OnreachingPetersburgPierredidnotletanyoneknowofhisarrival, hewentnowhereandspentwholedaysinreadingThomasaKempis, : thejoy, hithertounknowntohim, ofbelievinginthepossibilityofattainingperfection, andinthepossibilityofactivebrotherlyloveamongmen, , theyoungPolishcount, Willarski, whomPierrehadknownslightlyinPetersburgsociety, cameintohisroomoneeveningintheofficialandceremoniousmannerinwhichDolokhov'ssecondhadcalledonhim, and, havingclosedthedoorbehindhimandsatisfiedhimselfthattherewasnobodyelseintheroom, addressedPierre.
"Ihavecometoyouwithamessageandanoffer, Count," hesaidwithoutsittingdown."'?"
Thecold, austeretoneofthisman, whomhehadalmostalwaysbeforemetatballs, amiablysmilinginthesocietyofthemostbrilliantwomen, surprisedPierre.
"Yes, Idowishit," saidhe.
Willarskibowedhishead.
"Onemorequestion, Count," hesaid, "whichIbegyoutoanswerinallsincerity—notasafutureMasonbutasanhonestman: haveyourenouncedyourformerconvictions—doyoubelieveinGod?"
Pierreconsidered.
"Yes...yes, IbelieveinGod," hesaid.
"Inthatcase..." beganWillarski, butPierreinterruptedhim.
"Yes, IdobelieveinGod," herepeated.
"Inthatcasewecango," saidWillarski."Mycarriageisatyourservice."
'sinquiriesastowhathemustdoandhowheshouldanswer, WillarskionlyrepliedthatbrothersmoreworthythanhewouldtesthimandthatPierrehadonlytotellthetruth.
