When Love Meets Money — War and Peace

Soon after the holidays Nicholas tells his mother he will marry Sónya. The countess, who has long expected the declaration, says he may wed whom he pleases but neither she nor his father will bless a dowerless match. Coldly, without looking at him, she sends for her husband, tries to inform him in their son's presence, then bursts into tears of vexation and leaves. The old count admonishes irresolutely. Nicholas will not go back on his word. The count, always conscious of having wasted the fortune with Mítenka and his own habits, cannot be angry, only more vividly aware that if affairs were in order no better wife than Sónya could be wished for.

A few days later the countess sends for Sónya and, with a cruelty neither expected, reproaches her for catching Nicholas and for ingratitude. Sónya listens with downcast eyes, ready to sacrifice everything, yet cannot see what she ought to sacrifice when Nicholas's happiness depends on their love. Nicholas implores his mother to consent, then threatens secret marriage if she molests Sónya. She answers with a coldness he has never seen that he is of age, that Prince Andrew is marrying without his father's consent, but she will never receive that intriguer as her daughter. He explodes at the word. Natásha, pale, enters from the door where she has been listening, drowns his voice, and stops the rupture before the decisive word that would remain a cruel memory.

A fragile truce holds: Sónya shall not be troubled; Nicholas will undertake nothing without his parents' knowledge. Firmly resolved to put his regimental affairs in order, retire, and return to marry, he leaves in early January, serious, sorrowful, and at variance with them. The house grows more depressing. The countess falls ill from agitation. The town house and estate near Moscow must be sold, but her health delays departure. Natásha, once light under separation, grows impatient; Andrew's interesting letters irritate her because he is living while she only waits, and her own letters feel a wearisome obligation the countess corrects for spelling. At last the countess remains in the country and the count takes Sónya and Natásha to Moscow at the end of January.