Nikolay has orders to purchase horses in the district of Voronezh and he departs a few days before Borodino takes place. After the first day, with the horses chosen and contracted for, Nikolay is free to pursue his social life and attends a ball. He also calls on an aunt of Princess Marya and tells her what is in his heart: that he has promised to marry his penniless cousin Sonya, that he admires Marya but will not marry her for her wealth. The aunt promises to be tactful about the whole matter, especially since her niece is still in mourning.
Two days later, Nikolay and Marya have an impressive meeting. Filled with love and joy at his presence, she becomes transformed into a lovely woman whose face reflects the beauty of her soul; on his part, Nikolay regrets his promise to Sonya. At this point he gratefully receives a letter from home. Sonya writes to free him of his promise, and his mother tells him that Andrey is traveling with them, nursed by Natasha and Sonya. With this news of her brother, Princess Marya regards Nikolay almost as a kinsman.
Pierre believes he is sentenced to death along with the other incendiaries with whom he has been imprisoned for a week. Because he has refused to divulge any information about himself, he is sent to General Davoust, a man known for his cruelty, for further questioning. Here Pierre tells his name and states he is not a spy. At one point during the interview, he and Davoust exchange a long look. At once a relationship springs between them; their look is an acknowledgment of their common humanity. Led to the firing squad among five other prisoners, Pierre is ready to die and watches as each man is methodically shot. But he himself is led away. That he has again the gift of life means nothing to him now; he feels himself dead inside, with all his faith in human life destroyed by that disciplined machinery that has had the other innocent prisoners killed.
