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"My vocation is a different one," thought Princess Mary. "My

vocation is to be happy with another kind of happiness, the

happiness of love and self-sacrifice. And cost what it may, I

will arrange poor Amelie's happiness, she loves him so

passionately, and so passionately repents. I will do all I can to

arrange the match between them. If he is not rich I will give her

the means; I will ask my father and Andrew. I shall be so happy

when she is his wife. She is so unfortunate, a stranger, alone,

helpless! And, oh God, how passionately she must love him if she

could so far forget herself! Perhaps I might have done the

same!..." thought Princess Mary.

CHAPTER VI

It was long since the Rostovs had news of Nicholas. Not till

midwinter was the count at last handed a letter addressed in his

son's handwriting. On receiving it, he ran on tiptoe to his study

in alarm and haste, trying to escape notice, closed the door, and

began to read the letter.