Chapter 10
This chapter is entirely Pierre's diary. He's living like a monk, or trying to, while his wife hosts frequent parties. Darling Bory joins the Freemasons, and Pierre is pretty sure it's for social-climbing purposes and tries to overcome his hatred towards him. He dreams about Joseph Alexeevich frequently, including one dream where he admits that he is living with his wife, but chastely, and Joseph tells him it is a sin to deny a wife her husband's embrace.
Chapter 11
The Rostov's debts are increasing each year, because, while Nikolai has kept to his vow to life frugally, no one else is. The old Count, Ilya Rostov, has come to St Petersburg to find an official post. While the Rostov's belong to the best society in Moscow, this is not so much the case in St Petersburg. Darling Bory, Pierre, and Berg become frequent visitors, Pierre by literally being dragged off the street by Ilya. Berg is paying a lot of attention to Vera, the eldest daughter. He's now a decorated (and boastful) soldier, so I guess it's a good match. Berg vowed to marry Vera Rostova four years ago, and is now ready to propose. The Rostov's aren't terribly impressed by the match, but Berg is so positive that it's a good thing that he's very convincing. Also, they're broke, and Vera is 24 and yet to be proposed to, so they agree to it, but feel guilty about it. Berg is very flattering about Vera but is, I think, the first character to dislike Natasha, who he considers unpleasant, and lacking the intelligence of Vera.
There's a week to go until the wedding, and Count Ilya still hasn't decided on Vera's dowry. Three estates were put aside, but one has been sold and another is mortgaged and so much in arrears that it will also have to be sold. A few days before the wedding, Berg asks him straight out, and says he will have to break off the marriage if he can't be assured of having definite means to maintain his wife. Eventually, the count promises 80,000 rubles. Berg is happy with this, but says he must receive at least 20,000 in cash and the rest can be a note of hand for 60,000, and Count Ilya says he'll give him 20,000 in cash and a note of hand for 80,000. It'll be interesting to see how he manages that.
Chapter 12
Natasha is now 16, and hasn't seen Darling Bory since they were kissing behind her mother's back. She's tormented by whether his talk of engagement was a childish play or a binding promise. She knows Bory has been nearby, and the way her elders talk of him implies that he doesn't want to see them, or her. Bory's mother, Anna Mikhaylovna, is also visiting less frequently.
Bory finally appears again, with the firm intention of passing the talk of engagement off as childish play. He owes his position in society to the patronage of Countess Bezukhova (Helene), and is planning to marry one of the richest heiresses in St Petersburg. That's until he sees Natasha, who is now a stunning young woman. Still, Bory vows not to give in to his feelings, because he can't marry a poor woman and he can't toy with her feelings without intending to marry her. That doesn't keep him from visiting again a few days later, or from coming back again and again. Neither he nor Natasha refer to their childish games, instead living in the present. Helene starts sending reproachful notes everyday, but he still ignores her to spend time with the Rostovs.
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