Book Six, Chapters 8–17
The Countess Rostova tells Natasha that, despite the mutual
affection Natasha and Boris share, there is no hope of her marrying Boris,
as he is poor and a relation. The countess also feels Natasha does
not truly love Boris. Natasha is not too distraught at the news. The
countess informs Boris of her decision, and Boris no longer frequents
the Rostovs’ home. On New Year’s Eve, a grand ball is held, which
the tsar attends and to which the Rostovs are invited. It is Natasha’s
first society ball, and she and the other women attend to their
toilettes with care. Accompanied by the Rostovs’ friend Peronskaya,
the young women enter the ballroom, the splendor of which dazzles
Natasha. She sees Andrew, Pierre, Helene, Anatole, and others. The
tsar makes his appearance, and the music and dancing begin.
Natasha is worried that no one will ask her to dance,
but at Pierre’s instigation, Andrew takes her to the dance floor,
where her innocent young beauty contrasts with Helene’s hardened
attractiveness. Many men then ask Natasha to dance, and she is overjoyed. Andrew
finds himself toying with the idea of marrying her. Natasha greets
Pierre, who is gloomy and wonders why he does not enjoy himself
more. Andrew goes to a party at Speranski’s home, but is bored by
the guests’ superficial laughter. Andrew goes home distressed by
the useless labor he has performed working for the cause of social
reform in Russia. The next day, he visits the Rostov home, stays
for dinner, and hears Natasha sing. Impressed by Natasha as ever,
he resolves to start living more deeply.
Berg and Vera, installed in their new residence, host
a party to which Pierre, the Rostovs, and Boris are invited. Berg
and Vera are delighted to see that they have imitated the style
of similar parties exactly. Pierre notices that Natasha appears
less radiantly beautiful than usual, until Andrew addresses a few
words to her and her spirit lights up. Pierre wonders what is developing
between Andrew and Natasha, with confusion in his own heart. Andrew
asks about Boris’s childhood promise to marry Natasha. The next
day, Andrew dines at the Rostovs’ home, and everyone knows he is
there for Natasha’s sake. Marriage seems a possibility. Natasha
confesses to her mother her love for Andrew, while Andrew confesses
to Pierre his love for Natasha. Pierre counsels Andrew to marry
her, though he feels gloomy at the thought of Andrew’s happiness.
Andrew tells his father of his plan to marry Natasha, and the old
man advises taking time to think it over. Andrew stays away from
St. Petersburg for a time, causing Natasha great anxiety. Ultimately,
however, Natasha controls her feelings and tells herself she is
self-contented, needing no one else to be happy.
Andrew reappears at the Rostovs, informing them of his
desire to marry their daughter. They agree. Andrew asks Natasha
for her hand, telling her that unfortunately they must wait a year.
Natasha is distraught at the delay, but tearfully accepts his offer.
Andrew refuses to limit Natasha’s freedom by announcing their engagement, telling
her that she may call it off at any moment in the coming year. He
tells her he must go away for a long time. She suffers for two weeks
after his departure, then recovers.
At Bald Hills, the old Prince Bolkonski becomes grumpy
after Andrew’s departure. He treats his daughter Mary with extreme harshness,
though she finds it easy to forgive him. She counsels religion in
letters to her friend Julie Karagina in St. Petersburg, who is mourning
her brother killed in action. Mary says that faith is the only consolation
to the ravages of destiny, which can kill off an angel like Lise.
She reports that Andrew has become more sickly and nervous since
his return from St. Petersburg, and that he shares her belief that
he will not marry Natasha. Mary thinks that Andrew is too devoted
to his first wife to ever accept a replacement. The old prince continues
to take out his anger at his son’s wish to marry Natasha by treating
Mary badly, and by threatening to marry Mademoiselle Bourienne.
Mary takes solace in the pilgrims who visit her in secret, especially
an old woman named Theodosia who goes around in chains. Mary wishes
to emulate Theodosia, and is ashamed that she loves her family more
than God.
Book Seven
On the front, Nicholas enjoys an idle military life with
his comrades until he receives troubling letters from home about
the Rostovs’ financial problems. One especially imploring letter
from his mother persuades Nicholas to seek leave and return to Otradnoe,
the family estate. He congratulates his sister Natasha on her engagement
to Andrew, but privately wonders why Andrew is staying away for
so long, concluding that his health must be the reason.
