Emperor Alexander sends Balashëv to Napoleon to deliver his letter and a personal message.
General Balashëv is made to wait in a French camp for five days before being given an audience with Napoleon.
Napoleon blames the war on Russia, and recites his grievances.
Balashëv is invited to have dinner with Napoleon, who is a little friendlier than in the morning.
Prince Andrew rejoins the army, visits Bald Hills, and looks out for any opportunity to challenge Anatole to a duel.
Prince Andrew analyzes the internal politics of the Russian army at that time. The upper echelon of the army, it seems to Andrew, consists of nine internal factions all competing for control.
Prince Andrew is called in to see the Emperor, and while waiting sees an influential general and military theorist going in ahead of him.
“Listening to the generals debate theoretical strategies at headquarters, Andrew decides he can be more useful at the front, so he requests a transfer.
Nicholas remains on active duty with the army as a matter of honor, although the Rostóvs want him to retire. He misses Sónya.
Nicholas and Ilyín visit the makeshift tavern of Mary Hendríkhovna and her husband the doctor.