Les Nôtres (Bilibin's clique of diplomats) were happy to open their group to Andrei and they all chatted in Bilibin’s study. However, Andrei quickly took his leave for the royal reception. Emperor Francis met various officials en masse but later Andrei received a more private audience. Francis asked Andrei banal questions such as: How long was it since Andrei left the field? How was Kutuzov? and..At what time was General Schmiddt killed? Francis spoke as if it was his aim to ask questions...with the answers meaning very little.

Francis II presented Andrei with an award – Admission to the Maria Theresa Order of the 3rd Class. Andrei was soon surrounded by elites and received the attention he previously yearned for. He was now conflicted, coming to resent the splendor while men like Napoleon and Murat were in the field making a difference.

As Andrei walked back to Bilibin’s quarters after the ceremony, the dynamic changed when he observed his friend's coachman furiously packing. Bilibin relayed that Napoleon’s forces were marching toward Brünn. 

Bilibin, in his typical flair, references the historic affair at the Tabor Bridge, where French generals -- Joachim Murat and Jean Lannes -- conned their way across, along with a contingent of French forces.  Those defending the crossing, most notably Fürst Karl Joseph Franz von Auersperg, failed in their duty.  This allowed the French to take the entire capital of Vienna without a shot fired and place their army on same the side of the Danube as the retreating Austrians and Russians. In less than a month – the French would be encountered at Austerlitz.

Andrei envision what he must do - namely return to General Kutuzov to "save the army!" Bilibin implores Andrei to retreat to Olmütz, where the Austrian Court is headed, as there is no mandate for Andrei to immediately return to the front. Bilibin senses Kutuzov is facing decimation. Bilibin calls Andrei "un philosophe" a title for the kind of philosopher (usually French) ushering in a new age in the mold of Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot. Such persons have an obligation to protect themselves for the advancement of society. However, out of a sense of patriotism, bravado as well as the pull to live up the ideals his father instilled, Andrei sets out to return to his unit.