“Vienna considers the bases of the proposed treaty so unattainable that not even a continuity of most brilliant successes would secure them, and she doubts the means we have of gaining them. That is the actual phrase used by the Vienna cabinet,” said the Danish chargé d’affaires.
“The doubt is flattering,” said “the man of profound intellect,” with a subtle smile.
“We must distinguish between the Vienna cabinet and the Emperor of Austria,” said Mortemart. “The Emperor of Austria can never have thought of such a thing, it is only the cabinet that says it.”
“Ah, my dear vicomte,” put in Anna Pávlovna, “ L’Urope ” (for some reason she called it “ Urope as if that were a specially refined French pronunciation which she could allow herself when conversing with a Frenchman), L’Urope ne sera jamais notre alliée sincère. ”
After that Anna Pávlovna led up to the courage and firmness of the King of Prussia, in order to draw Borís into the conversation.
Borís listened attentively to