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"Fr... fr..." snorted Prince Bolkonski. "The prince is making a

proposition to you in his pupil's-I mean, his son's-name. Do you

wish or not to be Prince Anatole Kuragin's wife? Reply: yes or

no," he shouted, "and then I shall reserve the right to state my

opinion also. Yes, my opinion, and only my opinion," added Prince

Bolkonski, turning to Prince Vasili and answering his imploring

look. "Yes, or no?"

"My desire is never to leave you, Father, never to separate my

life from yours. I don't wish to marry," she answered positively,

glancing at Prince Vasili and at her father with her beautiful

eyes.

"Humbug! Nonsense! Humbug, humbug, humbug!" cried Prince

Bolkonski, frowning and taking his daughter's hand; he did not

kiss her, but only bending his forehead to hers just touched it,

and pressed her hand so that she winced and uttered a cry.

Prince Vasili rose.