A Year of War and Peace+ Day 49

In which Prince Vasíli presents his rakish, insulting son, Anatole, to Bald Hills and we see the wisdom in calmly dismissing the poor behavior of others

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War and Peace — Book One, Part Three

Chapter Three

Old Prince Nicholas Bolkónski received a letter from Prince Vasíli in November, 1805, announcing that he and his son would be paying him a visit. “I am starting on a journey of inspection, and of course I shall think nothing of an extra seventy miles to come and see you at the same time, my honored benefactor,” wrote Prince Vasíli. “My son Anatole is accompanying me on his way to the army, so I hope you will allow him personally to express the deep respect that, emulating his father, he feels for you.”

“It seems that there will be no need to bring Mary out, suitors are coming to us of their own…