Pagina 671 di 3800

There's Lise, married to Andrew-a better husband one would think

could hardly be found nowadays-but is she contented with her lot?

And who would marry Marie for love? Plain and awkward! They'll

take her for her connections and wealth. Are there no women

living unmarried, and even the happier for it?" So thought Prince

Bolkonski while dressing, and yet the question he was always

putting off demanded an immediate answer. Prince Vasili had

brought his son with the evident intention of proposing, and

today or tomorrow he would probably ask for an answer. His birth

and position in society were not bad. "Well, I've nothing against

it," the prince said to himself, "but he must be worthy of her.

And that is what we shall see."

"That is what we shall see! That is what we shall see!" he added

aloud.