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He had Pierre at hand in Moscow and procured for him an

appointment as Gentleman of the Bedchamber, which at that time

conferred the status of Councilor of State, and insisted on the

young man accompanying him to Petersburg and staying at his

house. With apparent absent-mindedness, yet with unhesitating

assurance that he was doing the right thing, Prince Vasili did

everything to get Pierre to marry his daughter. Had he thought

out his plans beforehand he could not have been so natural and

shown such unaffected familiarity in intercourse with everybody

both above and below him in social standing. Something always

drew him toward those richer and more powerful than himself and

he had rare skill in seizing the most opportune moment for making

use of people.