Part 15, Chapters 1-8 Summary

Natasha and Maria find comfort in being together, though they don't talk much and avoid all references to the future. Natasha's health is failing again, and Maria asks the count and countess if Natasha can come with her to Moscow. They agree. Later in the day, news of Petya's death arrives. The countess is so distraught that she refuses to believe her precious Petya is dead. She shrieks and howls and won't eat or sleep. For three days Natasha never leaves her side but beckons her back to living. Maria puts off her departure to help at the Rostovs. She notices that Natasha is not well, having slept little and not taken care of herself. She puts Natasha to bed in the middle of the day. They leave for Moscow at the end of January.

Kutuzov wants to slow...