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The gentlemen assembled at Bilibin's were young, wealthy, gay

society men, who here, as in Vienna, formed a special set which

Bilibin, their leader, called les notres. * This set, consisting

almost exclusively of diplomats, evidently had its own interests

which had nothing to do with war or politics but related to high

society, to certain women, and to the official side of the

service. These gentlemen received Prince Andrew as one of

themselves, an honor they did not extend to many. From politeness

and to start conversation, they asked him a few questions about

the army and the battle, and then the talk went off into merry

jests and gossip.

* Ours.

"But the best of it was," said one, telling of the misfortune of

a fellow diplomat, "that the Chancellor told him flatly that his

appointment to London was a promotion and that he was so to

regard it. Can you fancy the figure he cut?..."