Війна і мир

Chapter 7

           SolittlewashisrejoinderappreciatedthatNapoleondidnotnoticeitatallandnaïvelyaskedBalashëvthroughwhattownsthedirectroadfromtheretoMoscowpassed.Balashëv,whowasonthealertallthroughthedinner,repliedthatjustas“allroadsleadtoRome,”soallroadsleadtoMoscow:thereweremanyroads,and“amongthemtheroadthroughPoltáva,whichCharlesXIIchose.”Balashëvinvoluntarilyflushedwithpleasureattheaptitudeofthisreply,buthardlyhadheutteredthewordPoltávabeforeCaulaincourtbeganspeakingofthebadnessoftheroadfromPetersburgtoMoscowandofhisPetersburgreminiscences.

           AfterdinnertheywenttodrinkcoffeeinNapoleon’sstudy,whichfourdayspreviouslyhadbeenthatoftheEmperorAlexander.Napoleonsatdown,toyingwithhisSèvrescoffeecup,andmotionedBalashëvtoachairbesidehim.

           Napoleonwasinthatwell-knownafter-dinnermoodwhich,morethananyreasonedcause,makesamancontentedwithhimselfanddisposedtoconsidereveryonehisfriend.Itseemedtohimthathewassurroundedbymenwhoadoredhim:andhefeltconvincedthat,afterhisdinner,Balashëvtoowashisfriendandworshiper.Napoleonturnedtohimwithapleasant,thoughslightlyironic,smile.

           “TheytellmethisistheroomtheEmperorAlexanderoccupied?Strange,isn’tit,General?”hesaid,evidentlynotdoubtingthatthisremarkwouldbeagreeabletohishearersinceitwenttoprovehis,Napoleon’s,superioritytoAlexander.

           Balashëvmadenoreplyandbowedhisheadinsilence.

           “Yes.

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