Chapter 19
The day after the ball, Andrew catches up with several families, including the Rostovs. He decides that, contrary to his previous judgements, they are kindly simple folk who do not understand the treasure they have in Natasha. She sings for him, and he goes home feeling optimistic about the future, and planning to get a tutor for his son.
Chapter 20
Berg goes to see Pierre and invites him and Helene to a housewarming party. He'd previously asked Helene and she'd refused. The narration makes it clear that this was needlessly cruel, especially since Berg is willing to go to some trouble to be hospitable.
Waiting for the party to stand, Berg explains his theory of friends to Vera. You should always try to be friends with people above you, which I'm pretty sure is also the theory espoused by Miracle Morning. Both Berg and Vera think the other is silly, but at least they agree on waiting to have children. Pierre arrives, and Vera tries to entertain him with talk of the French Embassy while Berg tries to have a masculine conversation on the question of war with Austria, at the exact same time. Other guests arrive, including Darling Bory and Count Ilya Rostov and family. Vera and Berg are pleased with how much their party resembles other housewarming parties.
Chapter 21
Pierre sits down to play boston (from context, a card game) with Count Rostov, a general, and a colonel. He's directly opposite Natasha, and is suddenly struck by how different she is from how she seemed at the ball. She's quieter, and almost plain, and seems indifferent to her surroundings. She's sitting with Vera and Bory. However, when Prince Andrew arrives, she is lit by the glow of an inner fire, and again the girl at the ball. When Prince Andrew comes to talk to Pierre, Pierre notices similar changes in him. He realises something very important is happening between Natasha and Andrew, and is struck by a painful, joyful feeling. Vera has also noticed and grabs Prince Andrew to discuss his feeling about her sister. Pierre is released from the card game, and notices that Andrew seems embarrassed by the conversation. Vera is asking Andrew whether he believes Natasha is capable of true love, and telling him about her childish love affair with Bory. Andrew quickly grabs Pierre and changes the subject, then leaves him to return to Natasha. Pierre is then grabbed by Berg. The only thing missing from this party, as far as Berg can tell, is a loud debate amongst the men of something important and clever. The general has begun such a discussion, and Berg is taking Pierre to join in.
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