صفحة 54 من 3800

Prince Andrew, who had evidently wished to tone down the

awkwardness of Pierre's remarks, rose and made a sign to his wife

that it was time to go.

Suddenly Prince Hippolyte started up making signs to everyone to

attend, and asking them all to be seated began:

"I was told a charming Moscow story today and must treat you to

it. Excuse me, Vicomte-I must tell it in Russian or the point

will be lost...." And Prince Hippolyte began to tell his story in

such Russian as a Frenchman would speak after spending about a

year in Russia. Everyone waited, so emphatically and eagerly did

he demand their attention to his story.

"There is in Moscow a lady, une dame, and she is very stingy. She

must have two footmen behind her carriage, and very big ones.

That was her taste. And she had a lady's maid, also big. She

said...."

Here Prince Hippolyte paused, evidently collecting his ideas with

difficulty.