We are still with Pierre and Prince Andrew; the latter is counselling the former against marriage. Prince Andrew envies Bonparte's freedom to pursue a goal without a woman hanging around his neck like a millstone. Like he'd be Emperor of France if only he were single. Poor little princeling.
Prince Andrew's current passion to be single is contrasted with how very languid he was at the party. Which, to be fair, sounded like a very dull party.
Pierre has always been a bit jealous of Andrew, so he doesn't quite understand what he's whining about. Andrew also disapproves of the Kuragins, including Anatole (who I am still fond of, so far). Pierre agrees not to hang out with them, at least for now (despite the fact that he's staying with them).
Chapter IX
Pierre immediately changes his mind about hanging out with Anatole, because he remembers that Anatole is fun. Also, he already promised Anatole that he would attend, so he can't go back on that even though he just swore that he would. The narrative calls him a "weak character". He was raised by wolves, what do you expect?
Anatole is playing cards and drinking; Pierre is far too sober, so they fix that. Anatole has been playing with Dolokhov, who is poor, but usually wins so it doesn't matter. He and Anatole are famous playboys, or rather, "rakes and scapegraces". I know 'rake' refers to men who carelessly impregnate women, but who knows what a scapegrace is? Google says 'rascal'. Anyway, they've decided to break a window because they can't sit comfortably on the sill and the footmen couldn't open it wide enough. Dolokhov is now betting that he can sit outside on the sloping ledge and drink a bottle of rum. Sounds like life in uni halls.
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