Calling on the Rostovs the following day, Andrey discovers that Natasha is even prettier in her everyday surroundings. Her singing brings tears to his eyes. In her company he is transported to a world where he forgets his dead Liza, where he can believe in happiness, strength, and freedom again.
Vera and Berg are having their first social evening and they invite Pierre. Their soirée is just as boring and as superficial as every other gathering and the newlyweds are delighted with their success. Pierre notices how dull Natasha seems, and how she becomes radiant when Prince Andrey arrives. Something serious is between them, he thinks to himself, and suddenly realizes his gladness is mixed with bitterness.
Old Bolkonsky is against his son's marrying Natasha. She lacks maturity as well as fortune, he thinks. Mainly he dislikes any change in the routine he has fixed for his old age. By way of compromise, Prince Andrey agrees to defer the marriage for one year. Meanwhile three weeks pass without Natasha having seen Andrey. Depressed and ambivalent, she prefers to remain a"girl-baby" one day, the next day she wishes to marry soon. In one of these childish moods, she confronts Prince Andrey at the door. Count Rostov accepts Bolkonsky's proposal, but Natasha is panic-stricken that she must wait a year for their marriage. Andrey does not wish a formal betrothal, for he leaves Natasha free to break her promise during the waiting period. He is afraid for her, thinking she is too young to know her own mind.
As Andrey visits the Rostovs each day, they come to accept him naturally. Natasha finds more to love and admire in him as they are together and their relationship is close and simple. When Bolkonsky is about to depart, he tells her to regard Pierre as a close friend and to confide in him if she has need. Deeply depressed after Andrey leaves, Natasha takes two weeks to become herself again.
