Imaginary Brave Latvian Officer Who Proposes to a Beautiful Countess
in Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” (1869)
Though some freethinkers smiled when told of Berg’s virtues, it was impossible not to admit that Berg was a good, brave officer, highly regarded by his superiors, and a modest, moral young man with a brilliant career ahead of him and even a solid position in society.
Four years earlier, having met a German friend in the stalls of a Moscow theatre, Berg had pointed Vera Rostov out to him and said in German: “Das soll mein Weib werden” — and from that moment on had determined to marry her. Now, in Petersburg, having figured out the Rostovs’ situation, he decided that the time had come and proposed.
Berg’s proposal was received at first with a perplexity unflattering to him. At first it seemed strange that the son of an obscure Livonian nobleman should propose to Countess Rostov; but Berg’s chief quality was such naïve and good-natured egoism that the Rostovs involuntarily thought it would be a good thing, since he himself was so firmly convinced that it would be good and even very good. What was more, the Rostovs’ affairs were in great disorder, which the suitor could not help knowing, and, above all, Vera was twenty-four, she had come out everywhere, and, despite her being unquestionably beautiful and sensible, up to then no one had ever proposed to her. The proposal was accepted.
“So you see,” Berg said to his comrade, whom he called his friend only because he knew that all people had friends. “You see, I figured it all out, and I wouldn’t be getting married if I hadn’t thought it all over and if it were awkward for some reason. But now, on the contrary, my papa and mama are provided for, I’ve arranged that lease for them in the Ostzee region, and I can live with my wife in Petersburg on my salary, her fortune, and my carefulness. We can get along quite well. I’m not marrying for money, I consider that ignoble, but a wife ought to bring in hers and a husband his. I have my service, she has her connections and some small means. In our time that means something, doesn’t it? And, above all, she’s an excellent, respectable girl, and she loves me…”
Berg blushed and smiled.
