"Andyou？Areyougoingtohavelunchtoo？Theyfeedyouquitedecentlyhere，"continuedTelyanin。"Nowthen，letmehaveit。"
　　Hestretchedouthishandtotakeholdofthepurse。Rostovletgoofit。Telyanintookthepurseandbegancarelesslyslippingitintothepocketofhisridingbreeches，withhiseyebrowsliftedandhismouthslightlyopen，asiftosay，"Yes，yes，Iamputtingmypurseinmypocketandthat’squitesimpleandisnoelse’sbusiness。"
　　"Well，youngman？"hesaidwithasigh，andfromunderhisliftedbrowsheglancedintoRostov’seyes。
　　SomeflashasofanelectricsparkshotfromTelyanin’seyestoRostov’sandback，andbackagainandagaininaninstant。
　　"Comehere，"saidRostov，catchingholdofTelyanin’sarmandalmostdragginghimtothewindow。"ThatmoneyisDenisov’s；youtookit……"hewhisperedjustaboveTelyanin’sear。
　　"What？What？Howdareyou？What？"saidTelyanin。
　　Butthesewordscamelikeapiteous，despairingcryandanentreatyforpardon。AssoonasRostovheardthem，anenormousloadofdoubtfellfromhim。Hewasglad，andatthesameinstantbegantopitythemiserablemanwhostoodbeforehim，butthetaskhehadbegunhadtobecompleted。
　　"Heavenonlyknowswhatthepeopleheremayimagine，"mutteredTelyanin，takinguphiscapandmovingtowardasmallemptyroom。
　　"Wemusthaveanexplanation……"
　　"Iknowitandshallproveit，"saidRostov。
　　"I……"
　　EverymuscleofTelyanin’spale，terrifiedfacebegantoquiver，hiseyesstillshiftedfromsidetosidebutwithadownwardlooknotrisingtoRostov’sface，andhissobswereaudible。
　　"Count！……Don’truinayoungfellow……hereisthiswretchedmoney，takeit……"Hethrewitonthetable。"Ihaveanoldfatherandmother！……"
　　Rostovtookthemoney，avoidingTelyanin’seyes，andwentoutoftheroomwithoutaword。Butatthedoorhestoppedandthenretracedhissteps。"OGod，"hesaidwithtearsinhiseyes，"howcouldyoudoit？"
　　"Count……"saidTelyanindrawingnearertohim。
　　"Don’ttouchme，"saidRostov，drawingback。"Ifyouneedit，takethemoney，"andhethrewthepursetohimandranoutoftheinn。
　　BK2CH5
　　CHAPTERV
　　Thatsameeveningtherewasananimateddiscussionamongthesquadron’sofficersinDenisov’squarters。
　　"AndItellyou，Rostov，thatyoumustapologizetothecolonel！"
　　saidatall，grizzly—hairedstaffcaptain，withenormousmustachesandmanywrinklesonhislargefeatures，toRostovwhowascrimsonwithexcitement。
　　Thestaffcaptain，Kirsten，hadtwicebeenreducedtotheranksforaffairsofhonorandhadtwiceregainedhiscommission。
　　"Iwillallownoonetocallmealiar！"criedRostov。"HetoldmeI
　　lied，andItoldhimhelied。Andthereitrests。Hemaykeepmeondutyeveryday，ormayplacemeunderarrest，butnoonecanmakemeapologize，becauseifhe，ascommanderofthisregiment，thinksitbeneathhisdignitytogivemesatisfaction，then……"
　　"Youjustwaitamoment，mydearfellow，andlisten，"interruptedthestaffcaptaininhisdeepbass，calmlystrokinghislongmustache。
　　"Youtellthecolonelinthepresenceofotherofficersthatanofficerhasstolen……"
　　"I’mnottoblamethattheconversationbeganinthepresenceofotherofficers。PerhapsIoughtnottohavespokenbeforethem，butIamnotadiplomatist。That’swhyIjoinedthehussars，thinkingthathereonewouldnotneedfinesse；andhetellsmethatIamlying—solethimgivemesatisfaction……"
　　"That’sallright。Noonethinksyouacoward，butthat’snotthepoint。AskDenisovwhetheritisnotoutofthequestionforacadettodemandsatisfactionofhisregimentalcommander？"
　　Denisovsatgloomilybitinghismustacheandlisteningtotheconversation，evidentlywithnowishtotakepartinit。Heansweredthestaffcaptain’squestionbyadisapprovingshakeofhishead。
　　"Youspeaktothecolonelaboutthisnastybusinessbeforeotherofficers，"continuedthestaffcaptain，"andBogdanich"thecolonelwascalledBogdanich"shutsyouup。"
　　"Hedidnotshutmeup，hesaidIwastellinganuntruth。"
　　"Well，haveitso，andyoutalkedalotofnonsensetohimandmustapologize。"
　　"Notonanyaccount！"exclaimedRostov。
　　"Ididnotexpectthisofyou，"saidthestaffcaptainseriouslyandseverely。"Youdon’twishtoapologize，but，man，it’snotonlytohimbuttothewholeregiment—allofus—you’retoblameallround。Thecaseisthis：yououghttohavethoughtthematteroverandtakenadvice；butno，yougoandblurtitallstraightoutbeforetheofficers。Nowwhatwasthecoloneltodo？Havetheofficertriedanddisgracethewholeregiment？Disgracethewholeregimentbecauseofonescoundrel？Isthathowyoulookatit？Wedon’tseeitlikethat。AndBogdanichwasabrick：hetoldyouyouweresayingwhatwasnottrue。It’snotpleasant，butwhat’stobedone，mydearfellow？Youlandedyourselfinit。Andnow，whenonewantstosmooththethingover，someconceitpreventsyourapologizing，andyouwishtomakethewholeaffairpublic。Youareoffendedatbeingputondutyabit，butwhynotapologizetoanoldandhonorableofficer？WhateverBogdanichmaybe，anywayheisanhonorableandbraveoldcolonel！
　　You’requickattakingoffense，butyoudon’tminddisgracingthewholeregiment！"Thestaffcaptain’svoicebegantotremble。"Youhavebeenintheregimentnexttonotime，mylad，you’reheretodayandtomorrowyou’llbeappointedadjutantsomewhereandcansnapyourfingerswhenitissaid’TherearethievesamongthePavlogradofficers！’Butit’snotallthesametous！AmInotright，Denisov？
　　It’snotthesame！"
　　Denisovremainedsilentanddidnotmove，butoccasionallylookedwithhisglitteringblackeyesatRostov。
　　"Youvalueyourownprideanddon’twishtoapologize，"continuedthestaffcaptain，"butweoldfellows，whohavegrownupinand，Godwilling，aregoingtodieintheregiment，weprizethehonoroftheregiment，andBogdanichknowsit。Oh，wedoprizeit，oldfellow！Andallthisisnotright，it’snotright！YoumaytakeoffenseornotbutIalwayssticktomothertruth。It’snotright！"
　　AndthestaffcaptainroseandturnedawayfromRostov。
　　"That’stwue，deviltakeit"shoutedDenisov，jumpingup。"Nowthen，Wostov，nowthen！"
　　Rostov，growingredandpalealternately，lookedfirstatoneofficerandthenattheother。
　　"No，gentlemen，no……youmustn’tthink……Iquiteunderstand。
　　You’rewrongtothinkthatofme……I……forme……forthehonoroftheregimentI’d……Ahwell，I’llshowthatinaction，andformethehonoroftheflag……Well，nevermind，it’strueI’mtoblame，toblameallround。Well，whatelsedoyouwant？……"
　　"Come，that’sright，Count！"criedthestaffcaptain，turningroundandclappingRostovontheshoulderwithhisbighand。
　　"Itellyou，"shoutedDenisov，"he’safinefellow。"
　　"That’sbetter，Count，"saidthestaffcaptain，beginningtoaddressRostovbyhistitle，asifinrecognitionofhisconfession。"Goandapologize，yourexcellency。Yes，go！"
　　"Gentlemen，I’lldoanything。Nooneshallhearawordfromme，"
　　saidRostovinanimploringvoice，"butIcan’tapologize，byGodI
　　can’t，dowhatyouwill！HowcanIgoandapologizelikealittleboyaskingforgiveness？"
　　Denisovbegantolaugh。
　　"It’llbeworseforyou。Bogdanichisvindictiveandyou’llpayforyourobstinacy，"saidKirsten。
　　"No，onmywordit’snotobstinacy！Ican’tdescribethefeeling。
　　Ican’t……"
　　"Well，it’sasyoulike，"saidthestaffcaptain。"Andwhathasbecomeofthatscoundrel？"heaskedDenisov。
　　"Hehasweportedhimselfsick，he’stobestwuckoffthelisttomowwow，"mutteredDenisov。
　　"Itisanillness，there’snootherwayofexplainingit，"saidthestaffcaptain。
　　"Illnessornot，he’dbetternotcwossmypath。I’dkillhim！"
　　shoutedDenisovinabloodthirstytone。
　　JustthenZherkoventeredtheroom。
　　"Whatbringsyouhere？"criedtheofficersturningtothenewcomer。
　　"We’retogointoaction，gentlemen！Mackhassurrenderedwithhiswholearmy。"
　　"It’snottrue！"
　　"I’veseenhimmyself！"
　　"What？SawtherealMack？Withhandsandfeet？"
　　"Intoaction！Intoaction！Bringhimabottleforsuchnews！Buthowdidyoucomehere？"
　　"I’vebeensentbacktotheregimentallonaccountofthatdevil，Mack。AnAustriangeneralcomplainedofme。IcongratulatedhimonMack’sarrival……What’sthematter，Rostov？Youlookasifyou’djustcomeoutofahotbath。"
　　"Oh，mydearfellow，we’reinsuchastewheretheselasttwodays。"
　　TheregimentaladjutantcameinandconfirmedthenewsbroughtbyZherkov。Theywereunderorderstoadvancenextday。
　　"We’regoingintoaction，gentlemen！"
　　"Well，thankGod！We’vebeensittingheretoolong！"
　　BK2CH6
　　CHAPTERVI
　　KutuzovfellbacktowardVienna，destroyingbehindhimthebridgesovertheriversInnatBraunauandTraunnearLinz。OnOctober23theRussiantroopswerecrossingtheriverEnns。AtmiddaytheRussianbaggagetrain，theartillery，andcolumnsoftroopsweredefilingthroughthetownofEnnsonbothsidesofthebridge。
　　Itwasawarm，rainy，autumnalday。ThewideexpansethatopenedoutbeforetheheightsonwhichtheRussianbatteriesstoodguardingthebridgewasattimesveiledbyadiaphanouscurtainofslantingrain，andthen，suddenlyspreadoutinthesunlight，far—distantobjectscouldbeclearlyseenglitteringasthoughfreshlyvarnished。Downbelow，thelittletowncouldbeseenwithitswhite，red—roofedhouses，itscathedral，anditsbridge，onbothsidesofwhichstreamedjostlingmassesofRussiantroops。AtthebendoftheDanube，vessels，anisland，andacastlewithaparksurroundedbythewatersoftheconfluenceoftheEnnsandtheDanubebecamevisible，andtherockyleftbankoftheDanubecoveredwithpineforests，withamysticbackgroundofgreentreetopsandbluishgorges。Theturretsofaconventstoodoutbeyondawildvirginpineforest，andfarawayontheothersideoftheEnnstheenemy’shorsepatrolscouldbediscerned。
　　Amongthefieldgunsonthebrowofthehillthegeneralincommandoftherearguardstoodwithastaffofficer，scanningthecountrythroughhisfieldglass。AlittlebehindthemNesvitski，whohadbeensenttotherearguardbythecommanderinchief，wassittingonthetrailofaguncarriage。ACossackwhoaccompaniedhimhadhandedhimaknapsackandaflask，andNesvitskiwastreatingsomeofficerstopiesandrealdoppelkummel。Theofficersgladlygatheredroundhim，someontheirknees，somesquattingTurkishfashiononthewetgrass。
　　"Yes，theAustrianprincewhobuiltthatcastlewasnofool。It’safineplace！Whyareyounoteatinganything，gentlemen？"Nesvitskiwassaying。
　　"Thankyouverymuch，Prince，"answeredoneoftheofficers，pleasedtobetalkingtoastaffofficerofsuchimportance。"It’salovelyplace！Wepassedclosetotheparkandsawtwodeer……andwhatasplendidhouse！"
　　"Look，Prince，"saidanother，whowouldhavedearlylikedtotakeanotherpiebutfeltshy，andthereforepretendedtobeexaminingthecountryside—"See，ourinfantrymenhavealreadygotthere。Lookthereinthemeadowbehindthevillage，threeofthemaredraggingsomething。They’llransackthatcastle，"heremarkedwithevidentapproval。
　　"Sotheywill，"saidNesvitski。"No，butwhatIshouldlike，"
　　addedhe，munchingapieinhismoist—lippedhandsomemouth，"wouldbetoslipinoverthere。"
　　Hepointedwithasmiletoaturretednunnery，andhiseyesnarrowedandgleamed。
　　"Thatwouldbefine，gentlemen！"
　　Theofficerslaughed。
　　"Justtoflutterthenunsabit。TheysaythereareItaliangirlsamongthem。OnmywordI’dgivefiveyearsofmylifeforit！"
　　"Theymustbefeelingdull，too，"saidoneofthebolderofficers，laughing。
　　Meanwhilethestaffofficerstandinginfrontpointedoutsomethingtothegeneral，wholookedthroughhisfieldglass。
　　"Yes，soitis，soitis，"saidthegeneralangrily，loweringthefieldglassandshrugginghisshoulders，"soitis！They’llbefiredonatthecrossing。Andwhyaretheydawdlingthere？"
　　Ontheoppositesidetheenemycouldbeseenbythenakedeye，andfromtheirbatteryamilk—whitecloudarose。Thencamethedistantreportofashot，andourtroopscouldbeseenhurryingtothecrossing。
　　Nesvitskirose，puffing，andwentuptothegeneral，smiling。
　　"Wouldnotyourexcellencylikealittlerefreshment？"hesaid。
　　"It’sabadbusiness，"saidthegeneralwithoutansweringhim，"ourmenhavebeenwastingtime。"
　　"Hadn’tIbetterrideover，yourexcellency？"askedNesvitski。
　　"Yes，pleasedo，"answeredthegeneral，andherepeatedtheorderthathadalreadyoncebeengivenindetail："andtellthehussarsthattheyaretocrosslastandtofirethebridgeasIordered；andtheinflammablematerialonthebridgemustbereinspected。"
　　"Verygood，"answeredNesvitski。
　　HecalledtheCossackwithhishorse，toldhimtoputawaytheknapsackandflask，andswunghisheavypersoneasilyintothesaddle。
　　"I’llreallycallinonthenuns，"hesaidtotheofficerswhowatchedhimsmilingly，andherodeoffbythewindingpathdownthehill。
　　"Nowthen，let’sseehowfaritwillcarry，Captain。Justtry！"saidthegeneral，turningtoanartilleryofficer。"Havealittlefuntopassthetime。"
　　"Crew，toyourguns！"commandedtheofficer。
　　Inamomentthemencamerunninggailyfromtheircampfiresandbeganloading。
　　"One！"camethecommand。
　　Numberonejumpedbrisklyaside。Thegunrangoutwithadeafeningmetallicroar，andawhistlinggrenadeflewabovetheheadsofourtroopsbelowthehillandfellfarshortoftheenemy，alittlesmokeshowingthespotwhereitburst。
　　Thefacesofofficersandmenbrightenedupatthesound。Everyonegotupandbeganwatchingthemovementsofourtroopsbelow，asplainlyvisibleasifbutastone’sthrowaway，andthemovementsoftheapproachingenemyfartheroff。Atthesameinstantthesuncamefullyoutfrombehindtheclouds，andtheclearsoundofthesolitaryshotandthebrillianceofthebrightsunshinemergedinasinglejoyousandspiritedimpression。
　　BK2CH7
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Twooftheenemy’sshotshadalreadyflownacrossthebridge，wheretherewasacrush。HalfwayacrossstoodPrinceNesvitski，whohadalightedfromhishorseandwhosebigbodywasbodywasjammedagainsttherailings。HelookedbacklaughingtotheCossackwhostoodafewstepsbehindhimholdingtwohorsesbytheirbridles。EachtimePrinceNesvitskitriedtomoveon，soldiersandcartspushedhimbackagainandpressedhimagainsttherailings，andallhecoulddowastosmile。
　　"Whatafinefellowyouare，friend！"saidtheCossacktoaconvoysoldierwithawagon，whowaspressingontotheinfantrymenwhowerecrowdedtogetherclosetohiswheelsandhishorses。"Whatafellow！
　　Youcan’twaitamoment！Don’tyouseethegeneralwantstopass？"
　　Buttheconvoymantooknonoticeoftheword"general"andshoutedatthesoldierswhowereblockinghisway。"Hithere，boys！Keeptotheleft！Waitabit。"Butthesoldiers，crowdedtogethershouldertoshoulder，theirbayonetsinterlocking，movedoverthebridgeinadensemass。LookingdownovertherailsPrinceNesvitskisawtherapid，noisylittlewavesoftheEnns，whichripplingandeddyingroundthepilesofthebridgechasedeachotheralong。Lookingonthebridgehesawequallyuniformlivingwavesofsoldiers，shoulderstraps，coveredshakos，knapsacks，bayonets，longmuskets，and，undertheshakos，faceswithbroadcheekbones，sunkencheeks，andlistlesstiredexpressions，andfeetthatmovedthroughthestickymudthatcoveredtheplanksofthebridge。Sometimesthroughthemonotonouswavesofmen，likeafleckofwhitefoamonthewavesoftheEnns，anofficer，inacloakandwithatypeoffacedifferentfromthatofthemen，squeezedhiswayalong；sometimeslikeachipofwoodwhirlingintheriver，anhussaronfoot，anorderly，oratownsmanwascarriedthroughthewavesofinfantry；andsometimeslikealogfloatingdowntheriver，anofficers’orcompany’sbaggagewagon，piledhigh，leathercovered，andhemmedinonallsides，movedacrossthebridge。
　　"It’sasifadamhadburst，"saidtheCossackhopelessly。"Aretheremanymoreofyoutocome？"
　　"Amillionallbutone！"repliedawaggishsoldierinatorncoat，withawink，andpassedonfollowedbyanother，anoldman。
　　"Ifhe"hemeanttheenemy"beginspoppingatthebridgenow，"
　　saidtheoldsoldierdismallytoacomrade，"you’llforgettoscratchyourself。"
　　Thatsoldierpassedon，andafterhimcameanothersittingonacart。
　　"Wherethedevilhavethelegbandsbeenshovedto？"saidanorderly，runningbehindthecartandfumblinginthebackofit。
　　Andhealsopassedonwiththewagon。Thencamesomemerrysoldierswhohadevidentlybeendrinking。
　　"Andthen，oldfellow，hegiveshimoneintheteethwiththebuttendofhisgun……"asoldierwhosegreatcoatwaswelltuckedupsaidgaily，withawideswingofhisarm。
　　"Yes，thehamwasjustdelicious……"answeredanotherwithaloudlaugh。Andthey，too，passedon，sothatNesvitskididnotlearnwhohadbeenstruckontheteeth，orwhatthehamhadtodowithit。
　　"Bah！Howtheyscurry。Hejustsendsaballandtheythinkthey’llallbekilled，"asergeantwassayingangrilyandreproachfully。
　　"Asitfliespastme，Daddy，theballImean，"saidayoungsoldierwithanenormousmouth，hardlyrefrainingfromlaughing，"I
　　feltlikedyingoffright。Idid，’ponmyword，Igotthatfrightened！"saidhe，asifbraggingofhavingbeenfrightened。
　　Thatonealsopassed。Thenfollowedacartunlikeanythathadgonebefore。ItwasaGermancartwithapairofhorsesledbyaGerman，andseemedloadedwithawholehousefulofeffects。Afinebrindledcowwithalargeudderwasattachedtothecartbehind。A
　　womanwithanunweanedbaby，anoldwoman，andahealthyGermangirlwithbrightredcheeksweresittingonsomefeatherbeds。Evidentlythesefugitiveswereallowedtopassbyspecialpermission。Theeyesofallthesoldiersturnedtowardthewomen，andwhilethevehiclewaspassingatfootpaceallthesoldiers’remarksrelatedtothetwoyoungones。Everyfaceborealmostthesamesmile，expressingunseemlythoughtsaboutthewomen。
　　"Justsee，theGermansausageismakingtracks，too！"
　　"Sellmethemissis，"saidanothersoldier，addressingtheGerman，who，angryandfrightened，strodeenergeticallyalongwithdowncasteyes。
　　"Seehowsmartshe’smadeherself！Oh，thedevils！"
　　"There，Fedotov，youshouldbequarteredonthem！"
　　"Ihaveseenasmuchbeforenow，mate！"
　　"Whereareyougoing？"askedaninfantryofficerwhowaseatinganapple，alsohalfsmilingashelookedatthehandsomegirl。
　　TheGermanclosedhiseyes，signifyingthathedidnotunderstand。
　　"Takeitifyoulike，"saidtheofficer，givingthegirlanapple。
　　Thegirlsmiledandtookit。Nesvitskiliketherestofthemenonthebridgedidnottakehiseyesoffthewomentilltheyhadpassed。
　　Whentheyhadgoneby，thesamestreamofsoldiersfollowed，withthesamekindoftalk，andatlastallstopped。Asoftenhappens，thehorsesofaconvoywagonbecamerestiveattheendofthebridge，andthewholecrowdhadtowait。
　　"Andwhyaretheystopping？There’snoproperorder！"saidthesoldiers。"Whereareyoushovingto？Deviltakeyou！Can’tyouwait？
　　It’llbeworseifhefiresthebridge。See，here’sanofficerjammedintoo"—differentvoicesweresayinginthecrowd，asthemenlookedatoneanother，andallpressedtowardtheexitfromthebridge。
　　LookingdownatthewatersoftheEnnsunderthebridge，Nesvitskisuddenlyheardasoundnewtohim，ofsomethingswiftlyapproaching……
　　somethingbig，thatsplashedintothewater。
　　"Justseewhereitcarriesto！"asoldiernearbysaidsternly，lookingroundatthesound。
　　"Encouragingustogetalongquicker，"saidanotheruneasily。
　　Thecrowdmovedonagain。Nesvitskirealizedthatitwasacannonball。
　　"Hey，Cossack，myhorse！"hesaid。"Now，then，youthere！getoutoftheway！Makeway！"
　　Withgreatdifficultyhemanagedtogettohishorse，andshoutingcontinuallyhemovedon。Thesoldierssqueezedthemselvestomakewayforhim，butagainpressedonhimsothattheyjammedhisleg，andthosenearesthimwerenottoblamefortheywerethemselvespressedstillharderfrombehind。
　　"Nesvitski，Nesvitski！younumskull！"cameahoarsevoicefrombehindhim。
　　Nesvitskilookedroundandsaw，somefifteenpacesawaybutseparatedbythelivingmassofmovinginfantry，VaskaDenisov，redandshaggy，withhiscaponthebackofhisblackheadandacloakhangingjauntilyoverhisshoulder。
　　"Tellthesedevils，thesefiends，toletmepass！"shoutedDenisovevidentlyinafitofrage，hiscoal—blackeyeswiththeirbloodshotwhitesglitteringandrollingashewavedhissheathedsaberinasmallbarehandasredashisface。
　　"Ah，Vaska！"joyfullyrepliedNesvitski。"What’supwithyou？"
　　"Thesquadwoncan’tpass，"shoutedVaskaDenisov，showinghiswhiteteethfiercelyandspurringhisblackthoroughbredArab，whichtwitcheditsearsasthebayonetstouchedit，andsnorted，spurtingwhitefoamfromhisbit，trampingtheplanksofthebridgewithhishoofs，andapparentlyreadytojumpovertherailingshadhisriderlethim。"Whatisthis？They’relikesheep！Justlikesheep！Outoftheway！……Letuspass！……Stopthere，youdevilwiththecart！
　　I’llhackyouwithmysaber！"heshouted，actuallydrawinghissaberfromitsscabbardandflourishingitThesoldierscrowdedagainstoneanotherwithterrifiedfaces，andDenisovjoinedNesvitski。
　　"How’sityou’renotdrunktoday？"saidNesvitskiwhentheotherhadriddenuptohim。
　　"Theydon’tevengiveonetimetodwink！"answeredVaskaDenisov。
　　"Theykeepdwaggingthewegimenttoandfwoallday。Iftheymeantofight，let’sfight。Butthedevilknowswhatthisis。"
　　"Whatadandyyouaretoday！"saidNesvitski，lookingatDenisov’snewcloakandsaddlecloth。
　　Denisovsmiled，tookoutofhissabretacheahandkerchiefthatdiffusedasmellofperfume，andputittoNesvitski’snose。
　　"Ofcourse。I’mgoingintoaction！I’veshaved，bwushedmyteeth，andscentedmyself。"
　　TheimposingfigureofNesvitskifollowedbyhisCossack，andthedeterminationofDenisovwhoflourishedhisswordandshoutedfrantically，hadsuchaneffectthattheymanagedtosqueezethroughtothefarthersideofthebridgeandstoppedtheinfantry。BesidethebridgeNesvitskifoundthecoloneltowhomhehadtodelivertheorder，andhavingdonethisherodeback。
　　HavingclearedthewayDenisovstoppedattheendofthebridge。
　　Carelesslyholdinginhisstallionthatwasneighingandpawingtheground，eagertorejoinitsfellows，hewatchedhissquadrondrawnearer。Thentheclangofhoofs，asofseveralhorsesgalloping，resoundedontheplanksofthebridge，andthesquadron，officersinfrontandmenfourabreast，spreadacrossthebridgeandbegantoemergeonhissideofit。
　　Theinfantrywhohadbeenstoppedcrowdednearthebridgeinthetrampledmudandgazedwiththatparticularfeelingofill—will，estrangement，andridiculewithwhichtroopsofdifferentarmsusuallyencounteroneanotherattheclean，smarthussarswhomovedpasttheminregularorder。
　　"Smartlads！Onlyfitforafair！"saidone。
　　"Whatgoodarethey？They’reledaboutjustforshow！"remarkedanother。
　　"Don’tkickupthedust，youinfantry！"jestedanhussarwhoseprancinghorsehadsplashedmudoversomefootsoldiers。
　　"I’dliketoputyouonatwodays’marchwithaknapsack！Yourfinecordswouldsoongetabitrubbed，"saidaninfantryman，wipingthemudoffhisfacewithhissleeve。"Perchedupthere，you’remorelikeabirdthanaman。"
　　"Therenow，Zikin，theyoughttoputyouonahorse。You’dlookfine，"saidacorporal，chaffingathinlittlesoldierwhobentundertheweightofhisknapsack。
　　"Takeastickbetweenyourlegs，that’llsuityouforahorse！"
　　thehussarshoutedback。
　　BK2CH8
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　Thelastoftheinfantryhurriedlycrossedthebridge，squeezingtogetherastheyapproacheditasifpassingthroughafunnel。Atlastthebaggagewagonshadallcrossed，thecrushwasless，andthelastbattalioncameontothebridge。OnlyDenisov’ssquadronofhussarsremainedonthefarthersideofthebridgefacingtheenemy，whocouldbeseenfromthehillontheoppositebankbutwasnotyetvisiblefromthebridge，forthehorizonasseenfromthevalleythroughwhichtheriverflowedwasformedbytherisinggroundonlyhalfamileaway。AtthefootofthehilllaywastelandoverwhichafewgroupsofourCossackscoutsweremoving。Suddenlyontheroadatthetopofthehighground，artilleryandtroopsinblueuniformwereseen。TheseweretheFrench。AgroupofCossackscoutsretireddownthehillatatrot。AlltheofficersandmenofDenisov’ssquadron，thoughtheytriedtotalkofotherthingsandtolookinotherdirections，thoughtonlyofwhatwasthereonthehilltop，andkeptconstantlylookingatthepatchesappearingontheskyline，whichtheyknewtobetheenemy’stroops。TheweatherhadclearedagainsincenoonandthesunwasdescendingbrightlyupontheDanubeandthedarkhillsaroundit。Itwascalm，andatintervalsthebuglecallsandtheshoutsoftheenemycouldbeheardfromthehill。Therewasnoonenowbetweenthesquadronandtheenemyexceptafewscatteredskirmishers。Anemptyspaceofsomesevenhundredyardswasallthatseparatedthem。
　　Theenemyceasedfiring，andthatstern，threatening，inaccessible，andintangiblelinewhichseparatestwohostilearmieswasallthemoreclearlyfelt。
　　"Onestepbeyondthatboundarylinewhichresemblesthelinedividingthelivingfromthedeadliesuncertainty，suffering，anddeath。Andwhatisthere？Whoisthere？—therebeyondthatfield，thattree，thatrooflitupbythesun？Nooneknows，butonewantstoknow。Youfearandyetlongtocrossthatline，andknowthatsoonerorlateritmustbecrossedandyouwillhavetofindoutwhatisthere，justasyouwillinevitablyhavetolearnwhatliestheothersideofdeath。Butyouarestrong，healthy，cheerful，andexcited，andaresurroundedbyothersuchexcitedlyanimatedandhealthymen。"Sothinks，oratanyratefeels，anyonewhocomesinsightoftheenemy，andthatfeelinggivesaparticularglamourandgladkeennessofimpressiontoeverythingthattakesplaceatsuchmoments。
　　Onthehighgroundwheretheenemywas，thesmokeofacannonrose，andaballflewwhistlingovertheheadsofthehussarsquadron。
　　Theofficerswhohadbeenstandingtogetherrodeofftotheirplaces。Thehussarsbegancarefullyaligningtheirhorses。Silencefellonthewholesquadron。Allwerelookingattheenemyinfrontandatthesquadroncommander，awaitingthewordofcommand。Asecondandathirdcannonballflewpast。Evidentlytheywerefiringatthehussars，buttheballswithrapidrhythmicwhistleflewovertheheadsofthehorsemenandfellsomewherebeyondthem。Thehussarsdidnotlookround，butatthesoundofeachshot，asatthewordofcommand，thewholesquadronwithitsrowsoffacessoalikeyetsodifferent，holdingitsbreathwhiletheballflewpast，roseinthestirrupsandsankbackagain。Thesoldierswithoutturningtheirheadsglancedatoneanother，curioustoseetheircomrades’impression。
　　Everyface，fromDenisov’stothatofthebugler，showedonecommonexpressionofconflict，irritation，andexcitement，aroundchinandmouth。Thequartermasterfrowned，lookingatthesoldiersasifthreateningtopunishthem。CadetMironovduckedeverytimeaballflewpast。Rostovontheleftflank，mountedonhisRook—ahandsomehorsedespiteitsgameleg—hadthehappyairofaschoolboycalledupbeforealargeaudienceforanexaminationinwhichhefeelssurehewilldistinguishhimself。Hewasglancingateveryonewithaclear，brightexpression，asifaskingthemtonoticehowcalmlyhesatunderfire。Butdespitehimself，onhisfacetoothatsameindicationofsomethingnewandsternshowedroundthemouth。
　　"Who’sthatcurtseyingthere？CadetMiwonov！That’snotwight！
　　Lookatme，"criedDenisovwho，unabletokeepstillononespot，keptturninghishorseinfrontofthesquadron。
　　Theblack，hairy，snub—nosedfaceofVaskaDenisov，andhiswholeshortsturdyfigurewiththesinewyhairyhandandstumpyfingersinwhichheheldthehiltofhisnakedsaber，lookedjustasitusuallydid，especiallytowardeveningwhenhehademptiedhissecondbottle；hewasonlyredderthanusual。Withhisshaggyheadthrownbacklikebirdswhentheydrink，pressinghisspursmercilesslyintothesidesofhisgoodhorse，Bedouin，andsittingasthoughfallingbackwardsinthesaddle，hegallopedtotheotherflankofthesquadronandshoutedinahoarsevoicetothementolooktotheirpistols。HerodeuptoKirsten。Thestaffcaptainonhisbroad—backed，steadymarecameatawalktomeethim。Hisfacewithitslongmustachewasseriousasalways，onlyhiseyeswerebrighterthanusual。
　　"Well，whataboutit？"saidhetoDenisov。"Itwon’tcometoafight。You’llsee—weshallretire。"
　　"Thedevilonlyknowswhatthey’reabout！"mutteredDenisov。"Ah，Wostov，"hecriednoticingthecadet’sbrightface，"you’vegotitatlast。"
　　Andhesmiledapprovingly，evidentlypleasedwiththecadet。
　　Rostovfeltperfectlyhappy。Justthenthecommanderappearedonthebridge。Denisovgallopeduptohim。
　　"Yourexcellency！Letusattackthem！I’lldwivethemoff。"
　　"Attackindeed！"saidthecolonelinaboredvoice，puckeringuphisfaceasifdrivingoffatroublesomefly。"Andwhyareyoustoppinghere？Don’tyouseetheskirmishersareretreating？Leadthesquadronback。"
　　Thesquadroncrossedthebridgeanddrewoutofrangeoffirewithouthavinglostasingleman。ThesecondsquadronthathadbeeninthefrontlinefollowedthemacrossandthelastCossacksquittedthefarthersideoftheriver。
　　ThetwoPavlogradsquadrons，havingcrossedthebridge，retiredupthehilloneaftertheother。Theircolonel，KarlBogdanichSchubert，cameuptoDenisov’ssquadronandrodeatafootpacenotfarfromRostov，withouttakinganynoticeofhimalthoughtheywerenowmeetingforthefirsttimesincetheirencounterconcerningTelyanin。Rostov，feelingthathewasatthefrontandinthepowerofamantowardwhomhenowadmittedthathehadbeentoblame，didnotlifthiseyesfromthecolonel’sathleticback，hisnapecoveredwithlighthair，andhisredneck。ItseemedtoRostovthatBogdanichwasonlypretendingnottonoticehim，andthathiswholeaimnowwastotestthecadet’scourage，sohedrewhimselfupandlookedaroundhimmerrily；thenitseemedtohimthatBogdanichrodesonearinordertoshowhimhiscourage。Nexthethoughtthathisenemywouldsendthesquadrononadesperateattackjusttopunishhim—Rostov。Thenheimaginedhow，aftertheattack，Bogdanichwouldcomeuptohimashelaywoundedandwouldmagnanimouslyextendthehandofreconciliation。
　　Thehigh—shoulderedfigureofZherkov，familiartothePavlogradsashehadbutrecentlylefttheirregiment，rodeuptothecolonel。AfterhisdismissalfromheadquartersZherkovhadnotremainedintheregiment，sayinghewasnotsuchafoolastoslaveatthefrontwhenhecouldgetmorerewardsbydoingnothingonthestaff，andhadsucceededinattachinghimselfasanorderlyofficertoPrinceBagration。Henowcametohisformerchiefwithanorderfromthecommanderoftherearguard。
　　"Colonel，"hesaid，addressingRostov’senemywithanairofgloomygravityandglancingroundathiscomrades，"thereisanordertostopandfirethebridge。"
　　"Anordertowho？"askedthecolonelmorosely。
　　"Idon’tmyselfknow’towho，’"repliedthecornetinaserioustone，"buttheprincetoldmeto’goandtellthecolonelthatthehussarsmustreturnquicklyandfirethebridge。’"
　　Zherkovwasfollowedbyanofficerofthesuitewhorodeuptothecolonelofhussarswiththesameorder。AfterhimthestoutNesvitskicamegallopinguponaCossackhorsethatcouldscarcelycarryhisweight。
　　"How’sthis，Colonel？"heshoutedasheapproached。"Itoldyoutofirethebridge，andnowsomeonehasgoneandblundered；theyareallbesidethemselvesoverthereandonecan’tmakeanythingout。"
　　ThecoloneldeliberatelystoppedtheregimentandturnedtoNesvitski。
　　"Youspoketomeofinflammablematerial，"saidhe，"butyousaidnothingaboutfiringit。"
　　"But，mydearsir，"saidNesvitskiashedrewup，takingoffhiscapandsmoothinghishairwetwithperspirationwithhisplumphand，"wasn’tItellingyoutofirethebridge，wheninflammablematerialhadbeenputinposition？"
　　"Iamnotyour’dearsir，’Mr。StaffOfficer，andyoudidnottellmetoburnthebridge！Iknowtheservice，anditismyhabitordersstrictlytoobey。Yousaidthebridgewouldbeburned，butwhowoulditburn，Icouldnotknowbytheholyspirit！"
　　"Ah，that’salwaystheway！"saidNesvitskiwithawaveofthehand。
　　"Howdidyougethere？"saidhe，turningtoZherkov。
　　"Onthesamebusiness。Butyouaredamp！Letmewringyouout！"
　　"Youweresaying，Mr。StaffOfficer……"continuedthecolonelinanoffendedtone。
　　"Colonel，"interruptedtheofficerofthesuite，"Youmustbequickortheenemywillbringuphisgunstousegrapeshot。"
　　Thecolonellookedsilentlyattheofficerofthesuite，atthestoutstaffofficer，andatZherkov，andhefrowned。
　　"Iwillthebridgefire，"hesaidinasolemntoneasiftoannouncethatinspiteofalltheunpleasantnesshehadtoendurehewouldstilldotherightthing。
　　Strikinghishorsewithhislongmuscularlegsasifitweretoblameforeverything，thecolonelmovedforwardandorderedthesecondsquadron，thatinwhichRostovwasservingunderDenisov，toreturntothebridge。
　　"There，it’sjustasIthought，"saidRostovtohimself。"Hewishestotestme！"Hisheartcontractedandthebloodrushedtohisface。"LethimseewhetherIamacoward！"hethought。
　　Againonallthebrightfacesofthesquadrontheseriousexpressionappearedthattheyhadwornwhenunderfire。Rostovwatchedhisenemy，thecolonel，closely—tofindinhisfaceconfirmationofhisownconjecture，butthecoloneldidnotonceglanceatRostov，andlookedashealwaysdidwhenatthefront，solemnandstern。Thencamethewordofcommand。
　　"Looksharp！Looksharp！"severalvoicesrepeatedaroundhim。
　　Theirsaberscatchinginthebridlesandtheirspursjingling，thehussarshastilydismounted，notknowingwhattheyweretodo。Themenwerecrossingthemselves。Rostovnolongerlookedatthecolonel，hehadnotime。Hewasafraidoffallingbehindthehussars，somuchafraidthathisheartstoodstill。Hishandtrembledashegavehishorseintoanorderly’scharge，andhefeltthebloodrushtohisheartwithathud。Denisovrodepasthim，leaningbackandshoutingsomething。Rostovsawnothingbutthehussarsrunningallaroundhim，theirspurscatchingandtheirsabersclattering。
　　"Stretchers！"shoutedsomeonebehindhim。
　　Rostovdidnotthinkwhatthiscallforstretchersmeant；heranon，tryingonlytobeaheadoftheothers；butjustatthebridge，notlookingattheground，hecameonsomesticky，troddenmud，stumbled，andfellonhishands。Theothersoutstrippedhim。
　　"Atbosszides，Captain，"heheardthevoiceofthecolonel，who，havingriddenahead，hadpulleduphishorsenearthebridge，withatriumphant，cheerfulface。
　　Rostovwipinghismuddyhandsonhisbreecheslookedathisenemyandwasabouttorunon，thinkingthatthefartherhewenttothefrontthebetter。ButBogdanich，withoutlookingatorrecognizingRostov，shoutedtohim：
　　"Who’sthatrunningonthemiddleofthebridge？Totheright！
　　Comeback，Cadet！"hecriedangrily；andturningtoDenisov，who，showingoffhiscourage，hadriddenontotheplanksofthebridge：
　　"Whyrunrisks，Captain？Youshoulddismount，"hesaid。
　　"Oh，everybullethasitsbillet，"answeredVaskaDenisov，turninginhissaddle。
　　MeanwhileNesvitski，Zherkov，andtheofficerofthesuitewerestandingtogetheroutofrangeoftheshots，watching，nowthesmallgroupofmenwithyellowshakos，dark—greenjacketsbraidedwithcord，andblueridingbreeches，whowereswarmingnearthebridge，andthenatwhatwasapproachinginthedistancefromtheoppositeside—
　　theblueuniformsandgroupswithhorses，easilyrecognizableasartillery。
　　"Willtheyburnthebridgeornot？Who’llgettherefirst？WilltheygetthereandfirethebridgeorwilltheFrenchgetwithingrapeshotrangeandwipethemout？"Thesewerethequestionseachmanofthetroopsonthehighgroundabovethebridgeinvoluntarilyaskedhimselfwithasinkingheart—watchingthebridgeandthehussarsinthebrighteveninglightandthebluetunicsadvancingfromtheothersidewiththeirbayonetsandguns。
　　"Ugh。Thehussarswillgetithot！"saidNesvitski；"theyarewithingrapeshotrangenow。"
　　"Heshouldn’thavetakensomanymen，"saidtheofficerofthesuite。
　　"Trueenough，"answeredNesvitski；"twosmartfellowscouldhavedonethejobjustaswell。"
　　"Ah，yourexcellency，"putinZherkov，hiseyesfixedonthehussars，butstillwiththatnaiveairthatmadeitimpossibletoknowwhetherhewasspeakinginjestorinearnest。"Ah，yourexcellency！
　　Howyoulookatthings！Sendtwomen？AndwhothenwouldgiveustheVladimirmedalandribbon？Butnow，eveniftheydogetpeppered，thesquadronmayberecommendedforhonorsandhemaygetaribbon。
　　OurBogdanichknowshowthingsaredone。"
　　"Therenow！"saidtheofficerofthesuite，"that’sgrapeshot。"
　　HepointedtotheFrenchguns，thelimbersofwhichwerebeingdetachedandhurriedlyremoved。
　　OntheFrenchside，amidthegroupswithcannon，acloudofsmokeappeared，thenasecondandathirdalmostsimultaneously，andatthemomentwhenthefirstreportwasheardafourthwasseen。Thentworeportsoneafteranother，andathird。
　　"Oh！Oh！"groanedNesvitskiasifinfiercepain，seizingtheofficerofthesuitebythearm。"Look！Amanhasfallen！Fallen，fallen！"
　　"Two，Ithink。"
　　"IfIwereTsarIwouldnevergotowar，"saidNesvitski，turningaway。
　　TheFrenchgunswerehastilyreloaded。Theinfantryintheirblueuniformsadvancedtowardthebridgeatarun。Smokeappearedagainbutatirregularintervals，andgrapeshotcrackedandrattledontothebridge。ButthistimeNesvitskicouldnotseewhatwashappeningthere，asadensecloudofsmokearosefromit。ThehussarshadsucceededinsettingitonfireandtheFrenchbatterieswerenowfiringatthem，nolongertohinderthembutbecausethegunsweretrainedandtherewassomeonetofireat。
　　TheFrenchhadtimetofirethreeroundsofgrapeshotbeforethehussarsgotbacktotheirhorses。Twoweremisdirectedandtheshotwenttoohigh，butthelastroundfellinthemidstofagroupofhussarsandknockedthreeofthemover。
　　Rostov，absorbedbyhisrelationswithBogdanich，hadpausedonthebridgenotknowingwhattodo。Therewasnoonetohewdownashehadalwaysimaginedbattlestohimself，norcouldhehelptofirethebridgebecausehehadnotbroughtanyburningstrawwithhimliketheothersoldiers。Hestoodlookingabouthim，whensuddenlyheheardarattleonthebridgeasifnutswerebeingspilt，andthehussarnearesttohimfellagainsttherailswithagroan。Rostovranuptohimwiththeothers。Againsomeoneshouted，"Stretchers！"Fourmenseizedthehussarandbeganliftinghim。
　　"Oooh！ForChrist’ssakeletmealone！"criedthewoundedman，butstillhewasliftedandlaidonthestretcher。
　　NicholasRostovturnedawayand，asifsearchingforsomething，gazedintothedistance，atthewatersoftheDanube，atthesky，andatthesun。Howbeautifultheskylooked；howblue，howcalm，andhowdeep！Howbrightandgloriouswasthesettingsun！WithwhatsoftglitterthewatersofthedistantDanubeshone。Andfairerstillwerethefarawaybluemountainsbeyondtheriver，thenunnery，themysteriousgorges，andthepineforestsveiledinthemistoftheirsummits……Therewaspeaceandhappiness……"Ishouldwishingfornothingelse，nothing，ifonlyIwerethere，"thoughtRostov。
　　"Inmyselfaloneandinthatsunshinethereissomuchhappiness；
　　buthere……groans，suffering，fear，andthisuncertaintyandhurry……
　　There—theyareshoutingagain，andagainareallrunningbacksomewhere，andIshallrunwiththem，andit，death，ishereabovemeandaround……AnotherinstantandIshallneveragainseethesun，thiswater，thatgorge！……"
　　Atthatinstantthesunbegantohidebehindtheclouds，andotherstretcherscameintoviewbeforeRostov。Andthefearofdeathandofthestretchers，andloveofthesunandoflife，allmergedintoonefeelingofsickeningagitation。
　　"OLordGod！Thouwhoartinthatheaven，save，forgive，andprotectme！"Rostovwhispered。
　　Thehussarsranbacktothemenwhoheldtheirhorses；theirvoicessoundedlouderandcalmer，thestretchersdisappearedfromsight。
　　"Well，fwiend？Soyou’vesmeltpowdah！"shoutedVaskaDenisovjustabovehisear。
　　"It’sallover；butIamacoward—yes，acoward！"thoughtRostov，andsighingdeeplyhetookRook，hishorse，whichstoodrestingonefoot，fromtheorderlyandbegantomount。
　　"Wasthatgrapeshot？"heaskedDenisov。
　　"Yesandnomistake！"criedDenisov。"Youworkedlikewegularbwicksandit’snastywork！Anattack’spleasantwork！Hackingawayatthedogs！Butthissortofthingistheverydevil，withthemshootingatyoulikeatarget。"
　　AndDenisovrodeuptoagroupthathadstoppednearRostov，composedofthecolonel，Nesvitski，Zherkov，andtheofficerfromthesuite。
　　"Well，itseemsthatnoonehasnoticed，"thoughtRostov。Andthiswastrue。Noonehadtakenanynotice，foreveryoneknewthesensationwhichthecadetunderfireforthefirsttimehadexperienced。
　　"Here’ssomethingforyoutoreport，"saidZherkov。"SeeifI
　　don’tgetpromotedtoasublieutenancy。"
　　"InformtheprincethatIthebridgefired！"saidthecoloneltriumphantlyandgaily。
　　"Andifheasksaboutthelosses？"
　　"Atrifle，"saidthecolonelinhisbassvoice："twohussarswounded，andoneknockedout，"headded，unabletorestrainahappysmile，andpronouncingthephrase"knockedout"withringingdistinctness。
　　BK2CH9
　　CHAPTERIX
　　PursuedbytheFrencharmyofahundredthousandmenunderthecommandofBonaparte，encounteringapopulationthatwasunfriendlytoit，losingconfidenceinitsallies，sufferingfromshortnessofsupplies，andcompelledtoactunderconditionsofwarunlikeanythingthathadbeenforeseen，theRussianarmyofthirty—fivethousandmencommandedbyKutuzovwashurriedlyretreatingalongtheDanube，stoppingwhereovertakenbytheenemyandfightingrearguardactionsonlyasfarasnecessarytoenableittoretreatwithoutlosingitsheavyequipment。TherehadbeenactionsatLambach，Amstetten，andMelk；butdespitethecourageandendurance—acknowledgedevenbytheenemy—withwhichtheRussiansfought，theonlyconsequenceoftheseactionswasayetmorerapidretreat。AustriantroopsthathadescapedcaptureatUlmandhadjoinedKutuzovatBraunaunowseparatedfromtheRussianarmy，andKutuzovwasleftwithonlyhisownweakandexhaustedforces。ThedefenseofViennawasnolongertobethoughtof。Insteadofanoffensive，theplanofwhich，carefullypreparedinaccordwiththemodernscienceofstrategics，hadbeenhandedtoKutuzovwhenhewasinViennabytheAustrianHofkriegsrath，thesoleandalmostunattainableaimremainingforhimwastoeffectajunctionwiththeforcesthatwereadvancingfromRussia，withoutlosinghisarmyasMackhaddoneatUlm。
　　Onthetwenty—eighthofOctoberKutuzovwithhisarmycrossedtotheleftbankoftheDanubeandtookupapositionforthefirsttimewiththeriverbetweenhimselfandthemainbodyoftheFrench。OnthethirtiethheattackedMortier’sdivision，whichwasontheleftbank，andbrokeitup。Inthisactionforthefirsttimetrophiesweretaken：banners，cannon，andtwoenemygenerals。Forthefirsttime，afterafortnight’sretreat，theRussiantroopshadhaltedandafterafighthadnotonlyheldthefieldbuthadrepulsedtheFrench。
　　Thoughthetroopswereill—clad，exhausted，andhadlostathirdoftheirnumberinkilled，wounded，sick，andstragglers；thoughanumberofsickandwoundedhadbeenabandonedontheothersideoftheDanubewithaletterinwhichKutuzoventrustedthemtothehumanityoftheenemy；andthoughthebighospitalsandthehousesinKremsconvertedintomilitaryhospitalscouldnolongeraccommodateallthesickandwounded，yetthestandmadeatKremsandthevictoryoverMortierraisedthespiritsofthearmyconsiderably。ThroughoutthewholearmyandatheadquartersmostjoyfulthougherroneousrumorswererifeoftheimaginaryapproachofcolumnsfromRussia，ofsomevictorygainedbytheAustrians，andoftheretreatofthefrightenedBonaparte。
　　PrinceAndrewduringthebattlehadbeeninattendanceontheAustrianGeneralSchmidt，whowaskilledintheaction。Hishorsehadbeenwoundedunderhimandhisownarmslightlygrazedbyabullet。Asamarkofthecommanderinchief’sspecialfavorhewassentwiththenewsofthisvictorytotheAustriancourt，nownolongeratViennawhichwasthreatenedbytheFrenchbutatBrunn。
　　DespitehisapparentlydelicatebuildPrinceAndrewcouldendurephysicalfatiguefarbetterthanmanyverymuscularmen，andonthenightofthebattle，havingarrivedatKremsexcitedbutnotweary，withdispatchesfromDokhturovtoKutuzov，hewassentimmediatelywithaspecialdispatchtoBrunn。Tobesosentmeantnotonlyarewardbutanimportantsteptowardpromotion。
　　Thenightwasdarkbutstarry，theroadshowedblackinthesnowthathadfallenthepreviousday—thedayofthebattle。Reviewinghisimpressionsoftherecentbattle，picturingpleasantlytohimselftheimpressionhisnewsofavictorywouldcreate，orrecallingthesend—offgivenhimbythecommanderinchiefandhisfellowofficers，PrinceAndrewwasgallopingalonginapostchaiseenjoyingthefeelingsofamanwhohasatlengthbeguntoattainalong—desiredhappiness。Assoonasheclosedhiseyeshisearsseemedfilledwiththerattleofthewheelsandthesensationofvictory。ThenhebegantoimaginethattheRussianswererunningawayandthathehimselfwaskilled，buthequicklyrousedhimselfwithafeelingofjoy，asiflearningafreshthatthiswasnotsobutthatonthecontrarytheFrenchhadrunaway。Heagainrecalledallthedetailsofthevictoryandhisowncalmcourageduringthebattle，andfeelingreassuredhedozedoff……Thedarkstarrynightwasfollowedbyabrightcheerfulmorning。Thesnowwasthawinginthesunshine，thehorsesgallopedquickly，andonbothsidesoftheroadwereforestsofdifferentkinds，fields，andvillages。
　　AtoneofthepoststationsheovertookaconvoyofRussianwounded。
　　TheRussianofficerinchargeofthetransportlolledbackinthefrontcart，shoutingandscoldingasoldierwithcoarseabuse。IneachofthelongGermancartssixormorepale，dirty，bandagedmenwerebeingjoltedoverthestonyroad。SomeofthemweretalkingheheardRussianwords，otherswereeatingbread；themoreseverelywoundedlookedsilently，withthelanguidinterestofsickchildren，attheenvoyhurryingpastthem。
　　PrinceAndrewtoldhisdrivertostop，andaskedasoldierinwhatactiontheyhadbeenwounded。"Daybeforeyesterday，ontheDanube，"
　　answeredthesoldier。PrinceAndrewtookouthispurseandgavethesoldierthreegoldpieces。
　　"That’sforthemall，"hesaidtotheofficerwhocameup。
　　"Getwellsoon，lads！"hecontinued，turningtothesoldiers。
　　"There’splentytodostill。"
　　"Whatnews，sir？"askedtheofficer，evidentlyanxioustostartaconversation。
　　"Goodnews！……Goon！"heshoutedtothedriver，andtheygallopedon。
　　ItwasalreadyquitedarkwhenPrinceAndrewrattledoverthepavedstreetsofBrunnandfoundhimselfsurroundedbyhighbuildings，thelightsofshops，houses，andstreetlamps，finecarriages，andallthatatmosphereofalargeandactivetownwhichisalwayssoattractivetoasoldieraftercamplife。Despitehisrapidjourneyandsleeplessnight，PrinceAndrewwhenhedroveuptothepalacefeltevenmorevigorousandalertthanhehaddonethedaybefore。Onlyhiseyesgleamedfeverishlyandhisthoughtsfollowedoneanotherwithextraordinaryclearnessandrapidity。Heagainvividlyrecalledthedetailsofthebattle，nolongerdim，butdefiniteandintheconciseformconciseforminwhichheimaginedhimselfstatingthemtotheEmperorFrancis。Hevividlyimaginedthecasualquestionsthatmightbeputtohimandtheanswershewouldgive。HeexpectedtobeatoncepresentedtotheEmperor。Atthechiefentrancetothepalace，however，anofficialcamerunningouttomeethim，andlearningthathewasaspecialmessengerledhimtoanotherentrance。
　　"Totherightfromthecorridor，EuerHochgeboren！Thereyouwillfindtheadjutantonduty，"saidtheofficial。"HewillconductyoutotheMinisterofWar。"
　　Theadjutantonduty，meetingPrinceAndrew，askedhimtowait，andwentintotheMinisterofWar。FiveminuteslaterhereturnedandbowingwithparticularcourtesyusheredPrinceAndrewbeforehimalongacorridortothecabinetwheretheMinisterofWarwasatwork。TheadjutantbyhiselaboratecourtesyappearedtowishtowardoffanyattemptatfamiliarityonthepartoftheRussianmessenger。
　　PrinceAndrew’sjoyousfeelingwasconsiderablyweakenedasheapproachedthedooroftheminister’sroom。Hefeltoffended，andwithouthisnoticingitthefeelingofoffenseimmediatelyturnedintooneofdisdainwhichwasquiteuncalledfor。Hisfertilemindinstantlysuggestedtohimapointofviewwhichgavehimarighttodespisetheadjutantandtheminister。"Awayfromthesmellofpowder，theyprobablythinkiteasytogainvictories！"hethought。Hiseyesnarroweddisdainfully，heenteredtheroomoftheMinisterofWarwithpeculiarlydeliberatesteps。Thisfeelingofdisdainwasheightenedwhenhesawtheministerseatedatalargetablereadingsomepapersandmakingpencilnotesonthem，andforthefirsttwoorthreeminutestakingnonoticeofhisarrival。Awaxcandlestoodateachsideoftheminister’sbentbaldheadwithitsgraytemples。Hewentonreadingtotheend，withoutraisinghiseyesattheopeningofthedoorandthesoundoffootsteps。
　　"Takethisanddeliverit，"saidhetohisadjutant，handinghimthepapersandstilltakingnonoticeofthespecialmessenger。
　　PrinceAndrewfeltthateithertheactionsofKutuzov’sarmyinterestedtheMinisterofWarlessthananyoftheothermattershewasconcernedwith，orhewantedtogivetheRussianspecialmessengerthatimpression。"Butthatisamatterofperfectindifferencetome，"
　　hethought。Theministerdrewtheremainingpaperstogether，arrangedthemevenly，andthenraisedhishead。Hehadanintellectualanddistinctivehead，buttheinstantheturnedtoPrinceAndrewthefirm，intelligentexpressiononhisfacechangedinawayevidentlydeliberateandhabitualtohim。Hisfacetookonthestupidartificialsmilewhichdoesnotevenattempttohideitsartificialityofamanwhoiscontinuallyreceivingmanypetitionersoneafteranother。
　　"FromGeneralFieldMarshalKutuzov？"heasked。"Ihopeitisgoodnews？TherehasbeenanencounterwithMortier？Avictory？Itwashightime！"
　　Hetookthedispatchwhichwasaddressedtohimandbegantoreaditwithamournfulexpression。
　　"Oh，myGod！MyGod！Schmidt！"heexclaimedinGerman。"Whatacalamity！Whatacalamity！"
　　HavingglancedthroughthedispatchhelaiditonthetableandlookedatPrinceAndrew，evidentlyconsideringsomething。
　　"Ahwhatacalamity！Yousaytheaffairwasdecisive？ButMortierisnotcaptured。"Againhepondered。"Iamverygladyouhavebroughtgoodnews，thoughSchmidt’sdeathisaheavypricetopayforthevictory。HisMajestywillnodoubtwishtoseeyou，butnottoday。I
　　thankyou！Youmusthavearest。Beattheleveetomorrowaftertheparade。However，Iwillletyouknow。"
　　Thestupidsmile，whichhadlefthisfacewhilehewasspeaking，reappeared。
　　"Aurevoir！Thankyouverymuch。HisMajestywillprobablydesiretoseeyou，"headded，bowinghishead。
　　WhenPrinceAndrewleftthepalacehefeltthatalltheinterestandhappinessthevictoryhadaffordedhimhadbeennowleftintheindifferenthandsoftheMinisterofWarandthepoliteadjutant。
　　Thewholetenorofhisthoughtsinstantaneouslychanged；thebattleseemedthememoryofaremoteeventlongpast。
　　BK2CH10
　　CHAPTERX
　　PrinceAndrewstayedatBrunnwithBilibin，aRussianacquaintanceofhisinthediplomaticservice。
　　"Ah，mydearprince！Icouldnothaveamorewelcomevisitor，"
　　saidBilibinashecameouttomeetPrinceAndrew。"Franz，puttheprince’sthingsinmybedroom，"saidhetotheservantwhowasusheringBolkonskiin。"Soyou’reamessengerofvictory，eh？
　　Splendid！AndIamsittinghereill，asyousee。"
　　Afterwashinganddressing，PrinceAndrewcameintothediplomat’sluxuriousstudyandsatdowntothedinnerpreparedforhim。Bilibinsettleddowncomfortablybesidethefire。
　　Afterhisjourneyandthecampaignduringwhichhehadbeendeprivedofallthecomfortsofcleanlinessandalltherefinementsoflife，PrinceAndrewfeltapleasantsenseofreposeamongluxurioussurroundingssuchashehadbeenaccustomedtofromchildhood。Besidesitwaspleasant，afterhisreceptionbytheAustrians，tospeakifnotinRussianfortheywerespeakingFrenchatleastwithaRussianwhowould，hesupposed，sharethegeneralRussianantipathytotheAustrianswhichwasthenparticularlystrong。
　　Bilibinwasamanofthirty—five，abachelor，andofthesamecircleasPrinceAndrew。TheyhadknowneachotherpreviouslyinPetersburg，buthadbecomemoreintimatewhenPrinceAndrewwasinViennawithKutuzov。JustasPrinceAndrewwasayoungmanwhogavepromiseofrisinghighinthemilitaryprofession，sotoanevengreaterextentBilibingavepromiseofrisinginhisdiplomaticcareer。Hestillayoungmanbutnolongerayoungdiplomat，ashehadenteredtheserviceattheageofsixteen，hadbeeninParisandCopenhagen，andnowheldaratherimportantpostinVienna。BoththeforeignministerandourambassadorinViennaknewhimandvaluedhim。
　　Hewasnotoneofthosemanydiplomatswhoareesteemedbecausetheyhavecertainnegativequalities，avoiddoingcertainthings，andspeakFrench。Hewasoneofthose，who，likingwork，knewhowtodoit，anddespitehisindolencewouldsometimesspendawholenightathiswritingtable。Heworkedwellwhatevertheimportofhiswork。Itwasnotthequestion"Whatfor？"butthequestion"How？"thatinterestedhim。Whatthediplomaticmattermightbehedidnotcare，butitgavehimgreatpleasuretoprepareacircular，memorandum，orreport，skillfully，pointedly，andelegantly。Bilibin’sserviceswerevaluednotonlyforwhathewrote，butalsoforhisskillindealingandconversingwiththoseinthehighestspheres。
　　Bilibinlikedconversationashelikedwork，onlywhenitcouldbemadeelegantlywitty。Insocietyhealwaysawaitedanopportunitytosaysomethingstrikingandtookpartinaconversationonlywhenthatwaspossible。Hisconversationwasalwayssprinkledwithwittilyoriginal，finishedphrasesofgeneralinterest。Thesesayingswerepreparedintheinnerlaboratoryofhismindinaportableformasifintentionally，sothatinsignificantsocietypeoplemightcarrythemfromdrawingroomtodrawingroom。And，infact，Bilibin’switticismswerehawkedaboutintheViennesedrawingroomsandoftenhadaninfluenceonmattersconsideredimportant。
　　Histhin，worn，sallowfacewascoveredwithdeepwrinkles，whichalwayslookedascleanandwellwashedasthetipsofone’sfingersafteraRussianbath。Themovementofthesewrinklesformedtheprincipalplayofexpressiononhisface。Nowhisforeheadwouldpuckerintodeepfoldsandhiseyebrowswerelifted，thenhiseyebrowswoulddescendanddeepwrinkleswouldcreasehischeeks。Hissmall，deep—seteyesalwaystwinkledandlookedoutstraight。
　　"Well，nowtellmeaboutyourexploits，"saidhe。
　　Bolkonski，verymodestlywithoutoncementioninghimself，describedtheengagementandhisreceptionbytheMinisterofWar。
　　"Theyreceivedmeandmynewsasonereceivesadoginagameofskittles，"saidheinconclusion。
　　Bilibinsmiledandthewrinklesonhisfacedisappeared。
　　"Cependant，moncher，"heremarked，examininghisnailsfromadistanceandpuckeringtheskinabovehislefteye，"malgrelahauteestimequejeprofessepourtheOrthodoxRussianarmy，j’avouequevotrevictoiren’estpasdesplusvictorieuses。"*
　　*"Butmydearfellow，withallmyrespectfortheOrthodoxRussianarmy，Imustsaythatyourvictorywasnotparticularlyvictorious。"
　　HewentontalkinginthiswayinFrench，utteringonlythosewordsinRussianonwhichhewishedtoputacontemptuousemphasis。
　　"Comenow！YouwithallyourforcesfallontheunfortunateMortierandhisonedivision，andeventhenMortierslipsthroughyourfingers！Where’sthevictory？"
　　"Butseriously，"saidPrinceAndrew，"wecanatanyratesaywithoutboastingthatitwasalittlebetterthanatUlm……"
　　"Whydidn’tyoucaptureone，justone，marshalforus？"
　　"Becausenoteverythinghappensasoneexpectsorwiththesmoothnessofaparade。Wehadexpected，asItoldyou，togetattheirrearbyseveninthemorningbuthadnotreacheditbyfiveintheafternoon。"
　　"Andwhydidn’tyoudoitatseveninthemorning？Yououghttohavebeenthereatseveninthemorning，"returnedBilibinwithasmile。
　　"Yououghttohavebeenthereatseveninthemorning。"
　　"WhydidyounotsucceedinimpressingonBonapartebydiplomaticmethodsthathehadbetterleaveGenoaalone？"retortedPrinceAndrewinthesametone。
　　"Iknow，"interruptedBilibin，"you’rethinkingit’sveryeasytotakemarshals，sittingonasofabythefire！Thatistrue，butstillwhydidn’tyoucapturehim？Sodon’tbesurprisedifnotonlytheMinisterofWarbutalsohisMostAugustMajestytheEmperorandKingFrancisisnotmuchdelightedbyyourvictory。EvenI，apoorsecretaryoftheRussianEmbassy，donotfeelanyneedintokenofmyjoytogivemyFranzathaler，orlethimgowithhisLiebchentothePrater……True，wehavenoPraterhere……"
　　HelookedstraightatPrinceAndrewandsuddenlyunwrinkledhisforehead。
　　"Itisnowmyturntoaskyou’why？’moncher，"saidBolkonski。"I
　　confessIdonotunderstand：perhapstherearediplomaticsubtletiesherebeyondmyfeebleintelligence，butIcan’tmakeitout。Macklosesawholearmy，theArchdukeFerdinandandtheArchdukeKarlgivenosignsoflifeandmakeblunderafterblunder。Kutuzovaloneatlastgainsarealvictory，destroyingthespelloftheinvincibilityoftheFrench，andtheMinisterofWardoesnotevencaretohearthedetails。"
　　"That’sjustit，mydearfellow。Youseeit’shurrahfortheTsar，forRussia，fortheOrthodoxGreekfaith！Allthatisbeautiful，butwhatdowe，ImeantheAustriancourt，careforyourvictories？
　　BringusnicenewsofavictorybytheArchdukeKarlorFerdinandonearchduke’sasgoodasanother，asyouknowandevenifitisonlyoverafirebrigadeofBonaparte’s，thatwillbeanotherstoryandwe’llfireoffsomecannon！Butthissortofthingseemsdoneonpurposetovexus。TheArchdukeKarldoesnothing，theArchdukeFerdinanddisgraceshimself。YouabandonVienna，giveupitsdefense—asmuchastosay：’Heaveniswithus，butheavenhelpyouandyourcapital！’Theonegeneralwhomweallloved，Schmidt，youexposetoabullet，andthenyoucongratulateusonthevictory！Admitthatmoreirritatingnewsthanyourscouldnothavebeenconceived。
　　It’sasifithadbeendoneonpurpose，onpurpose。Besides，supposeyoudidgainabrilliantvictory，ifeventheArchdukeKarlgainedavictory，whateffectwouldthathaveonthegeneralcourseofevents？It’stoolatenowwhenViennaisoccupiedbytheFrencharmy！"
　　"What？Occupied？Viennaoccupied？"
　　"Notonlyoccupied，butBonaparteisatSchonbrunn，andthecount，ourdearCountVrbna，goestohimfororders。"
　　Afterthefatiguesandimpressionsofthejourney，hisreception，andespeciallyafterhavingdined，Bolkonskifeltthathecouldnottakeinthefullsignificanceofthewordsheheard。
　　"CountLichtenfelswasherethismorning，"Bilibincontinued，"andshowedmealetterinwhichtheparadeoftheFrenchinViennawasfullydescribed：PrinceMuratettoutletremblement……Youseethatyourvictoryisnotamatterforgreatrejoicingandthatyoucan’tbereceivedasasavior。"
　　"ReallyIdon’tcareaboutthat，Idon’tcareatall，"saidPrinceAndrew，beginningtounderstandthathisnewsofthebattlebeforeKremswasreallyofsmallimportanceinviewofsucheventsasthefallofAustria’scapital。"HowisitViennawastaken？WhatofthebridgeanditscelebratedbridgeheadandPrinceAuersperg？WeheardreportsthatPrinceAuerspergwasdefendingVienna？"hesaid。
　　"PrinceAuerspergisonthis，onoursideoftheriver，andisdefendingus—doingitverybadly，Ithink，butstillheisdefendingus。ButViennaisontheotherside。No，thebridgehasnotyetbeentakenandIhopeitwillnotbe，foritisminedandordershavebeengiventoblowitup。OtherwiseweshouldlongagohavebeeninthemountainsofBohemia，andyouandyourarmywouldhavespentabadquarterofanhourbetweentwofires。"
　　"Butstillthisdoesnotmeanthatthecampaignisover，"saidPrinceAndrew。
　　"Well，Ithinkitis。Thebigwigsherethinksotoo，buttheydaren’tsayso。ItwillbeasIsaidatthebeginningofthecampaign，itwon’tbeyourskirmishingatDurrenstein，orgunpowderatall，thatwilldecidethematter，butthosewhodevisedit，"saidBilibinquotingoneofhisownmots，releasingthewrinklesonhisforehead，andpausing。"TheonlyquestioniswhatwillcomeofthemeetingbetweentheEmperorAlexanderandtheKingofPrussiainBerlin？IfPrussiajoinstheAllies，Austria’shandwillbeforcedandtherewillbewar。IfnotitismerelyaquestionofsettlingwherethepreliminariesofthenewCampoFormioaretobedrawnup。"
　　"Whatanextraordinarygenius！"PrinceAndrewsuddenlyexclaimed，clenchinghissmallhandandstrikingthetablewithit，"andwhatluckthemanhas！"
　　"Buonaparte？"saidBilibininquiringly，puckeringuphisforeheadtoindicatethathewasabouttosaysomethingwitty。"Buonaparte？"herepeated，accentuatingtheu："Ithink，however，nowthathelaysdownlawsforAustriaatSchonbrunn，ilfautluifairegracedel’u！*I
　　shallcertainlyadoptaninnovationandcallhimsimplyBonaparte！"
　　*"Wemustlethimofftheu！"
　　"Butjokingapart，"saidPrinceAndrew，"doyoureallythinkthecampaignisover？"
　　"ThisiswhatIthink。Austriahasbeenmadeafoolof，andsheisnotusedtoit。Shewillretaliate。Andshehasbeenfooledinthefirstplacebecauseherprovinceshavebeenpillaged—theysaytheHolyRussianarmylootsterribly—herarmyisdestroyed，hercapitaltaken，andallthisforthebeauxyeux*ofHisSardinianMajesty。
　　Andtherefore—thisisbetweenourselves—Iinstinctivelyfeelthatwearebeingdeceived，myinstincttellsmeofnegotiationswithFranceandprojectsforpeace，asecretpeaceconcludedseparately。"
　　*Fineeyes。
　　"Impossible！"criedPrinceAndrew。"Thatwouldbetoobase。"
　　"Ifweliveweshallsee，"repliedBilibin，hisfaceagainbecomingsmoothasasignthattheconversationwasatanend。
　　WhenPrinceAndrewreachedtheroompreparedforhimandlaydowninacleanshirtonthefeatherbedwithitswarmedandfragrantpillows，hefeltthatthebattleofwhichhehadbroughttidingswasfar，farawayfromhim。ThealliancewithPrussia，Austria’streachery，Bonaparte’snewtriumph，tomorrow’sleveeandparade，andtheaudiencewiththeEmperorFrancisoccupiedhisthoughts。
　　Heclosedhiseyes，andimmediatelyasoundofcannonading，ofmusketryandtherattlingofcarriagewheelsseemedtofillhisears，andnowagaindrawnoutinathinlinethemusketeersweredescendingthehill，theFrenchwerefiring，andhefelthisheartpalpitatingasherodeforwardbesideSchmidtwiththebulletsmerrilywhistlingallaround，andheexperiencedtenfoldthejoyofliving，ashehadnotdonesincechildhood。
　　Hewokeup……
　　"Yes，thatallhappened！"hesaid，and，smilinghappilytohimselflikeachild，hefellintoadeep，youthfulslumber。