The soirée at Anna Pavlovna's salon continues to fill with guests. Social protocol dictates that everyone must pay respects to her elderly aunt, a task that none of the guests particularly enjoy but understand as part of the evening's etiquette. As the evening progresses, the conversation shifts to more personal matters. Pierre Bezukhov, the illegitimate son of Count Cyril Bezukhov, arrives at the gathering. Despite his education abroad, Pierre displays a lack of social grace, inadvertently offending the guests by neglecting to acknowledge Anna Pavlovna's aunt and engaging in lengthy political discussions with Anna, thereby monopolizing her attention.

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky, who is also present, observes the interactions with a sense of detachment. He is disillusioned with the superficiality of high society and feels constrained by his domestic life. His wife, Lise, is pregnant and somewhat neglected, which adds to his sense of dissatisfaction. During the evening, Prince Andrei shares his frustrations with Pierre, expressing a desire to escape the confines of his current life. He hints at his intention to join the military campaign against Napoleon, seeking a purpose beyond the social circles they inhabit.

The chapter highlights the contrasts between the characters: Pierre's awkwardness and earnestness, Anna Pavlovna's social maneuvering, and Prince Andrei's yearning for meaning beyond the superficialities of aristocratic life. Their interactions set the stage for the unfolding narrative, where personal aspirations and societal expectations will collide.