Flowers, Swords and France

After seeing that Fran finally agreed to his request, Natasha Bezukhov finally relaxed and stopped pestering his guests, and Fran and Mary were finally able to sleep well.

After they got up the next day, the atmosphere in the entire Earl's Mansion had suddenly changed. Perhaps because of the earl's special instructions, the servants treated her with respect, but rarely talked to them. Except for things they asked about on their own initiative, they would not say anything to them.

After that meeting, the count rarely saw them again. He seemed to be busy doing other things, very busy, and left his mansion from time to time.

The Count and Andrei tacitly never mentioned this matter again, as if she was really just a guest invited by Andrei Bezukhov by chance.

When the count left, Andrei Bezukhov played the role of host and entertained them both. At this time, they never saw Natasha again, and they very wisely did not ask. Considering Natasha's situation - presumably, the count has already detained this disobedient daughter.

According to his previous promise, after everything was settled, Andrei Bezukhov brought Fran and Mary back to Petersburg so that they could visit the city, and he also took this opportunity to meet his old friends. Friends catch up on old times.

Before being sent to France, Andrei joined the Guards like many Russian nobles. However, like them, he also lived and drank in the Guards, wandered, gambled, and fought, and became a member of the family. All are worried about problem youth.

This kind of situation is very common in Petersburg. It is almost a traditional custom for aristocratic young people to spend a lot of time and alcohol. Even Count Pierre Bezukhov himself was ridiculous when he was young - he used to fool around with a few friends. , picked quarrels and caused trouble, and even tied a police chief who dared to stop him to the back of a brown bear and threw him into the river, which made several big news in the social world.

However, Count Pierre-Bezukhov would certainly not be so tolerant towards his son. After Andre caused several problems, the Count scolded his son, and then used his connections to Andre was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to become a diplomat in France.

When the count did this, he wanted to let his naughty son learn culture in France and follow the path he had walked. However, he still miscalculated. After arriving in France, Andre was at ease with him. The prodigal children here mingled together and became even more indulgent in their enjoyment.

Fortunately, in order to let his son go on the right path, the earl deliberately controlled the living expenses for his son, so that he would not be completely lost in enjoyment.

And Andrei Bezukhov also became an enviable person in the eyes of his friends because of his errand. After all, being a diplomat in France is the dream of many of them.

During these years, Andre had a great time in Paris, and he became the object of imitation and envy of these dandies. When he came back this time, he quickly became big news in their social circles. People entertained him everywhere, and he was happy to go around.

In the last warm days of autumn, the two of them, accompanied by Andre, dined together in society and toured the whole of Petersburg. She became famous in the social circles, and many people were fascinated by this beautiful and kind-hearted woman.

Fran, who originally liked to keep a low profile, did not want to be so public, but Andre said that the current situation was delicate, and the relationship between France and Russia was not very good. If she acted too secretly, it would arouse unreasonable suspicion, so Fran had to do as she pleased. , continue to attend these banquets.

One night, Andrei was invited to a formal banquet. The host was Countess Aksana Akhmatova, the lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Queen. The invitation specifically stated that the "beautiful woman" was to be invited. Mademoiselle de Treville" was present.

So, they came to visit this lady's house together.

Russians always like to be lively, and today is no exception. Since the countess is quite popular in the court, many people like to please the lady. Celebrities always gather when she holds banquets. When the lights are on, Here has become a sea of ​​gorgeous clothes, with gentlemen wearing embroidered gowns and military uniforms and ladies wearing all kinds of skirts.

"Are you that Mademoiselle de Treville?" As soon as she saw Flandre coming to the door, this slim lady, who was still charming despite her age, hugged her with typical Russian enthusiasm. she. "Many people say you are extremely beautiful. When I actually saw you today, I felt that they were not exaggerating."

"Good evening, madam, nice to meet you." Fran was a little uncomfortable with such exaggerated enthusiasm, but for the sake of etiquette, she still maintained the politeness she should have on the surface. "Thank you also for giving me the opportunity to visit you."

In fact, she has attended banquets several times in the past few days, and the initial novelty has long been extinguished, and she is inevitably tired of this kind of social interaction. Although the people here may appear solemn or kind on the surface, their conversations are dry and boring, and they cannot hear. She often heard wisecracks, and everyone seemed to be talking about the same thing - especially in front of her, as if everyone was afraid of embarrassing themselves in front of this famous nobleman from Western Europe.

Fran soon felt a little tired of being treated with such respect and even flattery. She only used formulaic words to deal with these people. Fortunately, she had a perfunctory ability since she was a child. Even when there is no interest in the heart, it can make people feel like a spring breeze.

"You must have visited a lot of places these days, right?" Soon, the countess asked a question that Fran had heard many times. "How do you feel?"

"It feels great, madam." Fran replied with a smile on her face, "Russian customs have a unique style, a beauty that is different from other places, and the people are also very warm. In short, I got a Very pleasant travel experience. ”

"Hey! That's great! Many people have prejudices against us, thinking that we have nothing here, like a desert..." The lady let go of Fran's arm, and then looked at it with a smile. She said, "But this is an illusion. Our Russia is stunningly beautiful, and at the same time it is enough to make everyone linger, so I think Russia will give you a very pleasant memory."

"Yes, ma'am, it's very pleasant." Fran replied with a smile, "It was even so enthusiastic that it made me a little embarrassed."

"A beautiful girl like you deserves the best treatment and care. This is the truth in the world, isn't it?" The countess waved her hand, "Please go in and rest, there are many people I’m waiting to see your beauty!”

Then, she turned to Andrei Bezukhov and said, "Andrei! You have lost a lot of weight compared to the last time we met? Why, has the fancy world of Paris tortured you like this? "

"Yes, we always have too much to do in Paris. After all, we are diplomats, madam." Andrei Bezukhov shrugged.

"Come on, we don't know you yet!" The countess continued to joke with Andre, "I also know some people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and their reputation for your style is not very good."

Her attitude is cordial and warm, and using "you" to call Andrei brings people closer easily, but it is just right so that no one feels offended - this is also a must for people in the court. Skills are also the key to the Countess' success in the court and social circles.

"Obviously they don't understand me well enough." Andre smiled bitterly, "Actually, I work really hard for Russia."

"Okay, I'm not your boss, so why do you have to say such things to fool us?" The Countess glanced at him, "But Andre, to be honest, you are not young now, are you?" It’s time to consider personal issues, but many people came to intercede with me and asked me to match you with their daughter..."

Not that she was joking.

Generally speaking, as the youngest son, he is not taken seriously in the aristocratic class, because they are destined not to get much of the family property. However, Count Bezukhov is so rich that everyone thinks that even after his death, Giving a small amount of property to his younger son would be a big sum, so many people have taken up his mind, and Countess Aksana Akhmatova is famous for her love of wooing young people. Marriage, so many people asked the countess.

"Uh..." Andre shook his head in embarrassment, "We can talk about this kind of thing later."

"How much future do you have in the future? Don't waste your great youth anymore!" The countess still smiled, but she glanced at Fran, as if she was guessing whether Andre was not in a hurry. The reason seems to be.

Read the original text in Liu#9@书/吧!

Fran felt a little uncomfortable and immediately followed Andre in.

Sure enough, when they came to the salon, she and Andrei Bezukhov became the focus of everyone's attention. Andre was surrounded by a group of friends, and then he was joking with the other ladies. He ignored Fran for a while, and Fran was also surrounded by many people to talk. Everyone was very curious about her, as if she was Just like travelers from another world.

Although the young people in front of her were quite handsome and extraordinary, Fran was not interested in them. She just greeted them vaguely with a just right smile, and then walked to the sofa in the corner to rest. Although there were always people around Chatting, but she turned a deaf ear.

"Hello, miss..." Suddenly a greeting sounded in her ears.

"I'm sorry, I'm a little tired. I want to rest. I don't want to dance. I'm sorry." Fran rejected the opponent directly without giving him any chance.

"No... I don't want to dance with you, miss." However, this person showed no sign of giving up and continued to insist on his request, "I just want to talk to you for a while."

"But...I'm not mentally well right now, please forgive me." Fran continued to reject the other party. Generally speaking, in the social world, speaking to this level is enough to make people quit.

But the other party still didn't give up.

"Wouldn't you consider it again? After all, this opportunity is rare." At this time, he seemed to have stood in front of Fran.

Fran looked up at this time, and then found that the person opposite was a young man in his thirties with a beard and wearing a hussar uniform. His face was cold and had an indescribable arrogance, as if his conversation was a gift to others.

Fran suddenly had a strange premonition.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Alexander Nikolayevich," the young man said with his head held high and his chest puffed out, quite pretentious.

He spoke fluent French, but there was not much emotion, as if he was just reciting the poem mechanically and smoothly, and his expression was very serious and unpredictable.

"Ms. de Treville, I am very happy to meet you at this opportunity." (~^~)