I mean young Nicholas Rostov, who with his enthusiasm could not bear to remain inactive and has left the university to join the army.

I will confess to you, dear Mary, that in spite of his extreme youth his departure for the army was a great grief to me.

This young man, of whom I spoke to you last summer, is so noble-minded and full of that real youthfulness which one seldom finds nowadays among our old men of twenty and, particularly, he is so frank and has so much heart.

He is so pure and poetic that my relations with him, transient as they were, have been one of the sweetest comforts to my poor heart, which has already suffered so much.
Someday I will tell you about our parting and all that was said then.
That is still too fresh.

Ah, dear friend, you are happy not to know these poignant joys and sorrows.