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Hippolyte spluttered again, and amid his laughter said, "And you

were saying that the Russian ladies are not equal to the French?

One has to know how to deal with them."

Pierre reaching the house first went into Prince Andrew's study

like one quite at home, and from habit immediately lay down on

the sofa, took from the shelf the first book that came to his

hand (it was Caesar's Commentaries), and resting on his elbow,

began reading it in the middle.

"What have you done to Mlle Scherer? She will be quite ill now,"

said Prince Andrew, as he entered the study, rubbing his small

white hands.

Pierre turned his whole body, making the sofa creak. He lifted

his eager face to Prince Andrew, smiled, and waved his hand.

"That abbe is very interesting but he does not see the thing in

the right light.... In my opinion perpetual peace is possible

but-I do not know how to express it ... not by a balance of

political power...."