Bilibin introduced him to the others.

The gentlemen assembled at Bilibin's were young, wealthy, gay society men, who here, as in Vienna, formed a special set which Bilibin, their leader, called les notres.

* This set, consisting almost exclusively of diplomats, evidently had its own interests which had nothing to do with war or politics but related to high society, to certain women, and to the official side of the service.

These gentlemen received Prince Andrew as one of themselves, an honor they did not extend to many.

From politeness and to start conversation, they asked him a few questions about the army and the battle, and then the talk went off into merry jests and gossip.