But the general opinion concerning the queer husband of "the most distinguished woman in Petersburg" was so well established that no one took his freaks seriously.

Among the many young men who frequented her house every day, Boris Drubetskoy, who had already achieved great success in the service, was the most intimate friend of the Bezukhov household since Helene's return from Erfurt.

Helene spoke of him as "mon page" and treated him like a child.

Her smile for him was the same as for everybody, but sometimes that smile made Pierre uncomfortable.