The next day, he woke up late. Resuming the impression of the past, he remembered, first of all, that today he had to introduce himself to Emperor Franz, remembered the Minister of War, the polite Austrian adjutant, Bilibin and the conversation last night. Having dressed for a trip to the palace in full dress uniform, which he hadn't worn for a long time, he, fresh, lively and beautiful, with his hand tied up, entered Bilibin's office. In the office there were four gentlemen of the diplomatic corps. Prince Ippolit Kuragin, who was the secretary of the embassy, was familiar with Bolkonsky; he was introduced to others by Bilibin.
The gentlemen who visited Bilibin's house, who were secular, young, rich and merry, formed a separate circle in Vienna and here, which Bilibin, the former head of this circle, called ours, les nôtres. Almost exclusively made up of diplomats, this circle seemed to have its own interests, which had nothing to do with war and politics, the interests of the high society, the relationship with some women and the clerical side of the service. These gentlemen seemed willing to accept Prince Andrei as their own (the honour they did for a few). Out of courtesy, and as an object of conversation, he was asked a few questions about the army and the battle, and the conversation again fell apart into incoherent funny jokes and gossip.
- But especially well," one said, telling the failure of his fellow diplomat, "it was especially good that the chancellor had told him directly that his appointment to London was a promotion and that he should look at it that way. Do you see his figure at the same time?
- But what's worse, gentlemen, I'm giving you Kuragina: a man in misery, and that's what this Donjuan, this terrible man, is using!
Prince Hippolyte was lying in a Voltaire chair, with his feet through the handle. He laughed.
- Parlez-moi de ça 1," he said.
- Oh Donjuan! About the snake! - voices were heard.
- You don't know, Bolkonsky," said Bilibin to Prince Andrei, "that all the horrors of the French army (I almost told the Russian army) were nothing compared to what that man had done between women.
- La femme est la compagne de l'homme 2," said Prince Hippolyte, looking at the lorgnette at his raised legs.
Bilibin and ours laughed, looking into the eyes of Hippolyte. Prince Andrei saw that this Hippolyte, whom he (he had to admit) was almost jealous of his wife, was a jester in this society.
- No, I have to treat you to Kuragin," said Bilibin quietly to Bolkonsky. - He's adorable when he's talking about politics, you have to see this importance.
He sat down with Hippolyte and, having gathered his folds on his forehead, started a conversation with him about politics. Prince Andrei and others have made a step back from both.
- Le cabinet de Berlin ne peut pas exprimer un sentiment d'alliance," Hippolyte began, looking back at everyone, "sans exprimer... comme dans sa dernière note... vous comprenez... vous comprenez... et puis si sa Majesté l'Empereur ne déroge pas au principe de notre alliance... 3
- Attendez, je n'ai pas fini. - he said to Prince Andrei, grabbing his hand. - Je suppose que l'intervention sera plus forte que la non-intervention. Et... - He was silent. - On ne pourra pas imputer à la fin de non-recevoir notre dépêche du 28 novembre. Voilà comment tout cela finira 4.
And he let go of Bolkonsky's hand, showing that he was completely finished.
- Démosthène, je te reconnais au caillou que tu as caché dans ta bouche d'or! 5" said Bilibin, who had a cap of hair that moved over his head with pleasure.
Everyone laughed. Hippolyte laughed the loudest. He must have suffered, suffocated, but couldn't resist the wild laughter that always kept his face still.
- Well, here's what, gentlemen," said Bilibin. - Bolkonsky is my guest in the house and here in Brunn, and I want to give him as much as I can with all the joys of life here. If we had been in Vienna it would have been easy; but here, dans ce vilain trou morave 6, it's harder and I'm asking all of you for help. Il faut lui faire les honneurs de Brunn 7. You will take over the theatre, I will take over the society, you, Hippolyte, of course, the women.
- We must show him Amelie, the beauty! - One of our people said, kissing the tips of his fingers.
- In general, this bloodthirsty soldier," said Bilibin, "needs to be turned to more humane views.
- I don't think I'll take advantage of your hospitality, gentlemen, and now it's time for me to go," Bolkonsky said, looking at the clock.
- Where to?
- To the emperor.
- Oh, oh! Oh!
- Well, goodbye, Bolkonsky! Goodbye, Prince, come and have lunch earlier," the voices were heard. - We undertake for you.
- Try to praise as much as possible the order in the delivery of provisions and routes, when you talk to the emperor - said Bilibin, escorting to the front Bolkonsky.
- And I would like to praise you, but I can't, as far as I know," Bolkonsky answered with a smile.
- Well, talk as much as you can. His passion is audience; and he doesn't like to speak himself and doesn't know how to speak, as you will see.
1 Come on, come on, come on.
2 A woman is a friend of a man's.
3 The Berlin office cannot express an opinion on the union without expressing... as in its last note... you understand...