War and Peace Bibliomancy Reading
This oracle points to a randomly selected line from War and Peace. The surrounding passages are provided for context.
Your passage is from BOOK THREE: 1805 - CHAPTER IX.
And the talkative Dolgorúkov, turning now to Borís, now to Prince Andrew, told how Bonaparte wishing to test Markóv, our ambassador, purposely dropped a handkerchief in front of him and stood looking at Markóv, probably expecting Markóv to pick it up for him, and how Markóv immediately dropped his own beside it and picked it up without touching Bonaparte’s.
For Context: BOOK THREE: 1805 - CHAPTER IX
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 Markóv?
Count Markóv was the only man who knew how to handle him.
You know the story of the handkerchief?
It is delightful!”
And the talkative Dolgorúkov, turning now to Borís, now to Prince Andrew, told how Bonaparte wishing to test Markóv, our ambassador, purposely dropped a handkerchief in front of him and stood looking at Markóv, probably expecting Markóv to pick it up for him, and how Markóv immediately dropped his own beside it and picked it up without touching Bonaparte’s.
“Delightful!” said Bolkónski.
“But I have come to you, Prince, as a petitioner on behalf of this young man.
You see...” but before Prince Andrew could finish, an aide-de-camp came in to summon Dolgorúkov to the Emperor.
“Oh, what a nuisance,” said Dolgorúkov, getting up hurriedly and pressing the hands of Prince Andrew and Borís.
“You know I should be very glad to do all in my power both for you and for this dear young man.” Again he pressed the hand of the latter with an expression of good-natured, sincere, and animated levity.
