On his return as a lieutenant in a fancy military jacket laced with silver as well as possessing a St. George’s Cross for bravery, Nicholas is treated magnificently. Nicholas gets used to it and develops an ego that leaves him open to being taken advantage of. The finances of his aristocratic family are brought out, noting how his affable father, Ilya, was bestowing a trove on his Prodigal son, as well as other celebratory events after remortgaging his estates. Illya purchased his son a fine horse that could enter races and also the most fashionable outfits.

With his new look and demeanor, Nicholas would be seen at the elite social events. He also visited a woman on the boulevard…a fairly clear reference to a prostitute. He relished being home as a young man aware of the world. He left behind childish things, such as once feeling disconcerted about sneaking around his mansion kissing Sonya. He also visited the historical English Club – a social institution started by English merchants around 1770 that gathered at various stately houses. Men used the Club to socialize, drink, gamble and make connections. Tolstoy, Pushkin and Nikolai Gogol were members. Gogol is a writer with Ukrainian roots, from a Cossack family, which both Ukraine & Russia claim as theirs.

Like much of Moscow, Rostov’s passion for the Czar cooled but he still expressed that there was something in his feelings for Alexandr that could not be understood by others. Rostov drifted even away further from Sonya, as Tolstoy expertly catches the nature of a young man who must have his freedom. He knew there were more women to know and Love would come later.

It was now early March, and Ilya is arranging a dinner in honor of General Bagration at the aforementioned English Club. Ilya is presented as a long-time member.

This celebration for actually happened and it is important to recognize why. The reason was that Bagration was viewed as the saving grace of the recent war. Tolsoty reveals how the news of Austerlitz traveled. High Society had generally been accustomed to victories, especially from era of Catherine the Great & General Suvorov, where the triumphs were common over the Ottomans and Poles. On receiving news of the absolute defeat at Austerlitz – much of Moscow did not believe it or chose not to. However, the truth could not be contained. When it spread, it had to be dealt with.

Blame was cast on many, including Kutuzov. Many felt it was the general’s age, health, and lack of ingenuity that led to defeat. More quietly blame was cast the Czar, by way of his youth, inexperience and trust in worthless advisors. Still, a good portion considered Alexandr as the “angel incarnate.” Most vocally, the Austrians were blamed.

The public felt compelled to throw their support behind the army. Some were singled out for having performed miracles of valor. The chief hero of was General Bagration, hailed for his effort at Schön Grabern and command of the rear-guard. It also helped that Moscow’s new hero was a stranger to the City. Tolstoy has the fictional diplomat, Shinshin, parody the master of satire, Voltaire by voicing, “Had there been no Bagration, it would have been necessary to invent him.” The original quote was “Had there been no God, it would have been necessary to invent him.” The Frenchman reached something profound in few words.

Tales of valor of numerous men were embellished and spread and characters like Rostov, Boris and Berg symbolized that wave. One may have saved a standard, another had reportedly killed five Frenchmen, while another was said to fight valiantly with an injury.

There is a reference that nobody spoke of Andrei. Reports were that he was killed, leaving a pregnant wife with his eccentric father. Tolstoy references Andrei to symbolize the many, with such promise, who were wasted.

This chapter plays up the elaborateness of the preparation for the event at the English Club, going through the choice of cook, food and entertainment. Nicholas jokes with his father that Bagration prepared less for battle at Schön Grabern. Ilya tells his son to go to Pierre’s, invite him and obtain the best fruit – strawberries and pineapples, as they are not available anywhere else.

Anna Drubetskaya shows up and introduces the sordid affair that Pierre is affected by. There is a rumor that Dolokhov, who survived Austerlitz, is having an affair with Helene, Pierre’s wife. Helene, has always been presented as the type of woman who is a snare -- something of Delilah to the Biblical Sampson. She reveals that Pierre gave Dolokhov a place to stay upon his return and was betrayed. This has filled Pierre with a rage of biblical proportions.

We are brought to early 1806, where Tolstoy uses Nicholas and Denisov to transition the story to Peace. Rostov has went from witnessing Czar Alexander crying under a tree near Austerlitz to returning to his Moscow estate. This chapter addresses his warm embrace.

Nicholas was traveling with Denisov, who is partially based on the literary Hussar, Dennis Davydov. Rostov persuaded Denisov to accompany him and the wild hussar enjoyed a great deal of wine on the journey. During the home stretch, it meant a great deal for Rostov to notice recognizable streets, stores and most especially his mansion. Rostov runs into the Great Hall but his family already retired. When servants notice Nicholas, they become elated. Word spread like joyful lightening and from all angles Rostov was attacked with hugs, kisses and shouts of ecstasy. The initial welcome included his father, Natasha, Vera, Sonya and little Petya, who clutched his brother’s leg. Finally, the entire hold household was flocking the room, including maids, serfs and footman.

Tolstoy’s attention focuses on Sonya, now 16 and noted to be radiant. She looked eagerly at Nicholas and waited for an unspoken signal. At last, Rostov’s mother approached with uncharacteristic quick steps. He ran to her and when they met, she fell on his chest, sobbing. Denisov was overcome with emotion and wiped away tears. The family knew Denisov from letters and Natasha soon lunged at the Captain and delivered a hug and a kiss. It was a glorious moment that ended when the soldiers went off to bed.

The travelers slept until ten the next morning. It was as if they were sleeping off the ill affects of war. Petya woke them up, breaching decorum by entering the room and exposing Denisov in his sleeping attire. Petya was soon playing with his brother’s saber and Natasha put on his spurred boots. The men were waited on hand and foot, including servants fetching hot water for shaving and providing a clean supply of clothes. Rostov felt the love and his childlike and soulful smile returned.

A little later Natasha delivers a selfless message from Sonya, who Tolstoy uses to illustrate a most pure love. He is bestowed the type of affection a young man is fortunate to have but apt be careless with. Nicholas is ready to take on life and whatever else is bound to come his way.

Natasha explains, in a childlike way, how devoted Sonya remains. Sonya has made it clear that she will always love Nicholas, but frees him of any obligations from previous vows. Tolstoy imbues her with wisdom beyond her years. Nicholas realizes that there are so many other pleasures before him and it is right to remain free.

When Nicholas turns the tables and inquires of Natasha’s interest in Boris, Natasha brushes off any previous commitment. She does not think about Boris or anyone else in that way. She is now enamored with a celebrity dancer and wants to pursue dancing as her passion. She then demonstrates some amateurish steps and changes the topic to inquire of Denisov.

When Rostov again meets Sonya in the drawing room in the presence of the rest of the family, Rostov did not know how to behave. He felt a different type of nervousness than on the battlefield but it was still very real. He kissed her hand and addressed her with an uncharacteristic formalness. Her eyes begged forgiveness for having dared, through Natasha, to remind Nicholas of his promise. His eyes thanked Sonya for offering him his freedom and relayed that, in one way but likely not the another, he would never cease to love her.

It was his eldest sister Vera, the un-beloved member of the family, who announces …. “How strange it is that Sonya and Nicholas now use formal terms to address one another… and meet like strangers.”

Vera’s remark was correct, as her remarks always were, but, like most of her observations, it made everyone feel uncomfortable.