\"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。