CHAPTER 7
New about Andrew's disappearance in battle reaches the old prince and Mary. Of course, the old prince presumes his son dead and mourns over him. Mary, hoping Andrew is either in Heaven or still alive, refuses to reveal the news to Lise, his pregnant wife. Mary and her father have a brief moment of togetherness as they cry over Andrew.
Important Quotes
"It was as if joy—a supreme joy apart from
the joys and sorrows of this world—overflowed the great grief within
her. She forgot all fear of her father, went up to him, took his hand, and
drawing him down put her arm round his thin, scraggy neck.
"Father," she said, "do not turn away from me, let us weep together."
CHAPTER 8
Princess Lise goes into labor, but the doctor hasn't yet arrived. Suddenly, Mary hears a familiar voice coming from a carriage that just pulled up to the house. It is Andrew.
CHAPTER 9
Lise is still in labor when Andrew goes to see her. She is in so much pain that she doesn't care that Andrew has arrived from battle, not even aware that he was missing for so long. Everyone keeps saying she will survive with God's grace, however she dies in labor. The baby is born. Andrew and the family must bury Lise three days after. Later on, the baby is baptized.
*It's interesting how life and death are so interwoven*
Important Quotes
Lise: "She was not surprised at his having come; she did not realize that
he had come. His coming had nothing to do with her sufferings or with
their relief."
"And
there in the coffin was the same face, though with closed eyes. "Ah, what
have you done to me?" it still seemed to say, and Prince Andrew felt that
something gave way in his soul and that he was guilty of a sin he could
neither remedy nor forget."
CHAPTER 10
After the duel between Pierre and Dolokhov, Nicholas Rostov became an adjunct to the governor general of Moscow. Dolokhov was being nursed to health by his mom. That winter, the Rostov household was very merry. Dolokhov begins to fall for Sonya who still loves another. Natasha warns Nicholas that Dolokhov is a bad man. Nicholas is due to return to battle soon.
Important Quotes
Dolokhov: "I know people consider me a bad man!" he said. "Let them! I don't care a
straw about anyone but those I love; but those I love, I love so that I
would give my life for them, and the others I'd throttle if they stood in
my way. I have an adored, a priceless mother, and two or three friends—you
among them—and as for the rest I only care about them in so far as
they are harmful or useful. And most of them are harmful, especially the
women.
CHAPTER 11
Dolokhov proposes to Sonya but she refuses, saying that she loves someone else (Nicholas Rostov). Nicholas receives this news from Natasha and goes to talk to Sonya, telling her that she should reconsider Dolokhov's offer because they'd be a good match and because he was still not ready to marry.
Important Quotes
"Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is
the only reality in the world, all else is folly."
CHAPTER 12
It is the evening of Iogel's ball. All the youth are there and Denisov keeps his eye our for Natasha who he seems to be falling for. Nicholas and Sonya (who is radiating with happiness over her decline to Dolokhov's proposal) dance together and Natasha asks Denisov to dance. Denisov shows off his excellent dancing skills and Natasha and everyone else is in awe of him.
Important Quotes
"That evening, proud of Dolokhov's proposal,
her refusal, and her explanation with Nicholas, Sonya twirled about before
she left home so that the maid could hardly get her hair plaited, and she
was transparently radiant with impulsive joy."
CHAPTER 13
Dolokhov hosts a farewell supper for his friends before returning back to battle. Rostov shows up and plays cards with him. Dolokhov seems bitter about the whole Sonya situation and keeps challenging Rostov to betting more money on the cards. He keeps asking Rostov if he is scared to bet against him. Rostov keeps betting and ends up losing more than he can pay.
Important Quotes
Dolokhov: "Do you remember we had a talk about cards... 'He's a fool who trusts to
luck, one should make certain,' and I want to try."
"To try his luck or the certainty?" Rostov asked himself.
"Leave it," said Dolokhov, though he did not seem to be even looking at
Rostov, "you'll win it back all the sooner. I lose to the others but win
from you. Or are you afraid of me?"
CHAPTER 14
Rostov keeps losing to Dolokhov at cards. Dolokhov keeps playing until Rostov owes him 43,000 rubles (the age of Sonya and him combined). At the end, Rostov has no money to pay Dolokhov. Dolokhov mentions how he knows Sonya love Rostov. Rostov gets defensive and says to leave her out of the cards business. Dolokhov insists that Rostov pay him soon (as almost a threat so he wouldn't tell that his cousin and he are in love).
Important Quotes
"Dolokhov was no longer listening to stories or telling
them, but followed every movement of Rostov's hands and occasionally ran
his eyes over the score against him. He had decided to play until that
score reached forty-three thousand. He had fixed on that number because
forty-three was the sum of his and Sonya's joint ages."
Rostov: "He knows of course what this loss means to me. He can't want my ruin.
Wasn't he my friend? Wasn't I fond of him? But it's not his fault. What's
he to do if he has such luck?... And it's not my fault either," he thought
to himself, "I have done nothing wrong."
Dolokhov: " 'Lucky in love, unlucky at
cards.' Your cousin is in love with you, I know."
CHAPTER 15
Rostov goes home to ask his dad for money. There he sees how merry everyone is and hears Natasha sing. He realizes how much she has grown and how nothing else in the world matters except happiness.
Important Quotes
Rostov about Natasha singing: "All this misery, and money, and Dolokhov, and
anger, and honor—it's all nonsense... but this is real.... Now then,
Natasha, now then, dearest! Now then, darling! "
CHAPTER 16
Rostov finally begs his father for the money he owes Dolokhov. His father gives it to him surprisingly easily. Meanwhile, Denisov proposed to Natasha who is very young. She asks her mom what to do, knowing that she must refuse. She gently lets Denisov down. The men prepare to go back to battle.
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