‘The only thing that bothers me – honestly, Andrey – is our father’s cast of mind in a religious sense. I can’t understand how a man of such vast intellect can fail to see what is as clear as daylight, and can get things so wrong. That’s the one thing that disturbs me. And even here I think I’ve seen a glimmer of improvement recently. Lately he has not been so bitter with his mockery, and he has been willing to receive a monk and he talked to him for a very long time.’
‘Well, my dear, I’m afraid you and your monk are wasting your powder,’ said Prince Andrey in amused but affectionate tones.
‘Oh, my dear friend, all I can do is pray to God and hope that he will hear me. Andrey,’ she said timidly, after a moment’s pause, ‘I have a great favour to ask you.’
‘What is it, my dear?’
‘Promise me you won’t refuse. It will cost you almost nothing and it won’t involve anything disreputable. Only it will be such a comfort to me. Promise, Andryusha,’ she said, thrusting one hand into her handbag and getting hold of something without showing it, as though what she was holding concerned the favour she was asking, but until she had a promise that it would be granted she could not take that
‘Even if it cost me a great deal . . .’ answered Prince Andrey, who seemed almost to have guessed what it was all about.
‘I don’t mind what you think about it. I know you’re like father. Think what you want, but do it for my sake, please. Father’s own father, our grandfather, wore this whenever he went to war . . .’ She still didn’t take what she was holding out of her bag. ‘You promise?’
‘Of course I do. What is it?’
‘Andrey, I am going to bless you with a holy icon, and you must promise never to take it off . . . Do you promise?’
‘As long as it doesn’t weigh a hundredweight and won’t break my neck . . . To please you . . .’ said Prince Andrey. At this little joke he noticed instantly that a pained expression came over his sister’s face, and he regretted it. ‘I’m really pleased, my dear, really pleased,’ he added.
‘Even against your will He will save you and spare you and bring you to himself, because in Him alone are truth and peace,’ she said in a voice shaking with emotion, solemnly holding before him with both hands a little antique oval icon depicting the Saviour with a black face, in a silver setting, on a very finely wrought silver chain. She crossed herself, kissed the icon and handed it to Andrey.
‘Please, Andrey, do it for me.’
Her great wide eyes shone timidly with loving kindness. They lit up the whole of her thin, sickly face and turned it into a thing of beauty. Her brother reached for the icon, but she stopped him. Andrey understood, crossed himself and kissed the icon. He was moved, and his face showed a mixture of amusement and tenderness.
‘Thank you, my dear.’ She kissed him on the forehead and sat down again on the sofa.
Neither spoke . . .
‘So, as I was saying, Andrey, please be kind and generous as you always used to be. Don’t judge Lise too harshly,’ she began again. ‘She is so sweet and kind, and her present situation is very difficult.’
‘Masha, I don’t think I’ve said anything about blaming my wife for anything or being dissatisfied with her. Why do you go on like this?’
Princess Marya went all red and blotchy, and stopped speaking as though she felt guilty.
‘I have said nothing to you, but
The red blotches stood out stronger than ever on her forehead, cheeks and neck. She would have liked to say something, but couldn’t get it out. Her brother had guessed the truth: his wife had shed tears after dinner, saying she knew she was in for a difficult birth and was terrified of it, and she had cursed her misfortune, her father-in-law and her husband. Only then had she fallen asleep. Prince Andrey was sorry for his sister.
‘I can tell you one thing, Masha, I can’t reproach
As he said this, he stood up, went over to his sister and bent to kiss her on the forehead. His handsome eyes were shining with an unusual brightness and kindness, but he was looking past his sister’s head through the open door into the darkness beyond.
‘Let’s go to her. I have to say goodbye. Or you go on your own and wake her up, and I’ll come in a moment. Petrushka!’ he called to his valet. ‘Come and take these things out. This goes in the seat and that on the right-hand side.’
Princess Marya got up and moved towards the door. She stopped. ‘Andrey, if you had faith, you would have turned to God and asked Him to give you the love that you do not feel, and your prayer would have been answered.’
