He is a wise and clever fellow.

" "What was it?" "To the Head of the French Government... Au chef du gouvernement francais," said Dolgorukov, with grave satisfaction.

" Good, wasn't it?" "Yes, but he will dislike it extremely," said Bolkonski.

"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 play-acting! Do you know the tale about him and Count Markov? Count Markov was the only man who knew how to handle him.