Our dear Emperor has left Petersburg and it is thought intends to expose his precious person to the chances of war.

God grant that the Corsican monster who is destroying the peace of Europe may be overthrown by the angel whom it has pleased the Almighty, in His goodness, to give us as sovereign! To say nothing of my brothers, this war has deprived me of one of the associations nearest my heart.

I mean young Nicholas Rostov, who with his enthusiasm could not bear to remain inactive and has left the university to join the army.

I will confess to you, dear Mary, that in spite of his extreme youth his departure for the army was a great grief to me.