Chapter 8, pgs. 518 - 579 Summary

Alexander goes to the palace of the countess. His mistress, Madame Adelaide de Ronville lives in the palace. The countess usually selects a topic for her salons and then begins the debate. The evening's topic is freedom of speech, and Bobrov is part of the debate. He talks to the countess, who says he is not in her will but since he is having financial difficulties and is a relative, she will include him if he marries Tatiana.

Alexander does not know that the countess had dictated the letter from Tatiana giving him a deadline for his decision to marry her.

The meeting Alexander attends is that of the Freemasons.

The marriage of Alexander and Tatiana is happy at first, but after a few months he begins to attend the countess's salons alone. He still needs Adelaide. At about...