Next morning Prince Andrew meets Bilíbin’s friends before leaving to call on the Emperor and others.
Summary:
Having spent the night as a guest in Bilíbin’s house, Prince Andrew woke late and put on his full parade uniform. Walking into the study, he found four gentleman of the diplomatic corps who belonged to Bilíbin’s set. These men weren’t interested in war or politics. They cared only for high society, for certain women, and for the official side of the service. Prince Hippolyte was in this group, but he tended to be the butt of everyone’s jokes. The men offer to entertain Prince Andrew while he is in town, but he tells them he needs to make calls that day, in addition to speaking with Emperor Frances. As Andrew is leaving, Bilíbin warns him to be prepared to do most of the talking, since the Emperor often has trouble making conversation.
quote from the chapter:
The gentlemen assembled at Bilíbin’s were young, wealthy, gay society men, who here, as in Vienna, formed a special set which Bilíbin, their leader, called les nôtres. * This set, consisting almost exclusively of diplomats, evidently had its own interests which had nothing to do with war or politics but related to high society, to certain women, and to the official side of the service. These gentlemen received Prince Andrew as one of themselves, an honor they did not extend to many. From politeness and to start conversation, they asked him a few questions about the army and the battle, and then the talk went off into merry jests and gossip.
Book 2, Chapter 11
Next morning Prince Andrew meets Bilíbin’s friends before leaving to call on the Emperor and others.
Summary:
Having spent the night as a guest in Bilíbin’s house, Prince Andrew woke late and put on his full parade uniform. Walking into the study, he found four gentleman of the diplomatic corps who belonged to Bilíbin’s set. These men weren’t interested in war or politics. They cared only for high society, for certain women, and for the official side of the service. Prince Hippolyte was in this group, but he tended to be the butt of everyone’s jokes. The men offer to entertain Prince Andrew while he is in town, but he tells them he needs to make calls that day, in addition to speaking with Emperor Frances. As Andrew is leaving, Bilíbin warns him to be prepared to do most of the talking, since the Emperor often has trouble making conversation.
quote from the chapter:
The gentlemen assembled at Bilíbin’s were young, wealthy, gay society men, who here, as in Vienna, formed a special set which Bilíbin, their leader, called les nôtres. * This set, consisting almost exclusively of diplomats, evidently had its own interests which had nothing to do with war or politics but related to high society, to certain women, and to the official side of the service. These gentlemen received Prince Andrew as one of themselves, an honor they did not extend to many. From politeness and to start conversation, they asked him a few questions about the army and the battle, and then the talk went off into merry jests and gossip.
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