When Love Becomes Obsession — War and Peace

Returning late, Sónya goes to Natásha's room and to her surprise finds her still dressed, asleep on the sofa, Anatole's letter open on the table. She reads it, looks for an explanation in that calm, happy face, and finds none. Pale, clutching her breast, she sits down and weeps. How could she have noticed nothing? Can Natásha have left off loving Prince Andrew? He is a deceiver; what will dear Nicholas do when he hears? She tells herself Natásha probably opened the letter without knowing, and is offended.

Natásha wakes, embraces her, then sees embarrassment and asks if she has read it. Sónya says yes. Natásha smiles rapturously: she cannot hide it; they love one another. Sónya asks about Bolkónski. Natásha says Sónya does not know what love is. In three days, Sónya insists, to forget a year? It seems to Natásha she has loved him a hundred years, never anyone before; as soon as she saw him she felt she was his slave. Sónya, with horror she can hardly conceal, says she will tell. Natásha declares that if she tells she is her enemy. Why the secrecy, why does he not come to the house and ask openly, when Andrew gave her freedom? Natásha has never asked herself; there must be reasons. One cannot doubt him. Sónya says if he is honourable he should declare himself or cease seeing her, and if Natásha will not, she will write to him and tell Papa. Natásha screams that she hates her and sends her out. Then, without reflection, she writes Princess Mary that misunderstandings are at an end; availing herself of Andrew's magnanimity in giving her freedom, she cannot be his wife. At that moment it seems easy and clear.

On Friday they are to return to the country; on Wednesday the count goes with a purchaser to the estate. That day Márya Dmítrievna takes the girls to a big dinner at the Karágins'. Natásha again meets Anatole and speaks so as not to be overheard. At home she says they have had an explanation; he asked what she had promised Bolkónski and was glad she was free to refuse. Sónya will not trust the secrecy. Natásha cries that she will go to her ruin and that Sónya is her enemy forever. Hard as it is, Sónya watches her. The day before the count returns, Natásha sits by the window all morning and signs to an officer Sónya takes for Anatole. After tea a housemaid waits at the door with another letter. Suddenly it is clear: she will run away. Sónya stands in the dark passage and resolves that now or never she must prove she remembers the family's goodness and loves Nicholas. If she does not sleep for three nights she will hold her back by force and not let the family be disgraced.