The eldest of three princesses, relatives of Count Bezukhov and Prince Vasili’s wife. Her sisters are called Olga and Sophia (the giggling one with the mole).
BOOK ONE
Book 1 Part 1
13 Jan: Chapter 13
Catiche and her sisters treat Pierre like “a corpse or a leper.” “If you wish to kill him” you can see your father, she tells him. A warm welcome from Pierre’s cousin, indeed.
18 Jan: Chapter 18
In her dark, cluttered room, she tells Prince Vasili that she has a “wicked heart” and one must be “cunning and cruel” in this world. And no one is worse than the “vile woman” Anna Mikhailovna, who has wormed herself into the household. She admits their is a will legitimised Pierre in an inland portfolio under the count’s pillow.
19 Jan: Chapter 19
Pierre and Anna Mikhailovna snatch a glimpse of the conspiratorial conversation between Prince Vasili and Katiche. A door is slammed by the princess with the “
wicked heart”.
20 Jan: Chapter 20
In the count’s room, she has a “vicious and determined” look about her. When the opportunity arises, she and Vasili make for the count’s pillow, where they hope to find the inlaid portfolio.
21 Jan: Chapter 21
Her rage reaches a fever pitch in the fight for the inlaid portfolio. “Intriguer” she shouts at Anna Mikhailovna. But her sister bursts into the room and distracts her, and her future falls to the floor. Her dagger eyes for Pierre are incomprehensible to our hapless hero: “Yes, now you may be glad! …this is what you have been waiting for.”
Book 1 Part 3
16 Feb: Chapter 1
She is now the “poor princess” who put up with so much from Pierre’s father. She seems so changed, that Pierre finds himself begging her forgiveness, without knowing what for. She has warmed to him and is now knitting him a scarf.
BOOK THREE
Book 3 Part 2
Chapter 18
Frightened about the approaching French army, Pierre’s cousin flees to Petersburg.