The chapter starts with many names of people and places, and then introduces to us our speaker. Anna Pavlovna.
Anna Pavlovna seems to be an eccentric woman, to say the least. Although I haven't found anything in the text which rings immediate warning bells, I can't help but have the feeling that there is more then meets the eye with this woman.
The only other character so far is Prince Vasili. He comes off as blasé and a bit of bore. The only reason that he visited Pavlovna is because he wanted information ( I won't judge him to harshly yet, I'm sure everyone has done this at least once.) His whole manner spoke of a man who pretends not to care at all but in fact looses sleep over things.
What has me in a pickle, is that he calls himself her slave? Is that just a figure of speech or does she have something on him?
Moving on to the topics of discussion. There was a lot of small talk, about a fete and what not. The two main topics which drew my attention where (1) The empress and (2) Vasili's youngest son.
There was a brief excange about Dowager Empress, which at its surface seems very plain, but can be read into much deeper. Vasili wanted to know what she had decided in regard of a post he wishes his older son to get. All this seems normal enough, but at her name Pavlovna, who had been very vocal before, quickly changes the subject.
Tolstoy had written "Pavlovna's face suddenly assumed an expression of profound and sincere devotion and respect mingled with sadness." This quote can be interpreted a number of ways.
Either she realy does respect the Empress and can't stand to hear her name being sullied (unlikely) or she is acting because she wishes to remain in her good graces. But if it's the latter, surely she is safe at home and can speak freely? Right.
The second subject of significance is Anatole.
The subject is brought up undirectly, the convesation starts on how beutiful Vasili's daughter is and then Pavlovna intruduces the topic of his youngest son. She is extremly blunt when she says "I don't like him." Of course, his father Vasili also doesn't hold himin high esteem, therefore it might be that she [Pavlovna] feels as if she won't offend Vasili. They go on to discuss how Vasili has done all he could, regarding his education but is a fool, he spends ridiculous amounts of money. He would spend 40,000 rubies a year, this is like $300,000 today.
Pavlovna asks if he had considered marrying him off. They go on to discuss Princess Bolkonski, her father is rich and eccentric, this makes it a perfect match for "an active fool" (his dad's words not mine.)
The chapter ends when the 'evening gathering' starts.
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