You are fortunate, for the latter are generally the stronger! I know very well that Count Nicholas is too young ever to be more to me than a friend, but this sweet friendship, this poetic and pure intimacy, were what my heart needed.

But enough of this! The chief news, about which all Moscow gossips, is the death of old Count Bezukhov, and his inheritance.

Fancy! The three princesses have received very little, Prince Vasili nothing, and it is Monsieur Pierre who has inherited all the property and has besides been recognized as legitimate; so that he is now Count Bezukhov and possessor of the finest fortune in Russia.

It is rumored that Prince Vasili played a very despicable part in this affair and that he returned to Petersburg quite crestfallen.