The Diplomatic Game — War and Peace

Next morning Andrew wakes late, remembers he must be presented to Francis, and dresses in full parade uniform, his hand still bandaged. He enters Bilibin's study fresh and handsome, where four young diplomats form les notres, a circle of gossip, women, and official wit that has little to do with war. They receive him as one of themselves, ask a few polite questions about the army, then turn to embassy jokes. Hippolyte Kuragin, a secretary once feared as Lise's lover, becomes their clown; Bilibin traps him with faux political gravity until he wheezes.

They plan Brunn's attractions for the bloodthirsty soldier: theater, society, and Hippolyte for the women. Someone kisses his fingertips over Amelie. Andrew only watches the performance and looks at his watch. He is already due at the Emperor.

Bilibin walks him to the hall and advises him, when speaking to Francis, to praise the way provisions are supplied and the routes indicated. Andrew smiles: he would like to speak well of them, but as far as he knows the facts, he cannot. Talk as much as you can anyway, Bilibin says; the Emperor has a passion for giving audiences but does not like talking himself. Andrew leaves still choosing fact over charm at the threshold of power.