War and Peace: Volume 2, Part 3: Chapters 11–17 Summary & Analysis

During the Rostovs’ two years in the country, their financial situation doesn’t improve. Though Nikolai keeps his promise not to drain his parents’ finances further, the family’s debts mount, and they eventually move to Petersburg so that Count Rostov can earn income from a government post. Soon after their move, Berg and Vera get engaged. In Moscow, the Rostovs had been members of high society. In Petersburg, however, the Rostovs seem like provincials to everyone else.

Boris, Pierre, and Berg all become regulars at the Rostovs’ suppers. Since surviving a couple of minor war injuries, Berg has become a captain of the guards and taken a profitable posting in Petersburg. Soon, he and Vera are engaged. Though Berg is the son of an obscure nobleman, it’s well known that the Rostovs’ affairs are in disarray, and also that Vera, now 24, has received no other proposals. Still, the Rostovs feel a bit ashamed of the couple’s engagement. Also, Count Rostov is painfully aware that he has no dowry to give his daughter. A few days before the wedding, Count Rostov has to give Berg a promissory note.

Natasha is now 16. Since she first kissed Boris four years ago, she hasn’t seen him once. She jokes about her childish promises with Boris, yet deep down, she’s tormented over them—were they sincere or not? Finally, when the Rostovs move to Petersburg, Boris visits them. Boris remembers Natasha with sincere affection, yet he considers himself a member of high society now, with excellent marriage prospects.

Boris still thinks of Natasha as a mischievous little girl, so when he sees how she’s matured, he’s pleasantly surprised. For her part, Natasha admires Boris’s newly refined manners and connections. Boris keeps resolving to have a talk with her, explaining that they have no future together, yet he can’t bring himself to do it. He visits more often and stops spending time at the Bezukhovs’.

One evening, Natasha bursts into Countess Rostov’s room, interrupting her mother’s bedtime prayers. Unable to scold her daughter—they both treasure these nighttime chats—Countess Rostov agrees to talk about Boris. She can see that Natasha has “turned [Boris’s] head,” but she also knows that Natasha doesn’t love him. This won’t do—it might harm Natasha’s chances with other suitors, and besides, it torments Boris for nothing. In fact, the next day, she has a talk with Boris to discourage him from visiting so often. Natasha thinks that nobody understands how she feels deep inside.

On New Year’s Eve, an old dignitary throws a ball. The diplomatic corps and the Emperor are to attend. Despite their fears of being excluded, the Rostovs are invited, too, because the Countess is friends with a lady-in-waiting of the old court. It’s Natasha’s first grand ball, and all day long, she’s been feverishly perfecting her mother’s, Sonya’s, and her own outfits.

Arriving at the ball, Natasha is bursting with barely suppressed excitement and delighted to overhear guests discussing her. Mme Peronsky points out the distinguished guests, including Countess Hélène Bezukhov, various foreign ambassadors, and Andrei Bolkonsky. Natasha remembers him from his visit to Otradnoe and is pleased to see him, but Mme Peronsky sniffs that he’s become insufferably prideful since befriending Speransky.

The orchestra strikes up a specially composed polonaise, and Emperor Alexander walks in with the host and hostess. Ladies, suddenly heedless of their dresses, press forward for a closer look. But Natasha doesn’t care about the sovereign. As couples pair off for the first dance, she stands breathless, terrified that nobody will ask her. As acquaintances walk by without acknowledging her, she’s about to cry.

After the polonaise, a waltz begins. The Rostovs are asked to step aside to make room. Eventually, Pierre walks up to Prince Andrei, who’s chatting with someone about politics, and asks him to dance with Miss Rostov. When Prince Andrei turns to look at Natasha, his face lights up; he remembers her as the lively young girl from Otradnoe. Natasha beams in turn, her expression saying, “I’ve been waiting a long time for you.” The couple begins to dance, cheerfully and gracefully. Though Hélène is more attractive, Natasha has a fresher, more vulnerable look on the dance floor and Andrei quickly finds her intoxicating.

After that, several young men ask Natasha to dance. Before supper, Prince Andrei dances with her again and tells her about the night at Otradnoe when he overheard her talking upstairs. He finds Natasha an enchanting departure from everyday society—her joy, shyness, and awkward French. Natasha says that she’s never enjoyed herself more in her life. Pierre, however, is having a gloomy evening, and Natasha, seeing his troubled expression, wishes she could give him some of her happiness.