Book 1, Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

CHAPTER 15

 Anna Milkhaylovna and her son, Boris, are on their way to see her uncle (Boris' godfather), the sickly Count Cyril Vladimirovich. Anna keeps trying to egg Boris on, telling him that this visit is necessary although Boris seems hesitant. When they get to the place, Prince Vasili comes down to greet them. Vasili is in a disagreeable mood and keeps trying to defer their visit (probably because they are his competition in gaining the Count's inheritance). Anna keeps pleading to see the Count, claiming that she only wishes to see him to comfort him in his time of need, even though she's only after the money for Boris. Eventually, they're let in and Anna tells Boris to go find Pierre and invite him to the Rostov's dinner.

Important Quotes

Boris: "If only I knew that anything besides humiliation would come of it..." answered her son coldly. "But I have promised and will do it for your sake."

Anna:  "How priceless are those last moments! It can make things no worse, and it is absolutely necessary to prepare him if he is so ill. We women, Prince," and she smiled tenderly, "always know how to say these things. I absolutely must see him, however painful it may be for me. I am used to suffering."

CHAPTER 16

Pierre has been sent back to Petersburg after his misconduct in Moscow where he was supposed to be finding an occupation for himself (he tied a policeman to a bear). He is in his room pacing, not knowing what to do because the Count won't see him, when Boris walks in to ask him to dinner at the Rostov's. Pierre doesn't remember who Boris is and the interaction between the two is awkward at first. Pierre asks Boris about the war, but Boris claims that, in Moscow, all they care about is gossip, not politics. They switch topics and talk about the Count's inheritance to which Boris claims that he and his mother are not after his money, although they are poor. Things get tense again and the boys talk about the war again. When Boris must go, Pierre eventually accepts the invitation to dinner in order to get to know Boris more and perhaps gain a friend.

Important Quotes

Boris:  "We here in Moscow are more occupied with dinner parties and scandal than with politics," said he in his quiet ironical tone."

Boris: "you are quite mistaken if you reckon me or my mother among such people. We are very poor, but for my own part at any rate, for the very reason that your father is rich, I don't regard myself as a relation of his, and neither I nor my mother would ever ask or take anything from him."

Boris: "But why do you expect that he will leave us anything?"
Anna: "Ah, my dear! He is so rich, and we are so poor!"
Boris: "Well, that is hardly a sufficient reason, Mamma..."
Anna: "Oh, Heaven! How ill he is!" exclaimed the mother.

CHAPTER 17

Countess Rostova is in distress over the fact that her childhood friend, Anna Mikhaylovna, is so poor. She asks her husband for money to give to her which he gets her right away. The Countess gives Anna the money for Boris' outfit.

Important Quotes

The Count: "Bring me..." he reflected a moment, "yes, bring me seven hundred rubles, yes! But mind, don't bring me such tattered and dirty notes as last time, but nice clean ones for the countess."

Countess Rostova: "Ah, money, Count, money! How much sorrow it causes in the world," said the countess. "But I am in great need of this sum."

[Anna and the Countess]: "They wept because they were friends, and because they were kindhearted, and because they—friends from childhood—had to think about such a base thing as money, and because their youth was over.... But those tears were pleasant to them both."

CHAPTER 18

The dinner party at the Rostov's is about to begin. All the guests sit awaiting the arrival of  Marya Dmitrievna Akhrosimova, a well-known and feared woman in society. Pierre clumsily arrives, not knowing how to hold a conversation with the ladies. The Count is entertained listening to young Lieutenant Berg and the Countess' cousin, Shinshin, converse (Berg mostly talking about himself). Finally, Marya arrives with her bold presece, reprimanding Pierre a little for being so foolish and getting into trouble while his father was so sick. The dinner is served and all the characters enter, Vera with Berg, Boris flirting with the young Natasha, Pierre following Boris, Sonya jealous of her Nicholas flirting with Julie Karagina.

Important Quotes

 Marya: "His father lies on his deathbed and he amuses himself setting a policeman astride a bear! For shame, sir, for shame! It would be better if you went to the war."

CHAPTER 19

The men talk about the war over dinner and the German colonel explains his reasons for why he thinks Russia should fight. He says that they must fight or be conquered by the French. He says that Russia must show her strength to which Nicholas Rostov and Pierre agree.

Important Quotes

Nicolas: "I am convinced that we Russians must die or conquer."

Marya: "I have four sons in the army but still I don't fret. It is all in God's hands. You may die in your bed or God may spare you in a battle," replied Marya Dmitrievna's deep voice."

CHAPTER 20

Dinner has finished and the older people want the kids to entertain them with song and music. Natasha, realizing that Sonya isn't around, goes to look for her friend. She finds Sonya in the hallway where the mourning chest was. Sonya is upset that she might not be able to marry her cousin, Nicholas, and that he might love Julie instead, anyway. She is also mad at Vera for threatening to tell her and Nicholas' secret of loving each other .Natasha cries with her and comforst her before they both return to the party and join in the dancing and festivities.

Important Quotes

 Sonya: "[Vera] found them on my table and said she'd show them to Mamma, and that I was ungrateful, and that Mamma would never allow him to marry me, but that he'll marry Julie. You see how he's been with her all day... Natasha, what have I done to deserve it?..."

CHAPTER 21

The Count is dying after his sixth stroke. Prince Vasili, more concerned about the will than the Count's health, goes to talk to Princess Catherine, a direct heir. He tries to convince her to tell him where the will is. He knows that the inheritance will be given to Pierre and he tries to tell Catherine that, although he is illegitimate, he can still become the next count since the Count wrote to the emperor, begging him to make him legitimate. Catherine refuses to say anything about the will, upset that everyone is only after the Count's money. Vasili urges her to rethink, saying that if she doesn't tell him where to will is and destroy it, Pierre will get everything leaving everyone else with nothing. She still refuses, also mentioning that she is at her wits end with Anna always begging for money.

Important Quotes

Catherine: "I am a woman, and you think we are all stupid; but I know this: an illegitimate son cannot inherit... un batard!"

Catherine: "I knew that I could expect nothing but meanness, deceit, envy, intrigue, and ingratitude—the blackest ingratitude—in this house..."

Catherine: "I shall always remember that in this world one must expect no reward, that in this world there is neither honor nor justice. In this world one has to be cunning and cruel."