Volume 3: Book 12 - Chapter 6

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv
Anna Ignátyevna Malvínyseva
Catherine Petróvna
Princess Mary Bolkónskaya

Location: 

Anna Ignátyevna Malvínyseva's house


The setting up of Mary and Nicholas has begun, and Nicholas visits Mary.  Mary blossoms into a beautiful woman upon meeting Nicholas again.  

As Mary's father died so recently, it is inappropriate for them to become betrothed, but Catherine and Anna keep relaying romantic information between the two of them. 

Nicholas is struggling, as even though he is in love with her, and doesn't think about her in the same terms as the targets of his flirtations, he also is unable to think of Mary as his wife.

Volume 3: Book 12 - Chapter 5

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv
Nikíta Ivánich and his wife
Anna Ignátyevna Malvínyseva
Catherine Petróvna

Location: 

Provincial Russia, Catherine Petróvna's house

Nicholas is called away from his shameless flirting to speak with Anna Ignátyevna Malvínyseva, who happens to be an aunt of Princess Mary Bolkonskaya. It also happens that Princess Mary is travelling with her aunt.

Nicholas and Anna speak briefly, and he is quickly dismissed.  Catherine Pretróvna calls Nicholas aside, and asks if he would like to be set up with Princess Mary.   Nicholas explains the complication of Sonya to her, but then concurs that he does like Princess Mary very much. 

Volume 3: Book 12 - Chapter 4

Characters Present:

Nicholas Rostóv
Catherine Petróvna

Location: 

Provincial Russia, Catherine Petróvna's house

Nicholas is released from the camps and fighting, and is sent to inspect provincial Russia, where he inspects local militias and buys horses. 

He is invited to Catherine Petróvna's house, and he arrives late, and finds that is an impromptu ball in progress. 

All of the women want his attention, but he ends up flirting with a plump blonde woman who is married.  Her husband is not pleased.