Both letters were written from Tróitsa. The other, from the countess, described their last days in Moscow, their departure, the fire, and the destruction of all their property. In this letter the countess also mentioned that Prince Andréy was among the wounded traveling with them; his state was very critical, but the doctor said there was now more hope. Sónya and Natásha were nursing him.

Next day Nikoláy took his mother’s letter and went to see Princess Márya. Neither he nor she said a word about what “Natásha nursing him” might mean, but thanks to this letter Nikoláy suddenly became almost as intimate with the princess as if they were relations.

The following day he saw Princess Márya off on her journey to Yaroslávl, and a few days later left to rejoin his regiment.