Війна і мир

Chapter 21

           Theconversationnaturallyturnedonthepeace.Theofficers,hiscomrades,likemostofthearmy,weredissatisfiedwiththepeaceconcludedafterthebattleofFriedland.TheysaidthathadweheldoutalittlelongerNapoleonwouldhavebeendonefor,ashistroopshadneitherprovisionsnorammunition.Nicholasateanddrank(chieflythelatter)insilence.Hefinishedacoupleofbottlesofwinebyhimself.Theprocessinhismindwentontormentinghimwithoutreachingaconclusion.Hefearedtogivewaytohisthoughts,yetcouldnotgetridofthem.Suddenly,ononeoftheofficers’sayingthatitwashumiliatingtolookattheFrench,Rostóvbeganshoutingwithuncalled-forwrath,andthereforemuchtothesurpriseoftheofficers:

           “Howcanyoujudgewhat’sbest?”hecried,thebloodsuddenlyrushingtohisface.“HowcanyoujudgetheEmperor’sactions?Whatrighthavewetoargue?WecannotcomprehendeithertheEmperor’saimsorhisactions!”

           “ButIneversaidawordabouttheEmperor!”saidtheofficer,justifyinghimself,andunabletounderstandRostóv’soutburst,exceptonthesuppositionthathewasdrunk.

           ButRostóvdidnotlistentohim.

           “Wearenotdiplomaticofficials,wearesoldiersandnothingmore,”hewenton.“Ifweareorderedtodie,wemustdie.Ifwe’repunished,itmeansthatwehavedeservedit,it’snotforustojudge.IftheEmperorpleasestorecognizeBonaparteasEmperorandtoconcludeanalliancewithhim,itmeansthatthatistherightthingtodo

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