BOOK THREE
Book Three, Part Two
Chapter 9
The serfs of Bogucharovo are in revolt. With the Cossacks pillaging the countryside, the peasants decide to welcome the French and refuse to help Marya leave for Moscow. Alpatych remonstrates with Dron, the village Elder and warns of his wizarding powers. The serfs dig in, and Alpatych unloads his own cart to provide the princess with horses.
Chapter 10
Marya summons Dron, who tells her there are no horses and the peasants are dying of hunger. She authorises him to distribute their reserves, and Dron pleads to be discharged from her service.
Chapter 11
Marya’s maid, Dunyasha, tells her that the peasants have assembled and wish to speak with her. Her maid and her nanny tell her not to see them, but she goes with Dron to the barn. She tells them the grain is not a bribe to stay and that they will have food and housing near Moscow. The peasants say they do not want her grain and will not leave. Defeated, Marya returns to her room and her thoughts.
Chapter 14
Pulsating with impetuous rage, Nikolai Rostov storms off to speak with the peasants. He has Karp, the ringleader, and Dron tied up. Marya gets Dron released to help get their possessions onto the carts.