"What do you mean?" asked Speranski quietly, lowering his eyes.

"I am an admirer of Montesquieu," replied Prince Andrew, "and his idea that le principe des monarchies est l'honneur me parait incontestable.

Certains droits et privileges de la noblesse me paraissent etre des moyens de soutenir ce sentiment.

" * *"The principle of monarchies is honor seems to me incontestable.

Certain rights and privileges for the aristocracy appear to me a means of maintaining that sentiment.