Pagina 758 di 3800

"Yes, but he will dislike it extremely," said Bolkonski.

"Oh yes, very much! My brother knows him, he's dined with him-the

present Emperor-more than once in Paris, and tells me he never

met a more cunning or subtle diplomatist-you know, a combination

of French adroitness and Italian play-acting! Do you know the

tale about him and Count Markov? Count Markov was the only man

who knew how to handle him. You know the story of the

handkerchief? It is delightful!"

And the talkative Dolgorukov, turning now to Boris, now to Prince

Andrew, told how Bonaparte wishing to test Markov, our

ambassador, purposely dropped a handkerchief in front of him and

stood looking at Markov, probably expecting Markov to pick it up

for him, and how Markov immediately dropped his own beside it and

picked it up without touching Bonaparte's.