In the middle of the night, Nicholas’ unit is ordered to march to Ostróvna for a battle.
Nicholas attacks without orders, nearly kills a Frenchman face to face, and then wonders why he is doing this.
Natásha is ill through the Summer. She is treated by ineffectual doctors.
After her illness, nothing seems to give Natásha any joy. She finds comfort in talking to Pierre. She decides to take holy communion at church, which uplifts her spirits.
The war news is disquieting. At church, Natásha prays for forgiveness and for the deliverance of Russia.
Pierre is secretly in love with Natásha. He dabbles with numerology, somehow convincing himself he is destined for a great place in history.
Pierre, finding it increasingly difficult to conceal his affection for Natásha, decides he must stop visiting the Rostóvs.
Pétya, having tried and failed to speak with the Emperor, returns home and insists he be permitted to join the army. Reluctantly, his parents agree.
The wealthy men of Moscow gather to await their meeting with the Emperor. They disagree on what they ought to say to him.
The leading men of Moscow very willingly agree to contribute. The nobility will provide many serfs for the war. The wealthy merchants will give millions of rubles.