It would be too painful to me to think that I might be a cause of sorrow or discord in the family that has been so good to me (she wrote), and my love has no aim but the happiness of those I love; so, Nicolas, I beg you to consider yourself free, and to be assured that, in spite of everything, no one can love you more than does
Both letters were written from Tróitsa. The other, from the countess, described their last days in Moscow, their departure, the fire, and the destruction of all their property. In this letter the countess also mentioned that Prince Andréy was among the wounded traveling with them; his state was very critical, but the doctor said there was now more hope. Sónya and Natásha were nursing him.
Next day Nikoláy took his mother’s letter and went to see Princess Márya. Neither he nor she said a word about what “Natásha nursing him” might mean, but thanks to this letter Nikoláy suddenly became almost as intimate with the princess as if they were relations.
The following day he saw Princess Márya off on her journey to Yaroslávl, and a few days later left to rejoin his regiment.
VIII
Sónya’s letter written from Tróitsa, which had come as an answer to Nikoláy’s prayer, was prompted by this: the thought of getting Nikoláy married to an heiress occupied the old countess’ mind more and more. She knew that Sónya was the chief obstacle to this happening, and Sónya’s life in the countess’ house had grown harder and harder, especially after they had received a letter from Nikoláy telling of his meeting with Princess Márya in Boguchárovo. The countess let no occasion slip of making humiliating or cruel allusions to Sónya.