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 I
“Well, Prince, so Genoa (the Italian port city) and Lucca (an Italian duchy) are now just family estates of the Buonapartes (the Bonaparte kind). But I warn (to tell of danger) you, if you don’t tell me that this means war, if you still try to defend (to guard against attack) the infamies (public shame and disgrace) and horrors (shaking fear and disgust) perpetrated (to commit a wrong) by that Antichrist (the great enemy of Christ foretold in the Bible)—I really believe he is Antichrist—I will have nothing more to do with you and you are no longer my friend, no longer my ‘faithful slave (polite flattery — a devoted servant, not a real slave),’ as you call yourself! But how do you do? I see I have frightened (to fill with fear) you—sit down and tell me all the news.”
It was in July, 1805, and the speaker (one who speaks) was the well-known Anna Pávlovna Schérer (Anna Pávlovna Schérer, the Petersburg hostess), maid of honor (a court lady attending the Empress) and favorite of the Empress Márya Fëdorovna (Márya Fëdorovna, the Dowager Empress). With these words she greeted (to welcome) Prince Vasíli (Prince Vasíli Kurágin, the smooth court intriguer) Kurágin (the family name of Prince Vasíli and his children), a man of high rank (a line of soldiers; one's standing) and importance, who was the first to arrive (to come) at her reception (a receiving; a formal welcome). Anna Pávlovna (the Petersburg hostess) had had a cough (to expel air harshly) for some days. She was, as she said, suffering from la grippe (influenza — French, then a new word); grippe (influenza — French, then a new word) being then a new word in St. Petersburg, used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) only by the elite (the chosen best).
All her invitations (a bidding to come) without exception (a case left out), written in French, and delivered by a scarlet-liveried (in scarlet servant's uniform) footman (a liveried man servant) that morning, ran as follows:
“If you have nothing better to do, Count (or Prince), and if the prospect (the view ahead) of spending an evening with a poor invalid (a sick person; without force) is not too terrible, I shall be very charmed (under a charm; delighted) to see you tonight between 7 and 10—Annette (a pet form of Anna) Schérer (Anna Pávlovna Schérer, the Petersburg hostess).”
“Heavens! what a virulent (poisonously bitter) attack!” replied the prince, not in the least disconcerted (thrown off balance; unsettled) by this reception (a receiving; a formal welcome). He had just entered, wearing an embroidered (sewn with ornament) court uniform (a soldier's set dress; all alike), knee (the leg's middle joint) breeches (knee-length trousers), and shoes, and had stars on his breast (the chest) and a serene (calmly clear) expression on his flat face. He spoke in that refined (made fine; polished) French in which our grandfathers (a parent's father) not only spoke but thought, and with the gentle (mild and kind), patronizing (to sponsor; to treat as a lesser) intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) natural to a man of importance who had grown old in society and at court. He went up to Anna Pávlovna, kissed her hand, presenting to her his bald (without hair), scented (sweet-smelling), and shining (the front of the lower leg) head, and complacently (with self-satisfaction) seated himself on the sofa (a long padded seat).
“First of all, dear friend, tell me how you are. Set your friend’s mind at rest,” said he without altering (to change) his tone (a sound's quality; a manner), beneath (under) the politeness (good manners) and affected sympathy (fellow-feeling) of which indifference (absence of care or interest) and even irony (mockery by opposites) could be discerned (to make out; see clearly).
“Can one be well while suffering morally (in the moral sense)? Can one be calm in times like these if one has any feeling?” said Anna Pávlovna. “You are staying the whole evening, I hope?”
“And the fete (a festival) at the English ambassador (a state's chief envoy)’s? Today is Wednesday. I must put in an appearance there,” said the prince. “My daughter is coming for me to take me there.”
“I thought today’s fete (a festival) had been canceled (to strike out). I confess (to own up; to make confession) all these festivities (joyful celebration) and fireworks (a festival fire display) are becoming wearisome (tiring and dull).”
“If they had known that you wished it, the entertainment would have been put off,” said the prince, who, like a wound-up (wound like a clock) clock (the time-keeping machine), by force of habit (a settled way of acting) said things he did not even wish to be believed.
“Don’t tease (to mock playfully)! Well, and what has been decided about Novosíltsev (a reforming counselor of the Tsar)’s dispatch (to send off; an official message)? You know everything.”
“What can one say about it?” replied the prince in a cold, listless (without interest or energy) tone (a sound's quality; a manner). “What has been decided? They have decided that Buonaparte (Bonaparte — the scornful Italian spelling) has burnt his boats, and I believe that we are ready to burn ours.”
Prince Vasíli always spoke languidly (without energy; limply), like an actor repeating (to say or do again) a stale (no longer fresh) part. Anna Pávlovna Schérer on the contrary (opposite), despite her forty years, overflowed (to flood over the edge) with animation (lively spirit) and impulsiveness (acting on sudden feeling). To be an enthusiast (one aflame for a cause) had become her social vocation (one's calling) and, sometimes even when she did not feel like it, she became enthusiastic (burning with eagerness) in order not to disappoint (to fail one's hopes) the expectations (what one looks for) of those who knew her. The subdued (brought low; quieted) smile which, though it did not suit her faded (lost its color) features, always played round her lips (the mouth's edge) expressed, as in a spoiled (ruined; indulged) child, a continual (never stopping) consciousness (waking awareness) of her charming (delightfully attractive) defect (a flaw; to desert one's side), which she neither wished, nor could, nor considered it necessary, to correct.
In the midst (the middle) of a conversation on political matters Anna Pávlovna burst (to break open suddenly) out:
“Oh, don’t speak to me of Austria. Perhaps I don’t understand things, but Austria never has wished, and does not wish, for war. She is betraying (to give up to an enemy; to be false to) us! Russia alone must save Europe. Our gracious (kind and courteous) sovereign (the supreme ruler) recognizes his high vocation (one's calling) and will be true to it. That is the one thing I have faith in! Our good and wonderful sovereign (the supreme ruler) has to perform the noblest (high-born; morally lofty) role on earth, and he is so virtuous (full of virtue) and noble (high-born; morally lofty) that God will not forsake (to abandon) him. He will fulfill (to carry out fully) his vocation (one's calling) and crush (to press to pieces) the hydra (the many-headed serpent of fable) of revolution, which has become more terrible than ever in the person of this murderer (one who murders) and villain (an evil-doer)! We alone must avenge (to take revenge for) the blood of the just one.... Whom, I ask you, can we rely (to depend on) on?... England with her commercial spirit will not and cannot understand the Emperor Alexander (Alexander I, Tsar of Russia)’s loftiness (highness; grandeur) of soul. She has refused to evacuate (to empty and abandon) Malta (the island of the Knights). She wanted to find, and still seeks, some secret motive (the moving reason) in our actions. What answer did Novosíltsev get? None. The English have not understood and cannot understand the self-abnegation (giving up all for others) of our Emperor who wants nothing for himself, but only desires the good of mankind (the human race). And what have they promised? Nothing! And what little they have promised they will not perform! Prussia has always declared that Buonaparte is invincible (impossible to defeat), and that all Europe is powerless (without power) before him.... And I don’t believe a word that Hardenburg (a Prussian minister) says, or Haugwitz (a Prussian minister) either. This famous Prussian neutrality (taking neither side) is just a trap (a catching device). I have faith only in God and the lofty (high and grand) destiny (fate) of our adored (to love devotedly) monarch (a king or emperor). He will save Europe!”
She suddenly paused (a brief stop), smiling at her own impetuosity (rushing eagerness).
“I think,” said the prince with a smile, “that if you had been sent instead of our dear Wintzingerode (a German general in Russian service) you would have captured (to take prisoner) the King of Prussia’s consent (agreement given) by assault (a violent attack). You are so eloquent (moving and fluent in speech). Will you give me a cup of tea?”
“In a moment. À propos (by the way — French),” she added, becoming calm again, “I am expecting two very interesting men tonight, le Vicomte (a French noble rank below count) de Mortemart (the French royalist émigré vicomte), who is connected with the Montmorencys (one of the oldest French noble houses) through the Rohans (one of the oldest French noble houses), one of the best French families. He is one of the genuine (real; true) émigrés (a noble who fled the French Revolution), the good ones. And also the Abbé (a French priest or tutor — French) Morio (the abbé with the plan for perpetual peace). Do you know that profound (deep) thinker (one who thinks)? He has been received by the Emperor. Had you heard?”
“I shall be delighted (greatly pleased) to meet them,” said the prince. “But tell me,” he added with studied carelessness (lack of care) as if it had only just occurred to him, though the question he was about to ask was the chief motive (the moving reason) of his visit, “is it true that the Dowager Empress wants Baron (a noble below count) Funke (a baron recommended to the Dowager Empress by her sister) to be appointed first secretary at Vienna? The baron (a noble below count) by all accounts is a poor creature (a living being).”
Prince Vasíli wished to obtain (to get) this post for his son, but others were trying through the Dowager Empress Márya Fëdorovna to secure it for the baron (a noble below count).
Anna Pávlovna almost closed her eyes to indicate (to point out) that neither she nor anyone else had a right to criticize (to find fault with) what the Empress desired or was pleased (made glad) with.
“Baron (a noble below count) Funke has been recommended to the Dowager Empress by her sister,” was all she said, in a dry and mournful (full of mourning) tone (a sound's quality; a manner).
As she named the Empress, Anna Pávlovna’s face suddenly assumed an expression of profound (deep) and sincere (true of heart) devotion (deep loyal love) and respect mingled (to mix among) with sadness (sorrow), and this occurred every time she mentioned her illustrious (famous and honored) patroness (a woman protector and sponsor). She added that Her Majesty had deigned (to lower oneself to grant) to show Baron (a noble below count) Funke beaucoup d’estime (much esteem — French), and again her face clouded (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) over with sadness (sorrow).
The prince was silent (making no sound) and looked indifferent (without care or interest). But, with the womanly (like a woman) and courtierlike (smooth as a royal courtier) quickness (speed) and tact (fine sense of what fits the moment) habitual (usual by habit) to her, Anna Pávlovna wished both to rebuke (to scold sternly) him (for daring (to have the courage) to speak as he had done of a man recommended to the Empress) and at the same time to console (to comfort) him, so she said:
“Now about your family. Do you know that since your daughter came out everyone has been enraptured (filled with delight) by her? They say she is amazingly (astonishingly) beautiful.”
The prince bowed (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) to signify (to mean; to matter) his respect and gratitude (thankfulness).
“I often think,” she continued after a short pause (a brief stop), drawing nearer (closer) to the prince and smiling amiably (in a friendly way) at him as if to show that political and social topics (a subject of talk) were ended and the time had come for intimate (closely familiar) conversation—“I often think how unfairly (without fairness) sometimes the joys of life are distributed (to give out among). Why has fate (the appointed lot) given you two such splendid (grand and shining) children? I don’t speak of Anatole (Anatole Kurágin, Prince Vasíli's handsome, dissolute son), your youngest. I don’t like him,” she added in a tone (a sound's quality; a manner) admitting (letting in; owning to) of no rejoinder (a sharp answer back) and raising her eyebrows (the brow hair above the eye). “Two such charming (delightfully attractive) children. And really you appreciate them less than anyone, and so you don’t deserve to have them.”
And she smiled her ecstatic (carried away with joy) smile.
“I can’t help it,” said the prince. “Lavater (a famous face-reading philosopher) would have said I lack the bump (a knock; a swelling) of paternity (fatherhood).”
“Don’t joke; I mean to have a serious talk with you. Do you know I am dissatisfied (not satisfied) with your younger son? Between ourselves” (and her face assumed its melancholy (gentle deep sadness) expression), “he was mentioned at Her Majesty’s and you were pitied (sorrow for another's pain)....”
The prince answered nothing, but she looked at him significantly, awaiting (to wait for) a reply. He frowned (to draw the brows in displeasure).
“What would you have me do?” he said at last. “You know I did all a father could for their education, and they have both turned out fools (one without sense). Hippolyte (Prince Vasíli's dull elder son) is at least a quiet fool (one without sense), but Anatole is an active one. That is the only difference between them.” He said this smiling in a way more natural and animated (full of life; lively) than usual, so that the wrinkles (a crease line in the skin) round his mouth very clearly revealed something unexpectedly (without warning) coarse (rough and crude) and unpleasant (not pleasing).
“And why are children born to such men as you? If you were not a father there would be nothing I could reproach (to blame with sorrow) you with,” said Anna Pávlovna, looking up pensively (deep in quiet thought).
“I am your faithful slave (polite flattery — a devoted servant, not a real slave) and to you alone I can confess (to own up; to make confession) that my children are the bane (a cause of ruin) of my life. It is the cross I have to bear. That is how I explain it to myself. It can’t be helped!”
He said no more, but expressed his resignation (giving up office; patient acceptance) to cruel (hard-hearted) fate (the appointed lot) by a gesture (a meaning movement). Anna Pávlovna meditated (to think deeply).
“Have you never thought of marrying (to take in marriage) your prodigal (recklessly wasteful; the wandering son) son Anatole?” she asked. “They say old maids (women who never married) have a mania (a madness for something) for matchmaking (arranging marriages), and though I don’t feel that weakness (want of strength) in myself as yet, I know a little person who is very unhappy (not happy) with her father. She is a relation (a connection; a relative) of yours, Princess Mary Bolkónskaya (a lady of the Bolkónski family).”
Prince Vasíli did not reply, though, with the quickness (speed) of memory and perception (the mind's grasp of the senses) befitting (suiting; proper to) a man of the world, he indicated (to point out) by a movement of the head that he was considering this information.
“Do you know,” he said at last, evidently (as plainly appears) unable to check the sad current of his thoughts, “that Anatole is costing me forty thousand rubles (the Russian unit of money) a year? And,” he went on after a pause (a brief stop), “what will it be in five years, if he goes on like this?” Presently (soon; now) he added: “That’s what we fathers have to put up with.... Is this princess of yours rich?”
“Her father is very rich and stingy (mean with money). He lives in the country. He is the well-known Prince Bolkónski (the family name of Prince Andrew and Princess Mary) who had to retire (to withdraw) from the army under the late Emperor, and was nicknamed (a familiar name given) ‘the King of Prussia.’ He is very clever (quick of mind) but eccentric (oddly unlike others), and a bore (a tiresome person; to weary with dullness; carried). The poor girl is very unhappy (not happy). She has a brother; I think you know him, he married (to take in marriage) Lise Meinen lately (not long ago). He is an aide-de-camp (a general's personal officer — French) of Kutúzov (Michael Kutúzov, the old one-eyed commander in chief)’s and will be here tonight.”
“Listen, dear Annette,” said the prince, suddenly taking Anna Pávlovna’s hand and for some reason drawing it downwards (toward below). “Arrange (to set in order) that affair (a matter of business; a love matter) for me and I shall always be your most devoted (given wholly in love) slave-slafe with an f (he means 'slave', his polite flattery from earlier in the talk — now spelled wrongly on purpose, copying his village elder's bad spelling, as a joke), as a village elder (the chosen head of a village; an older person) of mine writes in his reports. She is rich and of good family and that’s all I want.”
And with the familiarity (easy closeness) and easy grace peculiar (peculiar: its own; particular — the old sense here) to him, he raised the maid of honor (a court lady attending the Empress)’s hand to his lips (the mouth's edge), kissed it, and swung (to sway to and fro) it to and fro (to and fro: back and forth) as he lay back in his armchair (a chair with arms), looking in another direction.
“Attendez (wait — French),” said Anna Pávlovna, reflecting (to throw back; to think over), “I’ll speak to Lise, young Bolkónski’s wife, this very evening, and perhaps the thing can be arranged (to set in order). It shall be on your family’s behalf (in another's name) that I’ll start my apprenticeship (years spent learning a trade) as old maid (a woman who never married).”