Bolkónski, very modestly without once mentioning himself, described the engagement and his reception by the Minister of War.

“They received me and my news as one receives a dog in a game of skittles,” said he in conclusion.

Bilíbin smiled and the wrinkles on his face disappeared.

“ Cependant, mon cher ,” he remarked, examining his nails from a distance and puckering the skin above his left eye, “ malgré la haute estime que je professe pour the Orthodox Russian army, j’avoue que votre victoire n’est pas des plus victorieuses .” 25

He went on talking in this way in French, uttering only those words in Russian on which he wished to put a contemptuous emphasis.