"Well, have you sent Gabriel for some wine? All right let's have some!" In the letter from his parents was enclosed a letter of recommendation to Bagration which the old countess at Anna Mikhaylovna's advice had obtained through an acquaintance and sent to her son, asking him to take it to its destination and make use of it.

"What nonsense! Much I need it!" said Rostov, throwing the letter under the table.

"Why have you thrown that away?" asked Boris.

"It is some letter of recommendation... what the devil do I want it for!" "Why 'What the devil'?" said Boris, picking it up and reading the address.

" This letter would be of great use to you.