His favorite occupation when not playing boston, a card game he was very fond of, was that of listener, especially when he succeeded in setting two loquacious talkers at one another.

"Well, then, old chap, mon tres honorable Alphonse Karlovich," said Shinshin, laughing ironically and mixing the most ordinary Russian expressions with the choicest French phrases--which was a peculiarity of his speech.

" Vous comptez vous faire des rentes sur l'etat;* you want to make something out of your company?" *You expect to make an income out of the government.

"No, Peter Nikolaevich; I only want to show that in the cavalry the advantages are far less than in the infantry.

Just consider my own position now, Peter Nikolaevich..." Berg always spoke quietly, politely, and with great precision.