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 XVIII

Countess Rostóva (the lady of the house, a noble lady), with her daughters and a large number of guests, was already seated in the drawing room (the best sitting room, where guests are welcomed). The count (the father of the family, a nobleman) took the gentlemen into his study (his private work room) and showed them his choice collection of Turkish pipes (his fine set of long smoking pipes from Turkey). From time to time he went out to ask: “Hasn’t she come yet?” They were expecting Márya Dmítrievna Akhrosímova (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks), known in society as (known among the rich families as) le terrible dragon (French: the terrible dragon, a joking name because she is so fierce), a lady distinguished not for wealth or rank (famous not for money or high position), but for common sense (good judgment) and frank plainness of speech (speaking plainly and honestly). Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks) was known to the Imperial family (the Emperor's family) as well as to all Moscow (Russia's old capital) and Petersburg (the capital), and both cities wondered at her (were amazed by her), laughed privately (in secret) at her rudenesses (rude remarks), and told good stories about her, while none the less (even so) all without exception (every one of them) respected and feared her.

In the count’s (master of the house) room, which was full of tobacco smoke, they talked of the war that had been announced in a manifesto (an official public statement from the Emperor), and about the recruiting (the gathering of new soldiers). None of them had yet seen the manifesto, but they all knew it had appeared. The count sat on the sofa between two guests who were smoking and talking. He neither smoked nor talked (did not smoke and did not talk), but bending his head first to one side and then to the other watched the smokers with evident pleasure (clearly enjoying it) and listened to the conversation of his two neighbors, whom he egged on (urged to argue) against each other.

One of them was a sallow (with yellowish, unhealthy skin), clean-shaven (with no beard) civilian (man not in the army) with a thin and wrinkled (with many small folds in the skin) face, already growing old, though he was dressed like a most fashionable young man. He sat with his legs up on the sofa as if quite at home (as if he were in his own house) and, having stuck an amber mouthpiece (the end of the pipe, made of hard yellow tree resin) far into his mouth, was inhaling the smoke spasmodically (breathing in the smoke in short jerks) and screwing up his eyes (squeezing his eyes almost shut). This was an old bachelor (an older man who never married), Shinshín (a relative of the family who likes to tease), a cousin of the countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady)’, a man with “a sharp tongue (a habit of saying clever, hurtful things)” as they said in Moscow society (the rich, important families). He seemed to be condescending to (treating as less important than himself) his companion. The latter (the second of the two men), a fresh (young and healthy-looking), rosy (pink-cheeked) officer of the Guards (an officer in the Guards, the Emperor's own best army units), irreproachably washed, brushed, and buttoned (perfectly clean and neat), held his pipe in the middle of his mouth and with red lips gently (softly) inhaled the smoke, letting it escape from his handsome mouth in rings. This was Lieutenant Berg (here the writer describes the second guest; a lieutenant is a junior officer), an officer in the Semënov (the name of one of the Emperor's guard units) regiment (large group of soldiers) with whom Borís (a young officer, a friend of the family) was to travel (was going to travel) to join the army, and about whom Natásha (the family's youngest daughter) had teased her elder sister Véra (the family's oldest daughter), speaking of Berg (a guest of the family, an officer in the Guards) as her “intended (future husband).” The count (master of the house) sat between them and listened attentively (carefully). His favorite occupation (the thing he liked doing most) when not playing boston (an old card game), a card game he was very fond of, was that of listener (listening), especially when he succeeded in setting two loquacious talkers (people who love to talk) at one another (arguing with each other).

“Well, then (so), old chap (a friendly way to speak to a man), mon très honorable (French: my most honourable, said as a joke) Alphonse Kárlovich (the young officer, called by his first name and his father's name, the polite Russian way),” said Shinshín, laughing ironically (laughing in a mocking way) and mixing the most ordinary Russian expressions with the choicest French phrases (the finest French words)—which was a peculiarity of his speech (an odd habit of his talk). “Vous comptez vous faire des rentes sur l’état (French: you expect to earn a living from the government); * you want to make something out of your company (earn money from the soldiers you command)?”

* You expect to make an income (a regular sum of money) out of the government.

“No, Peter Nikoláevich (Shinshín, called by his first name and his father's name, the polite Russian way); I only want to show that in the cavalry (soldiers on horseback) the advantages are far less than in the infantry (soldiers on foot). Just consider my own position now, Peter Nikoláevich (Shinshín again)...”

Berg always spoke quietly, politely, and with great precision (very exactly). His conversation always related entirely to himself (the writer mocks him: he talks only about himself); he would remain calm and silent when the talk related to any topic that had no direct bearing on himself (nothing to do with him). He could remain silent for hours without being at all put out of countenance (embarrassed) himself or making others uncomfortable, but as soon as the conversation concerned himself he would begin to talk circumstantially (in great detail) and with evident satisfaction.

“Consider my position, Peter Nikoláevich (Shinshín, by his first name and father's name). Were I in the cavalry (if I were a soldier on horseback) I should get not more than (I would get no more than) two hundred rubles every four months (a small pay of two hundred in Russian money, three times a year), even with the rank of lieutenant (a junior officer); but as it is (as things are) I receive two hundred and thirty,” said he, looking at Shinshín and the count (master of the house) with a joyful (happy), pleasant smile, as if it were obvious to him that his success must always be the chief desire of everyone else (what everyone else wanted most).

“Besides that, Peter Nikoláevich (Shinshín's first name and father's name, a polite way to speak to him), by exchanging into the Guards (moving to the Emperor's own special army units) I shall be in a more prominent position (a better place, more easily noticed),” continued Berg, “and vacancies occur much more frequently (higher posts become free much more often) in the Foot Guards (the Emperor's guard soldiers who fight on foot). Then just think what can be done with two hundred and thirty rubles (two hundred and thirty in Russian money, his pay every four months)! I even manage to put a little aside (save a little) and to send something to my father,” he went on (he continued), emitting a smoke ring (blowing out a ring of smoke).

“La balance y est (so what he earns and what he spends are equal — French)... * A German knows how to skin a flint (a German can get money even out of a stone, he is so careful), as the proverb says (an old saying; Shinshín calls Berg a German),” remarked Shinshín, moving his pipe to the other side of his mouth and winking at (quickly closing one eye at) the count (master of the house).

* So that squares matters (makes the sums even).

The count (master of the house) burst out laughing (suddenly laughed loudly). The other guests seeing that Shinshín was talking came up to listen. Berg, oblivious of irony or indifference (not noticing that people mocked him or did not care), continued to explain how by exchanging into the Guards he had already gained a step on (moved ahead of) his old comrades (his old friends) of the Cadet Corps (the school for boys training to be officers); how in wartime (a time of war) the company commander (the officer leading his group of soldiers) might get killed and he, as senior in the company (as the officer who had served longest in his group), might easily succeed to the post (be given that job); how popular he was with everyone in the regiment (the army unit), and how satisfied his father was with him. Berg evidently (clearly) enjoyed narrating (telling) all this, and did not seem to suspect that others, too, might have their own interests. But all he said was so prettily sedate (so calm and proper), and the naïveté of his youthful egotism (his simple, young way of thinking only of himself) was so obvious, that he disarmed his hearers (his listeners could not be angry with him).

“Well, my boy (a friendly way to speak to a young man), you’ll get along (you will do well) wherever you go—foot or horse (with foot soldiers or horse soldiers)—that I’ll warrant (I promise you that),” said Shinshín, patting (gently tapping) him on the shoulder and taking his feet off the sofa.

Berg smiled joyously (happily). The count (master of the house), followed by his guests, went into the drawing room (the best sitting room, where guests are welcomed).

It was just the moment before a big dinner (the writer gently mocks hungry guests who pretend not to think of food) when the assembled (gathered) guests, expecting the summons to zakúska (the call to the first small dishes and drinks before dinner), * avoid engaging in any long conversation but think it necessary to move about and talk, in order to show that they are not at all impatient for their food (not at all eager to eat). The host and hostess (the count and countess) look toward the door, and now and then glance at one another, and the visitors try to guess from these glances who, or what, they are waiting for—some important relation (some important family member) who has not yet arrived, or a dish that is not yet ready.

* Hors d’oeuvres. (the writer's note: French for small starter dishes)

Pierre (the son of Count Bezúkhov, a very rich nobleman) had come just at dinnertime (just as dinner was about to be served) and was sitting awkwardly (in an uneasy, uncomfortable way) in the middle of the drawing room (the best sitting room) on the first chair he had come across (found), blocking the way for everyone. The countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) tried to make him talk, but he went on (kept) naïvely (like a simple child) looking around through his spectacles (glasses) as if in search of somebody and answered all her questions in monosyllables (in one-word answers). He was in the way and was the only one who did not notice the fact. (a gentle joke: this big, awkward man blocks everyone and never notices) Most of the guests, knowing of the affair with the bear (the joke in which he tied a policeman to a bear), looked with curiosity at this big, stout (heavy), quiet man, wondering how such a clumsy, modest fellow (awkward, shy man) could have played such a prank (such a wild joke) on a policeman.

“You have only lately (recently) arrived?” the countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) asked him.

“Oui, madame (French: yes, madam),” replied he, looking around him.

“You have not yet seen my husband?”

“Non, madame (French: no, madam).” He smiled quite inappropriately (at the wrong moment).

“You have been in Paris (the capital of France) recently, I believe? I suppose it’s very interesting.”

“Very interesting.”

The countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) exchanged glances with (looked meaningfully at) Anna Mikháylovna (an old friend of the countess). The latter (the lady the countess had looked at) understood that she was being asked to entertain (to talk with and amuse) this young man, and sitting down beside him she began to speak about his father; but he answered her, as he had the countess (the same way he had answered the countess), only in monosyllables (in one-word answers). The other guests were all conversing (talking) with one another. “The Razumóvskis (a Moscow family the guests know)... It was charming (lovely)... You are very kind... Countess Apráksina (a lady the guests gossip about)...” was heard on all sides (could be heard all around). The countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) rose (stood up) and went into the ballroom (the big room for dancing).

“Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks)?” came her voice from there (the countess's voice came from that room).

“Herself (yes, it's me),” came the answer in a rough voice, and Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks) entered the room.

All the unmarried (not married) ladies and even the married ones except the very oldest rose (stood up). Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks) paused at the door. Tall and stout (tall and heavy), holding high her fifty-year-old head with its gray curls (curly gray hair), she stood surveying (looking around at) the guests, and leisurely (slowly, taking her time) arranged her wide sleeves as if rolling them up (as if getting ready to work hard). Márya Dmítrievna always spoke in Russian.

“Health and happiness to her whose name day we are keeping (whose special day, like a birthday, we are celebrating) and to her children,” she said, in her loud, full-toned (deep and strong) voice which drowned all others (was louder than all the others). “Well (so), you old sinner (a rough, friendly joke: she pretends he is a bad old man),” she went on (she continued), turning to the count (master of the house) who was kissing her hand, “you’re feeling dull (feeling bored) in Moscow, I daresay (I suppose)? Nowhere to hunt with your dogs? But what is to be done (what can anyone do), old man (a friendly way to speak to him)? Just see how these nestlings (these young ones, like baby birds) are growing up,” and she pointed to the girls. “You must look for husbands for them whether you like it or not....”

“Well (so),” said she, “how’s my Cossack (her nickname for bold Natásha, after the wild horsemen of the south)?” (Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks) always called Natásha (the family's youngest daughter) a Cossack) and she stroked (gently rubbed) the child’s arm as she came up (walked over) fearless and gay (not afraid and happy) to kiss her hand. “I know she’s a scamp of a girl (a naughty girl), but I like her.”

She took a pair of pear-shaped ruby earrings (earrings with red jewels shaped like pears) from her huge reticule (handbag) and, having given them to the rosy (pink-cheeked) Natásha (the family's youngest daughter), who beamed (smiled brightly) with the pleasure of her saint’s-day fete (name-day party, a celebration like a birthday), turned away at once (immediately) and addressed herself to (turned to speak to) Pierre.

“Eh, eh, friend! Come here a bit (a sweet, teasing call for him to come close for a moment),” said she, assuming (using) a soft high tone of voice. “Come here, my friend...” and she ominously (in a threatening way) tucked up her sleeves (pushed up her sleeves, as if ready for work) still higher (even further). Pierre approached, looking at her in a childlike way (like a child) through his spectacles (glasses).

“Come nearer (come closer), come nearer, friend! I used to be the only one to tell your father the truth when he was in favor (when important people liked him), and in your case it’s my evident duty (clearly my duty).” She paused. All were silent, expectant of (waiting for) what was to follow, for (because) this was clearly only a prelude (a beginning).

“A fine lad! My word! (What a fine young man! Really! She is being sarcastic: she means he is not fine at all) A fine lad!... His father lies on his deathbed (dying) and he amuses himself (has fun) setting a policeman astride a bear (putting a policeman on a bear's back)! For shame, sir, for shame! (you should be ashamed, sir) It would be better if you went to the war.”

She turned away and gave her hand to (reached her hand toward the count so that he could take it) the count (a nobleman, the master of the house), who could hardly keep from laughing (was trying hard not to laugh).

“Well (so), I suppose it is time we were at table (we sat down to dinner)?” said Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks).

The count went in first with Márya Dmítrievna (a woman famous for saying exactly what she thinks), the countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) followed on the arm of (walking arm in arm with) a colonel of hussars (the commander of a group of soldiers on horseback), a man of importance to them (an important man for the family) because Nicholas (the family's older son) was to go (would soon leave) with him to the regiment (to his army unit); then came Anna Mikháylovna (an old friend of the countess) with Shinshín (the teasing relative). Berg gave his arm to Véra (the young officer Berg went arm in arm with Véra, the oldest daughter). The smiling Julie Karágina (a young lady at the dinner) went in with Nicholas (the family's older son). After them other couples followed, filling the whole dining hall, and last of all the children, tutors, and governesses (teachers who live with the family) followed singly (one by one). The footmen (the male servants) began moving about, chairs scraped (chairs made a rough noise on the floor), the band struck up in the gallery (began to play on the balcony), and the guests settled down in their places. Then the strains of the count’s household band (the music of the count's own musicians) were replaced by the clatter (rattling noise) of knives and forks, the voices of visitors, and the soft steps of the footmen (male servants who serve at table). At one end of the table sat the countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) with Márya Dmítrievna on her right and Anna Mikháylovna (an old friend of the countess) on her left, the other lady visitors were farther down. At the other end sat the count, with the hussar colonel (the horse-soldier commander) on his left and Shinshín and the other male visitors on his right. Midway (Halfway) down the long table on one side sat the grown-up young people: Véra beside Berg, and Pierre beside Borís (a young officer, a friend of the family); and on the other side, the children, tutors, and governesses (women teachers for the children). From behind the crystal decanters (fine glass bottles for wine) and fruit vases (tall bowls for fruit), the count kept glancing at his wife and her tall cap with its light-blue ribbons, and busily (eagerly) filled his neighbors’ glasses, not neglecting his own (and not forgetting to fill his own). The countess (the lady of the house, a noble lady) in turn (she too), without omitting her duties (while still doing everything she must) as hostess (the lady giving the dinner), threw significant glances (gave meaningful looks) from behind the pineapples at her husband whose face and bald head seemed by their redness (by being so red) to contrast more than usual with his gray hair. At the ladies’ end an even chatter (a steady sound of talk) of voices was heard all the time, at the men’s end the voices sounded louder and louder (more and more loudly), especially that of the colonel of hussars (the horse-soldier commander) who, growing more and more flushed (red in the face), ate and drank so much that the count held him up (pointed to him) as a pattern (as an example to copy) to the other guests. Berg with tender (loving) smiles was saying to Véra that love is not an earthly but a heavenly feeling (a feeling from heaven, not from this world). Borís (a young officer, a friend of the family) was telling his new friend Pierre who the guests were and exchanging glances with Natásha (the family's youngest daughter), who was sitting opposite. Pierre spoke little but examined the new faces, and ate a great deal. Of the two soups he chose turtle with savory patties (turtle soup with small meat pies) and went on to (then ate) the game (the dish of wild birds and animals) without omitting a single dish (trying every one of the dishes) or one of the wines. These latter (the wines) the butler (the chief male servant) thrust mysteriously forward (pushed forward in a secret way), wrapped in a napkin, from behind the next man’s shoulders and whispered: “Dry Madeira (a strong wine, not sweet, from the island of Madeira)”... “Hungarian (a wine from Hungary)”... or “Rhine wine (a white wine from a river valley in Germany)” as the case might be (whichever it was). Of the four crystal glasses engraved with the count’s monogram (cut with the count's initials) that stood before his plate, Pierre held out one (lifted one glass toward the butler to be filled) at random (without choosing) and drank with enjoyment, gazing (looking) with ever-increasing amiability (more and more friendly) at the other guests. Natásha (the family's youngest daughter), who sat opposite, was looking at Borís as girls of thirteen look at the boy they are in love with and have just kissed for the first time. Sometimes that same look fell on Pierre (she looked at Pierre the same way), and that funny lively little girl’s look made him inclined to laugh (wanting to laugh) without knowing why.

Nicholas (the family's older son) sat at some distance from Sónya (a poor cousin who lives with the family), beside Julie Karágina (a young lady at the dinner), to whom he was again talking with the same involuntary (that he could not help) smile. Sónya wore a company smile (a polite smile for guests) but was evidently (clearly) tormented by jealousy (suffering because he paid attention to another girl); now she turned pale, now blushed (at one moment she went white, the next red) and strained every nerve (tried as hard as she could) to overhear (to hear, though they were not speaking to her) what Nicholas and Julie (a young lady at the dinner) were saying to one another. The governess (the woman teacher who lives with the family) kept looking round uneasily (nervously) as if preparing to resent any slight (to be offended by any small insult) that might be put upon the children (done to the children). The German tutor (the German teacher who lives with the family) was trying to remember all the dishes, wines, and kinds of dessert, in order to send a full description of the dinner to his people (his family) in Germany (the country the tutor came from); and he felt greatly offended (hurt and upset) when the butler with a bottle wrapped in a napkin passed him by (went past without offering him any). He frowned (he pulled his eyebrows together, annoyed), trying to appear as if he did not want any of that wine, but was mortified (deeply embarrassed) because no one would understand that it was not to quench his thirst (to stop being thirsty) or from greediness (wanting too much) that he wanted it, but simply from (only because of; the writer gently laughs at him here) a conscientious desire for knowledge (a careful wish to learn).