Bilibin

A well-spoken wrinkly diplomat

BOOK ONE

Book 1, Part 2

Chapter 10

In Brünn, Andrei meets the diplomat Bilibin. He is 35 and is rising in the diplomatic service. He has held positions in Paris, Copenhagen, and Vienna. The latter city, he tells Andrei, has just been occupied by the French. Bilibin likes work and is good at it. He also likes to talk, and he prepares in the “inner laboratory of his mind” witticisms that travel far and wide once they have left his lips. Above and below his lips are a topographical marvel of wrinkles that allow him to form many wonderful expressions. He politely explains to Andrei why his so-called victory was the worst possible news for the Austrians.

Chapter 11

Bilibin and his wrinkles introduce Andrei to “our set”, the merry diplomats who are interested only in high society and women. Bilibin seems to think Ippilot is entertaining, which reflects very poorly on Bilibin. He tells Andrei to flatter the emperor, but Andrei is no diplomat and will tell him the truth about the war.

Chapter 12

For Bilibin the diplomat, the French skullduggery at the Vienna bridge is “delightful”, as though he’s reading Andrei a great swashbuckling novel. And indeed, he is delighted to point out that the French marshals are Gascons, a region with a bit of a reputation for this sort of bravado. D'Artagnan of the Three Musketters is from Gascony. But wait! Bilbin isn’t all jokes. When he wipes the wrinkles off his face, he has a serious question for Andrei: “Why are you going?” Andrei thinks it is a joke, but it is probably the most profound thing anyone has said to him so far.