War and Peace (Vintage Classics) by Tolstoy Leo

Author:Tolstoy, Leo [Tolstoy, Leo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-80658-1
Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
Published: 2011-10-05T04:00:00+00:00

XII

Before the opening of the campaign, Rostov received a letter from his parents in which, informing him briefly of Natasha’s illness and her break with Prince Andrei (this break was explained to him by Natasha’s refusal), they again asked him to resign from the service and come home. Nikolai, on receiving this letter, did not even attempt to ask for a leave or resignation, but wrote to his parents that he was sorry about Natasha’s illness and her break with her fiancé, and that he would do everything possible to fulfill their wishes. To Sonya he wrote separately.

Adored friend of my soul,

Nothing save honor could keep me from returning to the country. But now, before the opening of the campaign, I would consider myself dishonorable not only before all my comrades, but also before my own self, if I were to prefer happiness to my duty and love for the fatherland. But this is our last separation. Believe me, right after the war, if I am alive and you still love me, I will abandon everything and come flying to you, to press you forever to my ardent breast.

Indeed, only the opening of the campaign detained Rostov and prevented him from coming—as he had promised—and marrying Sonya. Autumn in Otradnoe with its hunting, and winter with Christmastime and Sonya’s love, had opened before him the prospect of quiet gentlemanly joys and a tranquillity that he had not known before and which now beckoned to him. “A nice wife, children, a good pack of hounds, ten or twelve leashes of dashing borzois, husbandry, neighbors, local elections!” he thought. But now there was the campaign, and he had to stay in the regiment. And since it had to be so, Nikolai Rostov’s character was such that he was content with the life he led in the regiment and managed to make that life pleasant for himself.

On returning from leave, joyfully welcomed by his comrades, Nikolai had been sent for a remount and had brought excellent horses from Little Russia, which pleased him and earned him the praises of his superiors. During his absence, he had been promoted to captain, and when the regiment was put on wartime status with an increased complement, he was again given his old squadron.

The campaign began, the regiment was moved to Poland, the pay was doubled, new officers arrived, new men and horses, and above all that excitedly cheerful mood spread around which accompanies the beginning of war; and Rostov, conscious of his advantageous position in the regiment, gave himself up wholly to the pleasures and interests of military service, though he knew that sooner or later he would have to leave them behind.

The troops retreated from Vilno for various complex governmental, political, and tactical reasons. Every step of the retreat was accompanied by a complex play of interests, conclusions, and passions in the general staff. Yet for the hussars of the Pavlogradsky regiment, this whole march in retreat, during the best period of summer, well provided with supplies, was the simplest and merriest affair.

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