“Oh yes, very much! My brother knows him, he’s dined with him—the present Emperor—more than once in Paris, and tells me he never met a more cunning or subtle diplomatist—you know, a combination of French adroitness and Italian playacting! Do you know the tale about him and Count Markóv? Count Markóv was the only man who knew how to handle him. You know the story of the handkerchief? It is delightful!”
And the talkative Dolgorúkov, turning now to Borís, now to Prince Andréy, told how Bonaparte wishing to test Markóv, our ambassador, purposely dropped a handkerchief in front of him and stood looking at Markóv, probably expecting Markóv to pick it up for him, and how Markóv immediately dropped his own beside it and picked it up without touching Bonaparte’s.
“Delightful!” said Bolkónski. “But I have come to you, Prince, as a petitioner on behalf of this young man. You see …” but before Prince Andréy could finish, an aide-de-camp came in to summon Dolgorúkov to the Emperor.
“Oh, what a nuisance,” said Dolgorúkov, getting up hurriedly and pressing the hands of Prince Andréy and Borís. “You know I should be very glad to do all in my power both for