Negotiations with Count Pierre-Bezukhov ended unexpectedly smoothly, and although he had been evasive, he tactfully expressed his desire to support the Count's cause, and in this way admitted that France did intend to be against Russia in the near future.

The Count was satisfied, of course, that he had been given what he wanted, and that he had agreed to all the additional terms that Charles had offered, and that he had become Charles's guest of honor, though he might never be able to say so.

After striking this secret deal, Charles invited the Count to visit his house first, and the Count readily agreed.

So the old man, who had been a prisoner for a few hours, was soon on the way to Paris in a carriage with Charles as a guest.

Because he had spent a long time in Paris in his early years, the old man felt familiar with many places he saw along the way, and then he would be reminded of the exclamation of the passage of time peculiar to old men, and Charles was very kind to accompany him to talk about the world, and finally relieved the old man.

They returned to Paris after dark, and together they went to the house of Charles.

Although it was his first time here, the Count was, after all, one of the richest men in Russia, and perhaps in all of Europe, so he was accustomed to the market, so he was not surprised by the grandeur of the mansion that Charles had taken from the former prince and had been lovingly repaired by himself, but behaved as if he were going to some old friend.

As soon as she returned home, Charlotte came to greet her husband in person, as usual, but saw the visitors Charles suddenly brought back. Slightly taken aback. "Charles?"

"Charlotte, my dear." Charles smiled. Walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek. Then he pointed to the count, "This is Count Bezukhov of Russia, he has come to Europe on a trip, and he has come to visit me this time." ”

After saying that, he winked at Charlotte, signaling that there was some information and asked her to keep it secret.

"Count Bezukhov?" Charlotte was taken aback again, after all, she had also heard of the great name of the rich man.

After all, Charlotte had been with Charles for so many years, and she immediately understood. "Sir, it's a pleasure for you to come to our house......"

"Madam, I am honored to meet you, too." The Count bowed slightly to Charlotte.

Charlotte seemed to have a big belly, and it was not convenient to move casually, so the people on both sides did not make any special etiquette, just greeted each other lightly, but Charlotte still showed her welcome attitude very appropriately and did not disappoint the guests.

The three of them had dinner together and exchanged pleasantries. The atmosphere is relaxed and easy-going.

"The French cuisine is truly amazing! We Russians are good at everything, it's just too coarse! "After tasting Charlotte's delicate oysters baked with mayonnaise from the chef she brought from her mother's home, Count Bezukhov couldn't help but praise it." After so many years, whenever I think of France, these are the things I miss the most! ”

"Eat more if you like. I could have told them to do a little more. Charlotte smiled at the count and said, "Actually, I have met quite a few Russians in Paris. They all share the same sentiment as you. Maybe it's because it's too cold in Russia, and you've all been too resolute. So you're not interested in cooking......"

Although Charlotte doesn't have any in-depth knowledge of geography, she still understands some of the most basic common sense, and she has also exercised in the social arena for so many years, so it is easy to deal with.

"Oh, the Russians you can see in France now are soft enough! They were drunk by the warm breeze of Paris, and they did not have that indomitable spirit. The Earl smiled and shook his head, obviously pleased with Charlotte's hidden compliment, "We're much more resolute when we're at home!" ”

"I've also heard them say that the Russian aristocracy often fights duels ......," Charlotte seemed to remember something, and took a sip of soup as she spoke, "more daring than our French aristocracy." I heard them say how many years ago one of your noble poets once challenged one of our professional soldiers? It's so courageous! ”

…………

After hearing Charlotte's unintentional words, the atmosphere suddenly became a little strange.

The count's face stiffened slightly, and even Charles bit his lip for a moment.

"That's a friend of mine." After a moment of silence, the Count regained his strange composure, "And he is a very, very good poet, perhaps the best poet ever seen in Russia...... His death was a great tragedy, and I still grieve for him to this day. ”

Charlotte realized that she had said the wrong thing, and she glanced at Charles with some uneasiness.

She didn't know about Pushkin, she just heard about it in the social arena, and she didn't forget to remember it at the time, but it was just a talking point, and she mentioned it at the dinner table today. Who would have thought that the count would actually listen to it - you must know that even the French poet she didn't bother to memorize a few!

"The death of Mr. Pushkin was indeed a great tragedy, and I still remember several of his poems, especially the poem "Napoleon", and it is hard to imagine that a Russian could look at our emperor so objectively! When I read this poem as a child, I really wanted to pay tribute to him. Charles hurriedly played a round for his wife, "Although he died in a duel with the French, I think the will of the Tsar played a great role in his death......

"He has shed enough blood for Russia, not so much." The Count said coldly.

"Really...... I'm sorry, sir. Seeing that the Count was still a little sad, Charlotte apologized to Pierre with a little crampedness. I think that since you say so, your friend must be a poet of the utmost excellence, and I will read his works in the future, and I will not let his legacy be left ......in the dust."

"Thank you, ma'am." The Count smiled again. Then he raised his glass, "For the sake of two great peoples." Cheers! ”

This time, Charlotte picked up her glass. He drank it all down, and then smiled at the Count even more red. "Earl, what a good amount of wine you have! Every Russian I know seems to be able to drink booze! ”

"I'm not a good drinker among Russians." The Count also laughed, "However, today, in front of such a beautiful lady, I cannot disgrace my motherland, it is the fighting spirit of a Russian nobleman who supports me." ”

"The fighting spirit of the Russians is truly amazing." Charles also added a compliment in due course. "So I don't think anyone likes to be the enemy of the Russian people."

"We are also happy to be friends with all the peoples of Europe, sir, especially such wonderful and attractive people as you and your wife." The Count also gave a compliment very obediently. "Russians show no mercy to their enemies, but to their friends, they are the best people."

Then he picked up the cup and shook it at Charles. "Well, then, let's toast to the beautiful Madame de Treville! May she always be as beautiful as she is today! ”

Charlotte was pregnant after all, so she didn't drink much. But after hearing the earl's toast, she still took up her glass and poured it again, and then toasted with the two men.

"Count, you are so flattering. Worthy of staying in France for so long! Her face grew redder and redder, and in the light of the light it seemed to glow with an intoxicating sheen.

“…… Although some old people call us savages. But Madame, believe me. We Russians can also feel beauty – especially the beauty of our mothers. The Earl bowed slightly to Charlotte, "Madame." I can be sure that this is one of your most beautiful moments. ”

Both of them understood that the Count was apologizing for embarrassing Charlotte just now.

After a few pleasantries, the Count chose to take his leave, and this time he made an excellent impression on both the Trévilles.

"I really didn't expect there to be such reasonable people among the Russians!" After he left, Charlotte exclaimed to Charles, "This old man is so nice, I wish I could talk to him more." ”

"He was not only reasonable, but also full of good faith." Charles shrugged. "It's a pity that he can't stay in Paris for long, and we can't stay long."

That's right, in a few days, Charles and Charlotte will officially leave for Austria to visit the Emperor Franz-Joseph.

"Why don't I lend him our cooks while he's in Paris? I think he likes French food very much. Charlotte proposed.

Charles was slightly shocked, Charlotte was not such a generous person.

Are you still sorry for what you just did?

"Okay, listen to you." Charles smiled, then wiped the hair from Charlotte's sideburns.

"Okay, then you can rest for a while, I'll go get us some coffee to relieve the hangover." Charlotte pushed his hand away with some embarrassment, then turned around to leave.

Originally, Charlotte was unable to move with her stomach up, and Charles was reluctant to let her work so hard, but Charlotte insisted on doing it herself every time, so after many times, Charles no longer disobeyed her kindness.

He walked over to his desk and flipped through the letters he had received today. Then, he saw a mark in an unsightly envelope, and quickly picked it up.

The envelope did not have any inscription or identification on it, but Charles knew that it had been sent by Matilda.

"My father disagrees with me for the time being, so I'm very sorry. Please give me some more time to convince him, thank you. Rest assured, I'll do my best for it. The letter was also very simple.

Charles, however, sighed.

Sure enough, the Count of Dillion still cherishes his position, and refuses to give up obediently even if his daughter persuades him?

Hmph, it's expected, I'll clean you up when I get back. He thought to himself.

Suddenly, another question flashed through his mind.

If it was Matilda, Pushkin would have known about it......

This thought lingered in my mind, and it was difficult to dissipate it for a while.

After a few moments, another thought suddenly flashed through Charles.

However, even if you make a mistake, even if you don't know who Pushkin is, but she's my wife anyway, what's the big deal?

Then, Charles shook his head slightly.

Indeed, no big deal.

She may not be well educated, and she doesn't think much of it, but what does it matter? We can still live without culture. I don't read poetry, but I can still be my great official, and ...... Be a future father.

"Hey, what are you thinking? Shire? At this time, Charlotte, who was holding coffee, had already come to Charles, and looking at Charles, who had been in a daze, she asked with some curiosity.

"Oh, nothing, I'm just thinking about some official business." Charles smiled.

Then, without shaking his hand, he folded the letter again and stuffed it back into the envelope.

"Alright, drink it while it's hot." Charlotte handed the coffee over, and Charles took it and drank it in one gulp.

The heat ran down his esophagus, burning his heart.

"Thank you, Charlotte."

He knew that ordinary Charlotte would not be so easy to speak, even if she offended anyone, she would never apologize or curry favor in a low voice, she was so attentive to the earl, in fact, she was afraid of offending this person whom Charles seemed to value very much, and affecting her husband's work. "You don't have to grieve yourself for me, aren't you just a broken poet? He's not as cute as you are at all. (To be continued.) )