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"Oh, I must give you a treat," Bilibin whispered to Bolkonski.

"Kuragin is exquisite when he discusses politics-you should see

his gravity!"

He sat down beside Hippolyte and wrinkling his forehead began

talking to him about politics. Prince Andrew and the others

gathered round these two.

"The Berlin cabinet cannot express a feeling of alliance," began

Hippolyte gazing round with importance at the others, "without

expressing... as in its last note... you understand... Besides,

unless His Majesty the Emperor derogates from the principle of

our alliance...

"Wait, I have not finished..." he said to Prince Andrew, seizing

him by the arm, "I believe that intervention will be stronger

than nonintervention. And..." he paused. "Finally one cannot

impute the nonreceipt of our dispatch of November 18. That is how

it will end." And he released Bolkonski's arm to indicate that he

had now quite finished.