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Suddenly he heard a familiar voice repeating something to him a

second time. But Pierre was so absorbed that he did not

understand what was said.

"I am asking you when you last heard from Bolkonski," repeated

Prince Vasili a third time. "How absent-minded you are, my dear

fellow."

Prince Vasili smiled, and Pierre noticed that everyone was

smiling at him and Helene. "Well, what of it, if you all know

it?" thought Pierre. "What of it? It's the truth!" and he himself

smiled his gentle childlike smile, and Helene smiled too.

"When did you get the letter? Was it from Olmutz?" repeated

Prince Vasili, who pretended to want to know this in order to

settle a dispute.

"How can one talk or think of such trifles?" thought Pierre.

"Yes, from Olmutz," he answered, with a sigh.