Prince Vasiili talks to Anna Pávlovna about Napoleon, and a court position and a possible spouse for his son Anatole.
Category: Book 01, P&V pgs. 3-111
The soirée continues. We meet Hélène, Prince Andrew, Lise and Pierre.
More description of Anna’s soirée and the guests. Pierre’s conversation is a bit too serious.
Prince Andrew arrives at the reception. Andrew is a friend of Pierre and the husband of Lise. Princess Drubetskáya asks Vasíli for help with Borís’ transfer to the Guards.
The guests at the reception argue about Napoleon. Pierre thinks Napoleon is a great man, many disagree.
Talking over their plans, Pierre says he won’t fight Napoleon. Andrew is not happy with his present life and will join the army.
Lise complains of how Prince Andrew is treating her and his leaving her to go to war.
Andrew advises Pierre not to marry until he’s old. He asks Pierre to give up his dissolute lifestyle, and Pierre agrees.
Breaking his promise, after leaving Andrew Pierre goes directly to the Kurágin’s.
Borís gets his guard position. The Rostóv’s receive St. Natalia’s day visitors. There is speculation about who will inherit the Bezúkhov fortune.