BK10CH15
CHAPTERXV
OnreceivingcommandofthearmiesKutuzovrememberedPrinceAndrewandsentanorderforhimtoreportatheadquarters。
PrinceAndrewarrivedatTsarevo—ZaymishcheontheverydayandattheveryhourthatKutuzovwasreviewingthetroopsforthefirsttime。Hestoppedinthevillageatthepriest’shouseinfrontofwhichstoodthecommanderinchief’scarriage，andhesatdownonthebenchatthegateawaitinghisSereneHighness，aseveryonenowcalledKutuzov。Fromthefieldbeyondthevillagecamenowsoundsofregimentalmusicandnowtheroarofmanyvoicesshouting\"Hurrah！\"tothenewcommanderinchief。Twoorderlies，acourierandamajor—domo，stoodnearby，sometenpacesfromPrinceAndrew，availingthemselvesofKutuzov’sabsenceandofthefineweather。Ashort，swarthylieutenantcolonelofhussarswiththickmustachesandwhiskersrodeuptothegateand，glancingatPrinceAndrew，inquiredwhetherhisSereneHighnesswasputtingupthereandwhetherhewouldsoonbeback。
PrinceAndrewrepliedthathewasnotonhisSereneHighness’
staffbutwashimselfanewarrival。Thelieutenantcolonelturnedtoasmartorderly，who，withthepeculiarcontemptwithwhichacommanderinchief’sorderlyspeakstoofficers，replied：
\"What？HisSereneHighness？Iexpecthe’llbeheresoon。Whatdoyouwant？\"
Thelieutenantcolonelofhussarssmiledbeneathhismustacheattheorderly’stone，dismounted，gavehishorsetoadispatchrunner，andapproachedBolkonskiwithaslightbow。Bolkonskimaderoomforhimonthebenchandthelieutenantcolonelsatdownbesidehim。
\"You’realsowaitingforthecommanderinchief？\"saidhe。\"Theysayheweceivesevewyone，thankGod！……It’sawfulwiththosesausageeaters！ErmolovhadweasontoasktobepwomotedtobeaGerman！Nowp’wapsWussianswillgetalookin。Asitwas，devilonlyknowswhatwashappening。Wekeptwetweatingandwetweating。Didyoutakepartinthecampaign？\"heasked。
\"Ihadthepleasure，\"repliedPrinceAndrew，\"notonlyoftakingpartintheretreatbutoflosinginthatretreatallIhelddear—nottomentiontheestateandhomeofmybirth—myfather，whodiedofgrief。IbelongtotheprovinceofSmolensk。\"
\"Ah？You’rePwinceBolkonski？Vewygladtomakeyouracquaintance！
I’mLieutenantColonelDenisov，betterknownas’Vaska，’\"saidDenisov，pressingPrinceAndrew’shandandlookingintohisfacewithaparticularlykindlyattention。\"Yes，Iheard，\"saidhesympathetically，andafterashortpauseadded：\"Yes，it’sScythianwarfare。It’sallvewywell—onlynotforthosewhogetitintheneck。SoyouarePwinceAndwewBolkonski？\"Heswayedhishead。\"Vewypleased，Pwince，tomakeyouracquaintance！\"herepeatedagain，smilingsadly，andheagainpressedPrinceAndrew’shand。
PrinceAndrewknewDenisovfromwhatNatashahadtoldhimofherfirstsuitor。Thismemorycarriedhimsadlyandsweetlybacktothosepainfulfeelingsofwhichhehadnotthoughtlately，butwhichstillfoundplaceinhissoul。Oflatehehadreceivedsomanynewandveryseriousimpressions—suchastheretreatfromSmolensk，hisvisittoBaldHills，andtherecentnewsofhisfather’sdeath—andhadexperiencedsomanyemotions，thatforalongtimepastthosememorieshadnotenteredhismind，andnowthattheydid，theydidnotactonhimwithnearlytheirformerstrength。ForDenisov，too，thememoriesawakenedbythenameofBolkonskibelongedtoadistant，romanticpast，whenaftersupperandafterNatasha’ssinginghehadproposedtoalittlegirloffifteenwithoutrealizingwhathewasdoing。HesmiledattherecollectionofthattimeandofhisloveforNatasha，andpassedatoncetowhatnowinterestedhimpassionatelyandexclusively。Thiswasaplanofcampaignhehaddevisedwhileservingattheoutpostsduringtheretreat。HehadproposedthatplantoBarclaydeTollyandnowwishedtoproposeittoKutuzov。TheplanwasbasedonthefactthattheFrenchlineofoperationwastoextended，anditproposedthatinsteadof，orconcurrentlywith，actiononthefronttobartheadvanceoftheFrench，weshouldattacktheirlineofcommunication。HebeganexplaininghisplantoPrinceAndrew。
\"Theycan’tholdallthatline。It’simpossible。Iwillundertaketobweakthwough。GivemefivehundwedmenandIwillbweaktheline，that’scertain！There’sonlyoneway—guewillawarfare！\"
DenisovroseandbegangesticulatingasheexplainedhisplantoBolkonski。Inthemidstofhisexplanationshoutswereheardfromthearmy，growingmoreincoherentandmorediffused，minglingwithmusicandsongsandcomingfromthefieldwherethereviewwasheld。
Soundsofhoofsandshoutswerenearingthevillage。
\"He’scoming！He’scoming！\"shoutedaCossackstandingatthegate。
BolkonskiandDenisovmovedtothegate，atwhichaknotofsoldiersaguardofhonorwasstanding，andtheysawKutuzovcomingdownthestreetmountedonarathersmallsorrelhorse。Ahugesuiteofgeneralsrodebehindhim。Barclaywasridingalmostbesidehim，andacrowdofofficersranafterandaroundthemshouting，\"Hurrah！\"
Hisadjutantsgallopedintotheyardbeforehim。Kutuzovwasimpatientlyurgingonhishorse，whichambledsmoothlyunderhisweight，andheraisedhishandtohiswhiteHorseGuard’scapwitharedbandandnopeak，noddinghisheadcontinually。Whenhecameuptotheguardofhonor，afinesetofGrenadiersmostlywearingdecorations，whoweregivinghimthesalute，helookedatthemsilentlyandattentivelyfornearlyaminutewiththesteadygazeofacommanderandthenturnedtothecrowdofgeneralsandofficerssurroundinghim。Suddenlyhisfaceassumedasubtleexpression，heshruggedhisshoulderswithanairofperplexity。
\"Andwithsuchfinefellowstoretreatandretreat！Well，good—by，General，\"headded，androdeintotheyardpastPrinceAndrewandDenisov。
\"Hurrah！hurrah！hurrah！\"shoutedthosebehindhim。
SincePrinceAndrewhadlastseenhimKutuzovhadgrownstillmorecorpulent，flaccid，andfat。Butthebleachedeyeball，thescar，andthefamiliarwearinessofhisexpressionwerestillthesame。HewaswearingthewhiteHorseGuard’scapandamilitaryovercoatwithawhiphangingoverhisshoulderbyathinstrap。Hesatheavilyandswayedlimplyonhisbrisklittlehorse。
\"Whew……whew……whew！\"hewhistledjustaudiblyasherodeintotheyard。Hisfaceexpressedthereliefofrelaxedstrainfeltbyamanwhomeanstorestafteraceremony。Hedrewhisleftfootoutofthestirrupand，lurchingwithhiswholebodyandpuckeringhisfacewiththeeffort，raiseditwithdifficultyontothesaddle，leanedonhisknee，groaned，andslippeddownintothearmsoftheCossacksandadjutantswhostoodreadytoassisthim。
Hepulledhimselftogether，lookedround，screwinguphiseyes，glancedatPrinceAndrew，and，evidentlynotrecognizinghim，movedwithhiswaddlinggaittotheporch。\"Whew……whew……whew！\"hewhistled，andagainglancedatPrinceAndrew。Asoftenoccurswitholdmen，itwasonlyaftersomesecondsthattheimpressionproducedbyPrinceAndrew’sfacelinkeditselfupwithKutuzov’sremembranceofhispersonality。
\"Ah，howdoyoudo，mydearprince？Howdoyoudo，mydearboy？Comealong……\"saidhe，glancingwearilyround，andhesteppedontotheporchwhichcreakedunderhisweight。
Heunbuttonedhiscoatandsatdownonabenchintheporch。
\"Andhow’syourfather？\"
\"Ireceivednewsofhisdeath，yesterday，\"repliedPrinceAndrewabruptly。
Kutuzovlookedathimwitheyeswideopenwithdismayandthentookoffhiscapandcrossedhimself：
\"MaythekingdomofHeavenbehis！God’swillbedonetousall！\"Hesigheddeeply，hiswholechestheaving，andwassilentforawhile。\"I
lovedhimandrespectedhim，andsympathizewithyouwithallmyheart。\"
HeembracedPrinceAndrew，pressinghimtohisfatbreast，andforsometimedidnotlethimgo。WhenhereleasedhimPrinceAndrewsawthatKutuzov’sflabbylipsweretremblingandthattearswereinhiseyes。Hesighedandpressedonthebenchwithbothhandstoraisehimself。
\"Come！Comewithme，we’llhaveatalk，\"saidhe。
ButatthatmomentDenisov，nomoreintimidatedbyhissuperiorsthanbytheenemy，camewithjinglingspursupthestepsoftheporch，despitetheangrywhispersoftheadjutantswhotriedtostophim。
Kutuzov，hishandsstillpressedontheseat，glancedathimglumly。
Denisov，havinggivenhisname，announcedthathehadtocommunicatetohisSereneHighnessamatterofgreatimportancefortheircountry’swelfare。Kutuzovlookedwearilyathimand，liftinghishandswithagestureofannoyance，foldedthemacrosshisstomach，repeatingthewords：\"Forourcountry’swelfare？Well，whatisit？
Speak！\"Denisovblushedlikeagirlitwasstrangetoseethecolorriseinthatshaggy，bibulous，time—wornfaceandboldlybegantoexpoundhisplanofcuttingtheenemy’slinesofcommunicationbetweenSmolenskandVyazma。Denisovcamefromthosepartsandknewthecountrywell。Hisplanseemeddecidedlyagoodone，especiallyfromthestrengthofconvictionwithwhichhespoke。Kutuzovlookeddownathisownlegs，occasionallyglancingatthedooroftheadjoininghutasifexpectingsomethingunpleasanttoemergefromit。Andfromthathut，whileDenisovwasspeaking，ageneralwithaportfoliounderhisarmreallydidappear。
\"What？\"saidKutuzov，inthemidstofDenisov’sexplanations，\"areyoureadysosoon？\"
\"Ready，yourSereneHighness，\"repliedthegeneral。
Kutuzovswayedhishead，asmuchastosay：\"Howisonemantodealwithitall？\"andagainlistenedtoDenisov。
\"IgivemywordofhonorasaWussianofficer，\"saidDenisov，\"thatIcanbweakNapoleon’slineofcommunication！\"
\"WhatrelationareyoutoIntendantGeneralKirilAndreevichDenisov？\"askedKutuzov，interruptinghim。
\"Heismyuncle，yourSeweneHighness。\"
\"Ah，wewerefriends，\"saidKutuzovcheerfully。\"Allright，allright，friend，stayhereatthestaffandtomorrowwe’llhaveatalk。\"
WithanodtoDenisovheturnedawayandputouthishandforthepapersKonovnitsynhadbroughthim。
\"WouldnotyourSereneHighnessliketocomeinside？\"saidthegeneralondutyinadiscontentedvoice，\"theplansmustbeexaminedandseveralpapershavetobesigned。\"
Anadjutantcameoutandannouncedthateverythingwasinreadinesswithin。ButKutuzovevidentlydidnotwishtoenterthatroomtillhewasdisengaged。Hemadeagrimace……
\"No，tellthemtobringasmalltableouthere，mydearboy。I’lllookatthemhere，\"saidhe。\"Don’tgoaway，\"headded，turningtoPrinceAndrew，whoremainedintheporchandlistenedtothegeneral’sreport。
Whilethiswasbeinggiven，PrinceAndrewheardthewhisperofawoman’svoiceandtherustleofasilkdressbehindthedoor。
Severaltimesonglancingthatwayhenoticedbehindthatdooraplump，rosy，handsomewomaninapinkdresswithalilacsilkkerchiefonherhead，holdingadishandevidentlyawaitingtheentranceofthecommanderinchief。Kutiizov’sadjutantwhisperedtoPrinceAndrewthatthiswasthewifeofthepriestwhosehomeitwas，andthatsheintendedtoofferhisSereneHighnessbreadandsalt。\"HerhusbandhaswelcomedhisSereneHighnesswiththecrossatthechurch，andsheintendstowelcomehiminthehouse……She’sverypretty，\"addedtheadjutantwithasmile。AtthosewordsKutuzovlookedround。Hewaslisteningtothegeneral’sreport—whichconsistedchieflyofacriticismofthepositionatTsarevo—Zaymishche—ashehadlistenedtoDenisov，andsevenyearspreviouslyhadlistenedtothediscussionattheAusterlitzcouncilofwar。Heevidentlylistenedonlybecausehehadearswhich，thoughtherewasapieceoftowinoneofthem，couldnothelphearing；butitwasevidentthatnothingthegeneralcouldsaywouldsurpriseoreveninteresthim，thatheknewallthatwouldbesaidbeforehand，andhearditallonlybecausehehadto，asonehastolistentothechantingofaserviceofprayer。AllthatDenisovhadsaidwascleverandtothepoint。Whatthegeneralwassayingwasevenmorecleverandtothepoint，butitwasevidentthatKutuzovdespisedknowledgeandcleverness，andknewofsomethingelsethatwoulddecidethematter—somethingindependentofclever。nessandknowledge。PrinceAndrewwatchedthecommanderinchief’sfaceattentively，andtheonlyexpressionhecouldseetherewasoneofboredom，curiosityastothemeaningofthefemininewhisperingbehindthedoor，andadesiretoobservepropriety。ItwasevidentthatKutuzovdespisedclevernessandlearningandeventhepatrioticfeelingshownbyDenisov，butdespisedthemnotbecauseofhisownintellect，feelings，orknowledge—hedidnottrytodisplayanyofthese—butbecauseofsomethingelse。Hedespisedthembecauseofhisoldageandexperienceoflife。TheonlyinstructionKutuzovgaveofhisownaccordduringthatreportreferredtolootingbytheRussiantroops。Attheendofthereportthegeneralputbeforehimforsignatureapaperrelatingtotherecoveryofpaymentfromarmycommandersforgreenoatsmowndownbythesoldiers，whenlandownerslodgedpetitionsforcompensation。
Afterhearingthematter，Kutuzovsmackedhislipstogetherandshookhishead。
\"Intothestove……intothefirewithit！Itellyouonceforall，mydearfellow，\"saidhe，\"intothefirewithallsuchthings！Letthemcutthecropsandburnwoodtotheirhearts’content。Idon’torderitorallowit，butIdon’texactcompensationeither。Onecan’tgetonwithoutit。’Whenwoodischoppedthechipswillfly。’\"Helookedatthepaperagain。\"Oh，thisGermanprecision！\"hemuttered，shakinghishead。
BK10CH16
CHAPTERXVI
\"Well，that’sall！\"saidKutuzovashesignedthelastofthedocuments，andrisingheavilyandsmoothingoutthefoldsinhisfatwhiteneckhemovedtowardthedoorwithamorecheerfulexpression。
Thepriest’swife，flushingrosyred，caughtupthedishshehadafterallnotmanagedtopresentattherightmoment，thoughshehadsolongbeenpreparingforit，andwithalowbowofferedittoKutuzov。
Hescreweduphiseyes，smiled，liftedherchinwithhishand，andsaid：
\"Ah，whatabeauty！Thankyou，sweetheart！\"
Hetooksomegoldpiecesfromhistrouserpocketandputthemonthedishforher。\"Well，mydear，andhowarewegettingon？\"heasked，movingtothedooroftheroomassignedtohim。Thepriest’swifesmiled，andwithdimplesinherrosycheeksfollowedhimintotheroom。TheadjutantcameouttotheporchandaskedPrinceAndrewtolunchwithhim。HalfanhourlaterPrinceAndrewwasagaincalledtoKutuzov。Hefoundhimreclininginanarmchair，stillinthesameunbuttonedovercoat。HehadinhishandaFrenchbookwhichheclosedasPrinceAndrewentered，markingtheplacewithaknife。
PrinceAndrewsawbythecoverthatitwasLesChevaliersduCygnebyMadamedeGenlis。
\"Well，sitdown，sitdownhere。Let’shaveatalk，\"saidKutuzov。
\"It’ssad，verysad。Butremember，mydearfellow，thatIamafathertoyou，asecondfather……\"
PrinceAndrewtoldKutuzovallheknewofhisfather’sdeath，andwhathehadseenatBaldHillswhenhepassedthroughit。
\"What……whattheyhavebroughtusto！\"Kutuzovsuddenlycriedinanagitatedvoice，evidentlypicturingvividlytohimselffromPrinceAndrew’sstorytheconditionRussiawasin。\"Butgivemetime，givemetime！\"hesaidwithagrimlook，evidentlynotwishingtocontinuethisagitatingconversation，andadded：\"Isentforyoutokeepyouwithme。\"
\"IthankyourSereneHighness，butIfearIamlongerfitforthestaff，\"repliedPrinceAndrewwithasmilewhichKutuzovnoticed。
Kutuzovglancedinquiringlyathim。
\"Butaboveall，\"addedPrinceAndrew，\"Ihavegrownusedtomyregiment，amfondoftheofficers，andIfancythemenalsolikeme。I
shouldbesorrytoleavetheregiment。IfIdeclinethehonorofbeingwithyou，believeme……\"
Ashrewd，kindly，yetsubtlyderisiveexpressionlitupKutuzov’spodgyface。HecutBolkonskishort。
\"Iamsorry，forIneedyou。Butyou’reright，you’reright！It’snotherethatmenareneeded。Advisersarealwaysplentiful，butmenarenot。Theregimentswouldnotbewhattheyareifthewould—beadvisersservedthereasyoudo。IrememberyouatAusterlitz……I
remember，yes，Irememberyouwiththestandard！\"saidKutuzov，andaflushofpleasuresuffusedPrinceAndrew’sfaceatthisrecollection。
Takinghishandanddrawinghimdownwards，Kutuzovofferedhischeektobekissed，andagainPrinceAndrewnoticedtearsintheoldman’seyes。ThoughPrinceAndrewknewthatKutuzov’stearscameeasily，andthathewasparticularlytendertoandconsiderateofhimfromawishtoshowsympathywithhisloss，yetthisreminderofAusterlitzwasbothpleasantandflatteringtohim。
\"GoyourwayandGodbewithyou。Iknowyourpathisthepathofhonor！\"Hepaused。\"ImissedyouatBucharest，butIneededsomeonetosend。\"Andchangingthesubject，KutuzovbegantospeakoftheTurkishwarandthepeacethathadbeenconcluded。\"Yes，Ihavebeenmuchblamed，\"hesaid，\"bothforthatwarandthepeace……buteverythingcameattherighttime。Toutvientapointaceluiquisaitattendre。*
Andtherewereasmanyadvisersthereashere……\"hewenton，returningtothesubjectof\"advisers\"whichevidentlyoccupiedhim。
\"Ah，thoseadvisers！\"saidhe。\"IfwehadlistenedtothemallweshouldnothavemadepeacewithTurkeyandshouldnothavebeenthroughwiththatwar。Everythinginhaste，butmorehaste，lessspeed。Kamenskiwouldhavebeenlostifhehadnotdied。Hestormedfortresseswiththirtythousandmen。Itisnotdifficulttocaptureafortressbutitisdifficulttowinacampaign。Forthat，stormingandattackingbutpatienceandtimearewanted。KamenskisentsoldierstoRustchuk，butIonlyemployedthesetwothingsandtookmorefortressesthanKamenskiandmadethebuteathorseflesh！\"Heswayedhishead。\"AndtheFrenchshalltoo，believeme，\"hewenton，growingwarmerandbeatinghischest，\"I’llmakethemeathorseflesh！\"
Andtearsagaindimmedhiseyes。
*\"Everythingcomesintimetohimwhoknowshowtowait。\"
\"Butshan’twehavetoacceptbattle？\"remarkedPrinceAndrew。
\"Weshallifeverybodywantsit；itcan’tbehelped……Butbelieveme，mydearboy，thereisnothingstrongerthanthosetwo：
patienceandtime，theywilldoitall。Buttheadvisersn’entendentpasdecetteoreille，voilalemal。*Somewantathing—othersdon’t。What’sonetodo？\"heasked，evidentlyexpectingananswer。
\"Well，whatdoyouwantustodo？\"herepeatedandhiseyeshonewithadeep，shrewdlook。\"I’lltellyouwhattodo，\"hecontinued，asPrinceAndrewstilldidnotreply：\"Iwilltellyouwhattodo，andwhatIdo。Dansledoute，moncher，\"hepaused，\"abstiens—toi\"*[2]—hearticulatedtheFrenchproverbdeliberately。
*\"Don’tseeitthatway，that’sthetrouble。\"
*[2]\"Whenindoubt，mydearfellow，donothing。\"
\"Well，good—by，mydearfellow；rememberthatwithallmyheartI
shareyoursorrow，andthatforyouIamnotaSereneHighness，noraprince，noracommanderinchief，butafather！Ifyouwantanythingcomestraighttome。Good—by，mydearboy。\"
AgainheembracedandkissedPrinceAndrew，butbeforethelatterhadlefttheroomKutuzovgaveasighofreliefandwentonwithhisunfinishednovel，LesChevaliersduCygnebyMadamedeGenlis。
PrinceAndrewcouldnothaveexplainedhoworwhyitwas，butafterthatinterviewwithKutuzovhewentbacktohisregimentreassuredastothegeneralcourseofaffairsandastothemantowhomithadbeenentrusted。Themoreherealizedtheabsenceofallpersonalmotiveinthatoldman—inwhomthereseemedtoremainonlythehabitofpassions，andinplaceofanintellectgroupingeventsanddrawingconclusionsonlythecapacitycalmlytocontemplatethecourseofevents—themorereassuredhewasthateverythingwouldbeasitshould。\"Hewillnotbringinanyplanofhisown。Hewillnotdeviseorundertakeanything，\"thoughtPrinceAndrew，\"buthewillheareverything，remembereverything，andputeverythinginitsplace。
Hewillnothinderanythingusefulnorallowanythingharmful。Heunderstandsthatthereissomethingstrongerandmoreimportantthanhisownwill—theinevitablecourseofevents，andhecanseethemandgrasptheirsignificance，andseeingthatsignificancecanrefrainfrommeddlingandrenouncehispersonalwishdirectedtosomethingelse。Andaboveall，\"thoughtPrinceAndrew，\"onebelievesinhimbecausehe’sRussian，despitethenovelbyGenlisandtheFrenchproverbs，andbecausehisvoiceshookwhenhesaid：’Whattheyhavebroughtusto！’andhadasobinitwhenhesaidhewould’makethemeathorseflesh！’\"
Onsuchfeelings，moreorlessdimlysharedbyall，theunanimityandgeneralapprovalwerefoundedwithwhich，despitecourtinfluences，thepopularchoiceofKutuzovascommanderinchiefwasreceived。
BK10CH17
CHAPTERXVII
AftertheEmperorhadleftMoscow，lifeflowedonthereinitsusualcourse，anditscoursewassoveryusualthatitwasdifficulttoremembertherecentdaysofpatrioticelationandardor，hardtobelievethatRussiawasreallyindangerandthatthemembersoftheEnglishClubwerealsosonsoftheFatherlandreadytosacrificeeverythingforit。TheonethingthatrecalledthepatrioticfervoreveryonehaddisplayedduringtheEmperor’sstaywasthecallforcontributionsofmenandmoney，anecessitythatassoonasthepromiseshadbeenmadeassumedalegal，officialformandbecameunavoidable。
Withtheenemy’sapproachtoMoscow，theMoscovites’viewoftheirsituationdidnotgrowmoreseriousbutonthecontrarybecameevenmorefrivolous，asalwayshappenswithpeoplewhoseeagreatdangerapproaching。Attheapproachofdangertherearealwaystwovoicesthatspeakwithequalpowerinthehumansoul：oneveryreasonablytellsamantoconsiderthenatureofthedangerandthemeansofescapingit；theother，stillmorereasonably，saysthatitistoodepressingandpainfultothinkofthedanger，sinceitisnotinman’spowertoforeseeeverythingandavertthegeneralcourseofevents，anditisthereforebettertodisregardwhatispainfultillitcomes，andtothinkaboutwhatispleasant。Insolitudeamangenerallylistenstothefirstvoice，butinsocietytothesecond。SoitwasnowwiththeinhabitantsofMoscow。ItwaslongsincepeoplehadbeenasgayinMoscowasthatyear。
Rostopchin’sbroadsheets，headedbywoodcutsofadrinkshop，apotman，andaMoscowburghercalledKarpushkaChigirin，\"who—havingbeenamilitiamanandhavinghadrathertoomuchatthepub—heardthatNapoleonwishedtocometoMoscow，grewangry，abusedtheFrenchinverybadlanguage，cameoutofthedrinkshop，and，underthesignoftheeagle，begantoaddresstheassembledpeople，\"werereadanddiscussed，togetherwiththelatestofVasiliLvovichPushkin’sboutsrimes。
InthecornerroomattheClub，membersgatheredtoreadthesebroadsheets，andsomelikedthewayKarpushkajeeredattheFrench，saying：\"TheywillswellupwithRussiancabbage，burstwithourbuckwheatporridge，andchokethemselveswithcabbagesoup。Theyarealldwarfsandonepeasantwomanwilltossthreeofthemwithahayfork。\"Othersdidnotlikethattoneandsaiditwasstupidandvulgar。ItwassaidthatRostopchinhadexpelledallFrenchmenandevenallforeignersfromMoscow，andthattherehadbeensomespiesandagentsofNapoleonamongthem；butthiswastoldchieflytointroduceRostopchin’swittyremarkonthatoccasion。TheforeignersweredeportedtoNizhnibyboat，andRostopchinhadsaidtotheminFrench：\"Rentrezenvousmemes；entrezdanslabarque，etn’enfaitespasunebarquedeCharon。\"*TherewastalkofallthegovernmentofficeshavingbeenalreadyremovedfromMoscow，andtothisShinshin’switticismwasadded—thatforthataloneMoscowoughttobegratefultoNapoleon。ItwassaidthatMamonov’sregimentwouldcosthimeighthundredthousandrubles，andthatBezukhovhadspentevenmoreonhis，butthatthebestthingaboutBezukhov’sactionwasthathehimselfwasgoingtodonauniformandrideattheheadofhisregimentwithoutcharginganythingfortheshow。
*\"Thinkitover；getintothebarque，andtakecarenottomakeitabarqueofCharon。\"
\"Youdon’tspareanyone，\"saidJulieDrubetskayaasshecollectedandpressedtogetherabunchofraveledlintwithherthin，beringedfingers。
JuliewaspreparingtoleaveMoscownextdayandwasgivingafarewellsoiree。
\"Bezukhovestridicule，butheissokindandgood—natured。Whatpleasureistheretobesocaustique？\"
\"Aforfeit！\"criedayoungmaninmilitiauniformwhomJuliecalled\"monchevalier，\"andwhowasgoingwithhertoNizhni。
InJulie’sset，asinmanyothercirclesinMoscow，ithadbeenagreedthattheywouldspeaknothingbutRussianandthatthosewhomadeaslipandspokeFrenchshouldpayfinestotheCommitteeofVoluntaryContributions。
\"AnotherforfeitforaGallicism，\"saidaRussianwriterwhowaspresent。\"’Whatpleasureistheretobe’isnotRussian！\"
\"Yousparenoone，\"continuedJulietotheyoungmanwithoutheedingtheauthor’sremark。
\"Forcaustique—Iamguiltyandwillpay，andIampreparedtopayagainforthepleasureoftellingyouthetruth。ForGallicismsI
won’tberesponsible，\"sheremarked，turningtotheauthor：\"Ihaveneitherthemoneynorthetime，likePrinceGalitsyn，toengageamastertoteachmeRussian！\"
\"Ah，hereheis！\"sheadded。\"Quandon……No，no，\"shesaidtothemilitiaofficer，\"youwon’tcatchme。Speakofthesunandyouseeitsrays！\"andshesmiledamiablyatPierre。\"Wewerejusttalkingofyou，\"shesaidwiththefacilityinlyingnaturaltoasocietywoman。\"WeweresayingthatyourregimentwouldbesuretobebetterthanMamonov’s。\"
\"Oh，don’ttalktomeofmyregiment，\"repliedPierre，kissinghishostess’handandtakingaseatbesideher。\"Iamsosickofit。\"
\"Youwill，ofcourse，commandityourself？\"saidJulie，directingasly，sarcasticglancetowardthemilitiaofficer。
ThelatterinPierre’spresencehadceasedtobecaustic，andhisfaceexpressedperplexityastowhatJulie’ssmilemightmean。Inspiteofhisabsent—mindednessandgoodnature，Pierre’spersonalityimmediatelycheckedanyattempttoridiculehimtohisface。
\"No，\"saidPierre，withalaughingglanceathisbig，stoutbody。\"I
shouldmaketoogoodatargetfortheFrench，besidesIamafraidI
shouldhardlybeabletoclimbontoahorse。\"
AmongthosewhomJulie’sguestshappenedtochoosetogossipaboutweretheRostovs。
\"Ihearthattheiraffairsareinaverybadway，\"saidJulie。
\"Andheissounreasonable，thecounthimselfImean。TheRazumovskiswantedtobuyhishouseandhisestatenearMoscow，butitdragsonandon。Heaskstoomuch。\"
\"No，Ithinkthesalewillcomeoffinafewdays，\"saidsomeone。
\"ThoughitismadnesstobuyanythinginMoscownow。\"
\"Why？\"askedJulie。\"Youdon’tthinkMoscowisindanger？\"
\"Thenwhyareyouleaving？\"
\"I？Whataquestion！Iamgoingbecause……well，becauseeveryoneisgoing：andbesides—IamnotJoanofArcoranAmazon。\"
\"Well，ofcourse，ofcourse！Letmehavesomemorestripsoflinen。\"
\"Ifhemanagesthebusinessproperlyhewillbeabletopayoffallhisdebts，\"saidthemilitiaofficer，speakingofRostov。
\"Akindlyoldmanbutnotuptomuch。AndwhydotheystayonsolonginMoscow？Theymeanttoleaveforthecountrylongago。
Natalieisquitewellagainnow，isn’tshe？\"JulieaskedPierrewithaknowingsmile。
\"Theyarewaitingfortheiryoungerson，\"Pierrereplied。\"HejoinedObolenski’sCossacksandwenttoBelayaTserkovwheretheregimentisbeingformed。Butnowtheyhavehadhimtransferredtomyregimentandareexpectinghimeveryday。Thecountwantedtoleavelongago，butthecountesswon’tonanyaccountleaveMoscowtillhersonreturns。\"
\"ImetthemthedaybeforeyesterdayattheArkharovs’。Nataliehasrecoveredherlooksandisbrighter。Shesangasong。Howeasilysomepeoplegetovereverything！\"
\"Getoverwhat？\"inquiredPierre，lookingdispleased。
Juliesmiled。
\"Youknow，Count，suchknightsasyouareonlyfoundinMadamedeSouza’snovels。\"
\"Whatknights？Whatdoyoumean？\"demandedPierre，blushing。
\"Oh，come，mydearcount！C’estlafabledetoutMoscou。Jevousadmire，maparoled’honneur！\"*
*\"ItisthetalkofallMoscow。Myword，Iadmireyou！\"
\"Forfeit，forfeit！\"criedthemilitiaofficer。
\"Allright，onecan’ttalk—howtiresome！\"
\"Whatis’thetalkofallMoscow’？\"Pierreaskedangrily，risingtohisfeet。
\"Comenow，Count，youknow！\"
\"Idon’tknowanythingaboutit，\"saidPierre。
\"IknowyouwerefriendlywithNatalie，andso……butIwasalwaysmorefriendlywithVera—thatdearVera。\"
\"No，madame！\"Pierrecontinuedinatoneofdispleasure，\"IhavenottakenonmyselftheroleofNatalieRostova’sknightatall，andhavenotbeentheirhousefornearlyamonth。ButIcannotunderstandthecruelty……\"
\"Quis’excuses’accuse，\"*saidJulie，smilingandwavingthelinttriumphantly，andtohavethelastwordshepromptlychangedthesubject。\"DoyouknowwhatIheardtoday？PoorMaryBolkonskayaarrivedinMoscowyesterday。Doyouknowthatshehaslostherfather？\"
*\"Whoexcuseshimself，accuseshimself。\"
\"Really？Whereisshe？Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseeher，\"saidPierre。
\"Ispenttheeveningwithheryesterday。SheisgoingtotheirestatenearMoscoweithertodayortomorrowmorning，withhernephew。\"
\"Well，andhowisshe？\"askedPierre。
\"Sheiswell，butsad。Butdoyouknowwhorescuedher？Itisquitearomance。NicholasRostov！Shewassurrounded，andtheywantedtokillherandhadwoundedsomeofherpeople。Herushedinandsavedher……\"
\"Anotherromance，\"saidthemilitiaofficer。\"Really，thisgeneralflighthasbeenarrangedtogetalltheoldmaidsmarriedoff。CaticheisoneandPrincessBolkonskayaanother。\"
\"Doyouknow，Ireallybelievesheisunpetitpeuamoureusedujeunehomme。\"*
*\"Alittlebitinlovewiththeyoungman。\"
\"Forfeit，forfeit，forfeit！\"
\"ButhowcouldonesaythatinRussian？\"
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CHAPTERXVIII
WhenPierrereturnedhomehewashandedtwoofRostopchin’sbroadsheetsthathadbeenbroughtthatday。
ThefirstdeclaredthatthereportthatCountRostopchinhadforbiddenpeopletoleaveMoscowwasfalse；onthecontraryhewasgladthatladiesandtradesmen’swiveswereleavingthecity。\"Therewillbelesspanicandlessgossip，\"ranthebroadsheet\"butIwillstakemylifeonitthatthatwillnotenterMoscow。\"ThesewordsshowedPierreclearlyforthefirsttimethattheFrenchwouldenterMoscow。ThesecondbroadsheetstatedthatourheadquarterswereatVyazma，thatCountWittgensteinhaddefeatedtheFrench，butthatasmanyoftheinhabitantsofMoscowwishedtobearmed，weaponswerereadyforthematthearsenal：sabers，pistols，andmusketswhichcouldbehadatalowprice。ThetoneoftheproclamationwasnotasjocoseasintheformerChigirintalks。Pierreponderedoverthesebroadsheets。Evidentlytheterriblestormcloudhehaddesiredwiththewholestrengthofhissoulbutwhichyetarousedinvoluntaryhorrorinhimwasdrawingnear。
\"ShallIjointhearmyandentertheservice，orwait？\"heaskedhimselfforthehundredthtime。Hetookapackofcardsthatlayonthetableandbegantolaythemoutforagameofpatience。
\"Ifthispatiencecomesout，\"hesaidtohimselfaftershufflingthecards，holdingtheminhishand，andliftinghishead，\"ifitcomesout，itmeans……whatdoesitmean？\"
Hehadnotdecidedwhatitshouldmeanwhenheheardthevoiceoftheeldestprincessatthedooraskingwhethershemightcomein。
\"ThenitwillmeanthatImustgotothearmy，\"saidPierretohimself。\"Comein，comein！\"headdedtotheprincess。
Onlytheeldestprincess，theonewiththestonyfaceandlongwaist，wasstilllivinginPierre’shouse。Thetwoyoungeroneshadbothmarried。
\"Excusemycomingtoyou，cousin，\"shesaidinareproachfulandagitatedvoice。\"Youknowsomedecisionmustbecometo。Whatisgoingtohappen？EveryonehasleftMoscowandthepeoplearerioting。Howisitthatwearestayingon？\"
\"Onthecontrary，thingsseemsatisfactory，macousine，\"saidPierreinthebanteringtonehehabituallyadoptedtowardher，alwaysfeelinguncomfortableintheroleofherbenefactor。
\"Satisfactory，indeed！Verysatisfactory！BarbaraIvanovnatoldmetodayhowourtroopsaredistinguishingthemselves。Itcertainlydoesthemcredit！Andthepeopletooarequitemutinous—theynolongerobey，evenmymaidhastakentobeingrude。Atthisratetheywillsoonbeginbeatingus。Onecan’twalkinthestreets。But，aboveall，theFrenchwillbehereanydaynow，sowhatarewewaitingfor？Iaskjustonethingofyou，cousin，\"shewenton，\"arrangeformetobetakentoPetersburg。WhateverImaybe，Ican’tliveunderBonaparte’srule。\"
\"Oh，come，macousine！Wheredoyougetyourinformationfrom？Onthecontrary……\"
\"Iwon’tsubmittoyourNapoleon！Othersmayiftheyplease……Ifyoudon’twanttodothis……\"
\"ButIwill，I’llgivetheorderatonce。\"
Theprincesswasapparentlyvexedatnothavinganyonetobeangrywith。Mutteringtoherself，shesatdownonachair。
\"Butyouhavebeenmisinformed，\"saidPierre。\"Everythingisquietinthecityandthereisnottheslightestdanger。See！I’vejustbeenreading……\"Heshowedherthebroadsheet。\"CountRostopchinwritesthathewillstakehislifeonitthattheenemywillnotenterMoscow。\"
\"Oh，thatcountofyours！\"saidtheprincessmalevolently。\"Heisahypocrite，arascalwhohashimselfrousedthepeopletoriot。
Didn’thewriteinthoseidioticbroadsheetsthatanyone，’whoeveritmightbe，shouldbedraggedtothelockupbyhishair’？Howsilly！’Andhonorandglorytowhoevercaptureshim，’hesays。Thisiswhathiscajoleryhasbroughtusto！BarbaraIvanovnatoldmethemobnearkilledherbecauseshesaidsomethinginFrench。\"
\"Oh，butit’sso……Youtakeeverythingsotoheart，\"saidPierre，andbeganlayingouthiscardsforpatience。
Althoughthatpatiencedidcomeout，Pierredidnotjointhearmy，butremainedindesertedMoscoweverinthesamestateofagitation，irresolution，andalarm，yetatthesametimejoyfullyexpectingsomethingterrible。
Nextdaytowardeveningtheprincesssetoff，andPierre’sheadstewardcametoinformhimthatthemoneyneededfortheequipmentofhisregimentcouldnotbefoundwithoutsellingoneoftheestates。
IngeneraltheheadstewardmadeouttoPierrethathisprojectofraisingaregimentwouldruinhim。Pierrelistenedtohim，scarcelyabletorepressasmile。
\"Wellthen，sellit，\"saidhe。\"What’stobedone？Ican’tdrawbacknow！\"
Theworseeverythingbecame，especiallyhisownaffairs，thebetterwasPierrepleasedandthemoreevidentwasitthatthecatastropheheexpectedwasapproaching。Hardlyanyoneheknewwasleftintown。Juliehadgone，andsohadPrincessMary。OfhisintimatefriendsonlytheRostovsremained，buthedidnotgotoseethem。
TodistracthisthoughtshedrovethatdaytothevillageofVorontsovotoseethegreatballoonLeppichwasconstructingtodestroythefoe，andatrialballoonthatwastogoupnextday。Theballoonwasnotyetready，butPierrelearnedthatitwasbeingconstructedbytheEmperor’sdesire。TheEmperorhadwrittentoCountRostopchinasfollows：
AssoonasLeppichisready，gettogetheracrewofreliableandintelligentmenforhiscarandsendacouriertoGeneralKutuzovtolethimknow。Ihaveinformedhimofthematter。
PleaseimpressuponLeppichtobeverycarefulwherehedescendsforthefirsttime，thathemaynotmakeamistakeandfallintotheenemy’shands。Itisessentialforhimtocombinehismovementswiththoseofthecommanderinchief。
OnhiswayhomefromVorontsovo，ashewaspassingtheBolotnoePlacePierre，seeingalargecrowdroundtheLobnoePlace，stoppedandgotoutofhistrap。AFrenchcookaccusedofbeingaspywasbeingflogged。Thefloggingwasonlyjustover，andtheexecutionerwasreleasingfromthefloggingbenchastoutmanwithredwhiskers，inbluestockingsandagreenjacket，whowasmoaningpiteously。
Anothercriminal，thinandpale，stoodnear。JudgingbytheirfacestheywerebothFrenchmen。WithafrightenedandsufferinglookresemblingthatonthethinFrenchman’sface，Pierrepushedhiswayinthroughthecrowd。
\"Whatisit？Whoisit？Whatisitfor？\"hekeptasking。
Buttheattentionofthecrowd—officials，burghers，shopkeepers，peasants，andwomenincloaksandinpelisses—wassoeagerlycenteredonwhatwaspassinginLobnoePlacethatnooneansweredhim。Thestoutmanrose，frowned，shruggedhisshoulders，andevidentlytryingtoappearfirmbegantopullonhisjacketwithoutlookingabouthim，butsuddenlyhislipstrembledandhebegantocry，inthewayfull—bloodedgrown—upmencry，thoughangrywithhimselffordoingso。Inthecrowdpeoplebegantalkingloudly，tostifletheirfeelingsofpityasitseemedtoPierre。
\"He’scooktosomeprince。\"
\"Eh，mounseer，RussiansauceseemstobesourtoaFrenchman……setshisteethonedge！\"saidawrinkledclerkwhowasstandingbehindPierre，whentheFrenchmanbegantocry。
Theclerkglancedround，evidentlyhopingthathisjokewouldbeappreciated。Somepeoplebegantolaugh，otherscontinuedtowatchindismaytheexecutionerwhowasundressingtheotherman。
Pierrechoked，hisfacepuckered，andheturnedhastilyaway，wentbacktohistrapmutteringsomethingtohimselfashewent，andtookhisseat。Astheydrovealongheshudderedandexclaimedseveraltimessoaudiblythatthecoachmanaskedhim：
\"Whatisyourpleasure？\"
\"Whereareyougoing？\"shoutedPierretotheman，whowasdrivingtoLubyankaStreet。
\"TotheGovernor’s，asyouordered，\"answeredthecoachman。
\"Fool！Idiot！\"shoutedPierre，abusinghiscoachman—athingherarelydid。\"Home，Itoldyou！Anddrivefaster，blockhead！\"\"Imustgetawaythisveryday，\"hemurmuredtohimself。
AtthesightofthetorturedFrenchmanandthecrowdsurroundingtheLobnoePlace，PierrehadsodefinitelymadeuphismindthathecouldnolongerremaininMoscowandwouldleaveforthearmythatverydaythatitseemedtohimthateitherhehadtoldthecoachmanthisorthatthemanoughttohaveknownitforhimself。
OnreachinghomePierregaveorderstoEvstafey—hisheadcoachmanwhokneweverything，coulddoanything，andwasknowntoallMoscow—
thathewouldleavethatnightforthearmyatMozhaysk，andthathissaddlehorsesshouldbesentthere。Thiscouldnotallbearrangedthatday，soonEvstafey’srepresentationPierrehadtoputoffhisdeparturetillnextdaytoallowtimefortherelayhorsestobesentoninadvance。
Onthetwenty—fourththeweatherclearedupafteraspellofrain，andafterdinnerPierreleftMoscow。WhenchanginghorsesthatnightinPerkhushkovo，helearnedthattherehadbeenagreatbattlethatevening。ThiswasthebattleofShevardino。HewastoldthatthereinPerkhushkovotheearthtrembledfromthefiring，butnobodycouldanswerhisquestionsastowhohadwon。AtdawnnextdayPierrewasapproachingMozhaysk。
EveryhouseinMozhayskhadsoldiersquarteredinit，andatthehostelwherePierrewasmetbyhisgroomandcoachmantherewasnoroomtobehad。Itwasfullofofficers。
EverywhereinMozhayskandbeyondit，troopswerestationedoronthemarch。Cossacks，footandhorsesoldiers，wagons，caissons，andcannonwereeverywhere。Pierrepushedforwardasfastashecould，andthefartherheleftMoscowbehindandthedeeperheplungedintothatseaoftroopsthemorewasheovercomebyrestlessagitationandanewandjoyfulfeelinghehadnotexperiencedbefore。ItwasafeelingakintowhathehadfeltattheSlobodaPalaceduringtheEmperor’svisit—asenseofthenecessityofundertakingsomethingandsacrificingsomething。Henowexperiencedagladconsciousnessthateverythingthatconstitutesmen’shappiness—thecomfortsoflife，wealth，evenlifeitself—isrubbishitispleasanttothrowaway，comparedwithsomething……Withwhat？Pierrecouldnotsay，andhedidnottrytodetermineforwhomandforwhathefeltsuchparticulardelightinsacrificingeverything。Hewasnotoccupiedwiththequestionofwhattosacrificefor；thefactofsacrificinginitselfaffordedhimanewandjoyoussensation。
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CHAPTERXIX
Onthetwenty—fourthofAugustthebattleoftheShevardinoRedoubtwasfought，onthetwenty—fifthnotashotwasfiredbyeitherside，andonthetwenty—sixththebattleofBorodinoitselftookplace。
WhyandhowwerethebattlesofShevardinoandBorodinogivenandaccepted？WhywasthebattleofBorodinofought？TherewasnottheleastsenseinitforeithertheFrenchortheRussians。ItsimmediateresultfortheRussianswas，andwasboundtobe，thatwewerebroughtnearertothedestructionofMoscow—whichwefearedmorethananythingintheworld；andfortheFrenchitsimmediateresultwasthattheywerebroughtnearertothedestructionoftheirwholearmy—whichtheyfearedmorethananythingintheworld。Whattheresultmustbewasquiteobvious，andyetNapoleonofferedandKutuzovacceptedthatbattle。
Ifthecommandershadbeenguidedbyreason，itwouldseemthatitmusthavebeenobvioustoNapoleonthatbyadvancingthirteenhundredmilesandgivingbattlewithaprobabilityoflosingaquarterofhisarmy，hewasadvancingtocertaindestruction，anditmusthavebeenequallycleartoKutuzovthatbyacceptingbattleandriskingthelossofaquarterofhisarmyhewouldcertainlyloseMoscow。ForKutuzovthiswasmathematicallyclear，asitisthatifwhenplayingdraughtsIhaveonemanlessandgoonexchanging，Ishallcertainlylose，andthereforeshouldnotexchange。WhenmyopponenthassixteenmenandIhavefourteen，Iamonlyoneeighthweakerthanhe，butwhenIhaveexchangedthirteenmoremenhewillbethreetimesasstrongasIam。
BeforethebattleofBorodinoourstrengthinproportiontotheFrenchwasaboutasfivetosix，butafterthatbattleitwaslittlemorethanonetotwo：previouslywehadahundredthousandagainstahundredandtwentythousand；afterwardslittlemorethanfiftythousandagainstahundredthousand。YettheshrewdandexperiencedKutuzovacceptedthebattle，whileNapoleon，whowassaidtobeacommanderofgenius，gaveit，losingaquarterofhisarmyandlengtheninghislinesofcommunicationstillmore。IfitissaidthatheexpectedtoendthecampaignbyoccupyingMoscowashehadendedapreviouscampaignbyoccupyingVienna，thereismuchevidencetothecontrary。Napoleon’shistoriansthemselvestellusthatfromSmolenskonwardshewishedtostop，knewthedangerofhisextendedposition，andknewthattheoccupationofMoscowwouldnotbetheendofthecampaign，forhehadseenatSmolenskthestateinwhichRussiantownswerelefttohim，andhadnotreceivedasinglereplytohisrepeatedannouncementsofhiswishtonegotiate。
IngivingandacceptingbattleatBorodino，Kutuzovactedinvoluntarilyandirrationally。Butlateron，tofitwhathadoccurred，thehistoriansprovidedcunninglydevisedevidenceoftheforesightandgeniusthegeneralswho，ofalltheblindtoolsofhistorywerethemostenslavedandinvoluntary。
Theancientshaveleftusmodelheroicpoemsinwhichtheheroesfurnishthewholeinterestofthestory，andwearestillunabletoaccustomourselvestothefactthatforourepochhistoriesofthatkindaremeaningless。
Ontheotherquestion，howthebattleofBorodinoandtheprecedingbattleofShevardinowerefought，therealsoexistsadefiniteandwell—known，butquitefalse，conception。Allthehistoriansdescribetheaffairasfollows：
TheRussianarmy，theysay，initsretreatfromSmolensksoughtoutforitselfthebestpositionforageneralengagementandfoundsuchapositionatBorodino。
TheRussians，theysay，fortifiedthispositioninadvanceontheleftofthehighroadfromMoscowtoSmolenskandalmostatarightangletoit，fromBorodinotoUtitsa，attheveryplacewherethebattlewasfought。
Infrontofthisposition，theysay，afortifiedoutpostwassetupontheShevardinomoundtoobservetheenemy。Onthetwenty—fourth，wearetold，Napoleonattackedthisadvancedpostandtookit，and，onthetwenty—sixth，attackedthewholeRussianarmy，whichwasinpositiononthefieldofBorodino。
Sothehistoriessay，anditisallquitewrong，asanyonewhocarestolookintothemattercaneasilyconvincehimself。
TheRussiansdidnotseekoutthebestpositionbut，onthecontrary，duringtheretreatpassedmanypositionsbetterthanBorodino。TheydidnotstopatanyoneofthesepositionsbecauseKutuzovdidnotwishtooccupyapositionhehadnothimselfchosen，becausethepopulardemandforabattlehadnotyetexpresseditselfstronglyenough，andbecauseMiloradovichhadnotyetarrivedwiththemilitia，andformanyotherreasons。Thefactisthatotherpositionstheyhadpassedwerestronger，andthatthepositionatBorodinotheonewherethebattlewasfought，farfrombeingstrong，wasnomoreapositionthananyotherspotonemightfindintheRussianEmpirebystickingapinintothemapathazard。
NotonlydidtheRussiansnotfortifythepositiononthefieldofBorodinototheleftof，andatarightangleto，thehighroadthatis，thepositiononwhichthebattletookplace，butnevertillthetwenty—fifthofAugust，1812，didtheythinkthatabattlemightbefoughtthere。Thiswasshownfirstbythefactthattherewerenoentrenchmentstherebythetwentyfifthandthatthosebegunonthetwenty—fifthandtwenty—sixthwerenotcompleted，andsecondly，bythepositionoftheShevardinoRedoubt。Thatredoubtwasquitesenselessinfrontofthepositionwherethebattlewasaccepted。Whywasitmorestronglyfortifiedthananyotherpost？Andwhywerealleffortsexhaustedandsixthousandmensacrificedtodefendittilllateatnightonthetwenty—fourth？ACossackpatrolwouldhavesufficedtoobservetheenemy。Thirdly，asproofthatthepositiononwhichthebattlewasfoughthadnotbeenforeseenandthattheShevardinoRedoubtwasnotanadvancedpostofthatposition，wehavethefactthatuptothetwenty—fifth，BarclaydeTollyandBagrationwereconvincedthattheShevardinoRedoubtwastheleftflankoftheposition，andthatKutuzovhimselfinhisreport，writteninhothasteafterthebattle，speaksoftheShevardinoRedoubtastheleftflankoftheposition。Itwasmuchlater，whenreportsonthebattleofBorodinowerewrittenatleisure，thattheincorrectandextraordinarystatementwasinventedprobablytojustifythemistakesofacommanderinchiefwhohadtoberepresentedasinfallible
thattheShevardinoRedoubtwasanadvancedpost—whereasinrealityitwassimplyafortifiedpointontheleftflank—andthatthebattleofBorodinowasfoughtbyusonanentrenchedpositionpreviouslyselected，whereasitwasfoughtonaquiteunexpectedspotwhichwasalmostunentrenched。
Thecasewasevidentlythis：apositionwasselectedalongtheriverKolocha—whichcrossesthehighroadnotatarightanglebutatanacuteangle—sothattheleftflankwasatShevardino，therightflanknearthevillageofNovoe，andthecenteratBorodinoattheconfluenceoftheriversKolochaandVoyna。
ToanyonewholooksatthefieldofBorodinowithoutthinkingofhowthebattlewasactuallyfought，thisposition，protectedbytheriverKolocha，presentsitselfasobviousforanarmywhoseobjectwastopreventanenemyfromadvancingalongtheSmolenskroadtoMoscow。
Napoleon，ridingtoValuevoonthetwenty—fourth，didnotseeasthehistorybookssayhedidthepositionoftheRussiansfromUtitsatoBorodinohecouldnothaveseenthatpositionbecauseitdidnotexist，nordidheseeanadvancedpostoftheRussianarmy，butwhilepursuingtheRussianrearguardhecameupontheleftflankoftheRussianposition—attheShevardinoRedoubt—andunexpectedlyfortheRussiansmovedhisarmyacrosstheKolocha。AndtheRussians，nothavingtimetobeginageneralengagement，withdrewtheirleftwingfromthepositiontheyhadintendedtooccupyandtookupanewpositionwhichhadnotbeenforeseenandwasnotfortified。BycrossingtotheothersideoftheKolochatotheleftofthehighroad，NapoleonshiftedthewholeforthcomingbattlefromrighttoleftlookingfromtheRussiansideandtransferredittotheplainbetweenUtitsa，Semenovsk，andBorodino—aplainnomoreadvantageousasapositionthananyotherplaininRussia—andtherethewholebattleofthetwenty—sixthofAugusttookplace。
HadNapoleonnotriddenoutontheeveningofthetwenty—fourthtotheKolocha，andhadhenotthenorderedanimmediateattackontheredoubtbuthadbeguntheattacknextmorning，noonewouldhavedoubtedthattheShevardinoRedoubtwastheleftflankofourandthebattlewouldhavetakenplacewhereweexpectedit。InthatcaseweshouldprobablyhavedefendedtheShevardinoRedoubt—ourleftflank—stillmoreobstinately。WeshouldhaveattackedNapoleoninthecenterorontheright，andtheengagementwouldhavetakenplaceonthetwenty—fifth，inthepositionweintendedandhadfortified。Butastheattackonourleftflanktookplaceintheeveningaftertheretreatofourreaguardthatis，immediatelyafterthefightatGridneva，andastheRussiancommandersdidnotwish，orwerenotintime，tobeginageneralengagementthenontheeveningofthetwenty—fourth，thefirstandchiefactionofthebattleofBorodinowasalreadylostonthetwenty—fourth，andobviouslyledtothelossoftheonefoughtonthetwenty—sixth。
AfterthelossoftheShevardinoRedoubt，wefoundourselvesonthemorningofthetwenty—fifthwithoutapositionforourleftflank，andwereforcedtobenditbackandhastilyentrenchitwhereitchancedtobe。
NotonlywastheRussianarmyonthetwenty—sixthdefendedbyweak，unfinishedentrenchments，butthedisadvantageofthatpositionwasincreasedbythefactthattheRussiancommanders—nothavingfullyrealizedwhathadhappened，namelythelossofourpositionontheleftflankandtheshiftingofthewholefieldoftheforthcomingbattlefromrighttoleft—maintainedtheirextendedpositionfromthevillageofNovoetoUtitsa，andconsequentlyhadtomovetheirforcesfromrighttoleftduringthebattle。SoithappenedthatthroughoutthewholebattletheRussiansopposedtheentireFrencharmylaunchedagainstourleftflankwithbuthalfasmanymen。Poniatowski’sactionagainstUtitsa，andUvarov’sontherightflankagainsttheFrench，wereactionsdistinctfromthemaincourseofthebattle。SothebattleofBorodinodidnottakeplaceatallasinanefforttoconcealourcommanders’mistakesevenatthecostofdiminishingthegloryduetotheRussianarmyandpeopleithasbeendescribed。ThebattleofBorodinowasnotfoughtonachosenandentrenchedpositionwithforcesonlyslightlyweakerthanthoseoftheenemy，but，asaresultofthelossoftheShevardinoRedoubt，theRussiansfoughtthebattleofBorodinoonanopenandalmostunentrenchedposition，withforcesonlyhalfasnumerousastheFrench；thatistosay，underconditionsinwhichitwasnotmerelyunthinkabletofightfortenhoursandsecureanindecisiveresult，butunthinkabletokeepanarmyevenfromcompletedisintegrationandflight。
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CHAPTERXX
Onthemorningofthetwenty—fifthPierrewasleavingMozhaysk。Atthedescentofthehighsteephill，downwhichawindingroadledoutofthetownpastthecathedralontheright，whereaservicewasbeingheldandthebellswereringing，Pierregotoutofhisvehicleandproceededonfoot。Behindhimacavalryregimentwascomingdownthehillprecededbyitssingers。Cominguptowardhimwasatrainofcartscarryingmenwhohadbeenwoundedintheengagementthedaybefore。Thepeasantdrivers，shoutingandlashingtheirhorses，keptcrossingfromsidetoside。Thecarts，ineachofwhichthreeorfourwoundedsoldierswerelyingorsitting，joltedoverthestonesthathadbeenthrownonthesteepinclinetomakeitsomethinglikearoad。Thewounded，bandagedwithrags，withpalecheeks，compressedlips，andknittedbrows，heldontothesidesofthecartsastheywerejoltedagainstoneanother。Almostallofthemstaredwithnaive，childlikecuriosityatPierre’swhitehatandgreenswallow—tailcoat。
Pierre’scoachmanshoutedangrilyattheconvoyofwoundedtokeeptoonesideoftheroad。Thecavalryregiment，asitdescendedthehillwithitssingers，surroundedPierre’scarriageandblockedtheroad。Pierrestopped，beingpressedagainstthesideofthecuttinginwhichtheroadran。Thesunshinefrombehindthehilldidnotpenetrateintothecuttingandthereitwascoldanddamp，butabovePierre’sheadwasthebrightAugustsunshineandthebellssoundedmerrily。OneofthecartswithwoundedstoppedbythesideoftheroadclosetoPierre。Thedriverinhisbastshoesranpantinguptoit，placedastoneunderoneofitstirelesshindwheels，andbeganarrangingthebreech—bandonhislittlehorse。
Oneofthewounded，anoldsoldierwithabandagedarmwhowasfollowingthecartonfoot，caughtholdofitwithhissoundhandandturnedtolookatPierre。
\"Isay，fellowcountryman！WilltheysetusdownhereortakeusontoMoscow？\"heasked。
Pierrewassodeepinthoughtthathedidnothearthequestion。
Hewaslookingnowatthecavalryregimentthathadmettheconvoyofwounded，nowatthecartbywhichhewasstanding，inwhichtwowoundedmenweresittingandonewaslying。Oneofthosesittingupinthecarthadprobablybeenwoundedinthecheek。Hiswholeheadwaswrappedinragsandonecheekwasswollentothesizeofababy’shead。Hisnoseandmouthweretwistedtooneside。Thissoldierwaslookingatthecathedralandcrossinghimself。Another，ayounglad，afair—hairedrecruitaswhiteasthoughtherewasnobloodinhisthinface，lookedatPierrekindly，withafixedsmile。Thethirdlaypronesothathisfacewasnotvisible。Thecavalrysingerswerepassingcloseby：
Ahlost，quitelost……ismyheadsokeen，Livinginaforeignland。
theysangtheirsoldiers’dancesong。
Asifrespondingtothembutwithadifferentsortofmerriment，themetallicsoundofthebellsreverberatedhighaboveandthehotraysofthesunbathedthetopoftheoppositeslopewithyetanothersortofmerriment。Butbeneaththeslope，bythecartwiththewoundednearthepantinglittlenagwherePierrestood，itwasdamp，somber，andsad。
Thesoldierwiththeswollencheeklookedangrilyatthecavalrysingers。
\"Oh，thecoxcombs！\"hemutteredreproachfully。
\"It’snotthesoldiersonly，butI’veseenpeasantstoday，too……
Thepeasants—eventheyhavetogo，\"saidthesoldierbehindthecart，addressingPierrewithasadsmile。\"Nodistinctionsmadenowadays……
Theywantthewholenationtofallonthem—inaword，it’sMoscow！
Theywanttomakeanendofit。\"
Inspiteoftheobscurityofthesoldier’swordsPierreunderstoodwhathewantedtosayandnoddedapproval。
Theroadwasclearagain；Pierredescendedthehillanddroveon。
Hekeptlookingtoeithersideoftheroadforfamiliarfaces，butonlysaweverywheretheunfamiliarfacesofvariousmilitarymenofdifferentbranchesoftheservice，whoalllookedwithastonishmentathiswhitehatandgreentailcoat。
Havinggonenearlythreemilesheatlastmetanacquaintanceandeagerlyaddressedhim。Thiswasoneoftheheadarmydoctors。HewasdrivingtowardPierreinacoveredgig，sittingbesideayoungsurgeon，andonrecognizingPierrehetoldtheCossackwhooccupiedthedriver’sseattopullup。
\"Count！Yourexcellency，howcomeyoutobehere？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Well，youknow，Iwantedtosee……\"
\"Yes，yes，therewillbesomethingtosee……\"
Pierregotoutandtalkedtothedoctor，explaininghisintentionoftakingpartinabattle。
ThedoctoradvisedhimtoapplydirecttoKutuzov。
\"WhyshouldyoubeGodknowswhereoutofsight，duringthebattle？\"
hesaid，exchangingglanceswithhisyoungcompanion。\"AnyhowhisSereneHighnessknowsyouandwillreceiveyougraciously。That’swhatyoumustdo。\"
Thedoctorseemedtiredandinahurry。
\"Youthinkso？……Ah，Ialsowantedtoaskyouwhereourpositionisexactly？\"saidPierre。
\"Theposition？\"repeatedthedoctor。\"Well，that’snotmyline。
DrivepastTatarinova，alotofdiggingisgoingonthere。Goupthehillockandyou’llsee。\"
\"Canoneseefromthere？……Ifyouwould……\"
Butthedoctorinterruptedhimandmovedtowardhisgig。
\"IwouldgowithyoubutonmyhonorI’muptohere\"—andhepointedtohisthroat。\"I’mgallopingtothecommanderofthecorps。Howdomattersstand？……Youknow，Count，there’llbeabattletomorrow。
Outofanarmyofahundredthousandwemustexpectatleasttwentythousandwounded，andwehaven’tstretchers，orbunks，ordressers，ordoctorsenoughforsixthousand。Wehavetenthousandcarts，butweneedotherthingsaswell—wemustmanageasbestwecan！\"
Thestrangethoughtthatofthethousandsofmen，youngandold，whohadstaredwithmerrysurpriseathishatperhapstheverymenhehadnoticed，twentythousandwereinevitablydoomedtowoundsanddeathamazedPierre。
\"Theymaydietomorrow；whyaretheythinkingofanythingbutdeath？\"AndbysomelatentsequenceofthoughtthedescentoftheMozhayskhill，thecartswiththewounded，theringingbells，theslantingraysofthesun，andthesongsofthecavalrymenvividlyrecurredtohismind。
\"Thecavalryridetobattleandmeetthewoundedanddonotforamomentthinkofwhatawaitsthem，butpassby，winkingatthewounded。
Yetfromamongthesementwentythousandaredoomedtodie，andtheywonderatmyhat！Strange！\"thoughtPierre，continuinghiswaytoTatarinova。
Infrontofalandowner’shousetotheleftoftheroadstoodcarriages，wagons，andcrowdsoforderliesandsentinels。Thecommanderinchiefwasputtingupthere，butjustwhenPierrearrivedhewasnotinandhardlyanyofthestaffwerethere—theyhadgonetothechurchservice。PierredroveontowardGorki。
Whenhehadascendedthehillandreachedthelittlevillagestreet，hesawforthefirsttimepeasantmilitiamenintheirwhiteshirtsandwithcrossesontheircaps，who，talkingandlaughingloudly，animatedandperspiring，wereatworkonahugeknollovergrownwithgrasstotherightoftheroad。
Someofthemweredigging，otherswerewheelingbarrowloadsofearthalongplanks，whileothersstoodaboutdoingnothing。
Twoofficerswerestandingontheknoll，directingthemen。Onseeingthesepeasants，whowereevidentlystillamusedbythenoveltyoftheirpositionassoldiers，PierreoncemorethoughtofthewoundedmenatMozhayskandunderstoodwhatthesoldierhadmeantwhenhesaid：\"Theywantthewholenationtofallonthem。\"Thesightofthesebeardedpeasantsatworkonthebattlefield，withtheirqueer，clumsybootsandperspiringnecks，andtheirshirtsopeningfromthelefttowardthemiddle，unfastened，exposingtheirsunburnedcollarbones，impressedPierremorestronglywiththesolemnityandimportanceofthemomentthananythinghehadyetseenorheard。
BK10CH21
CHAPTERXXI
Pierresteppedoutofhiscarriageand，passingthetoilingmilitiamen，ascendedtheknollfromwhich，accordingtothedoctor，thebattlefieldcouldbeseen。
Itwasabouteleveno’clock。Thesunshonesomewhattotheleftandbehindhimandbrightlylituptheenormouspanoramawhich，risinglikeanamphitheater，extendedbeforehimintheclearrarefiedatmosphere。
Fromaboveontheleft，bisectingthatamphitheater，woundtheSmolenskhighroad，passingthroughavillagewithawhitechurchsomefivehundredpacesinfrontoftheknollandbelowit。ThiswasBorodino。Belowthevillagetheroadcrossedtheriverbyabridgeand，windingdownandup，rosehigherandhighertothevillageofValuevovisibleaboutfourmilesaway，whereNapoleonwasthenstationed。BeyondValuevotheroaddisappearedintoayellowingforestonthehorizon。Farinthedistanceinthatbirchandfirforesttotherightoftheroad，thecrossandbelfryoftheKolochaMonasterygleamedinthesun。Hereandthereoverthewholeofthatblueexpanse，torightandleftoftheforestandtheroad，smokingcampfirescouldbeseenandindefinitemassesoftroops—oursandtheenemy’s。Thegroundtotheright—alongthecourseoftheKolochaandMoskvarivers—wasbrokenandhilly。BetweenthehollowsthevillagesofBezubovaandZakharinoshowedinthedistance。Ontheleftthegroundwasmorelevel；therewerefieldsofgrain，andthesmokingruinsofSemenovsk，whichhadbeenburneddown，couldbeseen。
AllthatPierresawwassoindefinitethatneithertheleftnortherightsideofthefieldfullysatisfiedhisexpectations。
Nowherecouldheseethebattlefieldhehadexpectedtofind，butonlyfields，meadows，troops，woods，thesmokeofcampfires，villages，mounds，andstreams；andtryashewouldhecoulddescrynomilitary\"position\"inthisplacewhichteemedwithlife，norcouldheevendistinguishourtroopsfromtheenemy’s。
\"Imustasksomeonewhoknows，\"hethought，andaddressedanofficerwhowaslookingwithcuriosityathishugeunmilitaryfigure。
\"MayIaskyou，\"saidPierre，\"whatvillagethatisinfront？\"
\"Burdino，isn’tit？\"saidtheofficer，turningtohiscompanion。
\"Borodino，\"theothercorrectedhim。
Theofficer，evidentlygladofanopportunityforatalk，moveduptoPierre。
\"Arethoseourmenthere？\"Pierreinquired。
\"Yes，andthere，furtheron，aretheFrench，\"saidtheofficer。
\"Theretheyare，there……youcanseethem。\"
\"Where？Where？\"askedPierre。
\"Onecanseethemwiththenakedeye……Why，there！\"
Theofficerpointedwithhishandtothesmokevisibleontheleftbeyondtheriver，andthesamesternandseriousexpressionthatPierrehadnoticedonmanyofthefaceshehadmetcameintohisface。
\"Ah，thosearetheFrench！Andoverthere？……\"Pierrepointedtoaknollontheleft，nearwhichsometroopscouldbeseen。
\"Thoseareours。\"
\"Ah，ours！Andthere？……\"Pierrepointedtoanotherknollinthedistancewithabigtreeonit，nearavillagethatlayinahollowwherealsosomecampfiresweresmokingandsomethingblackwasvisible。
\"That’shisagain，\"saidtheofficer。ItwastheShevardinoRedoubt。\"Itwasoursyesterday，butnowitishis。\"
\"Thenhowaboutourposition？\"
\"Ourposition？\"repliedtheofficerwithasmileofsatisfaction。\"I
cantellyouquiteclearly，becauseIconstructednearlyallourentrenchments。There，yousee？There’sourcenter，atBorodino，justthere，\"andhepointedtothevillageinfrontofthemwiththewhitechurch。\"That’swhereonecrossestheKolocha。Youseedowntherewheretherowsofhayarelyinginthehollow，there’sthebridge。That’sourcenter。Ourrightflankisoverthere\"—hepointedsharplytotheright，farawayinthebrokenground—\"That’swheretheMoskvaRiveris，andwehavethrownupthreeredoubtsthere，verystrongones。Theleftflank……\"heretheofficerpaused。\"Well，yousee，that’sdifficulttoexplain……YesterdayourleftflankwasthereatShevardino，yousee，wheretheoakis，butnowwehavewithdrawnourleftwing—nowitisoverthere，doyouseethatvillageandthesmoke？That’sSemenovsk，yes，there，\"hepointedtoRaevski’sknoll。\"Butthebattlewillhardlybethere。Hishavingmovedhistroopsthereisonlyaruse；hewillprobablypassroundtotherightoftheMoskva。Butwhereveritmaybe，manyamanwillbemissingtomorrow！\"heremarked。
Anelderlysergeantwhohadapproachedtheofficerwhilehewasgivingtheseexplanationshadwaitedinsilenceforhimtofinishspeaking，butatthispoint，evidentlynotlikingtheofficer’sremark，interruptedhim。
\"Gabionsmustbesentfor，\"saidhesternly。
Theofficerappearedabashed，asthoughheunderstoodthatonemightthinkofhowmanymenwouldbemissingtomorrowbutoughtnottospeaktospeakofit。
\"Well，sendnumberthreecompanyagain，\"theofficerrepliedhurriedly。
\"Andyou，areyouoneofthedoctors？\"
\"No，I’vecomeonmyown，\"answeredPierre，andhewentdownthehillagain，passingthemilitiamen。
\"Oh，thosedamnedfellows！\"mutteredtheofficerwhofollowedhim，holdinghisnoseasheranpastthemenatwork。
\"Theretheyare……bringingher，coming……Theretheyare……They’llbehereinaminute……\"voicesweresuddenlyheardsaying；andofficers，soldiers，andmilitiamenbeganrunningforwardalongtheroad。
AchurchprocessionwascomingupthehillfromBorodino。Firstalongthedustyroadcametheinfantryinranks，bareheadedandwitharmsreversed。Frombehindthemcamethesoundofchurchsinging。
SoldiersandmilitiamenranbareheadedpastPierretowardtheprocession。
\"Theyarebringingher，ourProtectress！……TheIberianMotherofGod！\"someonecried。
\"TheSmolenskMotherofGod，\"anothercorrectedhim。
Themilitiamen，boththosewhohadbeeninthevillageandthosewhohadbeenatworkonthebattery，threwdowntheirspadesandrantomeetthechurchprocession。Followingthebattalionthatmarchedalongthedustyroadcamepriestsintheirvestments—onelittleoldmaninahoodwithattendantsandsingers。Behindthemsoldiersandofficersborealarge，dark—facediconwithanembossedmetalcover。
Thiswastheiconthathadbeenbroughtfromandhadsinceaccompaniedthearmy。Behind，before，andonbothsides，crowdsofmilitiamenwithbaredheadswalked，ran，andbowedtotheground。
Atthesummitofthehilltheystoppedwiththeicon；themenwhohadbeenholdingitupbythelinenbandsattachedtoitwererelievedbyothers，thechantersrelittheircensers，andservicebegan。Thehotraysofthesunbeatdownverticallyandafreshsoftwindplayedwiththehairofthebaredheadsandwiththeribbonsdecoratingtheicon。Thesingingdidnotsoundloudundertheopensky。Animmensecrowdofbareheadedofficers，soldiers，andmilitiamensurroundedtheicon。Behindthepriestandachanterstoodthenotabilitiesonaspotreservedforthem。AbaldgeneralwithgeneralwithaSt。George’sCrossonhisneckstoodjustbehindthepriest’sback，andwithoutcrossinghimselfhewasevidentlyaGermanpatientlyawaitedtheendoftheservice，whichheconsidereditnecessarytoheartotheend，probablytoarousethepatriotismoftheRussianpeople。Anothergeneralstoodinamartialpose，crossinghimselfbyshakinghishandinfrontofhischestwhilelookingabouthim。Standingamongthecrowdofpeasants，Pierrerecognizedseveralacquaintancesamongthesenotables，butdidnotlookatthem—hiswholeattentionwasabsorbedinwatchingtheseriousexpressiononthefacesofthecrowdofsoldiersandmilitiamenwhowereallgazingeagerlyattheicon。Assoonasthetiredchanters，whoweresingingtheserviceforthetwentiethtimethatday，beganlazilyandmechanicallytosing：\"SavefromcalamityThyservants，O
MotherofGod，\"andthepriestanddeaconchimedin：\"FortoTheeunderGodweallfleeastoaninviolablebulwarkandprotection，\"
thereagainkindledinallthosefacesthesameexpressionofconsciousnessofthesolemnityoftheimpendingmomentthatPierrehadseenonthefacesatthefootofthehillatMozhayskandmomentarilyonmanyandmanyfaceshehadmetthatmorning；andheadswerebowedmorefrequentlyandhairtossedback，andsighsandthesoundmenmadeastheycrossedthemselveswereheard。
ThecrowdroundtheiconsuddenlypartedandpressedagainstPierre。
Someone，averyimportantpersonagejudgingbythehastewithwhichwaywasmadeforhim，wasapproachingtheicon。
ItwasKutuzov，whohadbeenridingroundthepositionandonhiswaybacktoTatarinovahadstoppedwheretheservicewasbeingheld。
Pierrerecognizedhimatoncebyhispeculiarfigure，whichdistinguishedhimfromeverybodyelse。
Withalongovercoatonhishisexceedinglystout，round—shoulderedbody，withuncoveredwhiteheadandpuffyfaceshowingthewhiteballoftheeyehehadlost，Kutuzovwalkedwithplunging，swayinggaitintothecrowdandstoppedbehindthepriest。
Hecrossedhimselfwithanaccustomedmovement，benttillhetouchedthegroundwithhishand，andbowedhiswhiteheadwithadeepsigh。
BehindKutuzovwasBennigsenandthesuite。Despitethepresenceofthecommanderinchief，whoattractedtheattentionofallthesuperiorofficers，themilitiamenandsoldierscontinuedtheirprayerswithoutlookingathim。
Whentheservicewasover，Kutuzovsteppeduptotheicon，sankheavilytohisknees，bowedtotheground，andforalongtimetriedvainlytorise，butcouldnotdosoonaccountofhisweaknessandweight。Hiswhiteheadtwitchedwiththeeffort。Atlastherose，kissedtheiconasachilddoeswithnaivelypoutinglips，andagainbowedtillhetouchedthegroundwithhishand。Theothergeneralsfollowedhisexample，thentheofficers，andafterthemwithexcitedfaces，pressingononeanother，crowding，panting，andpushing，scrambledthesoldiersandmilitiamen。