Orders were given to raise recruits, ten men in every thousand for the regular army, and besides this, nine men in every thousand for the militia.
Everywhere Bonaparte was anathematized and in Moscow nothing but the coming war was talked of.
For the Rostov family the whole interest of these preparations for war lay in the fact that Nicholas would not hear of remaining in Moscow, and only awaited the termination of Denisov's furlough after Christmas to return with him to their regiment.
His approaching departure did not prevent his amusing himself, but rather gave zest to his pleasures.
He spent the greater part of his time away from home, at dinners, parties, and balls.