“Hard as this year which delays my happiness will be,” continued Prince Andréy, “it will give you time to be sure of yourself. I ask you to make me happy in a year, but you are free: our engagement shall remain a secret, and should you find that you do not love me, or should you come to love⁠ ⁠…” said Prince Andréy with an unnatural smile.

“Why do you say that?” Natásha interrupted him. “You know that from the very day you first came to Otrádnoe I have loved you,” she cried, quite convinced that she spoke the truth.

“In a year you will learn to know yourself.⁠ ⁠…”

“A whole year!” Natásha repeated suddenly, only now realizing that the marriage was to be postponed for a year. “But why a year? Why a year?⁠ ⁠…”

Prince Andréy began to explain to her the reasons for this delay. Natásha did not hear him.