Война и мир

Chapter 25

           Withthoseabouthim,fromhisdaughtertohisserfs,theprincewassharpandinvariablyexacting,sothatwithoutbeingahardheartedmanheinspiredsuchfearandrespectasfewhardheartedmenwouldhavearoused.Althoughhewasinretirementandhadnownoinfluenceinpoliticalaffairs,everyhighofficialappointedtotheprovinceinwhichtheprince’sestatelayconsideredithisdutytovisithimandwaitedintheloftyantechamberjustasthearchitect,gardener,orPrincessMarydid,tilltheprinceappearedpunctuallytotheappointedhour.Everyonesittinginthisantechamberexperiencedthesamefeelingofrespectandevenfearwhentheenormouslyhighstudydooropenedandshowedthefigureofarathersmalloldman,withpowderedwig,smallwitheredhands,andbushygrayeyebrowswhich,whenhefrowned,sometimeshidthegleamofhisshrewd,youthfullyglitteringeyes.

           Onthemorningofthedaythattheyoungcoupleweretoarrive,PrincessMaryenteredtheantechamberasusualatthetimeappointedforthemorninggreeting,crossingherselfwithtrepidationandrepeatingasilentprayer.Everymorningshecameinlikethat,andeverymorningprayedthatthedailyinterviewmightpassoffwell.

           Anoldpowderedmanservantwhowassittingintheantechamberrosequietlyandsaidinawhisper:“Pleasewalkin.”

           Throughthedoorcametheregularhumofalathe.Theprincesstimidlyopenedthedoorwhichmovednoiselesslyandeasily.Shepausedattheentrance.Theprincewasworkingatthelatheandafterglancingroundcontinuedhiswork.

           Theenormousstudywasfullofthingsevidentlyinconstantuse.

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