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The bigwigs, the most respected members of the club, beset the

new arrivals. Count Ilya, again thrusting his way through the

crowd, went out of the drawing room and reappeared a minute later

with another committeeman, carrying a large silver salver which

he presented to Prince Bagration. On the salver lay some verses

composed and printed in the hero's honor. Bagration, on seeing

the salver, glanced around in dismay, as though seeking help. But

all eyes demanded that he should submit. Feeling himself in their

power, he resolutely took the salver with both hands and looked

sternly and reproachfully at the count who had presented it to

him. Someone obligingly took the dish from Bagration (or he

would, it seemed, have held it till evening and have gone in to

dinner with it) and drew his attention to the verses.