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Pierre had come just at dinnertime and was sitting awkwardly in

the middle of the drawing room on the first chair he had come

across, blocking the way for everyone. The countess tried to make

him talk, but he went on naively looking around through his

spectacles as if in search of somebody and answered all her

questions in monosyllables. He was in the way and was the only

one who did not notice the fact. Most of the guests, knowing of

the affair with the bear, looked with curiosity at this big,

stout, quiet man, wondering how such a clumsy, modest fellow

could have played such a prank on a policeman.

"You have only lately arrived?" the countess asked him.

"Oui, madame," replied he, looking around him.

"You have not yet seen my husband?"

"Non, madame." He smiled quite inappropriately.

"You have been in Paris recently, I believe? I suppose it's very

interesting."

"Very interesting."