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Six weeks later he was married, and settled in Count Bezukhov's

large, newly furnished Petersburg house, the happy possessor, as

people said, of a wife who was a celebrated beauty and of

millions of money.

CHAPTER III

Old Prince Nicholas Bolkonski received a letter from Prince

Vasili 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 Vasili. "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 accord," incautiously remarked the

little princess on hearing the news.

Prince Nicholas frowned, but said nothing.