Prince Andrew hides away because he is worried about going to war and possibly about leaving his wife, and he doesn't want to show weakness. Marya finds him, and through their conversation we learn that both Michael Ivanovitch and Mademoiselle Bourienne are Prince Nick's charity cases, which is what he likes about them. They remind him of his own innate goodness. Marya has inherited this; she loves Lisa because Lisa is such a sweet innocent child and she feels sorry for her. Marya also likes her charity cases. Andrew has an ironical and contemptuous look at this.
They move to talking about Prince Nick; Marya has been trying to convert him to religion. She doesn't understand why such a smart man can't see the obvious (the obvious being that God exists and everyone should be Christian, apparently). She makes Andrew kiss an icon, which he does, because he loves her.
Lisa has been crying to Marya about being unhappy. Andrew retorts that he has nothing to reproach himself with and has not reproached his wife. He just doesn't love her. Marya thinks he should ask God about that. Andrew goes to see Lisa, meeting mademoiselle Bourienne along the way; it is implied that she has been stalking with him to flirt with him. He looks at her with contempt and she leaves. He catches Lisa practicing telling stories, so that maybe she'll be charming and funny and everyone will her next time, and it's just so sad.
Prince Andrew is very kind; he comes and strokes her hair. Then he goes to say goodbye to his father and leave instructions for Lisa's confinement. He insists that they bring in a proper Moscow doctor. Nick rolls his eyes but agrees. They do a bit of male-bonding over having a wife, and Prince Nick gives Andrew a letter for Michael Ilariovich/Kuzukov, who will be above him when he gets to the army. He is to be promoted as soon as possible, and Nick tells him not to serve under anyone he doesn't like. I so badly want to see what happens when this privileged rich kid ends up in an active warzone. Nick also gives his son a copy of his memoirs, to be delivered to the emperor on Nick's death. He ends with (paraphrased) "come back with your shield or on it". In return, Andrew asks that, if he is killed, and he has a son, have him raised in Bald Hills rather than with his mother. Andrew leaves with his father shouting 'good-by' at him, only to run into his wife, who faints, and his sister. Nick may have shouted Andrew out of the room so no one would see him cry; he's blowing his nose a lot.
After Andrew's said goodbye to Marya and left, Nick looks out to confirm he's gone and gives Lisa a dirty look. How dare she be unconscious while carrying his grandchild, potentially grandson? Or is just that it's an unscheduled fainting fit? I don't even know. I wonder what he'll do if she fails to give birth on her due date? This family are a massive bunch of dicks, but at least one of them is entertaining. I feel sorry for Lisa; she's reminding me a lot of Isabella Linton, the woman Heathcliff married instead of Cathy. I am of the firm opinion that Heathcliff and Cathy should have just married each other and made only two people miserable instead of the entire cast.
...and that's the end of part 1! We're 10% through this doorstop!
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