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The unsolved problem that tormented him was caused by hints given

by the princess, his cousin, at Moscow, concerning Dolokhov's

intimacy with his wife, and by an anonymous letter he had

received that morning, which in the mean jocular way common to

anonymous letters said that he saw badly through his spectacles,

but that his wife's connection with Dolokhov was a secret to no

one but himself. Pierre absolutely disbelieved both the princess'

hints and the letter, but he feared now to look at Dolokhov, who

was sitting opposite him. Every time he chanced to meet

Dolokhov's handsome insolent eyes, Pierre felt something terrible

and monstrous rising in his soul and turned quickly away.

Involuntarily recalling his wife's past and her relations with

Dolokhov, Pierre saw clearly that what was said in the letter

might be true, or might at least seem to be true had it not

referred to his wife.