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 XVI

Pierre (old Count Bezúkhov's son), after all (in the end), had not managed to choose a career (a line of work for life) for himself in Petersburg (the capital), and had been expelled (sent away) from there for riotous conduct (wild, noisy behaviour) and sent to Moscow (Russia's old capital). The story told about him at Count Rostóv’s (a warm-hearted count with a large family) was true. Pierre had taken part in tying a policeman to a bear. (the story told at the Rostóvs' party was true: Pierre really did this) He had now been for some days in Moscow and was staying as usual at his father’s house. Though he expected that the story of his escapade (wild adventure) would be already known in Moscow and that the ladies about his father (the ladies around his father)—who were never favorably disposed toward him (never kind to him)—would have used it to turn the count against him (to make the count dislike him), he nevertheless (even so) on the day of his arrival went to his father’s part of the house. Entering the drawing room (the best sitting room), where the princesses (the count's three nieces, called princesses because their family is noble) spent most of their time, he greeted the ladies, two of whom were sitting at embroidery frames (wooden frames that hold cloth tight while it is sewn with patterns) while a third read aloud. It was the eldest (oldest) who was reading—the one who had met Anna Mikháylovna (a noble lady with little money). The two younger ones were embroidering (sewing patterns): both were rosy (pink-cheeked) and pretty and they differed only in that one had a little mole (a small dark spot on the skin) on her lip which made her much prettier. Pierre was received (Pierre was greeted) as if he were a corpse or a leper (as if he were a dead body, or a man with a disease so feared that no one comes near). The eldest princess paused in her reading and silently stared at him with frightened eyes; the second assumed precisely the same expression (made exactly the same face); while the youngest, the one with the mole, who was of a cheerful and lively disposition (a happy, lively nature), bent over her frame to hide a smile probably evoked (caused) by the amusing scene she foresaw (she expected to see). She drew her wool down (she pulled her thread down) through the canvas (the cloth) and, scarcely able to refrain from laughing (hardly able to stop herself laughing), stooped (bent down) as if trying to make out the pattern (see the pattern clearly).

“How do you do, cousin?” said Pierre. “You don’t recognize me?”

“I recognize you only too well (very well, and I wish I did not), too well.”

“How is the count? Can I see him?” asked Pierre, awkwardly (without grace) as usual, but unabashed (not at all ashamed).

“The count is suffering physically and mentally (in body and in mind), and apparently (it seems) you have done your best to increase (she means he has done everything to make worse) his mental sufferings (pains of the mind).”

“Can I see the count?” Pierre again asked.

“Hm (a doubtful sound).... If you wish to kill him, to kill him outright (completely), you can see him... Olga (one of the younger princesses), go and see whether Uncle’s (the old count) beef tea (hot meat broth for the sick) is ready—it is almost time,” she added, giving Pierre to understand that they were busy (letting Pierre know, without saying it, that they were busy), and busy making his father comfortable, while evidently (clearly) he, Pierre, was only busy causing him annoyance (upsetting him).

Olga went out. Pierre stood looking at the sisters; then he bowed and said: “Then I will go to my rooms. You will let me know when I can see him.”

And he left the room, followed by the low but ringing laughter (quiet but clear laughter) of the sister with the mole (the dark spot on her lip).

Next day Prince Vasíli (a powerful nobleman close to the Emperor) had arrived and settled in (began to live there) the count’s house. He sent for Pierre (asked Pierre to see him) and said to him: “My dear fellow (a friendly way to speak to a man), if you are going to behave here as you did in Petersburg, you will end very badly (things will go very badly for you); that is all I have to say to you. The count is very, very ill, and you must not see him at all.”

Since then Pierre had not been disturbed (had been left alone) and had spent the whole time in his rooms upstairs.

When Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) appeared at his door Pierre was pacing up and down (walking back and forth) his room, stopping occasionally at a corner to make menacing gestures at the wall (make threatening movements at the wall), as if running a sword through (stabbing with a sword) an invisible foe (an enemy who is not there), and glaring savagely (staring fiercely) over his spectacles (glasses), and then again resuming (starting again) his walk, muttering indistinct words (saying unclear words quietly), shrugging his shoulders (lifting and dropping his shoulders) and gesticulating (waving his arms about).

“England is done for (is finished),” said he, scowling (frowning angrily) and pointing his finger at someone unseen (who was not there). “Mr. Pitt (the English prime minister, the French ruler's great enemy), as a traitor to the nation (someone who betrayed his country) and to the rights of man (people's freedoms), is sentenced to (is punished by the court with)...” But before Pierre—who at that moment imagined himself to be (was pretending in his mind to be) Napoleon (the ruler of France, whom Pierre admires) in person and to have just effected the dangerous crossing (made the dangerous trip across) of the Straits of Dover (the narrow sea between France and England) and captured London (the capital of England)—could pronounce Pitt’s sentence (say what punishment Pitt would get), he saw a well-built (strong and well-shaped) and handsome young officer entering his room. Pierre paused. He had left Moscow when Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) was a boy of fourteen, and had quite forgotten him (had completely forgotten him), but in his usual impulsive and hearty (quick to act and warm) way he took Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) by the hand with a friendly smile (a kind, open smile).

“Do you remember me?” asked Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) quietly with a pleasant smile. “I have come with my mother to see the count, but it seems he is not well.”

“Yes, it seems he is ill. People are always disturbing him,” answered Pierre, trying to remember who this young man was.

Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) felt that Pierre did not recognize him but did not consider it necessary to introduce himself (did not think he needed to say who he was), and without experiencing the least embarrassment (without feeling at all awkward) looked Pierre straight in the face.

“Count Rostóv asks you to come to dinner today,” said he, after a considerable pause (a long silence) which made Pierre feel uncomfortable.

“Ah, Count Rostóv!” exclaimed (said loudly) Pierre joyfully (happily). “Then you are his son, Ilyá (the name Pierre gives the young man)? Only fancy (just imagine), I didn’t know you at first (I did not recognise you at first). Do you remember how we went to the Sparrow Hills (hills near Moscow, a place for outings) with Madame Jacquot (a French lady; Madame is French for Mrs.)?... It’s such an age (so long ago)...”

“You are mistaken (you are wrong),” said Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) deliberately (slowly and clearly, on purpose), with a bold and slightly sarcastic (mocking) smile. “I am Borís, son of Princess Anna Mikháylovna Drubetskáya (a noble lady with little money). Rostóv, the father, is Ilyá (Count Rostóv's first name), and his son is Nicholas (Count Rostóv's son). I never knew any Madame Jacquot (the French lady Pierre just spoke of).”

Pierre shook his head and arms as if attacked by mosquitoes or bees (as if brushing away stinging insects).

“Oh dear, what am I thinking about? (Pierre is embarrassed that he got the names wrong) I’ve mixed everything up. One has so many relatives (a person has so many relatives) in Moscow! So you are Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs)? Of course. Well, now we know where we are (now everything is clear). And what do you think of the Boulogne expedition (the plan to cross from the French port of Boulogne and invade England)? The English will come off badly (will lose), you know, if Napoleon gets across the Channel (the sea between France and England). I think the expedition is quite feasible (possible). If only Villeneuve (the French sea commander) doesn’t make a mess of things (do everything badly)!”

Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) knew nothing about the Boulogne expedition (the French plan to invade England); he did not read the papers (did not read the newspapers) and it was the first time he had heard Villeneuve’s name.

“We here in Moscow are more occupied with (busier with) dinner parties and scandal (shocking gossip) than with politics,” said he in his quiet ironical tone (in his quiet, gently mocking voice). “I know nothing about it and have not thought about it. Moscow is chiefly (mostly) busy with gossip,” he continued. “Just now (at the moment) they are talking about you and your father.”

Pierre smiled in his good-natured (kind) way as if afraid for his companion’s sake (for the good of the young man he was talking to) that the latter (the officer) might say something he would afterwards regret (he would later be sorry for). But Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) spoke distinctly, clearly, and dryly (plainly and coolly), looking straight into Pierre’s eyes.

“Moscow has nothing else to do but gossip,” Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) went on (continued). “Everybody is wondering to whom the count will leave his fortune (who will get the count's money when he dies), though he may perhaps outlive us all (live longer than all of us), as I sincerely (truly) hope he will...”

“Yes, it is all very horrid (nasty),” interrupted Pierre, “very horrid.”

Pierre was still afraid that this officer might inadvertently (without meaning to) say something disconcerting (upsetting) to himself (for Pierre).

“And it must seem to you,” said Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) flushing slightly (going a little red), but not changing his tone or attitude (voice or manner), “it must seem to you that everyone is trying to get something out of (to get some money from) the rich man?”

“So it does (yes, it does seem that way),” thought Pierre.

“But I just wish to say, to avoid misunderstandings (so that you do not think wrongly of me), that you are quite mistaken (completely wrong) if you reckon me (if you count me) or my mother among such people. We are very poor, but for my own part at any rate (speaking for myself, at least), for the very reason that (precisely because) your father is rich, I don’t regard myself as a relation (I do not think of myself as family) of his, and neither I nor my mother (not I and not my mother) would ever ask or take anything from him.”

For a long time Pierre could not understand, but when he did, he jumped up from the sofa, seized (grabbed) Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) under the elbow in his quick, clumsy (awkward) way, and, blushing (going red) far more than Borís, began to speak with a feeling of mingled shame and vexation (shame and annoyance mixed together).

“Well, this is strange! Do you suppose I... who could think?... I know very well...”

But Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) again interrupted him.

“I am glad I have spoken out fully (I have said everything openly). Perhaps you did not like it? You must excuse me,” said he, putting Pierre at ease (making Pierre feel comfortable) instead of being put at ease by him, “but I hope I have not offended (hurt the feelings of) you. I always make it a rule (always choose) to speak out (to say what I think)... Well, what answer am I to take (what answer shall I bring to them)? Will you come to dinner at the Rostóvs’ (Count Rostóv's family)?”

And Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs), having apparently (it seemed) relieved himself of an onerous duty (finished a heavy task) and extricated himself from an awkward situation (got free of an uncomfortable moment) and placed another in it (and left Pierre feeling uncomfortable instead), became quite pleasant again.

“No, but I say (no, listen),” said Pierre, calming down (becoming calm), “you are a wonderful fellow (a wonderful man)! What you have just said is good, very good. Of course you don’t know me. We have not met for such a long time... not since we were children. You might think that I... I understand, quite understand. I could not have done it myself, I should not have had the courage (I would not have been brave enough), but it’s splendid (wonderful). I am very glad to have made your acquaintance (to have got to know you). It’s queer (strange),” he added after a pause, “that you should have suspected me (that you thought I believed such things of you)!” He began to laugh. “Well, what of it (it does not matter)! I hope we’ll get better acquainted (get to know each other better),” and he pressed Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs)’ hand. “Do you know, (a way of starting to tell something) I have not once been in to see the count (gone in to visit my father, the old count). He has not sent for me (asked to see me).... I am sorry for him as a man, but what can one do?”

“And so you think Napoleon will manage to get an army across (succeed in taking an army over the sea)?” asked Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) with a smile.

Pierre saw that Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs) wished to change the subject, and being of the same mind (wanting the same) he began explaining the advantages and disadvantages (the good and bad sides) of the Boulogne expedition (the French plan to invade England).

A footman (male servant) came in to summon (to call) Borís (a young friend of the Rostóvs)—the princess was going (Anna Mikháylovna was leaving). Pierre, in order to make Borís’ better acquaintance (to get to know Borís better), promised to come to dinner, and warmly pressing his hand looked affectionately (warmly) over his spectacles (glasses) into Borís’ eyes. After he had gone Pierre continued pacing up and down the room for a long time, no longer piercing an imaginary foe (stabbing an enemy who is not there) with his imaginary sword, but smiling at the remembrance of (remembering) that pleasant, intelligent, and resolute (firm and sure) young man.

As often happens in early youth, especially to one who leads a lonely life (someone who lives alone, with few friends), he felt an unaccountable tenderness (a warm liking he could not explain) for this young man and made up his mind (decided) that they would be friends.

Prince Vasíli (a powerful nobleman close to the Emperor) saw the princess off (walked Anna Mikháylovna to the door). She held a handkerchief to her eyes and her face was tearful (wet with tears).

“It is dreadful (terrible), dreadful!” she was saying, “but cost me what it may (however hard it is for me) I shall do my duty (I will do what I must). I will come and spend the night. He must not be left like this. Every moment is precious. I can’t think why (I cannot understand why) his nieces put it off (keep delaying it). Perhaps God will help me to find a way to prepare him (to make him ready for death)!... Adieu (French: goodbye), Prince! May God support you...”

“Adieu, ma bonne (French: goodbye, my dear lady),” answered Prince Vasíli (a powerful nobleman close to the Emperor) turning away from her.

“Oh, he is in a dreadful state (in a terrible condition),” said the mother to her son (said Anna Mikháylovna to Borís) when they were in the carriage. “He hardly recognizes anybody.”

“I don’t understand, Mamma (Mother)—what is his attitude to Pierre (how does he feel about Pierre)?” asked the son.

“The will (the paper that says who gets his money after death) will show that, my dear; our fate also depends on it (what happens to us rests on it too).”

“But why do you expect that he will leave us anything?”

“Ah, my dear! He is so rich, and we are so poor! (her real reason, said plainly to her son)”

“Well, that is hardly a sufficient reason (not a good enough reason), Mamma (Mother)...”

“Oh, Heaven! (oh, God!) How ill he is!” exclaimed (cried out) the mother.