War And Peace Page #6

on June 13th 1807,

Napoleon met with

Emperor Alexander of Russia,

for the purpose

of discussing a treaty of peace.

They can't help liking me.

I'm so willing

to do anything they wish.

So ready to be fond of him

for being his father.

- I'm Mary Bolkonsky.

- Charmed. My daughter, Natasha.

- How do you do?

- Good afternoon.

Excuse my father. He's not well

and asks me to welcome you.

Some tea?

- That would be...

- No, thank you.

No, thank you.

I suppose you've heard from Andrei?

Yes.

Father!

You're the young Countess Rostov.

I didn't know

you were paying me a visit.

Excuse my costume,

I came to speak to Mary.

Why wasn't I told?

Count Rostov? I've heard a great deal

about you, a great deal about you.

As the Lord is my witness,

nobody told me they were here.

This house, utter confusion, chaos!

People coming and going.

You can't find anything.

Even the papers in my desk.

You must excuse me.

I'm not prepared to entertain.

I can't stand Moscow, anyhow.

I wouldn't be here, except I've no

alternative. I'm forced to be here.

We'd better leave now. Princess.

Wait, I must talk to you.

Dear Natasha, I'm certain my brother

has found happiness.

Princess, I think it is not convenient

to speak of that now.

Isn't it wonderful?

Aren't you glad you came?

Until Andrei comes back,

I can't be glad about anything.

It's only a few weeks.

- You see that tall man over there?

- What about him?

When we passed, I heard him say,

"That's the Countess Rostov.

"The one who's going to marry

Bolkonsky. Lucky man."

- He said, "Lucky man"?

- "Lucky man."

I must write that to Andrei.

He can tell his horrible father.

- Countess Bezukhov has arrived.

- Bezukhov?

One of my favourites!

I must call on her.

Countess Bezukhov, I'm delighted

to see you back in Moscow.

The city hasn't been the same

in your absence.

I've brought my two girls with me,

as you can see.

Well...

Magnificent woman!

You can understand

how men must fall in love with her.

Dolokhov, see the girl in that box?

Yes, she's lovely, but...

...for you? No, Anatole,

she's not exactly your type.

May I borrow your daughter

to sit with me in the next act?

Countess, how charming.

Natasha, come along.

- Isn't it exciting?

- Yes.

Enchanting! You mustn't bury her

in the country again.

You're too kind. Natasha, sit down.

Now we can tear

all our friends to pieces.

No one in the theatre is talking

of anyone but you and your match.

- You know?

- It's the news of the season.

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky!

Every woman here is jealous of you

at this moment.

Why, Anatole!

May I present my brother?

Countess Natasha Rostov.

He's the centre of fashion in Moscow.

He drinks too much

and plays for too high stakes.

He also sees

the most amusing people.

Get him to tell you

everything to do this season.

- Countess!

- You've been neglecting me.

I was convinced you were dead.

When I saw you at the ball,

six weeks ago,

I thought, "What a pretty girl."

That's all I thought.

But tonight...

- But you felt it, too?

- I felt...?

When our eyes met. Don't look guilty.

What's there to be ashamed of?

Are you enjoying the opera?

It's very good, isn't it?

Oh, is it? I haven't noticed.

I haven't looked at the stage tonight.

I must see you again.

You must come to my sister's house.

Very soon.

I think...

My mother's in the country,

I may go up to be with her.

She's enchanting.

- Go away, Anatole, you'll distract us.

- All right, all right.

You'll come.

I'll take this as a pledge.

My brother is very amusing, isn't he?

Bravo, bravo!

How lovely she is.

I don't think so when I look at you.

Natasha, come!

- Did you enjoy it?

- Yes, thank you.

You're enchanting.

From the moment I saw you,

I never ceased worshipping you.

- I hope you don't think us too informal.

- Oh, Countess, well...

I'm madly in love with you.

- Papa, we must leave.

- We can't go now.

...like one big heart,

palpitating with emotion.

His Majesty the King was so moved,

tears came streaming down his face...

My cloak, please.

I can't. You know I can't.

"Dearest Natasha, my fate has been

sealed, to be loved by you or die.

"Your parents won't give you to me

for reasons I will reveal only to you.

"But if you love me,

you need only say the word yes.

"Anatole."

You're back.

How was your evening?

Did you amuse yourself?

Yes. I made excuses for you.

I was worried about you.

How's your headache?

- You read that letter.

- Yes.

I'm glad. I couldn't keep it

from you any longer.

- "You know we love one another."

- But Anatole Kuragin?

- How happy I am.

- And Andrei?

You don't know what love is.

You don't understand. Listen.

How can you love a man for months

and suddenly...? Why?

You've only seen Anatole three times.

It seems to me

I've never loved anyone before.

I've heard it's happened that way.

It's only now I feel such love.

I felt he was my master and I his slave

and I couldn't help loving him.

Yes, whatever he commands,

I must do. What can I do?

If he loves you, why doesn't

he ask your father honestly

for your engagement to be broken off?

- Why all this secrecy?

- It doesn't matter.

Whatever his reasons,

they are good ones.

- I have no will, I love him.

- I won't let it come to that.

I shall tell.

You wouldn't tell anyone. Don't

torture me, I can't live without him!

What are you saying?

Think about your father and Nicholas.

I don't love anyone but him.

Go, Sonya.

I don't want to quarrel with you.

Go away!

Anatole, where do you mean to take her?

They'll find out about that Polish girl

you had to marry. It'll mean jail.

It will be worth it. Even if it is for

one month or one week with that girl.

Some things in life

are impossible not to have.

- The driver you sent for.

- A drink. You have to drive far.

- Get Metrevna to bring my cloak.

- A gypsy girl again?

- An elopement.

- I like it. Romance, excitement!

There is a priest waiting.

Don't let anyone stop you.

There's a man for you!

- You want me?

- Now, take this. Listen to me.

The girl will be shivering,

she'll have forgotten everything.

Wrap her up, or she'll stampede

back to the house for furs.

Papa awakened, Mama screaming,

tears, recriminations, challenges!

Always keep a young girl warm,

my boy.

Up with the collar and whoosh!

- Take it.

- But my coat.

I will get you another one someday.

All take glasses!

Now, comrade and friend of my youth,

we've had our fling and revelled,

now farewell.

- To your health.

- To your health!

- How sad it is.

- Sure.

- I still think you shouldn't do it.

- So do I.

Sonya? Sonya!

No, I won't open it.

And I've sent for Pierre.

I'll hate you for ever for this.

Open the door.

No, I won't open it.

- What's the matter with you?

- Your sister can't keep things quiet.

- Things such as gossip.

- What?

I know all about the money

you had to send to Poland and why.

- It's not true.

- You must leave Moscow.

Don't tell anyone. Besides your

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