Page 1086 - war-and-peace

‘But why this secrecy? Why doesn’t he come to the house?’
asked Sonya. ‘Why doesn’t he openly ask for your hand? You
know Prince Andrew gave you complete freedomif it is re-
ally so; but I don’t believe it! Natasha, have you considered
what these secret reasons can be?’
Natasha looked at Sonya with astonishment. Evidently
this question presented itself to her mind for the first time
and she did not know how to answer it.
‘I don’t know what the reasons are. But there must be
reasons!’
Sonya sighed and shook her head incredulously.
‘If there were reasons...’ she began.
But Natasha, guessing her doubts, interrupted her in
alarm.
‘Sonya, one can’t doubt him! One can’t, one can’t! Don’t
you understand?’ she cried.
‘Does he love you?’
‘Does he love me?’ Natasha repeated with a smile of pity
at her friend’s lack of comprehension. ‘Why, you have read
his letter and you have seen him.’
‘But if he is dishonorable?’
‘He! dishonorable? If you only knew!’ exclaimed
Natasha.
‘If he is an honorable man he should either declare his
intentions or cease seeing you; and if you won’t do this, I
will. I will write to him, and I will tell Papa!’ said Sonya
resolutely.
‘But I can’t live without him!’ cried Natasha.
‘Natasha, I don’t understand you. And what are you say-

1086 War and Peace