Page 1084 - war-and-peace

‘Ah, you’re back?’
And with the decision and tenderness that often come
at the moment of awakening, she embraced her friend, but
noticing Sonya’s look of embarrassment, her own face ex-
pressed confusion and suspicion.
‘Sonya, you’ve read that letter?’ she demanded.
‘Yes,’ answered Sonya softly.
Natasha smiled rapturously.
‘No, Sonya, I can’t any longer!’ she said. ‘I can’t hide it
from you any longer. You know, we love one another! Sonya,
darling, he writes... Sonya..’
Sonya stared open-eyed at Natasha, unable to believe her
ears.
‘And Bolkonski?’ she asked.
‘Ah, Sonya, if you only knew how happy I am!’ cried
Natasha. ‘You don’t know what love is...’
‘But, Natasha, can that be all over?’
Natasha looked at Sonya with wide-open eyes as if she
could not grasp the question.
‘Well, then, are you refusing Prince Andrew?’ said So-
nya.
‘Oh, you don’t understand anything! Don’t talk non-
sense, just listen!’ said Natasha, with momentary vexation.
‘But I can’t believe it,’ insisted Sonya. ‘I don’t understand.
How is it you have loved a man for a whole year and sud-
denly... Why, you have only seen him three times! Natasha,
I don’t believe you, you’re joking! In three days to forget ev-
erything and so..’
‘Three days?’ said Natasha. ‘It seems to me I’ve loved him

1084 War and Peace