction (so much it is hard to think of anything else)! One learns many things then,” she added with a certain pride (with some pride). “That lawsuit (that long fight in the courts) taught me much. When I want to see one of those big people (important people) I write a note: ‘Princess So-and-So (a princess, with my own name put here) desires an interview with (wishes to meet) So and-So (the important man's name put here),’ and then I take a cab (a hired horse carriage) and go myself two, three, or four times—till I get what I want. I don’t mind what they think of me.”

“Well, and (so,) to whom did you apply (whom did you ask for help) about Bóry (Borís; Bóry is his pet name)?” asked the countess (the mother of the family). “You see yours is already an officer in the Guards (an officer among the Emperor's best soldiers), while my Nicholas (the countess's older son) is going as a cadet (a soldier training to become an officer). There’s no one to interest himself for him (to help him). To whom did you apply?”

“To Prince Vasíli (a powerful nobleman close to the Emperor). He was so kind. (she praises him warmly) He at once (immediately) agreed to everything, and put the matter before the Emperor (asked the Emperor about it),” said Princess Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money) enthusiastically (with great excitement), quite forgetting all the humiliation she had endured (all the shame she had suffered) to gain her end (to get what she wanted).

“Has Prince Vasíli (a powerful nobleman close to the Emperor) aged much (grown much older)?” asked the countess (the mother of the family). “I have not seen him since we acted together at the Rumyántsovs’ theatricals (home plays at a rich family's house). I expect he has forgotten me. He paid me attentions (he showed that he liked me, as a young man shows a girl) in those days,” said the countess, with a smile.

“He is just the same as ever,” replied Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money), “overflowing with amiability (full of kindness). His position has not turned his head (his high place has not made him proud) at all. He said to me, ‘I am sorry I can do so little for you, dear Princess (a polite way for him to speak to her). I am at your command (I will do whatever you ask).’ Yes, he is a fine fellow (a good man) and a very kind relation (relative). But, Nataly (the countess's first name), you know my love for my son: I would do anything for his happiness! And my affairs are in such a bad way (my money matters are so bad) that my position is now a terrible one,” continued Anna Mikháylovna, sadly, dropping her voice (speaking more quietly). “My wretched (miserable) lawsuit (fight in the courts) takes all I have and makes no progress (does not move forward). Would you believe it (it is hard to believe, but), I have literally not a penny (truly no money at all) and don’t know how to equip (to buy the uniform and things needed for) Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son).” She took out her handkerchief and began to cry. “I need five hundred rubles (a large sum of Russian money), and have only one twenty-five-ruble note (a single piece of paper money, a small sum). I am in such a state (I am so upset).... My only hope now is in Count Cyril Vladímirovich Bezúkhov (a very rich old nobleman). If he will not assist his godson (a boy he promised in church to guide)—you know he is Bóry’s (Borís (his pet name)) godfather (the man who made that church promise)—and allow him something for his maintenance (give him a regular sum of money for his needs), all my trouble will have been thrown away (wasted).... I shall not be able to equip him.”

The countess (the mother of the family)’ eyes filled with tears and she pondered (thought deeply) in silence.

“I often think, though, perhaps it’s a sin (she knows the thought she is about to say is wrong),” said the princess (Anna Mikháylovna), “that here lives Count Cyril Vladímirovich Bezúkhov (a very rich old nobleman) so rich, all alone... that tremendous (huge) fortune... and what is his life worth? It’s a burden (a heavy load) to him, and Bóry’s (Borís) life is only just beginning....”

“Surely he will leave something to Borís (give Borís money in his will, when he dies),” said the countess (the mother of the family).

“Heaven only knows (no one knows), my dear (a friendly way to speak to her friend)! These rich grandees (rich, important nobles) are so selfish. Still, (even so,) I will take Borís (Anna Mikháylovna's son) and go to see him at once (immediately), and I shall speak to him straight out (tell him plainly). Let people think what they will of me (let people think whatever they like about me), it’s really all the same to me (it truly does not matter to me) when my son’s fate is at stake (when my son's future depends on it).” The princess (Anna Mikháylovna) rose (stood up). “It’s now two o’clock and you dine (have dinner) at four. There will just be time.”

And like a practical Petersburg lady (the writer's gentle joke: a lady from the capital, quick and clever at getting what she needs) who knows how to make the most of time (use every minute well), Anna Mikháylovna (the countess's old friend, who has little money) sent someone to call her son, and went into the anteroom (entrance room) with him.

“Good-by, my dear (a friendly way to speak to her friend),” said she to the countess (the mother of the family) who saw her to the door (walked with her to the door), and added in a whisper so that her son should not hear, “Wish me good luck.”

“Are you going to Count Cyril Vladímirovich (a very rich old nobleman), my dear (a friendly way to speak to Anna Mikháylovna)?” said the count (Count Rostóv, the countess's husband) coming out from the dining hall into the anteroom (the entrance room), and he added: “If he is better (if the sick old count is better), ask Pierre (Count Bezúkhov's son) to dine (have dinner) with us. He has been to the house, you know, and danced with the children. Be sure to invite him, my dear. We will see how Tarás (the family's cook) distinguishes himself (does a fine job) today. He says Count Orlóv (a famously rich nobleman) never gave such a dinner as ours will be!”