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CHAPTERXIX
Kutuzov’sordertoretreatthroughMoscowtotheRyazanroadwasissuedatnightonthefirstofSeptember。
Thefirsttroopsstartedatonce，andduringthenighttheymarchedslowlyandsteadilywithouthurry。Atdaybreak，however，thosenearingthetownattheDorogomilovbridgesawaheadofthemmassesofsoldierscrowdingandhurryingacrossthebridge，ascendingontheoppositesideandblockingthestreetsandalleys，whileendlessmassesoftroopswerebearingdownonthemfrombehind，andanunreasoninghurryandalarmovercamethem。Theyallrushedforwardtothebridge，ontoit，andtothefordsandtheboats。KutuzovhimselfhaddrivenroundbysidestreetstotheothersideofMoscow。
Byteno’clockinthemorningofthesecondofSeptember，onlytherearguardremainedintheDorogomilovsuburb，wheretheyhadampleroom。ThemainarmywasontheothersideofMoscoworbeyondit。
Atthatverytime，atteninthemorningofthesecondofSeptember，NapoleonwasstandingamonghistroopsonthePoklonnyHilllookingatthepanoramaspreadoutbeforehim。Fromthetwenty—sixthofAugusttothesecondofSeptember，thatisfromthebattleofBorodinototheentryoftheFrenchintoMoscow，duringthewholeofthatagitating，memorableweek，therehadbeentheextraordinaryautumnweatherthatalwayscomesasasurprise，whenthesunhangslowandgivesmoreheatthaninspring，wheneverythingshinessobrightlyintherareclearatmospherethattheeyessmart，whenthelungsarestrengthenedandrefreshedbyinhalingthearomaticautumnair，wheneventhenightsarewarm，andwheninthosedarkwarmnights，goldenstarsstartleanddelightuscontinuallybyfallingfromthesky。
AtteninthemorningofthesecondofSeptemberthisweatherstillheld。
Thebrightnessofthemorningwasmagical。MoscowseenfromthePoklonnyHilllayspaciouslyspreadoutwithherriver，hergardens，andherchurches，andsheseemedtobelivingherusuallife，hercupolasglitteringlikestarsinthesunlight。
Theviewofthestrangecitywithitspeculiararchitecture，suchashehadneverseenbefore，filledNapoleonwiththeratherenviousanduneasycuriositymenfeelwhentheyseeanalienformoflifethathasnoknowledgeofthem。Thiscitywasevidentlylivingwiththefullforceofitsownlife。Bytheindefinitesignswhich，evenatadistance，distinguishalivingbodyfromadeadone，NapoleonfromthePoklonnyHillperceivedthethroboflifeinthetownandfelt，asitwere，thebreathingofthatgreatandbeautifulbody。
EveryRussianlookingatMoscowfeelshertobeamother；everyforeignerwhoseesher，evenifignorantofhersignificanceasthemothercity，mustfeelherfemininecharacter，andNapoleonfeltit。
\"Cettevilleasiatiqueauxinnombrableseglises，Moscoulasainte。
Lavoiladoneenfin，cettefameuseville！Iletaittemps，\"*saidhe，anddismountingheorderedaplanofMoscowtobespreadoutbeforehim，andsummonedLelorgned’Ideville，theinterpreter。
*\"ThatAsiaticcityoftheinnumerablechurches，holyMoscow！Hereitisthenatlast，thatfamouscity。Itwashightime。\"
\"Atowncapturedbytheenemyislikeamaidwhohaslostherhonor，\"thoughthehehadsaidsotoTuchkovatSmolensk。FromthatpointofviewhegazedattheOrientalbeautyhehadnotseenbefore。Itseemedstrangetohimthathislong—feltwish，whichhadseemedunattainable，hadatlastbeenrealized。Intheclearmorninglighthegazednowatthecityandnowattheplan，consideringitsdetails，andtheassuranceofpossessingitagitatedandawedhim。
\"Butcoulditbeotherwise？\"hethought。\"Hereisthiscapitalatmyfeet。WhereisAlexandernow，andofwhatishethinking？Astrange，beautiful，andmajesticcity；andastrangeandmajesticmoment！InwhatlightmustIappeartothem！\"thoughthe，thinkingofhistroops。
\"Heresheis，therewardforallthosefaintheartedmen，\"hereflected，glancingatthosenearhimandatthetroopswhowereapproachingandformingup。\"Onewordfromme，onemovementofmyhand，andthatancientcapitaloftheTsarswouldperish。Butmyclemencyisalwaysreadytodescenduponthevanquished。Imustbemagnanimousandtrulygreat。Butno，itcan’tbetruethatIaminMoscow，\"hesuddenlythought。\"Yetheresheislyingatmyfeet，withhergoldendomesandcrossesscintillatingandtwinklinginthesunshine。ButIshallspareher。OntheancientmonumentsofbarbarismanddespotismIwillinscribegreatwordsofjusticeandmercy……
ItisjustthiswhichAlexanderwillfeelmostpainfully，Iknowhim。\"
ItseemedtoNapoleonthatthechiefimportofwhatwastakingplacelayinthepersonalstrugglebetweenhimselfandAlexander。
\"FromtheheightoftheKremlin—yes，thereistheKremlin，yes—I
willgivethemjustlaws；Iwillteachthemthemeaningoftruecivilization，Iwillmakegenerationsofboyarsremembertheirconquerorwithlove。IwilltellthedeputationthatIdidnot，anddonot，desirewar，thatIhavewagedwaronlyagainstthefalsepolicyoftheircourt；thatIloveandrespectAlexanderandthatinMoscowI
willaccepttermsofpeaceworthyofmyselfandofmypeople。Idonotwishtoutilizethefortunesofwartohumiliateanhonoredmonarch。
’Boyars，’Iwillsaytothem，’Idonotdesirewar，Idesirethepeaceandwelfareofallmysubjects。’However，Iknowtheirpresencewillinspireme，andIshallspeaktothemasIalwaysdo：clearly，impressively，andmajestically。ButcanitbetruethatIaminMoscow？Yes，thereshelies。\"
\"Qu’onm’amenelesboyars，\"*saidhetohissuite。
*\"Bringtheboyarstome。\"
Ageneralwithabrilliantsuitegallopedoffatoncetofetchtheboyars。
Twohourspassed。NapoleonhadlunchedandwasagainstandinginthesameplaceonthePoklonnyHillawaitingthedeputation。Hisspeechtotheboyarshadalreadytakendefiniteshapeinhisimagination。ThatspeechwasfullofdignityandgreatnessasNapoleonunderstoodit。
HewashimselfcarriedawaybythetoneofmagnanimityheintendedtoadopttowardMoscow。InhisimaginationheappointeddaysforassembliesatthepalaceoftheTsars，atwhichRussiannotablesandhisownwouldmingle。Hementallyappointedagovernor，onewhowouldwintheheartsofthepeople。HavinglearnedthatthereweremanycharitableinstitutionsinMoscowhementallydecidedthathewouldshowerfavorsonthemall。Hethoughtthat，asinAfricahehadtoputonaburnooseandsitinamosque，soinMoscowhemustbebeneficentliketheTsars。AndinorderfinallytotouchtheheartsoftheRussians—andbeinglikeallFrenchmenunabletoimagineanythingsentimentalwithoutareferencetomachere，matendre，mapauvremere*—hedecidedthathewouldplaceaninscriptiononalltheseestablishmentsinlargeletters：\"Thisestablishmentisdedicatedtomydearmother。\"Orno，itshouldbesimply：MaisondemaMere，*[2]heconcluded。\"ButamIreallyinMoscow？Yes，hereitliesbeforeme，butwhyisthedeputationfromthecitysolonginappearing？\"hewondered。
*\"Mydear，mytender，mypoormother。\"
*[2]\"HouseofmyMother。\"
Meanwhileanagitatedconsultationwasbeingcarriedoninwhispersamonghisgeneralsandmarshalsattherearofhissuite。
ThosesenttofetchthedeputationhadreturnedwiththenewsthatMoscowwasempty，thateveryonehadleftit。Thefacesofthosewhowerenotconferringtogetherwerepaleandperturbed。TheywerenotalarmedbythefactthatMoscowhadbeenabandonedbyitsinhabitantsgraveasthatfactseemed，butbythequestionhowtotelltheEmperor—withoutputtinghimintheterriblepositionofappearingridiculous—thathehadbeenawaitingtheboyarssolonginvain：thatthereweredrunkenmobsleftinMoscowbutnooneelse。Somesaidthatadeputationofsomesortmustbescrapedtogether，othersdisputedthatopinionandmaintainedthattheEmperorshouldfirstbecarefullyandskillfullyprepared，andthentoldthetruth。
\"Hewillhavetobetold，allthesame，\"saidsomegentlemenofthesuite。\"But，gentlemen……\"
ThepositionwasthemoreawkwardbecausetheEmperor，meditatinguponhismagnanimousplans，waspacingpatientlyupanddownbeforetheoutspreadmap，occasionallyglancingalongtheroadtoMoscowfromunderhisliftedhandwithabrightandproudsmile。
\"Butit’simpossible……\"declaredthegentlemenofthesuite，shruggingtheirshouldersbutnotventuringtouttertheimpliedword—
leridicule……
AtlasttheEmperor，tiredoffutileexpectation，hisactor’sinstinctsuggestingtohimthatthesublimemomenthavingbeentoolongdrawnoutwasbeginningtoloseitssublimity，gaveasignwithhishand。Asinglereportofasignalinggunfollowed，andthetroops，whowerealreadyspreadoutondifferentsidesofMoscow，movedintothecitythroughTver，Kaluga，andDorogomilovgates。Fasterandfaster，vyingwithoneanother，theymovedatthedoubleoratatrot，vanishingamidthecloudsofdusttheyraisedandmakingtheairringwithadeafeningroarofminglingshouts。
DrawnonbythemovementofhistroopsNapoleonrodewiththemasfarastheDorogomilovgate，butthereagainstoppedand，dismountingfromhishorse，pacedforalongtimebytheKammer—Kollezskirampart，awaitingthedeputation。
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CHAPTERXX
MeanwhileMoscowwasempty。Therewerestillpeopleinit，perhapsafiftiethpartofitsformerinhabitantshadremained，butitwasempty。Itwasemptyinthesensethatadyingqueenlesshiveisempty。
Inaqueenlesshivenolifeisleftthoughtoasuperficialglanceitseemsasmuchaliveasotherhives。
Thebeescircleroundaqueenlesshiveinthehotbeamsofthemiddaysunasgailyasaroundthelivinghives；fromadistanceitsmellsofhoneyliketheothers，andbeesflyinandoutinthesameway。Butonehasonlytoobservethathivetorealizethatthereisnolongeranylifeinit。Thebeesdonotflyinthesameway，thesmellandthesoundthatmeetthebeekeeperarenotthesame。Tothebeekeeper’staponthewallofthesickhive，insteadoftheformerinstantunanimoushummingoftensofthousandsofbeeswiththeirabdomensthreateninglycompressed，andproducingbytherapidvibrationoftheirwingsanaeriallivingsound，theonlyreplyisadisconnectedbuzzingfromdifferentpartsofthedesertedhive。Fromthealightingboard，insteadoftheformerspirituousfragrantsmellofhoneyandvenom，andthewarmwhiffsofcrowdedlife，comesanodorofemptinessanddecayminglingwiththesmellofhoney。Therearenolongersentinelssoundingthealarmwiththeirabdomensraised，andreadytodieindefenseofthehive。Thereisnolongerthemeasuredquietsoundofthrobbingactivity，likethesoundofboilingwater，butdiversediscordantsoundsofdisorder。Inandoutofthehivelongblackrobberbeessmearedwithhoneyflytimidlyandshiftily。Theydonotsting，butcrawlawayfromdanger。Formerlyonlybeesladenwithhoneyflewintothehive，andtheyflewoutempty；nowtheyflyoutladen。Thebeekeeperopensthelowerpartofthehiveandpeersin。
Insteadofblack，glossybees—tamedbytoil，clingingtooneanother’slegsanddrawingoutthewax，withaceaselesshumoflabor—
thatusedtohanginlongclustersdowntothefloorofthehive，drowsyshriveledbeescrawlaboutseparatelyinvariousdirectionsonthefloorandwallsofthehive。Insteadofaneatlygluedfloor，sweptbythebeeswiththefanningoftheirwings，thereisafloorlitteredwithbitsofwax，excrement，dyingbeesscarcelymovingtheirlegs，anddeadonesthathavenotbeenclearedaway。
Thebeekeeperopenstheupperpartofthehiveandexaminesthesuper。Insteadofserriedrowsofbeessealingupeverygapinthecombsandkeepingthebroodwarm，heseestheskillfulcomplexstructuresofthecombs，butnolongerintheirformerstateofpurity。Allisneglectedandfoul。Blackrobberbeesareswiftlyandstealthilyprowlingaboutthecombs，andtheshorthomebees，shriveledandlistlessasiftheywereold，creepslowlyaboutwithouttryingtohindertherobbers，havinglostallmotiveandallsenseoflife。Drones，bumblebees，wasps，andbutterfliesknockawkwardlyagainstthewallsofthehiveintheirflight。Hereandthereamongthecellscontainingdeadbroodandhoneyanangrybuzzingcansometimesbeheard。Hereandthereacoupleofbees，byforceofhabitandcustomcleaningoutthebroodcells，witheffortsbeyondtheirstrengthlaboriouslydragawayadeadbeeorbumblebeewithoutknowingwhytheydoit。Inanothercornertwooldbeesarelanguidlyfighting，orcleaningthemselves，orfeedingoneanother，withoutthemselvesknowingwhethertheydoitwithfriendlyorhostileintent。Inathirdplaceacrowdofbees，crushingoneanother，attacksomevictimandfightandsmotherit，andthevictim，enfeebledorkilled，dropsfromaboveslowlyandlightlyasafeather，amongtheheapofcorpses。
Thekeeperopensthetwocenterpartitionstoexaminethebroodcells。
Inplaceoftheformerclosedarkcirclesformedbythousandsofbeessittingbacktobackandguardingthehighmysteryofgeneration，heseeshundredsofdull，listless，andsleepyshellsofbees。Theyhavealmostalldiedunawares，sittinginthesanctuarytheyhadguardedandwhichisnownomore。Theyreekofdecayanddeath。Onlyafewofthemstillmove，rise，andfeeblyflytosettleontheenemy’shand，lackingthespirittodiestinginghim；therestaredeadandfallaslightlyasfishscales。Thebeekeeperclosesthehive，chalksamarkonit，andwhenhehastimetearsoutitscontentsandburnsitclean。
SointhesamewayMoscowwasemptywhenNapoleon，weary，uneasy，andmorose，pacedupanddowninfrontoftheKammer—Kollezskirampart，awaitingwhattohismindwasanecessary，ifbutformal，observanceoftheproprieties—adeputation。
InvariouscornersofMoscowtherestillremainedafewpeopleaimlesslymovingabout，followingtheiroldhabitsandhardlyawareofwhattheyweredoing。
WhenwithduecircumspectionNapoleonwasinformedthatMoscowwasempty，helookedangrilyathisinformant，turnedaway，andsilentlycontinuedtowalktoandfro。
\"Mycarriage！\"hesaid。
Hetookhisseatbesidetheaide—de—campondutyanddroveintothesuburb。\"Moscowdeserted！\"hesaidtohimself。\"Whatanincredibleevent！\"
Hedidnotdriveintothetown，butputupataninnintheDorogomilovsuburb。
Thecoupdetheatrehadnotcomeoff。
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TheRussiantroopswerepassingthroughMoscowfromtwoo’clockatnighttilltwointheafternoonandboreawaywiththemthewoundedandthelastoftheinhabitantswhowereleaving。
ThegreatestcrushduringthemovementofthetroopstookplaceattheStone，Moskva，andYauzabridges。
Whilethetroops，dividingintotwopartswhenpassingaroundtheKremlin，werethrongingtheMoskvaandtheStonebridges，agreatmanysoldiers，takingadvantageofthestoppageandcongestion，turnedbackfromthebridgesandslippedstealthilyandsilentlypastthechurchofVasilitheBeatifiedandundertheBorovitskigate，backupthehilltotheRedSquarewheresomeinstincttoldthemtheycouldeasilytakethingsnotbelongingtothem。CrowdsofthekindseenatcheapsalesfilledallthepassagesandalleysoftheBazaar。Buttherewerenodealerswithvoicesofingratiatingaffabilityinvitingcustomerstoenter；therewerenohawkers，northeusualmotleycrowdoffemalepurchasers—butonlysoldiers，inuniformsandovercoatsthoughwithoutmuskets，enteringtheBazaarempty—handedandsilentlymakingtheirwayoutthroughitspassageswithbundles。Tradesmenandtheirassistantsofwhomtherewerebutfewmovedaboutamongthesoldiersquitebewildered。Theyunlockedtheirshopsandlockedthemupagain，andthemselvescarriedgoodsawaywiththehelptheirassistants。OnthesquareinfrontoftheBazaarweredrummersbeatingthemustercall。Buttherollofthedrumsdidnotmakethelootingsoldiersruninthedirectionofthedrumasformerly，butmadethem，onthecontrary，runfartheraway。Amongthesoldiersintheshopsandpassagessomemenweretobeseeningraycoats，withcloselyshavenheads。Twoofficers，onewithascarfoverhisuniformandmountedonalean，dark—grayhorse，theotherinanovercoatandonfoot，stoodatthecornerofIlyinkaStreet，talking。Athirdofficergallopeduptothem。
\"Thegeneralordersthemalltobedrivenoutatonce，withoutfail。
Thisisoutrageous！Halfthemenhavedispersed。\"
\"Whereareyouoffto？……Where？……\"heshoutedtothreeinfantrymenwithoutmusketswho，holdinguptheskirtsoftheirovercoats，wereslippingpasthimintotheBazaarpassage。\"Stop，yourascals！\"
\"Buthowareyougoingtostopthem？\"repliedanotherofficer。
\"Thereisnogettingthemtogether。Thearmyshouldpushonbeforetherestbolt，that’sall！\"
\"Howcanonepushon？Theyarestuckthere，wedgedonthebridge，anddon’tmove。Shouldn’tweputacordonroundtopreventtherestfromrunningaway？\"
\"Come，gointhereanddrivethemout！\"shoutedtheseniorofficer。
Theofficerinthescarfdismounted，calledupadrummer，andwentwithhimintothearcade。Somesoldiersstartedrunningawayinagroup。Ashopkeeperwithredpimplesonhischeeksnearthenose，andacalm，persistent，calculatingexpressiononhisplumpface，hurriedlyandostentatiouslyapproachedtheofficer，swinginghisarms。
\"Yourhonor！\"saidhe。\"Besogoodastoprotectus！Wewon’tgrudgetrifles，youarewelcometoanything—weshallbedelighted！
Pray！……I’llfetchapieceofclothatonceforsuchanhonorablegentleman，oreventwopieceswithpleasure。Forwefeelhowitis；
butwhat’sallthis—sheerrobbery！Ifyouplease，couldnotguardsbeplacedifonlytoletusclosetheshop……\"
Severalshopkeeperscrowdedroundtheofficer。
\"Eh，whattwaddle！\"saidoneofthem，athin，stern—lookingman。
\"Whenone’sheadisgoneonedoesn’tweepforone’shair！Takewhatanyofyoulike！\"Andflourishinghisarmenergeticallyheturnedsidewaystotheofficer。
\"It’sallverywellforyou，IvanSidorych，totalk，\"saidthefirsttradesmanangrily。\"Pleasestepinside，yourhonor！\"
\"Talkindeed！\"criedthethinone。\"InmythreeshopshereIhaveahundredthousandrubles’worthofgoods。Cantheybesavedwhenthearmyhasgone？Eh，whatpeople！’AgainstGod’smightourhandscan’tfight。’\"
\"Comeinside，yourhonor！\"repeatedthetradesman，bowing。
Theofficerstoodperplexedandhisfaceshowedindecision。
\"It’snotmybusiness！\"heexclaimed，andstrodeonquicklydownoneofthepassages。
Fromoneopenshopcamethesoundofblowsandvituperation，andjustastheofficercameuptoitamaninagraycoatwithashavenheadwasflungoutviolently。
Thisman，bentdouble，rushedpastthetradesmanandtheofficer。
Theofficerpouncedonthesoldierswhowereintheshops，butatthatmomentfearfulscreamsreachedthemfromthehugecrowdontheMoskvabridgeandtheofficerranoutintothesquare。
\"Whatisit？Whatisit？\"heasked，buthiscomradewasalreadygallopingoffpastVasilitheBeatifiedinthedirectionfromwhichthescreamscame。
Theofficermountedhishorseandrodeafterhim。Whenhereachedthebridgehesawtwounlimberedguns，theinfantrycrossingthebridge，severaloverturnedcarts，andfrightenedandlaughingfacesamongthetroops。Besidethecannonacartwasstandingtowhichtwohorseswereharnessed。Fourborzoiswithcollarswerepressingclosetothewheels。Thecartwasloadedhigh，andattheverytop，besideachild’schairwithitslegsintheair，satapeasantwomanutteringpiercinganddesperateshrieks。HewastoldbyhisfellowofficersthatthescreamsofthecrowdandtheshrieksofthewomanwereduetothefactthatGeneralErmolov，cominguptothecrowdandlearningthatsoldiersweredispersingamongtheshopswhilecrowdsofciviliansblockedthebridge，hadorderedtwogunstobeunlimberedandmadeashowoffiringatthebridge。Thecrowd，crushingoneanother，upsettingcarts，andshoutingandsqueezingdesperately，hadclearedoffthebridgeandthetroopswerenowmovingforward。
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CHAPTERXXII
Meanwhile，thecityitselfwasdeserted。Therewashardlyanyoneinthestreets。Thegatesandshopswereallclosed，onlyhereandthereroundthetavernssolitaryshoutsordrunkensongscouldbeheard。Nobodydrovethroughthestreetsandfootstepswererarelyheard。ThePovarskayawasquitestillanddeserted。ThehugecourtyardoftheRostovs’housewaslitteredwithwispsofhayandwithdungfromthehorses，andnotasoulwastobeseenthere。Inthegreatdrawingroomofthehouse，whichhadbeenleftwithallitcontained，weretwopeople。TheyweretheyardporterIgnat，andthepageboyMishka，Vasilich’sgrandsonwhohadstayedinMoscowwithhisgrandfather。Mishkahadopenedtheclavichordandwasstrummingonitwithonefinger。Theyardporter，hisarmsakimbo，stoodsmilingwithsatisfactionbeforethelargemirror。
\"Isn’titfine，eh，UncleIgnat？\"saidtheboy，suddenlybeginningtostrikethekeyboardwithbothhands。
\"Onlyfancy！\"answeredIgnat，surprisedatthebroadeninggrinonhisfaceinthemirror。
\"Impudence！Impudence！\"theyheardbehindthemthevoiceofMavraKuzminichnawhohadenteredsilently。\"Howhe’sgrinning，thefatmug！
Isthatwhatyou’reherefor？Nothing’sclearedawaydownthereandVasilichiswornout。Justyouwaitabit！\"
Ignatleftoffsmiling，adjustedhisbelt，andwentoutoftheroomwithmeeklydowncasteyes。
\"Aunt，Ididitgently，\"saidtheboy。
\"I’llgiveyousomethinggently，youmonkeyyou！\"criedMavraKuzminichna，raisingherarmthreateningly。\"Goandgetthesamovartoboilforyourgrandfather。\"
MavraKuzminichnaflickedthedustofftheclavichordandclosedit，andwithadeepsighleftthedrawingroomandlockeditsmaindoor。
Goingoutintotheyardshepausedtoconsiderwheresheshouldgonext—todrinkteaintheservants’wingwithVasilich，orintothestoreroomtoputawaywhatstilllayabout。
Sheheardthesoundofquickfootstepsinthequietstreet。
Someonestoppedatthegate，andthelatchrattledassomeonetriedtoopenit。MavraKuzminichnawenttothegate。
\"Whodoyouwant？\"
\"Thecount—CountIlyaAndreevichRostov。\"
\"Andwhoareyou？\"
\"Anofficer，Ihavetoseehim，\"camethereplyinapleasant，well—bredRussianvoice。
MavraKuzminichnaopenedthegateandanofficerofeighteen，withtheroundfaceofaRostov，enteredtheyard。
\"Theyhavegoneaway，sir。Wentawayyesterdayatvespertime，\"
saidMavraKuzminichnacordially。
Theyoungofficerstandinginthegateway，asifhesitatingwhethertoenterornot，clickedhistongue。
\"Ah，howannoying！\"hemuttered。\"Ishouldhavecomeyesterday……
Ah，whatapity。\"
Meanwhile，MavraKuzminichnawasattentivelyandsympatheticallyexaminingthefamiliarRostovfeaturesoftheyoungman’sface，histatteredcoatandtrodden—downboots。
\"Whatdidyouwanttoseethecountfor？\"sheasked。
\"Ohwell……itcan’tbehelped！\"saidheinatoneofvexationandplacedhishandonthegateasiftoleave。
Heagainpausedinindecision。
\"Yousee，\"hesuddenlysaid，\"Iamakinsmanofthecount’sandhehasbeenverykindtome。Asyousee\"heglancedwithanamusedairandgood—naturedsmileathiscoatandboots\"mythingsarewornoutandIhavenomoney，soIwasgoingtoaskthecount……\"
MavraKuzminichnadidnotlethimfinish。
\"Justwaitaminute，sir。Onelittlemoment，\"saidshe。
Andassoonastheofficerletgoofthegatehandlesheturnedand，hurryingawayonheroldlegs，wentthroughthebackyardtotheservants’quarters。
WhileMavraKuzminichnawasrunningtoherroomtheofficerwalkedabouttheyardgazingathisworn—outbootswithloweredheadandafaintsmileonhislips。\"WhatapityI’vemissedUncle！Whataniceoldwoman！Wherehassherunoffto？AndhowamItofindthenearestwaytoovertakemyregiment，whichmustbynowbegettingneartheRogozhskigate？\"thoughthe。JustthenMavraKuzminichnaappearedfrombehindthecornerofthehousewithafrightenedyetresolutelook，carryingarolled—upcheckkerchiefinherhand。
Whilestillafewstepsfromtheofficersheunfoldedthekerchiefandtookoutofitawhitetwenty—five—rubleassignatandhastilyhandedittohim。
\"Ifhisexcellencyhadbeenathome，asakinsmanhewouldofcourse……butasitis……\"
MavraKuzminichnagrewabashedandconfused。Theofficerdidnotdecline，buttookthenotequietlyandthankedher。
\"Ifthecounthadbeenathome……\"MavraKuzminichnawentonapologetically。\"Christbewithyou，sir！MayGodpreserveyou！\"
saidshe，bowingasshesawhimout。
Swayinghisheadandsmilingasifamusedathimself，theofficerranalmostatatrotthroughthedesertedstreetstowardtheYauzabridgetoovertakehisregiment。
ButMavraKuzminichnastoodattheclosedgateforsometimewithmoisteyes，pensivelyswayingherheadandfeelinganunexpectedflowofmotherlytendernessandpityfortheunknownyoungofficer。
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CHAPTERXXIII
FromanunfinishedhouseontheVarvarka，thegroundfloorofwhichwasadramshop，camedrunkenshoutsandsongs。Onbenchesroundthetablesinadirtylittleroomsatsometenfactoryhands。
Tipsyandperspiring，withdimeyesandwide—openmouths，theywerealllaboriouslysingingsomesongorother。Theyweresingingdiscordantly，arduously，andwithgreateffort，evidentlynotbecausetheywishedtosing，butbecausetheywantedtoshowtheyweredrunkandonaspree。One，atall，fair—hairedladinacleanbluecoat，wasstandingovertheothers。Hisfacewithitsfinestraightnosewouldhavebeenhandsomehaditnotbeenforhisthin，compressed，twitchinglipsanddull，gloomy，fixedeyes。Evidentlypossessedbysomeidea，hestoodoverthosewhoweresinging，andsolemnlyandjerkilyflourishedabovetheirheadshiswhitearmwiththesleeveturneduptotheelbow，tryingunnaturallytospreadouthisdirtyfingers。Thesleeveofhiscoatkeptslippingdownandhealwayscarefullyrolleditupagainwithhislefthand，asifitweremostimportantthatthesinewywhitearmhewasflourishingshouldbebare。Inthemidstofthesongcrieswereheard，andfightingandblowsinthepassageandporch。Thetallladwavedhisarm。
\"Stopit！\"heexclaimedperemptorily。\"There’safight，lads！\"
And，stillrollinguphissleeve，hewentouttotheporch。
Thefactoryhandsfollowedhim。Thesemen，whoundertheleadershipofthetallladweredrinkinginthedramshopthatmorning，hadbroughtthepublicansomeskinsfromthefactoryandforthishadhaddrinkservedthem。Theblacksmithsfromaneighboringsmithy，hearingthesoundsofrevelryinthetavernandsupposingittohavebeenbrokeninto，wishedtoforcetheirwayintooandafightintheporchhadresulted。
Thepublicanwasfightingoneofthesmithsatthedoor，andwhentheworkmencameoutthesmith，wrenchinghimselffreefromthetavernkeeper，fellfacedownwardonthepavement。
Anothersmithtriedtoenterthedoorway，pressingagainstthepublicanwithhischest。
Theladwiththeturned—upsleevegavethesmithablowinthefaceandcriedwildly：\"They’refightingus，lads！\"
Atthatmomentthefirstsmithgotupand，scratchinghisbruisedfacetomakeitbleed，shoutedinatearfulvoice：\"Police！Murder！……
They’vekilledaman，lads！\"
\"Oh，graciousme，amanbeatentodeath—killed！……\"screamedawomancomingoutofagatecloseby。
Acrowdgatheredroundthebloodstainedsmith。
\"Haven’tyourobbedpeopleenough—takingtheirlastshirts？\"saidavoiceaddressingthepublican。\"Whathaveyoukilledamanfor，youthief？\"
Thetalllad，standingintheporch，turnedhisblearedeyesfromthepublicantothesmithandbackagainasifconsideringwhomheoughttofightnow。
\"Murderer！\"heshoutedsuddenlytothepublican。\"Bindhim，lads！\"
\"Idaresayyouwouldliketobindme！\"shoutedthepublican，pushingawaythemenadvancingonhim，andsnatchinghiscapfromhisheadheflungitontheground。
Asifthisactionhadsomemysteriousandmenacingsignificance，theworkmensurroundingthepublicanpausedinindecision。
\"Iknowthelawverywell，mates！I’lltakethemattertothecaptainofpolice。YouthinkIwon’tgettohim？Robberyisnotpermittedtoanybodynowadays！\"shoutedthepublican，pickinguphiscap。
\"Comealongthen！Comealongthen！\"thepublicanandthetallyoungfellowrepeatedoneaftertheother，andtheymovedupthestreettogether。
Thebloodstainedsmithwentbesidethem。Thefactoryhandsandothersfollowedbehind，talkingandshouting。
AtthecorneroftheMoroseyka，oppositealargehousewithclosedshuttersandbearingabootmaker’ssignboard，stoodascoreofthin，worn—out，gloomy—facedbootmakers，wearingoverallsandlongtatteredcoats。
\"Heshouldpayfolksoffproperly，\"athinworkingman，withfrowningbrowsandastragglybeard，wassaying。
\"Buthe’ssuckedourbloodandnowhethinkshe’squitofus。He’sbeenmisleadingusalltheweekandnowthathe’sbroughtustothispasshe’smadeoff。\"
Onseeingthecrowdandthebloodstainedmantheworkmanceasedspeaking，andwitheagercuriosityallthebootmakersjoinedthemovingcrowd。
\"Whereareallthefolksgoing？\"
\"Why，tothepolice，ofcourse！\"
\"Isay，isittruethatwehavebeenbeaten？\"\"Andwhatdidyouthink？Lookwhatfolksaresaying。\"
Questionsandanswerswereheard。Thepublican，takingadvantageoftheincreasedcrowd，droppedbehindandreturnedtohistavern。
Thetallyouth，notnoticingthedisappearanceofhisfoe，wavedhisbarearmandwentontalkingincessantly，attractinggeneralattentiontohimself。Itwasaroundhimthatthepeoplechieflycrowded，expectinganswersfromhimtothequestionsthatoccupiedalltheirminds。
\"Hemustkeeporder，keepthelaw，that’swhatthegovernmentistherefor。AmInotright，goodChristians？\"saidthetallyouth，withascarcelyperceptiblesmile。\"Hethinksthere’snogovernment！Howcanonedowithoutgovernment？Orelsetherewouldbeplentywho’drobus。\"
\"Whytalknonsense？\"rejoinedvoicesinthecrowd。\"WilltheygiveupMoscowlikethis？Theytoldyouthatforfun，andyoubelievedit！Aren’tthereplentyoftroopsonthemarch？Lethimin，indeed！
That’swhatthegovernmentisfor。You’dbetterlistentowhatpeoplearesaying，\"saidsomeofthemobpointingtothetallyouth。
BythewallofChina—Townasmallergroupofpeopleweregatheredroundamaninafriezecoatwhoheldapaperinhishand。
\"Anukase，theyarereadinganukase！Readinganukase！\"criedvoicesinthecrowd，andthepeoplerushedtowardthereader。
ThemaninthefriezecoatwasreadingthebroadsheetofAugust31
Whenthecrowdcollectedroundhimheseemedconfused，butatthedemandofthetallladwhohadpushedhiswayuptohim，hebeganinarathertremulousvoicetoreadthesheetfromthebeginning。
\"EarlytomorrowIshallgotohisSereneHighness，\"heread\"SirinHighness，\"saidthetallfellowwithatriumphantsmileonhislipsandafrownonhisbrow，\"toconsultwithhimtoact，andtoaidthearmytoexterminatethesescoundrels。Wetoowilltakepart……\"
thereaderwenton，andthenpaused\"Doyousee，\"shoutedtheyouthvictoriously，\"he’sgoingtoclearupthewholeaffairforyou……\"，\"indestroyingthem，andwillsendthesevisitorstothedevil。Iwillcomebacktodinner，andwe’llsettowork。Wewilldo，completelydo，andundothesescoundrels。\"
Thelastwordswerereadoutinthemidstofcompletesilence。Thetallladhunghisheadgloomily。Itwasevidentthatnoonehadunderstoodthelastpart。Inparticular，thewords\"Iwillcomebacktodinner，\"evidentlydispleasedbothreaderandaudience。Thepeople’smindsweretunedtoahighpitchandthiswastoosimpleandneedlesslycomprehensible—itwaswhatanyoneofthemmighthavesaidandthereforewaswhatanukaseemanatingfromthehighestauthorityshouldnotsay。
Theyallstooddespondentandsilent。Thetallyouthmovedhislipsandswayedfromsidetoside。
\"Weshouldaskhim……that’shehimself？\"……\"Yes，askhimindeed！……Whynot？He’llexplain\"……voicesintherearofthecrowdweresuddenlyheardsaying，andthegeneralattentionturnedtothepolicesuperintendent’strapwhichdroveintothesquareattendedbytwomounteddragoons。
Thesuperintendentofpolice，whohadthatmorningbyCountRostopchin’sorderstoburnthebargesandhadinconnectionwiththatmatteracquiredalargesumofmoneywhichwasatthatmomentinhispocket，onseeingacrowdbearingdownuponhimtoldhiscoachmantostop。
\"Whatpeoplearethese？\"heshoutedtothemen，whoweremovingsinglyandtimidlyinthedirectionofhistrap。
\"Whatpeoplearethese？\"heshoutedagain，receivingnoanswer。
\"Yourhonor……\"repliedtheshopmaninthefriezecoat，\"yourhonor，inaccordwiththeproclamationofhishighestexcellencythecount，theydesiretoserve，notsparingtheirlives，anditisnotanykindofriot，butashishighestexcellencesaid……\"
\"Thecounthasnotleft，heishere，andanorderwillbeissuedconcerningyou，\"saidthesuperintendentofpolice。\"Goon！\"heorderedhiscoachman。
Thecrowdhalted，pressingaroundthosewhohadheardwhatthesuperintendenthadsaid，andlookingatthedepartingtrap。
Thesuperintendentofpoliceturnedroundatthatmomentwithascaredlook，saidsomethingtohiscoachman，andhishorsesincreasedtheirspeed。
\"It’safraud，lads！Leadthewaytohim，himself！\"shoutedthetallyouth。\"Don’tlethimgo，lads！Lethimanswerus！Keephim！\"
shouteddifferentpeopleandthepeopledashedinpursuitofthetrap。
FollowingthesuperintendentofpoliceandtalkingloudlythecrowdwentinthedirectionoftheLubyankaStreet。
\"Therenow，thegentryandmerchantshavegoneawayandleftustoperish。Dotheythinkwe’redogs？\"voicesinthecrowdwereheardsayingmoreandmorefrequently。
BK11CH24
CHAPTERXXIV
OntheeveningofthefirstofSeptember，afterhisinterviewwithKutuzov，CountRostopchinhadreturnedtoMoscowmortifiedandoffendedbecausehehadnotbeeninvitedtoattendthecouncilofwar，andbecauseKutuzovhadpaidnoattentiontohisoffertotakepartinthedefenseofthecity；amazedalsoatthenoveloutlookrevealedtohimatthecamp，whichtreatedthetranquillityofthecapitalanditspatrioticfervorasnotmerelysecondarybutquiteirrelevantandunimportantmatters。Distressed，offended，andsurprisedbyallthis，RostopchinhadreturnedtoMoscow。Aftersupperhelaydownonasofawithoutundressing，andwasawakenedsoonaftermidnightbyacourierbringinghimaletterfromKutuzov。Thisletterrequestedthecounttosendpoliceofficerstoguidethetroopsthroughthetown，asthearmywasretreatingtotheRyazanroadbeyondMoscow。ThiswasnotnewstoRostopchin。HehadknownthatMoscowwouldbeabandonednotmerelysincehisinterviewthepreviousdaywithKutuzovonthePoklonnyHillbuteversincethebattleofBorodino，forallthegeneralswhocametoMoscowafterthatbattlehadsaidunanimouslythatitwasimpossibletofightanotherbattle，andsincethenthegovernmentpropertyhadbeenremovedeverynight，andhalftheinhabitantshadleftthecitywithRostopchin’sownpermission。Yetallthesamethisinformationastonishedandirritatedthecount，comingasitdidintheformofasimplenotewithanorderfromKutuzov，andreceivedatnight，breakinginonhisbeautysleep。
WhenlateroninhismemoirsCountRostopchinexplainedhisactionsatthistime，herepeatedlysaysthathewasthenactuatedbytwoimportantconsiderations：tomaintaintranquillityinMoscowandexpeditethedepartureoftheinhabitants。IfoneacceptsthistwofoldaimallRostopchin’sactionsappearirreproachable。\"Whyweretheholyrelics，thearms，ammunition，gunpowder，andstoresofcornnotremoved？WhywerethousandsofinhabitantsdeceivedintobelievingthatMoscowwouldnotbegivenup—andtherebyruined？\"
\"Topresencethetranquillityofthecity，\"explainsCountRostopchin。
\"Whywerebundlesofuselesspapersfromthegovernmentoffices，andLeppich’sballoonandotherarticlesremoved？\"\"Toleavethetownempty，\"explainsCountRostopchin。Oneneedonlyadmitthatpublictranquillityisindangerandanyactionfindsajustification。
Allthehorrorsofthereignofterrorwerebasedonlyonsolicitudeforpublictranquillity。
Onwhat，then，wasCountRostopchin’sfearforthetranquillityofMoscowbasedin1812？Whatreasonwasthereforassuminganyprobabilityofanuprisinginthecity？Theinhabitantswereleavingitandtheretreatingtroopswerefillingit。Whyshouldthatcausethemassestoriot？
NeitherinMoscownoranywhereinRussiadidanythingresemblinganinsurrectioneveroccurwhentheenemyenteredatown。MorethantenthousandpeoplewerestillinMoscowonthefirstandsecondofSeptember，andexceptforamobinthegovernor’scourtyard，assembledthereathisbidding，nothinghappened。ItisobviousthattherewouldhavebeenevenlessreasontoexpectadisturbanceamongthepeopleifafterthebattleofBorodino，whenthesurrenderofMoscowbecamecertainoratleastprobable，Rostopchininsteadofexcitingthepeoplebydistributingarmsandbroadsheetshadtakenstepstoremovealltheholyrelics，thegunpowder，munitions，andmoney，andhadtoldthepopulationplainlythatthetownwouldbeabandoned。
Rostopchin，thoughhehadpatrioticsentiments，wasasanguineandimpulsivemanwhohadalwaysmovedinthehighestadministrativecirclesandhadnounderstandingatallofthepeoplehesupposedhimselftobeguiding。Eversincetheenemy’sentryintoSmolenskhehadinimaginationbeenplayingtheroleofdirectorofthepopularfeelingof\"theheartofRussia。\"NotonlydiditseemtohimastoalladministratorsthathecontrolledtheexternalactionsofMoscow’sinhabitants，buthealsothoughthecontrolledtheirmentalattitudebymeansofhisbroadsheetsandposters，writteninacoarsetonewhichthepeopledespiseintheirownclassanddonotunderstandfromthoseinauthority。Rostopchinwassopleasedwiththefineroleofleaderofpopularfeeling，andhadgrownsousedtoit，thatthenecessityofrelinquishingthatroleandabandoningMoscowwithoutanyheroicdisplaytookhimunawaresandhesuddenlyfeltthegroundslipawayfromunderhisfeet，sothathepositivelydidnotknowwhattodo。Thoughheknewitwascoming，hedidnottillthelastmomentwholeheartedlybelievethatMoscowwouldbeabandoned，anddidnotprepareforit。Theinhabitantsleftagainsthiswishes。Ifthegovernmentofficeswereremoved，thiswasonlydoneonthedemandofofficialstowhomthecountyieldedreluctantly。Hewasabsorbedintherolehehadcreatedforhimself。Asisoftenthecasewiththosegiftedwithanardentimagination，thoughhehadlongknownthatMoscowwouldbeabandonedheknewitonlywithhisintellect，hedidnotbelieveitinhisheartanddidnotadapthimselfmentallytothisnewpositionofaffairs。
AllhispainstakingandenergeticactivityinhowfaritwasusefulandhadanyeffectonthepeopleisanotherquestionhadbeensimplydirectedtowardarousinginthemasseshisownfeelingofpatriotichatredoftheFrench。
Butwheneventsassumedtheirtruehistoricalcharacter，whenexpressinghatredfortheFrenchinwordsprovedinsufficient，whenitwasnotevenpossibletoexpressthathatredbyfightingabattle，whenself—confidencewasofnoavailinrelationtotheonequestionbeforeMoscow，whenthewholepopulationstreamedoutofMoscowasoneman，abandoningtheirbelongingsandprovingbythatnegativeactionallthedepthoftheirnationalfeeling，thentherolechosenbyRostopchinsuddenlyappearedsenseless。Heunexpectedlyfelthimselfridiculous，weak，andalone，withnogroundtostandon。
When，awakenedfromhissleep，hereceivedthatcold，peremptorynotefromKutuzov，hefeltthemoreirritatedthemorehefelthimselftoblame。Allthathehadbeenspeciallyputinchargeof，thestatepropertywhichheshouldhaveremoved，wasstillinMoscowanditwasnolongerpossibletotakethewholeofitaway。
\"Whoistoblameforit？Whohasletthingscometosuchapass？\"heruminated。\"NotI，ofcourse。Ihadeverythingready。IhadMoscowfirmlyinhand。Andthisiswhattheyhaveletitcometo！Villains！
Traitors！\"hethought，withoutclearlydefiningwhothevillainsandtraitorswere，butfeelingitnecessarytohatethosetraitorswhoevertheymightbewhoweretoblameforthefalseandridiculouspositioninwhichhefoundhimself。
AllthatnightCountRostopchinissuedorders，forwhichpeoplecametohimfromallpartsofMoscow。Thoseabouthimhadneverseenthecountsomoroseandirritable。
\"Yourexcellency，theDirectoroftheRegistrar’sDepartmenthassentforinstructions……FromtheConsistory，fromtheSenate，fromtheUniversity，fromtheFoundlingHospital，theSuffraganhassent……
askingforinformation……WhatareyourordersabouttheFireBrigade？Fromthegovernoroftheprison……fromthesuperintendentofthelunaticasylum……\"Allnightlongsuchannouncementswerecontinuallybeingreceivedbythecount。
Toalltheseinquirieshegavebriefandangryrepliesindicatingthatordersfromhimwerenotnowneeded，thatthewholeaffair，carefullypreparedbyhim，hadnowbeenruinedbysomebody，andthatthatsomebodywouldhavetobearthewholeresponsibilityforallthatmighthappen。
\"Oh，tellthatblockhead，\"hesaidinreplytothequestionfromtheRegistrar’sDepartment，\"thatheshouldremaintoguardhisdocuments。
NowwhyareyouaskingsillyquestionsabouttheFireBrigade？Theyhavehorses，letthembeofftoVladimir，andnotleavethemtotheFrench。\"
\"Yourexcellency，thesuperintendentofthelunaticasylumhascome：
whatareyourcommands？\"
\"Mycommands？Letthemgoaway，that’sall……Andletthelunaticsoutintothetown。WhenlunaticscommandourarmiesGodevidentlymeanstheseothermadmentobefree。\"
Inreplytoaninquiryabouttheconvictsintheprison，CountRostopchinshoutedangrilyatthegovernor：
\"Doyouexpectmetogiveyoutwobattalions—whichwehavenotgot—
foraconvoy？Releasethem，that’sallaboutit！\"
\"Yourexcellency，therearesomepoliticalprisoners，Meshkov，Vereshchagin……\"
\"Vereshchagin！Hasn’thebeenhangedyet？\"shoutedRostopchin。
\"Bringhimtome！\"
BK11CH25
CHAPTERXXV
Towardnineo’clockinthemorning，whenthetroopswerealreadymovingthroughMoscow，nobodycametothecountanymoreforinstructions。Thosewhowereabletogetawayweregoingoftheirownaccord，thosewhoremainedbehinddecidedforthemselveswhattheymustdo。
ThecountorderedhiscarriagethathemightdrivetoSokolniki，andsatinhisstudywithfoldedhands，morose，sallow，andtaciturn。
Inquietanduntroubledtimesitseemstoeveryadministratorthatitisonlybyhiseffortsthatthewholepopulationunderhisruleiskeptgoing，andinthisconsciousnessofbeingindispensableeveryadministratorfindsthechiefrewardofhislaborandefforts。
Whiletheseaofhistoryremainscalmtheruler—administratorinhisfrailbark，holdingonwithaboathooktotheshipofthepeopleandhimselfmoving，naturallyimaginesthathiseffortsmovetheshipheisholdingonto。Butassoonasastormarisesandtheseabeginstoheaveandtheshiptomove，suchadelusionisnolongerpossible。Theshipmovesindependentlywithitsownenormousmotion，theboathooknolongerreachesthemovingvessel，andsuddenlytheadministrator，insteadofappearingarulerandasourceofpower，becomesaninsignificant，useless，feebleman。
Rostopchinfeltthis，anditwasthiswhichexasperatedhim。
Thesuperintendentofpolice，whomthecrowdhadstopped，wentintoseehimatthesametimeasanadjutantwhoinformedthecountthatthehorseswereharnessed。Theywerebothpale，andthesuperintendentofpolice，afterreportingthathehadexecutedtheinstructionshehadreceived，informedthecountthatanimmensecrowdhadcollectedinthecourtyardandwishedtoseehim。
WithoutsayingawordRostopchinroseandwalkedhastilytohislight，luxuriousdrawingroom，wenttothebalconydoor，tookholdofthehandle，letitgoagain，andwenttothewindowfromwhichhehadabetterviewofthewholecrowd。Thetallladwasstandinginfront，flourishinghisarmandsayingsomethingwithasternlook。Thebloodstainedsmithstoodbesidehimwithagloomyface。Adroneofvoiceswasaudiblethroughtheclosedwindow。
\"Ismycarriageready？\"askedRostopchin，steppingbackfromthewindow。
\"Itis，yourexcellency，\"repliedtheadjutant。
Rostopchinwentagaintothebalconydoor。
\"Butwhatdotheywant？\"heaskedthesuperintendentofpolice。
\"Yourexcellency，theysaytheyhavegotready，accordingtoyourorders，togoagainsttheFrench，andtheyshoutedsomethingabouttreachery。Butitisaturbulentcrowd，yourexcellency—Ihardlymanagedtogetawayfromit。Yourexcellency，Iventuretosuggest……\"
\"Youmaygo。Idon’tneedyoutotellmewhattodo！\"exclaimedRostopchinangrily。
Hestoodbythebalconydoorlookingatthecrowd。
\"ThisiswhattheyhavedonewithRussia！Thisiswhattheyhavedonewithme！\"thoughthe，fullofanirrepressiblefurythatwelledupwithinhimagainstthesomeonetowhomwhatwashappeningmightbeattributed。Asoftenhappenswithpassionatepeople，hewasmasteredbyangerbutwasstillseekinganobjectonwhichtoventit。
\"Hereisthatmob，thedregsofthepeople，\"hethoughtashegazedatthecrowd：\"thisrabbletheyhaverousedbytheirfolly！Theywantavictim，\"hethoughtashelookedatthetallladflourishinghisarm。Andthisthoughtoccurredtohimjustbecausehehimselfdesiredavictim，somethingonwhichtoventhisrage。
\"Isthecarriageready？\"heaskedagain。
\"Yes，yourexcellency。WhatareyourordersaboutVereshchagin？Heiswaitingattheporch，\"saidtheadjutant。
\"Ah！\"exclaimedRostopchin，asifstruckbyanunexpectedrecollection。
Andrapidlyopeningthedoorhewentresolutelyoutontothebalcony。Thetalkinginstantlyceased，hatsandcapsweredoffed，andalleyeswereraisedtothecount。
\"Goodmorning，lads！\"saidthecountbrisklyandloudly。\"Thankyouforcoming。I’llcomeouttoyouinamoment，butwemustfirstsettlewiththevillain。WemustpunishthevillainwhohascausedtheruinofMoscow。Waitforme！\"
Andthecountsteppedasbrisklybackintotheroomandslammedthedoorbehindhim。
Amurmurofapprobationandsatisfactionranthroughthecrowd。
\"He’llsettlewithallthevillains，you’llsee！AndyousaidtheFrench……He’llshowyouwhatlawis！\"themobweresayingasifreprovingoneanotherfortheirlackofconfidence。
Afewminuteslateranofficercamehurriedlyoutofthefrontdoor，gaveanorder，andthedragoonsformedupinline。Thecrowdmovedeagerlyfromthebalconytowardtheporch。Rostopchin，comingouttherewithquickangrysteps，lookedhastilyaroundasifseekingsomeone。
\"Whereishe？\"heinquired。Andashespokehesawayoungmancomingroundthecornerofthehousebetweentwodragoons。Hehadalongthinneck，andhishead，thathadbeenhalfshaved，wasagaincoveredbyshorthair。Thisyoungmanwasdressedinathreadbareblueclothcoatlinedwithfoxfur，thathadoncebeensmart，anddirtyhempenconvicttrousers，overwhichwerepulledhisthin，dirty，trodden—downboots。Onhisthin，weaklegswereheavychainswhichhamperedhisirresolutemovements。
\"Ah！\"saidRostopchin，hurriedlyturningawayhiseyesfromtheyoungmaninthefur—linedcoatandpointingtothebottomstepoftheporch。\"Puthimthere。\"
Theyoungmaninhisclatteringchainssteppedclumsilytothespotindicated，holdingawaywithonefingerthecoatcollarwhichchafedhisneck，turnedhislongnecktwicethiswayandthat，sighed，andsubmissivelyfoldedbeforehimhisthinhands，unusedtowork。
Forseveralsecondswhiletheyoungmanwastakinghisplaceonthestepthesilencecontinued。Onlyamongthebackrowsofthepeople，whowereallpressingtowardtheonespot，couldsighs，groans，andtheshufflingoffeetbeheard。
WhilewaitingfortheyoungmantotakehisplaceonthestepRostopchinstoodfrowningandrubbinghisfacewithhishand。
\"Lads！\"saidhe，withametallicringinhisvoice。\"Thisman，Vereshchagin，isthescoundrelbywhosedoingMoscowisperishing。\"
Theyoungmaninthefur—linedcoat，stoopingalittle，stoodinasubmissiveattitude，hisfingersclaspedbeforehim。Hisemaciatedyoungface，disfiguredbythehalf—shavenhead，hungdownhopelessly。Atthecount’sfirstwordsheraiseditslowlyandlookedupathimasifwishingtosaysomethingoratleasttomeethiseye。ButRostopchindidnotlookathim。Aveinintheyoungman’slongthinneckswelledlikeacordandwentbluebehindtheear，andsuddenlyhisfaceflushed。
Alleyeswerefixedonhim。Helookedatthecrowd，andrenderedmorehopefulbytheexpressionhereadonthefacesthere，hesmiledsadlyandtimidly，andloweringhisheadshiftedhisfeetonthestep。
\"HehasbetrayedhisTsarandhiscountry，hehadgoneovertoBonaparte。HealoneofalltheRussianshasdisgracedtheRussianname，hehascausedMoscowtoperish，\"saidRostopchininasharp，evenvoice，butsuddenlyheglanceddownatVereshchaginwhocontinuedtostandinthesamesubmissiveattitude。Asifinflamedbythesight，heraisedhisarmandaddressedthepeople，almostshouting：
\"Dealwithhimasyouthinkfit！Ihandhimovertoyou。\"
Thecrowdremainedsilentandonlypressedcloserandclosertooneanother。Tokeeponeanotherback，tobreatheinthatstiflingatmosphere，tobeunabletostir，andtoawaitsomethingunknown，uncomprehended，andterrible，wasbecomingunbearable。Thosestandinginfront，whohadseenandheardwhathadtakenplacebeforethem，allstoodwithwideopeneyesandmouths，strainingwithalltheirstrength，andheldbackthecrowdthatwaspushingbehindthem。
\"Beathim！……LetthetraitorperishandnotdisgracetheRussianname！\"shoutedRostopchin。\"Cuthimdown。Icommandit。\"
HearingnotsomuchthewordsastheangrytoneofRostopchin’svoice，thecrowdmoanedandheavedforward，butagainpaused。
\"Count！\"exclaimedthetimidyettheatricalvoiceofVereshchagininthemidstofthemomentarysilencethatensued，\"Count！OneGodisaboveusboth……\"Heliftedhisheadandagainthethickveininhisthinneckfilledwithbloodandthecolorrapidlycameandwentinhisface。
Hedidnotfinishwhathewishedtosay。
\"Cuthimdown！Icommandit……\"shoutedRostopchin，suddenlygrowingpalelikeVereshchagin。
\"Drawsabers！\"criedthedragoonofficer，drawinghisown。
Anotherstillstrongerwaveflowedthroughthecrowdandreachingthefrontrankscarrieditswayingtotheverystepsoftheporch。Thetallyouth，withastonylookonhisface，andrigidandupliftedarm，stoodbesideVereshchagin。
\"Saberhim！\"thedragoonofficeralmostwhispered。
Andoneofthesoldiers，hisfaceallatoncedistortedwithfury，struckVereshchaginontheheadwiththebluntsideofhissaber。
\"Ah！\"criedVereshchagininmeeksurprise，lookingroundwithafrightenedglanceasifnotunderstandingwhythiswasdonetohim。
Asimilarmoanofsurpriseandhorrorranthroughthecrowd。\"OLord！\"
exclaimedasorrowfulvoice。
ButaftertheexclamationofsurprisethathadescapedfromVereshchaginheutteredaplaintivecryofpain，andthatcrywasfatal。Thebarrierofhumanfeeling，strainedtotheutmost，thathadheldthecrowdinchecksuddenlybroke。Thecrimehadbegunandmustnowbecompleted。Theplaintivemoanofreproachwasdrownedbythethreateningandangryroarofthecrowd。Liketheseventhandlastwavethatshattersaship，thatlastirresistiblewaveburstfromtherearandreachedthefrontranks，carryingthemofftheirfeetandengulfingthemall。Thedragoonwasabouttorepeathisblow。
Vereshchaginwithacryofhorror，coveringhisheadwithhishands，rushedtowardthecrowd。Thetallyouth，againstwhomhestumbled，seizedhisthinneckwithhishandsand，yellingwildly，fellwithhimunderthefeetofthepressing，strugglingcrowd。
SomebeatandtoreatVereshchagin，othersatthetallyouth。Andthescreamsofthosethatwerebeingtrampledonandofthosewhotriedtorescuethetallladonlyincreasedthefuryofthecrowd。
Itwasalongtimebeforethedragoonscouldextricatethebleedingyouth，beatenalmosttodeath。Andforalongtime，despitethefeverishhastewithwhichthemobtriedtoendtheworkthathadbeenbegun，thosewhowerehitting，throttling，andtearingatVereshchaginwereunabletokillhim，forthecrowdpressedfromallsides，swayingasonemasswiththeminthecenterandrenderingitimpossibleforthemeithertokillhimorlethimgo。
\"Hithimwithanax，eh！……Crushed？……Traitor，hesoldChrist……Stillalive……tenacious……serveshimright！Tortureservesathiefright。Usethehatchet！……What—stillalive？\"
Onlywhenthevictimceasedtostruggleandhiscrieschangedtoalong—drawn，measureddeathrattledidthecrowdaroundhisprostrate，bleedingcorpsebeginrapidlytochangeplaces。Eachonecameup，glancedatwhathadbeendone，andwithhorror，reproach，andastonishmentpushedbackagain。
\"OLord！Thepeoplearelikewildbeasts！Howcouldhebealive？\"
voicesinthecrowdcouldbeheardsaying。\"Quiteayoungfellowtoo……musthavebeenamerchant’sson。Whatmen！……andtheysayhe’snottherightone……Hownottherightone？……OLord！Andthere’sanotherhasbeenbeatentoo—theysayhe’snearlydonefor……Oh，thepeople……Aren’ttheyafraidofsinning？……\"saidthesamemobnow，lookingwithpaineddistressatthedeadbodywithitslong，thin，half—severedneckanditslividfacestainedwithbloodanddust。
Apainstakingpoliceofficer，consideringthepresenceofacorpseinhisexcellency’scourtyardunseemly，toldthedragoonstotakeitaway。Twodragoonstookitbyitsdistortedlegsanddraggeditalongtheground。Thegory，dust—stained，half—shavenheadwithitslongnecktrailedtwistingalongtheground。Thecrowdshrankbackfromit。
AtthemomentwhenVereshchaginfellandthecrowdclosedinwithsavageyellsandswayedabouthim，Rostopchinsuddenlyturnedpaleand，insteadofgoingtothebackentrancewherehiscarriageawaitedhim，wentwithhurriedstepsandbenthead，notknowingwhereandwhy，alongthepassageleadingtotheroomsonthegroundfloor。Thecount’sfacewaswhiteandhecouldnotcontrolthefeverishtwitchingofhislowerjaw。
\"Thisway，yourexcellency……Whereareyougoing？……Thisway，please……\"saidatrembling，frightenedvoicebehindhim。
CountRostopchinwasunabletoreplyand，turningobediently，wentinthedirectionindicated。Atthebackentrancestoodhiscaleche。
Thedistantroaroftheyellingcrowdwasaudibleeventhere。HehastilytookhisseatandtoldthecoachmantodrivehimtohiscountryhouseinSokolniki。
WhentheyreachedtheMyasnitskiStreetandcouldnolongerheartheshoutsofthemob，thecountbegantorepent。Herememberedwithdissatisfactiontheagitationandfearhehadbetrayedbeforehissubordinates。\"Themobisterrible—disgusting，\"hesaidtohimselfinFrench。\"Theyarelikewolveswhomnothingbutfleshcanappease。\"
\"Count！OneGodisaboveusboth！\"—Vereshchagin’swordssuddenlyrecurredtohim，andadisagreeableshiverrandownhisback。ButthiswasonlyamomentaryfeelingandCountRostopchinsmileddisdainfullyathimself。\"Ihadotherduties，\"thoughthe。\"Thepeoplehadtobeappeased。Manyothervictimshaveperishedandareperishingforthepublicgood\"—andhebeganthinkingofhissocialdutiestohisfamilyandtothecityentrustedtohim，andofhimself—nothimselfasTheodoreVasilyevichRostopchinhefanciedthatTheodoreVasilyevichRostopchinwassacrificinghimselfforthepublicgood
buthimselfasgovernor，therepresentativeofauthorityandoftheTsar。\"HadIbeensimplyTheodoreVasilyevichmycourseofactionwouldhavebeenquitedifferent，butitwasmydutytosafeguardmylifeanddignityascommanderinchief。\"
Lightlyswayingontheflexiblespringsofhiscarriageandnolongerhearingtheterriblesoundsofthecrowd，Rostopchingrewphysicallycalmand，asalwayshappens，assoonashebecamephysicallytranquilhisminddevisedreasonswhyheshouldbementallytranquiltoo。ThethoughtwhichtranquillizedRostopchinwasnotanewone。Sincetheworldbeganandmenhavekilledoneanothernoonehasevercommittedsuchacrimeagainsthisfellowmanwithoutcomfortinghimselfwiththissameidea。Thisideaislebienpublic，thehypotheticalwelfareofotherpeople。
Toamannotswayedbypassionthatwelfareisnevercertain，buthewhocommitssuchacrimealwaysknowsjustwherethatwelfarelies。
AndRostopchinnowknewit。
Notonlydidhisreasonnotreproachhimforwhathehaddone，butheevenfoundcauseforself—satisfactioninhavingsosuccessfullycontrivedtoavailhimselfofaconvenientopportunitytopunishacriminalandatthesametimepacifythemob。
\"Vereshchaginwastriedandcondemnedtodeath，\"thoughtRostopchinthoughtheSenatehadonlycondemnedVereshchagintohardlabor，\"hewasatraitorandaspy。IcouldnotlethimgounpunishedandsoIhavekilledtwobirdswithonestone：toappeasethemobIgavethemavictimandatthesametimepunishedamiscreant。\"
Havingreachedhiscountryhouseandbeguntogiveordersaboutdomesticarrangements，thecountgrewquitetranquil。
HalfanhourlaterhewasdrivingwithhisfasthorsesacrosstheSokolnikifield，nolongerthinkingofwhathadoccurredbutconsideringwhatwastocome。HewasdrivingtotheYauzabridgewherehehadheardthatKutuzovwas。CountRostopchinwasmentallypreparingtheangryandstingingreproacheshemeanttoaddresstoKutuzovforhisdeception。HewouldmakethatfoxyoldcourtierfeelthattheresponsibilityforallthecalamitiesthatwouldfollowtheabandonmentofthecityandtheruinofRussiaasRostopchinregardeditwouldfalluponhisdotingoldhead。PlanningbeforehandwhathewouldsaytoKutuzov，Rostopchinturnedangrilyinhiscalecheandgazedsternlyfromsidetoside。
TheSokolnikifieldwasdeserted。Onlyattheendofit，infrontofthealmshouseandthelunaticasylum，couldbeseensomepeopleinwhiteandotherslikethemwalkingsinglyacrossthefieldshoutingandgesticulating。
OneofthesewasrunningtocrossthepathofCountRostopchin’scarriage，andthecounthimself，hiscoachman，andhisdragoonslookedwithvaguehorrorandcuriosityatthesereleasedlunaticsandespeciallyattheonerunningtowardthem。
Swayingfromsidetosideonhislong，thinlegsinhisflutteringdressinggown，thislunaticwasrunningimpetuously，hisgazefixedonRostopchin，shoutingsomethinginahoarsevoiceandmakingsignstohimtostop。Thelunatic’ssolemn，gloomyfacewasthinandyellow，withitsbeardgrowinginuneventufts。Hisblack，agatepupilswithsaffron—yellowwhitesmovedrestlesslynearthelowereyelids。
\"Stop！Pullup，Itellyou！\"hecriedinapiercingvoice，andagainshoutedsomethingbreathlesslywithemphaticintonationsandgestures。
Comingabreastofthecalecheheranbesideit。
\"Thricehavetheyslainme，thricehaveIrisenfromthedead。
Theystonedme，crucifiedme……Ishallrise……shallrise……shallrise。Theyhavetornmybody。ThekingdomofGodwillbeoverthrown……
ThricewillIoverthrowitandthricere—establishit！\"hecried，raisinghisvoicehigherandhigher。
CountRostopchinsuddenlygrewpaleashehaddonewhenthecrowdclosedinonVereshchagin。Heturnedaway。\"Gofas……faster！\"hecriedinatremblingvoicetohiscoachman。Thecalecheflewoverthegroundasfastasthehorsescoulddrawit，butforalongtimeCountRostopchinstillheardtheinsanedespairingscreamsgrowingfainterinthedistance，whilehiseyessawnothingbuttheastonished，frightened，bloodstainedfaceof\"thetraitor\"inthefur—linedcoat。
Recentasthatmentalpicturewas，Rostopchinalreadyfeltthatithadcutdeepintohisheartanddrawnblood。Evennowhefeltclearlythatthegorytraceofthatrecollectionwouldnotpasswithtime，butthattheterriblememorywould，onthecontrary，dwellinhisheartevermorecruellyandpainfullytotheendofhislife。Heseemedstilltohearthesoundofhisownwords：\"Cuthimdown！I
commandit……\"
\"WhydidIutterthosewords？ItwasbysomeaccidentIsaidthem……Ineednothavesaidthem，\"hethought。\"Andthennothingwouldhavehappened。\"Hesawthefrightenedandtheninfuriatedfaceofthedragoonwhodealttheblow，thelookofsilent，timidreproachthatboyinthefur—linedcoathadturneduponhim。\"ButI
didnotdoitformyownsake。Iwasboundtoactthatway……Themob，thetraitor……thepublicwelfare，\"thoughthe。
TroopswerestillcrowdingattheYauzabridge。Itwashot。Kutuzov，dejectedandfrowning，satonabenchbythebridgetoyingwithhiswhipinthesandwhenacalechedashedupnoisily。Amaninageneral’suniformwithplumesinhishatwentuptoKutuzovandsaidsomethinginFrench。ItwasCountRostopchin。HetoldKutuzovthathehadcomebecauseMoscow，thecapital，wasnomoreandonlythearmyremained。
\"ThingswouldhavebeendifferentifyourSereneHighnesshadnottoldmethatyouwouldnotabandonMoscowwithoutanotherbattle；
allthiswouldnothavehappened，\"hesaid。
KutuzovlookedatRostopchinasif，notgraspingwhatwassaidtohim，hewastryingtoreadsomethingpeculiarwrittenatthatmomentonthefaceofthemanaddressinghim。Rostopchingrewconfusedandbecamesilent。KutuzovslightlyshookhisheadandnottakinghispenetratinggazefromRostopchin’sfacemutteredsoftly：
\"No！IshallnotgiveupMoscowwithoutabattle！\"
WhetherKutuzovwasthinkingofsomethingentirelydifferentwhenhespokethosewords，orutteredthempurposely，knowingthemtobemeaningless，atanyrateRostopchinmadenoreplyandhastilylefthim。Andstrangetosay，theGovernorofMoscow，theproudCountRostopchin，tookupaCossackwhipandwenttothebridgewherehebeganwithshoutstodriveonthecartsthatblockedtheway。
BK11CH26
CHAPTERXXVI
Towardfouro’clockintheafternoonMurat’stroopswereenteringMoscow。InfrontrodeadetachmentofWurttemberghussarsandbehindthemrodetheKingofNapleshimselfaccompaniedbyanumeroussuite。
AboutthemiddleoftheArbatStreet，neartheChurchoftheMiraculousIconofSt。Nicholas，Murathaltedtoawaitnewsfromtheadvanceddetachmentastotheconditioninwhichtheyhadfoundthecitadel，leKremlin。
AroundMuratgatheredagroupofthosewhohadremainedinMoscow。
Theyallstaredintimidbewildermentatthestrange，long—hairedcommanderdressedupinfeathersandgold。
\"IsthattheirTsarhimself？He’snotbad！\"lowvoicescouldbeheardsaying。
Aninterpreterrodeuptothegroup。
\"Takeoffyourcap……yourcaps！\"Thesewordswentfromonetoanotherinthecrowd。TheinterpreteraddressedanoldporterandaskedifitwasfartotheKremlin。Theporter，listeninginperplexitytotheunfamiliarPolishaccentandnotrealizingthattheinterpreterwasspeakingRussian，didnotunderstandwhatwasbeingsaidtohimandslippedbehindtheothers。
MuratapproachedtheinterpreterandtoldhimtoaskwheretheRussianarmywas。OneoftheRussiansunderstoodwhatwasaskedandseveralvoicesatoncebeganansweringtheinterpreter。AFrenchofficer，returningfromtheadvanceddetachment，rodeuptoMuratandreportedthatthegatesofthecitadelhadbeenbarricadedandthattherewasprobablyanambuscadethere。
\"Good！\"saidMuratand，turningtooneofthegentlemeninhissuite，orderedfourlightgunstobemovedforwardtofireatthegates。
ThegunsemergedatatrotfromthecolumnfollowingMuratandadvanceduptheArbat。WhentheyreachedtheendoftheVozdvizhenkaStreettheyhaltedanddrewintheSquare。SeveralFrenchofficerssuperintendedtheplacingofthegunsandlookedattheKremlinthroughfieldglasses。
ThebellsintheKremlinwereringingforvespers，andthissoundtroubledtheFrench。Theyimaginedittobeacalltoarms。AfewinfantrymenrantotheKutafyevGate。Beamsandwoodenscreenshadbeenputthere，andtwomusketshotsrangoutfromunderthegateassoonasanofficerandmenbegantoruntowardit。Ageneralwhowasstandingbythegunsshoutedsomewordsofcommandtotheofficer，andthelatterranbackagainwithhismen。
Thesoundofthreemoreshotscamefromthegate。
OneshotstruckaFrenchsoldier’sfoot，andfrombehindthescreenscamethestrangesoundofafewvoicesshouting。InstantlyasatawordofcommandtheexpressionofcheerfulserenityonthefacesoftheFrenchgeneral，officers，andmenchangedtooneofdeterminedconcentratedreadinessforstrifeandsuffering。Toallofthemfromthemarshaltotheleastsoldier，thatplacewasnottheVozdvizhenka，Mokhavaya，orKutafyevStreet，northeTroitsaGateplacesfamiliarinMoscow，butanewbattlefieldwhichwouldprobablyprovesanguinary。Andallmadereadyforthatbattle。Thecriesfromthegatesceased。Thegunswereadvanced，theartillerymenblewtheashofftheirlinstocks，andanofficergavetheword\"Fire！\"Thiswasfollowedbytwowhistlingsoundsofcanistershot，oneafteranother。Theshotrattledagainstthestoneofthegateanduponthewoodenbeamsandscreens，andtwowaveringcloudsofsmokeroseovertheSquare。
Afewinstantsaftertheechoofthereportsresoundingoverthestone—builtKremlinhaddiedawaytheFrenchheardastrangesoundabovetheirhead。Thousandsofcrowsroseabovethewallsandcircledintheair，cawingandnoisilyflappingtheirwings。
Togetherwiththatsoundcameasolitaryhumancryfromthegatewayandamidthesmokeappearedthefigureofabareheadedmaninapeasant’scoat。HegraspedamusketandtookaimattheFrench。
\"Fire！\"repeatedtheofficeroncemore，andthereportsofamusketandoftwocannonshotswereheardsimultaneously。Thegateagainhiddenbysmoke。
NothingmorestirredbehindthescreensandtheFrenchinfantrysoldiersandofficersadvancedtothegate。Inthegatewaylaythreewoundedandfourdead。Twomeninpeasantcoatsranawayatthefootofthewall，towardtheZnamenka。
\"Clearthataway！\"saidtheofficer，pointingtothebeamsandthecorpses，andtheFrenchsoldiers，afterdispatchingthewounded，threwthecorpsesovertheparapet。
Whothesemenwerenobodyknew。\"Clearthataway！\"wasallthatwassaidofthem，andtheywerethrownovertheparapetandremovedlateronthattheymightnotstink。Thiersalonededicatesafeweloquentlinestotheirmemory：\"Thesewretcheshadoccupiedthesacredcitadel，havingsuppliedthemselveswithgunsfromthearsenal，andfired\"thewretches\"attheFrench。SomeofthemweresaberedandtheKremlinwaspurgedoftheirpresence。\"
Muratwasinformedthatthewayhadbeencleared。TheFrenchenteredthegatesandbeganpitchingtheircampintheSenateSquare。OutofthewindowsoftheSenateHousethesoldiersthrewchairsintotheSquareforfuelandkindledfiresthere。
OtherdetachmentspassedthroughtheKremlinandencampedalongtheMoroseyka，theLubyanka，andPokrovkaStreets。OthersquarteredthemselvesalongtheVozdvizhenka，theNikolski，andtheTverskoyStreets。Nomastersofthehousesbeingfoundanywhere，theFrenchwerenotbilletedontheinhabitantsasisusualintownsbutlivedinitasinacamp。
Thoughtattered，hungry，wornout，andreducedtoathirdoftheiroriginalnumber，theFrenchenteredMoscowingoodmarchingorder。
Itwasawearyandfamished，butstillafightingandmenacingarmy。