Pagina 619 de 3800

In November, 1805, Prince Vasili had to go on a tour of

inspection in four different provinces. He had arranged this for

himself so as to visit his neglected estates at the same time and

pick up his son Anatole where his regiment was stationed, and

take him to visit Prince Nicholas Bolkonski in order to arrange a

match for him with the daughter of that rich old man. But before

leaving home and undertaking these new affairs, Prince Vasili had

to settle matters with Pierre, who, it is true, had latterly

spent whole days at home, that is, in Prince Vasili's house where

he was staying, and had been absurd, excited, and foolish in

Helene's presence (as a lover should be), but had not yet

proposed to her.