Chapter 13

           

           WhenPierreandhiswifeenteredthedrawingroomthecountesswasinoneofhercustomarystatesinwhichsheneededthementalexertionofplayingpatience,andso—thoughbyforceofhabitshegreetedhimwiththewordsshealwaysusedwhenPierreorhersonreturnedafteranabsence:“Hightime,mydear,hightime!Wewereallwearyofwaitingforyou.Well,thankGod!”andreceivedherpresentswithanothercustomaryremark:“It’snotthegiftthat’sprecious,mydear,butthatyougiveittome,anoldwoman...”—yetitwasevidentthatshewasnotpleasedbyPierre’sarrivalatthatmomentwhenitdivertedherattentionfromtheunfinishedgame.

           Shefinishedhergameofpatienceandonlythenexaminedthepresents.Theyconsistedofaboxforcards,ofsplendidworkmanship,abright-blueSèvresteacupwithshepherdessesdepictedonitandwithalid,andagoldsnuffboxwiththecount’sportraitonthelidwhichPierrehadhaddonebyaminiaturistinPetersburg.Thecountesshadlongwishedforsuchabox,butasshedidnotwanttocryjustthensheglancedindifferentlyattheportraitandgaveherattentionchieflytotheboxforcards.

           “Thankyou,mydear,youhavecheeredmeup,”saidsheasshealwaysdid.“Butbestofallyouhavebroughtyourselfback—forIneversawanythinglikeit,yououghttogiveyourwifeascolding!Whatarewetodowithher?Sheislikeamadwomanwhenyouareaway.Doesn’tseeanything,doesn’trememberanything,”shewenton,repeatingherusualphrases.

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