Part 3, Chapters 17-19 Summary

Rostov is thrilled at the prospect of taking part in a general engagement. He runs into Boris, who has taken part in a battle, in the front line, and has won his battle. Suddenly, mayhem ensues, and shouts that the Germans have turned against them ring in the air. Rostov has been told that he can deliver a message to the Tsar, but when he gets to the village to do so, the Tsar has fled for safety. Rostov refuses to believe that Tsar Alexander would flee the battle. He thinks that the Tsar is wounded and so feels depressed. He rides his horse about two miles off and comes across Tsar Alexander in the middle of a field with one of his attendants. Like a person in love, he can't think of what to say, so he rides...