In Elèn’s circle the war in general was regarded as a series of formal demonstrations which would very soon end in peace, and the view prevailed expressed by Bilíbin⁠—who now in Petersburg was quite at home in Elèn’s house, which every clever man was obliged to visit⁠—that not by gunpowder but by those who invented it would matters be settled. In that circle the Moscow enthusiasm⁠—news of which had reached Petersburg simultaneously with the Emperor’s return⁠—was ridiculed sarcastically and very cleverly, though with much caution.

Anna Pávlovna’s circle on the contrary was enraptured by this enthusiasm and spoke of it as Plutarch speaks of the deeds of the ancients. Prince Vasíli, who still occupied his former important posts, formed a connecting link between these two circles. He visited his “good friend Anna Pávlovna” as well as his daughter’s “diplomatic salon,” and often in his constant comings and goings between the two camps became confused and said at Elèn’s what he should have said at Anna Pávlovna’s and vice versa.