Війна і мир

Chapter 6

           Balashëvnoticedthathisleftlegwasquiveringfasterthanbeforeandhisfaceseemedpetrifiedinitssternexpression.ThisquiveringofhisleftlegwasathingNapoleonwasconsciousof.“Thevibrationofmyleftcalfisagreatsignwithme,”heremarkedatalaterdate.

           “SuchdemandsastoretreatbeyondtheVistulaandOdermaybemadetoaPrinceofBaden,butnottome!”Napoleonalmostscreamed,quitetohisownsurprise.“IfyougavemePetersburgandMoscowIcouldnotacceptsuchconditions.YousayIhavebegunthiswar!Butwhofirstjoinedhisarmy?TheEmperorAlexander,notI!AndyouoffermenegotiationswhenIhaveexpendedmillions,whenyouareinalliancewithEngland,andwhenyourpositionisabadone.Youoffermenegotiations!ButwhatistheaimofyouralliancewithEngland?Whathasshegivenyou?”hecontinuedhurriedly,evidentlynolongertryingtoshowtheadvantagesofpeaceanddiscussitspossibility,butonlytoprovehisownrectitudeandpowerandAlexander’serrorsandduplicity.

           Thecommencementofhisspeechhadobviouslybeenmadewiththeintentionofdemonstratingtheadvantagesofhispositionandshowingthathewasneverthelesswillingtonegotiate.Buthehadbeguntalking,andthemorehetalkedthelesscouldhecontrolhiswords.

           ThewholepurportofhisremarksnowwasevidentlytoexalthimselfandinsultAlexander—justwhathehadleastdesiredatthecommencementoftheinterview.

           “IhearyouhavemadepeacewithTurkey?”

           Balashëvbowedhisheadaffirmatively.

           “Peacehasbeenconcluded...”hebegan.

           ButNapoleondidnotlethimspeak.

Зміст книги
Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 1133 з 2250