Chapter 3

           

           OnreachingPetersburgPierredidnotletanyoneknowofhisarrival,hewentnowhereandspentwholedaysinreadingThomasàKempis,whosebookhadbeensenthimbysomeoneunknown.Onethinghecontinuallyrealizedashereadthatbook:thejoy,hithertounknowntohim,ofbelievinginthepossibilityofattainingperfection,andinthepossibilityofactivebrotherlyloveamongmen,whichJosephAlexéevichhadrevealedtohim.Aweekafterhisarrival,theyoungPolishcount,Willarski,whomPierrehadknownslightlyinPetersburgsociety,cameintohisroomoneeveningintheofficialandceremoniousmannerinwhichDólokhov’ssecondhadcalledonhim,and,havingclosedthedoorbehindhimandsatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnobodyelseintheroom,addressedPierre.

           “Ihavecometoyouwithamessageandanoffer,Count,”hesaidwithoutsittingdown.“ApersonofveryhighstandinginourBrotherhoodhasmadeapplicationforyoutobereceivedintoourOrderbeforetheusualtermandhasproposedtometobeyoursponsor.Iconsideritasacreddutytofulfillthatperson’swishes.DoyouwishtoentertheBrotherhoodofFreemasonsundermysponsorship?”

           Thecold,austeretoneofthisman,whomhehadalmostalwaysbeforemetatballs,amiablysmilinginthesocietyofthemostbrilliantwomen,surprisedPierre.

           “Yes,Idowishit,”saidhe.

           Willarskibowedhishead.

           “Onemorequestion,Count,”hesaid,“whichIbegyoutoanswerinallsincerity—notasafutureMasonbutasanhonestman:haveyourenouncedyourformerconvictions—doyoubelieveinGod?”

           Pierreconsidered.

           “Yes..

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