Chapter 6

           

           ThoughBalashëvwasusedtoimperialpomp,hewasamazedattheluxuryandmagnificenceofNapoleon’scourt.

           TheComtedeTurenneshowedhimintoabigreceptionroomwheremanygenerals,gentlemen-in-waiting,andPolishmagnates—severalofwhomBalashëvhadseenatthecourtoftheEmperorofRussia—werewaiting.DurocsaidthatNapoleonwouldreceivetheRussiangeneralbeforegoingforhisride.

           Aftersomeminutes,thegentleman-in-waitingwhowasondutycameintothegreatreceptionroomand,bowingpolitely,askedBalashëvtofollowhim.

           Balashëvwentintoasmallreceptionroom,onedoorofwhichledintoastudy,theveryonefromwhichtheRussianEmperorhaddispatchedhimonhismission.Hestoodaminuteortwo,waiting.Heheardhurriedfootstepsbeyondthedoor,bothhalvesofitwereopenedrapidly;allwassilentandthenfromthestudythesoundwasheardofothersteps,firmandresolute—theywerethoseofNapoleon.Hehadjustfinisheddressingforhisride,andworeablueuniform,openinginfrontoverawhitewaistcoatsolongthatitcoveredhisrotundstomach,whiteleatherbreechestightlyfittingthefatthighsofhisshortlegs,andHessianboots.Hisshorthairhadevidentlyjustbeenbrushed,butonelockhungdowninthemiddleofhisbroadforehead.Hisplumpwhiteneckstoodoutsharplyabovetheblackcollarofhisuniform,andhesmelledofEaudeCologne.Hisfullface,ratheryoung-looking,withitsprominentchin,woreagraciousandmajesticexpressionofimperialwelcome.

           Heenteredbriskly,withajerkateverystepandhisheadslightlythrownback.

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