" "From what I have heard," said Pierre, blushing and breaking into the conversation, "almost all the aristocracy has already gone over to Bonaparte's side.

" "It is the Buonapartists who say that," replied the vicomte without looking at Pierre.

" At the present time it is difficult to know the real state of French public opinion.

" "Bonaparte has said so," remarked Prince Andrew with a sarcastic smile.