Війна і мир

Chapter 26

           “I’llseeyoulater,”headded,andsummoneddeBeausset,whobythattimehadpreparedthesurprise,havingplacedsomethingonthechairsandcovereditwithacloth.

           DeBeaussetbowedlow,withthatcourtlyFrenchbowwhichonlytheoldretainersoftheBourbonsknewhowtomake,andapproachedhim,presentinganenvelope.

           Napoleonturnedtohimgailyandpulledhisear.

           “Youhavehurriedhere.Iamveryglad.Well,whatisParissaying?”heasked,suddenlychanginghisformersternexpressionforamostcordialtone.

           “Sire,allParisregretsyourabsence,”replieddeBeaussetaswasproper.

           ButthoughNapoleonknewthatdeBeaussethadtosaysomethingofthiskind,andthoughinhislucidmomentsheknewitwasuntrue,hewaspleasedtohearitfromhim.Againhehonoredhimbytouchinghisear.

           “Iamverysorrytohavemadeyoutravelsofar,”saidhe.

           “Sire,IexpectednothinglessthantofindyouatthegatesofMoscow,”replieddeBeausset.

           Napoleonsmiledand,liftinghisheadabsent-mindedly,glancedtotheright.Anaide-de-campapproachedwithglidingstepsandofferedhimagoldsnuffbox,whichhetook.

           “Yes,ithashappenedluckilyforyou,”hesaid,raisingtheopensnuffboxtohisnose.“Youarefondoftravel,andinthreedaysyouwillseeMoscow.YousurelydidnotexpecttoseethatAsiaticcapital.Youwillhaveapleasantjourney.”

           DeBeaussetbowedgratefullyatthisregardforhistastefortravel(ofwhichhehadnottillthenbeenaware).

           “Ha,what’sthis?”askedNapoleon,noticingthatallthecourtierswerelookingatsomethingconcealedunderacloth.

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