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"Demosthenes, I know thee by the pebble thou secretest in thy

golden mouth!" said Bilibin, and the mop of hair on his head

moved with satisfaction.

Everybody laughed, and Hippolyte louder than anyone. He was

evidently distressed, and breathed painfully, but could not

restrain the wild laughter that convulsed his usually impassive

features.

"Well now, gentlemen," said Bilibin, "Bolkonski is my guest in

this house and in Brunn itself. I want to entertain him as far as

I can, with all the pleasures of life here. If we were in Vienna

it would be easy, but here, in this wretched Moravian hole, it is

more difficult, and I beg you all to help me. Brunn's attractions

must be shown 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 humane

interests," said Bilibin.