Collage 388

At dinner, seating Balashov beside him, he treated him not only benignly but as if he counted Balashov among his courtiers, among the people who sympathized with his plans and were supposed to be glad of his successes. Among other subjects, he talked about Moscow and began to ask Balashov about the Russian capital, not merely as a curious traveler asks about a new place he intends to visit, but as if convinced that Balashov, as a Russian, must be flattered by his curiosity. -- p. 625 in P/V

Lynn Waskelis
from page 31-32, Volume II of original text
collage, wax, ink
made 2/18/11
page 624-625 Pevear/Volokhonsky translation