Nicholas joins a card game with Dólokhov and begins to lose a great deal of money.
Nicholas’ losses from the card game continue to rise, until at last Dólokhov brings the game to an end.
Nicholas, in agony over how much money he has lost in the card game, returns home. As he listens to Natásha sing, his suffering briefly abates.
Count Rostóv, very short of funds himself, covers Nicholas’ gambling debt without any scolding. Denísov unexpectedly proposes to Natásha.
Delayed at a roadside station en route to Petersburg, Pierre listlessly wonders what is the purpose of life. Then, a strange old man enters the station.
The old man in the station talks with Pierre about freemasonry and about the need to purify one’s inner self.
In Petersburg, Pierre accepts an invitation to join the Masons. He begins the elaborate and mysterious masonic initiation ceremony.
The Freemason induction ceremony, continued.
Vasíli very intrusively attempts to get Pierre to take Hélène back, but Pierre sends him away.
After the duel, Anna Pávlovna’s soirées continue as before. Pierre is less favorably looked upon. Hélène and Borís are well regarded.