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"What can he say? Tra-di-ri-di-ra and so on... merely to gain

time. I tell you he is in our hands, that's certain! But what was

most amusing," he continued, with a sudden, good-natured laugh,

"was that we could not think how to address the reply! If not as

'Consul' and of course not as 'Emperor,' it seemed to me it

should be to 'General Bonaparte.'"

"But between not recognizing him as Emperor and calling him

General Bonaparte, there is a difference," remarked Bolkonski.

"That's just it," interrupted Dolgorukov quickly, laughing. "You

know Bilibin-he's a very clever fellow. He suggested addressing

him as 'Usurper and Enemy of Mankind.'"

Dolgorukov laughed merrily.

"Only that?" said Bolkonski.

"All the same, it was Bilibin who found a suitable form for the

address. He is a wise and clever fellow."

"What was it?"

"To the Head of the French Government... Au chef du gouvernement

francais," said Dolgorukov, with grave satisfaction. "Good,

wasn't it?"