Dancing While the World Burns — War and Peace

Meanwhile Alexander has been in Vílna more than a month, reviewing troops and holding manoeuvres. Nothing is ready for the war everyone expects. There is no general plan; vacillation has increased. Each of the three armies has a commander in chief, but there is no supreme commander, and the Emperor does not assume that responsibility. The longer he remains, the less those around him prepare. Their efforts seem directed to making him spend his time pleasantly and forget that war is impending.

After many balls given by Polish magnates, courtiers, and the Emperor himself, a Polish aide-de-camp proposes that the aides give a dinner and ball. Count Bennigsen offers his country house at Zakret. The thirteenth of June is fixed for ball, dinner, regatta, and fireworks. That very day Napoleon's vanguard, driving off Cossacks, crosses the Niemen, and Alexander spends the evening at Bennigsen's. Connoisseurs say rarely have so many beautiful women assembled in one place. Countess Bezúkhova eclipses the Polish ladies with her massive Russian beauty; the Emperor honours her with a dance. Borís Drubetskóy, having left his wife in Moscow and being for the present en garçon, has subscribed a large sum though not an aide. Now rich, he meets Hélène as a good friend of long standing, her favours attached to a very important personage, his own marriage recent.

At midnight Hélène, lacking a partner, offers Borís the mazurka; they are the third couple. While talking of old acquaintances he never ceases to watch the Emperor, who stands in a doorway with gracious words. Adjutant General Balashëv approaches contrary to etiquette. Alexander takes his arm and crosses the room, unconsciously clearing a path seven yards wide. Arakchéev's excited face shows envy that important news has not come through him; they pass into the garden without noticing him. Borís, choosing ladies in the figure, glides to the garden door and presses to the doorpost as they return. The Emperor, personally affronted, is finishing: to enter Russia without declaring war; he will not make peace so long as a single armed enemy remains in his country. Let no one know of it, he adds, with a frown meant for Borís. First to learn that the French have crossed the Niemen, Borís can later show important personages that much concealed from others is known to him. At two in the morning Alexander sends for secretary Shishkóv and insists those words go into an order to the troops and a rescript to Field Marshal Saltykóv. Next day a letter goes to Napoleon: withdraw, and what has passed may be regarded as not having occurred; otherwise Alexander will be forced to repel an unprovoked attack.