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It seemed so natural to Pierre that everyone should like him, and

it would have seemed so unnatural had anyone disliked him, that

he could not but believe in the sincerity of those around him.

Besides, he had no time to ask himself whether these people were

sincere or not. He was always busy and always felt in a state of

mild and cheerful intoxication. He felt as though he were the

center of some important and general movement; that something was

constantly expected of him, that if he did not do it he would

grieve and disappoint many people, but if he did this and that,

all would be well; and he did what was demanded of him, but still

that happy result always remained in the future.