Bilíbin and the rest of “ours” burst out laughing in Ippolit’s face, and Prince Andréy saw that Ippolit, of whom⁠—he had to admit⁠—he had almost been jealous on his wife’s account, was the butt of this set.

“Oh, I must give you a treat,” Bilíbin whispered to Bolkónski. “Kurágin is exquisite when he discusses politics⁠—you should see his gravity!”

He sat down beside Ippolit and wrinkling his forehead began talking to him about politics. Prince Andréy and the others gathered round these two.

“The Berlin cabinet cannot express a feeling of alliance,” began Ippolit gazing round with importance at the others, “without expressing⁠ ⁠… as in its last note⁠ ⁠… you understand⁠ ⁠… Besides, unless His Majesty the Emperor derogates from the principle of our alliance⁠ ⁠…