- 'Not just "temporary". "Temporary" is a word formulation.' - Insarov has specified. - 'We can come to a conclusion that Talleyrand not just expected "temporariness" of any modern to him the governments, but that he promoted - to a greater or lesser extent - his "transformation" into new government.'

- 'A thousand miles can be went over in a thousand years. But you can - in a thousand seconds.' - joked Pavlenkov. - 'It is possible to make the assumption of your words, that Talleyrand promoted the fastest passing of the period of instability. Bold speculation. Humanity? "Philanthropy"?'

Insarov has silently looked at Pavlenkov.

- 'The circumstances of the introduction of Talleyrand in a position of the French foreign minister on July 18, 1797, are curious.' - Kamensky said with intonation of question. - 'He had an insignificant diplomatic experience. He has got an education good, but hardly at that time attention was paid to this factor. It would seem, the person from long emigration has come back - and almost at once occupies a post of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Only using the acquaintance with the favorite dame of one of members of the French Directory (a governmental five-member committee)? It's unconvincing.'

- 'All the circumstances of this appointment we will not know for certain.' - Pavlenkov said, - 'Someone can build guesses. But everyone agrees that Talleyrand was a man of talent and usefulness. Imagine, gentlemen, an analogy between the two types of relations: "publisher-writer" and "the head of state-Minister of foreign Affairs". The publisher concludes with the writer a contract for the preparation of the book. It's one thing if the writer knows the intent, the main idea, the task, the purpose, and the book is written quickly and efficiently. It is quite another thing if the writer can't adequately understand what is required of him, and the book is written for a long period of time, with poor quality, and in result you receive the unreadable text. And what? the publisher himself had to write this book?

If we follow this analogy, we will conclude that the Minister for Foreign Affairs is faced with a certain amount of tasks and cares. It is desirable that the person on this post should be able to solve problems quickly and effectively. It is clear that ministers were appointed both before and after Talleyrand. His candidacy is not the only one possible. But at the same time, it is clear that he was able to solve the tasks assigned to him.

He differed in both talent, and usefulness.

It was not only the usefulness of a professional diplomat. He was also the head of the French government. It is possible to speak about his usefulness in a broader sense. There are examples.

He is the member of the Constituent assembly. Being the bishop, referring to his own church status, though being in a conflict with a position of the church authorities, promotes in October, 1789 to strengthening of the French currency due to nationalization of land possession of church. That is promotes "strengthening" of the formed revolutionary mode (due to the estates belonging to the Church). (After these acts he leaves with the status of the bishop and becomes "layman").

He promotes coming to power in France of Napoleon in 1799.

He facilitates a victory of allies over Napoleon in 1814, having given timely recommendation to allies to move straight to Paris. Probably, promotes preservation of Paris from destructions and any violence in 1814...

He promotes return to the power of Burbons after Napoleon's renunciation in 1814.

He promotes maintaining integrity of the territory of France in 1814 and 1815.

He promotes the proclamation The Duke of Orleans as the King Louis Philippe I in 1830.

He promotes adjustment in 1830 - 1832 of the relations with England, to strengthening of provision of new King of France. Years of life of Talleyrand: 1754 - 1838...

Naturally, this list of "useful" actions not exhaustive. But he shows that Talleyrand's activity promoted achievement of concrete results.'

- 'Thus,' - Pavlenkov summarized the statement, - 'in Talleyrand's career there was a logic. He was talented. He was productive, he was useful.

So, we can say: talent, usefulness, success. You know, misters, the readers are liking and the books about scandalousness, about vices. And books about success. A question in accent, in the prevailing focus of attention.'

- 'And in what concept we can to "include" "acceleration" by Talleyrand - the passing of the period of political instability?' - Kamensky have asked. - 'He promoted replacement of the power of the Directory with Napoleon's power. If to trust Napoleon, Talleyrand directed Napoleon to obviously lawless execution of the duke Engiyensky in 1804, to military operations against Spain and Portugal in 1808. Then Napoleon came out of the historical scene: He, Talleyrand, assisted ... Talleyrand promoted events which didn't do without excess violence...'

- 'Talleyrand's confidential paid cooperation with the governments of Russia and Austria is well characterized by the words of Metternich:" People like Talleyrand are like cutting blades that are dangerous to play with."' - Insarov added. - 'Perhaps, the Russian Emperor Alexander I felt the correctness of these words...'

- 'Over these questions the reflections are necessary... When writing the book about Talleyrand...' - Pavlenkov has answered. - 'If to consider as true the arguments, that Talleyrand promoted maintaining territorial integrity of France in 1814 and 1815 and to preservation of Paris in 1814, then it is necessary to consider him the outstanding historical personality. And, anyway, Talleyrand is the active participant of the major historical events.

... For some reason come to mind the memories and reflections of M. Gorky about his meeting with count Witte on the eve of the ninth of January 1905. After the publication of the Manifesto 17 October 1905, Witte 22 (14) April 1906, resigned from the post of Prime Minister of Russia. He was a person of superior intelligence! But we will not switch to other topics.'

- 'The book about Talleyrand will turn out, of course, interesting.' - Kamensky has expressed . - 'But work in archives, broad access to publications in French are necessary. We have written to respected Thomas Edison the letter with a request to recommend literature, concerning his biography. He has kindly answered. Taking into account his answer about it the biographic essay has also been written. To whom to write concerning Talleyrand? To the French government? It is unlikely, that government will recommend literary sources for writing of a biographic essay about Talleyrand.'

Pavlenkov looked at Insarov. Insarov expressed allegorically and poetically:

- "From the sea damp, cold wind was blowing... The gusts of wind were gathering the flying, shriveled, yellow leaves and were throwing them into a fire, inflating a flame..."