Major Igor looked at Peterovich again: "Nicolas, do you want me to ask my father to try to keep you in Saint Petersburg?"
The latter put down his wine glass and waved his hand: "I'm afraid it's difficult; I've heard that this transfer order was issued by His Majesty the Emperor personally."
He spoke in a lowered voice: "Moreover, I don't have enough money in hand either."
Bribing definitely requires money; although they had been friends since childhood, at most Igor wouldn't charge him a "handling fee."
Dosaev, already somewhat drunk, shouted upon hearing this: "It's all the damn Poles' fault. If it weren't for their disturbances in Crimea and Viazma twice, we wouldn't be..."
Peterovich quickly covered his mouth, looking nervously around.
Fortunately, everyone else was engrossed in their own conversations, not caring about the commotion here.
"Sergei, are you crazy? There are at least thirty gendarmes in this hall!"
