Chapter 4

           

           AttwointhemorningofthefourteenthofJune,theEmperor,havingsentforBalashëvandreadhimhislettertoNapoleon,orderedhimtotakeitandhanditpersonallytotheFrenchEmperor.WhendispatchingBalashëv,theEmperorrepeatedtohimthewordsthathewouldnotmakepeacesolongasasinglearmedenemyremainedonRussiansoilandtoldhimtotransmitthosewordstoNapoleon.AlexanderdidnotinserttheminhislettertoNapoleon,becausewithhischaracteristictacthefeltitwouldbeinjudicioustousethematamomentwhenalastattemptatreconciliationwasbeingmade,buthedefinitelyinstructedBalashëvtorepeatthempersonallytoNapoleon.

           Havingsetoffinthesmallhoursofthefourteenth,accompaniedbyabuglerandtwoCossacks,BalashëvreachedtheFrenchoutpostsatthevillageofRykónty,ontheRussiansideoftheNiemen,bydawn.TherehewasstoppedbyFrenchcavalrysentinels.

           AFrenchnoncommissionedofficerofhussars,incrimsonuniformandashaggycap,shoutedtotheapproachingBalashëvtohalt.Balashëvdidnotdosoatonce,butcontinuedtoadvancealongtheroadatawalkingpace.

           Thenoncommissionedofficerfrownedand,mutteringwordsofabuse,advancedhishorse’schestagainstBalashëv,puthishandtohissaber,andshoutedrudelyattheRussiangeneral,asking:washedeafthathedidnotdoashewastold?Balashëvmentionedwhohewas.ThenoncommissionedofficerbegantalkingwithhiscomradesaboutregimentalmatterswithoutlookingattheRussiangeneral.

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