Pierre & Andrey

(Andrey visits Pierre.)

[ANDREY]

Well, how are you?

Still getting stouter?

[PIERRE]

There’s a new wrinkle

On your forehead old friend

[ANDREY]

It’s good to see you

I’ve been away too long

[PIERRE]

My friend, you are in need

Your face is gloomy

[ANDREY]

No, I am well

There’s a war going on

Forgive me for troubling you

I have received a refusal from Countess Rostova

And have heard reports of your brother-in-law having sought her hand

Or something of that kind

Is this true?

[PIERRE]

Something of that kind

[ANDREY]

Here are her letters

Please give them to the Countess

[PIERRE]

Natasha is ill

She has been at death’s door

[ANDREY]

I much regret her illness

[PIERRE]

And he smiled like his father

Coldly, maliciously

[ANDREY]

Well, it doesn’t matter

[PIERRE]

You told me once

A fallen woman should be forgiven

[ANDREY]

But I didn’t say that I could forgive

I can’t

Yes, ask her hand again

Be magnanimous, and so on

Yes, that would be very noble

But I can’t be that man

If you wish to be my friend

Never speak of that again

Well, goodbye

(Pierre takes the letters to Natasha.)