Part 4, Chapters 1-4 Summary

It's the beginning of 1806, and Nikolai comes home on leave. He brings his friend, Denisov, with him. His family is ecstatic at his arrival. Natasha hugs and kisses Denisov, much to everyone's surprise. Nikolai is struck by sixteen-year-old Sonya's beauty, but the two speak to each other as if they were strangers, which Vera points out. Nikolai is surprised to see how dashing a figure Denisov is in the drawing room, having only seen him on the battlefield. Nikolai is received as a hero at home and in Moscow. While home, Nikolai drifts further away from Sonya. Anna Mikhaylovna comes to visit and tells them that Pierre is very unhappy in his marriage. The Russian people are bewildered by news of the defeat at Austerlitz. The English Club, a Russian men's club of the elite, meets on the third...