- Boris is totally humiliated by this whole trip but goes along with it for his mom’s sake.
- When they get to Count Bezukhov’s house, they are almost not allowed inside, but the Princess sweet-talks the porter into letting them see Prince Vassily.
- Prince Vassily immediately starts lording it over the Princess and her son. But they play along and suck up to him as much as possible.
- Mostly the conversation is about Count Bezukhov’s health. Is he really ill? Yes. Close to death? Yes.
- All this small talk is strategic: with every question the Princess maneuvers herself and Boris farther into the room. She’s a master – it’s kind of amazing.
- Finally, as if overcome by grief, she sits down in a chair. Prince Vassily kind of gives up trying to give them the bum’s rush at this point, and is just kind of “whatever.”
- The Princess says she is going to go talk to Count Bezukhov, and sends Boris to hang out with Pierre and invite him over to the Rostovs’.
- Prince Vassily is all, yes, please get this guy off my hands, he’s just in the way here and Count Bezukhov hasn’t asked to see him.