Book Two: 1805 - Chapter XI

by Leo Tolstoy

　　Next day he woke late. Recalling his recent impressions, the firstthought that came into his mind was that today he had to bepresented to the Emperor Francis; he remembered the Minister of War,the polite Austrian adjutant, Bilibin, and last night'sconversation. Having dressed for his attendance at court in fullparade uniform, which he had not worn for a long time, he went intoBilibin's study fresh, animated, and handsome, with his hand bandaged.In the study were four gentlemen of the diplomatic corps. WithPrince Hippolyte Kuragin, who was a secretary to the embassy,Bolkonski was already acquainted. Bilibin introduced him to theothers.

　　The gentlemen assembled at Bilibin's were young, wealthy, gaysociety men, who here, as in Vienna, formed a special set whichBilibin, their leader, called les notres.* This set, consisting almostexclusively of diplomats, evidently had its own interests which hadnothing to do with war or politics but related to high society, tocertain women, and to the official side of the service. Thesegentlemen received Prince Andrew as one of themselves, an honor theydid not extend to many. From politeness and to start conversation,they asked him a few questions about the army and the battle, and thenthe talk went off into merry jests and gossip.

　　*Ours.

　　"But the best of it was," said one, telling of the misfortune of afellow diplomat, "that the Chancellor told him flatly that hisappointment to London was a promotion and that he was so to regard it.Can you fancy the figure he cut?..."

　　"But the worst of it, gentlemen- I am giving Kuragin away to you- isthat that man suffers, and this Don Juan, wicked fellow, is takingadvantage of it!"

　　Prince Hippolyte was lolling in a lounge chair with his legs overits arm. He began to laugh.

　　"Tell me about that!" he said.

　　"Oh, you Don Juan! You serpent!" cried several voices.

　　"You, Bolkonski, don't know," said Bilibin turning to Prince Andrew,"that all the atrocities of the French army (I nearly said of theRussian army) are nothing compared to what this man has been doingamong the women!"

　　"La femme est la compagne de l'homme,"* announced PrinceHippolyte, and began looking through a lorgnette at his elevated legs.

　　*"Woman is man's companion."

　　Bilibin and the rest of "ours" burst out laughing in Hippolyte'sface, and Prince Andrew saw that Hippolyte, of whom- he had toadmit- he had almost been jealous on his wife's account, was thebutt of this set.

　　"Oh, I must give you a treat," Bilibin whispered to Bolkonski."Kuragin is exquisite when he discusses politics- you should see hisgravity!"

　　He sat down beside Hippolyte and wrinkling his forehead begantalking to him about politics. Prince Andrew and the others gatheredround these two.

　　"The Berlin cabinet cannot express a feeling of alliance," beganHippolyte gazing round with importance at the others, "withoutexpressing... as in its last note... you understand... Besides, unlessHis Majesty the Emperor derogates from the principle of ouralliance...

　　"Wait, I have not finished..." he said to Prince Andrew, seizing himby the arm, "I believe that intervention will be stronger thannonintervention. And..." he paused. "Finally one cannot impute thenonreceipt of our dispatch of November 18. That is how it will end."And he released Bolkonski's arm to indicate that he had now quitefinished.

　　"Demosthenes, I know thee by the pebble thou secretest in thy goldenmouth!" said Bilibin, and the mop of hair on his head moved withsatisfaction.

　　Everybody laughed, and Hippolyte louder than anyone. He wasevidently distressed, and breathed painfully, but could not restrainthe wild laughter that convulsed his usually impassive features.

　　"Well now, gentlemen," said Bilibin, "Bolkonski is my guest inthis house and in Brunn itself. I want to entertain him as far as Ican, with all the pleasures of life here. If we were in Vienna itwould be easy, but here, in this wretched Moravian hole, it is moredifficult, and I beg you all to help me. Brunn's attractions must beshown him. You can undertake the theater, I society, and you,Hippolyte, of course the women."

　　"We must let him see Amelie, she's exquisite!" said one of "ours,"kissing his finger tips.

　　"In general we must turn this bloodthirsty soldier to more humaneinterests," said Bilibin.

　　"I shall scarcely be able to avail myself of your hospitality,gentlemen, it is already time for me to go," replied Prince Andrewlooking at his watch.

　　"Where to?"

　　"To the Emperor."

　　"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Well, au revoir, Bolkonski! Au revoir, Prince! Comeback early to dinner," cried several voices. "We'll take you in hand."

　　"When speaking to the Emperor, try as far as you can to praise theway that provisions are supplied and the routes indicated," saidBilibin, accompanying him to the hall.

　　"I should like to speak well of them, but as far as I the facts, Ican't," replied Bolkonski, smiling.

　　"Well, talk as much as you can, anyway. He has a passion forgiving audiences, but he does not like talking himself and can't doit, as you will see."