Meanwhile, financial troubles force Count Rostov to resign as marshal of the province, a position that demands extravagant entertaining. As debts continue to pile up, the parents only hope to prevent the ruin of their children's fortunes by having Nikolay marry an heiress. Countess Rostov and Julie Kuragin's mother agree to match their children, but nothing comes of it. Natasha meantime becomes visibly depressed, although Prince Andrey is not expected back for another six months. Life at the Rostovs loses its gaiety.
Christmas week restores some of the festive spirit, but Natasha is bored by the third day."I want him," she grimly tells her mother, and nothing interests her. Nikolay, Sonya, and Natasha spend an evening in their favorite corner reminiscing on their childhood. When Natasha begins to sing for the family, the countess cries. She feels there"is too much of something" in her daughter, and it will prevent her being happy.
The arrival of holiday mummers interrupts the singing. Inspired, the children dress themselves in costumes and decide to call on their neighbors. During the drive, Nikolay finds Sonya more attractive than ever, and he seeks a private moment to embrace her and renew his promises.
When they return home, Sonya and Natasha discuss their future husbands. They set up mirrors in the traditional manner for divining the future, but Natasha sees nothing. Sonya says she sees Prince Andrey. He is lying down, she reports to the now pale-faced Natasha. Confused as to the truth of her vision, Sonya says he is not ill, that he looks cheerful. Natasha, however, is too frightened to sleep that night and lies motionless for a long time, staring into the dark.
Nikolay tells his parents he will marry no one but Sonya. The count feels guilty that he cannot afford this happy match for his son, while the countess blames her niece and calls her an"intriguing creature." Sonya has torn loyalties: She wants to make Nikolay happy but realizes she owes a debt to the Rostovs. Natasha's diplomacy finally calms them down, although the countess is quite ill from mental anguish. Nikolay returns to his regiment in January, while his father plans to move to Moscow to sell his estates. Natasha at this time is filled with self-pity and she is angry that her fiancé can enjoy the pleasures of being abroad while she must languish at home.
