Compared to what preoccupied him, was it not a matter of indifference whether he lived with his wife or not? Without replying either to his wife or his mother-in-law, Pierre late one night prepared for a journey and started for Moscow to see Joseph Alexeevich.

This is what he noted in his diary: Moscow, 17th November I have just returned from my benefactor, and hasten to write down what I have experienced.

Joseph Alexeevich is living poorly and has for three years been suffering from a painful disease of the bladder.

No one has ever heard him utter a groan or a word of complaint.