Bilibin saved up his epigrams to produce them in Countess Bezukhova's presence.

To be received in the Countess Bezukhova's salon was regarded as a diploma of intellect.

Young men read books before attending Helene's evenings, to have something to say in her salon, and secretaries of the embassy, and even ambassadors, confided diplomatic secrets to her, so that in a way Helene was a power.

Pierre, who knew she was very stupid, sometimes attended, with a strange feeling of perplexity and fear, her evenings and dinner parties, where politics, poetry, and philosophy were discussed.

At these parties his feelings were like those of a conjuror who always expects his trick to be found out at any moment.