Pierre is once again depressed after the poor reception of the speech he made to the lodge and his visit with Basdeev, in which he is told that he must look to be a better Freemason. His mother-in-law comes to him in tears and pleads with him to reconcile with Helene, and so he grudgingly does. During Helene and Pierre's separation, Helene has been brilliantly successful in society. In Petersburg, she is now above reproach, even pitied and admired for her circumstance and her "brave" acceptance of her "cross"; her companionship is sought for by all. At this time, an absent-minded, eccentric husband is exactly what she needs to be a foil for her in the drawing room, so she wants him back. Boris is at Helene's house daily. Pierre doesn't.....
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