The Countess Rostova and Anna Drubestkoya get to their brief discussion. Anna displays the art of asking for something, without directly asking. After some small talk, Anna divulges she needs 500 rubles to set her son up in the Imperial Guard. The money will be for uniforms and related equipment/supplies, which a recruit had to pay for. Officers could be expected to afford the expense as they were primarily from aristocratic circles while the general body of soldiers were taken from the Czar’s drafts and the recruitment of those without connections. 

The Countess and Anna both have their problems. Countess Rostova explains that hers come from keeping up with her lifestyle. She fears her husband may spend them out of house and home. In effect, it is a lot of work to keep up with appearances. Even ventures to the country, with the attendant flock of servants, are quite the ordeal. This is the life of someone well-propertied.

Anna’s problems are very different and more relatable. She explains the difficulty of being a widow whose assets are tied up in some type of lawsuit. She discusses how she loves her son to the point she will go to any length for him. In practical terms, she will write letters, meet ministers, travel far distances, in order to get Boris any opportunity. Still, Boris needs 500 rubles and her discretionary income consists of a 25 ruble note. Anna does not ask the Countess, but instead voices how Pierre’s father, Count Kirill, is Boris’s godfather. She notes that she will appeal to Count – even though there may be no appeal to make as the old Count may have lost competency. She laments how the Count is at the end of his life with such a great estate and so much overflow while Boris is at the beginning of his journey. She doesn't want her financial status to his launch into life.

As Anna takes her leave and she runs into Count Rostov. He notes that since Anna is going to see Count Kirill, Anna should ask Pierre to come to the Rostovs for a more private dinner.