Book 6, Chapters 13, 14, 15, 16

CHAPTER 13

 Natasha goes to her mother at night while she is praying. She tells her mom that she wants to marry Boris, but her mom tells her she can't because Boris is poor and looking for love elsewhere, because he's a relative, and because she doesn't truly love Boris. Natasha says that doesn't matter and that she still wants Boris to visit if he wants to but, the next day, the countess tells Boris to never return.

Important Quotes

Natasha: "Just so. There's no need for me to marry him. But... just so."
Countess: "Just so, just so," repeated the countess, and shaking all over, she went off into a good humored, unexpected, elderly laugh.

CHAPTER 14

The Rostovs are getting ready to go to a grand ball. Everything is in disorder as the girls hurry to get ready, Natasha making sure that everything is just right for her first grand ball. Their servant, Marya Peronskaya is also to attend.

CHAPTER 15

The Rostovs get to the ball where everyone is awaiting the Emperor. All the important people--Pierre, Helene, Andrew, Anatole--are there. Natasha is whispered about and the hostess takes a liking to her immediately. Peronskaya, the Rostov's maid of honor, whispers all the gossip about everyone, quite disapproving of Andrew who is apparently being rude to all the ladies present.  

Important Quotes

Peronskaya (about Andrew): "Just look how he treats the ladies! There's one talking to him and he has turned away," she said, pointing at him. "I'd give it to him if he treated me as he does those ladies."

CHAPTER 16

Natasha is sad that no one has asked her to dance. Boris, Anatole, and Pierre are too busy or avoiding the Rostovs. She feels as though her family is inadequate since they are going unnoticed and are so poor compared to everybody else there. Finally, Pierre suggests to Andrew to dance with Natasha who is such a good dancer. He agrees and he and Natasha dance, feeling close to each other (perhaps falling in love)?

Important Quotes

Natasha: "Is it possible that not one of all these men will notice me? They do not even seem to see me, or if they do they look as if they were saying, 'Ah, she's not the one I'm after, so it's not worth looking at her!' No, it's impossible," she thought. "They must know how I long to dance, how splendidly I dance, and how they would enjoy dancing with me."

"[Andrew] danced, and had chosen Natasha because Pierre pointed her out to him and because she was the first pretty girl who caught his eye; but scarcely had he embraced that slender supple figure and felt her stirring so close to him and smiling so near him than the wine of her charm rose to his head, and he felt himself revived and rejuvenated when after leaving her he stood breathing deeply and watching the other dancers."