Summoned by Kutuzov, Prince Andrey observes the general as he waits to talk with him. Denisov, whom Bolkonsky recalls from his conversations with Natasha, comes to set forth a battle scheme for Kutuzov while the old man looks bored. Another general comes with another plan and Kutuzov barely listens. He despises intellect and knowledge, Bolkonsky thinks to himself, without lacking respect for patriotic sentiment or intellect. Out of his old age, out of his life's experience, Andrey observes to himself, Kutuzov realizes that the forces which control events are called into being by unforeseeable factors at the moment of action.
In a private talk with Kutuzov, Prince Andrey tells him he wishes to serve with his regiment. Counselors are easy to get, the old man answers, we need men in our regiments and they are scarce."Time and patience are the strongest warriors," Kutuzov tells Andrey, and he owes his victories against the Turks to these factors. Before this war is over, he says loudly, the French will"eat horseflesh," as the Turks did, and counselors will not help us bring that about.
Prince Andrey is reassured by Kutuzov's impersonal approach. He will put nothing of himself into the effort, will contrive nothing, will undertake everything, Bolkonsky thinks. He will hear everything, think of everything, put everything in its place, and will not allow anything that can do harm. He knows there is something stronger and more important than his will —"that is the inevitable march of events and he can see them, can grasp their significance . . . can abstain from meddling, from following his own will . . . ."
As if sparked by the nearness of danger, the social round in Moscow is more lively than ever that season. The Drubetskoys, soon to leave Moscow, give a farewell soirée and Pierre attends. Two items of gossip are outstanding: one is Rostov's rescue of Princess Marya, and the other, which makes Bezuhov blush, is Pierre's being a knight in shining armor to Natasha.
