Війна і мир

Chapter 10

           Shewillretaliate.Andshehasbeenfooledinthefirstplacebecauseherprovinceshavebeenpillaged—theysaytheHolyRussianarmylootsterribly—herarmyisdestroyed,hercapitaltaken,andallthisforthebeauxyeux*ofHisSardinianMajesty.Andtherefore—thisisbetweenourselves—Iinstinctivelyfeelthatwearebeingdeceived,myinstincttellsmeofnegotiationswithFranceandprojectsforpeace,asecretpeaceconcludedseparately.”

           *Fineeyes.

           “Impossible!”criedPrinceAndrew.“Thatwouldbetoobase.”

           “Ifweliveweshallsee,”repliedBilíbin,hisfaceagainbecomingsmoothasasignthattheconversationwasatanend.

           WhenPrinceAndrewreachedtheroompreparedforhimandlaydowninacleanshirtonthefeatherbedwithitswarmedandfragrantpillows,hefeltthatthebattleofwhichhehadbroughttidingswasfar,farawayfromhim.ThealliancewithPrussia,Austria’streachery,Bonaparte’snewtriumph,tomorrow’sleveeandparade,andtheaudiencewiththeEmperorFrancisoccupiedhisthoughts.

           Heclosedhiseyes,andimmediatelyasoundofcannonading,ofmusketryandtherattlingofcarriagewheelsseemedtofillhisears,andnowagaindrawnoutinathinlinethemusketeersweredescendingthehill,theFrenchwerefiring,andhefelthisheartpalpitatingasherodeforwardbesideSchmidtwiththebulletsmerrilywhistlingallaround,andheexperiencedtenfoldthejoyofliving,ashehadnotdonesincechildhood.

           Hewokeup...

           “Yes,thatallhappened!”hesaid,and,smilinghappilytohimselflikeachild,hefellintoadeep,youthfulslumber.

           

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