The int conversion System::Variant::int returns an integer or a reference to an integer that is a conversion of this System::Variant::Variant. If the int* conversion is used, the System::Variant::int sets the varByRef bit, meaning that the System::Variant::Variant contains a reference as opposed to a value. 

If the conversion operation is not possible because of an invalid variant type conversion, an EVariantError exception is thrown.