Soon after Prince Andréy’s return the old prince made over to him a large estate, Boguchárovo, about twenty-five miles from Bald Hills. Partly because of the depressing memories associated with Bald Hills, partly because Prince Andréy did not always feel equal to bearing with his father’s peculiarities, and partly because he needed solitude, Prince Andréy made use of Boguchárovo, began building and spent most of his time there.
After the Austerlitz campaign Prince Andréy had firmly resolved not to continue his military service, and when the war recommenced and everybody had to serve, he took a post under his father in the recruitment so as to avoid active service. The old prince and his son seemed to have changed roles since the campaign of 1805. The old man, roused by activity, expected the best results from the new campaign, while Prince Andréy on the contrary, taking no part in the war and secretly regretting this, saw only the dark side.
On February 26, 1807, the old prince set off on one of his circuits. Prince Andréy remained at Bald Hills as usual during his father’s absence. Little Nikolúshka had been unwell for four days. The coachman who had driven the old prince to town returned bringing papers and letters for Prince Andréy.
Not finding the young prince in his study the valet went with the letters to Princess Márya’s apartments, but did not find him there. He was told that the prince had gone to the nursery.
“If you please, your excellency, Pétrusha has brought some papers,” said one of the nursemaids to Prince Andréy who was sitting on a child’s little chair while, frowning and with trembling hands, he poured drops from a medicine bottle into a wineglass half full of water.