The Art of Social Leverage — War and Peace

Prince Andrew Bolkonski enters looking bored before the room is boring. Everything about him, from the weary face to the measured step, contrasts with his pretty wife. He grimaces at Lise harder than at anyone else, kisses Anna's hand, and announces that Kutuzov has taken him as aide-de-camp. Lise will go to the country. She tries the same coquettish tone she uses on other men and mentions the vicomte's tale of Mademoiselle George; he screws up his eyes and turns away. Pierre alone gets a warm smile and an arm. Supper is promised without needing to ask. Prince Vasili and Helene rise to leave for the ambassador's fete. Pierre stares after her with almost frightened eyes. Vasili seizes Pierre's hand and tells Anna to educate this bear: nothing is so necessary for a young man as the society of clever women.

In the anteroom the mood shifts. Princess Anna Mikhaylovna Drubetskaya, poor and out of favour, intercepts Vasili about her only son Boris: a word to the Emperor would transfer him to the Guards. Vasili advises Rumyantsev through Prince Golitsyn; influence is capital you spend. She invokes his debt to her father, tears, and the threat of daily scenes until he promises the Guards transfer and gives his hand on it. She immediately asks for a recommendation to Kutuzov as adjutant. He will not promise that: Moscow ladies have already conspired to give the commander all their sons.

Helene calls from the door that they will be late. Vasili escapes. Drubetskaya's pleading face turns cold and artificial; she rejoins the vicomte's circle as if nothing happened. Her task is accomplished. Andrew is for the front, Pierre for society, Boris for a string pulled in a hall.