The battle of Borodino is over, neither side having the energy to fight on. The loss of life has been as considerable as Kutuzov predicted. Pierre makes his way back to Moscow where he hears a proclamation stating that Moscow will be defended after all. Summoned to see Rostopchin, he learns that the speech was made in order to stem civilian panic and that the Governor is getting ready to leave. Rostopchin advises Pierre to leave the city, but he decides to remain in order to confront Napoleon, believing that their destinies are somehow inextricably linked - a view which he had derived from an interpretation of Revelation. Meanwhile, at the Rostov household, everyone is packing, when Natasha observes a seemingly endless line of Russian soldiers streaming out of the city....