Page 64 sur 3800

"No, I have not; but this is what I have been thinking and wanted

to tell you. There is a war now against Napoleon. If it were a

war for freedom I could understand it and should be the first to

enter the army; but to help England and Austria against the

greatest man in the world is not right."

Prince Andrew only shrugged his shoulders at Pierre's childish

words. He put on the air of one who finds it impossible to reply

to such nonsense, but it would in fact have been difficult to

give any other answer than the one Prince Andrew gave to this

naive question.

"If no one fought except on his own conviction, there would be no

wars," he said.

"And that would be splendid," said Pierre.

Prince Andrew smiled ironically.

"Very likely it would be splendid, but it will never come

about...."

"Well, why are you going to the war?" asked Pierre.

"What for? I don't know. I must. Besides that I am going...." He

paused. "I am going because the life I am leading here does not

suit me!"

CHAPTER VII