It was this which largely enabled him to bear his voluntary seclusion patiently.
Seated on the other side of the big table, Pierre also mostly occupied himself with reading; but at times his eyes would quit his book and wander away into gloomy reverie, into all the chaos into which he still and ever sank.

For long hours the brothers would in this wise remain side by side, without speaking a word.

Yet they knew they were together; and occasionally, when their eyes met, they would exchange a smile.

The strong affection of former days was again springing up within them; their childhood, their home, their parents, all seemed to live once more in the quiet atmosphere they breathed.

However, the bay window overlooked the garden in the direction of Paris, and often, when they emerged from their reading or their reverie, it was with a sudden feeling of anxiety, and in order to lend ear to the distant rumbling, the increased clamour of the great city.
On other occasions they paused as if in astonishment at hearing a continuous footfall overhead.